Thirsty for Payback

Sinful Business #1

by Marie Astor

In a blink of an eye Allyson Roberts loses her fiance, her employment, and her fortune. Just when she seems to have hit the bottom, Ally is recruited by an undercover agency that is interested in her skills. She takes the job with only one goal in mind: payback. Getting even is the only thought on her mind as she convinces herself that her heart has no room for love–or does it?

A former top agent in his field, Jake Morrissey has inner demons he can’t put to rest. Now he bides his time as a training instructor. He’s sworn off women, but try as he might he can’t keep his eyes off Allyson Roberts. When he’s asked to partner up with Ally on a new assignment, Jake is tempted to end his retirement. Will he keep running from his fears or will he find the strength to become the man he once was?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Amazon, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Crime

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2014

About the author

Marie Astor is New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. Marie is a die-hard romantic, which is why she loves writing romantic suspense and contemporary romance. In her spare time, Marie enjoys being adventurous out-of-doors. She often gets new story ideas while she is hiking up a mountain or trying to avoid bumping into a tree while skiing.

Marie loves hearing from readers and always answers all of her emails personally. Visit Marie at www.marieastor.com to learn more about Marie’s new book releases and events.


Marie Astor

Reviews

[Shauna Stewart Hougham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searing Lies (Book 1 of Love, Power & Sin Series) is Marie Astor's new book and I was honored to receive the book as a gift in exchange for a honest review. I have to honestly say this series is going to be a great one. Marie knows how to weave a mystery to sin, power and mystery, with romance all bundle up together. In the first book, you meet, Allyson Roberts Ally for short, who is no stranger to power, love and fortune. She is just engaged to Ronald Graystone who comes from old money and old family. But when her father is taken down his lies and his fortune is stripped and he find himself in jail and then dies from heart failure the Graystone turn on her, as does her job as well. She then finds herself recruited to an undercover agency where she thinks she will have the resources to put her fathers enemies away! Let the fun begin! In the training camp she meets Instructor aka Agent Jake Morrissey and an instant attraction is mutual between Ally and Jake. But Ally stands firm in her conviction that she is there to learn to so she can take down her fathers murderer. In Ally's mind even though it was a heart attack if he hadn't been in jail it would not have happened. I believe in not giving the book awa so I won't. But let me tell you this much, this book, and any other book by Marie is so so so worth your read! She is a very talent write and gets you into her books and you will not want to put them down. I do love her writing and can't wait for the next book to come. Bravo Marie love this new series!!!!!!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely would recommend this book - HIGHLY RECOMMEND - a MUST READ - suspenseful romance - hot and funny.
Ally seems to have it all when the story begins - family, friends, fiancee, prospective jobs, no worries of money. Then in a flash ALL is gone.
A story of being patient, finding truths and accomplishing goals.
Lessons learned - Things are not what they seem.

[Debbie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, it was filled with suspense, romance, lies, and great characters. Allyson Roberts, thought she had it all, until a terrible accusation about her father, left her with nothing. She lost everything, except for her undying love and trust in her father. She vows to clear her father's name, no matter what. Ally is a strong, determined woman, who never gives up. When offered a job as an undercover agent for the DOE, she takes it, and gives one hundred percent to her training. Jake Morrissey, is a former top agent, but is now a training instructor for the same company. He is sexy as sin, a true gentleman, but is fighting some demons of his own. There is an instant attraction between Jake and Ally, but he is not looking for a relationship, and Ally only has revenge on her mind. When Jake gets partnered up with Ally on a huge case, can he let go of his demons, and be the partner she needs, or has Ally gotten her self in too deep? I read this book in one day because I had to see what happened, not just with Jake and Ally, but with her father also. There were some other lovable characters in this book, but there were also some that I knew from the beginning that I was going to hate. My only complaint with this book, I would have loved to see Ron come back to Ally, so she could tell him where to go and Jake could send him there. Great job Marie Astor, and looking forward to the next book!

[Gail Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, Marie Astor has done it again. I finished reading Searing Lies in about a day. Her characters are charming and I want to know what happens next (throughout the book and their life beyond). I find myself wondering about the auxiliary characters as much as the main ones. No spoilers here, but this is a Good Read!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyson goes from having it all to having nothing in the blink of an eye. She's out to clear her father's name and get revenge on the man who caused it all. And hopefully finds love along the way! Great suspenseful mystery with a heroine who kicks ass!

