Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Lust, Money & Murder: Book 1, Lust - A Female Secret Agent Takes on an International Criminal
    Lust, Money & Murder: Book 1, Lust - A Female Secret Agent Takes on an International Criminal
    Lust, Money & Murder: Book 1, Lust - A Female Secret Agent Takes on an International Criminal
    Ebook141 pages1 hour

    Lust, Money & Murder: Book 1, Lust - A Female Secret Agent Takes on an International Criminal

    By Mike Wells

    4/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Readers of Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel, James Patterson and Nora Roberts will enjoy this fast-paced international thriller. Born in the worst suburb in Pittsburgh, Elaine Brogan is bright, beautiful and bold. When her father is falsely arrested for passing counterfeit $100 bills, Elaine vows to become a Secret Service agent and track down the man responsible. After barely surviving the arduous Secret Service Training Academy in Laurel, Maryland, she is transferred to bleak and blustery Great Falls, Montana. But things do not go as planned, and Elaine soon finds herself betrayed and thrown into an adventure that takes her halfway around the world, from dark and mysterious Sofia, Bulgaria, to Moscow Russia, and finally, to Milan, Italy. In the end, will Elaine find the love and happiness she truly seeks...or will she turn to a life of obscene wealth, power and corruption?

    Reviews:

    “Revenge, determination and love fuel this thoroughly enjoyable fast paced thriller.” – Samuel’s Book Reviews.

    “You will be hooked! Not since Sidney Sheldon has a male author captured a woman’s perspective so well. it has it all — intrigue, love and realism.” – Kathleen Bursaw “bookster”

    “Good book for those who like a little mystery, a little intrigue, a little romance and an average person as a heroine. I couldn’t put this book down. The tone was light and easy going, story well written and easy to follow. Counterfeiting details seem to be well researched, without being boring and technical.” – Christine, at Goodreads

    “A fun filled rollercoaster Love, revenge, danger, and pride propel the reader through this excellent novel. The protagonist, Elaine, grows throughout this entire story and at each stage the reader can relate to what she experiences. Fantastic read!” – Theresa Fitzgerald, Book Reviewer

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMike Wells
    Release dateJun 15, 2011
    ISBN9781458163639
    Lust, Money & Murder: Book 1, Lust - A Female Secret Agent Takes on an International Criminal
    Author

    Mike Wells

    Mike Wells is an author of both walking and cycling guides. He has been walking long-distance footpaths for 25 years, after a holiday in New Zealand gave him the long-distance walking bug. Within a few years, he had walked the major British trails, enjoying their range of terrain from straightforward downland tracks through to upland paths and challenging mountain routes. He then ventured into France, walking sections of the Grande Randonnee network (including the GR5 through the Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean), and Italy to explore the Dolomites Alta Via routes. Further afield, he has walked in Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway and Patagonia. Mike has also been a keen cyclist for over 20 years. After completing various UK Sustrans routes, such as Lon Las Cymru in Wales and the C2C route across northern England, he then moved on to cycling long-distance routes in continental Europe and beyond. These include cycling both the Camino and Ruta de la Plata to Santiago de la Compostela, a traverse of Cuba from end to end, a circumnavigation of Iceland and a trip across Lapland to the North Cape. He has written a series of cycling guides for Cicerone following the great rivers of Europe.

    Read more from Mike Wells

    Related to Lust, Money & Murder

    Titles in the series (13)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    Suspense Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Ten Faces Of Amish| Books

      Jul 19, 2019

      I was at an airport once and was rushing to the loo. One guy came running and asked, 'Are you Amish?' I said yes. He said, 'I need a selfie with you.' I said, 'I need to go to the loo.' He said, 'My flight is about to take off.' I said, 'Dude, please

      3 min read

    • Article

      100-WORD-STORY COMPETITION Winners

      Aug 16, 2022

      We’ve been delighted by the huge response to our 100-word-story competition. The entries have flooded in thick and fast during the past few months, but while we’ve enjoyed reading every story, only a few can come out on top! You, our readers, voted t

      5 min read

    • Article

      Ghost Girl, Banana

      Aug 21, 2023

      By the time I was 25, there were only two things I remembered about Mumma. The first was that she smelled of watermelons, the second was that we were happy. We’d taken our father’s name of course, but a name is only half a story. The other half exist

      6 min read

    • Article

      The July War

      Sep 8, 2020

      In summer, our neighborhood quiets in phases. The quieting begins in May. Schools give their older kids, the seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds, a month off to prepare for the baccalaureate exams. Following a ritual as old as our parents, the students

      21 min read

    • Article

      Not That Story

      Oct 28, 2017

      Not That Story
      7 min read

    • Article

      Monster

      Dec 1, 2022

      Monster
      7 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Edan Lepucki

      Dec 5, 2020

      We had a time, didn’t we? The post A Year in Reading: Edan Lepucki appeared first on The Millions.

