Dangerous Lies [NOOK Book]

Godfather Meets His Match!

Lisa Smith has the imagination and "the stuff" it takes to put down on paper what it is that makes mafia kingpins and their women breathe. This is the closest novel I've read to Mario Puzo's "Godfather" in decades, and it is the absolute best by any woman writer in so many years, I can promise you that.

What a non-stop wonder of a book this one is. The gangsters are so beautifully imagined, you could reach out and kiss them. I've seen those Sicilian, handsome blue-eyed, tall, dark-haired men so I know what Lisa's talking about... Dangerous, and gorgeous doesn't make for good bed partners all the time; however, so Ms Smith tells us the dark side of the truth about mad men and the women who love them. It's a story that will demand your full attention. It's a story that won't allow you to look away, and it's one that will cause you to laugh and cry right to the last sentence. That last sentence, by the way, had me crying and not wanting the story to end.

As a writer, Lisa is clear and engaging. Her ability to draw believable, strong characters with whom it's easy to become attached is far above the stripe of fellow authors who are self-publishing. I was completely involved with her protagonist, Tina, and could easily relate to her life. It was also quite easy to understand the "other side" of a mobster's life in Ms Smith's very deft hands. She writes with a skill for characterization that makes this a novel so addictive to read.
I couldn't stop reading it. I was reading so fast my eyes were just
swimming.

In addition to the well-spring of knowledge and story interest through her characters, Lisa Smith's book has intelligence and a full-bodiedness. It's such a pleasure to read a novel that tells of the majestic things in life: literature, arts, fine dining restaurants of NYC, architecture, foods and wines, antiques, music and glittering landscapes. I know she could only have written about some of these things because she's experienced them.

I have to admit to being a horrible book snob, and while I agree to "trying out" several indie or authors' requested books per year, I only agree to reading a few pages of them to determine if I'll read the whole book. Frankly, I don't want to waste my time if they aren't books that are well written or engaging, or that I can't recommend. This started out as a book I promised just to "try." I'm so glad I did.

"Dangerous Lies" happens to be one of the best finds of this year! It's one of those books I always hope to find. One of those books that comes along once in a while that makes reading these type of books; those not published by a big publishing house, worthwhile. I'm so delighted to help bring it to your attention.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Intriguing story line with fascinating characters!

I enjoyed the heroine of this novel immensely. She had a fascinating story. I've always love reading about the mob world (because organized crime fascinates me?) and her story was so involved. I also loved seeing her find a way to fight back against the people who hurt her by testifying. The novel is broken up into many small chapters and, after an initial courtroom scene featuring Tina Davis as the primary witness, we begin when Bettina Berenson was a child.

Alternating between scenes from Tina's chilhood we get a glimpse of the world that Jake Stern (prosecuting attorney) grew up in. When the novel catches up with itself we get to know Jake a little better. He is a passionate attorney working for the State of New York and his big case of the moement features Tina as the star witness.

I never grew to love Jake. He was an unlikely hero and even in the moments when I thought he was going to win me over he stopped just short of doing what I felt he should do. He was judgmental too. I didn't like that at all. But that is me not liking the character, not disliking the book! I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone, but I wasn't crazy about it. Not that it wasn't a fine ending, and probably the one that made the most sense, it just wasn't what I wanted to see. The book was well written and I have to say I was completely caught up in it.

There were a handful of distracting typos in the book that should have been caught in the editing process, but it was a very enjoyable read. Lisa Smith is about to come out with a new book Exceeding Expectations. I hope to be able to check that one out as well!

I was provided a free copy of this novel from the author for review. This in no way affected my review. All opinions and views above are my own.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great beach read!

Dangerous Lies is a great book for that perfect escape - beautiful people, exciting courtroom drama, mobsters... Great fun, sucks you right in. Order it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Author Could Be Hemingway's & Suzanne's Love Child

Lisa Smith, author of 'Dangerous Lies' could be Ernest Hemingway and Jacky Suzanne's progeny. She has the spice and savy of Suzanne and the clarity, unique characters and style of Hemingway. Give me more!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good read!

Good, captivationg book but was disappointed by the abrupt ending.