Wednesday, July 26, 2017

ARC REVIEW Phantom Pearl by Monica McCabe

A  Monica McCabe Jewel Intrigue novel book three it can, however, be read as a stand-alone. I love action adventure romance books, when I read the blurb for this one I said I had to read it. It is a really nice read I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of a mix of Lara Croft and the Pink Panther, except in this case Inspector Clouseau is a really sexy Homeland Security Special Agent.

Riki Maddox has treasure hunting in her blood, her father did it before her and when he was murdered by the Yakuza her father's friend who was there when he died took her in and trained her to be the best treasure hunter out there; Riki's only goal is to seek vengeance against the Yakuza. Her new guardian is also her fence he sends her off to get certain things and she brings them back to him. The latest artifact for her retrieval is the Phantom Pearl which disappeared during WWII an item that once belonged to the Yakuza and one they would do anything to obtain again. Riki has an idea of where it is and she must get there before they do.

Special Agent Dallas Landry works Homeland Security and part of his job is the acquiring and returning of artifacts to their native lands to ensure good relations with other countries. He's normally really good at his job except for the times he's crossed paths with Riki she has always managed to slip between his fingers at every turn. Dallas has a heads up this time and able to meet Riki there before she makes off with the Phantom Pearl. With the presence of the Yakuza Dallas convinces Riki it's best if they work together especially since the Yakuza was able to snatch the Phantom Pearl away from Riki and Dallas. Working together now Dallas and Riki must figure out a way to steal back the Phantom Pearl before they take it back to Japan. Riki's past and her deceased father activities when he was murdered come up and Riki learns the truth about her father, her guardian, and the Yakuza.

Overall, I loved this book. You can really tell the amount of research Monic McCabe put into this book the active setting is remarkable. The romance between Riki and Dallas is great, the sexual chemistry is palpable and when they finally get together, wow.    

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