      4 min read

    • Article

      All Of Us Here

      Jun 4, 2020

      All Of Us Here
      6 min read

    • Article

      'So Happiness to Meet You' Spins an Improbable Premise Into a Deft Memoir

      Aug 31, 2017

      Author Karen Esterhammer talked her husband into selling nearly everything they owned to move to Vietnam with their 8-year-old son.

      3 min read

    • Article

      My Best Friend

      Oct 1, 2020

      My Best Friend
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Man I Should Have Married

      Dec 29, 2019

      The Man I Should Have Married
      11 min read

    • Article

      A Long-Ago Burglary

      Mar 14, 2022

      A Long-Ago Burglary
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Detached Drama of ‘Lazy City’

      Oct 25, 2023

      What does it mean to suffer when your pain is played out? The post The Detached Drama of ‘Lazy City’ appeared first on The Millions.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Epithalamium

      Jun 1, 2023

      Epithalamium
      16 min read

    • Article

      Daring to Show My Dark Side

      Feb 12, 2024

      Daring to Show My Dark Side
      4 min read

    • Article

      A Vibrant Sense of Hope: The Millions Interviews J. Ryan Stradal

      Jul 24, 2019

      Stradal's sophomore novel is the kind of book you read and immediately want to share. It’s a story about family, hard work, and goodness. The post A Vibrant Sense of Hope: The Millions Interviews J. Ryan Stradal appeared first on The Millions.

      6 min read

    • Article

      Reading Corner

      Dec 4, 2023

      This extraordinary novel marries magical thinking with gritty reality and quite a lot of disturbing violence. It’s not quite like anything I’ve read before and it took me a while to settle into the style of writing but, once I did, I was hooked. The

      3 min read

    • Article

      ‘Want’: Featured Fiction from Lynn Steger Strong

      Jul 8, 2020

      The novel won praise from Kirkus, which called it "wise, unflinching, and compelling," and Vulture, which hailed it as "a defining novel of our age of left-behind families." The post ‘Want’: Featured Fiction from Lynn Steger Strong appeared first on

      7 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Lust, Money & Murder

    4/5

    23 ratings8 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      This book does a great job of introducing you to the series. It leaves you hanging and waiting for the next book. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading stories that the plot thickens as you read. The author does a great job of pulling you into his world and acquainting you with his characters. He builds a bond with this first book and it is a memorable storyline. I enjoyed the author's writing style and appreciated the effort he put into creating something fun for the reader. I only gave it four stars, as I felt it was shorter than I would have liked. However, that's not really all that bad when you can leave a reader wanting more. It's a good book and I don't think you'd be disappointed.
      Laney Smith
      ~Author
    • 4/5
      This is the first in a series and as such I was disappointed that it was not a stand alone novel. You are in effect getting the first part for free and if you want the rest you need to buy the set. I assume like some eighteenth century novel, it is in three parts, but not as long, another Clarissa would be commercial suicide.The Prologue sets up the counterfeit storyline and proves that where money is concerned, people will go to any lengths. In contrast a father's love for his daughter, will illicit the same results. Going to any lengths to provide for her. From an ethical standpoint, we would condemn both, although the reader would be more sympathetic to the latter.Elaine's 'modelling' career shows her naivete and the way people can be taken in by the promise of a lucrative career. The writer demonstrates this through the shambolic nature of the agency, requiring ever more qualifications and sample photos.These chapters set up the motive for joining the secret service. The years of college are skipped over quite quickly, which raises the question why so much attention is given to the secret service training. How does it move the plot of the novel forward? It could be to show a diversity of knowledge and expertise, in addition to her tenacity and determination when dealing with difficult people.The sexual harassment at her first job, gives her a reason to move, but would a professional act in such a manner? In the UK sexual harassment was perhaps more prominent in the seventies, than in the power dressing environment of the eighties. Was America so different during this decade?The second job is based on her skills at detecting counterfeit bills. In one sense this is more believable. Every employee hopes that their skills will be recognised and they will be placed in a job that utilises their abilities. The fact that she falls for her boss, is again understandable. Their developing relationship and then the question over his integrity, sets up the suspense for the next book, but does not give a satisfactory conclusion for this book.Mike is a best selling author, his style is easy to read and the 'James Bond' type subject matter will undoubtedly appeal to a lot of people, due to the escapism. I have not had a lot of experience with this type of genre and it is very difficult to judge. It doesn't have the kind of imagery, or wider social themes that characterise a great, or classic novel. A charge made against Ian Flaming, by his wife, but it is very readable.
    • 4/5
      The author didn't promise too much. This novel was really "unputdownable".
      With lots of twists and interesting turns of events, such a well developed main character -- she almost felt alive. This makes the reader always ask for more and more and after finishing book 1, yes, I want more and I can't wait to read more about Elaine. I really hope she'll end up with Nick and they'll be fine. All in all, I enjoyed this novel a lot.
    • 4/5
      I found this book to be quick paced but engaging. The writing is clear and concise. Author Mike Wells manages to put a lot of story into a short novella without making you feel as if depth is lacking. Elaine’s father was a hard working man who wanted to give her the world but he was by no means perfect. This tale is always at its darkest when expressing the actions which her father thought were necessary. This was a poor man who wanted to give his daughter an expensive education and basically did this by whatever means necessary. One frustrating aspect of the story is Elaine’s naivete, especially as it relates to her father’s actions. When the story begins and starts to develop the reader almost expects the main character to be a streetwise, no nonsense girl. But, she remains innocent and naïve into her college years. This characteristic results in her ending up in a compromising position. And this is where her life begins to unravel. Ultimately, this story is about a young girl who is taken advantage of, has a tragic loss, and then perseveres.

