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Kate and Alex Rocket are blessed with a wonderful marriage and a lovely home. Although Kate is unable to bear children, she and Alex look upon Sara and Emily, affectionate daughters of their good friends Don and Debbie Winter, as part of their family.
With one phone call, everything changes. Sara accuses Alex of a heinous act, opening up a vicious rift between the couples. In a single moment an idyllic all-American life has imploded into an unfathomable nightmare. Kate can only watch helplessly as her innocent husband is convicted and sent to prison. But when even greater tragedy strikes, Kate has no choice but to turn her grief into anger...
Just when her life is as its darkest point, Kate discovers an inner strength and a steel-edged resolve to clear her husband’s name — and ruin the lives of those who destroyed everything she shared with Alex. But Kate’s greatest challenge will be in avenging Alex without losing her chance at a new future — and a precious new love. As long as Kate holds on to her courage and hope, she may not lose everything...
With typical modesty, Michaels does not claim to be a great writer; however, she admits proudly to being a born storyteller. Her bulging bookshelf proves she is all over the map, producing with equal facility hot historicals, lighthearted contemporary capers, adrenaline-laced thrillers, and heartwarming tales of family and friendship. She is especially adept at writing stories about women who prevail in hard times – a reflection, perhaps, of her own struggles in her marriage and early career.
Raised to believe that the fortunate in life have an obligation to give back, Michaels devotes a lot of time to philanthropic concerns. She has established a foundation that grants four-year scholarships to needy students and has set up pre-schools and daycare centers for single mothers. She is also an avid animal lover and has been known to own as many as five dogs at a time.
In 1993, Michaels picked up stakes and moved from her home in New Jersey to a 300-year-old plantation house in Charleston, South Carolina. She and the dogs share the house amicably with a friendly ghost whom Fern has dubbed Mary Margaret. In addition to stopping clocks and moving pillows from room to room, Mary Margaret has been known to occasionally leave flowers on Michaels's nightstand!
Her first "sort of, kind of job" was in market research. Michaels recounts the gig's low-point in our interview: "I had a partner and we were testing a new pressurized drain cleaner. All you had to do was put this can in the drain, squeeze and supposedly the drain would open right up. It did, all right.
"The whole wall collapsed, and stuff that was in there for a hundred years flew everywhere. The lady didn't tell us the drain backed up to her kitchen drain and disposal. The company didn't care that we smelled like a sewer or that our clothes were ruined. The lady got a new bathroom, and we both got fired."
Michaels reveals some of her sources of inspiration: "Inspiration comes from everywhere. The title for Finders Keepers came from a cartoon with two chipmunks that my grandson was watching. I had a title but no story. I finally came up with one to fit that wonderful title.
"Names for characters sometime come from television. I had a character named Metaxis which is odd to begin with. There is a news anchor on T.V. who has that same last name. Sometimes it will just be a word someone says in passing, something I read or saw. There's no rhyme or reason to it. It's almost like, okay, I need something here, stay alert and it will happen."
"How can you possibly think of food at a time like this?" Emily asked Sara, her younger sister, as the older girl sat on top of her baby blue Samsonite, hoping the extra weight would make it easier to close. She had surprise presents for Uncle Alex and Aunt Kate inside that she didn't want Sara or her parents to see.
At twelve, Sara was fifty pounds heavier than Emily, who was already fifteen. Emily wished her sister wouldn't focus on food so much.
"Mommy says I'm healthy because I eat well. Daddy, too. So there." Sara struggled to push herself out of the child-sized rocking chair she'd had since she was three. She stood with the small chair still attached to her burgeoning hips.
"Here." Emily closed the locks on the luggage. "Let me help." In one swift motion, Emily yanked the rocking chair from Sara's growing bottom.
"Ouch!" Sara yelled.
"You're way too big for that chair. You need an adult-sized chair now," Emily explained.
"No, I don't. You're just jealous." Sara smirked as she rubbed her hands up and down her backside.
Emily rolled her eyes and placed her luggage in the hall. "I can't imagine why you would say that. Listen, we need to get a move on. Mom and Dad said to be ready by eight. It's almost nine o'clock," Emily urged.
