Hidden Steel (Five Star Expressions) [Hardcover]

Doranna Durgin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Five Star Expressions | Publication Date: July 18, 2008

Steve Spaneas doesn't have a clue. Who'd have thought that the woman who stumbles her way into his gym, looking and acting so very much like a street person off her meds, is really a CIA case officer whose memory has been obliterated by experimental drugs used by some very bad people? And seriously, who'd have thought that her attempts to untangle the few clues she's got would lead him right into her world of spies and counterspies, death and deception--and holy cow, stockpiled nuclear weapons? But Steve had better figure out who he trusts--his years of experience on the streets, or the heart of a gritty woman determined to reclaim herself--and he'd better figure it out fast. Because suddenly there's a body out behind the gym, surveillance teams lurking, and a series of unsavory goons following the trail of a woman temporarily named Mickey right through his life.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Readers who remember Ms. Durgin s Bombshell releases will be thrilled with HIDDEN STEEL... a strong heroine, a great hero and a story that keeps you completely enthralled.... HIDDEN STEEL has mystery, action, a little romance and loads of great characters ----Wendy Keel, Romance Readers Connection

"HIDDEN STEEL is a pulse-pounding suspense...Full of mystery and interesting characters, HIDDEN STEEL will grab readers from the beginning and is a book you don't want to miss." ----Jennifer Bishop, Romance Reviews Today

"...A fast-paced suspense...satisfyingly complex [plot]. Durgin balances action and romance deftly.... It's definitely an enjoyable read." ----Sheila Connolly, the Orchard Mystery series

Product Details

• Hardcover: 251 pages
• Publisher: Five Star (July 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594146810
• ISBN-13: 978-1594146817
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,838,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Doranna responded to all early injunctions to "put down that book/notebook and go outside and play" by climbing trees to read & write.

Such quirkiness of spirit has created a wandering path through the publishing world, spanning genres and form to include thirty novels and counting--mystery, SF/F, action-romance, and franchise, including the Compton Crook-winning Dun Lady's Jess--and a slew of essays and short stories.

But after all that, mostly she still prefers to hang around outside with the animals. She doesn't believe so much in mastering the beast within, but in channeling its power. For good or bad has yet to be decided.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mow your lawn, finish doing the wash, and walk the dog BEFORE starting this book!, July 29, 2008

By 

Michelle Crean (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Steel (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

Once you pick it up, you're not going to want to put it down. I was hooked on the first paragraph. Who is Mickey Finn? Why has she woken up handcuffed to a cot with no memory of what her real name is or how she got there? Why are so many people chasing her with guns?

And the biggest question of all, Is Mickey one of the Good Guys--or one of the Bad Guys?

HIDDEN STEEL is a page-turner voyage of discovery, with the fate of the free world in the balance. Well-drawn characters, numerous plot twists, and unexpected glints of humor are what I've come to anticipate in any of Doranna's novels, and this one definitely lived up to expectation!

32 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining international espionage thriller, August 2, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Steel (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

As she awakens she suffers from amnesias even as she realizes she is handcuffed to what looks like a hospital bed; when she overhears a man and woman discuss her they mention Mickey so she assumes that is her name, but soon realize they are talking about a Mickey Finn. She persuades the man, a doctor to let her go to the bathroom, but uses the handcuff the doctor opened to knock him out. "Mickey" escapes.

Mickey makes it to a San Jose gym run by Steve Spaneas. Mickey shows skills with her hands and a knife that makes Steve wonder who she is especially when fancy cars patrol the mean streets. Mickey begins to regain her memory and worries about some young female named Naia, who she does not remember is a Stanford foreign student and daughter or President Sayid Mejjati of Ishaddani, who wonders what happened to her CIA contact. As she tries to recall who she and Naia are, the CIA seeks her out as does the doctor and the woman who abducted and juiced her with a drug that wiped out her memory while finding herself attracted to Steve; a desire that makes her leave to keep him and his inner city gym rats safe.

HIDDEN STEEL is an engaging thriller that grips the audience from the moment the amnesiac wakes up as a prisoner and never slows down as she regains part of her memory. Mickey is terrific as instinctively she knows how to fight while Steve is divided about her; he knows she brings danger to his gym, but wants her safe. Readers will enjoy this entertaining international espionage thriller as the attraction between the lead couple stays in the backdrop while Mickey struggles to survive and do whatever is right for Naia, whoever she is.

Harriet Klausner

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Hiding Quality!, July 28, 2008

By 

Julie Czerneda (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Steel (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

What a treat! Join the reckless chase with Mickey and drop-dead gorgeous but "can he be trusted" Steve through the urban jungle as they try to stay alive and be in time to save a brave young informant. The forces against them have already stolen Mickey's memories and will stop at nothing to keep their own secrets. Another trademark Durgin, full of realism, deft strokes of humour (and pop culture), plenty of sizzle, compassion, action, and a heroine you not only believe, you want to be. Grab this one.