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Enemy Of My Enemy
The Enemy of My Enemy is my friend – but is Gemma Gage the kind of friend Thaddeus Kline wants?
When US Embassy officer Thaddeus Kline’s wife turns up dead he blames crime boss Bruce Gage and makes it his mission to destroy him. Kline sets out for North Carolina determined to settle the score. What he doesn’t count on is coming up against his adversary’s wife, Gemma.
Gemma Gage is living in the lap of luxury. She does not ask, nor does she care, where the money comes from. She is a loving wife and a good hostess to her husband’s business associates. Just as she makes an unwanted discovery, Bruce catches her red-handed scrutinizing his dealings and retaliates by keeping her captive in her own home facing inevitable death by a Bengal tiger.
When Thaddeus breaks into the Gage mansion looking for Bruce he gets a whole lot more than he bargained for. Thaddeus takes Gemma as a hostage cum bargaining chip – but Bruce Gage didn’t get where he was by rolling over easily. Thad and Gemma soon become the hunted themselves and their clashing personalities must join forces to combat a common enemy. As their thirst for revenge deepens, so does their involvement in the fractions of the criminal underworld. Rival gangs fight for their allegiance which leaves them with no alternative except to trust each other. But can they?
When US Embassy officer Thaddeus Kline’s wife turns up dead he blames crime boss Bruce Gage and makes it his mission to destroy him. Kline sets out for North Carolina determined to settle the score. What he doesn’t count on is coming up against his adversary’s wife, Gemma.
Gemma Gage is living in the lap of luxury. She does not ask, nor does she care, where the money comes from. She is a loving wife and a good hostess to her husband’s business associates. Just as she makes an unwanted discovery, Bruce catches her red-handed scrutinizing his dealings and retaliates by keeping her captive in her own home facing inevitable death by a Bengal tiger.
When Thaddeus breaks into the Gage mansion looking for Bruce he gets a whole lot more than he bargained for. Thaddeus takes Gemma as a hostage cum bargaining chip – but Bruce Gage didn’t get where he was by rolling over easily. Thad and Gemma soon become the hunted themselves and their clashing personalities must join forces to combat a common enemy. As their thirst for revenge deepens, so does their involvement in the fractions of the criminal underworld. Rival gangs fight for their allegiance which leaves them with no alternative except to trust each other. But can they?
First published February 26, 2016
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247 people want to read
About the author
Travis Casey
64 books197 followersIf you are looking for hot alpha males with no fear of anything, a virgin love interest, and a few billion in the bank; may I suggest the next aisle over where you’ll also find the blindfolded bodice-rippers.
If you are looking for an author who writes safe and tip toes around sensitive issues, perhaps you should look in the “I keep a tight rein on my characters and never let them speak their mind without censorship” section.
If, like I, you subscribe to the Truman Capote philosophy “You can’t blame a writer for what the characters say,” then I have some great fiction for you.
Hi, I'm Travis. I am a beach read writer and in-print entertainer. That means I write fun books. The topics and content may be highly charged with what may be considered politically incorrect these days, but what fun is life if we can't laugh.
Here are some of my favorite lines from reviews I have received. (And they are not all 5-star “I'm the greatest writer ever.”)
* Travis Casey is a writer who takes chances. In this political satire, he hits on controversial topics. I laughed and shook my head as political correctness took a giant leap out the window. – The Mayor’s Race
* When first reading this book, I absolutely loathed it, until I realized that it was really the character, Mr. Hightower, that I hated rather than the book. To make someone hate a character as much as I despised this one is a rare talent. He is a misogynistic narcissist with a knack for gaslighting that cheats on his wife with a former student and still looks down upon others for drinking any sort of alcohol, having a job in the sex industry, and swearing of any sort. –No Halo Required
* This book will make you chuckle at the characters' antics while simultaneously wanting to scream with aggravation when they do something particularly foolish. The ratio of romance to adventure skews in favor of adventure, and it makes for an exciting story with just enough flirting to be fun. With its clever conversations, strong plot, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book is worth reading! – Southern Harm
* What makes a man fall completely head over heels in love? Well, we get to see why in this amazing book told in a male's POV. This book was beautifully written with a strong voice, a great blend of love and drama. The dialog was witty and hilarious, the characters fascinating and funny. – Forbidden Trouble
* Wow, reading this book was a hilarious, thrilling voyage! The witty, raw humor in this book draws you in right away and doesn't fail to keep you entertained for the whole ride. There was more than one time I found myself laughing out loud – Oceans of Trouble
* I am speechless about the book. Too many themes running at the same time -deceit, guilt, lust, infatuation, backstabbing, etc, etc. – Trouble Triangle
A dual citizen of America and Britain, I currently live in Minnesota with my British wife and two Shih Tzu/Bichon crosses, Shelby and Sia
If you are looking for an author who writes safe and tip toes around sensitive issues, perhaps you should look in the “I keep a tight rein on my characters and never let them speak their mind without censorship” section.