"Mommy packed my things last night; besides, I'm not going anywhere until I've had my breakfast. So there!" Sara stuck her tongue out at Emily. She lumbered her expanding bulk across the room, stopping in the doorway. "And I don't care what time it is."
"Brat!" Emily shouted to her sister's retreating back. Soon Sara would be the size of a house if something wasn't done about her weight. She'd try and talk to her once they were at Uncle Alex's. Sara didn't seem to act as rotten when they visited their aunt and uncle. Emily was really looking forward to this visit. She'd always felt extremely close to Uncle Alex, plus he had all those wonderful golden retrievers. At this stage in her life, she figured, this was about as close to heaven as she could get.
Emily heard the electric garage door open, reminding her it was time to leave for Asheville. She grabbed her diary, which she'd caught Sara snooping in the other day. She stuffed it in the bottom of her book bag for safekeeping. She glanced around her room one last time, just to make sure she wasn't leaving anything important behind, then closed her door and headed downstairs.
She couldn't wait to leave what she privately referred to as the "ice palace." Her mother was so finicky, always afraid a speck of dust would ruin the ridiculous white furniture throughout their house. Aunt Kate's house was so much more relaxing. They didn't even care if the dogs jumped all over the furniture. Aunt Kate would never have white furniture either. Hers was worn and soft, and so what if there was an occasional mass of dog hair? Emily liked the casual life and loved all the animals roaming in and out of the house. Emily figured her mother would have heart failure if an animal of any kind entered their house.
Emily walked into the kitchen just in time to see Sara seated at the breakfast bar with egg yolk smeared across her fat face. Emily grabbed a paper towel, dampened it, and gave it to Sara. "Wipe your face. It's time to leave. If we don't get on the road, we'll end up spending the night in one of those twenty-dollar hotels with the scratchy sheets that you hate."
Sara snatched the paper towel from Emily and halfheartedly wiped it across her mouth. "I hope you're satisfied!" Sara tossed the wet paper towel on the kitchen floor.
"C'mon, Sara, don't be such a pig. Let's go. Dad's waiting in the car." Emily picked up the paper towel and tossed it in the garbage can under the sink. "They're waiting, Sara," Emily said, enunciating each word slowly.
"Mommy isn't in the car yet," Sara retorted.
Emily rolled her eyes. "Yes, but she's almost ready. I just heard the door slam." Her mother always hated the fact that they drove to North Carolina instead of flying. If anything cramped her style in the slightest, her mother always let those around her know it. Door slamming had become quite popular the past year.
Reluctantly, Sara shoved away from the table and followed Emily out the garage door.
Emily tucked her luggage in between Sara's in the back of the Explorer. She climbed into the backseat and took a paperback novel from her book bag. She hoped reading would prevent Sara from aggravating her with all kinds of questions and stupid comments. She loved her little sister, but sometimes she wished her parents would exercise a bit more control over her behavior. She was beyond spoiled and had no real friends at school, so most of her free time at home was spent tormenting Emily with dumb questions and dopey comments.
Emily winced as she heard the front door slam. Her mother must be ready to leave. She didn't dare look away from her book. When her mother was in one of her moods, Emily knew from experience that it was best to remain quiet. Sara was sure to provide her mother with plenty of distraction.
Wearing white slacks and a lime green silk blouse, Debbie Winter appeared to be dressed for one of her charity luncheons, certainly not a lengthy automobile trip. Emily observed her mother sliding onto the front seat. Her short brown hair was shellacked to her head and she was wearing too much eyeliner. Her eyelashes were so thickly coated with mascara that she looked like a goblin of sorts. Why can't she be more like Aunt Kate? Emily could almost guarantee Aunt Kate wouldn't wear white slacks and a silk blouse to go on a road trip. Most likely, she'd have on jeans and a comfortable T-shirt. She certainly wouldn't have bothered with all the makeup and hair spray. Emily just shook her head and immersed herself in her novel.
"Is everyone all set to go?" Don Winter asked as he shifted into drive.
"I guess we'd better be set, you're certainly not waiting around if we're not." Sarcasm spewed from Debbie's pink-glossed mouth.
