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Chasing Cleopatra: A Novel of Love, Betrayal, and Suspense
To the untrained eye, Cleopatra Gallier appears to lead a charmed life in Honolulu’s paradise. She is impossibly beautiful, clever, wealthy and…trained to kill. When she enters into a love affair with the much younger, irresistibly handsome rogue, Jake Regan, she finds herself colliding with an intricate terrorist plot. Her secret past, like Hawaii’s smoldering volcano, is ready to erupt. In the four days leading up to Christmas, two stunning betrayals and a terrorist attack threaten to reduce her and the island she loves to ashes. As Cleopatra’s deadly skills are put to the test, she must first untangle the devastating secrets of her past. Don’t miss this debut novel, a gripping page-turner from acclaimed American actress, playwright, author Tina Sloan.
400 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2020
About the author
Tina Sloan
4 books47 followersTina Sloan is best known for her 26-year-role on CBS’s soap opera Guiding Light and as the author of Changing Shoes: Getting Older – Not Old – with Style, Humor and Grace, based on her autobiographical one-woman show. Some of Sloan’s most notable on-screen appearances include roles in Law & Order: SVU, Third Watch, Celebrity, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, The Brave One, Changing Lanes, The Guru, People I Know, and Black Swan. Her latest projects include being part of an all-star cast on the soap web series Beacon Hill and Venice, and she continues to be a sought-after speaker. She divides her time between Florida and Maryland with her husband of 44 years, where they enjoy time with their son, his wife and 2 grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 7, 2019
Love this one so much I blurbed it! Tina is the dearest of friends and a fabulous writer. Once upon a time we worked together at Guiding Light. Tina brings the drama and heart that she has onscreen to the page.
January 11, 2020
Cleopatra "Cleo" Gallier is a local TV host in Hawaii.
She is a beautiful, alluring woman in her mid 40's. A childhood trauma has left her mentally scarred, she secretly trains as a Krav Maga fighter to be able to defend herself in any situation.
She's only been in love one time, and he died in a tragic accident.
But Cleo loves her life in Hawaii, she keeps busy with her friends, family and hobbies.
Right before Christmas she is involved in a fender bender with Jake Regan, a handsome younger man. He is visiting the island with his family for the holidays. He immediately falls for Cleo and the passion they share is mutual.
But he neglects to let Cleo know that his girlfriend Julia is on her way to join them for the festivities.
Jake's father Tripp is an undercover CIA agent, his family is unaware of what he does, believing he is a dedicated businessman.
His latest mission involves finding information about a terrorist plot that could have devastating effects on the island.
This mix of romance and suspense thriller kept me captivated! A bit different than my usual genre read, I found this to be delightful and intriguing!
The characters were amusing and charming.
And the mystery had some excellent twists I did not see coming.
I'm so glad I had the chance to read this, I hope it might be the first of a series, Cleopatra is definitely someone I would like to hear more about.
Thank you to Lindsey at Smith Publicity for the ARC copy to review.
She is a beautiful, alluring woman in her mid 40's. A childhood trauma has left her mentally scarred, she secretly trains as a Krav Maga fighter to be able to defend herself in any situation.
She's only been in love one time, and he died in a tragic accident.
But Cleo loves her life in Hawaii, she keeps busy with her friends, family and hobbies.
Right before Christmas she is involved in a fender bender with Jake Regan, a handsome younger man. He is visiting the island with his family for the holidays. He immediately falls for Cleo and the passion they share is mutual.
But he neglects to let Cleo know that his girlfriend Julia is on her way to join them for the festivities.
Jake's father Tripp is an undercover CIA agent, his family is unaware of what he does, believing he is a dedicated businessman.
His latest mission involves finding information about a terrorist plot that could have devastating effects on the island.
This mix of romance and suspense thriller kept me captivated! A bit different than my usual genre read, I found this to be delightful and intriguing!
The characters were amusing and charming.
And the mystery had some excellent twists I did not see coming.
I'm so glad I had the chance to read this, I hope it might be the first of a series, Cleopatra is definitely someone I would like to hear more about.
Thank you to Lindsey at Smith Publicity for the ARC copy to review.
