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Casino Queen (Night Hawk Casino Series Book 1) by [Cara Bertoia]

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Cara Bertoia

Casino Queen (Night Hawk Casino Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Cara Bertoia (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

39 ratings

Book 1 of 1: Night Hawk Casino Series

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Caroline Popov, alone, heartbroken, and deeply in debt ends up in glamorous Palm Springs, California where Native casinos have just opened, offering employment to thousands. She lands a job at the Palm Oasis Casino where she is mentored by the charismatic tribal chairman, John Tovar.

Embraced by casino culture, Caroline works her way up to casino manager of the Night Hawk, in the High Desert town of Joshua Tree. There, she is responsible for managing multicultural team members, satisfying the demands of often unique guests, and growing revenue while rooting out corruption.

In the process of rediscovering her inner strength, she learns, you have to gamble like your life depends on it. Because it often does.

Book 1 of 1

Night Hawk Casino Series
Print length

232 pages
Language

English
Sticky notes

On Kindle Scribe
Publication date

March 16, 2022
File size

1898 KB
Page Flip

Enabled
Word Wise

Enabled
Enhanced typesetting

Enabled
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Books In This Series (1 Books)

Complete Series

Night Hawk Casino Series

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Casino Queen (Night Hawk Casino Series Book 1)
Cara Bertoia

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$4.99

Cara Bertoia
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Kevin Jared Hosein
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Oh Wow!! What a debut this has been. How will a written review do this one justice? I'm so excited for this book to get into the hands of other readers. I have wanted to step into the gorgeous setting of this one. However, the author's descriptions have transported me and made me feel as though the setting has been familiar to me - an added talent of hers. It's converted me as a huge fan of Bertoia." - Vikkie Wakeham, Little Miss Book Lover 187 - Squadpod

"Glitter, grifters and greed collide with high stakes mystery and suspense in Casino Queen. With her in-depth knowledge of the casino world, Cara Bertoia takes readers on a wild ride through the High Desert that leaves you hungry for more." - Rob Samborn, author The Prisoner of Paradise

"I started reading Casino Queen and could not put the book down. I stayed up late because the story had a slow build that grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go. Soon the story became so surprising and suspenseful the pages were flying so fast that there should have been steam coming out of my Kindle.
Bertoia draws on her vast knowledge to give her readers a real beyond-the-scenes look at a place full of bells and whistles. The desert setting was great for this story. The desolate area was eerie at the right times and beautiful in others. The casino culture was both interesting and intriguing. Add to that some mystery, suspense, and romance and you have an absolutely Perfect Escape. I am really excited to see where the author takes Caroline next." - Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

"Cara's characters are well-developed individuals, especially the charismatic tribal chairman. But I must admit, my favorite character was the setting itself. The Night Hawk became a living breathing organism. Cards shuffling to the beat of her heart, laughter swirling through the air, ice-cubes clinking, air conditioners whirring, gambler's anxious footsteps crossing her floor. All these sounds, smells and sights infused life into the Night Hawk's veins. No wonder the Casino Manager Caroline put her life on the line to save her beloved casino. I would too, if I were her." - Janie Emaus, Medium book blogger and author of The Time Traveling Matchmaker

When you start reading some books, you know that the author knows what they're doing, and that they are an authority in the world they have set out to create. Casino Queen feels like nothing short of a storm itself, capable of blowing you off your feet with mystery, intrigue, and even a bit of romance. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at a hidden world, but that is not its only strength. The characters jump off the page--I rooted for Caroline Popov, and stayed with her through the various twists, and the surprising ending. Can't wait for Bertoia's next! - Damyanti Biswas, author of You Beneath Your Skin

Cara Bertoia stacks the creative cards in our favor in "Casino Queen" (The Wild Rose Press), a compelling mystery set in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree. "Casino Queen" arrives at the perfect time when crime-solving tales that revolve around strong female protagonists aren't just a luck of a draw. They're downright successful. As if often the case, the author pulls from real-life experiences to create a worthy piece of fiction. And her own life is a vivid kaleidoscope of adventure. - The Desert Sun, Palm Springs CA

From the Author

When I worked in the casino industry people always asked me, "What's a nice girl like you doing working in a place like this?" Now I can honestly say, "Research." I worked in the casino industry for over two decades so you don't have to. Casino Queen is just the beginning. Enjoy your stay at the Night Hawk.

