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Amidst this shocking loss, the game must still be played.

Struggling with the death of their son, Andrew and Arianne Douglas put aside their individual desires and cling to one another, and their family.

Torn between duty to the woman pregnant with his child and his one true love, Gregory Adams steps away from Arianne, knowing her husband is the only one who can bring her back from this despair.

Millie Douglas reaches out to the last person she ever expected, spurred by the loss of the man most dear to her and her unintended culpability in his death. This unforeseen alliance sends a shockwave through her own life, and the family around her.

Each player has invested everything on the success of “Operation”. They can’t turn back now. Their careers, reputations… their entire lives… are on the line. Grief must be set aside, or they risk losing everything.

The show will go on.

mis•hap
ˈmisˌhap/
1. An unlucky accident
2. An unfortunate disaster

The Counterplay Series follows the Douglases, Adames, Caissys, and O’Malleys—four intertwined South Louisiana families and their struggle for power, love, and revenge. Your move.

*This series is intended for 18+ audiences due to language and adult content.

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2014

4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read

About the author

Elizabeth Burgess

11 books57 followers
For Elizabeth Burgess, writing is not only what she loves to do, it is freedom, salvation, and escape. It is life. Introduced to the art of words at a young age by Junior High English teacher, she poured herself into a self-study of all things poetry and prose throughout the entirety of her high school and college career—hoping to one day become a lyricist in Nashville. As the years went on, her dreams changed and morphed, but her love for words did not.

A nurse by trade, Elizabeth loves incorporating the medical field in each book she writes. Her favorite characters are always flawed, and if you see her wearing any color besides black, you know she’s sick. Thanks to her maternal grandparents, she believes she can do anything if she sets her mind to it, and will always offer you a glass of sweet tea if you come over.

When she’s not working on her next novel, she enjoys Saturday nights in Death Valley, listening to Fleetwood Mac on rainy days, and taking pictures of her beloved Louisiana. Elizabeth is the author of two series, Counterplay and the Hopewell Coven. She lives in Northeast Louisiana’s farming country with her partner Terri, two Catahoula Curs, Bowie and Pike, and host of spoiled cats.



Learn more about Elizabeth at: http://liddyburgess.com

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Cory .
729 reviews85 followers
September 7, 2015
It's official, I'm addicted!

This is a short novella between the first and second book. You really need to read the first book before reading this as none of it will make much sense.

I loved meeting Finn and getting more insight into Sol and Alissa. I can't wait to see what happens with Tiffany as she is getting pretty full of herself and I hope that someone brings her down. I think several people want to so it doesn't matter to me who it is. :)

It seems that sometimes people really realize they love someone when it's too late. But could this tragedy bring out positive outcomes between Millie and Syd? Or dare I say it....Millie and Ari?

What can I do but start the next book to find out?
Profile Image for Derek White.
Author 5 books105 followers
October 25, 2014
*A Copy of this Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*

Everything I said when I reviewed The Waiting applies to this. This is what I said:-
THE WAITING – Imagine a mixture of the cash availability of Dallas or Dynasty together with the morals of Desperate Housewives and you will have a slight idea of this book.
Now add in a really good story, very well told and you will know what to expect. Be patient as you read but don’t bother to make notes of who is sleeping with whom as the list will have completely changed by the time you are half way through. The changes seem perfectly natural, but please do not let it influence how you carry on your own life – it’s definitely not a way of life to be recommended.
What it to be recommended though is the standard of writing and tale telling. The author must be a brilliant raconteur to have at a dinner party. I was kept entertained and page turning for the whole three hundred and fifty eight A4 pages of the copy I had. By the end my favourite was Arianne, the only one of the bunch I would want as a friend, yet she was betrayed several times over by those she loved and I look forward to Book Two in the series if only to learn what will happen to her. (I don’t go in for spoilers so can say no more except, “Do yourself a favour and buy a copy!”)
It should however, not be read until you have read ‘The Waiting.’ The story continues with exactly the same high standard of writing and plot composition:

Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***


Profile Image for Jackie.
27 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2014
Elizabeth Burgess, The Funeral