[Donna Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ally Roberts felt she was very lucky. She was ready to graduate college, she had an offer of a wonderful job in Boston, and she had a wonderful boyfriend, Ron, who just proposed to her. Then the bottom feel out. Her rich CEO father was arrested and had several charges against him. Ally knew he wasn't guilty of anything, they just needed to prove it. Ally was getting ready to meet Ron's parents. They were a very old Boston family who were very fussy about appearances and protecting their good name. They were not happy about Ally's situation and they all had a fight which resulted in Ally giving back Ron's ring and breaking their engagement. Later she got a call from her job offer and it was withdrawn. Now everything she thought she had going for her had ended. Her ex's sister wanted her to move to New York with her so she did and two months later she was still looking for a job. Her reputation had closed a lot of doors for her. She was about to give up when she got a job interview from an energy company. She got hired and she thought she might be able to see if she could find out what happened in her father's business. There is a lot more to this story as Ally gets trained and then tries to find out what happened to her father's company. It a good read

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searing Lies is Marie Astor's new book. After Allyson Roberts' father is accused of horrible things she loses everything: her fiance, her employment, her father. She is left with nothing until she is recruited by an undecover agency. She will look to clear her father's name.

Marie Astor has done it again another awesome book.

Ally is a great character. She is strong on the inside but from the outside she looks like she need taking care of. Marie Astor does a great job showing the progression Ally goes through the moment of happiness when everything is going her way, to shock and worry, to strength and power.

Jake is the instructor any girl would love to have. Jake is smart and strong. Jake really want to protect Ally even if he does always have the best way of showing it.


I really love this new series by Marie Astor. The books give you great combination of love and suspense. This is a five star must read!!!!!

[Joyelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I couldn't put this book down. I was hooked from the very beginning. I couldn't wait to find out if Ally was able to find out who was behind her father's companies downfall & I was routing for her to get justice. I also couldn't wait for Jake & Ally to get together. I look forward to reading more of Marie's books

[Anne Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you lost everything you thought you ever wanted? Ally hit rock bottom but slowly climbed her way back up and finds love in the process. This book was great, full of suspense, drama, sadness, humor, hotness and love. I highly recommend this book you will not be disappointed and I know I can’t wait for the next one!!

[Sandy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down

I loved this book and once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. full of mystery, action, and romance. I loved the characters. Marie drew me in with her portrayal of each character. Loved Ally and Jake, even Marion. highly recommend it.

[Kathy Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Marie's Janet Maple series and became a big fan! I was so happy to see a new series. I read this book within one day because I couldn't put it down. I adore Ally and her determination throughout the story. Jake is hot, hot, hot! I would love to meet him! Definitely recommend this read!

[Danielle Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved all of Marie's books! This was a hot and exciting read and I'm so glad I got a copy. I'm looking forward to more in the series. Would recommend!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 225 pages
Published May 6th 2014 (first published May 4th 2014)
original title Searing Lies-Love, Power & Sin #1
ASIN B00K40M50E
edition language English
URL
other editions (1)
Source:Kindle copy from author for honest review

Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS

As the only child of an industrial magnate, Allyson Roberts has it all: love, fortune, and a promising career. Her perfect life goes up in smoke when she sees her father's name in the papers next to horrible accusations. In a blink of an eye she loses her fiance, her employment, and her fortune. Just when she seems to have hit the bottom, Ally is recruited by an undercover agency that is interested in her skills. She takes the job with only one goal in mind: to clear her father's name. Vengeance is the only thought on her mind as she convinces herself that her heart has no room for love-or does it? A former top agent in his field, Jake Morrissey has inner demons he can't put to rest. Now he bides his time as a training instructor. He's sworn off women, but try as he might he can't keep his eyes off Allyson Roberts. When he's asked to partner up with Ally on a new assignment, Jake is tempted to end his retirement. Will he keep running from his fears or will he find the strength to become the man he once was?

My Thoughts

Absolute power corrupts absolutely and this is one of the themes running through this story. Allyson Roberts is not close to her father but having lost her mother at a young age she loves him with all her heart and has treasured the moments spent with him that he can spare when not attending to his business. There is always in the back of their minds that “someday” the two will have a chance to kick back and enjoy spending more time together now that Allyson has almost graduated college and her father no longer has to spend all his waking hours on his company.

