Bonnie Vanak

Suspenseful, exciting, and satisfying second chance romance!

Escape from Devil’s Den is a new romantic suspense novel by author Bonnie Vanak that features an FBI special agent on a dangerous undercover mission and a second chance at love story. With its tense and, at times, desperate plot and an estranged couple that never should have split up to begin with, I was rooting for their reunion every step of the way.

Kara Wilmington is hurt and confused by her fiancé, Jace Bennett, who loves riding his motorcycle and refuses to give up the bike for a life with her. Jace is heartbroken when they call off their engagement, unable to find a middle ground. Still, he won’t back down, either. Both are hardheaded and proud, the truth behind their underlying backstories hidden from each other.

Both Kara and Jace must dig deep inside to cooperate when they are unexpectedly thrown together when her business is _targeted by the dangerous Devil’s Patrol Motorcycle Club. Unbeknownst to her, he’s an FBI special agent who’s secretly infiltrated the club to bring down the person pulling their strings. Under pressure and desperate to locate her young cousin, Dylan, who has the jewels the club has stolen from her business, Kara must overcome her fear of motorcycles in favor of saving his life and maybe her own. Kara proves over and over she is more than a match for Jace in the courage department. I enjoyed her repeated refusals to stay out of harm’s way, her stealthy foray into the heart of the Devil’s Den, and her mother’s matter-of-fact acceptance of Jace back into the family.

The couple’s passion for each other has not subsided while they’ve been apart, so there is a constant sexual tension between the two, underlying the hurt, whenever they meet. There is a tense but entertaining fake “hookup” scene to throw off the suspicions of the club’s second-in-command early in the story that I really enjoyed. I was compelled to keep reading to see if, when, and how these two meant-to-be lovers would reconcile.

I recommend ESCAPE FROM DEVIL’S DEN to readers who enjoy romantic suspense and second-chance romances.… (more)

Terrific book that is romantic, intense, and informative. Peyton is a marine biologist passionate about sea turtles and the environment. The daughter of wealthy parents who don't understand her but still support her efforts become worried when she acquires a stalker. Though Peyton refuses to believe she is in danger, her father hires a bodyguard from the SOS Agency.

Gray is a former SEAL who is determined to keep Peyton safe despite herself. She hates having him follow her and calls him her "shadow." Gray has a secret in his past that has him super-focused on everything Peyton does, worried about history repeating itself.

When Peyton's dad becomes suspicious of Gray, he hires new security and fires Gray. But Gray refuses to walk away and keeps his eye on Peyton anyway. He's not far when the new security fails, and Peyton is kidnapped. When he finds her, she has lost her memory but feels that Gray is the only person she can trust. I loved watching her stand up to her family and stick with Gray as they try to uncover her stalker's identity.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Peyton and Gray. Under the antagonism she felt for him at the beginning were undeniable sparks of attraction, which she tried to ignore. Gray knows he shouldn't have feelings for his protectee and fights them as hard as possible. But when he discovers she has feelings for him, it becomes much more challenging to keep things professional.

I loved the real protectiveness Gray feels toward Peyton, not just the kind that comes with the job. Seeing his care for her and how he used her love for and knowledge of sea turtles to help her regain her memory was sweet. There are some sweet scenes as they connect over their mutual love of turtles and the environment. I especially liked his enjoyment of watching Peyton tear into a littering father in front of his kids. Gray is convinced he is wrong for Peyton, but ultimately, her determination and love win the day.

The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. The stalking was nerve-wracking as it became evident that the stalker was very familiar with Peyton's life and activities. While I thought I had it figured out early in the book, later information made me doubt my first impression. I shouldn't have, as I turned out to be correct, but the author did a great job at keeping me guessing. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was all over.

I loved all the information about sea turtles, their lives, and their challenges. The way the information was presented made it easy to understand and never felt like either an infodump or a lecture.… (more)

I do love a good bodyguard story and Her Secret Protector by Bonnie Vanak met all my requirements.

A damsel in distress
A Knight In Not So Shining Armor
A Villain….Or Two…Or…

The hook was already set when I read the blurb, but I still love a Prologue. Bonni Vanak also tells us, in the beginning of the book, why her character is a marine biologist with a love for sea turtles. I do find reasons like hers add that something extra I am always looking for.

I love books that bring ecology into the mix without being preachy. The pollution of our waters is brought into the story in a logical fashion. I feel like I may have been a mermaid in a previous life, so a book like Her Secret Protector hits all the buttons for a romantic suspense novel that leaves me wanting more of these characters.

Gray Wallace works for the SOS Agency, assigned to protect Peyton Bradley from her stalker. There is so much more to the convoluted story and I am unable to figure out all that is going on. Gray has a past that haunts his present. He works with Rangers and Seals, but ‘his past makes them look like Boy Scouts.’ That made me very curious.

I had my suspicions early on about her Nana’s property. I wasn’t right, but I wasn’t wrong either. Does that peak your interest?

When Peyton is taken and loses her memory, the only person she trusts is Gray. She doesn’t know why, but feels he is her best option to finding all the answers she seeks, plus, she does have the hots for him. The feeling is mutual, but he doesn’t act on it, keeping his personal feelings in check.

Bonnie Vanak treats their attraction with restraint and I love that they don’t hop in the sack at first lust. LOL

Once I started reading, I didn’t stop, staying up until the wee hours of the morning to get all the answers. The ending, well done, Bonnie. I love how you handled it and it’s not your typical happy ever after romantic suspense ending.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com… (more)