December 4, 2020
Cleopatra Gallier appears to lead a charmed life in Honolulu’s paradise. She is impossibly beautiful, clever, wealthy and...trained to kill.When she enters into a love affair with the much younger, irresistibly handsome rogue, Jake Regan, she finds herself colliding with an intricate terrorist plot. Her secret past, like Hawaii’s smoldering volcano, is ready to erupt. In the four days leading up to Christmas, two stunning betrayals and a terrorist attack threaten to reduce her and the island she loves to ashes. It’s definitely a page turner. Less than ten minutes later, three agents arrive. This isn’t the first time I found myself within an inch of my life, but it is the second time my family has been involved. First in their own deaths in the helicopter and now a hundred yards from the attempt on mine.“Two of the agents are dressed as ambulance workers. They lift the bellhop’s body from his ankles and underarms onto a stretcher and tuck his corpse in a black body bag as if he were just a regular Joe who died of normal causes. They wheel him away on the concrete toward an ambulance they drove here in.” This is a great book.
January 10, 2020
Tina Sloan has created an extraordinarily suspenseful and passionate plot in Chasing Cleopatra, enhanced with rich personalities and myriad unanticipated twists. Set in the naturally dramatic setting of Hawaii, Sloan skillfully unpeels the layers of her story through the alternating perspective of six highly developed characters. Although the time frame is only over 5 days, you feel as if you have known the personalities for generations, especially the complex, sophisticated and magnificent Cleo Gallier. The rhythm of the book and its well-researched plot add to the complexity of the characters. The author switches voices each chapter, ending each one with a mini-cliffhanger, with bits of dangling threads that get tied up, after many surprises along the way, at the book’s conclusion. And that conclusion (this is not a spoiler alert) hints at the promise that Sloan may, in a sequel, provide us with the thrill of revisiting Cleo and the chaos, passion, and mystery that are a part of her exotic and dangerous world. Readers should hope so - it's a great read.
April 18, 2021
It was an interesting and surprising read. It's a novel about mystery, betrayal, love and so more!
I have to say, I wasn't a fan of the book at the beginning, maybe because of the way it started with Jack and Cleo.I ended up liking how the story developed with its own surprises. All the characters were interesting and the end was so unexpected.
I have to say, I wasn't a fan of the book at the beginning, maybe because of the way it started with Jack and Cleo.I ended up liking how the story developed with its own surprises. All the characters were interesting and the end was so unexpected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2020
You won't be able to put this book down! Chasing Cleopatra will keep you in suspense to the end. It has mystery, suspense, love, betrayal, great character development and unexpected plot twists all unfolding in a tropical paradise. Sloan does a terrific job creating very different voices for each of the characters in her first work of fiction. Bravo and can't wait for the sequel!
January 4, 2020
Loved reading this wonderful book! So well written and I loved the characters. Actually I had trouble putting it down. And was sad when it was over. I’m hoping for another book about these fascinating characters. This would make a fabulous film. MJ
January 1, 2020
Great read. Interesting characters and unexpected plot twists.
December 20, 2019
This book is a wonderful mix of romance, suspense, mystery, and thriller. The author tells her story through several points of view, each voice distinctive (Julia's chapters often had me laughing out loud), and most chapters end with a cliffhanger. The book is a true page-turner; I couldn't put it down. And the ending is very rewarding. Maybe a sequel is in the works...?
December 11, 2019
Now this is a GOOD READ !! Well written, fast paced …..hard to put down. Grabs you in the first chapter ! You will love the characters.
Love, Intrigue, Mystery....a little bit of everything. I highly recommend this book !
Love, Intrigue, Mystery....a little bit of everything. I highly recommend this book !
March 28, 2020
Incredible. Exciting. Well crafted plot. You can never anticipate what's next. It's always a surprise. Characters have depth. Tina Sloan creates real people. The book should come with a warning label: once you start reading you can't stop until the end.
April 28, 2023
“The world laughs in flowers.♡”
The scene where Cleo met Jack is kind of cliché. But then, clichés are fun. It's like a meet-cute. I thought I had it all figured out from the first chapter. That wasn't the case. Instead, I was delightfully surprised.
It was easy to assume that Cleo was strong willed perhaps because of her martial arts skills. My first thought was that she is going to be a badass FL. And I was right!!!!
The book wasn't honestly what I expected at all. It surpassed my expectations by far. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. It had everything I wanted, twists, revelations and suspense!!!
The perfect word to describe this book will be beautiful.
Before I read it, I wondered how everything would be entangled. Especially with the promised suspense.
I'm so glad that it worked out so well. It's such a good read.
And oh boy!!! There was definitely suspense. 😂
I saw that there will be a sequel, and I can't wait.
On the other hand, Cleo's monologue is impressive. I mean, the first person POV was properly utilized here. There are enough dialogues to complement the monlogues. Just the right amount. The best part is how this POV was utilized.
I feared that it would be hard to keep up with the characters, but that was not the case at all. Infact, I enjoyed reading from so many different perspectives. It gave me a deeper insight to their characters.
