Category:  Action/Thriller Publisher: Write Words Inc ISBN-10:  1594317895 Type: Fiction Pages: 219 Copyright: April 1, 2010 ISBN-13: 9781594317897 Finalist! RED EMERALDS was a finalist in the 2010 Royal Palm Literary Awards. Federal Agent Zach Taylor is drawn into the hunt for three paintings known as Red Emeralds. One contains a secret that can tip the balance of power between crime families in the United States and Europe -- but which one? If action has a name, it’s Spencer Dane! In Volume 3 of the Zach Taylor Adventure Series, Zach and his partner Sabrina Calabrese search for Red Emeralds, a painting that hides a deadly secret. Meanwhile, Erin McShane continues her quest to find her father, only this time it leads her down a path more deadly than before. Will Zach rescue her in time? Will they end up together? With a ruthless assassin on his trail and a new archenemy watching his every move, Zach must deal with his feelings for Erin as well as his renewed interest in former flame Jocelyn Haley, whose role in a controversial motion picture puts her in harm’s way. An absorbing tale for those who love thrillers with a touch of romance! Cover artwork by award-winning artist and author Vincent Scuro    Excerpt Sabrina Calabrese placed her hand on the brass doorknob turning it slightly to the left. “It’s not locked.” “Open it slowly,” said Zach. She opened the door. Zach moved in first. Sabrina followed. In the two-story entrance foyer, they came face to face with Leonardo Marciano, a swarthy looking thirty-five year old hoodlum stylishly dressed in a hand-made Italian suit. He stood about twenty feet from them, holding Sharon Goldberg in a half Nelson while pressing a nickel-plated automatic pistol against her temple. “Drop your guns or I’ll kill her!” Zach and Sabrina pointed their weapons at him. Ms. Goldberg was too terrified to struggle or speak. For a moment, there was deathly silence. Finally, Zach spoke in a calm but firm voice. “There are two things that can happen here. One of them is bad for you.” Sabrina tightened her grip on her shotgun. Marciano pressed his pistol harder against the woman’s head, and tightened his grip around her neck. He restated his demand, calling out in the direction of the master bedroom. “Dominick!” From the rear of the house came the sound of a door slamming. Moments later, they heard a car starting up and then pulling away. Sweat poured down Marciano’s brow. “Dominick!” His voice was more intense. Sabrina squinted down the barrel of her weapon. “Sounds to me like Dominick took off.” “Put the gun down,” said Zach, enunciating each word very clearly. “I won’t tell you again.” Panic overtook Marciano’s face. It showed in his voice. “I’m not kidding! I’ll kill her! I swear I will!” With his left hand, Zach steadied the pistol he held in his right, visualizing a line from the gun sight to the end of the barrel to the center of Leonardo Marciano’s forehead. Sabrina’s eyes flicked from Marciano to her partner and then back again. “You got him?” Zach didn’t answer. He squeezed the trigger. Zach’s pistol roared, propelling a bullet across the room, through the head of Leonardo Marciano, and into the stucco wall behind him. The gunman’s pistol flew from his hand. As his legs buckled, his body slowly slid down the wall, painting a trail of blood behind him. No longer in Marciano’s grip, Sharon Goldberg fainted to the floor. “Maybe you should have told him what the bad thing was,” said Sabrina, helping Ms. Goldberg up to a sitting position. “It wouldn’t have made any difference. A man who holds a gun to a woman’s head is asking to die.” Sabrina remembered her partner’s fondness for quoting the man who raised him after his parents died. “Is that another quote from Grandpa Zachary?” “No,” replied Zach. “It’s one of my own.” His eyes narrowed. He didn’t enjoy killing but he knew that sometimes it was necessary. This was one of those times.

Anne K. Edwards, Mystery Fiction Reviews, April 12, 2010
A hired assassin is only one of many looking for a painting called Red Emeralds that is supposed to contain a secret. The problem is there are 3 of these paintings so each one must be found and checked.

This same assassin has a contract to kill Zach Taylor from a mob boss, a man who has crossed paths with Zach in the past. The assassin is finding Zach hard to kill and she knows her contract isn't the only one wanting him dead.

Among Zach's many other troubles are two ladies he may love, but is he in love with them? That is a question he is having trouble answering as he gets drawn into helping one while telling the other who got death threats to go someplace safe.

A set of subplots that are skillfully blended with mystery and murder to produce a well told, well written by a talented storyteller, Spencer Dane. A series that any mystery/thriller/or suspense fan will truly enjoy. The romance fan will also enjoy them, even if's just to find out if Zach ever makes up his mind about which lady he loves truly.

Spencer Dane writes in plain easy-to-read language with an excitement in his storytelling that is guaranteed to please any reader and have you looking for any of his other books. I'm pleased to recommend Red Emeralds as a read you won't to miss. Enjoy. I sure did.