Deception

Title:  Deception

Author:  Edie Jo Gibson

Publisher:  Liquid Silver Books

Publisher URL:  www.lsbooks.com

ISBN/BIN:  9781622101191

Genre:  {M/F}, Contemporary, Suspense, Series

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Frankie has a network of friends in the community that band together to put bad guys away.  When an operation kills his brother, Ethan spends his time trying to find the man responsible.  While doing surveillance on someone in the community who might lead him to that man, he runs across Frankie.  What happens when they team up?

Deception is the first book in the Retribution series.  This was an interesting blend of former military with a security firm, working with what is effectively a neighborhood watch organization, taken one step further along the way.  Both groups are effective about putting the bad guy away.

Both groups did a few things that bordered on being illegal, especially when it came to surveillance.  There were a few humorous moments, such as using the rats to gain entrance to a building and the interaction with Ethan.  There are some interesting and quirky characters in both groups.

Frankie and Ethan are attracted to each other, but have to work on trusting each.  Frankie also is at war with herself because she doesn’t want to be constantly waiting for Ethan to return from wherever he may go, not knowing he is looking to stay put and grow his firm.  The chemistry between them is hot enough that both get distracted at times from their goal of catching Briggs.

Retribution is the name of the bar Frankie owns and it is fitting because of the work they do trying to help people in the community. There are several twists that were complete surprises, especially when things are revealed at the end.  The way the author handled a few of those toward the end will cause hearts to pound. 

I found this a fresh take on the suspense genre with the characters the author created in both groups of organizations.  Benny, Pearl, Greta and Brenda Sue are the type of friends everyone should have.  Ethan’s team were funny when they weren’t totally in military mode. 

I am looking forward to reading more in this series.  This is an author I have not read before, but will be looking for more from her.