This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say I was not impressed. I have not read the first book. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this one more if I had. At least that way I would have understood more what the Gravediggers are and how they came to be.

Book Review: Gone to Dust by Liliana Hart
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the first book in Liliana Hart’s <i> Gravediggers</i> series so I was thrilled when I got to read the second book. I love this book even more than the first one. I love the history, archeology and drama in this book. There is also a romance that makes sense and has been building since the first book. This book took me on an adventure that made it hard to put down.
Miller Darling is a romance author. She is also the best friend of the town mortician who has some seriously hunky guys working for her. Miller has been attracted to Elias Cole since the first time they met. Unfortunately, their one potential hot and heavy evening ended abruptly with him leaving her unfulfilled and with lots of questions. When she gets an odd package in the mail and realizes that she has to find her brother, Miller doesn’t expect Elias to help her.
Elias lives a life in the shadows. His death was faked by a classified government agency and now he has to use his SEAL training to save the world. Everything is done in secret. He can’t let anyone know about what he and his brothers do. Falling for Miller may just be his undoing. Not only can he see himself with her, but being with her means giving up his plans for revenge on the person who put himself in this position. What Elias can’t do is let Miller go after her brother on her own.
As Miller and Elias set out to find her brother, we are treated to a story about King Solomon and his treasure. Interspersed with the threat of drug cartels and a trip to South America, we watch Miller and Elias build a relationship. Their relationship makes sense given how long they have known one another and the attraction that they have been fighting.
As Miller might say, this book certainly reminds me of <i>Romancing the Stone</i>. There are definitely elements that give a nod to this great movie and the tone of this story is similar in the humorous moments that break up the intense danger. Ms. Hart is able to blend so many elements into this book. I cannot wait to see what is in store for the rest of the Gravediggers.

What an awesome story. Truly loved it. Great writing and storytelling.!!!!

the gravediggers series continues with gone to dust, and picks up the thread of chemistry we got in the darkest corner between elias cole and miller darling. this time the world isn't at stake, but miller's brother and elias's old seal brother, justin is in danger. a drug cartel interested in the same bit of treasure that miller's family has been searching for throughout history makes for a bad combination. when miller is sent her brother's finger and a message demanding she show up in ecuador, she has no choice.

and elias has no choice but to join her. weeks ago he left her high and dry in order to protect her. his life is made for revenge. he's been declared dead and he has a contract of service being held over his head. he might have come to like his teammates, but he hates the woman who got him mixed up in this mess and who continues to play the puppeteer. he believes that there is no room in his life for love or passion. instinctively knowing that if he were to pursue things with miller there's no way he could maintain his quest for revenge.

but he's drawn to her. it's as if there was an electrical current running between them. connecting them more deeply than they could have imagined. once they are alone together there is no way they aren't going to be together. this mission a testament to how they fit together. how easily they can be a team. in no time at all it's all too clear. what they feel for each other is love. something miller never thought would come her way. but elias worries that there isn't a future that ends with a happily ever after for them. he's dead after all. dead men don't get married and have babies and gorgeous wives who fulfill every dream.

is there any possibility of having it all? or perhaps, more simply, is there any way he can live without her? because his heart belongs to her and hers to him. he can't stand to make her miserable. being apart from her makes him miserable. so there has to be a way forward. and if taking out a drug cartel and rescuing her brother while they sort it all out is what needs to happen, then happen it will.

honestly the balance between suspense and romance in this series works perfectly for me. there's still enough mystery about eve and her ultimate plan for the gravediggers that future books are a certainty. and i for one can't wait.

3.5 Stars
Better than the first one, still slow in parts. There are several times when there is no dialogue for pages and pages, just internal musing, which gets long and boring. However there was more action and romance in this one, as well as more of a building relationship. I will look out for the next one, but I'm not sure if I will hang on past that.

