Private investigator Jonah Wolfe knows trouble when he sees it. So when April Vale storms into his office at Maximum Security, all his warning signs flash red. April’s been accused of murder, except she has no memory of how she woke up in her coworker’s bed—drenched in his blood, as he was shot with her gun. As the campaign manager for the mayor, April’s job and life are on the line if she doesn’t figure out who’s trying to frame her. But the clock is ticking, and the pair must find the murderer…before April winds up dead.
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, romantic suspense novella. It is fast paced with likable, engaging characters, sizzling chemistry, murder, intrigue, mystery, and happily ever after ending. It is an excellent addition to Ms. Martin's outstanding "Maximum Security" series and it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Mr. James Anderson Foster, has a captivating voice and does an excellent job depicting the characters and their personalities.
When April Vale wakes up in the bed of one of her co-workers who've been murdered she has no idea how she got there. As the campaign manager for the mayor, she's close with the major players of mayor's campaign team. She's at a loss as to who would try to set her up for this murder. The police have a theory one that she's not about to accept, she heads over to Maximum Security and meets with P.I. Jonah Wolfe for help. When she meets with Jonah the sparks fly! The closer they get to the truth the more dangerous it gets. This prequel to Kat Martin's new series "Maximum Security" I can't wait to sink my teeth into the series. It's set in Dallas which makes it more appealing for this reader.
Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-galley of this novella for my honest review. The opinions I posted above are my own regarding this novella.
Wait Until Dark was a fun, quick read with the perfect amount of suspense and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
When April Vale is woken up by the police in bed next to a dead man, April struggles to remember what happened and how she got there. Knowing she needs help, April hires private investigator Jonah Wolfe of Maximum Security to find out what happened and who’s trying to frame her for murder. With several attempts made on her life, April and Jonah are in a race against the clock to find the real killer before it’s too late.
The murder of April’s co-worker provided a great suspense storyline and the investigation into what happened was perfectly paced with just the right amount of action. I liked that April was determined to get to the bottom of the murder even when it became clear everyone wanted her to stop looking into it. The final reveal was well done with several clever twists that resulted in a very satisfying conclusion.
The romance between April and Jonah is well done and never felt rushed despite this book being under 100 pages long. He’s determined to protect her while she’s adamant she won’t hide for the rest of her life. These two complement each other very well and I liked watching the push-pull in their relationship. Their physical relationship had the perfect amount of steaminess and the physical scenes never felt out of place given the situation they were in.
Wait Until Dark was a great introduction to the Maximum Security series and I’m excited to read more from this author in the future. I definitely recommend this novella if you’re in the mood for a quick, satisfying romantic suspense read.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
"Wait Until Dark" would have very easily made a fantastic full length book. A little more suspense and a little more romance and it would have been great. As a novella, it ticks all the boxes without fully nailing any of them, but that's okay for me. I accept the limitations of a novella length book and I loved this one and look forward to the new series.
April Vale has been accused of the murder of a coworker. She has no memory of anything after getting into her car with him. Scared and afraid of what really happened she hires Maximum Security's Jonah Wolfe to help her figure this all out. Jonah knows that he is going to have trouble keeping his professional distance from April and that could be trouble.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Wait Until Dark is the prequel novella to the new Martin series Maximum Security. April Vale is woken up by the police banging on the door. She finds herself in bed with a dead colleague and no recollection of how she got there and finds herself accused of his murder. She knows she could not have killed him and is being framed and turns to private investigator Jonah Wolfe at Maximum Security for help. This is a novella that moves ahead quickly but still manages to bring in several characters and a good story within the limitations of a novella. Will be looking forward to the series starting!
Note: This has been combined into a box set (ebook & audio) with other novellas from the series - included: Wait Until Dark, Shadows at Dawn, & Before Nightfall.
I actually found this after reading book 1, The Conspiracy. The way it’s written, it doesn’t really matter and this can be enjoyed before or after that book.