      When Elaine reaches adulthood and heads off to college the reader becomes more in tune with her personality through a series of fumbling sexual encounters. We have our first laugh out loud moment when she shares her experience with her roommate. After college Elaine is selected to become a Secret Service agent and we follow her on her difficult journey through their rigorous academy. There is a hint that we may now see some action when she has to take a martial arts exam however the action in that scenario is anti-climactic. I would say that my one complaint about the story is the lack of action. I can say from personal experience that the life of a law enforcement officer is much more mundane in real life then portrayed in the movies or on TV. But, since this novella is a fictionalized version of what law enforcement officers do I was hoping for some edge of your seat thrills. Her first assignment goes horribly wrong and she is transferred to Bulgaria where things heat up. It’s on this assignment that she really gets to do her job and show off her talents. This is also where she meets a fellow Secret Service Agent named Nick who she proceeds to fall madly in love with.

      I did enjoy this story overall. Elaine is a smart girl who you come to care about. Her journey is easy to relate to and you want to know what will happen to her in the future. bookie-monster.com
    • 3/5
      Lust, Money & Murder is really a teaser. It is part one of three parts that make up a complete book; therefore, this volume is short and didn’t take long to read.The author, Mike Wells, grabs the reader’s attention in the prologue, but then there is no connection with the rest of the story; perhaps that comes later. Some things are somewhat contradictory, such as this: Elaine looked down at it, unable to move. She abruptly rose. Later in the story, the man Elaine is falling for is somewhat cool toward her but then …. well, that changes abruptly, too.Lust, Money & Murder takes the reader through Elaine’s life from a little girl doted on by her father, to a coming-of-age young woman. She becomes super focused, though, on her libido, and does some crazy things for a crazier reason. Later, she applies herself to her future goal and becomes highly regarded in her chosen field – chosen for the purpose of revenge – through which she meets the rather secretive man she thinks she can truly love.Even though there are sections that could have been delved into more to extend the read, and the story could have benefited from more editing and development, Lust, Money & Murder is a good start. The groaner is the last line, which ended up being a cliffhanger mid-scene. (If you are tempted to get part one, please don’t spoil it for yourself by reading the end first!) The continuation is in book two, and since there are three parts it is likely the same thing happens at the end of book two as a lead-in to book three. Apparently, together they make one complete novel.If you enjoy reading suspense, thrillers, espionage, you may enjoy Lust, Money & Murder, book 1, by Mike Wells, and want to purchase books 2 and 3 to continue the story.
    • 4/5
      An exciting, fast paced thriller that I was unable to put down!Synopsis:Elaine and her father live in a run down area of Pittsburgh. Despite not having a lot of money Elaine’s father does everything he can in order to send his daughter to a private school, and ensure she receives the best possible education. After spending two thousand dollars on modelling training from the Rising Star Agency, Elaine realises she has been the victim of a scam, threatening the sleazy owners of the company, they return her money. Feeling elated at having obtained the money she returns home and gives the money to her father. Days later the police arrest Elaine’s father for possession of counterfeit money. This ultimately rockets Elaine on to a career path to the secret service’s counterfeit money division, in order to obtain justice for her innocent father, but making it in the secret service is tough, and how does she know who she can trust?Review:Wow what a cliffhanger! This book is a wild ride, and you’ll be hooked from the first few pages. I sat down to read a few chapters before bed and before I knew it I was burning the midnight oil and the book was finished. It’s very fast paced and leaves you with such a shock ending, you’ll be desperate to buy books two and three.Elaine