Liz Maverick Card Sharks

Card Sharks

Liz Maverick

NAL, Nov 2005, $12.95, 272 pp.

ISBN: 045121675X

In California, Marianne has a good job and a nice fellow, sort of; at least she has an "F"- buddy, but Donny has no thoughts about the future, and lives only for today. However, though she knows all this, she feels something is missing as there is no excitement in her life. Her best friend Bijoux echoes her sentiment of where the good men are, while stuck escorting the nephew of the neighbors around town.

When Donny comes by for a quickie before running off to play poker), Marianne realizes where the males hide. She and Bijoux invade the Texas Hold'em poker bastion. Marianne proves to be one of the best players, with men suddenly salivating for her. This includes Donny, who sees a different side to his former girlfriend and ex "F"-buddy, as he now wants to raise their relationship, while she apparently will fold unless he hopes she is bluffing.

CARD SHARKS is an intriguing chick lit tale that focuses on the hold that poker has on many people, with TV events and players, like actress Tilly winning tournaments, but is much more than just the card games. Marianne is a terrific individual, and though doing well, feels somewhat disenchanted, as she wonders who will enable her to want to get up early in the future. Bijoux supplements her as her best friend sharing some of the same concerns. The poker environment provides an environment for Marianne to capture some of the "va-voom" she feels is missing in her life. Though the ending is chick lit 101, fans will appreciate that Marianne's lessons in life require a balance between responsibility and pleasure that no bluff can attain.

Harriet Klausner