At just over two hours this novella is a nice intro to Kat Martin’s writing and the Maximum Security series. While instalove isn’t my favorite, I really enjoyed all that Martin packed into such a short book. I appreciate her plot balance that includes as much mystery/suspense/thriller as romance. So far, all her heroines have been smart even if they aren’t operatives themselves.
Jonah is helping April discover the truth behind why she’s being framed for murder. It turns into a bit of a political-based mystery where they’re both running for their lives. The pressure brings them closer and both want more from an amazing night together. I enjoyed the way Martin wrapped things up and am looking forward to continuing the series.
Narration: This is my first audio by James Anderson Foster and I really like his style. He does a good job differentiating all the characters as well as bringing suspense to all the action scenes.
WAIT UNTIL DARK is the prequel to this author's brand new series, MAXIMUM SECURITY.
The men and women of Maximum Security are an assortment of private investigators, bail enforcement agents, and personal security specialists. One of these is Jonah Wolfe, a former undercover police officer.
April Vale has been accused of killing a colleague .. but she has no memory of how she woke up in a hotel bed with him. She woke as the police broke down the door and screamed as she saw the man next to her with a hole in his chest, blood soaking the sheets. The murder weapon was a small caliber gun .. registered in her name ... with her fingerprints and only her fingerprints on it.
But April believes there is much more to the story. Even without her memory, she absolutely thinks someone killed him and is framing her. But why? Who?
That's why she hires Jonah to investigate. But it becomes a matter of personal protection when someone decides she knows too much and is trying to take her out of the game.
There is a lot of fast-paced action in this short story of less than 90 pages. The characters are fully formed, with enough information to understand exactly who and what they are. The attraction between April and Jonah sizzles. The story is wrapped up expertly with no cliff hangers. This looks like the start of an exciting series.
Many thanks to the author / Harlequin-Romance / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this Romantic Suspense short read. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
This is a quick yet highly entertaining introduction to Maximum Security that is filled with danger, mystery, heart pounding action and emotionally thrilling moments..... could not put it down.
Jonah Wolfe is a smart, sexy, strong and determined private investigator for Maximum Security and is more than a little unsure when April Vale storms in to his office looking for help.... she is accused of murder and has no memory of the time in question... Loved the witty banter and exciting twists and turns.
The introduction to Kat Martin’s new romantic suspense series is full of thrilling suspense and a passionate romance. Johan and April and strong, compelling characters that easily pull readers into their story and their romance is sweet and scorching hot as they fight not to give in to their sizzling attraction while April is Jonah’s client at Maximum Security. The plot is fast paced and flows smoothly throughout as it keeps readers guessing and hanging on to their seat. The thrilling suspense builds as Jonah and April try to discover who is framing her for murder before she winds up dead herself. The climax is exhilarating, suspenseful and has a surprising twists that has readers gasping in surprise.
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) This was a short story but still exciting and enjoyable. We meet April who wakes up to a dead coworker, he was shot in the chest and the police are swarming around her and she is the suspect and has no memory of what happened. A friend of hers gives her Jonah's info and she gets hires him to help her and while they are looking for the real culprits they fall in love...I wish is wasn't so short!!!
When April Vale rushes into the Maximum Security office, she is seeking an investigator. She wasn't looking for Jonah Wolfe, but he spots her first. She has no sure but to tell him the shocking story of how she woke up in a coworker's bed. She was covered in blood. He was dead. Shot with her gun.
April is the campaign manager for the mayor, and she is adamant that she is innocent. Her life and her job are at stake. Will Jonah and the agency be able to help? He will do his best to help her, and he finds that he must fight the fact that he is very drawn to her.
This is a quick read, as it is a prequel that to the Maximum Security series. I loved the suspense, romance and setting in this novella.
April Vale wakes up naked in bed with a dead man with a bullet hole in his chest. April’s gun was used in the murder. April has no memory of how she got there. She hires Jonah Wolfe to help her figure out what happened. April is determined to get at the truth but someone out there is just as determined to stop her.