I liked that better than I thought I would. And let me tell you, Elias is HOT. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about him and Miller of course. Which brings me to Miller, I liked her unique name. She was a riot and it was nice being in her head where her inner dialogue was interesting, to say the least. Miller is a novelist and Elias is a gravedigger. He's the perfect type of broody!

The two are thrown together when Miller's brother turns up missing. To make it a tad bit awkward, the two aren't exactly happy to work together since Elias left Miller high and dry. So to speak. If you ask me, that's about as rude as you can get, leaving someone wanting...more. But the dialogue and interaction between them was well worth it.

If you haven't read this series yet, I suggest you do. They are a fast and quick read. One that will keep you reading until the very end. It's highly entertaining and it has some major swoon moments that you're unlikely to forget anytime soon! I'm more than excited to get the next book to read!

Gone to Dust is book 2 in the gravediggers series and focuses on Elias, the former Navy SEAL and Miller, the romance novelist. I really liked Miller in book 1 because she is quirky and spunky. She is also sarcastic and intelligent. Her and Elias had some sparks, but Elias leaves her high and dry after a makeout session that leaves her 1/2 undressed on her front porch. So, to say Miller loathes Elias is an understatement. Her hurt her pride and her libido so she is extra snarky when he is around.

Miller's parents were treasure hunters. They spent their lives looking for relics from King Solomon until they died in a plane crash. Justin, Miller's older brother, joined the Navy, but has now left the military and is continuing his parents research. Then Miller gets a package from Justin and her world changes. She has to save him, and to do that, she needs John Cena (seriously, that is who she keeps asking for!). Cena isn't available but the Gravediggers are.

Gone to Dust reminded me a bit of Indiana Jones meets James Bond meets Get Smart. You have the history and treasure hunting aspect of Indiana Jones, which I always find fascinating. You have the spy stuff that is reminiscent of Bond, and the bumbling antics of Miller and Tess that remind me of Get Smart! Its an odd sort of blend, but it works. The Darkest Corner, book 1, was not what I expected. The suspense and danger were less heavily featured and the story was more like a Stephanie Plum book until the end. Its not a bad thing, but it was unexpected. So, going into Gone to Dust, I had a better idea of what to expect. I love the friendship and camaraderie between Tess and Miller. Books that include positive female friendships are always welcome!

The relationship between Miller and Elias is really kind of a hate to love story. They are both attracted to each other on a physical level, but push the other away for various reasons. This leads to some great banter and some even more amazing monologues from Miller!

While you could read this as a stand alone, you might be a little confused about the Gravediggers. Gone to Dust gives a little background, but not a lot so you might be a little confused.

If you love an enemies to lovers trope with a dash of danger and a bit of treasure hunting, Gone to Dust will keep you entertained for a weekend read!
Link live on 6/20/17

Loved this story - have already ordered a copy of the previous book in this series and preordered the next. Enjoyed the characters especially the female lead. Can't wait to read the rest!

Loved the Characters - lively and likable. Witty. Review will post on The Dew on release date. http://dewonthekudzu.com

got this book by mistake... don't want to leave a bad review, but this is not a book for me!

Miller is a romance writer who is beautiful., eccentric, and a little crazy. Her brother was a SEAL but now he is out searching for Solamon's treasure. She gets a package in the mail with a finger and ring. She knows the ring was her brother's because it is passed down from father to son for generations. She runs to her best friend Tess, the mortician, and shows it to her. There was a letter from a drug cartel that wants her to bring the ring and her brother's letters or he's dead.
Elias is a dead man walking. He was a former SEAL but now he is one of the GRAVEDIGGERS. An elite ops group that fights terrorism and works in the funeral home. He has been attracted to Miller since he first saw her but his life is not his own and he wants revenge on the person who had him killed and brought back.
When Miller is almost kidnapped, the team saves her and Tess in the nick of time. Now she knows about them and their operation. She plans to meet the drug leader to get her brother back but the team can't let her go alone, so Elias is assigned to go with her. Against the orders of Eve, the woman who made them who they are and their boss. They are now on a race to save her brother and stay a step ahead of the cartel.
I absolutely loved this story. It's funny with some sexual tension, bad guys, a treasure and two people who can't stop the attraction between them. I could not put this story down. It'll will keep you turning the page till the very end.