The funeral is a short follow on novel from The Waiting. Elizabeth has done an awesome job at bringing all the characters together again for Nash's funeral ! And what a heartbreaking funeral it was. Poor Arianne is completely broken, not only because she is burying her first born but because she is the prime suspect for gunning him down. I miss the strong powerful woman who would stop at nothing to protect her own, I hate to see her so destroyed and empty, she clings to her husband at this difficult time when secretly shes desperate to be with her one and only love Gregoey ! Gregory has his own battle going on between wanting to be there for his best friend Andrew who is married to his lover and the woman who "is" carrying his baby. I tell you these novels will have your head in a spin, it will pull at your heart string until the very end. I cant wait for the next instalment in this series. Absolutely fantastic 5* novels.
Profile Image for Jennifer Sons.
403 reviews18 followers
November 16, 2014
What a whirl wind of emotions & events in this short novella! This picks up where The Waiting leaves off & covers the events after the death of Nash, the funeral & events immediately after the funeral!

It's heartbreaking seeing such strong characters break! Poor Ari! I couldn't imagine losing a child then being accused of such a crime! Another "soap opera" type of events! There so much going on, it's almost too much! I said this for The Waiting & it carries on to here! There's so many characters in one book that it's confusing! I think it would be more successful have more books that concentrate on a few characters story at one time! I'll still read the next book to see what happens with this train wreck of characters! Good job Elizabeth & Marie!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Robbins.
496 reviews9 followers
September 7, 2015
This story must be read between books one and two. It's a painfully poignant detailing of the lives of all of the main characters. Think: the season finale of Revenge. So good that I wanted to throw my kindle across the room (I wonder if that's covered in the accident insurance?)! I was moved to tears, several times, sometimes of rage! I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ebbie ~Author Groupies.
558 reviews10 followers
July 9, 2017
This series just keeps getting better. More drama and angst. More lies, secrets and a murder too! This series is a serious page turner. I cannot wait to read the next book to see where this story goes and what happens next for the Douglas family.
Profile Image for Amie's Book Reviews.
1,662 reviews175 followers
March 25, 2015
THE FUNERAL - Book 1.5 of The Waiting Series

Authors: Elizabeth Burgess and Marie Hewes

Publication Date: October 31, 2014

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Type of Book: eBook - Novella

Length: 107 pages

Intended Readers: Adults 18+

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This novella is a follow-up to the first book in THE WAITING Series.

* WARNING* This novella will not make much sense if readers have not read THE WAITING first. To understand exactly what is happening with each of the characters and how they came to this point in their lives is essential to truly appreciate the storyline.

THE WAITING is complex and has a complicated plot with a large cast of characters.

At the end of THE WAITING Arianne has found her oldest son shot in the entrance to her home. He dies en route to the hospital and the ambulance is involved in an accident torching the van along with it's occupants.

Arianne may have fought with Nash, even despised him at times, but he was her son and she loved him deeply and unconditionally.

Andrew and Arianne had just decided to give their damaged 26 year marriage a chance. Andrew had promised to try to be a better husband and father.

Gregory found out that his ex-girlfriend, Tiffany was pregnant with his child. (Readers know she isn't really pregnant) He was in love with Arianne and she loved him but it was Tiffany's pregnancy and Arianne's belief in familial duty that prompted her to return to Andrew rather than to seek happiness with Gregory. She loved him enough to let him go so that he would have a chance at his own family and happiness. Gregory does not love Tiffany but he recognizes that Nash's death has changed everything.

Arianne is going to be arrested for the murder of her son and both Andrew and Gregory know that she did not kill him, but they need to discover who is actually responsible.

Millie was in love with Nash even though he was her ex-husband's son. She is racked with guilt and remorse. No one knows that it was her plan to have Nash's brother Reece killed that went horribly wrong and instead ended in the death of her beloved.

All of this and a illegal organ transplant ring that involves multiple hospitals and even multiple states. This story has it all.

You can see what I mean when I say the plot is complicated and the cast of characters large and complex and even with all the facts I just listed, I have left out quite a few details and even failed to mention several key characters.

This series is a terrific read. The authors have managed to create an amazing story that will keep you reading long into the night.