is a great character, she’s likeable she works hard and she is portrayed in a very realistic manner. I often think when you read thriller novels with secret service or FBI agencies they come off a bit over the top with James Bond car scenes and explosions. Lust does not follow that pattern, it’s exciting and fun but it doesn’t feel ridiculous, it’s extremely believable and Wells writes in a very detailed manner – I know very little about counterfeit money but everything seemed very well researched and informative – without being overly technical or dull.It’s a great little mystery that will keep you guessing, and I have seen many people compare this to the work of Sidney Sheldon. It holds all the key ingredients for a wonderful story, a great heroine, a touch of romance, a splash of mystery and all the interesting little tidbits in between. Lust is currently free via Amazon as well as the author’s website, so if you’re interested head over to Mike Wells’s Blog for more info, I promise you won’t be disappointed!
    • 5/5
      This is a story that combines several genres in a very satisfying way. It's a "coming of age"/goverment agent/romantic suspense, that keeps on giving . One warning, this is the first book in a series, and ends in a wicked cliffhanger ! Loved it!
    • 5/5
      This is a fantastic mystery! It delves into a world of secret service agents and counterfeit money that normally could get a bit boring but here I felt glued to every page. I even feel like I might have learned a thing or two. Well researched. The main character is feisty and strong and I loved following her in this story. Definitely in anticipation for the sequel!

    Book preview

    Lust, Money & Murder - Mike Wells

    Prologue

    Italy – Present Day

    The man picked her up in Vernazza, a picturesque village perched along the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera.

    From his salt-and-pepper hair, and his lined face, Maria guessed he was in his early 50s. He bought her a drink, then dinner, then a new dress and a pair of pumps and a few other things, spending lavishly on her in the quaint village shops.

    There were no pretenses. They went to his plush villa, which afforded a breathtaking view of the sea. When she asked his name, he looked at her with his brooding dark eyes and said, "Are names important, cara?"

    All she knew was that he was a businessman from Rome. She supposed it didn’t matter.

    They were soon hungrily making love to each other on the king-sized bed. She hadn’t expected such energy out of a man his age—he was insatiable. She often had to fake orgasms with older men, but not with this one.

    They spent most of the weekend in the bedroom. In between sexual bouts, they hiked up and down the cobblestone streets of the village, admiring the view and the lovely, narrow houses that were painted in pink, blue and yellow pastels. They gorged themselves on the local cuisine—cappon magro, a pyramid made of fresh vegetables and a half dozen different types of fish, and the torta pasqualina, a cake made of 18 layers of light pasta and stuffed with ricotta cheese.

    They spoke very little. Maria didn’t care. Words might break the spell, and she didn’t want this to end.

    On the third day, he felt that he had won the girl’s trust.

    The experiment he wanted to perform was far too important to delegate to one of his lieutenants. There was much riding on the outcome. He needed to see the results first hand.

    But he had to be careful.

    When she lay in his arms, spent, he said, "Did you know I am celebrating this weekend, cara? He stroked one of her full, firm breasts. You are a gift to myself."

    She looked up at him with liquid brown eyes. What do you mean? What are you celebrating?

    He rose naked from the bed and picked up a small leather Gucci bag that was sitting on the coffee table. He knew she was curious about what was inside—he had been carrying it around everywhere they went, keeping it close at all times.

    When he opened it, she gave a little gasp.

    The satchel was packed with crisp, new U.S. $100 bills.

    So much money, she said in a hush. Where did it come from?

    I sold a flat in Portofino, a dilapidated hovel I have been trying to rid myself of for years. I finally found an American gullible enough to buy it, but he insisted on paying part cash. It’s only about fifty thousand dollars.

