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The Avengement Series #1
Stiletto
Never underestimate the value of a kick-ass pair of heels. Sexy shoes can make a woman feel beautiful. They can also bring a man to his knees—or worse.
Once John Mickelson slithers out from any blame for the devastation he’s caused with his Ponzi scheme, Jasmine Albertson finds herself barely left breathing. He’s taken everything: her husband, her money, her home, and her child. She can barely see through the haze of pain and hate.
However, one thing is very clear: John Mickelson is going to pay, and she’s going to be the one doing the collecting.
(Note: Although there is an object tying these novels together, each gritty drama is a stand-alone psychological suspense thriller with a complete story arc.)
Karma really can be a bitch—especially when it scores a willing partner.
Once John Mickelson slithers out from any blame for the devastation he’s caused with his Ponzi scheme, Jasmine Albertson finds herself barely left breathing. He’s taken everything: her husband, her money, her home, and her child. She can barely see through the haze of pain and hate.
However, one thing is very clear: John Mickelson is going to pay, and she’s going to be the one doing the collecting.
(Note: Although there is an object tying these novels together, each gritty drama is a stand-alone psychological suspense thriller with a complete story arc.)
Karma really can be a bitch—especially when it scores a willing partner.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2015
114 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Caddy Rowland
29 books89 followersSign up for new Caddy Rowland book release information by copying and pasting this in your browser: http://eepurl.com/rfjaX
NOTE: Caddy also writes gay m/m romance under the pen name Sibley Jackson. To be notified of new gay m/m romances by email, sing up here: http://tinyurl.com/kwzlad8
The drama of humanity. We live, die, love, hate, win and lose in a never-ending variety of ways. Often those ways are heart-wrenching. Other times they are not.
Why do people make the choices they do? Why do some abuse power? How do the powerless learn to survive? Why do a few dare to be different, while others conform—and why are so many disturbed by those who don't? These are the questions that have always haunted author Caddy Rowland. Those questions keep her pounding away at her keyboard, creating novels for adults who color outside the lines.
Caddy has always been a nonconformist. She likes to push the proverbial envelope when it comes to characterization and world building. Heroes have warts; villains have soft spots. Main characters don't always learn their lessons because all too often we don't, either. There isn't always a happy ending, but sometimes there is. Otherwise she'd be predictable.
She writes for readers who like to think and feel; who like their stories to be raw, graphic, unpredictable, "real" and sometimes brutal. For readers who like their boundaries challenged; to be shown how rarely life decisions are truly black and white, but instead shades of grey.
Think of a carnival midway with books instead of rides. She asks you make sure you're the minimum height if you plan on riding alone. You must also leave prejudices and inhibitions behind the entry gate. If you can’t, Rowland's reads might be a tad much for you. Don't worry. There are plenty of safer reads out there. Just step out of the line and find a more appropriate book for your reading enjoyment.
No, Caddy Rowland's novels aren't for everyone. But then again, they just might be for you.
NOTE: Caddy also writes gay m/m romance under the pen name Sibley Jackson. To be notified of new gay m/m romances by email, sing up here: http://tinyurl.com/kwzlad8
The drama of humanity. We live, die, love, hate, win and lose in a never-ending variety of ways. Often those ways are heart-wrenching. Other times they are not.
Why do people make the choices they do? Why do some abuse power? How do the powerless learn to survive? Why do a few dare to be different, while others conform—and why are so many disturbed by those who don't? These are the questions that have always haunted author Caddy Rowland. Those questions keep her pounding away at her keyboard, creating novels for adults who color outside the lines.
Caddy has always been a nonconformist. She likes to push the proverbial envelope when it comes to characterization and world building. Heroes have warts; villains have soft spots. Main characters don't always learn their lessons because all too often we don't, either. There isn't always a happy ending, but sometimes there is. Otherwise she'd be predictable.
She writes for readers who like to think and feel; who like their stories to be raw, graphic, unpredictable, "real" and sometimes brutal. For readers who like their boundaries challenged; to be shown how rarely life decisions are truly black and white, but instead shades of grey.
Think of a carnival midway with books instead of rides. She asks you make sure you're the minimum height if you plan on riding alone. You must also leave prejudices and inhibitions behind the entry gate. If you can’t, Rowland's reads might be a tad much for you. Don't worry. There are plenty of safer reads out there. Just step out of the line and find a more appropriate book for your reading enjoyment.
No, Caddy Rowland's novels aren't for everyone. But then again, they just might be for you.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 1, 2020
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/stiletto-by...
