Betrayals » (Large Print)

Carla Neggers has been writing fiction since she first climbed a tree with pad and pen at age eleven. Now her books, with their powerful blend of chilling suspense and daring romance, regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. An avid hiker and kayaker, Carla lives with her family in Vermont, not far from Quechee Gorge. For more information on her latest books and to contact Carla, please visit: www.carlaneggers.com.

Rebecca Blackburn caught a glimpse of the famed Jupiter Stones as a small child. Unaware of their significance, she forgot about them—until she discovered the priceless, long-missing gems were the key to a deadly chain of events spanning thirty years and three continents…sparing no one.

When a seemingly innocent photograph reignites one man's simmering desire for vengeance, Rebecca turns to Jared Sloan, the love she lost to tragedy and scandal. His own life has changed forever because of the secrets buried deep by their two families.

Their relentless quest for the truth will dredge up bitter memories and shocking revelations of misplaced loyalty, dangerous pride and naked ambition…and they will stop at nothing to expose a cold-blooded killer.

Publishers Weekly

Harrell ( Minstrel's Fire ) adeptly locates well-drawn characters against glamorous backdrops to create a believable, gripping story that will keep armchair sleuths guessing about her Boston Brahmins' motivations until the final chapter. In 1959, 30 years before the main action of the novel, 10 priceless gems were stolen, setting in play a string of events--cold-blooded murders, betrayals and acts of vengeance--that propels the protagonists from the Cote d'Azur to Boston, Indochina and back. Rebecca Blackburn's bravery accidentally gives her clues that could ultimately reveal the impetus behind the series of deaths and the reason she lost Jared Sloan to another woman. But Rebecca needs the help of her wealthy uncle, and Jared, to uncover confidences they have long concealed to protect the innocent. Each scene brings fresh insights while raising more questions. Harrell forces her characters to confront issues of humanity, integrity and the multifaceted aspects of love without slowing the ever-quickening pace or loosing the many plot threads. Here is intelligent writing that remains highly entertaining. (May)