From the Inside Flap

A few days after a surprise rainstorm, the landscape erupted in wildflowers. Indian paintbrush, ocotillo, and purple mat along with a score of other blooms painted the desert floor in all shades of the rainbow. Caroline gazed out the window, admiring the countryside as she drove down the hill past the gun range, around the corner, and onto the road leading to the casino. Her car meandered down the nearly empty highway of the High Desert, on her way to work, slowly enough to enjoy the glorious day. Stopping at the locally owned donut shop, she took her time choosing a wide variety of tasty treats for the staff. Small gestures like bringing donuts were always a big hit in the employee lounge.

Back on the road, her eyes followed the arc of a bald eagle flying across the brilliant blue sky. The eagle landed on the far-left corner of the Night Hawk billboard, which stood above the road, fourteen feet high and forty-eight feet wide, enticing travelers to eat, play, win!

Glancing upward she did a double take. A new message painted across the front read, 'Caroline Popov must die!' in red paint, ten feet high. In disbelief she slammed on her brakes, pulled over to the curb shifting the car in park. She wanted to make sure she had read it right.

About the Author

They say write what you know and Cara knows a lot about casinos. Her new mystery Casino Queen has been featured in The Big Thrill, Women Writers Women's Books, Charlotte Reader's Podcast, Tell Me About Your Book, The Desert Sun and dozens of popular book review sites.

Cara grew up in a strait-laced Southern family, but she was always fascinated with casinos. In her twenties on a summer hiatus from teaching, she drove to Nevada and became a dealer at Caesars in Lake Tahoe. She discovered that after teaching high school, handling an unruly gambler was a piece of cake. Her mother disapproved on her working in a casino, "a place so bad it has 'sin' in the middle."

Thankfully the paper from Palm Springs disagreed with her mother. The Desert Sun raved, "As is often the case, the author pulls from her real-life experiences to create a worthy piece of fiction. And her own life is a vivid kaliedoscope of adventure."

Eventually, she returned east to take a hi-tech job in Boston. She also began working on her MFA in writing at Emerson.

While in Boston she was offered the opportunity to join Princess Cruises as a croupier. Jumping at the chance, she spent the next five years circling the globe. Sometimes life exceeds you dreams. She was awed by the wonders of Venice, the fjords of Norway, and the Northern Lights in St. Petersburg.

Cara returned home with special souvenir, her Scottish husband Ray. They went to work at a Native American casino in Palm Springs. They now live in Hollywood, Florida where Cara writes about her casino years while wistfully gazing out at the ocean.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PJWMG9Z
Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Wild Rose Press, Inc (March 16, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 16, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1898 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 232 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #887,485 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #844 in Financial Thrillers (Books)
- #6,593 in Psychological Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- #12,773 in Crime Thrillers (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
39 ratings

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Cara Bertoia

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They say write about what you know and I know a lot about casinos. My new mystery Casino Queen has been featured in The Big Thrill, Women Writers Women's Books, Charlotte Reader's Podcast, Tell Me About Your Book, and dozens of popular book review sites.

In my twenties on a summer hiatus from teaching in North Carolina, I drove to California and became a dealer in Lake Tahoe. Well, I can tell you that after teaching high school, handling an unruly gambler was a piece of cake. My mother highly disapproved of my working in a casino, "a place so bad it has 'sin' in the middle."

Thankfully the paper from Palm Springs disagreed with my mother. The Desert Sun raved, "As if often the case, the author pulls from real-life experiences to create a worthy piece of fiction. And her own life is a vivid kaleidoscope of adventure. Casino Queen arrives at the perfect time when crime-solving tales that revolve around strong female protagonists aren’t just a luck of a draw. They’re downright successful. (See TV’s "Equalizer" and "Poker Face" for samplers.) To that end, Casino Queen has the makings of a streaming series."

Eventually, I succumbed to pressure from the family and returned east to take a high-tech job in Boston. I also began working on my MFA in writing at Emerson. While in Boston I was offered the opportunity to join Princess Cruises as a croupier. Jumping at the chance, I spent the next five years circling the globe. Sometimes life exceeds your dreams. I was awed by the beauty of Venice, the glaciers of Alaska, and the wonders of the Amazon.