This is a prequel to a new series, Maximum Security. It is a novella so it is a fast read. The story moves along at a fast pace. It has action, suspense and romance. I look forward to reading other books in the series. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
A short and steamy, action-packed novella to introduce the new series and the characters that are part of the Maximum Security company. The suspense is rather straightforward and even built so, that the reader can guess the possible culprits from the start, just finding their motives is a puzzle to be figured out. The attraction between Jonah Wolfe and April Vale is lust at first sight. There's not much depth to it, the appeal is not complicated, the desire overpowers everything else, as they work together to catch the culprits. Surprisingly superficial and light story from the author, yet entertaining tale that did its job to whet the appetite for the book one in the new series.
A prequel to the Maximum Security with the murder of the incumbent mayor’s campaign manager. Jonah Wolfe took the short stick to star in this novella and solve the mystery of who really murdered the manager and frame April Vale as the killer.
“Wait Until Dark� served to introduce names that would be regulars to the series - as in the Max’s owner and his crew - as well as criss-crossed between the attraction April and Jonah and the case they had to solve. It was a pretty clear cut case, predictable blackguards, but (in my book) not very thorough investigation. I liked how the author handled the budding romance between April and Jonah (no jumping into bed at first sight for these two) but felt the end to be rather rushed.
Easy read. Not a great read but easy and uncomplicated. Kat Martin has written many books but this one wont stick with me. It was a short read. I really don't feel like there was much to this book. Want a quick read with no real depth than this is the book. I didn't really know the characters. Overall the book just kind of fell flat. In other words I maybe recommend this book. So three stars on NetGalley but really 2 stars for goodreads because it was ok.
Heroine not sympathetic, hero blah....Hopefully future books will be a lot up to level of Conspiracy....lay off novellas and putting out books just to put them out. Building up anticipation of a high quality next chapter in the series.
If you’re in the mood for a good Murder Mystery, a bit of Suspense and definitely Romance then the prequel to the new Maximum Security series, Wait Until Dark will check off all the “need to follow this series� boxes.
April wakes up, or rather comes to, in bed covered in the blood of her very dead co-worker. She has no idea of how she got there as the last thing she has a clear memory of is being in a car with him. Of course, she’s the prime suspect. She’s not going down without a fight and hires Jonah Wolfe of Maximum Security to get to the bottom of who actually is the murderer framing April for their crime.
Wait Until Dark is a fast paced novella that is packed with suspense, tensions, steamy moments, and definitely romance. April is not only being framed for murder but now she is the target of a killer as well. Jonah and April’s relationship, although it comes together quickly due to the length of this novella, is realistic and believable for the circumstances. I was fully engaged in their story, and finding out who wants them dead. I am a reader who enjoys prequels, the setting up of the coming series with a touch of background helps me decide if I’m going to follow the series as well as a good feel for the dynamics of what will be coming. Wait Until Dark did that very well, and now I need to know more so I’ll be picking up The Conspiracy on publication day. If you enjoy intrigue, mystery and really good romances that are believable within the circumstances, then you’ll want to check out this novella that will lead you into what looks like a very good series. I’m definitely wanting to know more� so mission accomplished.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
This was a first time author for me even though I went through the entire book thinking that I had already read one or two books from this series. After I finished, I went back to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to look and realized that, nope.... this was definitely a first time author.
I think the reason that I felt some kind of ease with this short story was that it was very easy to slip right in and start to feel quite comfortable with the characters. It didn't hurt that this is actually a type of "prequel" so while the goal was to set up future events, it also did a great job with the world building and the character development of the people that we got to meet..
I listened to this completely on audio and the male narrator - James Anderson Foster - well, tbh, he was the ONLY narrator. He did an okay job. I never really felt that complete ease with the narration, but he also didn't bother me.
