C.D. Ledbetter, Jingle of Coins

Jingle of Coins

C.D. Ledbetter

DJSTJ Press, 2004, 256 pp.

ISBN 1932014136

As she scores a job working for a director of special effects, Emily gets into a bad car accident. The doctors tell her she'll never be able to work as an artist; also, her hearing is enhanced so she has to wear hearing aids when she is in a place with loud noises. After she recovers, she goes to a casino and hears the sounds of the slots as it gets ready to make a big payoff. After going back to the casino twice more and walking away a winner, she decides she can build up a nest egg to buy a flower shop.

She moves from California to Las Vegas and meets Glen Craigure, who works security for one of the hotels. He saw her on the tapes at the California Casino. When he decides she's not doing anything illegal he tells her that he wants her to split the winnings with him or he will report her to the casinos. She agrees, and while working together to make sure she doesn't stick out in a crowd, the attraction between them blossoms, Emily's call girl neighbor Kate brings her to the attention of a dangerous criminal who wants something he thinks Kate gave to her.

C.D. Ledbetter is a very talented author whose romantic suspense tales are so good people will want to read them immediately. Glen is the heroine's love interest even though he has a touch of larceny in his heart but when the chips are down, he risks his life to protect Emily. Fans of Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz will find immense satisfaction in JINGLE OF COINS.

Harriet Klausner