The book is sort of a wake up call to reality for me. It reminds me that it's not always black and white and that there's grey too. The characters aren't perfect, and it makes it somewhat relatable.
The ending too was perfect. Overall, it's a very good read I will recommend to anyone.
Solid four stars.
Ps: I was given an arc copy in exchange for this review, but my review remains unbiased. It's sincerely an interesting read.
The scene where Cleo met Jack is kind of cliché. But then, clichés are fun. It's like a meet-cute. I thought I had it all figured out from the first chapter. That wasn't the case. Instead, I was delightfully surprised.
It was easy to assume that Cleo was strong willed perhaps because of her martial arts skills. My first thought was that she is going to be a badass FL. And I was right!!!!
The book wasn't honestly what I expected at all. It surpassed my expectations by far. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. It had everything I wanted, twists, revelations and suspense!!!
The perfect word to describe this book will be beautiful.
Before I read it, I wondered how everything would be entangled. Especially with the promised suspense.
I'm so glad that it worked out so well. It's such a good read.
And oh boy!!! There was definitely suspense. 😂
I saw that there will be a sequel, and I can't wait.
On the other hand, Cleo's monologue is impressive. I mean, the first person POV was properly utilized here. There are enough dialogues to complement the monlogues. Just the right amount. The best part is how this POV was utilized.
I feared that it would be hard to keep up with the characters, but that was not the case at all. Infact, I enjoyed reading from so many different perspectives. It gave me a deeper insight to their characters.
The book is sort of a wake up call to reality for me. It reminds me that it's not always black and white and that there's grey too. The characters aren't perfect, and it makes it somewhat relatable.
The ending too was perfect. Overall, it's a very good read I will recommend to anyone.
Solid four stars.
Ps: I was given an arc copy in exchange for this review, but my review remains unbiased. It's sincerely an interesting read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2019
***I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review***
What an unexpected book!
At first i didn’t think this book was for me but I’m glad I continued reading past the first few chapters. Then it had me hooked until the end as there were so many twists and turns and convoluted storylines.
It had my racing a few times and it captured the true meaning to love in some twisted sense.
I’d recommend.
What an unexpected book!
At first i didn’t think this book was for me but I’m glad I continued reading past the first few chapters. Then it had me hooked until the end as there were so many twists and turns and convoluted storylines.
It had my racing a few times and it captured the true meaning to love in some twisted sense.
I’d recommend.
October 28, 2024
As a muslim reader this book reflects islamophobia at its finest . The stereotype of muslims as terrorists and extremities in western culture is so obvious in the book strategy and ideology through a thrilling story. I am very disappointed of this book. Besides the white supremacy takes a part as well through the all white characters against brown ones. Telling half of truth is considered a lie as well. Not all revets are brainwashed like the book telling and not all the muslims are terrorists. actually most of them now suffering from USA terrorist policies in their countries that the book doesn’t mention that eaither and pictures as CIA only working for the benefit of the world. There is no honesty of telling the whole perspectives of the reality.
December 2, 2019
This is a really fun book, filled with lots of twists and turns. All the characters are well developed and you end up liking some and really disliking others! It's a page turner set in beautifully described Hawaii. It's well-written and highly entertaining.
October 3, 2024
It's Honolulu, 2011. Cleo, our main character, has a TV show called Close Encounters, in which she interviews guests. Additionally, Cleo is purveyor of a type of martial arts also used by the Israeli Defense Force. She's an active, beautiful woman. She manages to have an automobile accident with a younger man named Jake Regan, with whom she somehow commences a steamy romance. When Jake offhandedly mentions a girlfriend, Cleo does the unexpected, inviting the girlfriend Julia and Jake's family to dinner. The plot thickens when it's revealed that Jake's father, an international operator, is having interaction with Mohammed Rahman, a member of Al Qaeda. The first attempt on Jake's family's lives occurs when Mohammed uses a glock in an attempt to take down the family's leased helicopter. Mohammed knocks out the pilot, but Tripp is able to momentarily take over the aircraft and keep the family safe. As is earlier previewed, however, Mohammed's principal target later becomes Cleo. Thus, a novel of romance and betrayal becomes also a story of international intrigue, and Cleo is up to the task.
Author Tina Sloan employed a couple of interesting techniques in spinning this tale. She parceled out sections of the story to the several characters, presenting from Cleo's viewpoint, then Julia's, then Miranda's (Jake's mother) and Tripp's, and even Mohammed's. The setup worked quite well. I guess I was most impressed by the level of insight that the various characters showed about Jake's budding relationship with Cleo - Tripp didn't pay a lot of attention, Cleo purposefully tried to cut Julia out, Julia was angry but not really knowledgeable about what Jake was doing with Cleo, but Miranda had a handle on the whole situation. Balancing those levels of insight required some real skills as an author.
