About the book
People die, but legends live on.
New York antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury recently lost her best friend to murder. The killer’s identity may be linked to her friend’s expensive missing bracelet—a 500-year-old artifact that carries an ancient curse, one that unleashes evil upon any who dare wear the jewelry created for the Persian royal family.
Weeks later, Annalisse sees a matching necklace at a Manhattan gallery opening. She begs the owner to destroy the cursed piece, but her pleas fall on deaf ears—despite the unnatural death that occurs during the opening. With two victims linked to the jewelry, Annalisse is certain she must act.
Desperate, Annalisse enlists the gallery owner’s son to help—even though she’s afraid he’ll break her heart. Wealthy and devastatingly handsome, with a string of bereft women in his wake, Greek playboy Alec Zavos dismisses Annalisse’s concerns—until his parents are ripped from the Zavos family yacht during their ocean voyage near Crete.
Annalisse and Alec race across two oceans to save his mother, feared dead or kidnapped. When the killer changes tactics and goes after Alec behind Annalisse’s back, can her plan to rescue Alec’s mother save them all?
Hold on for a heart-thumping, thrilling adventure through exotic lands in this fast-moving romantic suspense mystery by Marlene M. Bell.
Read an excerpt
Alec lifted her hand seductively and kissed her knuckles
like they’d just met. Greek men were so different. She felt the urge to curtsy,
but buried the impulse with a smile. She didn’t want to feel anything for Alec,
and wished she were home, safe from the schoolgirl thuds banging away in her
chest. She wasn’t ready to date yet. Not since they found Sam.
“Now, what do you think of the necklace?” Generosa twirled
her arm toward the case in game show host style.
Annalisse loved the way Generosa’s gestures followed her
words. A modest woman whose confidence and positive attitude had rescued
Annalisse from more than a few scrapes with Harry.
“It scares me, Gen. I’d like your permission to cover it
tonight.”
“Nonsense, bambolina.” Generosa escorted Alec to the
display.
“It’s a bad omen. Where’d you find it?” Annalisse balled a
fist and banged her hip.
Generosa clicked the glass with her acrylic nails. “Doesn’t
the motif remind you of your beautiful horses, son? I know we shouldn’t have
copied Sam’s bracelet, but I had to have one. We added filigree next to the
acorns for a modern touch and redesigned it in fourteen karat.”
Annalisse peered inside the case then slowly met Generosa’s
gaze. “You are one of the most special people in my life, so please don’t take
this the wrong way. There’s no filigree, and it’s not a recent piece.” She
lowered her voice. “I beg you— shove it in a safe deposit box. I don’t care,
lock it away, but don’t tell anyone you have it, and never wear it.”
“Why?” Alec stepped between her and Generosa.
“Sam. The curse this necklace carries—the same destiny as
her bracelet.”
“Pooh.” Generosa tsked.
“What curse?” Alec leaned closer.
With the speed of an open water faucet, Generosa’s words ran
together. “I know every painting and artifact in this gallery. I sell only new
jewelry, Annalisse. I’ve planned this event for months. Must we do this?”
“It’s from ancient Persia. The ruling Mushasha had ordered
death to the wearer of any collection piece. Sam bought her bracelet just
before she died. I know her killing wasn’t random.” Annalisse touched
Generosa’s wrist. “And I won’t stand by while this necklace hurts you.”
“Mu-what?” Generosa’s lips soured in a pucker.
Annalisse’s breathing intensified into short bursts. Marble
statues mocked her with their stares. If Generosa made a copy, then someone
switched her necklace with the true artifact. But, taking a fake and leaving
the real one in its place made no sense.
“Do you have the matching ring, too?” Annalisse swayed. When
she stumbled, Alec caught her around the waist. “I’m okay.” Annalisse adjusted
the foot that slipped out of her shoe. “Shouldn’t have skipped lunch.”
“Eat something.” Generosa crooked a finger at a server near
the staircase. “The jewelry collection’s been missing a long time. Hundreds of
years. It’s priceless, and now someone wants the pieces back. This display in
your shop makes us a…target.”
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And I thought
Still turning the pages. This ones a real page turner. Savoring
the intrigue!
the intrigue!
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