This week, Susie Black’s Saturday Author Spotlight shines on romance and suspense/thriller author Zara West.
About the Author: Zara West loves all things adventurous and heart-stopping as long as they lead to true love. Born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Zara spends winters in New York, where the streets hum with life, summers in the Maritimes, where the sea meets the shore, and the rest of the year anywhere inspirational, for tales of mystery, adventure, and love are plentiful.
Beneath the Skin is the debut title of West’s popular The Skin Quartet Series. Here is a blurb to whet your appetite:
Ex-Olympic wrestler and reclusive billionaire artist Aristides Stavros has one mission—to rescue his sister, a popular tattoo artist, from the old enemy who has kidnapped her. But at every turn, he is confronted by anthropologist Melissa Dermot. Is she just an innocent girl in over her head, or is she working for the international crime boss holding his sister? Only one thing is certain: when Ari holds the beautiful Asian American in his arms, questions of guilt and innocence fade against an undeniable fiery attraction. But can their wild, passionate love survive the tangled web of long-buried secrets, intentional deceit, and murderous revenge that lie just beneath the surface?
Here is what readers have to say about Beneath the Skin:
Vicky N: “This is a suspense/thriller that truly deserves the name; it really pulls you in from the beginning and gets better as it goes along. Lots of twists and turns and double-crosses, and some of the best sex scenes I’ve read. This is not your average RS.”
Customer Reviewer: “I love the author’s fun, snarky writing style. She puts a lot of emotion and depth into her characters. It’s a great book, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next one in the series.”
Jenna: “The plot of this first novel engaged me early as the chemistry between the protagonists kept me interested. The romance was textured, mirrored by a plot with many layers. I’m looking forward to the next three books in the series.”
The Rose: “This book keeps you riveted to the passion, the art, and the characters. I loved it as it was a different twist on a romance. Anthropologists, graffiti, and fine art all intermingled. The next series to grip readers, for sure!”
KRM: “A reminder to us all to look beyond our first visual impressions and to trust our own intuitive sensibilities as a better judge of character. Of course, first try to get to know someone by asking questions and not being led by your own biased assumptions. This is an intriguing story with interesting characters that draw you in as the drama unfolds. It is sexy, suspenseful, and heartwarming. I particularly loved the artistic aspects of it - from the descriptive details of nature and one’s surroundings to the appreciation of the human form, tastefully incorporated into the composition on canvas and in lovemaking. Also (being an artist, as well), I cannot overlook the fact that Zara West’s love of art is very apparent in that she actually touches on three distinctly different art forms - fine art, graffiti, and tattoos - and how each is more typically viewed in society. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.”
Maui Reader: “This is a good romance, suspense, and mystery story. A good example of a story that shows that you should not be too quick to judge a book by its cover. A fast-paced story that keeps you engaged to the end. I highly recommend this book.”
Amazon Customer: “This is a rated R modern era brainy beauty and the beast. From cover to cover, this book is a unique take on the romantic mystery suspense genre, and I couldn’t put it down.”
https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Skin-Quartet-Zara-West-ebook/dp/B01F0M336K/ref=sr_1_
I love this series and Zara’s writing.