The Ultimatum (Guardian Series #1)

by Karen Robards

Overview

Her past is shrouded in secrets—but it has made her who she is today

Growing up, Bianca St. Ives knew she was different from all her friends. Instead of playing hopscotch or combing her dolls’ hair, she covertly studied martial arts with sensei masters and dismantled explosives with special-ops retirees. Her father prepped her well to carry on the family business.

ow she makes a living swindling con men out of money they stole. But her latest gig goes horribly wrong. Not only do two hundred million dollars and top secret government documents go missing, but her father is killed during the heist. The thing is, the US government doesn’t believe he’s really dead. They’ll stop at nothing to capture Richard St. Ives, a high-value target and someone who has been on most-wanted lists all over the world for over two decades—and they mean to use Bianca as bait. With only a fellow criminal for backup and her life on the line, it’s up to Bianca to uncover the terrifying truth behind what really happened…and set it right, before it’s too late.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780778307815
Publisher:	MIRA Books
Publication date:	03/20/2018
Series:	Karen Robards' Guardian Series , #1
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	685,379
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Karen Robards is the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of fifty novels and one novella. She is the winner of six Silver Pen awards and numerous other awards.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards

"The latest from thriller-master Robards is an enthralling high-stakes caper novel... Readers won't want this adrenaline-rich story to end... Buy extra copies."—Booklist (starred review) on The Ultimatum

"Robards begins a new series with a fascinating main character, blazing action, a Jason Bourne-esque central mystery, and an intriguing cliffhanger ending... Fresh, sexy, and eminently readable."-Kirkus on The Ultimatum

"Robards's visually evocative narrative allows the reader to 'see' Bianca during her escapades... Readers who appreciate the thrillers of Iris Johansen, Tess Gerritsen, and Lisa Gardner will enjoy getting to know Bianca St. Ives."-Library Journal on The Ultimatum

"Exhilarating... Edgy and engaging."-USA TODAY

"[Robards writes] a feast of menace and mystery." -Woman's Day

"One terrific storyteller."-Chicago Tribune

"Robards always delivers a thrilling reading experience."-Midwest Book Review

"Robards has a knack for writing taut thrillers that are genuinely enjoyable."-Bookworm Room

"Spellbinding...explosive."-Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

04/17/2017
This series launch from bestseller Robards (Hush), about a female master thief with highly developed martial arts skills, scores points for energetic storytelling but is marred by an implausible plot, shallow characters, and uninspired dialogue. As a child, Bianca St. Ives, known as the Guardian, learned about martial arts, explosives, and deception instead of playing with toys. Now she has joined her father, Richard St. Ives, “tall and elegant, the ultimate silver fox,” in recovering stolen money and secret government documents. The elite criminal and law enforcement entities know Richard only as the Traveler. When Richard is killed during a botched job, Bianca returns to running her own security company in Savannah, Ga. Email delivered to Richard’s encrypted account later sends Bianca on an international recovery mission and a search to find out if her father really is dead. A far-fetched, game-changing character reveal near the finale is more laughable than stunning. Agent: Robert Gottlieb, Trident Media. (June)

Publishers Weekly

05/15/2017
Bianca St. Ives is a gifted and integral part of her father's international band of high-stakes thieves who specialize in conning con men and returning their ill-gotten gains to their victims. But when a job goes wrong and her father is killed, Bianca takes over the family business and subsequently becomes the target and pawn of the U.S. government, which doesn't believe Richard St. Ives is really dead. With her team and livelihood at risk, Bianca needs to dig up the truth about her father before the feds do. This series launch moves swiftly and keeps us engaged; Robards's visually evocative narrative allows the reader to "see" Bianca during her escapades. VERDICT Readers who appreciate the thrillers of Iris Johansen, Tess Gerritsen, and Lisa Gardner will enjoy getting to know Bianca St. Ives. [See Prepub Alert, 12/12/16.]—Nicole A. Cooke, GSLIS, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Library Journal

Think Jason Bourne, but female. Narrator Julia Whelan easily defines the facets of Bianca—a.k.a. the Guardian—the best international con artist there is. Her father is presumed dead, and she’s bound and determined to rescue her little half-sister from those with dangerous intentions. She stays ahead of the villains and even her nemesis, Mickey, the lead agent for an another nefarious group. Whelan creates a gruff, determined voice for Mickey, who will not be deterred by Bianca’s evasive moves. The listener is pulled into the suspense by characters infused with life and believability. Whether you’re new to audiobooks or a veteran, Julia Whelan will not disappoint in this mighty fine story written by Karen Robards. To be continued? A.M.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

MAY 2017 - AudioFile