Synopsis
A photographer on the brink of fame. A dictator with a dangerous agenda. Used to hiding behind her camera, can this skilled artist capture the truth and still escape with her life?
Margo McAllister is mere hours from her dream. In Italy, to compete for a prestigious award, the young photographer turns down a corrupt politician who offers her an insane sum to brush up his reputation with a clever portrait. But her plans crumble to dust when she’s slipped a blackout drug cocktail, awakens to $40,000 in damages to her hotel room, and is summarily bounced from the contest.
Suddenly, a beggar with no options, Margo travels to the despot’s personal castle to earn enough money to cover her debts and get her life back on track. And while she quickly discovers the property is crawling with secrets and lies, she fears the oligarch’s creepy propositions and rough demands indicate he believes she’s a captive with no way out…
Can Margo escape to freedom by capturing the face of evil?
Portrait of Deception is the dark and gritty second book in the Southwest Suspense women’s fiction series. If you like tough females, relentless action, and hints of steam, then you’ll love Kathryn Dodson’s twisted adventure.
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Review
This book packed a lot into the pages! There is mystery, suspense, travel, deception, family, and friendship. Sounds like a mixed bag, but it works.
Margo ends up in a situation in Italy. Part of that is her fault, but most of it is not. It is the egomaniac that sees her and decides she must be his. Umm, yeah, right, dude, that isn’t how it works in the civilized world. However, this situation causes even bigger issues down the road. I felt bad that Margo had to take on this assignment just to clean up the mess in Italy, but on the flip side, it brought her closer to her aunt and taught her that there is more to life than her photography.
There are quite a few scumbags in this book. But there are several redeeming characters that, while we don’t know all of the details in the beginning, their stories unfold, giving you another perspective to consider. Yes, I’m being vague, but to say too much would give away some plot twists.
I didn’t want the story to end, and I felt like there could be more to come in Margo’s world.
This book kept me up at night because I couldn’t put it down. We give it 5 paws up.
About the Author
I am currently working on my ninth novel. I earned a B.A. in English with a creative writing specialization from Southern Methodist University.
After college, I traveled, earned an MBA and a PhD, and worked as a nonprofit, corporate, and government executive before seriously picking up the pen again.
Originally from Texas, I’ve had the good fortune to live in Spain, Mexico, Tanzania, and several US states; and the good sense to end up in Carlsbad, California. I love travel, fiery food, hanging out with my neighbors in the front yard on Friday evenings, and reading everything from management books to magical realism. My greatest accomplishment may be raising a son who loves to read.
