The Exchange
A Jewelle
Dawson Mystery
Inga
C. Ellzey
Lambie Books (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-60585-504-9 (1605855049)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60585-504-2 (9781605855042)
Publication Date: May 2008
List Price: $19.99
Synopsis (from
the publisher): After seven years in the Witness Protection Program,
Jewelle Dawson hopes to regain her freedom and her identity by
embarking on a one-month Mediterranean Cruise. With full knowledge that
the Gambrelini mob is still hunting her and despite desperate pleas and
warnings from John Murray, her Witness Protection Officer, Jewelle
flies to Barcelona and boards the luxury cruise ship, the Emerald of
the Seas, in search of interesting new friends, a fresh beginning, and
hopefully ... romance.
Two men quickly find their way into Jewelle's protected life and heart.
Max Caldwell, the fabulously wealthy playboy gambler lures Jewelle into
his life of risk with promises of adventure and romance, yet lets
Jewelle know upfront that he's a man who wants no ties or commitments.
In spite of his warnings, Jewelle finds herself in a game of chance,
willing to risk it all for love. Paul Rosini, the handsome, widower
pilot, fascinates Jewelle with his gentle ways and romantic charms,
although Jewelle knows that there's a hidden, deeper, darker side that
he won't reveal to her...or anyone. Through exotic ports-of-call in the
Mediterranean, Jewelle finds new relationships with Frances Wakefield,
the eccentric internationally famous mystery thriller authoress, Randy
and Sarah Harrison, Picco, the Italian Countess, and Kenny Scott, the
physically grotesque but lovable Vietnam Vet. All add fun, adventure,
and intrigue to Jewelle's escape vacation.
Love and friendship are put to the ultimate test when the mob discovers
Jewelle's vulnerable location. Two will die, relationships are defined,
and Max and Paul will be forced to reveal their secret pasts when all
the characters come together in a daring exchange to give Jewelle
freedom from the Gambrelinis once and for all.
Review: Inga C.
Ellzey introduces Jewelle Dawson, a woman without a past and an
uncertain future, in The Exchange,
the first book in a series of romantic suspense novels.
After an injurious warning not to testify, a knife drawn down her cheek
leaving a hideous scar and a finger being dismembered, Elinore Hanson
testified anyway against the Gambrelini mob family of Chicago. She was
immediately put into the Witness Protection Program as Jewelle Dawson
and moved to Duluth. After seven years in a lackluster job, her only
true friends being John Murray, her Witness Protection officer, and his
wife Betty, Jewelle decides she wants more for her life. Against the
warnings of John, Jewelle elects to take a month’s cruise in the
Mediterranean on the luxury liner, Emerald of the Seas, flying to
Barcelona where she boards the ship with thoughts of making new
friends, having an exciting adventure, and perhaps fitting in a little
romance. Little does she know that her assumed persona would innocently
and unknowingly be revealed by a new and trusted friend and that word
would get back to the Gambrelini don who had never given up his
aspiration of finding and killing her for the trouble she had caused
his “family.”
Jewelle is delighted to be seated at dinner with Frances and Gordon
Wakefield from Quebec. Besides celebrating their 60th wedding
anniversary, Frances, a writer of mysteries, is eager to write her
final novel, a mystery involving an intercontinental jewel theft. Also
present is Paul Rosini, a handsome widower, who took an immediate
interest in Jewelle as she did in him. During the first few days at sea
she also meets Max Caldwell, a very wealthy, very attractive gentleman,
who shares a mutual interest in her. Jewelle is having the time of her
life. But, through a quirk of fate, one of her new friends described
Jewelle to another acquaintance who had once been a member of the
Gambrelini “family”. He notified Gambrelini and plans were
immediately set in motion to find the woman now know as Jewelle Dawson.
When Jewelle’s friend realized what she had done, she gathers all
who had came to know and love Jewelle to devise a plan that would save
Jewelle’s life, yet satisfy Gambrelini that the woman who had
caused him so much harm in the past was now dead.
The title of The Exchange has
several meanings in the book, not the least of which is the ultimate
exchange of Jewelle's old life for her new one. The richly drawn
characters come alive, each of the principal ones having memorable
attributes. The plots of the jewel theft and the jeopardy surrounding
Jewelle are complex but are beautifully woven together. The Exchange is a passionate,
suspenseful novel, and, according to the author's website, just the
first in a series to feature this intriguing woman.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of The Exchange and to FSB Associates for providing a copy of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read The Exchange? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series …
The Exchange
Lambie Books (Hardcover), May 2008
ISBN-10: 1-60585-504-9 (1605855049)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60585-504-2 (9781605855042)
Omnimystery keywords for The Exchange ...
Location(s) referenced: Chicago, Illinois, Duluth, Minnesota,
Barcelona, Spain.