That dream is gone the day that Victor Roberts is put in jail after being accused of crimes that eventually cost him his company and all it’s assets rendering Allyson in one fell swoop destitute as well as soon after losing her father. The only thing on Allyson’s mind is finding the one responsible for these catastrophic events and to that end she takes the only avenue open to her which is taking a job offered to her by an agency, the DOE, who has the resources available to further investigate the accusations that caused her father’s downfall hopefully giving her the ammunition needed to clear his name and bring to justice the actual perpetrators of the crime.

Along the way she forms an attachment to her instructor Jake Morrisey, whose charming good looks are offset well by his intelligence and skills as a former agent of the agency.

Allyson finds inner strength as she hones her skills during her training period, the friendship that she finds with her fellow trainee and roommate Delilah Jones helps ease the loss of not only her former best friend Maddy Graystone but the loss of Maddy’s brother Ron as her fiancé as well when his straitlaced socially conscious family decide that it would be best for the two to part ways and instead of fighting for Allyson Ron bows to his mothers wishes.

Allyson gets her chance to prove her father’s innocence and restore his good name, with the agency behind her she manages to get an in with the one man who she believes had the best motive for creating her father’s downfall and eventual death.

Not only will you enjoy the smooth pace, the suspense, the evolution that Allyson undergoes during her training by the DOE but also the fact that as time goes on she allows herself to open her mind and heart to Jake with the result by the end of the story they become not only work partners but romantically involved also.

Another prime example that no matter how bleak life always has a way of turning around if we work hard enough at it and do not let despair for the past overshadow the future, a lesson Allyson and Jake both had to learn the hard way!

[Kindle copy from author in exchange for honest review]

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirsty for Payback: Sinful Business Book 1 is by Marie Astor. This is a great book. It is short enough to be read quickly and yet long enough to have lots of surprises. The characters are realistic and the plot is full of surprises.
Ally Roberts was winding down her college years and getting ready for graduation. She didn’t want to go into the family business which was fine with her Father; but she had a double major in engineering and physics and wanted to make a name for herself. She had a verbal job offer from a firm in Boston which fit right into her plans to marry Ron Greystone who would be in law school. In fact, they were going to announce their engagement to Ron’s parents when they came up for his and his sister’s graduation. Ally wasn’t looking forward to that dinner as the Greystones were high society with old wealth. Ally’s father was quite rich; but he made the money himself.
As Ally was with Maddie Greystone looking for a dress for the dinner, she learned that her Father had been arrested for charges “of fraud, negligence, and a threat to national security.” It couldn’t be right, her Father was as honest as they come. Ally knew without a doubt that he was innocent; but could his lawyers fight the charges?
Ally has to deal with her Father’s legal issues, Ron’s parents, her new job, and everything else that is thrown at her. Is she strong enough to handle all the problems?

[Mary Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of reading this one while still in the editing stage and what a great story. Allyson Roberts has the perfect life or so it seemed. She has just gotten engaged to her boyfriend Ronald Graystone. The Graystone family is an old family, old money, certain values and looks out for only themselves. Her dream job lined up as soon as she graduated college in a few weeks. But while Ally and Maddie, Ronald’s twin sister, are shopping for a dress for Ally to wear to dinner with Ron and his parents, her world falls apart. Ally’s father is arrested and his company is going down fast. But Ally can’t believe what is happening. When she finally talks to her father’s lawyer, she can’t understand who would do this. She wants to help but her father wants her to stay clear of all this mess. But Ally knows that it can’t be true, but who would want to destroy her father and his company? While Ron lets his mother control his life with Ally, they split up. And while everything around her is falling apart, Maddie is standing steadfast and always by her side. Ally finally finds a job but it is a secret type of job, kind of like the C.I.A. for the energy department. She is sent to a secret location for training and there she meets Instructor Jake Morrissey. There is something that pulls them together. Will Ally pass the training and be able to use this new job to clear her father’s name? With a little help from her new coworkers, will she be able to take them down? Another great beginning to a fantastic series by Marie Astor. It has a little bit of everything, pain, loss, intrigue, love and bad guys needing to be taken down. Great job Marie!

