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On Deadly Ground (Devlin Security Force, Protecting Priceless Treasures Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 298 ratings

Part of a romantic suspense mystery series, but a stand-alone novel with its own conclusion. No cliff-hangers.
Kate promised her dying father to protect her brother and return a Mayan god statue to its temple. But the price to save her kidnapped brother is the valuable artifact, so keeping one promise means breaking the other. Facing a trek through the jungle, Kate must rely on a guide she doesn't trust... yet whose touch makes her yearn for more.
Max prefers to work alone, however his DSF assignment is to guide Kate while covertly finding proof her brother sold black-market antiquities. And sticking close to this delectable and vulnerable woman proves more dangerous to Max than all the threats in the jungle.
Max and Kate must outrun smugglers and an earthquake in a race that takes them to England and into the jungle. But as perilous as their quest becomes, when desire flares between them, risking their lives seems simple next to risking their hearts.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Susan Vaughan's On Deadly Ground is a red-hot, non-stop thrill ride complete with kidnappers, stolen artifacts and a dangerously inconvenient romance." - Toni Anderson, NYT Bestselling Author

From the Author

Before and after a vacation to the Mexican Riviera, to Tulum and various Maya ruins, I was inspired to write this story. Pairing a macho, tough-guy hero with an elegant museum director was loads of fun. I hope readers enjoy Max and Kate's adventures.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZWQ3DMJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (June 5, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 5, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 701 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 321 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 298 ratings

About the author

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Susan Vaughan
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I wanted to write as soon as I learned to read. I dabbled with stories and poems for years, but didn't start writing seriously until many years later. My favorite books have always been mysteries and romances, so the mix in romantic suspense was a natural. My stories throw the hero and heroine together under extraordinary circumstances and pit them against a clever villain. My books have been both a Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Nominee and a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Reviewers have called my books fast-paced, thrilling, action-packed, sizzling, and highly emotional.

I have also published two children's picture storybooks, SLEIGH MAGIC and STOWAWAYS: A MAINE PIRATE TALE.

I am a West Virginia native but I have lived for many years on the coast of Maine.

For more information about my books, please visit me at susanvaughan dot com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
298 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the engaging adventure and suspenseful storyline with well-developed characters. They appreciate the historical background and descriptions of ruins and cultural beliefs. The book is described as fast-paced, full of mystery, and a strong beginning to a new series. Readers also mention that the book has a visual content and is enjoyable.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

23 customers mention "Adventure"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the adventure in the book. They find the storyline interesting and engaging, with well-written characters and a fast-paced plot full of twists and danger. The book provides a visual backdrop for the action-packed storyline.

"...Fast paced, hot and steamy at moments. Recommended." Read more

"...and though I'm packing in all things Spanish or Mayan it was an amazing story. As with all series I'm off to read book two...." Read more

"This book has it all. Suspense, Mystery, and Romance. I was traveling on amtrak for 10 hours, and this book had me so engrossed in the..." Read more

"A thrilling and action packed romance that was a very interesting read. I loved reading the story and I loved the characters...." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters in this book. They find the hero and heroine endearing, sensitive, and likable. The story is engaging, with action and romance.

"The characters were fascinating and though I'm packing in all things Spanish or Mayan it was an amazing story...." Read more

"...I loved reading the story and I loved the characters...." Read more

"What a wild ride with a very endearing hero and heroine. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with so many bad things happening...." Read more

"...The characters were perfect, and I wanted to join them in their journey through the jungles, danger, and excitement...." Read more

7 customers mention "History"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's history and descriptions of ruins and cultural beliefs. They find the story engaging with mystery, drama, and suspense. The book provides an interesting historical background and visual storytelling.

"This book has it all. Suspense, Mystery, and Romance. I was traveling on amtrak for 10 hours, and this book had me so engrossed in the..." Read more

"This story is fast paced, full of mystery and a whole lot of cloak and dagger. Once you start reading you will just " have to finish"...." Read more

"The book has twists, turns, danger, conflicting objectives, discoveries, drama, danger and two characters determined to do what they must...." Read more

"Interesting story. I liked the history embedded in the culture. A lot of action and I finished in one setting...." Read more

3 customers mention "Danger level"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's high level of danger. They mention there are many bad guys and romantic elements.

"This story has a lot of danger around every corner, and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next until the very last page looking..." Read more

"The book has twists, turns, danger, conflicting objectives, discoveries, drama, danger and two characters determined to do what they must...." Read more

"...Hunky, sensitive hero. Determined, persistent heroine. Lots of dangerous bad guys and hot romance...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They say it's a strong beginning to a new series, with a feisty heroine.