At that precise moment Don Winter's jaw clenched and his steel gray eyes blazed with fire. He drew in a deep breath, then released it through his nose. "Then let me repeat myself. Are we all set for the drive to Asheville?" He peered over his shoulder at Emily and Sara in the backseat. When there was no response, he put the Explorer in gear. "I guess this means we're ready." Without another word Don Winter drove slowly through Quail Lake, the exquisite gated community in Naples. They passed the state-of-the-art fitness center, a ballroom that no one seemed to use, or even wanted to, for that matter, the spa and massage center. They even had a room exclusively for birthday parties. A Tuscan-style fountain held center stage next to the exit gates. A guardhouse that looked like a small mansion lodged two elderly men in uniforms; both seemed about as excited to be at their jobs as a ballerina in a football stadium. Don waved to the men when they stopped at the gate. A kaleidoscope of flowers decorated the road into the gated community. Yellow hibiscus and red geraniums dotted the edge of the concrete walkways. Purple, red, and yellow bougainvillea vines were in full bloom. In a few short weeks the gardeners would be removing the dead leaves, and another plant or bush would dominate the landscape. Quail Lake homes were selling for millions of dollars. Don wanted to scale down to something smaller when the girls went to college. If he could make a hefty profit from the sale, then more power to him. Debbie refused to discuss selling their home. She'd said this was her home, and there wouldn't be any more talk of selling. He'd acquiesced for the moment, but knew the decision was only temporary.
Two months ago Don had had a cell phone installed in the Explorer. Not being used to hearing a phone ringing in the car, he almost swerved into oncoming traffic as he pulled onto Highway 41.
"Hello."
"I thought you'd be rolling up the mountain by now. What's up?" Alex Rocket's cheerful voice sounded as though he were in the car with them. Modern technology still amazed him.
"Hey, you big dope. I'm just now getting on the road. We got a late start." Don glanced at Debbie picking at some imaginary speck on her slacks.
"Big dope, huh? I'm not the one who's late." Alex's zany laughter could be heard over the wires.
"Three women. It takes time."
"I bet it does. I called to see if I could give Emily a surprise. Ginger just had another litter, I thought she might want one. What do you say? I wouldn't want to give her a puppy without your permission."
Don quickly scrutinized Debbie's white slacks. She couldn't deal with a human hair in her perfectly decorated home, let alone dog hairs all over the house. "I would love to say yes, but Deb isn't very fond of animals. The hair and all. I'm sorry." Don wouldn't have minded a pet, but Debbie would rather die than entertain the thought of one.
Don heard Alex's sigh over the phone. "No problem. I just know how much Emily loves dogs."
"Maybe when she's on her own she can take a few dogs off your hands. Right now she's pretty involved with school and sports. She made the girls' basketball team again. You should see her. Reminds me of you, Rocket Man, when we were in high school."
"I haven't been called that in ages," Alex said wistfully. "Tell Em I'll expect a game of one-on-one while she's here."
Don smiled. "You can count on it. If the traffic isn't too bad and the girls are up for the ride, we should be there late tonight, if not, midmorning tomorrow."
"Either way, we'll be here waiting. Kate can't wait to see the girls."
"They're excited, too. See you soon, old man." Don pressed the End button and placed the phone back in its stand.
"Alex and Kate are really anxious to see the girls," Don said.
Debbie looked at her husband of seventeen years. Suddenly, she couldn't remember what had attracted her to him in the first place. "Kate's barren. She warms up to any kid."
"That's a mean thing to say. She loves the girls and you know she does," Don replied, an edge to his voice.
Debbie snickered. "I didn't say that she didn't like the girls. I simply stated a fact. The woman is barren. She uses the girls as substitute children."
"That's not true, Mom," Emily said.
"As if you would know. Wait till you have children of your own before you voice an opinion on something you have no clue about. You're just like your father. You think you know something about everything."
"Debbie, that's uncalled for." She'd been in a bad mood for days. Don was sick of her. "Stop taking whatever's crawled up your ass out on Emily."
Emily wanted to say more in defense of Aunt Kate, but an argument with her mother was the last thing she needed at the moment. She resumed reading her novel.
