High Treason Book Blog Tour, Review, and #Giveaway #LoneStarLit

The attempt to assassinate Prince Omar is the driving force behind High Treason for me. Unraveling the twisting story of conspiracy, betrayal, and deceit really kept me engaged and turning pages. Reading the inner workings of the sharp minds of both Monica and Kord is very satisfying.

Both Kord and Monica have similar backgrounds, having previously worked in the Middle East. Monica and Kord start off their new partnership on rocky ground; the two are like oil and vinegar. Both are very much individuals, fighting to stay separate.

“I told you this partnership wouldn’t work. You know nothing about a brotherhood of loyalty.” (Kord to Monica)

But when combined, Kord and Monica make something so much better, a partnership in both work and life.

Kord has a history with Prince Omar. The prince trusts Kord implicitly and requests that Kord join his security detail while in Houston. Kord is the quintessential hero type, rescuing kidnapped wives and children, protecting his new partner, and saving the day on a regular basis.

Where Kord is already a part of the prince’s security team, Monica is the outsider. She’s been assigned to work with Kord to stop the assassination attempts. As a western woman, she struggles with earning respect from Kord, the prince, or his security team. She’s relegated to the women’s wing with the prince’s sisters, put on the sidelines of all the action. Ms. Mills does a great job describing Monica’s frustrations with her treatment.

“I wouldn’t survive under his rein, and I do mean r-e-i-n.”

Monica finally does earn the admiration of Kord and the prince. I really appreciate this facet of High Treason. The prince and his team show real growth of character by accepting and relying on Monica.

The romance aspects in High Treason seem rushed to me. Not rush into bed/sex, but rush into feelings. But maybe that’s what happens when you spend 24 hours a day with someone? I’m skeptical. Kord and Monica start as partners, first trying to be civil, then developing trust, and then falling for each other, all in a very short window of time.

Ms. Mills does a great job showcasing the differences between Western and Saudi culture. I particularly welcome how respectful Monica is towards the prince. As well, I applaud how much the prince and his staff are thankful Monica is on the team by the end of the novel. The interplay between the two sets of characters (western vs Saudi) is a well-orchestrated dance.

I’m always entertained by Ms. Mills’s use of Houston as a background to her stories. This time around, it is Morton’s The Steakhouse (a company I used to work for!) and the Houston Rodeo. Though, I do marvel at how quickly characters seem to drive between locations. There never seems to be any traffic in these novels. And as someone who lives in Houston, I find that difficult to imagine!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading High Treason. It’s a plot-driving ride, with plenty of action to hold my attention.

Thanks to author DiAnn Mills and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing this opportunity to review High Treason. I received the novel free in exchange for my honest review.