*** A 2010 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award Winner ***
When a dedicated researcher learns a bit too much about her client's new drug, the horrors from her past seem destined to return. Just as her life begins to spin out of control, a dashing computer security expert arrives from South America and seems the perfect antidote. But is his sudden arrival just the happy coincidence it seems? Find out in this complex novel of romance and suspense that takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of murder, mayhem, sex, and drugs--of the pharmaceutical variety, of course--until the very last page.
Praise for Little Miss Straight Lace:
"Romana's characters are portrayed with skill, each is a credible person filled with foibles, warts and gaffes...the various twists and turns are handled with skill, are easily followed, and add depth and dimension often lacking in works provided by newer writers...Maria Romana's 'Little Miss Straight Lace' is a fast paced, keep 'em guessing and turning the page type read sure to intrigue readers who enjoy good writing, a bit of romance, a lot of action, and a downright good read..."
--Molly Martin, Midwest Book Review
"There is one thing for sure, the reader is in for a rollicking ride. It is full of suspense and mystery along with romance and humor. A very enjoyable read."
--Readers Favorite, an Amazon Vine(tm) Voice reviewer
"...a great beach read...all the ingredients for a story that's hard to put down..."
--Author A.J. Braithwaite, from Inside Hawley Lodge
Read an Excerpt:
Robert spoke with open hands and a casual stance, "Look, fella, take it easy. We just--"
"O-okay, listen, I-I'll tell you the whole story. Everything. But I swear, I never did anything to her. Nobody did. Not on my watch, anyway. I took real good care of her. I swear. You gotta believe me!"
Nic's pulse quickened. He took a step closer and cocked a brow at the stocky man, "Who her?"
"Y-you know--your girl."
"My girl?"
"Y-yeah. You know...petite, brunette, pretty. Kinda..." The guy relaxed a little, pulling his hands away from the fence, and started forming an hourglass shape with them.
Nic pursed his lips. "Okay. I know what she looks like." He lifted his chin at the stocky man, "So what are you talking about? 'Your watch'. 'Took care of her'. Where? When?"
"Come on, you know..." The tattooed man looked from Nic over to Robert, as if he expected a more reasonable interrogator--a Good Cop to Nic's Bad.
But Nic insisted, "Humor me."
"Well, uh, well..."
Nic took another step.
The tattooed man gulped and started talking, "Yeah, okay. See, when I took the job, I didn't know it was her, okay? It was only when I saw her close up, in the light, that I recognized her. I remembered her from the bar. From that night last summer when I pulled her off the stool. I mean, I didn't know who she really was. I just thought she was your date, your girl or whatever, okay? I didn't know she was like...one of you."
When a dedicated researcher learns a bit too much about her client's new drug, the horrors from her past seem destined to return. Just as her life begins to spin out of control, a dashing computer security expert arrives from South America and seems the perfect antidote. But is his sudden arrival just the happy coincidence it seems? Find out in this complex novel of romance and suspense that takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of murder, mayhem, sex, and drugs--of the pharmaceutical variety, of course--until the very last page.
Praise for Little Miss Straight Lace:
"Romana's characters are portrayed with skill, each is a credible person filled with foibles, warts and gaffes...the various twists and turns are handled with skill, are easily followed, and add depth and dimension often lacking in works provided by newer writers...Maria Romana's 'Little Miss Straight Lace' is a fast paced, keep 'em guessing and turning the page type read sure to intrigue readers who enjoy good writing, a bit of romance, a lot of action, and a downright good read..."
--Molly Martin, Midwest Book Review
"There is one thing for sure, the reader is in for a rollicking ride. It is full of suspense and mystery along with romance and humor. A very enjoyable read."
--Readers Favorite, an Amazon Vine(tm) Voice reviewer
"...a great beach read...all the ingredients for a story that's hard to put down..."
--Author A.J. Braithwaite, from Inside Hawley Lodge
Read an Excerpt:
Robert spoke with open hands and a casual stance, "Look, fella, take it easy. We just--"
"O-okay, listen, I-I'll tell you the whole story. Everything. But I swear, I never did anything to her. Nobody did. Not on my watch, anyway. I took real good care of her. I swear. You gotta believe me!"
Nic's pulse quickened. He took a step closer and cocked a brow at the stocky man, "Who her?"
"Y-you know--your girl."
"My girl?"
"Y-yeah. You know...petite, brunette, pretty. Kinda..." The guy relaxed a little, pulling his hands away from the fence, and started forming an hourglass shape with them.
Nic pursed his lips. "Okay. I know what she looks like." He lifted his chin at the stocky man, "So what are you talking about? 'Your watch'. 'Took care of her'. Where? When?"
"Come on, you know..." The tattooed man looked from Nic over to Robert, as if he expected a more reasonable interrogator--a Good Cop to Nic's Bad.
But Nic insisted, "Humor me."
"Well, uh, well..."
Nic took another step.
The tattooed man gulped and started talking, "Yeah, okay. See, when I took the job, I didn't know it was her, okay? It was only when I saw her close up, in the light, that I recognized her. I remembered her from the bar. From that night last summer when I pulled her off the stool. I mean, I didn't know who she really was. I just thought she was your date, your girl or whatever, okay? I didn't know she was like...one of you."