[Carol Lilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Astor’s hot new series, “Searing Lies” pulls you in and keeps you wanting more! I was hooked after reading the first chapter. In this great book we meet Allyson Roberts. Allyson is wealthy, beautiful, and engaged to the man she thinks is the love of her life. She is on top of the world and then everything comes crashing down around her. Her father is accused of atrocious crimes he really did not commit, her fiancé’s snooty family influence him to break up with Ally, and when her future employer hears about her father’s dilemma, she no longer has a job offer on the table. Without giving away any spoilers, Ally is offered a job in an undercover agency, and Ally sees this as her way to clear her father’s name, and the taste of vengeance drives her forward. Here she meets Jake Morrissey, a former secret agent, who is dealing with his own inner turmoil, and the path ahead of these two strong willed people is a journey you do not want to miss!! The best part of Marie’s books is that they have something for every type of reading venue. This book is full of love, suspense, mayhem, intrigue and deception! I promise you the minute you finish this book, you will go right to Amazon and purchase the second book in this wonderful series, “Burning Ties.” I have already read it and love every page of it!!!

[Tracey Quintin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an AWESOME new series by Marie Astor! Absolutely LOVED IT and highly recommend!!!

This was a page turner for sure. As you read along you'll see the main character Ally as she experiences quite a range of emotions: joy, insecurity, sadness, pain, loss, intrigue, growth, love and revenge. There were some parts that I laughed out loud. You also realize not only that money doesn't give you everything in life but can also be taken away in an instant.

All of the characters in this book are well developed. I truly enjoyed Ally's character the most. Of course, I loved others as well but also disliked some because of their actions. (I don't want to give away any of the storyline).

This is really an amazing new series by Marie Astor and brings the hotness level up a notch from the other books of Marie's that I have read! Not erotic just more sexier than prior books - which to me was perfect.

I think you're going to love it as much as I did!! I'm SO looking forward to the next book in this series. Love Marie Astor!

[Jane Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THE POWER AND THE SIN AND THE "SEARING LIES"

Ally, a girl of Privilege..engaged , getting ready to graduate Looses it all.. all over LIES..Searing Lies that kill, and take away everything..
Revenge is what she wants..after she finds a normal life isn't possible..she finds a new friend that she never would have had if circumstances were different.. and a new job..with an instructor who has sworn off of women..or has he..Jake is having problems keeping his mind on instructions and Ally is his distraction..together they are paired for an "Assignment" How will it turn out??
No spoilers here..your have to read this book to find out..Does Ally get her revenge and the guy too?? Is Jake able to withstand temptation..And Ally's new friend-Delilah feel like part of the team?? Thanks Marie for another Great Series..looking forward to book 2

[Sara Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Marie Astor!! This book has a little bit of everything from suspense to romance! Ally is a strong woman who endures way more than her share of crap, but she makes it through without losing focus on what's important...justice for her father. Her luck starts turning around once she is hired for a secret job with the Dept. of Energy, where she meets Jake. There was an instant attraction for both characters and I loved how Marie made that so clear, even though neither acted on it. This story evolved, uncovering many lies and in the end, the bad guy was caught and Ally found love. It was such a great book and I didn't want it to end! I am already anticipating book #2 in this new series!!!

[Linda Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of what I'm sure will be a great series. I loved the characters and the story line. The way Ally had everything, then lost it all and as she struggles to adapt, finds a non traditional path.....or does a non traditional path find her is totally engaging? I couldn't put the book down. A perfect read for some mystery and romance. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Shelly Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. It is very well written and I couldn't put it down. Loved the fact that even though Ally was going through so much it didn't stop her from trying to find out who was behind her father's companies downfall. I also couldn't wait to find out if Ally and Jake got together. Really looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Far One Of the BEST Books I Have Read in a long time! Marie Astor has become one of my top authors! The Characters, suspence, romance in this book are far beyond comparison with other books in this class! this is an A+ on my list! A must read!

[Melanie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A excellent new series by Marie Astor.I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. It was an excellent book and can't wait for book 2!!! Keep the excellent books coming Marie!!!

[Lesli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Marie's books and I love this new series. Can not wait for book 2, Burning Ties.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and so glad a friend recommended it to me. It's a funny romantic suspense read.
Will be checking out more by this author

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a great book to read

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ally and Jake! <3

[Judi Easley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What it’s about…

Allyson “Ally” Roberts has just lost everything – her father, her fortune, and her fiance. Someday she’s going to get even with the guy who took it all from her.

She’s offered an interview with the DOE and is immediately hired. She’s now going into three months of tough covert training.

Jake Morrissey was the agency’s top field agent until a young woman died. Now he’s teaching new recruits. Can he teach Ally well enough to catch the one who’s responsible for taking everything from her?

Together, can they make him pay?

