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The Tangled Web: a web of international intrigue, murder and romance
by J P Lane
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| Category: |
Action/Thriller |
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Type: |
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| Pages: |
262 |
Copyright: |
2010 |
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Fiction |
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Drug trafficking, paid assassins, deadly political plots - a tangled web of international intrigue.
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J.P. Lane
A story of power, passion and patriotism.
When top Caribbean reporter Lauren Anderson gets on the trail of a major story involving government ties to drug cartels, she steps into a world where nothing is as it seems. Her aunt, who happens to be a government minister, has some of the answers, but is staying tight lipped. Business magnate Logan Armstrong, a member of the island elite, has some answers, too. But can he be trusted?
When her aunt asks her to deliver a mysterious package while on a trip to London, Lauren finds herself drawn further into the intrigue. As she digs deeper she starts to uncover an international conspiracy involving drug trafficking, hired assassins and deadly political plots. But can Lauren untangle the web before it’s too late? And what is the dark secret she and Armstrong will eventually share?
Excerpt
Still gazing out the window of his plane, Armstrong could see the island now, or rather he could sense it. Though lit by brilliant moonlight, only lights twinkling down the mountains to the harbor were visible from the air. It always amazed him how much subliminal energy this island had. He could almost hear it rising from the earth like the distant beat of rasta drums. It had been more than twenty years since it had been his permanent home, but now, as his plane prepared to land, he had that familiar feeling of coming home. It always felt good to be back, though this time would be different.
The Gulfstream swooped to a perfect landing and taxied down the runway to the terminal. Armstrong quickly disembarked and walked briskly through the arrivals section of the terminal, his travel-worn leather carry-on slung over his shoulder. It didn’t hold nearly enough for his stay, but there was always something he could fall back on up at his cottage in the mountains. He checked his watch. It was already after 1:00 a.m.
A grinning Trevor was waiting at the curbside with the Range Rover idling when Armstrong stepped out into the moist warmth of the tropical night. “Hello, Mr. Logan, had a good trip, sir?”
“Good enough, Trevor, but never mind that. How are you?”
Trevor’s wide smile faded. “I’m okay, sir, but things are getting worse every day. It’s bad.”
“I’ve heard.”
Without further comment, Armstrong slid into the back seat.
–
The Range Rover cruised out of the airport and turned onto a two-lane highway flanked by the harbor on one side and the ocean on the other. Armstrong lowered his window, taking in the salty breeze off the sea. Over the purring of the engine, he could hear the rhythm of the waves crashing on the pebbly beach that stretched for miles adjacent to the road. He looked out the other window toward the city glittering like a diamond necklace around the harbor and up into the mountains. The breathtaking view belied the reality. Things were not as they appeared at first glance. Armstrong wondered if they ever were. He reached for his mobile.
“I’m here.”
“Where are you exactly?”
“On my way from the airport.”
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Kindle Edition
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Professional Reviews
There's Trouble in Paradise
There's trouble in paradise and it's up to a handful of the hierarchy to contain the problems. How they plan to accomplish this task is a matter of extreme sensitivity.
Lauren Anderson is a nosy reporter. She's also the niece of an important government official. Her Aunt Maggie is Minister of Finance of the exotic island they call home. As a favor to her aunt, she gets involved in a tangled web of conspiracy.
Logan Armstrong is among the rich and elite of the island's upper class. There's an air of mystery around him that attracts Lauren when she goes out to interview him. What is it about the handsome, sexy, playboy that makes Lauren want to pull him close as well as push him away?
"The Tangled Web" is a wonderfully crafted novel of love, romance, assassins and intrigue. The characters are well rounded and the plot compelling. In fact, I think I fell a little bit in love (lust) with Logan myself as he pursued and charmed Lauren.
I highly recommend "The Tangled Web" by JP Lane for anyone who likes their romance spiced up with political intrigue that will keep them on the edge of their seats.
Dellani Oaks, Author
When is Murder Justified?
What would you do to protect your country? If you were in Germany when Hitler was alive, would you consider assassinating the mad man? This novel delves into the political intrigue surrounding such a decision. The "island" located somewhere in the Caribbean is in a downward spiral, and the government does nothing to curtail the problem. Drug runners and pirates wreak havoc on ordinary citizens but too much money flows into a powerful South American drug cartel.