"I'm not taking anything out on Emily. I'm just going along for the ride, Don. We could've flown to Asheville, but as usual, you have to control whatever we do. I'm surprised you didn't tell me what to wear." Debbie rolled her eyes and picked at her perfectly manicured oval nails.
"Let's not start, okay? We've got a long ride ahead of us, and I'd like to drive in peace."
"If you'd fly, we wouldn't have to suffer through this long, boring ride," Debbie shot back.
"I like to drive. It relaxes me. You know that."
"Yes, I do. I always do whatever you want, and I'm getting sick and tired of it. Don wants this, Don wants that. What about what Debbie wants? When is that going to matter? Or is it?"
Don floored the gas, passing a semi on I-75 at breakneck speed. He now wished he'd sent Debbie ahead on a plane. She'd spend the next ten hours bitching and complaining. He was tired of it already and they'd been on the road barely an hour.
"Well?" Debbie persisted.
Shoulders tense with both hands in a death grip on the steering wheel, Don had a vision of wrapping his hands around his wife's neck, squeezing until she drew her last breath. God, this was a marriage? Lately the word divorce kept creeping into his mind, but each time he thought about it, he'd remember all of his hard work and just how much he had to lose. No, he'd put up with her crap a while longer.
With both girls in the backseat, Don mentally calmed himself. He didn't want them to be as miserable as he was right now.
"For once let's just enjoy being together. Before long the girls will be away at college. There won't be any more family vacations. Plus, just think of all the free time you're going to have while the girls stay with Alex and Kate. Two weeks in the Caribbean seems like a fair trade to me." Don knew he was using their cruise as a means to bribe Debbie, but if that's what it took to keep her trap shut for the remainder of the trip, then fine. Once they were aboard the cruise ship that sailed out of Cape Canaveral, she could kiss his merry old ass. He'd gamble and drink. If he were lucky, hell, he might even pick up a woman who was willing to enjoy him as a man and keep her thoughts and opinions to herself. If only.
Don cast a glance at Debbie. A flicker of a smile touched her lips. No doubt she was thinking of all the free time she would have without the girls underfoot.
With just a hint of churlishness, Debbie said, "I suppose I can call a truce. For now."
Don shook his head in bewilderment. Later there would be hell to pay. At present it just didn't matter. Whatever it took to shut her mouth, he was willing to do. He wanted to arrive in Asheville without a murder rap against him. He'd never resorted to physical violence, but he could almost imagine the pleasure he would feel smacking Debbie right in her mouth. He smiled. She'd been nothing but a social-climbing bitch since they'd moved to their new home in Quail Lake. He heard rumors about her from the husbands of the wives she socialized with. Apparently they were laughing behind her back. No matter what, she would always be the girl from the Brooklyn deli with the New York accent. No matter how many elocution classes she took, she'd always sound rough and unsophisticated. Don suddenly realized he was disillusioned with life, especially his marriage. Where was all the fun and companionship he longed for? His marriage to Debbie was a mistake, nothing more than a sham. Once aboard the cruise ship, he was going to take a good, honest look at his situation. Nothing like sailing the Caribbean to contemplate one's life.
Don decided that changing the subject was in order. His thoughts were turning too bleak.
"Thanks, Deb. Now, who wants to go to Krystal for lunch?" Don loved the minihamburgers even though they gave him horrible indigestion.
"I do! I do! Can I have a dozen? Please, please!" Sara shouted from the backseat.
"Gross! You're getting bigger by the minute, and you want a dozen hamburgers," Emily said in disgust.
"Emily, that's not a very nice thing to say to your sister. Sara is still a growing girl. She needs three meals a day, though I have to agree with Emily. A dozen hamburgers is too much. You can have six with some french fries and a vanilla shake if you want," Debbie explained to Sara.
Sara looked at Emily and mouthed bitch.
"Mom, I don't think that's the healthiest lunch for Sara. She needs some lettuce without salad dressing and a glass of water." Emily laughed at the look of horror on Sara's pudgy face.
"That's enough. Both of you. Sara, you might want to listen to your sister's advice. She's been there, she knows what it's like." Don peeked in the rearview mirror and winked at Emily. Emily had never been overweight, but if a little white lie stopped an argument, what could it hurt, Don asked himself.