An exciting, sexually tense and dangerous adventure…

This is the second book in the Gravediggers series.

You wouldn’t think a romance author would be a pessimist but Miller Darling is, she writes love stories but doesn’t believe in the happy endings in real life. Her parents were archaeologists obsessed with the story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba to the extent they neglected their children leaving Miller to be raised by her older brother who eventually succumbed to the same obsession. Writing the tale of the two aforementioned ill-fated lovers Miller is interrupted by the delivery of an unexpected package. The horror she finds inside sends her running to her best friend, the recent wife of a Gravedigger. She’s shocked at the secrets she learns yet glad of the assistance in finding her brother, nothing will stop her from tracking him down, she’s the only one who can decipher the clues in his letters. That Elias is the one chosen to assist/protect her doesn’t sit well, she hasn’t forgiven him for his previous behavior.

Former Navy SEAL Elias Cole is a Gravedigger who was purposefully disgraced before his fake death was implemented and he awoke to his new life. He’s a man with seething anger out for revenge against the coldest woman he’s ever met, the team’s boss. He knew Miller’s brother in the service, the chemistry he has with Miller is scorching but he can’t let any woman interfere with his plans for retribution. Being the Navy SEAL of the team he’s undeniably the best suited to track down another SEAL. He doesn’t want to do so because it means being with Miller but he can’t let her go alone. They set out against the explicit orders of his superior who may or may not allow them to continue.

Take two people with explosive chemistry who want nothing to do with each other for differing reasons forced together to search for a missing SEAL, a boss that could turn against them at any given moment, add in a valuable historical treasure that many want to find and you have an exciting, sexually tense and dangerous adventure, the Gravediggers meet Romancing the Stone. I loved this addition to the series. The characters were intriguing, the dialogue was entertaining, the plot was engaging and suspenseful, complex with twists and turns that grabbed my attention and didn’t let it go. The dual points of view gave us insight into the characters tumultuous states of mind. This was a great read, this reader is already looking forward to the next book.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

The perfect thrill ride for the second Gravedigger book. Miller, romance writer and best friend to Tess (mortician in book one), has heard her brother is in a bit of trouble and needs her help. Seems her family has been predestined to look after the treasures of King Solomon but Justin got mixed up with a cartel. Elias, sexy SEAL with a major crush on Miller, must help her find Justin. The book reminds me of Romancing the Stone but with far better chemistry and sarcastic witty humor. The gadgets the Trident guys have are far better than Bond could ever imagine. Miller is a great heroine with smarts, humor and a love for movies that rivals no one. Elias has a deep dark past that I believe we will visit again, maybe he gets his revenge. I was offered an ARC through Netgalley and wrote my review voluntarily.

Miller Darling – a best-selling romance writer who doesn’t believe in true love, is on the hunt for her brother, who seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. Disgraced former Navy SEAL, Elias Cole, is a member of the Gravediggers, people who make it their business to track down and wipe out the bad guys. Sparks fly when he meets Miller, the man she has hired to help her find her missing brother. Miller doesn’t know that her brother, also a SEAL, is the man who betrayed Elias and cost him his career, reputation, and his men. There’s only one reason Elias want to find Miller’s brother, and it’s not to save him. Miller is a smart, savvy heroine, who send sparks flying

Gone to Dust by Liliana Hart is the 2nd book in her Gravediggers series. Gone To Dust is a romance suspense, with a humorous touch, that takes place in a small town, Last Stop, Texas. The Gravediggers are elite former military men that work at a funeral home as a cover, and are in actuality working for a secret government agency that takes on impossible missions.

