Deception

Deception is the first book in the Savannah Sizzle series. It kicks off in the thick of things in Bogotà, Columbia.

Acclaimed investigative journalist Olivia Lawrence Ward finds herself in hot water trying to uncover the truth behind a conspiracy linked to her godfather, CIA Agent Stuart Grady’s death. Her relentless probing leads to a deadly tangle with an assassin in her hotel room. Olivia finds herself at the mercy of the one man she had never wanted to see again when he rescues her from a Colombian cartel hitman: private security SPNI Agent Joshua Hunt, aka the one man who secretly married her and then annulled their nuptials behind her back.

Frequented by criminals, the uniquely located Hotel Abyss is situated on the edge of a ravine following an extensive landslide in the area. This setting provides for rather interesting and effective body disposal opportunities... if one happens to be faced with murderous henchman.

Armed with a photographic memory and a whole lot of grit, Olivia is determined to right the wrongs perpetrated against loved ones lost.

Following a trail to expose a black-market organ harvesting ring operating across multiple continents, Olivia finds herself in Bogotá, not far from where her godfather, CIA Agent Stuart Grady was brutally murdered. Reeling from his death and the perilous situation she finds herself in, Olivia teams up with Joshua and his boss, Sophia Parker.

Their investigation leads them to Olivia’s hometown of Savannah, Georgia, where even more dangers await, including dealing with the emotional fallout stemming from an ultra-conservative family she had avoided for months and kept in the dark about her marriage. 

Joshua, together with Sophia Parker, her sisters Cameron and Isabella, gifted hacker Lisa Montgomery and veterinarian Jack Foster help Olivia escape back to Savannah, Georgia. 

The time for reckoning comes in this first novel in the Savannah Sizzle series. Amid all this deception and untangling criminal conspiracies, Olivia has to come clean to her family while risking trusting others and rekindling her relationship with Hunt.

For Olivia Lawrence Ward, having a photographic memory can be a curse by which to relive harrowing past experiences, or a blessing to bring perpetrators to justice. Occasionally indulging in delectable naughty pleasures, this hardened Pulitzer prize winning investigative journalist has had her fair share of dealing with madmen, exposing corruption, and experiencing the trauma of surviving warzones first hand.

Still reeling from the brutal murder of her godfather, CIA Agent Stuart Grady, Olivia's world is thrown into disarray when her ex, Joshua Hunt, crashes his way back into her life, and in the process, saves her from certain death at the hands of a hired assassin. Together they navigate the tightrope of escaping from a Colombian cartel and uncovering the tangled web Olivia is caught in, all with the help of Hunt's colleagues at the private security firm, SPN Industries.

Only this time, the trail leads them out of the frying pan and into the fire as Olivia's conservative Savannah family contends with the news of her secret nuptials and meeting her longtime estranged ex-military husband for the first time.

As Managing Director of SPNI, Agent Sophia Parker's relaxing Bogotá weekend getaway with her family and friends becomes a chaotic mess when one of her operatives and the woman who scorned him find themselves in dire straits. Assisted by her friends, Deputy Sheriff Lisa Montgomery and Veterinarian Jack Foster, they use their wits to help Joshua Hunt outsmart powerfully connected adversaries.

Their intricate deception steers them to ultimately find refuge in the eastern seaboard rural town of Ravens Nest for the final showdown as the enemy tightens the noose. Following on from the Ravens Nest series, Deception is the first book in the Savannah Sizzle series. The characters face grave emotional consequences and encounter unexpected perilous situations due to their bygone past and decisions made long ago.

Alex Croft has lived and worked in healthcare in several countries, whilst traveling to many more. Drawing on life experience and exposure to different cultures, the author weaves aspects of psychology, medical treatment modalities, humanity, the power of conviction and intrigue into the story lines. 

A fan of different genres of fiction, the author incorporates elements of suspense, humor, romance, action, adventure and fantasy into contemporary writing to enhance the reading experience.