Make no mistake, this is more or less revenge porn, with the heroine going up against a truly repulsive man in the shape of Mickelson, who has close to no redeeming features. It’s certainly simplistic, with no much in the way of setbacks for Jazz, or problems to overcome, and Tory serves no real purpose, except as a sounding-board for her emotions. As a one-off, I still must admit to being (somewhat guiltily) entertained, even if this isn’t exactly literary haute cuisine. I’m not certain how this can be spun into a multi-book series, though I suspect it’s as much about the shoes as anything – and that’s actually quite an interesting idea. High-heels of death, anyone?
Make no mistake, this is more or less revenge porn, with the heroine going up against a truly repulsive man in the shape of Mickelson, who has close to no redeeming features. It’s certainly simplistic, with no much in the way of setbacks for Jazz, or problems to overcome, and Tory serves no real purpose, except as a sounding-board for her emotions. As a one-off, I still must admit to being (somewhat guiltily) entertained, even if this isn’t exactly literary haute cuisine. I’m not certain how this can be spun into a multi-book series, though I suspect it’s as much about the shoes as anything – and that’s actually quite an interesting idea. High-heels of death, anyone?
July 26, 2024
Jasmine Albertson lost everything to John Mickelson, a master conman, her husband, her home, her money, and her unborn child. She plans to repay him in kind.
This Crime Thriller is thought-provoking. Intelligence comes in many packages. The main character is one such package, planning revenge to the last detail. This story demonstrates the principle justice is not always served by the courts. However, vigilante justice is not true justice. This tale exemplifies the difference. The end is insufferable.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Haunting. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
This Crime Thriller is thought-provoking. Intelligence comes in many packages. The main character is one such package, planning revenge to the last detail. This story demonstrates the principle justice is not always served by the courts. However, vigilante justice is not true justice. This tale exemplifies the difference. The end is insufferable.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Haunting. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
January 21, 2019
Fun!
What a fun story! I enjoyed every minute of it. There were some flaws, mostly the dialogue between the men, but it didn't matter. It was a good book with a very satisfying conclusion.
What a fun story! I enjoyed every minute of it. There were some flaws, mostly the dialogue between the men, but it didn't matter. It was a good book with a very satisfying conclusion.
November 18, 2017
Badly written
July 7, 2018
It’s great when one could act on their revenge fantasies! This was a great read, emotional. Loved it.
October 12, 2018
A Psychological thriller. Don't underestimate a woman on a mission to teach someone a lesson. An edge of your seat thriller. I really liked the writing of this one.
April 12, 2020
Great thrIller
Loved this book. Loved the main character. What a great plan of revenge. Glad she got away with it.Can't wait to see what happens to Jazz in the next book.
Loved this book. Loved the main character. What a great plan of revenge. Glad she got away with it.Can't wait to see what happens to Jazz in the next book.
May 18, 2022
Page Turner
This is how revenge is done with class! Never underestimate a women & Stilettos! Jasmine completed her assignment. She went from luxury to penniless! Excellent read!
This is how revenge is done with class! Never underestimate a women & Stilettos! Jasmine completed her assignment. She went from luxury to penniless! Excellent read!
November 26, 2015
*I was gifted a copy of Stiletto by the author. I am not compensated for my honest opinion.*
Jasmine Albertson has become used to a life of luxury thanks to her husband Stu’s money, but when his business is investigated for participating in a Ponzi scheme, she loses everything—the money, their house, Stu’s life, and even the baby she is carrying. Stu’s partner, John Mickelson, set everything up so Stu would take the fall and John would escape free and clear. Except Jasmine knows her husband was innocent, and if the law won’t punish John, she will.
Once all of her assets are gone, Jasmine is determined to build herself back up and put an end to John Mickelson no matter how long it takes. Her plan takes shape while chatting with her fellow exotic dancers—a job she had to go back to in order to make good money fast—and she is gifted a beautiful pair of shoes. But the shoes are more than just beautiful; they’re also deadly. And Jasmine knows exactly how she will put them to use.
Stiletto is a suspense thriller novel with very little actual suspense. Right off the bat, the reader knows Jasmine plans to rid the world of John Mickelson, and thanks to the prologue, we also are given a pretty good idea of how she will do it. Sure, some of the details are not revealed until later, but by that point in the book I didn’t really care. Nothing about this book drew me in or kept me engaged. The scenes were very simple and jumped around, and there wasn’t any character development.