We met Elias Cole in the previous book, as he is one of the Gravediggers. Elias does what he has to do, but deep down he wants revenge against Eve Winter, the person who controls the organization that rules the Gravediggers. Miller Darling, our heroine, is a successful romance author, whose own life is void of any kind of romance, until she meets Elias. However, Miller is still very much angry with Elias, since the day he left her without a word, just when their sexual lust for each other was at its highest level. Neither of them has spoken to each other since.

One day Miller receives a package, and to her horror, it contains a finger. Miller will confirm that it belongs to her brother, whom she has not seen in many years. Miller will go to Tess, and the rest of the Gravediggers for help to find her missing brother, and hope to save his life. Elias and the Gravediggers will discover that the man behind the threat is a powerful drug lord, who wants Miller to help find her brother. Why you ask? It seems that Miller’s family (mother & father are deceased) has always been obsessed on finding the treasure of King Solomon. Justin, Miller’s brother, spent his life also looking for the treasure, which the drug lord is also obsessed with attaining, at any cost.

Elias, despite his desire to stay away from Miller, will change his mind when he sees she is planning on going to the Galapagos Islands to save her brother. What follows is an exciting adventure, which has so many humorous moments between Elias and Miller, mainly due to their banter. Of course, along the journey, their sizzling chemistry will heat up, allowing them to finish what they started long ago. Their romance was fun, as they made a fabulous couple, and it did not take long for them to find themselves falling in love.

Gone to Dust was action packed, with much excitement as the danger escalates. Elias was a terrific hero, as he was a former Seal, which helped keep them alive. What I loved the most about him was despite his rough exterior, he was so sweet and loving to Miller. She was also a wonderful heroine, who had us laughing quite often along the way. This was an enjoyable and exciting story, which kept us turning the pages to the end. Liliana Hart once again gives us a fun filled, action packed, and fast paced story. I suggest you start this series by reading the first book, The Darkest Corner, and then read Gone to Dust.

I loved book 1 in the Gravediggers series and book 2 surpassed my expectations by being, if possible, even better even. The story was very much an Indiana Jones meets Jewel in the Nile meets Navy Seals, action romance. Apologies for the movie analogy, but if you read the book you'll see it's quite in-keeping with the story. Romance novelist and best friend of Tess Sherman, Miller Darling is sucked into the world of the drug cartels when she receives a package from her brother. Elis Cole, former disgraced Navy SEAL, now a Gravedigger, working under the radar saving the world from terrorists has only one thing on his mind, revenge, revenge on the one person that took away his life, Eve Winter. Oh make that two things, revenge, and trying to avoid a highly addictive, beautiful sassy romance novelist (he has no room in his life for romance). When Miller takes it upon herself to go and find her brother, Elias decides he's going to use all his resources to help her. A beautifully written, highly entertaining, fast paced, action packed rom com. I loved it. The characters are flawless, I loved both Miller and Elias, both had their own brand of crazy, Miller in particular, she was a hoot, oh and Elias had that whole, smouldering, alpha male going for him. Although this can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading book 1 first. This is fast becoming one of my favourite series and I can't wait to see what Liliana has planned for book 3. I was provided with an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Full disclosure, if you read my review of book one in this series you know my review was unsure of this series, but this is fantastic!!

This is Elias and Miller's story and it's comical with action and love and loyalty. Elias is a Gravedigger and Miller is a romance author. Miller is also Tess's best friend.

Miller always has running commentary in her mind and a wicked sense of humor with a laser sharp tongue that she doesn't hesitate to cut Elias with. When she receives a delivery just as she's trying to finish her most recent book he world is thrown into torment and adventure for real.

As the guys hear what's going on the decide to go make sure the girls are going to be fine, and not a moment too soon.

There is plenty of adventure and action in this romantic suspense book along with the humor. I loved every second of it.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whoa, she is writing one hot book!

Haha! Wrong choice of words, honey. You sound like a madam.

Who wouldn't want to be in love?

She so needs therapy.

She really needs to eat.

Holy crap!

Who's the owner of this funeral home?

Poor Axel!