Technical Tidbits…

The cover is so great. It’s that awesome, eye-catching blue! the legs of the couple on the elevator are guaranteed to catch the eye as well. She certainly has great legs.

The storyline is an old one with a new twist. Good job!

The characters are pretty well done. We really get to know Ally. A name I was heartily sick of very quickly. We didn’t get to know Jake quite as well, I don’t think. I love Delilah! She was a lovely element.

The pace was a bit choppy, I felt. There were times I felt we were racing along, and then we were just strolling. Really without reason. We jumped from the midst of their testing angst to Ally was already working for the agency with no transition.

The tension was greatly affected by the pacing such as I mentioned above. I was expecting something more about the testing or some sort of closure for their training portion and suddenly I was thrown into an office with Ally typing away peacefully. I was caught completely off stride. It was confusing and took me some time to transition. I actually looked back a page or two to see if I had skipped some pages.

And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…

The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰✰

As I said, I got really sick of Ally’s name early on. Actually, by about the second chapter I’d had enough of it. For some reason, it just grated on my nerves, that little nickname. I would have rather called her Allyson. That Ally, Ally, Ally drove me nuts! It stopped sounding like a name.

The whole first part of the book was rather predictable but enjoyable. Wealthy girl planning what to wear to her engagement party and all of a sudden her father’s company crashes for some reason. Father goes to prison where he later dies. Fiance’s family distances themselves and then he does, too. Young woman left to find her own way in the world.

What wasn’t so predictable was the interview by the DOE for intelligence gathering and sort of espionage. Who would think that the department of energy would be recruiting for that? Not me. Then when they got into the training, it sort of sounded like boot camp for the military until it came to sex ed. We didn’t have sex ed that taught us how to, it was more how not to. With the Delilah character added in, I thought it was a great twist. Actually, I felt it could have gone further along those lines. But that’s when everything started building up for test angst and then training was over. It was just too abrupt and without any closure for the training portion.

I love her first assignment. And Jake tries to talk her out of it! Ouch! Such a complete turnabout. It felt wrong, his basically turning against his controller. That whole bit there didn’t feel right. But the assignment was great. I know it’s not real, but they did it so well. She makes her connection and they set a date for dinner and an art show. She shows up and he does all his bragging once she sees the chip on his keychain. They take down the mark. I loved the way she worked her way through the whole evening keeping her cool and keeping her eyes open. Waiting to see what he was going to do and waiting to see what he would show her. And he finally showed her exactly what she needed to see. That was really well done.

Recommended.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked the characters. I had to feel for the protagonist (Ally) who starts out with a good job prospect and a fiancé and loses everything when her father and his business are accused (falsely as it later turns out) of faulty maintenance of power plants.

Parts of the plot are believable and parts seem to stretch that a bit--while I do believe that employers would turn down Ally for jobs given her father's disgrace, and that if such an organization existed, it would see Ally as a prime candidate for an operative given this history, it seems oddly convenient that they show up when she's at her lowest point to offer her a job--and also oddly convenient that her friend and roommate, Maddie, manages to get engaged and be leaving NYC just at that same time. I also thought it was odd that the organization would expect that she wouldn't investigate what happened to her father if given the chance to get at their databases.

I was a bit disappointed by Ally's jumping into bed with guys she seems seriously interested in. That didn't seem to further the plot of the book--especially the ones with Jake at the end. While I wasn't thrilled with the ones with Ron at the beginning, that, at least, did serve to give me further sympathy toward Ally when Ron revealed how spineless he really was when confronted with his parents.

[Emily Clarkson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allyson Roberts had the perfect life and plan all set for her future. Her husband-to-be, Ron Graystone, a prestigious lawyer in the making was in love with her, a well paying job with a company in Boston and her father's company booming. Ally loses all of these in less than a couple of days. While trying to desperately find a job, Ally gets recruited by an agency that is the savior of all the energy companies in the world-much like spy work. In return for working with the agency, Ally might be given the chance for vengeance when a possible suspect comes about. Wanting to clear her father's name, Ally takes the job and soon learns the costs and risks of joining espionage life. While training for the job, Allyson starts to notice this one dude, Jake Morrissey, and impossibly, is her spy instructor! So, what will become of Ally and her revenge? And how about that hot dude as her instructor? Will Ally get over her broken heart and move on or will she be stuck in the depths of mourning? Read and find out what the outcome of all of this will be...