The convoluted relationships may seem unrealistic, but once you read the books you will begin to understand exactly how it is that they came about. The authors have done an incredible job of delving into people's psyches and detailing what makes them tick.

This novella is a terrific addition to the series and I am excited to read Book Two.

I rate this novella as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

NOTE: This book is intended for mature readers due to adult scenes, situations and language.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Elizabeth Burgess and Marie Hewes have been best friends since the ages of six and four. They both live with their partners in Louisiana. THE WAITING is their first book.

To learn more about these authors visit: https://elizabethburgessandmariehewes...

Follow @LiddyBurgess on Twitter for updates


To read more of my reviews, visit my blog at http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

Follow me on Twitter: @Amieroger

Profile Image for Mark Hayes.
Author 27 books50 followers
August 20, 2015
The Funeral
The Waiting series 1.5
I compared the first book of this series to a soap opera of a book. Which I consider a fair comparison, the style and pacing of the first book bares this out. As a follow up to the first book the funeral is perhaps therefore a feature length episode before the start of the second season. It is more Novella than novel, and bridges the gap between book 1 and book 2. While setting the scene for the next book by both trying up events at the end of book 1 and introducing some new characters to the mix.
To carry on with the soap opera analogy. One of the major 'stars' of the first season was Milli, the heart surgeon. She is perhaps the Joan Collins of 'Rivers' the soap opera. Sexy, sassy, and bitchy in ways Alexis would have been proud of. She is the bad girl you can't help but love, and route for even while you’re hoping all her plans to fail.
In the Funeral you get to meet those members of her family which were only mentioned in passing in the first season, as they run to the defence of their matriarchal queen after the events at the end of the first season leave her questioning her life and the continuance of it. This extended family are joined by other new characters that are slipped into the mix while the cast from the first season deal with the fall out of the final chapters.
As with the first book Burgess and Hewes manage to make the narrative flow between the different characters points of view. Slipping in the new members of the cast seamlessly, while giving you new perspectives on the cast from the first book. It slides along from one characters to the next with a beguiling ease that manages not to lose you in its wake. A neat trick when dealing with such a complex web of characters and inter relationships between them. While it manages to keep the same style and feel of the first book, it also manages to bring more genuine warmth and depth to some characters who had more minor roles in the previous instalment.
Indeed the novella exhibits a growth in the style and ability of the writers, there understanding of their characters and plots, which bodes well for further instalments to come. While the first novel as a soap opera of a book this is closer to a drama series, crafty and clever with characters that become more real on the page than in the first novel.

My review of the first book can be found here : writesrightsrites.blogspot.co.uk
Profile Image for Kenisha.
261 reviews9 followers
April 9, 2015
Oh it just gets even better. Not disappointed at all. Heartbreaking loosing a child and Arianne laid out her emotions out beautifully. I actually felt for Millicent, I didn't particularly like her actions and they were really bad but and you get pieces of the puzzle,and you slowly begin to understand her reasoning. I didn't display my feelings towards any of the characters in the review of the 1st book. But now I have to vent. Andrew is still a selfish bastard and doesn't deserve his family. I want a happily ever after for Ari and Gregory, I just know they will get there. More schemes being planned getting more insight as to why the events happened they way the did. And it felt like each chapter was like a Friday Soap Opera with that major cliffhanger, while anxiously waiting for Monday to see how it will play out. So I now will venture on to book 3, my Monday begins with page one. Applause, Applause to the author. Spread the word. This series is a must read!
Profile Image for Lora.
1,295 reviews14 followers
July 16, 2015
4½ out of 5 stars

These characters have worked their way into my brain and they won’t turn loose. In the first book there were a very select few that I actually liked and wanted to celebrate. This book worked in the favor of many others and made me realize that tragedy really does change people.

This novella was a good follow up to The Waiting which left me with more questions than answers. This book gave me lots of answers, but I’m still eager to read the next one.

Andrew & Ari find more in each other than they have in their 26 years of marriage. Millie’s heart is broken, but she is finding strength. Poor Gregory is left alone which was the worst part for me. He’s by far my favorite character and I just want to see him really win sometime!

