Between The Pages - Cruel Charade

Cruel Charade

Alana Lorens 

July 2024 

Miami attorney Bet Lenard has had a rough year. She’s battling an unknown illness that drives her to drink to cope with her pain. Her lawyer husband has divorced her and taken the best part of their business, their home and their children. On the night of May 16, 1996, Bet finds herself in the Everglades in the middle of the night, drugged, lost and next to a burned car with a dead body in it. 

Hoping she’s hit bottom, Bet must drag herself out of her living hell and discover who tried to kill her. Was it her ex-husband, not satisfied with stealing everything that mattered? An angry client, unhappy with the outcome of their case? Her best friend’s husband, livid that Bet’s restraining order kicked him out of her life forever? Police officers fuming that Bet helped a client convict a dirty cop who was their friend? She has no idea. 

As she tries to sort out the motives behind her would-be killer, even more suspects come to light. The only thing keeping Bet sane is her relationship with her therapist, who encourages her to struggle and survive, despite everything that’s gone wrong. How will Bet discover the truth and bring her enemy to justice before they strike again and, this time, succeed? 

Between The Pages 

This murder mystery was a great suspenseful who-done-it. The plot was well-developed, and the cast of characters was interesting. Bet held the lead superbly on her own. She has traveled a bumpy road with more down moments than up but still kept her head high. There was so much to like about this story filled with humor, tension, and drama. Bet reciting her senses to ground her was an enjoyable bonus. The story dipped from present to past to fill in the blanks so it’s not a quick read, but the author’s long list of suspects will keep you reading and guessing until the end.

Rating 

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - Prophecies And Promises

Prophecies And Promises 

Alana Lorens 

May 2022 

Tamsyn McKiernan thinks her dreams have come true. She’s engaged to a dashing Key West bachelor and finally in her widowed father’s good graces. But in her heart, she knows something’s wrong. She loves the ocean and the quiet pleasures of nature—so what does the aristocratic life she’ll lead truly hold for her? 

Mercenary captain Drake Ashton is neck deep in preparations for the Spanish-American War, running guns and other supplies to Cuban natives who want out from under their Spanish masters. He and his brother Freddie risk their lives daily, focused on saving his friends on the island. Nothing else matters but his mission. 

A chance encounter with a spiny sea urchin brings the two together, and neither of their lives will ever be the same again. 

Between The Pages 

This historical romance is a page-turner you won’t want to put down. The story premise is unique and interesting. The main characters, Tamsyn and Drake, are captivating together. As well, there is a well-developed secondary cast who are equally enjoyable. Tamsyn’s future looks bleak from troubling issues with her engagement as well as her father. Drake is a dashing hero who will sweep you off your feet. The visual in this story is masterfully written. The author places the reader on the sandy beaches and in the middle of stormy seas. Grab a lifejacket because this story has tons of drama filling the pages from beginning to end. 

Rating 

5 Stars