I guess it's clear that I preferred the romantic part of the book to the action, but there's plenty of both.
Author Tina Sloan employed a couple of interesting techniques in spinning this tale. She parceled out sections of the story to the several characters, presenting from Cleo's viewpoint, then Julia's, then Miranda's (Jake's mother) and Tripp's, and even Mohammed's. The setup worked quite well. I guess I was most impressed by the level of insight that the various characters showed about Jake's budding relationship with Cleo - Tripp didn't pay a lot of attention, Cleo purposefully tried to cut Julia out, Julia was angry but not really knowledgeable about what Jake was doing with Cleo, but Miranda had a handle on the whole situation. Balancing those levels of insight required some real skills as an author.
I guess it's clear that I preferred the romantic part of the book to the action, but there's plenty of both.
August 1, 2020
Thank you to Booktasters and Tina Sloan. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
What was most impressive to me about this story was the style of writing.
The author wrote each chapter from a different character’s viewpoint. Normally that occurs with two characters, but this book had four or more characters to keep track of! Cleo, Jake, Mohammed, Julia, Miranda and Tripp. I feared this would not go well, but after a few chapters, I caught the flow and eagerly anticipated the next chapter/character. Despite each chapter coming from the viewpoint of a different character, the story flowed well.
Set in Hawaii, the story starts with Cleo practicing Krav Maga, an intense, Israeli self-defense and deadly fighting system. Most women would take up calming yoga, but not Cleo. She’s training with a Navy Seal. So what happened to this woman? Who is she? She’s not just the rich, partying socialite and TV host she portrays to everyone.
Leaving in her yellow convertible, Cleo starts looking for her migraine medication while she’s backing up, not paying attention to her driving. Cleo crashes her yellow convertible into a vacationer’s rental Jeep. A random accident, or is it? This seemingly innocent accident sets off a course of events with Cleo and the vacationer (Jake) that not only brings them together for a hot & steamy present, but also brings together their families, a shared past, and a new future.
The foreshadowing is very subtle, I almost didn’t catch some. All of the seemingly innocuous story lines come together, and Cleo comes to grips with her past, creating a new future. Looking forward to reading the sequel!
What was most impressive to me about this story was the style of writing.
The author wrote each chapter from a different character’s viewpoint. Normally that occurs with two characters, but this book had four or more characters to keep track of! Cleo, Jake, Mohammed, Julia, Miranda and Tripp. I feared this would not go well, but after a few chapters, I caught the flow and eagerly anticipated the next chapter/character. Despite each chapter coming from the viewpoint of a different character, the story flowed well.
Set in Hawaii, the story starts with Cleo practicing Krav Maga, an intense, Israeli self-defense and deadly fighting system. Most women would take up calming yoga, but not Cleo. She’s training with a Navy Seal. So what happened to this woman? Who is she? She’s not just the rich, partying socialite and TV host she portrays to everyone.
Leaving in her yellow convertible, Cleo starts looking for her migraine medication while she’s backing up, not paying attention to her driving. Cleo crashes her yellow convertible into a vacationer’s rental Jeep. A random accident, or is it? This seemingly innocent accident sets off a course of events with Cleo and the vacationer (Jake) that not only brings them together for a hot & steamy present, but also brings together their families, a shared past, and a new future.
The foreshadowing is very subtle, I almost didn’t catch some. All of the seemingly innocuous story lines come together, and Cleo comes to grips with her past, creating a new future. Looking forward to reading the sequel!
Read
March 2, 2020Well dang, I power read this book! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book as it isn’t my typical read, but I’m really glad I gave it a chance! This year I have really focused on reading outside of my comfort zone and so far it has served me well! At this point last year I was already in the middle of my first slump, but this year I continue to be excited for what I’m going to read next!
Cleopatra is a wild character! She’s older, so I wasn’t sure if I would connect with her, but she lives with a young vivacity! I found myself overly amused with her antics and I am here for her living life to its fullest! I have been in a romance mood lately, so I’m glad that I read this book now! It had enough romance mixed with some spy intrigue that I was engaged throughout the whole book.
This story flits between the main characters, and while I was more intrigued with some, I was impressed with how the multiple POVs helped draw everything together. I have to admit that before the whole terrorist plot was introduced I could tell which character was going to be plugged in for that plot, but then again I’m usually really good at “guessing” things like this. HOWEVER, this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story!