This story had way too much “telling” instead of “showing,” and there was very little action when dialogue was involved. The dialogue felt unnatural and awkward. The plot was also unrealistic. Jasmine’s plan required her to become someone else and seduce John, but John and Stu had been best friends yet we were supposed to believe a blonde wig and blue contacts would mean John wouldn’t recognize his best friend’s wife of three years. The story included Jasmine’s best friend Tory, and his sub-plot was also not realistic. When Jasmine moved back to NYC, Tory was in the beginning stages of a relationship with a man named Brady. After three years of living and working in NYC, Jasmine somehow dodged any attempt of meeting Brady, and Tory and Brady’s relationship hadn’t progressed beyond the insecurity stage.
Both Jasmine and John were extremely cocky. Jasmine was somehow able to predict every one of John’s thoughts regarding her sex appeal and how much he would want her, plotting out exactly what he would do or say in her head before it happened. John’s character drove me crazy with how often he declared that Jasmine’s alter-ego Grace would want him sexually and want to come back for more once she had him.
The book was written in third person point of view, and at times the points of view were mixed together. There was also a random point of view from a club owner thrown in that had no reason to be there. The inclusion of Tory’s point of view was one more piece we didn’t need since he was also able to guess what Jasmine was up to. All of this combined for a lot of unnecessary repetition. The story would have been much better served by sticking to Jasmine’s point of view and adding more action. By the time Jasmine was ready to bait John into her plan, I was bored with the book and ready to move on. There was no mystery, and the suspense was minimal. With all of John’s cockiness, he accepted why Jasmine was going to kill him too easily, leaving the reader with an anticlimactic scene.
There were also some editing issues, like missing and extra words and missing punctuation. Overall, I found this book difficult to finish and almost put it down several times.
For more of my reviews, please visit https://rachlawrencebooks.wordpress.com/.
Jasmine Albertson has become used to a life of luxury thanks to her husband Stu’s money, but when his business is investigated for participating in a Ponzi scheme, she loses everything—the money, their house, Stu’s life, and even the baby she is carrying. Stu’s partner, John Mickelson, set everything up so Stu would take the fall and John would escape free and clear. Except Jasmine knows her husband was innocent, and if the law won’t punish John, she will.
Once all of her assets are gone, Jasmine is determined to build herself back up and put an end to John Mickelson no matter how long it takes. Her plan takes shape while chatting with her fellow exotic dancers—a job she had to go back to in order to make good money fast—and she is gifted a beautiful pair of shoes. But the shoes are more than just beautiful; they’re also deadly. And Jasmine knows exactly how she will put them to use.
Stiletto is a suspense thriller novel with very little actual suspense. Right off the bat, the reader knows Jasmine plans to rid the world of John Mickelson, and thanks to the prologue, we also are given a pretty good idea of how she will do it. Sure, some of the details are not revealed until later, but by that point in the book I didn’t really care. Nothing about this book drew me in or kept me engaged. The scenes were very simple and jumped around, and there wasn’t any character development.
This story had way too much “telling” instead of “showing,” and there was very little action when dialogue was involved. The dialogue felt unnatural and awkward. The plot was also unrealistic. Jasmine’s plan required her to become someone else and seduce John, but John and Stu had been best friends yet we were supposed to believe a blonde wig and blue contacts would mean John wouldn’t recognize his best friend’s wife of three years. The story included Jasmine’s best friend Tory, and his sub-plot was also not realistic. When Jasmine moved back to NYC, Tory was in the beginning stages of a relationship with a man named Brady. After three years of living and working in NYC, Jasmine somehow dodged any attempt of meeting Brady, and Tory and Brady’s relationship hadn’t progressed beyond the insecurity stage.
Both Jasmine and John were extremely cocky. Jasmine was somehow able to predict every one of John’s thoughts regarding her sex appeal and how much he would want her, plotting out exactly what he would do or say in her head before it happened. John’s character drove me crazy with how often he declared that Jasmine’s alter-ego Grace would want him sexually and want to come back for more once she had him.
The book was written in third person point of view, and at times the points of view were mixed together. There was also a random point of view from a club owner thrown in that had no reason to be there. The inclusion of Tory’s point of view was one more piece we didn’t need since he was also able to guess what Jasmine was up to. All of this combined for a lot of unnecessary repetition. The story would have been much better served by sticking to Jasmine’s point of view and adding more action. By the time Jasmine was ready to bait John into her plan, I was bored with the book and ready to move on. There was no mystery, and the suspense was minimal. With all of John’s cockiness, he accepted why Jasmine was going to kill him too easily, leaving the reader with an anticlimactic scene.