Several murders attract the attention of investigative report, Lauren Anderson. The story follows Lauren as she tries to unravel a "tangled web" of deceit that affects people she knows and loves. She learns details about the grisly murders of people on a private yacht and a C.I.D. detective, but is she prepared to break the whole story? Logan Armstrong is a wealthy man with a long family history on the island. Is he willing to risk his wealth and family name to save his country? He's falling in love with Lauren but it's a dangerous relationship to pursue.
The characters are so well-developed that you're biting your nails to see how they survive the turmoil in their lives. Lane is a skillful writer who knows how to keep a reader's interest to the very last page. It's a complicated plot but she ties up all the loose ends with a satisfactory conclusion. Don't wait, buy this book today.
Diane Rapp, Author
J.P. Lane Lane takes us to the Caribbean - Murder...Drugs...and Love...
Ahhh, the beautiful Caribbean...it is enticingly beautiful and welcoming. J. P. Lane spends some time sharing that beauty in her narrative, but I noticed right away that she writes with that edgy tension that makes me realize that I'm going to be fast pulled into the action and adventure she's providing. And I wasn't disappointed!
Two main characters--Logan Armstrong and Lauren... are attracted to each other when they meet. Lauren is an investigative reporter; Logan is...a very rich man...more on him later. Lauren had made her own reputation on the local newspaper, so much so that, when she interacted with people, they weren't quite sure they were not being "investigated" for some criminal act. In fact, she was quite vocal about the corruption of the local government...Not always a safe thing to do...
Logan Armstrong was originally from the island and still had a deep love for his homeland, although he worked in New York owning a variety of businesses. Because he maintained a home interest, he was upset when he learned that five people had been murdered while out on their boat. They thought they were headed for the rarely visited Fisherman's Key on the south coast of the island. But as they had got closer they had seen there were cigarette boats already docked and then a seaplane appeared. The sea had welcomed them; but, that day, those already there and in the plane did not. They had turned to escape, but it was already too late...
Logan knew, as did most other people, that those five people had more than likely been in the wrong place at the wrong time and that they had died because of that. Some type of drug transaction had doubtless been taking place. Lauren was quick to start working on the case and report the details, but there was not much evidence that was found.
Logan was on his way to the island, but for a secret meeting. There were still honest government officials there and he was going to talk with three of them. And, at the meeting they had decided. Something must be done...
At the same time, in Columbia, the head of the drug cartel was fuming over what she had just been told. The Prime Minister of the most important entry into the US was demanding 50% of the profit from the drugs that were, in essence, being transferred on the island. She had depended on her representative, but he had not been able to persuade him to take a lower cut. But, having the head of the local government be willing to allow their drugs through was highly unusual! Still, she knew what must be done...
The Prime Minister must die...
I must say that I enjoy the almost farcical humor of parts of this novel...especially the decisions of the "second" assassin... And then there is the less than smooth switch to the romance between Logan and Lauren toward the end--almost saying, in effect, well, the political intrigue, drugs, murder--they'll all continue and we know that! One intrigue will be stopped; a new one will start... What's important is that we've decided we've got to clarify what happened as it affects us--after all, we're in love!
And even then the author left another tangled web as she closed, announcing another assassination was being planned...
Lane, as mentioned in her bio, has traveled extensively and her novel certainly reflects that experience. I enjoyed that, as a former, newspaper woman, she created her main character as an investigative reporter--perhaps the role she once played or wanted to play. But Lauren, her character, is a strong, opinionated, and aggressive individual who wants to know the truth and is not afraid of "getting dirty" to dig into what is actually happening. Her nosiness got her into some trouble, but it also got her married...I loved it! It would be nice to meet Lauren and Lance again in the future. What say you, J.P.?
Glenda Bixler
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Reader Reviews for "The Tangled Web: a web of international intrigue, murder and romance"
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| Reviewed by Regis Auffray |
6/12/2010 |
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Congratulations on your book, Joanie. Love, peace, and continued success to you,
Regis |
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| Reviewed by MARIE GIBSON |
6/5/2010 |
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| Just reading this passage makes me want to check this out. It ties in with the 'happenings' in Jamaica at this very moment. I'm so proud of you Joanie. |
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