You can view my full review on my blog! I post a wide range of reviews!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
Cleopatra is a wild character! She’s older, so I wasn’t sure if I would connect with her, but she lives with a young vivacity! I found myself overly amused with her antics and I am here for her living life to its fullest! I have been in a romance mood lately, so I’m glad that I read this book now! It had enough romance mixed with some spy intrigue that I was engaged throughout the whole book.
This story flits between the main characters, and while I was more intrigued with some, I was impressed with how the multiple POVs helped draw everything together. I have to admit that before the whole terrorist plot was introduced I could tell which character was going to be plugged in for that plot, but then again I’m usually really good at “guessing” things like this. HOWEVER, this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story!
You can view my full review on my blog! I post a wide range of reviews!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
February 20, 2020
Let me start by saying I jumped at the chance to read Chasing Cleopatra when I found out who the author was! I'm gonna show my age when I tell you I used to watch this lady every single day after school on the much missed soap opera Guiding Light on CBS. She played the amazing character of Lillian Raines and I just adored her so how could I not have my interest peaked to read this?
I wasn't disappointed at all! The story has virtually everything one could ask for from suspense and romance to thrilling betrayals and envy. We have action from the start and it just keeps picking up steam and tossing us twisted plots in more ways than one!
I was into all the characters especially the way the author gives them each a voice with alternating chapters between them. It gave me a better understanding of what each was doing/thinking and their feelings and all but naturally I was totally into Cleo's character. She knew what she liked and dared to go after it. She's had some rough patches and heartaches she's been trying to work thru in her life and they are revealed thru out the story. I enjoyed her and just hopped on and went along for the ride as she not only had what she thought was gonna be a brief fling with a vacationing Jake but what quickly turns into more than any of them would ever realize! So many surprises and twists! I LOVED it!
*I was given a free copy of this February 2020 Debut for an honest review.
I wasn't disappointed at all! The story has virtually everything one could ask for from suspense and romance to thrilling betrayals and envy. We have action from the start and it just keeps picking up steam and tossing us twisted plots in more ways than one!
I was into all the characters especially the way the author gives them each a voice with alternating chapters between them. It gave me a better understanding of what each was doing/thinking and their feelings and all but naturally I was totally into Cleo's character. She knew what she liked and dared to go after it. She's had some rough patches and heartaches she's been trying to work thru in her life and they are revealed thru out the story. I enjoyed her and just hopped on and went along for the ride as she not only had what she thought was gonna be a brief fling with a vacationing Jake but what quickly turns into more than any of them would ever realize! So many surprises and twists! I LOVED it!
*I was given a free copy of this February 2020 Debut for an honest review.
February 19, 2025
This review is written in connection with Booktasters!
Did I read a romance novel titled Chasing Cleopatra? Guilty as charged.
Did I think I was going to hate it? Guilty as charged.
Did this novel become a guilty pleasure of mine to read during the cold nights of January and February? Guilty as charged.
In all, I thoroughly enjoyed Tina Sloan's Chasing Cleopatra. It is escapist literature at its finest, romance in an exotic location, and some spy intrigue where the characters act on their desire and live out their fantasies, all wrapped into one.
Admittedly, at the outset, I was skeptical and even asked, "What am I doing reading this?" However, it didn't take long until I was invested in the characters and their relationships and lost in a Hawaiian paradise. If someone had taken a picture of me as I read, I would've probably resembled a meme of someone inhaling a bucket of popcorn as the story's drama unfolded.
I grew to strongly dislike Jake Regan and his father, Tripp for their questionable morals and "like father like son behavior," but appreciated all of the twists their connection with Cleopatra took over the course of the story. I felt sorry for Miranda and Julia. I was absorbed and just kept turning page after page. Even the foiled terrorist plot, which ultimately, given the relationships in the book, became a sidebar for me, was inventive with its location and timing.
I all, this was a welcome surprise am looking forward to digging in to the next book in the series, Chasing Othello.
Did I read a romance novel titled Chasing Cleopatra? Guilty as charged.
Did I think I was going to hate it? Guilty as charged.
Did this novel become a guilty pleasure of mine to read during the cold nights of January and February? Guilty as charged.
In all, I thoroughly enjoyed Tina Sloan's Chasing Cleopatra. It is escapist literature at its finest, romance in an exotic location, and some spy intrigue where the characters act on their desire and live out their fantasies, all wrapped into one.
Admittedly, at the outset, I was skeptical and even asked, "What am I doing reading this?" However, it didn't take long until I was invested in the characters and their relationships and lost in a Hawaiian paradise. If someone had taken a picture of me as I read, I would've probably resembled a meme of someone inhaling a bucket of popcorn as the story's drama unfolded.