"Dad! That's just so not true!" Emily rebutted.
"You're just too young to remember. Now, let's look for a Krystal billboard. All this talk of food is really making me hungry."
"Me too," shouted Sara. She began to hop up and down in the backseat.
"Sit down, you brat! You act like a starved Ethiopian. Can't you be still for just one minute?" Emily wished they were at Uncle Alex's already. It was getting extremely hard to remain in such close quarters with Sara acting like a rabbit.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Betrayal by Fern Michaels Copyright © 2011 by MRK Productions. Excerpted by permission of ZEBRA BOOKS. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
theReader278
Posted July 10, 2011
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I enjoyed this book so much! I have read most of Fern Michaels's books and this is one of my favourites by her! Great characters. Interesting story!
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 23, 2011
Fern Michaels has a very juvenile writing style, which really takes away from the story. The plot seemed promising, but the character development was nonexistant, the story seemed to be constantly changing based on the characters' immature, overly emotional reactions and I had a really difficult time keeping an interest in the weak storyline. I think I'll continue to read Nora Roberts and Laurell K Hamilton. This book read like it was written by a sixth grader. For a younger crowd, Fern Michaels may seem like a good author, but for those of us who expect a little more from the books we purchase, avoiding Fern Michaels' books would be recommended. You'll only be disappointed and frustrated with the waste of time and money.
10 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.its a re-readable book,made me laugh and cry, cant say anough about this book.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.As usual fern gives us another great book. Just could not put it down
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 10, 2011
I always read the reviews before i start the book or shority after.Now i'm afraid to do this in case some other idoit (or the same one) tells me the end. BEWARE PEOPLE DO NOT READ REVIEW NUMBER 30 FOR THIS BOOK? With people like her i'd only have to read the end of books. Maybe she'd like to pay for my books seeing how she likes to scrrw them up!!!!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 19, 2011
I enjoy all Fern Michaels' books but this one was her best. Couldn't put it down.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 18, 2011
Was going to get this book but other reviews spoiled it by revealing the ending......this is not what reviews are for.
Thanks for nothing!
3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 7, 2012
Once again Fern Michaels does an outstanding job! The characters are believable and the story line although somewhat predictable is fast moving and keeps you reeled in. There should be a sequel so you could see where the characters go in their new life. Well Done Fern!!♥
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 13, 2011
Fern Michaels' stories are nearly always good. However, I have to wonder how any and all books are transcribed to e-readers. The typos and mistakes are horrible. I know no publisher would ever allow a book to be printed with all the mistakes that I've found in the e-books.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 22, 2011
I like the setting however it was kind of slow and you kind of knew what to expect.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.could not put it down. one of her best works yet.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 30, 2012
This is my first (possibly last) Fern Michaels novel. Stilted dialogue, stereotypical characters, "jumpy" plot all added up to not much. Not a page-turner...more of an eye-roller. Cannot recommend
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 7, 2012
This book is a little disturbing and then sad. :( But it was a good book!!! I borrowed it on lend my via nook and didn't read it fast enough in the two weeks allotted time lol so to finish reading it I then had to buy it.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 3, 2011
Read in one sitting!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 26, 2011
love it...
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 14, 2011
What a captavating story, you find yourself truly caring for the charecters you will get lost in this book and not be able to put it down
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 13, 2011
Page turner! I haven't even finished it yet but can't wait to see what happens.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 7, 2011
I couldnt put this down until i finished it!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 28, 2011
This book was great up until she killed off Alex. At that point she went from having a great (and totally different) book to going back to her old "sisterhood" tricks. It's almost like she runs out of gas in the last few chapters of her books lately. This is a good book but it had so much more potential.
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 17, 2013
Lots of unexpected twists in this story and i enjoyed it; will be reading more of her books
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Kate and Alex Rocket are blessed with a wonderful marriage and a lovely home. Although Kate is unable to bear children, she and Alex look upon Sara and Emily, affectionate daughters of their good friends Don and Debbie Winter, as part of their family.
With one phone call, everything changes. Sara accuses Alex of a heinous act, opening up a vicious rift between the couples. In a single moment an idyllic all-American life has imploded into an unfathomable nightmare. Kate can only ...