Buried Secrets

Ms. Vaughn really knows her stuff when it comes to different magic systems and it shows as Zack Lorenzo and Sheriff Jo James investigate reports of the walking dead and try to determine which magical user in this west Texas new age town is the culprit. Jo is a strong heroine who won't take any guff from the over-protective Zack and the development of the romance as these two strong-willed people sparked off each other was fun to watch. Their friends, Ashley and Cecil, are fascinating in their own right and I hope to see them again in books of their own.Though there are no vampires in this book, the tone strongly reminded me of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, with dialogue and bits of humor reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Jo has no super powers like Buffy or Anita, but she's a super heroine who has to overcome her own fears and work together with Zach to overcome the evil force creating zombies. A fabulous, suspenseful read!

Chicago police officer Zack Lorenzo is stunned with the apparent heart attack suffered by his twenty something wife, which lead to her fatal drowning in the bathtub. Three days after Gabriella is buried, Zack waits in hiding for her family to leave the cemetery so he can visit alone. Urban archeology major Cecil Taylor, not realizing whom Zack is, mentions that no one is buried in Gabriella's coffin. Using electronic equipment he proves his case to a shocked Zack.Four years later, Zack is a private detective working mostly typical cases, but also handling the paranormal with Cecil as his technical partner. Zack investigates a disappearance case in West Texas starting with questioning Sheriff Jo James about a New Mexico mining accident seven years ago in which she claimed zombies existed. As Jo and Zack partner up, they make the rounds of various practitioners of the paranormal with almost every visit leading to the person strongly recommending they need to work together to survive and perhaps win against a powerful seemingly immortal enemy.Fans of paranormal private investigative romances will take immense delight with Evelyn Vaughn's BURIED SECRETS. The story line will remind readers of the X Files as Zack and Jo make the rounds of many of the West Texas practitioners of the "arts". Though the villain fails to live up to the reputation garnered by the inquiries, the lead characters and a couple of their helpers are fun to watch, the Paranormal 101 trip a delight, and the investigation enjoyable as the audience receives an engaging weird tale.Harriet Klausner

BURIED SECRETS is an excellent investigative romance that delves into the Paranormal. This story also has a touch of humor that takes the edge off the unknown evil they are fighting. Jo and Zack's argumentative conversations are comical and the relationship with Zack and Cecil is also very comical and that of a big brother, little brother. Zack irritates Jo to no end with his acts of chivalry and his bossiness, but that however doesn't stop her from wanting him. Zach's attitude towards Jo is fiercely protective. Even though she is the Sheriff, according to Zack she is still just a "girl" and hates that he has brought her into danger. The connection that Jo and Zack have is intense and magical. Though I had expected a much more dramatic ending to this story, I really enjoyed it. While Zach and Jo each face their own fears, they develop a bond that will bring all forces of evil to its knees. Evelyn Vaughn takes us on an exciting journey of bone-chilling suspense and enjoyable romance.