I grew to strongly dislike Jake Regan and his father, Tripp for their questionable morals and "like father like son behavior," but appreciated all of the twists their connection with Cleopatra took over the course of the story. I felt sorry for Miranda and Julia. I was absorbed and just kept turning page after page. Even the foiled terrorist plot, which ultimately, given the relationships in the book, became a sidebar for me, was inventive with its location and timing.
I all, this was a welcome surprise am looking forward to digging in to the next book in the series, Chasing Othello.
March 5, 2025
“Chasing Cleopatra” is a captivating and surprising novel by the talented author Tina Sloan. This book offers more than just an ordinary romance story; it provides a rich and detailed background that keeps readers constantly curious about each subsequent chapter. One of the most striking aspects of this novel is the use of points of view (POV) from every character. This is a new experience for me, as novels usually only present the POV of the main male and female characters. However, Tina Sloan cleverly presents the perspectives of all the characters, adding depth and complexity to the story.
Cleopatra, as the main character, truly steals the spotlight. She manages to win the hearts of both “father and son” in a completely unexpected plot twist. This is a delightful surprise and showcases Tina Sloan’s skill in crafting an intriguing story. Additionally, Cleopatra has a child from her first love, adding layers of emotion and drama to the narrative.
Overall, “Chasing Cleopatra” is an extraordinary work, and I am eagerly anticipating the second book. This novel not only offers an engaging romance but also surprises that keep readers wanting more. It’s a highly recommended read for those who enjoy stories with multiple perspectives and unexpected plot twists!
Cleopatra, as the main character, truly steals the spotlight. She manages to win the hearts of both “father and son” in a completely unexpected plot twist. This is a delightful surprise and showcases Tina Sloan’s skill in crafting an intriguing story. Additionally, Cleopatra has a child from her first love, adding layers of emotion and drama to the narrative.
Overall, “Chasing Cleopatra” is an extraordinary work, and I am eagerly anticipating the second book. This novel not only offers an engaging romance but also surprises that keep readers wanting more. It’s a highly recommended read for those who enjoy stories with multiple perspectives and unexpected plot twists!
August 29, 2020
This novel is full of suspense . It hits me when Cleo was lying towards loving someone that she has a mission but suddenly she became closed to the person. It’s a betrayal for loving someone but you’re on a mission and you just fall to the person because of what the persons act when you’re with that person. I’ve experienced that kind of love that the one I love just keeping acting that he is falling in love with me but because he just wants me to do her projects. I am so stupid that days. And I remembered it all when I read this novel Chasing Cleopatra. But this mystery of betrayal keeps you breathless and guessing until the very last page. You can never anticipate what's next. It truly is a novel of intense love and intriguing suspense and betrayal. I highly recommend this book ! this book had four or more characters to keep track of! Cleo, Jake, Mohammed, Julia, Miranda and Tripp. I feared this would not go well, but after a few chapters, I caught the flow and eagerly anticipated the next chapter/character. Despite each chapter coming from the viewpoint of a different character, the story flowed well. Cleo comes to grips with her past, creating a new future.
January 4, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I liked the multiple points of view, the multiple plot lines, and the interesting characters, like Jake (good looking but still a child), Matt (with his mild Asperger’s and blunt observations), and Tripp (with a secret life and even more secret past) and Miranda (like the sunflower, who follows Tripp, her sun, and blooms when he’s around). Then there’s Julia, the jilted girlfriend, and Ricky, the youngest son. All of them are draw into the “Venus flytrap” that is Cleo.
Cleo is the epitome of white upper class fantasy. In fact, there was too much of the white upper class fantasy in this book — private jets, independently wealthy people, white roses everywhere, perfect weather, perfect bodies, etc. etc. She’s a woman of mystery who practices Krav Maga but still eats pancakes.
The early parts of the book made me groan and roll my eyes. So many cliches and impossible-to-believe behavior. (She’s a TV personality, but she only works three days a week?) But pretty soon the plot takes over, and it is suspenseful and fun at the same time.
The worst part of this book? The names. Pudge and Pudding? Tripp, Miranda, Cleopatra, Tree, BeBee, Sandrine, Peach, Jimbo…
Cleo is the epitome of white upper class fantasy. In fact, there was too much of the white upper class fantasy in this book — private jets, independently wealthy people, white roses everywhere, perfect weather, perfect bodies, etc. etc. She’s a woman of mystery who practices Krav Maga but still eats pancakes.