The story introduces us to the female and male MC's who get thrown together when the female MC - April Vale - is set up for a murder. Our male MC - Jonah Wolfe - works for Maximum Security (cute name...) and she hires him to try to find out what really happened the night she was found in the bed of the dead man with no clothes on, prints on her gun and the results which said that her gun was the murder weapon.
This was a short story, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Now, I'm thinking I'm going to go and look up the next couple of books in this series.
April works on the Mayor’s re-election campaign. While out one night with coworkers, she drives her friend home. When she wakes up, she’s naked, covered in blood, and the police are in the room. A date rape drug is found in her system. The police figure David, the dead man, tried to rape her and she shot and killed him. The thing is she remembers nothing after getting in her car. She doesn’t believe that is what happened so she hires a private investigator. Jonah works for a prestigious security firm and work as a private investigator. As soon as he sees April he knows he’s in trouble because he has a thing for redheads. He takes her case but promises himself that he’ll keep his hands to himself until after the case. First she is almost run downed, then they are shot at after leaving a charity ball. Jonah will do whatever it takes to protect April. Can he keep her alive long enough to see if they have a future?
Very good story. Sexy PI plus beautiful woman equals some hot sex. Plenty of action, suspense and mystery. I will definitely check out the rest of this series.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *
Wait Until Dark is a novella introducing the Kat Martin's new series, Maximum Security. I loved this book. The characters are wonderful and she always throws in a surprise plot twist when you think things are resolved. Jonah Wolfe is a private investigator for Maximum Security. April Vale is the marketing director in charge of the mayor's reelection campaign. April goes out with her friends to a local bar. David Dean the mayor's campaign manager is too drunk to drive home. April offers to drive him home. She wakes up the next morning in David's bed, and he is dead beside her, shot with her gun and she does not remember anything. She hires Jonah to help her discover what happened between the time she left the bar and the time she woke up the following morning. Jonah and April have both vowed not to give into their desires. But after April's life is threatened for a second time, everything changes. Jonah and April think they have solved David's murder, and actually get a confession. Kat throws in a surprise plot twist. Everything is not as it appears. Great book. Cannot wait to read the first the first book in the series.
I am a Kat Martin fan and enjoyed Wait Until Dark, the prequel to her new series: Maximum Security. However it just was not long enough. I wanted more scenes and more character development. Don’t get me wrong Kat was able to create plenty of action and chemistry between the characters in this novella. However Jonah deserves a full book.
April wakes up naked in bed with a dead coworker. She is the campaign manager for the mayor. It is not a political book. April hires Jonah because a friend had referred her to him. She wants him to help her figure out what happened. As they start asking questions people want her dead.
There is a lot of action and although it is a short book there is closure and no cliffhangers. I am really looking forward to this new series.
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
Wait Until Dark is a light romantic suspense novella. Quick paced and condensed, the story feels like a lite romance- almost a diet romance. The story is fast paced and a quick read (think Bookshots size). The action covers much of the plot. April Vale wakes up beside her dead coworker and at first it looks like she killed him. She doesn't believe it and soon finds out she was drugged. The police are trying to pursue the case as self-defense but April's not having it. She hires private eye Jonah Wolfe and his Maximum Security firm to clear her name. Sparks fly between the two and the danger levels ramp up. The story concludes rapidly in a somewhat predictable fashion and ends with a HEA. Overall the story is fairly good just very bare bones. Not my favorite Kat Martin book but a passably enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours. My voluntary, unbaised review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
A fascinating prequel to the new “Maximum Security� series by Kat Martin. April Vale wakes up naked and confused as police break in to the apartment. She doesn’t know where she is and next to her is David Dean, a coworker, who is also naked and dead. April doesn’t remember anything after getting in to her car, the night before, to take a very drunk David to his apartment. After being taken to the police station and tested for drugs, April contacts Jonah Wolfe a private investigator with Maximum Security. April needs to know what happened to her and who killed David. The attraction is immediate between Jonah and April as they investigate who would have wanted David dead. Can Jonah put a hold on his attraction to April in order to keep her safe? I am very much looking forward to the next books in this series. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Wait Until Dark: Maximum Security Prequel is by Kat Martin. This is a prequel to her series Maximum Security. It is a suspense/adventure which includes a security service and the police. Maximum Security was recommended to April Vale when she found herself the suspect in the death of David Dean, campaign manager for Mayor Rydell’s run for Mayor again. She was found naked in his bed with David shot next to her. April was confused. She knew she didn’t like David well enough to fake his being sick. Nor did she dislike him enough to kill him. She went to see Jonah Wolke who was recommended by a friend. Jonah was instantly attracted to her; but put his attraction aside. April convinced him there was enough circumstantial evidence to look into David’s Death. The more he finds out, the more evil things begin to happen to April. Who is trying to kill April and Why? Why did he kill David?