There were also some editing issues, like missing and extra words and missing punctuation. Overall, I found this book difficult to finish and almost put it down several times.
For more of my reviews, please visit https://rachlawrencebooks.wordpress.com/.
June 23, 2015
Free book for honest review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
What women does not feel powerful and sexy in a nice 4", red shiny leather stiletto heels ?? They are waiting for just the right foot to step into them and reveal a secret unlike any shoe.
Jasmine had a rough life, nothing has ever came easy to her. She has worked for everything she had. At a young age she went to New York seeking a new life. With no family she was on her own. Tory saved Jasmine, got her job and helped her get up onto her feet. Jasmine was dancing in a first class gentlemen's club when she met Stu. Stu swept her off her feet out of a world that no women belongs in.
Jasmine was living her fairy tale dream. She had a husband, glamorous house, all the clothes and a prince charming to top her dream off. It all soon comes crashing down around her when Stu tells her the his company is being investigated. His college friend and partner, John made sure Stu would take the fall for a company that did not exist.
Jasmine lost it all and she has one thing on her mind REVENGE. She will make sure John pays for what he has taken from Jasmine. For 2 years she planned and waited for the perfect time. . . . . . Jasmine feels nothing but, hate and soon she will be able to express all her feelings.
What a great read ! ! ! Rowland painted to the prefect picture in this novel. This is one that you will not want to start UNLESS you can read it from the first sentence to the last. Jasmine is a true SURVIVOR, she lost everything not just once but two times in her life. I can not wait to read book 2!!!
5 WOWZERS stars
Wende
What women does not feel powerful and sexy in a nice 4", red shiny leather stiletto heels ?? They are waiting for just the right foot to step into them and reveal a secret unlike any shoe.
Jasmine had a rough life, nothing has ever came easy to her. She has worked for everything she had. At a young age she went to New York seeking a new life. With no family she was on her own. Tory saved Jasmine, got her job and helped her get up onto her feet. Jasmine was dancing in a first class gentlemen's club when she met Stu. Stu swept her off her feet out of a world that no women belongs in.
Jasmine was living her fairy tale dream. She had a husband, glamorous house, all the clothes and a prince charming to top her dream off. It all soon comes crashing down around her when Stu tells her the his company is being investigated. His college friend and partner, John made sure Stu would take the fall for a company that did not exist.
Jasmine lost it all and she has one thing on her mind REVENGE. She will make sure John pays for what he has taken from Jasmine. For 2 years she planned and waited for the perfect time. . . . . . Jasmine feels nothing but, hate and soon she will be able to express all her feelings.
What a great read ! ! ! Rowland painted to the prefect picture in this novel. This is one that you will not want to start UNLESS you can read it from the first sentence to the last. Jasmine is a true SURVIVOR, she lost everything not just once but two times in her life. I can not wait to read book 2!!!
5 WOWZERS stars
Wende
July 30, 2015
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This book was awesome! I loved how everything became a question of when not if. This story was not a mystery, but one of revenge. However, even though this revenge was sweet, it was a long time coming. Jasmine was not a withering flower who died when the winter of her life hit. No, she was forced to become another woman entirely.
Then you have Tory, who befriended her when she first moved to the city. I loved how they met - really enjoyed their story. Not only did they chose to become family, they were able to still keep their connection even after she moved on with her new husband. That type of friendship is rare and precious.
Throughout this story, I wanted to rip the head off of Mickelson. He was not only ruthless, but heartless as well. He created a monster out of Jasmine, even though that was not his intention.
I was able to read both book 1 and 2 (each on their own day), but this book is not needed to read the second installment of the series.
Great story and I can't wait to read more of Rowland's stories!
This book was awesome! I loved how everything became a question of when not if. This story was not a mystery, but one of revenge. However, even though this revenge was sweet, it was a long time coming. Jasmine was not a withering flower who died when the winter of her life hit. No, she was forced to become another woman entirely.
Then you have Tory, who befriended her when she first moved to the city. I loved how they met - really enjoyed their story. Not only did they chose to become family, they were able to still keep their connection even after she moved on with her new husband. That type of friendship is rare and precious.
Throughout this story, I wanted to rip the head off of Mickelson. He was not only ruthless, but heartless as well. He created a monster out of Jasmine, even though that was not his intention.
I was able to read both book 1 and 2 (each on their own day), but this book is not needed to read the second installment of the series.
Great story and I can't wait to read more of Rowland's stories!