The early parts of the book made me groan and roll my eyes. So many cliches and impossible-to-believe behavior. (She’s a TV personality, but she only works three days a week?) But pretty soon the plot takes over, and it is suspenseful and fun at the same time.
The worst part of this book? The names. Pudge and Pudding? Tripp, Miranda, Cleopatra, Tree, BeBee, Sandrine, Peach, Jimbo…
October 24, 2020
I was given an ARC to write an honest review. This is what I think about it:
I give this story 4/5 stars. The book has a very unique way of telling us the story, by multiple voices. By multiple voices I mean that it is in first person, but from the point of view of many of the characters that have something important to add to Cleo´s life. I liked that, although I admit it took me a while to get usedto the writer´s style, but now I appreciate what she´s done, so I give her effort a high mark.
Cleopatra meets Jake, and then everything changes for her. Jake has a girlfriend, Julia, who doesn´t have a clue about the sexual relationship between Cleo and Jake. Jake and his family (parents and two brothers) are on vacation with him, so we get to know them, at least the parents. There is something about Jake that seems off from the beginning, and Tripp, his father, is good at hiding secrets from his family...
Many fascinating characters that appear in Cleo´s life, changing it forever. I was intrigued by the conexions between them, and by what appears to be a love triangle. The author managed to keep me interested and had my complete focus for hours. Life made me have to wait to finish this surprising and quite adventurous book.
It is a good book, with surprises throughout it. Please, give it a chance. I am glad I did.
I give this story 4/5 stars. The book has a very unique way of telling us the story, by multiple voices. By multiple voices I mean that it is in first person, but from the point of view of many of the characters that have something important to add to Cleo´s life. I liked that, although I admit it took me a while to get usedto the writer´s style, but now I appreciate what she´s done, so I give her effort a high mark.
Cleopatra meets Jake, and then everything changes for her. Jake has a girlfriend, Julia, who doesn´t have a clue about the sexual relationship between Cleo and Jake. Jake and his family (parents and two brothers) are on vacation with him, so we get to know them, at least the parents. There is something about Jake that seems off from the beginning, and Tripp, his father, is good at hiding secrets from his family...
Many fascinating characters that appear in Cleo´s life, changing it forever. I was intrigued by the conexions between them, and by what appears to be a love triangle. The author managed to keep me interested and had my complete focus for hours. Life made me have to wait to finish this surprising and quite adventurous book.
It is a good book, with surprises throughout it. Please, give it a chance. I am glad I did.
February 9, 2020
I received this book from @smithpublicity to read for review. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Chasing Cleopatra by Tina Sloan. Cleopatra Gallier, known to friends as Cleo, lives a charmed life on the island of Hawaii. She owns her estate paid for by an inheritance, has a spot on the island's tv with her own talk show, and is impossibly beautiful. One day, one small fender bender, and her life as she knows it comes unraveled. Four days before Christmas she discovers the person she trusted the most would betray and try to kill her, the person she thought was long gone resurfaces, and the person she's fallen in love with is betraying his girlfriend. In true soap opera fashion we are whisked into a world of complicated romances, betrayals, and terrifying moments of near death. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Twitter @jason_stacie, Facebook, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Amazon, and my blog at readsbystacie.com
August 19, 2024
Chasing Cleopatra is a beautifully woven book that depicts how much fate toys with us at times, I couldn't put it down until I finished it once I started reading. Told from viewpoints of many characters, the book describes how much of a small world we live in.
The Regan family is a truly dynamic family with a father who works undercover with the government, a mother who puts everyone first, a narcissistic first son, an average second son and an autistic son as the last born. Throw in Cleopatra, a beautiful woman with a lot of secrets and a bit of history with Tripp Regan and things become very interesting.
My favorite character is Cleopatra, I like how confident and the ready to take on the world persona her character depicts. The book is suitable for people looking to read thrillers and I think people of all ages can read too.
The book is averagely paced with little mystery and drama so it's perfect for just relaxing or when in the mood for a soft hearted book.
The Regan family is a truly dynamic family with a father who works undercover with the government, a mother who puts everyone first, a narcissistic first son, an average second son and an autistic son as the last born. Throw in Cleopatra, a beautiful woman with a lot of secrets and a bit of history with Tripp Regan and things become very interesting.
My favorite character is Cleopatra, I like how confident and the ready to take on the world persona her character depicts. The book is suitable for people looking to read thrillers and I think people of all ages can read too.
The book is averagely paced with little mystery and drama so it's perfect for just relaxing or when in the mood for a soft hearted book.