"...Thank you Susan Vaughan for a great new series." Read more

"...The main characters are stubborn and the heiroine is feisty to boot...." Read more

"A strong beginning to a new series for me...." Read more

3 customers mention "Visual content"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's visual content, historical background, and suspenseful storyline. They find it visually appealing, with a likable hero and engaging plot.

"...Generally speaking a nice and enjoyable book." Read more

"Page turning suspense. Hunky, sensitive hero. Determined, persistent heroine. Lots of dangerous bad guys and hot romance...." Read more

"...much human interest and some interesting historical background...very visual book and interesting story line...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2022
    Through the whole book, everyone is in pursuit of a small Maya statue that's made of gold and emeralds. It keeps getting sold and passed around illegally, but the Maya people believe it is urgently needed for a rite to stop the earthquakes. As the date for the quake approaches, the attempts to retrieve the statue become more violent and the couple who are transporting it through the jungle are taking damage and serious risks just to get to the temple in time for the rite. Their attraction for each other and personal backgrounds are playing havoc with their emotions, of course. And having her brother being held captive by a group of illegal art dealers in search of the statue is adding to the tension. Crashing helicopters, broken tablets, low batteries on SAT phones are only some of the technical difficulties they must deal with. Vine snakes, flooding underground rivers, hunting jaguars, and earth tremors are some of the more natural problems they encounter. Fast paced, hot and steamy at moments. Recommended.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020
    The characters were fascinating and though I'm packing in all things Spanish or Mayan it was an amazing story. As with all series I'm off to read book two. I hope this review is emphatic enough but also bare enough to give someone else an urge to delve inside and meet Kate and Max. Enjoy their hazardous adventure in the most dangerous of territories: true love
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2015
    This book has it all. Suspense, Mystery, and Romance. I was traveling on amtrak for 10 hours, and this book had me so engrossed in the
    wilds of the jungle, I felt like I was home in no time.
    From the beginning, you were drawn in by a few hints, that there was something between Kate's brother Doug and Max.. I really felt like I was in the story right along with them. The characters, scenery, were very real.
    The romance between Max and Kate was electric. You could not, help, feeling anger for Max, and feeling sorry for him, for getting himself
    and Kate in danger. I was also given this book in exchange for a review. I already have book 2 and can't wait to get back to
    the adventure, and romance of Kate and Max. Thank you Susan Vaughan for a great new series.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2022
    This novel has it all. The main characters are stubborn and the heiroine is feisty to boot. There is kidnapping, blackmailed craziness, world travels ending up on a jungle treck. Throw in some romance and some stealing and you have it all. Will the H and h get their HEA or was this adventure to much for them?

    I received an early copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2022
    A thrilling and action packed romance that was a very interesting read. I loved reading the story and I loved the characters.

    I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2019
    This story is fast paced, full of mystery and a whole lot of cloak and dagger. Once you start reading you will just " have to finish". When my husband said," That must be one good story", I chuckled and kept reading. Next thing I knew it was 2am.

    Stolen artifact, Mayan curse, kidnapping and a race against time will keep you on the edge of your seat ~
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2016
    Kate Fontaine is on a mission: she wants to return to its rightful place a little statue that is supposed to control earthquakes. However, this mission clashes with the ransom demands for her brother, as the kidnappers want this little statue to free her brother. In any case, she hires a bodyguard, Max Riviera, who will accompany her on this trip. But Max has his own agenda and the kidnapped brother has his own secrets.

    An interesting and multilayered plot, which offered many twists and turns. The exotic destination was nicely described and provided the perfect background for this action loaded storyline. Although at a certain point I had an "action overload" and felt a bit confused with the many changes in scenery and subcharacters, I enjoyed this part of the book.

    Unfortunately I couldn't really warm up to the main characters. No matter how much they seemed to mature throughout their adventure, I still considered their actions and reactions immature. I couldn't feel the pull between them and missed the attraction and chemistry.

    Generally speaking a nice and enjoyable book.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2023
    This story has a lot of danger around every corner, and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next until the very last page looking forward to reading more books from this author

Top reviews from other countries

  • Silke
    4.0 out of 5 stars More lives than a cat
    Reviewed in Germany on January 24, 2022
    This is the first book in the Devlin Security Series but it starts as though it was maybe the second or so, with very little in the way of introducing the team, the boss or their purpose and with lots of hints that do get cleared up in the course of the story but are fairly confusing in the beginning. The story sets a very fast pace and is a bit reminiscent of Indiana Jones. Kate and Max are thrown from one life-threatening situation into the next and they sure seem to use up more than their share of luck. Their attraction starts out slow but through one dicey situation to the next, their trust, respect and finally love grows. The book stays interesting right until the end and has a well-deserved happy end.

    I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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