If, like I, you subscribe to the Truman Capote philosophy “You can’t blame a writer for what the characters say,” then I have some great fiction for you.
Hi, I'm Travis. I am a beach read writer and in-print entertainer. That means I write fun books. The topics and content may be highly charged with what may be considered politically incorrect these days, but what fun is life if we can't laugh.
Here are some of my favorite lines from reviews I have received. (And they are not all 5-star “I'm the greatest writer ever.”)
* Travis Casey is a writer who takes chances. In this political satire, he hits on controversial topics. I laughed and shook my head as political correctness took a giant leap out the window. – The Mayor’s Race
* When first reading this book, I absolutely loathed it, until I realized that it was really the character, Mr. Hightower, that I hated rather than the book. To make someone hate a character as much as I despised this one is a rare talent. He is a misogynistic narcissist with a knack for gaslighting that cheats on his wife with a former student and still looks down upon others for drinking any sort of alcohol, having a job in the sex industry, and swearing of any sort. –No Halo Required
* This book will make you chuckle at the characters' antics while simultaneously wanting to scream with aggravation when they do something particularly foolish. The ratio of romance to adventure skews in favor of adventure, and it makes for an exciting story with just enough flirting to be fun. With its clever conversations, strong plot, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book is worth reading! – Southern Harm
* What makes a man fall completely head over heels in love? Well, we get to see why in this amazing book told in a male's POV. This book was beautifully written with a strong voice, a great blend of love and drama. The dialog was witty and hilarious, the characters fascinating and funny. – Forbidden Trouble
* Wow, reading this book was a hilarious, thrilling voyage! The witty, raw humor in this book draws you in right away and doesn't fail to keep you entertained for the whole ride. There was more than one time I found myself laughing out loud – Oceans of Trouble
* I am speechless about the book. Too many themes running at the same time -deceit, guilt, lust, infatuation, backstabbing, etc, etc. – Trouble Triangle
A dual citizen of America and Britain, I currently live in Minnesota with my British wife and two Shih Tzu/Bichon crosses, Shelby and Sia
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 3, 2016
Mehreen Ahmed's review: PDF Copy
Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend is a masterpiece of intrigue, murder and deception. As the plot thickens, Gemma finds out all about the underworld that her husband Bruce has been keeping from her. She learns about his adversaries and the hard-boiled criminals befriending her husband to the point of endangering their lives. This truly unputdownable book, co-authored by Travis Casey and Melissa Mayberry, is lucid, and well-crafted; language, deployed intelligently and economically. A story of a naive woman living in the lap of luxury and then suddenly falling prey to international gangsters and human traffickers, deeply embroiled in all kinds of horrific mischief, leading to the most incredible finale.
Pick up your copy today!
Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend is a masterpiece of intrigue, murder and deception. As the plot thickens, Gemma finds out all about the underworld that her husband Bruce has been keeping from her. She learns about his adversaries and the hard-boiled criminals befriending her husband to the point of endangering their lives. This truly unputdownable book, co-authored by Travis Casey and Melissa Mayberry, is lucid, and well-crafted; language, deployed intelligently and economically. A story of a naive woman living in the lap of luxury and then suddenly falling prey to international gangsters and human traffickers, deeply embroiled in all kinds of horrific mischief, leading to the most incredible finale.
Pick up your copy today!
February 21, 2016
Authors Melissa Mayberry and Travis Casey joined hands to create a truly unique suspense thriller " Enemy of My Enemy" by writing alternate chapters in the first person – Melissa writing as Gemma Gage and Travis writing as Thaddeus Kline. With definitive plot when they began, they threw chapters with cliff hanger endings at each other in response to the earlier chapter they received. So even the authors had no idea what would happen next.
US Embassy officer Thaddeus Kline learns his wife is double timing him with Bruce Gage, a crime boss, and walks out on her. When she is killed, Thaddeus suspects Bruce and rushes to North Carolina to eliminate him.