I returned from ships with a very special souvenir, my husband Ray. We now live in Hollywood, Florida where I write while gazing out at the ocean. I can see the cruise ships sailing out of Port Everglades and I get a little bit jealous.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

39 global ratings

5 star		71%
4 star		21%
3 star		3%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		5%

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Kirk Thayer

Bright lights, betrayals, danger, and dark desert highways — Loved it

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 10, 2022

Verified Purchase

First, let me say that I worked as a manager in the gaming industry for over thirty years and I have never read a casino-themed book that was more technically accurate than Casino Queen. Bertoia clearly understood the subject matter and she nailed the styling and the details from start to finish.

The book was a fast-moving read with interesting, unpredictable characters with complex backstories and it all took place not on the Las Vegas Strip, but in a smaller, tribal casino in the California desert, a setting that added a fresh texture to the casino narrative. The plot moves quickly, there are dangers and threats and crimes, and every character can be trusted until they can’t. Pick up a copy and read it.

This would make a good original series on Netflix, tbh.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 28, 2022

Verified Purchase

Ms. Bertoia takes the reader on an intimate tour of a modern casino.
When the real estate bubble burst, Caroline Popov ends up alone and in debt. Accepting a job at a tribal casino, she works her way up the ladder. When assigned as manager to Night Hawk, she ruffles more than a few feathers. Who is behind the vandalism and threats? The high desert was never so interesting -- or dangerous.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

All about the inside operations at an Indian casino in Palm Springs. Love, heartbreak, intrigue! It's got it all! Great read!

Helpful

Debbie S

A unique look at casino operations, with so much suspense!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 17, 2022

Verified Purchase

Such great character development and depiction – I could see and hear every character as I read. The Coachella Valley and High Desert were also told from an insider’s point of view, rather than just as a backdrop for the story. As were the casino operations and roles, both on the floor and behind the scenes. Very well done.
This was a super fast read because the suspense just kept layering. There were red herrings and real hints, but as the reader I wasn’t sure which was which. I could not solve the mystery until it was laid out for me, which to me is the sign of a well written book.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 21, 2022

Verified Purchase

What a great, twisty mystery which gives you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of a casino. From the well-fleshed out characters to the desert setting, this book pulls you into the life of a casino manager and her struggle to keep customers happy, employees honest, and maintain a personal life. The author’s knowledge of this world enhances the authenticity of the story, while not overwhelming the reader with too much technical jargon. As the mystery builds and the danger becomes real for the main character, the author throws in twists that you don’t see coming.

Helpful

Proud Momma

Very well written with excellent character development

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 12, 2022

Verified Purchase

I loved the behind the scenes look at the always intriguing world of gaming. I love the bravado of the employees and customers who think the can steal from the house in spite of being filmed every minute they are at work. Cara does a wonderful job of keeping you engaged in each chapter.

Well done and I have it on good authority that the cruise ship book is every bit as good..."Thanks AMA"
Bob

Helpful

Buyer

Intriguing and mysterious tale in the world of a casino

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 12, 2023

What a unique and suspenseful tale! With all the suspense/mystery books flooding the market on a regular basis, it's so fun to find one that teaches you something and offers a new experience to the reader. I loved being immersed in the behind-the-scenes world of casinos alongside Caroline Popov. It was so easy to identify with Caroline's struggles and to admire her tenacity in walking into a new management role and trying her best to run it well while navigating such an interesting cast of characters working alongside her.

Helpful

DKC

Inside look at the casino lifestyle

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 5, 2023

A great inside look at the gambling scene from the inside. And an ending I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed the characters and plot twists. I hope to see more from this author.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Elisabeth Angus

Authentic setting, engaging characters, exciting plot!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 16, 2022

Verified Purchase

Cara Bertoia knows casinos and casino culture from her years working in them. But that’s just the backdrop to a suspense-filled plot, in which casino manager Caroline Popov uncovers criminal activity among her employees and faces growing personal peril when her investigations threaten to unmask the perpetrators. Add in a longtime thwarted romance and some serious plot twists, this novel delivers on many levels and winds up with a throat-tightening ending.

Stephanie Fontaine

Fascinating setting with diverse characters - kept me reading!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 2, 2023

Verified Purchase

I felt pulled into Caroline Popov's life. The author's use of daily routines like driving to work, jogging or watching the casino guests helped me get into Caroline's head and view the mysterious events through her eyes. The back story, intertwined with the twists and turns of the present day mysterious events, was just enough to kept me guessing until the end.

I especially enjoyed learning about the inner workings of the casino - quite eye-opening at times. Bringing in the perspectives of diverse secondary characters was truly well done. The Chairman was a fascinating secondary character.

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