    Even though she was trying to hide it, he could see the greed in her 21-year-old eyes. She was a velina, a soft hooker who survived on her good looks, roaming up and down the Riviera, living off one rich man after another, staying a few days or weeks in a villa or onboard a yacht until the current sponsor tired of her and threw her out, after which she moved on to the next.

    He said, I was thinking of driving up to San Remo and trying my luck. Have you ever been to the casino there?

    No, she lied.

    You’d love it—it’s the largest casino in Italy. All the richest people gamble there. He also happened to know that the establishment had just updated its currency verifying machines with the latest software.

    He motioned to the cash, feigning frustration. Unfortunately, I left my passport in Rome. There’s no way to change this kind of money without one.

    I could change it for you, she blurted, but then checked herself. I mean, if you want me to. When he didn’t react, she said, I have my passport right here, and reached over to her purse and produced it.

    He smiled. He already knew she had a valid passport. He also knew that she had left her home in Naples at the age of 16, and was unknown to anyone in these parts.

    Ten minutes later, they were driving up the coast, heading towards San Remo in a metallic blue Porsche cabriolet, the wind blowing through their hair. It was just before sunset. The highway ran up and down the rugged cliffs along the shore. Soon, the sky exploded into a riot of orange and indigo and violet.

    Maria was excited, looking forward to a few more days of luxurious meals, plush accommodations, and expensive presents. Maybe he would buy her a diamond bracelet at the casino gift shop. Why not?

    When they reached San Remo, he surprised her again. He pulled up in front of the sidewalk that led to the casino entrance and handed her the Gucci bag. Take that inside and convert all of it to casino chips. He motioned to the other side of the street. I’m going to have a cup of coffee and catch up on a few business calls I have to make.

    Maria was astounded that he was going to let her walk away with all that cash. When she got out of the car, he leaned over and looked up at her and smiled. Try not to gamble it all away before I get there!

    She walked up the long sidewalk towards the casino. When the uniformed man opened the door for her, she glanced over her shoulder. Her generous friend was just sitting down at one of the tables at the cafe. He waved at her.

    Maria was tempted to try and run away with the money. But she wasn’t some stupid puttana—she knew better than to try and steal from a man like him.

    Carrying the Gucci bag in one hand and feeling very chic and powerful, she went inside the busy currency exchange.

    There were security cameras above each counter. Then she noticed a sign on the wall:

    - WARNING -

    ANYONE CAUGHT TRYING TO PASS AS MUCH AS ONE COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTE ON THESE PREMISES WILL BE TURNED OVER TO THE POLICE

    Of course the money she had to change wasn’t fake—she had nothing to worry about.

    Casino chips, please, she told the male clerk, emptying the bag on the counter.

    She was disappointed with his reaction—he only looked bored. Passport? he said.

    Maria handed it over.

    He studied the document, then took a few of the bills and studied them, rubbing them between practiced fingers.

    Maria was suddenly terrified. What if this money was fake? She didn’t know the man who had brought her here! He could be a criminal!

    With a sinking feeling, she wondered if she was being used to change counterfeit currency.

    The clerk began feeding stacks of the notes into a big, complicated-looking machine. It had a red digital display that showed the total amount, the numbers escalating as the bills were swallowed up.

    If any of the money was fake, it was too late now. She would be arrested on the spot, just like the sign said. And the man who had supposedly given it to her? Conveniently disappeared.

    "Here you are, signora," the clerk finally said. He handed her a handsome, leather-crafted carrier that was loaded with casino chips.

    Thank God, she thought, greatly relieved. She let out a little laugh as she carried the chips into the casino. It was silly of her to think badly of the man she had just spent the last three days in bed with—he was a nice person, she had known it from the start.

    She began playing roulette, betting only €50 at a time.

    A few minutes later, her friend showed up.

    Ah, there you are! he said, rushing over to her. He took the chips and placed a drink in her hand and gave her a warm smile. "Come, cara—I will teach you how to play baccarat."

    He gambled recklessly that night, delighted with the results of the experiment. Within several hours, he had lost €15,000 worth of chips, but he didn’t care. It was a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of money he would make in the coming months. He gave Maria €10,000 in chips to gamble with and sat back and watched her lose it.

    By 3 am, she was tipsy, and he was getting tired.

    Let’s go back to Vernazza, he said, stopping her before she placed another bet.

    Vernazza? she said. She looked disappointed. I thought we would stay here...

    It’s silly to waste money on a hotel room here when I own a beautiful villa so close by.

    A guilty look flickered across her face. I’m sorry I lost all that money...

    It’s nothing, he said. It was thrilling, wasn’t it?

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1