The younger crew makes more of an appearance in this book as well. I look forward to seeing what Ms Burgess brings us in The Watching.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
April 25, 2015
** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

'The Funeral' was a turning point in many ways for quite a few characters in this series. I loved how the storyline was written and how it played out. The whole series is well written. This book is a look into what book two will hold. The characters are an amazing group of personalities. I've grown to despise some, love others and there are some that I'm still not sure how I feel. I look forward to reading book two. It's sure to be packed with tons of drama, mystery, jealousy and forbidden love. A great add to your tbr list. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Suleika Santana -All About Books .
744 reviews23 followers
July 28, 2015
This one was a bit emotional or I should say I was emotional. It made me cry. As the title says this is the funeral of their son, (Arianne and Andrew's son) you should know who if you read The Waiting although you won't know till almost the end who is the son that dies, there are 3 sons, 3 Douglas boys and you will love all 3 even if one is a bit on the naughty side. Anyway, the book is not all sad, just a few parts, I won't spoil anything. I love all the characters and I cannot wait to read more and see where the story goes.
I will recommend to read book 1, The Waiting before reading this one.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
May 28, 2017
'Mishap' was a turning point in many ways for quite a few characters in this series. I loved how the storyline was written and how it played out. The whole series is well written. This book is a look into what book two will hold. The characters are an amazing group of personalities. I've grown to despise some, love others and there are some that I'm still not sure about. I look forward to reading book two. It's sure to be packed with tons of drama, mystery, jealousy and forbidden love. A great add to your tbr list. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Amber Daniels.
Author 3 books28 followers
August 12, 2015
I read the first one (waiting #1) now having read 1.5 I am freaking hooked I must purchase book 2 ASAP!!! The Adam's, O'Malley's, Douglas's, and we must not forget Millie. just keep getting more twisted. If another don't die soon, I think they will all explode from the twisted lies they have ALL told.
Profile Image for Trudy.
123 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2015
Ooohhh!! So loved this follow up to the waiting. Only one problem with it..........
Now have to wait for the next one, so want to know what is going to happen next with everyone as lots of stories up in the air and unfinished.

BRING ON THE NEXT INSTALLMENT PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE
Profile Image for Alex Locke.
22 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2015
The funeral is heartbreaking but... I am completely enthralled by this story line. It keeps me guessing and I can not wait to see where the characters are headed.
162 reviews
March 4, 2017
5 stars

Mishap by Elizabeth Burgess is the second book in the Counterplay series. It deals with love and loss and the healing that may come from the grief that follows. It's heartbreaking but beautiful. I love it!
Profile Image for Sofya Dolinko.
46 reviews7 followers
March 30, 2015
***this book was given to me by author in exchange for an honest review***
*while I try really hard not to have spoilers, sometimes it is hard to give an honest opinion without some spoilage"
5 stars and 2 thumbs up!

First of all you absolutely have to read the first book "The Waiting" in order to understand who is who and complicated relationship between characters.

This was great! Especially a good little extra between how first one ended and how second one is starting.
I still hate Millie but she showed her human side in this book.
Ari is still my favorite, but sometimes I wish she was more selfish.
And Greg, well he is just too good to be true :)

I have suspicions about this senator character, but maybe I am just being paranoid and expect some kind of twist everywhere now.



Can't wait to see what's in store in the second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
6 reviews5 followers
April 1, 2016
Continuing the saga of the Douglases, Adams, and O'Malleys, The Funeral is a heartfelt follow-up to The Waiting. This series is awesome.
369 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2017
review for author* I RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A HONEST REVIEW..

Loved it what amazing book. warning before reading this you need to read book 1 to understand whats going on.
This book had me all over the place yet again. very emotional, twisted friendships as also can't be any better. I need book 2 I need to know whats going to with Arianne she still my favorite out of all of them and so is Gregory.
Profile Image for Katy Birch.
471 reviews4 followers
March 28, 2017
Absolutely love this series.

Do we see the family coming together after a tradgedy or is it all a front? Do the build bridges or burn them down? The answer is, i honestly do not know, because when you suspect something you are wrong. This is why i love this series. Very unpredicable! Love it
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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