Haunted Echoes

In this second installment of The Madonna Key series, Interpol agent Ana Reisner has been charged with preventing a murder and finding a stolen item. The only problem is that Elise Villecourt, the potential murder victim, won't tell her what was stolen! Ana would write all of this off as a bizarre joke but the president of France is insisting it is a matter of national security- and somehow linked to the mysterious power outages occurring across France. Ana must rely on the help of sexy former art thief, Robert Fraser, to resolve this matter. After all, Ana is more of an art historian than a cop! Cindy Dees has done a phenomenal job at ramping up the action in the Black Madonna story! The reader is plunged into the world of the Marians and the history surrounding Queen Elizabeth I and her friend Lady Jane Norville. This book can be read as a stand alone book but this reviewer would suggest reading Evelyn Vaughn's book as well, as it appears that the authors have collaborated to produce a series in which the continuity is being maintained. HAUNTED ECHOES is a spectacular read and one that is guaranteed to keep the reader turning the pages well into the night. The elements of suspense and intrigue coupled with intense action make this book well worth reading! Definitely recommended!

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques What is Interpol supposed to do when a murder is reported that hasn't happened yet? Send in an art historian, agent Ana Reisner? Ana's evening goes from bad to worse when her evening out is interrupted by her boss' urgent phone call. Elise Villecourt, close personal friend of the president of France has a murder to report, and will only talk to Ana. Upon arrival, Ana discovers Elise is reporting her very own murder, which hasn't happened yet, and needs Ana to track down a priceless stolen artifact to save Elise. Unfortunately, she refuses to tell Ana what exactly was stolen! Robert Fraser is a former art thief, now university professor, called in by a mysterious elderly man to track down a stolen object. Is it mere coincidence that has Robert crossing paths with Ana, who just happens to suspect him of the theft? Now these two are on a race against time to find this mysterious missing item and solve a crime that puts the entire country of France at risk. What do these strange electricity blackouts plaguing Europe have to do with their case? Why is a ghost dogging Ana's footsteps? And do Robert and Ana really have the time... or inclination... to explore the powerful attraction between them? You'll just have to read Haunted Echoes to find out! Cindy Dees starts Haunted Echoes, the second book in the Madonna Key continuity series, off with a bang! The action gets going from the first page, taking you through a thrilling ride with many ups, downs, twists and turns, and doesn't let up until the smashing final battle scene. So much is happening throughout, that if not so well written, this could be a confusing book. But everything fits together perfectly, with each event adding one more piece to the puzzle of what's happening. Poor Ana is out of her element at first, after all she's an art historian, not a cop or soldier. As events unfurl, she comes in to her own, putting her unique skills to use to get to the bottom of what is going on with those Black Madonnas and ley lines. Then when you mix in her doubts about whether or not Robert really has decided to walk the straight and narrow, it makes for some pretty explosive moments. Haunted Echoes has it all and is sure to lure in readers of many different genres. We will find engaging battles, sexy love scenes, paranormal encounters, a little bit of history, mystery people, and plenty of excitement. We also get a chance to visit briefly with characters from the first Madonna Key book, and meet up with people to be featured in future books. To put it simply, sit back and relax and prepare to be immersed in an international adventure that will leave you breathless, in more ways than one. © Kelley A. Hartsell, August 2006. All rights reserved.

Interpol agent Ana Reisner works stolen art cases as she is an expert on art history. Her current case comes from the French President requesting Ana solve a murder that has not occurred yet and recover a stolen statue rumored to have powers to extend life. Homicide is not her skill as she is a member of the "Paint and Pottery" Patrol, Ana knows she will need some insider help, she recruits Professor Robert Fraser, a former thief. As Ana and Robert investigate the stolen icon, someone tries to prevent them from success even as a seemingly ghostly figure keeps warning her. As they dig deeper, she find herself at the center of attention of the mysterious Black Madonna cult in which one mistake might end her life prematurely. HAUNTED ECHOES is an exciting, action-packed romantic suspense fantasy that grips the audience from the moment a stunned Ana protests that she is an art expert not a cop and never slows down as her "advisors are a former thief and an apparent ghost. Ana keeps this Madonna Key tale fully focused as the intrepid heroine skirmishes with the eerie, the scary and the weary in her pursuit of the artifact. Harriet Klausner