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EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
By: Lisa April Smith
Published: December 1, 2011
It’s 1961 and Palm Beach socialite, irresistible rascal and devoted father Jack Morgan encounters genuine danger while staging his suicide to shield his beloved daughters from disgrace. Next, meet his daughter Charlotte (Charlie), an over-indulged 23 year-old struggling to cope with the traumatizing loss of her beloved father, her sister’s resulting mental breakdown and the discovery that she’s suddenly penniless. Fortunately Raul, an admiring young attorney, appears to offer assistance. As terrified as she is about daily survival, Charlie soon realizes that she has to learn what drove her father to kill himself. With Raul’s much needed ego-bolstering, the drive of necessity and unforeseen determination, Charlie finds a practical use for her annoyingly lean 5’ 11” frame. In time, this career finances her hard-wrought independence, her sister’s costly treatment and an emotional eye-opening journey to Paris.
Jumping back in time to romantic pre-WWII Paris readers meet young Alan Fitzpatrick – aka Jack Morgan – lack-luster artist, expert lover, irresistible rascal, and the bewitching girl who will become the mother of his children. Not even Charlie’s relentless detective work will uncover all Jack’s secrets, but in a fireworks of surprise endings, she discovers all that she needs to know and more: disturbing truths about her father, hew own unique talent, crimes great and small and a diabolical villain.
This book would fit those who love reading mystery/suspense novels as well as those who love women’s contemporary fiction or chick lit. I love books set during WWII and this book really sounds like it would keep me turning the pages.
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“Smith . . . has woven an intriguingly rich tapestry of delightful well-developed characters into a perfectly balanced plot bursting with riveting mystery, crimes of the petty and the horrible sort, suspenseful twists, and romantic tension complete with love scenes that sizzle and pop.”
Cari Pestelak http://audacityshewrote.com
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“5 Soaring Stars” “. . . it’s the authentic details of the time-periods that make it fun to read . . .” “historical and fictitious characters work in sync as they are perfectly set in these time frames, and midst the transitory madness of WWs I and II Paris.” “Smith’s writing isn’t over-blown with emotion and sappy romance; rather, it is sophisticated and subtle. It’s witty, fun and sassy.”
Deborah Previte: http://abookishlibrarian.blogspot.com
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“This book has it all! . . . romance, mystery, sex and crime. . . . a story that you will not be able to put down.” Charla Wilson http://booktalkswithcharl.blogspot.com * * * * *
“If you like a thrilling read pick up this book.”
Cristina http://Alaskanbookcafe.com
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“Smith’s books have the pace and heat of Jacqueline Susanne and the style and sophistication of Dominick Dunne.” Amazon reviewer
For more on Lisa April Smith, check out her website www.LisaAprilSmith.com.
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Posted Under Book Review, fiction, giveaway, Lisa April Smith