August 2, 2015
Stiletto is a book about the justice system failing those who fell victim to a Ponzi scheme devised by John Michelson. He was not convicted of the scheme because he set up a scapegoat, his friend and business partner, to take the fall.
Jasmine is devastated by the loss of her husband, her home, her money and the child she never got a chance to tell her husband they were expecting. The one thing that keeps her going is the plan she is constructing to make John pay for his duplicity and to clear Stu's name of wrongful doing.
I recommend you read Stiletto because the book will keep you captivated to find out what is going to happen next. Jasmine only has her best friend Tory to support her and to try to help her come to terms with the losses she has endured and to try to push forward and live her life. But Tory is having difficulty in encouraging her to stop seeking revenge. Read to find out if Jasmine is successful in seeking her revenge or if it backfires on her! Must read!
Jasmine is devastated by the loss of her husband, her home, her money and the child she never got a chance to tell her husband they were expecting. The one thing that keeps her going is the plan she is constructing to make John pay for his duplicity and to clear Stu's name of wrongful doing.
I recommend you read Stiletto because the book will keep you captivated to find out what is going to happen next. Jasmine only has her best friend Tory to support her and to try to help her come to terms with the losses she has endured and to try to push forward and live her life. But Tory is having difficulty in encouraging her to stop seeking revenge. Read to find out if Jasmine is successful in seeking her revenge or if it backfires on her! Must read!
July 28, 2015
Like a cobra…she strikes!
Revenge and hate fuel the passion in this story. Jasmine never stopped thinking of how to get back at the man that ruined her and her husband’s lives and she as a very interesting concept of payback.
Jasmine is a very strong woman and waits patiently and strikes when ready…like a cobra waiting for the perfect moment to make it happen. Sometimes the wait may be long, but the plan is in place and this book gives you a whole new meaning to one day at a time……one moment for everything to be right…then look out……mission accomplished!
Looking forward to see what those pretty stiletto heels are going to do next!
Revenge and hate fuel the passion in this story. Jasmine never stopped thinking of how to get back at the man that ruined her and her husband’s lives and she as a very interesting concept of payback.
Jasmine is a very strong woman and waits patiently and strikes when ready…like a cobra waiting for the perfect moment to make it happen. Sometimes the wait may be long, but the plan is in place and this book gives you a whole new meaning to one day at a time……one moment for everything to be right…then look out……mission accomplished!
Looking forward to see what those pretty stiletto heels are going to do next!
February 1, 2016
"Revenge. It wasn't coming fast, but when at last it came it would be well worth the wait."
Stiletto by Caddy Rowland is a smart tantalizing adventure. I enjoyed this well-written suspense novel with it's your face commentary. The author writes a really fun book that is an escape into the unknown. Stiletto is clever, romantic thriller that had me guessing all the way through. Revenge is sweet and in this case wildly entertaining and extremely addictive.
Quote ~
"Power. She felt power. She owned those men, and she owned their fantasies. And suddenly she understood exactly what she needed to do to ensure they always came back for more."
Stiletto by Caddy Rowland is a smart tantalizing adventure. I enjoyed this well-written suspense novel with it's your face commentary. The author writes a really fun book that is an escape into the unknown. Stiletto is clever, romantic thriller that had me guessing all the way through. Revenge is sweet and in this case wildly entertaining and extremely addictive.
Quote ~
"Power. She felt power. She owned those men, and she owned their fantasies. And suddenly she understood exactly what she needed to do to ensure they always came back for more."
July 30, 2015
I received this book from Inked Rainbow Reads for an honest review.
Revenge at its best! Loved the story, the suspense of the build-up was great.
Jasmine was a woman obsessed about revenge. She was strong willed knew exactly what she wanted, and had a master plan. The anticipation as the story was building was excellent. Totally disliked John, he was the lowest slime.
I had a hard time putting this one down, I needed to know exactly what she was going to do. Excellent story, very good read! Highly recommend it.
Revenge at its best! Loved the story, the suspense of the build-up was great.
Jasmine was a woman obsessed about revenge. She was strong willed knew exactly what she wanted, and had a master plan. The anticipation as the story was building was excellent. Totally disliked John, he was the lowest slime.
I had a hard time putting this one down, I needed to know exactly what she was going to do. Excellent story, very good read! Highly recommend it.
September 12, 2015
She watched him get away with it all. She's lost everything important to her. This is an interesting exciting intense thriller. She is thankful she has a best friend who won't let her go through her grief alone. But she can't let him get away with hurting people and not paying for it. Enjoy I did.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews