"A promising beginning to a new series."
With THE CINDERELLA MISSION, author Catherine Mann takes a
slight departure from her military themed Wingmen Warriors
series to introduce readers to a new cast of characters
employed by an ultra secret branch of the CIA known as
ARIES. ARIES agents are given the most difficult of all the
cases usually handled by the CIA. Agent Dr. Alex Morrow has gone missing. He is feared
kidnapped and his disappearance may be linked in some way to
an upcoming European summit and jewel display. ARIES
director Samuel Hatch assigns agents Ethan Williams and
Kelly Taylor to pair up in the search to find him. Ethan is
a seasoned ARIES veteran, a millionaire playboy who uses his
lifestyle as entre into the world of the social elite. Kelly
is a language expert who so far has been limited to
supporting, behind the scenes roles in ARIES assignments.
This will be her first opportunity to take an active part in
a case. Once, Ethan and Kelly were friends, until Kelly sufferd a
momentary lapse in judgement and accidentally revealed to
Ethan that her feelings went beyond friendship. Ethan
avoided serious relationships, so Kelly's revelation sent
him running the other way. Unfortunately, out of sight
didn't mean out of mind in this case, and Ethan is having
trouble getting Kelly and her sultry voice out of his mind. Ethan doesn't want to work with her, but he gives in when
Hatch offers him information obtained by the CIA regarding
the mysterious deaths of his parents. Ethan decides all he
can do now is make the best of things and try to get Kelly
(and himself) through this assignment unscathed, both
physically and emotionally. But first, in order for them to
be believable as a couple, Kelly has to transform her image
from that of an every day working girl to one of
sophistication. As Kelly and Ethan spend more time together
they discover the possibility that a relationship could
work, but in the end it may come down to a choice between
dangerous careers and a safe relationship. THE CINDERELLA MISSION is the launch title for a new
continuity series from Harlequin called "Family Secrets"
which revolves around a top secret (fictional) division of
the CIA and is being written by many authors. Ms. Mann has
set a fine example for them to follow with a believable,
intriguing plot and likeable characters demonstrating
realistic strengths and weaknesses. Ethan is a true Prince
Charming who doesn't want Kelly to become an active agent-
not because he doesn't think she can do the job, but because
he can't bear to see another person he cares about get hurt.
Kelly is determined to prove herself, but not to the extent
of brashness or foolishness. A great introduction to this
new series that has me anxious to read what happens next!
Reviewed by Janice Bennett
Posted January 26, 2003
Millionaire CIA agent Ethan Williams has his mission: find
a missing operative, and his partner is none other than
language specialist Kelly Taylor. As he watches his
bookish friend transform herself into a sexy secret agent,
Ethan must face long-buried feelings. He's willing to risk
his own life for the job, but how can he live with risking
Kelly's?
SummaryMillionaire Ethan Williams risks his life daily as a CIA
agent to save innocent lives. And they don't come any more
innocent than Kelly Taylor, his longtime friend and new
partner on a mission to intercept jewel thieves with
information on the whereabouts of a missing agent. Ethan
has his doubts about working with Kelly until he watches
her, the sweet girl next door, transform herself into a
seductive siren capable of conquering any man she wants -
and she wants Ethan.
But this mission means more than finding a missing agent.
Ethan has spent his life searching for his parents'
killers, but the answers are closer than he thinks. In a
dangerous gamble, Ethan must choose: Would he rather
fulfill his need to know his past, or protect Kelly, the
woman who could be his future?
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