Money Shot by Susan Sey has two things going for it, great characters and an intriguing mystery. The story focuses mainly on the mystery and the romance falls short.

Maria “Goose” di Guzman is a secret service agent who has been sent to Mishkwa Island to investigate a series of counterfeit superbills that have been making their way into the US. She arrives polished and neat, but it isn’t the real her and she meets someone on the island that sees through her façade.

Rush Guthrie is an ex-SEAL who has settled back in his home – Mishkwa Island. He has taken over the job of park ranger and loves the fact that he doesn’t have to interact with people on a regular basis…until Goose.

Their relationship happens fast, but I couldn’t buy the chemistry between Goose and Rush. They were both damaged by circumstances in their past and I felt that they overcame those and changed too quickly.

Where the romance is lacking, the mystery excels. Someone in town is passing off counterfeit bills and someone is practicing dark magic. Goose follows her gut to find out who the bad guy is, and Rush follows her lead. I was intrigued to know how it was all being done, even though I figured out who the bad guy was early on. (The reader isn’t given many suspects)

I did enjoy how the final confrontation between Goose, Rush, and the bad guy goes down. It was face paced and full of action. Plus, Goose makes several revelations about her past that have a direct impact on the ending of the story.

The writing is great, the dialogue fantastic, and the action fast-paced. I just wish there had been more “romance” between Goose and Rush.

~ Carrie