Why would she joke about getting a finger in the mail, you guys.

Yeesh! One minute they're happy drunks, the next minute the house is smoke-bombed.

After all this, she still thinks the men are actually gravediggers?

No sleep and wine on an empty stomach makes her kind of annoying.

Even I know "bless your heart" is bad.

Where's Michael Douglas when you need him?

Whoa, this lady is cold!

"Erase her memory"? What the hell?

Caskets are soundproof? What's the point of that?

That witch made him kill somebody, and then took his life away? I'd kill her.

Oh my God, poor Deacon!

That is so cool!!

Should have listened to her, Elias. Writers are observant.

I like how he always gets her movie references.

I want to meet this Ginger Anderson.

Yeesh, Elaine is worse than Big Brother.

Erm, this is going to be an awkward family reunion.

Hello, guys? Remember that cartel after you? Run now, chitchat later!

This is freaky.

Ew, Tess.

Someone just kill Eve and get it over with.

GONE TO DUST by Liliana Hart is the second novel in the Gravediggers romantic suspense series. Fast-paced with a smidgeon of heat and an elite counter-terrorism group known as the Gravediggers, Hart takes us on a quest deep in the tropics.

Elias Cole was a former Navy Seal until he was labeled a traitor and forced into becoming a Gravedigger. As the best friend of Tess, we met the vibrant and talented writer Elias Cole in THE DARKEST CORNER, book one of the series. From the beginning, there has been some heated chemistry between these characters, but Cole is a dead man. Hart quickly fills us in on what we have missed since the first book including a heated encounter that left Miller unsatisfied.

The tale opens up with a chapter from Darling's romance novel. She is in the middle of a three-day writing binge when a delivery from the UPS man pulls her away from the novel. Through the contents of the package, we learn a great deal about Miller, her family, and her parent's death. Her brother, a former SEAL, is in serious trouble which puts Miller in the crosshairs of some dangerous people. Determined to save her brother she makes plans to travel. Elias is very familiar with her brother, and not all of it is happy memories, but there is no way Miller is going alone. The tale that unfolds is action packed, with cool tech and the full resources of the Gravediggers.

While I wish the story had a little less tell and more show, I found GONE TO DUST to be stronger than book one. I love the tension between Eve and the Gravediggers. Last Stop, Texas is certainly not a boring place. I like that we went offline on this mission and its Temple of Doom type vibe and exotic location, minus the snakes..eek gads added the perfect suspense, danger, and tension needed to put this couple to the test. We have clues, a killer computer named Elaine and all of this great sexual chemistry. Fun times!

The romance developed slowly and aside from kisses we didn't see any real action until around the sixty percent mark. Hart gives us just enough heat to set are imagination on fire, but the act happens mostly off page. There is a bit of instalove here, which I almost expect in romantic suspense, but Hart did an excellent job of building up the relationship.

Snark, strong characters, humor, and danger made their quest and romance a page-turner. I devoured GONE TO DUST in a single sitting and closed the book satisfied. SAY NO MORE the third book releases later this month. The synopsis has me intrigued.

Miller Darling is a romance writer. She is eccentric, smart, successful, outspoken, funny, independent and makes no apologies for who she is, yet she has her insecurities too. I love her character.

Elias Cole is one of the Gravediggers. He is a former SEAL. He has been intrigued with Miller since he met her. However, he knows he can never have happily ever after, so he’s not going there.

When Miller discovers her brother is in trouble, Elias takes vacation time, goes against direct orders and takes off with her to find him. This book is mostly about the developing relationship between Miller and Elias. The banter between these two provides lots of humor.

I still intensely dislike Eve. Even more after what she put Elias through to get him on her team.

We get to see Tess and Deacon again. Unlike the first book, there is very little team interaction in this book. I missed that.

I felt like the story dragged a little at times. The ending was abrupt, leaving me with several questions. I didn’t like this one as much as the first one but I am still very interested in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley. There are several inconsistencies in the book that I hope are corrected before publication.