Bruce's wife Gemma Gage has risen from being a lap dancer to the lap of Bruce, who meets her every material need. But when she discovers that Bruce is a criminal and is caught by him, he keeps her captive at home with a hungry Bengal tiger to guard her.
Thaddeus breaks into the Gage mansion looking for Bruce, but meets Bruce's wife Gemma and the tiger, but Bruce is missing. Thaddeus takes Gemma hostage but they find mutual affinity and Bruce would prefer his wife dead. Thad and Gemma, threatened by a common enemy, join hands and more, shooting their way out of tight situations. The body count rises, coincidences multiply, their mutual attraction increases, and each chapter ends with a cliff-hanger.
A great book, but still needs some fine tuning in terms of editing. That is the only reason I am giving it only 4 stars.
I thank Melissa Mayberry and Travis Casey and Goodreads for sending me a soft copy of Enemy of My Enemy for an honest review.
US Embassy officer Thaddeus Kline learns his wife is double timing him with Bruce Gage, a crime boss, and walks out on her. When she is killed, Thaddeus suspects Bruce and rushes to North Carolina to eliminate him.
Bruce's wife Gemma Gage has risen from being a lap dancer to the lap of Bruce, who meets her every material need. But when she discovers that Bruce is a criminal and is caught by him, he keeps her captive at home with a hungry Bengal tiger to guard her.
Thaddeus breaks into the Gage mansion looking for Bruce, but meets Bruce's wife Gemma and the tiger, but Bruce is missing. Thaddeus takes Gemma hostage but they find mutual affinity and Bruce would prefer his wife dead. Thad and Gemma, threatened by a common enemy, join hands and more, shooting their way out of tight situations. The body count rises, coincidences multiply, their mutual attraction increases, and each chapter ends with a cliff-hanger.
A great book, but still needs some fine tuning in terms of editing. That is the only reason I am giving it only 4 stars.
I thank Melissa Mayberry and Travis Casey and Goodreads for sending me a soft copy of Enemy of My Enemy for an honest review.
June 4, 2020
I must admit, given the cartoon-type book cover, that this book would be a bit of a light/humorous read. This didn't really happen, but I enjoyed the book.
I also am not keen on books where the 1st person character changes each chapter, in this case the main characters Thad and Gemma. I do admit that it was an interesting concept that a male/female writer combination took on the writing of each male/female character - well, I presume that's what happened. The development of each character was pretty good, but I did find myself wanting a bit more. I, especially, thought Thad remained too much of a upper-class gentleman throughout the book.
The blurb tells you what the story contains, so I won't expand. The story itself is good but, given my previous comments, I'd probably give it a 3.5 stars.
I'd still recommend it as a read.
I also am not keen on books where the 1st person character changes each chapter, in this case the main characters Thad and Gemma. I do admit that it was an interesting concept that a male/female writer combination took on the writing of each male/female character - well, I presume that's what happened. The development of each character was pretty good, but I did find myself wanting a bit more. I, especially, thought Thad remained too much of a upper-class gentleman throughout the book.
The blurb tells you what the story contains, so I won't expand. The story itself is good but, given my previous comments, I'd probably give it a 3.5 stars.
I'd still recommend it as a read.
November 15, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Let me say it was an entertaining read, and I thank Travis for the complimentary copy. There were a few continuity errors, like when Gemma says she hadn't eaten for a few days, but she had eaten the night before. It was a little bit confusing (not sure if that is the correct word) to have a mixture of past and present tenses mixed together. There were some, not many, missing or extra words in some sentences.
It's a great story line with Thaddeus finding out his wife was with a mob boss and later dies, but he falls for Gemma, who was held captive by the mob boss. Funny language at times, and a great ending. I'd recommend it for a quick read. I found myself reading chapters at a time.
Let me say it was an entertaining read, and I thank Travis for the complimentary copy. There were a few continuity errors, like when Gemma says she hadn't eaten for a few days, but she had eaten the night before. It was a little bit confusing (not sure if that is the correct word) to have a mixture of past and present tenses mixed together. There were some, not many, missing or extra words in some sentences.
It's a great story line with Thaddeus finding out his wife was with a mob boss and later dies, but he falls for Gemma, who was held captive by the mob boss. Funny language at times, and a great ending. I'd recommend it for a quick read. I found myself reading chapters at a time.