October 15, 2024
You know a book is good when you find it so hard to drop it. I love how the author was blends romance, mystery and suspense, you just had to look forward to the next page. I'd say Cleo's a rather interesting character. A woman in her mid 40's living a fulfilled life as a local tv host, a good fighter with a pretty good life in an island in Hawaii. The story gets interesting when she meets Jake Regan, they have mutual love interests and they start something beautiful only for Cleo to be caught off guard at the mention of a girlfriend. The story also takes an interesting turn when a terrorist plot on the island is discovered by Jake's father.
The plot is well developed and the book is filled with the right amount of suspense with interesting personalities whose stories develop overtime. I must also commend the author's choice to tell the story from different points of view. I enjoyed reading every bit of Chasing Cleopatra, it was thrilling and exciting.
The plot is well developed and the book is filled with the right amount of suspense with interesting personalities whose stories develop overtime. I must also commend the author's choice to tell the story from different points of view. I enjoyed reading every bit of Chasing Cleopatra, it was thrilling and exciting.
September 8, 2020
*** I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.***
Tina's way with words and storytelling pulled me deep into this story. I instantly was drawn to the ethereal magic of Cleopatra Gallier. You know she breathtaking in every way because she is THAT woman.
Anyone else enchanted by the magic of Cleo? Seriously. I want to meet this woman! Her backstory is fascinating as well as the entanglement she was destined to be in.
If you're accustomed to reading stories written in the POV of characters - this book is written in that style. I enjoyed the plot development. It has a bit of everything, lust, passion, suspense, and heartbreak. I felt like a fly on the wall, knowing what’s brewing underneath the surface. I couldn't put the book down. I hope there is a sequel!
Thank you to Booktasters and Tina Sloan!
Tina's way with words and storytelling pulled me deep into this story. I instantly was drawn to the ethereal magic of Cleopatra Gallier. You know she breathtaking in every way because she is THAT woman.
Anyone else enchanted by the magic of Cleo? Seriously. I want to meet this woman! Her backstory is fascinating as well as the entanglement she was destined to be in.
If you're accustomed to reading stories written in the POV of characters - this book is written in that style. I enjoyed the plot development. It has a bit of everything, lust, passion, suspense, and heartbreak. I felt like a fly on the wall, knowing what’s brewing underneath the surface. I couldn't put the book down. I hope there is a sequel!
Thank you to Booktasters and Tina Sloan!
January 16, 2021
I read this book for an honest review.
This is the first novel I read for this author and I was not disappointed at all.
The characters are quite interesting, the fact that each chapter is written from a personage's perspective gives a more inclusive view of the events happening, and the access to the character's inner thoughts and feelings completes the image of each figure.
It's hilarious at some points and at other times it veers to cliché. Nevertheless, it's fast-moving, full of suspense. there isn't any dull moment and you're not tempted to skip.
In addition, I thought it would be nice to see a film adaptation of the book, put some faces to the characters, and when I read a bit about the author, I would definitely see it working.
Needless to say, I recommend Chasing Cleopatra.
This is the first novel I read for this author and I was not disappointed at all.
The characters are quite interesting, the fact that each chapter is written from a personage's perspective gives a more inclusive view of the events happening, and the access to the character's inner thoughts and feelings completes the image of each figure.
It's hilarious at some points and at other times it veers to cliché. Nevertheless, it's fast-moving, full of suspense. there isn't any dull moment and you're not tempted to skip.
In addition, I thought it would be nice to see a film adaptation of the book, put some faces to the characters, and when I read a bit about the author, I would definitely see it working.
Needless to say, I recommend Chasing Cleopatra.
December 10, 2024
I think this story is perfect for the holiday season—a tale where a family sets out to have a wonderful Christmas vacation in a really warm place, but in the end, it’s filled with drama and suspense. Not everything is as it seems.
This story truly captivated me; I loved the twists it took throughout the book. It’s a story full of mystery and adventure, as well as secrets that need to be revealed.
I would definitely add it to my list of Christmas reads. It has that perfect touch of excitement that makes it impossible to put down. Besides, Christmas always needs a bit of suspense, doesn’t it? Almost like trying to save an entire island or keeping your family away from temptation in person. I definitely want to read the next one.
Finally, thanks again to Booktasters for providing me wonderful books, like this.
This story truly captivated me; I loved the twists it took throughout the book. It’s a story full of mystery and adventure, as well as secrets that need to be revealed.
I would definitely add it to my list of Christmas reads. It has that perfect touch of excitement that makes it impossible to put down. Besides, Christmas always needs a bit of suspense, doesn’t it? Almost like trying to save an entire island or keeping your family away from temptation in person. I definitely want to read the next one.
Finally, thanks again to Booktasters for providing me wonderful books, like this.
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