This is a great fast read that introduces us to the team at Maximum Security a new series by this author
April Vale's life is quickly going down the gurgler first she is woken by police to find herself next to a dead body Who is trying to frame her for a murder she didn't commit. Knowing she needs help she employs Jonah Wolfe of Maximum Security to find out what is going on. When threats are made and her life is in danger it is up to Jonah to keep her safe.
There will be plenty of twists and turns as these two try to find out who killed April's co worker and as the suspense builds ao does the attraction between these two. Will he be able to keep her safe will they solve the mystery and will they have a future together You will find all these answers in this wonderful introduction to a new series that had plenty of promise
An outstanding story . I volunteered through Netgallery to read an advanced readers copy an leave a review of Wait Until Dark . I must say I really enjoyed reading this story . April Vale is campaign marketing manager for the Mayor of Dallas Mark Rydell . When April wakes up in a bloody bed next to the body of David Dean campaign manager for the Mayor also . She has no memory of how she got there . April goes and seeks the help Of sexy as sin private investigator and all around bad a$$ ! Jonah Wolfe . They attempt to solve the murder and absolve April . This story is really fast paced , action packed and very suspenseful . I think the characters are fabulous and this story has a great story line . I could not put it down . An all around fantastic read . I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy this story .
Great short story by Kat Martin. A woman wakes up to police breaking in a door. She’s covered in blood in a place she doesn’t recognize and lying on the floor is one of her coworkers with a bullet hole in his chest. Her gun is laying on the floor next to her purse. She remembers absolutely nothing. How she go there. What happened. It’s all a blur.
April Vale doesn’t believe she killed anyone so she hires Jonah Wolfe to investigate what really happened that night. Little does she know she’s now become a target because she just can’t let the story the police are telling is what really happened. In the meantime, the heat between April and Jonah is building but April’s a client and you don’t mix business with pleasure.
This may be a short story but it carries plenty of twists and heat for an entire novel. Well done Kat Martin.
This is Jonah Wolfe and April Vale’s love story, the prequel of the new, Maximum Security Series, a happily ever after, action filled, love story with sizzle. This is a well written, very face paced, action romance, with a strong male and female lead. April, a woman on a mission to find the truth despite the danger she faces and Jonah, an investigator, hired to help her. As this is a very short story, the romance and action are fast paced. Kat Martin is a master of action romances and this one is well done considering the brevity of this book; because of the brevity, for me, I rate it closer to 3.5 stars which rounds up to 4 stars. I look forward to the Maximum Security series. I received a copy of this story through NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Wait Until Dark (Maximum Security #0.5) by Kat Martin added as a bonus story on the end of the the grocery store edition of the Conspiracy. The story of the interaction between Jonah his client April. April Vale has been found in the bed of one of her coworkers, covered in blood. Its the beginning of the mystery. Although her co worker was killed with her gun, in an apparent, attempted rape case after she had been drugged the story is not obvious. The whole plot behind the book is interesting and nearly unbelievable. the Story has a great romantic connection between the main characters as they find a way to solve the mystery and keep April alive. Kat Martin does a great job creating a short story that invites the reader into the Maximum security series.