Want to read
April 3, 2016I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2020
This is an incredible book that toggles between authors--Travis Casey writing as Thaddeus Kline and Melissa Mayberry writing as Gemma Gage--alternating chapters. What a wonderful concept with perfect execution by the authors. I thought it might be difficult for them to create smooth transitions but they did it. There are distinct voices that comes from each writer yet they've put together one cohesive story that flows flawlessly.
Thaddeus Kline is out for revenge for the killer of his wife. And his bloodthirst is aimed at none other than Gemma Gage's husband, Bruce. Mayberry's opening scene is riveting where she is being held captive by a bengal tiger! Thad is there for revenge but winds up saving her--reluctantly--for both of them. From there the story just gets funnier with each passing chapter and I mean that in a good way. They join forces to bring down Bruce but neither of them trusts the other one. Not only is it funny, it is highly suspenseful.
I've read a lot of dual perspective novels but never by two different authors. Highly, highly recommended!
Thaddeus Kline is out for revenge for the killer of his wife. And his bloodthirst is aimed at none other than Gemma Gage's husband, Bruce. Mayberry's opening scene is riveting where she is being held captive by a bengal tiger! Thad is there for revenge but winds up saving her--reluctantly--for both of them. From there the story just gets funnier with each passing chapter and I mean that in a good way. They join forces to bring down Bruce but neither of them trusts the other one. Not only is it funny, it is highly suspenseful.
I've read a lot of dual perspective novels but never by two different authors. Highly, highly recommended!
July 26, 2020
London U.S. Embassy Officer Thaddeus Kline brings wealthy tourist, Bruce Gage, home with him after a mugging. Bruce repays Thad by having an affair with Thad’s wife, Jo, now she’s dead. Gemma Gage accidently learned about her husband Bruce’s ties to international criminal activity, now she’s been beaten and chained mere feet from a tiger.
Determined to avenge Jo and his money Bruce scammed, Thad arrives at Gage’s home. Thad frees and kidnaps Gemma, leaving a note for Bruce intimating Gemma’s spilling his secrets. As the plot thickens, Gemma and Thad realize neither knows as much about Jo or Bruce as they thought while dodging the bullets fired by Bruce’s henchmen.
This new to me author team was a freebie; it’s more interesting, vivid and fun than this reader expected. Don’t be a stickler for logic, take in the nice pace, light humor and naïve characters with no idea what they’ve stumbled into while you enjoy the twisty ride of this rainy day or beach adventure read, but I confess I don’t care for the ‘cartoonish’ cover.
Rating: 4.5stars
Determined to avenge Jo and his money Bruce scammed, Thad arrives at Gage’s home. Thad frees and kidnaps Gemma, leaving a note for Bruce intimating Gemma’s spilling his secrets. As the plot thickens, Gemma and Thad realize neither knows as much about Jo or Bruce as they thought while dodging the bullets fired by Bruce’s henchmen.
This new to me author team was a freebie; it’s more interesting, vivid and fun than this reader expected. Don’t be a stickler for logic, take in the nice pace, light humor and naïve characters with no idea what they’ve stumbled into while you enjoy the twisty ride of this rainy day or beach adventure read, but I confess I don’t care for the ‘cartoonish’ cover.
Rating: 4.5stars
July 31, 2020
Fun and unique adventure/suspense romance. The characters are well-developed and the plot had some juicy deception and intrigue. It was easy to read with lots of action and crime that made it a fast page turner. When US Embassy officer Thaddeus Kline’s wife dies after he finds out she was cheating, he rushes to judgment, thinking she was killed by her lover, crime boss Bruce Gage. When Kline breaks into Gage's house to exact revenge, he only finds Bruce’s wide, Gemma, in captivity and guarded by a hungry Bengal tiger. From there, an adventure ensues, filled with dead bodies and dangerous attraction.
I really liked the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter and the way two authors developed the story. Definitely a fun summer read!
I really liked the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter and the way two authors developed the story. Definitely a fun summer read!
May 10, 2020
Enemy of My Enemy is a surprising, yet gratifying love child of nonstop action and witty dialogue. While the book incorporates multiple genres and chapters from the perspective of both main characters, the authors have managed to produce a seamless and intriguing tale of crime, deadly attraction, and drama that will leave you breathless and wanting more!
