Amazon Category:  Mystery/Suspense Publisher: Lunatic Fringe Publishing ISBN-10:  0967786800 Type: Fiction Pages: 310 Copyright: Nov 1 1999 The Persian Gulf War interrupts the construction of Ilene and Philip Singleton’s new home. Separated by Desert Storm they are powerless to control the global events that are seeping into their lives, as an international banking scandal converges upon this seemingly ordinary family in northern Minnesota. At the end of the war many Americans wondered what it was all about. Ilene is pretty sure she knows, not to mention the danger that it puts her family in. Excerpt Through the bare birches, Ilene saw the glint from the maroon pick-up again, as it slowly ascended the hill toward the house. Heart thudding against her chest she stood up, slowly flattening her back against the redwood siding. On this desolate end of Skyline Parkway, any traffic was noticeable. And a double drive by was reason enough for her to feel the hairs rising up along the back of her neck. She had almost forgotten the perils of living alone. Maybe if she brought home a big old German shepherd from the shelter, the girls would forget about that cat. Morning sun reflected off the tinted windshield as the pickup entered the driveway. Breathing shallow, she tugged on the neck of her fisherman knit sweater and watched. The driver’s door opened, a tall attractive man stepped out. She didn’t think he saw her at first. Removing his sunglasses he drank in the full visual effect of the windows rising from the wrap around deck like pillars. He wore a buffalo plaid wool shirt, black corduroy vest and jeans. Ilene stepped into view.

A Well Laid Trap
Don’t let the quiet start lull you into complacency, Peggy Tibbetts’
"Rumors of War" is a well-laid trap. Set against the backdrop of
Desert Storm, this novel delves into the possibilities behind the
real reason governments traipse off to war. With the influence
of the Chicago Mob finding it’s way into the pages, it is an intriguing
glimpse into the lives of families who serve their country. It reveals
the struggles people face in maintaining their homes and relationships
in the face of militant action.

Ilene Singleton is a satisfied woman. But now nine years into her
second marriage, her life comes to a screeching halt when her
army reservist husband is called up. Suddenly she alone is responsible
for overseeing the completion of her new house, and managing the
family finances. When Ilene discovers mysterious accounts full of
millions of dollars, the undeniable feeling that she’s being watched
and overheard becomes a terrifying certainty.

With her world turned upside down by rumors of war and an invading
army of controlling in-laws, Ilene must get a firm grip on reality as she
faces the possibility of losing her dream home, her sanity, and her life.
The only person she can trust is one suspiciously, more-than-helpful
contractor who has the potential to be as dangerous to her marriage
as the missiles showering Saudi Arabia.

Tibbetts’ characters run the gauntlet from satisfyingly cliché to vividly
alive. Ilene is sinfully human, evoking displeasure, sympathy and vengeful
glee throughout the pages of this flight from influential power. Her struggle
to stay true to herself and determine a course between morality and
mortality is a fascinating drama within itself. Proving that the only thing
worse than a mother-in-law from hell is one with money, the author
ensnares her heroine into a web of lies, where even the threat of
clandestine government is not as frightening as your own family out to
get you. This is one climactic thriller with unpredictable twists that
gratify and surprise.

Reviewed by Danielle Thorne for
Midwest Book Review


When Rumors--and other things--Fly
Upper-middle class Ilene Singleton, her husband Phillip and their two
daughters are living the ultimate American Dream. They have recently
moved into an elegant house that they are in the process of building.
Life is good for Ilene. The only fly in her ointment is her mother-in-law.
But then, who doesn't have a few mother-in-law problems?

Things start to shift quickly when Phillip's reserve unit is called up for
duty in the Persian Gulf War. Left on her own with the care of the
children, Ilene struggles to maintain a cheerful family life as well as
overseeing the continuing work on the house.

RUMORS OF WAR, written by Peggy Tibbetts, is not at all what it
first appears to be. Most artfully, Tibbetts has created layer upon
layer to this story that will surprise you at every turn. Make no mistake
about it--RUMORS OF WAR is a true suspense novel. Whenever I
thought I had the plot figured out, Tibbetts would take me on yet
another roller coaster ride by adding an unexpected and exciting twist.

The book's characters are extremely well written. Ilene is a real woman
complete with all the foibles that can entail. The carpenter she has hired,
Kevin, is more than he seems to be in a vaguely Clint Eastwood kind of
way. And the mother-in-law--well, this woman turns out to be the
MOTHER of all mother-in-laws.

As I don't want to give away too much of the plot, I will stop here. Suffice
it to say that RUMORS OF WAR by Peggy Tibbetts is a 'must "read".

Reviewed by Sandra T. Jacobs for
US Times Bestseller List & Reviews




5 Stars!
When Philip Singleton's Army Reserve Unit was activated for Desert
Shield, neither he nor his wife Ilene knew how much their lives were
to be changed. Philip and Ilene had two little girls, Hazel and Gladys.
Philip had adopted Hazel when he married Ilene. Philip had joined
the Reserve to supplement his income as a lab technician at St. Mary's
Hospital. In order for them to build their dream house, he needed the
extra income. Now that he was going active, he had to come up with
another plan. Ilene did not like the idea of Philip borrowing money
from his parents, Donald and Marie. She knew they did not like her,
and with Philip having to sign over her share of the house, she knew
they would have too much control over her.

Kevin Wyland was sent by the construction company to help Ilene finish
the carpentry work on the house. Even though Ilene didn't like him and
really didn't trust him, she hired him. While she was trying to decide
whether or not Kevin had been sent by Philip's parents, she discovered
some bank accounts in Philip's name that amounted to millions of dollars.

Ms. Tibbetts has given readers a book that is full of plots and subplots.
Her characters are well defined and central to the story. The title,
RUMORS OF WAR , may be a little misleading for some readers because
it is not just about Desert Shield. It is about the wars that we wage everyday
in our relationships with those close to us. There are some surprises,
especially at the end.

I liked this book very much, and was disappointed when I read the last word.
Reviewed by Hattie Boyd for
Scribes World Reviews