For the love of Lust, Money & Murder

      Sometimes we read books that just suck us in like a gentle whirlpool, pulling us along, deeper and deeper. Before we know it, we have read the whole book and long to read even more. Often the book doesn't have to be the best book ever written. Indeed, while the Twilight series capture millions and certainly pulled me in, it wasn't Shakespeare or Stephen King. So what makes a book hard to put down?
 For me, it is being vested in the characters or in some piece of the story line. I read Startide Rising by David Brin and while I don't remember the story, I remember reading 'just one more chapter" until four in the morning when I had class at seven! It is the ability of the writer to leave a chapter hanging with the promise of an answer soon, and delivering on the promise only to leave you with another hanging problem.
     With Mike Wells' book, Lust, Money & Murder, I believe the answer to what captures his audience lies in the building of his main character.


Lust, Money & Murder Book 1 Lust
By Mike Wells
Publisher Mike Wells
Pages: approximately 106


From Amazon:
     This book begins with a young and naive Elaine Brogan as she initially pursues her dream of a career as a photomodel. After becoming entangled with a sleazy modeling agency, she decides to become a Secret Service agent, struggling through the arduous training academy. After her first disastrous assignment, she is transferred to Bulgaria. There, she meets Nick LaGrange, the love of her life.



About the book:
     The book does begin with a prolog that is deeply interesting about a young woman who seeks out wealthy men to spend some quality time with in hopes of getting a few expensive gifts to keep. She makes a big mistake when she picks up a man who takes her to a casino in San Remo, Italy.
     The story then opens with the day Elaine Brogan was born and how her father, Patrick Brogan doted on her. We get glimpses into Elaine's childhood until she is sixteen when she gets wrapped up in a modeling school scam. When she demands her money back, the head of the company gives it to her but little does she know this is the beginning of the end of her life as she knows it. The rest of the story shows us how Elaine came to be Agent Elaine. When she is transferred to Bulgaria, her life gets very interesting indeed, not just because she falls in love but because there are some strange things afoot, things she has to figure out for herself.


My Take:
    I read the book in one sitting. I loved the Elaine character but I was anxious to connect the prolog to the story as well. Wells' writing is easy to read - not just easy, but engaging. I found the story interesting, though some of what happened seemed too pat and, for that, it was very, very much like real life. Ever wish you could get that last lick in only to find your moment for revenge is long gone, never to return? Ahhh, well that is life and, though we might not like it in a story, it makes the story more 'real'.
    Now I must warn my readers that this book is not a complete book. It just stops in a serious cliff hanger which made me want to go out and buy the next book. The good news is this book is currently free. It gives you a chance to test drive this writer for no cost. If you like the writing, you can purchase books 1, 2, & 3 for about $5.00.


     I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes intrigue and a good back story.