February 20, 2025
If you haven’t read this yet, and I bet you haven’t, and you like mystery with romance and some funny parts…then what are you waiting for? I stumbled across this when looking for a book with 2 authors for a challenge prompt. It’s on KU right now, and such a fun read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
January 4, 2018
This started great! But towards the middle just tapered to blah and tiresome
Want to read
October 9, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/9/2021)! 🎁
March 13, 2016
Enemy of my Enemy 17
Travis Casey & Melissa Mayberry
Action Adventure
285 Pages
Rating 3 stars out of 5.
Humor and cozy romance overshadow the action adventure genres in this story. It goes from humorous to downright silly at times.
Thaddeus Kline is a state department employee assigned to London. He's in love with his beautiful wife but suspects her of cheating. They have a fight and Jo Ann tells him she's in serious trouble. Instead of asking what the problem is, he leaves in a huff. Soon Jo Ann is found hanged. Thad believes he knows who her lover is that caused her to commit suicide and commits to murdering the man.
Gemma Gage is the wife of the man Tom suspects Jo Ann of having an affair with. They meet and soon the two of them develop into accomplished, cold blooded killers while seeking revenge and trying to stay alive. A real stretch.
In one confusing scene, Gemma speaks to Fluffy, Whiskers, Morris and Felix. Finally, I gathered it was only one cat not four.
Research is lacking. Thad buys a Barrett M-99 sniper rifle that he points at an attacker at a window and fires three fast shots. But the M-99 is a single shot bolt action rifle that needs to have a bullet chambered before each shot.
Then Thad used wind chimes as a security measure to warn of bad guys approaching. But chimes won't make a sound when thrown on the grown to be stepped on unless the intruder is a klutz and trips over them.
Continuity is lacking. At one point Gemma say's she hasn't eaten in four days, but they ate pizza the night before.
Gemma thought pointedly about Thad saying he'd shoot the antagonist in the head, but Thad hadn't told her he planned to do that.
Present and past tense are mixed in sentences along with missing, extra and wrong words.
In most of the action scenes, both lead characters are too calm and cozy while they joke about the situation. That eliminated any hope of intensity or conflict.
It also seemed unreal for a low level State Department employee who produced passports to have the funds to constantly be renting motels, hotels, cars, buying handguns and a $3,000 plus rifle while buying Gemma thousands of dollars worth of designer clothing.
Enemy of My Enemy is a decent read in spite of the many errors if you like lighthearted fluff, but it's not a great read.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Travis Casey & Melissa Mayberry
Action Adventure
285 Pages
Rating 3 stars out of 5.
Humor and cozy romance overshadow the action adventure genres in this story. It goes from humorous to downright silly at times.
Thaddeus Kline is a state department employee assigned to London. He's in love with his beautiful wife but suspects her of cheating. They have a fight and Jo Ann tells him she's in serious trouble. Instead of asking what the problem is, he leaves in a huff. Soon Jo Ann is found hanged. Thad believes he knows who her lover is that caused her to commit suicide and commits to murdering the man.
Gemma Gage is the wife of the man Tom suspects Jo Ann of having an affair with. They meet and soon the two of them develop into accomplished, cold blooded killers while seeking revenge and trying to stay alive. A real stretch.
In one confusing scene, Gemma speaks to Fluffy, Whiskers, Morris and Felix. Finally, I gathered it was only one cat not four.
Research is lacking. Thad buys a Barrett M-99 sniper rifle that he points at an attacker at a window and fires three fast shots. But the M-99 is a single shot bolt action rifle that needs to have a bullet chambered before each shot.
Then Thad used wind chimes as a security measure to warn of bad guys approaching. But chimes won't make a sound when thrown on the grown to be stepped on unless the intruder is a klutz and trips over them.
Continuity is lacking. At one point Gemma say's she hasn't eaten in four days, but they ate pizza the night before.
Gemma thought pointedly about Thad saying he'd shoot the antagonist in the head, but Thad hadn't told her he planned to do that.
Present and past tense are mixed in sentences along with missing, extra and wrong words.
In most of the action scenes, both lead characters are too calm and cozy while they joke about the situation. That eliminated any hope of intensity or conflict.
It also seemed unreal for a low level State Department employee who produced passports to have the funds to constantly be renting motels, hotels, cars, buying handguns and a $3,000 plus rifle while buying Gemma thousands of dollars worth of designer clothing.
Enemy of My Enemy is a decent read in spite of the many errors if you like lighthearted fluff, but it's not a great read.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews