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Trade Secrets
TRADE SECRETS is the financial story that has never been told – it takes the reader on thetrading floor of the world’s largest Exchange where money was pocketed before a trade wasprocessed.
When Remy Masterman becomes a member of the Exchange to unearth the details about herfather’s car crash, she comes head to head with Zach Silverman, once her father’s partner andnow Chairman of the Exchange. During the crash of 1987 when Zach’s bagman, Jason, facesbankruptcy, his high-heeled wife, Sarna, learns to trade in order to save their mansion fromforeclosure. As the lives of these two women intersect, Remy falls in love with Ken Baldwin,never imagining how their careers will collide. Sarna begins a steamy affair with another traderwho turns out to be an undercover agent for the FBI during its probe into trading infractionsat the Chicago exchanges. When Jason’s clerk is pummeled, along with those investors whomisplaced their money with their faith, he and Sarna create a bold, sexy scheme to save Remyand rid the Exchange of those who try to get away with murder.
Kirkus says of Trade Secrets:
Rozner’s debut novel peeks into the high-powered world of insider trading.
Hoping to discover more about her father’s mysterious death in a car crash, Remy Masterman enters the secretive, male-dominated world of stock trading, where she learns to assert herself and value her femininity. Readers will be captivated by her journey, and also by the men whom she falls in love with and the conflicted, sometimes erotic relationships that develop between them. When Sarna, the high-strung wife of a fellow trader, joins the Chicago Stock Exchange, Remy at first feels as though she’s been displaced as the sole female at the Exchange. However, the women’s lives intimately intersect as a striking female friendship is born. With multiple storylines and finely tuned characters, the elegantly fashioned novel amounts to more than its pieces would suggest. Rozner skillfully creates complex, provocative characters, with particularly strong female leads. Women call the shots; Rozner subtly indicates that, although the stock exchange appears to be a man’s world, women possess an intoxicating, seemingly irresistible power: their allure. At times, however, the vivid, sometimes gratuitous sex scenes may distract readers from the well-crafted plot. Female characters—specifically Sarna and Rosa—utilize sex to achieve their goals, with men like putty in their hands. For instance, in one explicit scene, Sarna convinces her husband to let her trade stocks simply by having sex with him. For the most part, though, shrewd, sharp-witted intelligence parallels the steamy sensuality. Fans of Fifty Shades of Gray (2011) will approve.
A smart, sexy debut.
When Remy Masterman becomes a member of the Exchange to unearth the details about herfather’s car crash, she comes head to head with Zach Silverman, once her father’s partner andnow Chairman of the Exchange. During the crash of 1987 when Zach’s bagman, Jason, facesbankruptcy, his high-heeled wife, Sarna, learns to trade in order to save their mansion fromforeclosure. As the lives of these two women intersect, Remy falls in love with Ken Baldwin,never imagining how their careers will collide. Sarna begins a steamy affair with another traderwho turns out to be an undercover agent for the FBI during its probe into trading infractionsat the Chicago exchanges. When Jason’s clerk is pummeled, along with those investors whomisplaced their money with their faith, he and Sarna create a bold, sexy scheme to save Remyand rid the Exchange of those who try to get away with murder.
Kirkus says of Trade Secrets:
Rozner’s debut novel peeks into the high-powered world of insider trading.
Hoping to discover more about her father’s mysterious death in a car crash, Remy Masterman enters the secretive, male-dominated world of stock trading, where she learns to assert herself and value her femininity. Readers will be captivated by her journey, and also by the men whom she falls in love with and the conflicted, sometimes erotic relationships that develop between them. When Sarna, the high-strung wife of a fellow trader, joins the Chicago Stock Exchange, Remy at first feels as though she’s been displaced as the sole female at the Exchange. However, the women’s lives intimately intersect as a striking female friendship is born. With multiple storylines and finely tuned characters, the elegantly fashioned novel amounts to more than its pieces would suggest. Rozner skillfully creates complex, provocative characters, with particularly strong female leads. Women call the shots; Rozner subtly indicates that, although the stock exchange appears to be a man’s world, women possess an intoxicating, seemingly irresistible power: their allure. At times, however, the vivid, sometimes gratuitous sex scenes may distract readers from the well-crafted plot. Female characters—specifically Sarna and Rosa—utilize sex to achieve their goals, with men like putty in their hands. For instance, in one explicit scene, Sarna convinces her husband to let her trade stocks simply by having sex with him. For the most part, though, shrewd, sharp-witted intelligence parallels the steamy sensuality. Fans of Fifty Shades of Gray (2011) will approve.
A smart, sexy debut.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2012
29 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Holly Rozner
1 book13 followersHolly Rozner traded S&P options for five years and was a member of Chicago Mercantile Exchange for twenty-two years, serving on the Leasing, Member Services, and Finance Committee.
A native Chicagoan, Rozner was educated at a private girls’ school in an elite neighborhood where President Barack Obama now resides. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Speech from Northwestern University and was later granted a CPA certificate by the University of Illinois; she was a tax specialist before beginning to trade. Today, Rozner holds an insurance license, a real estate broker’s license and has retained her teaching certificate.
Her unique experiences in a male-dominated world inspired her debut novel Trade Secrets (October 2, 2012), a romance about two women whose lives intersect on a trading floor during the crash of 1987 and the subsequent FBI investigation into trading infractions at the Chicago exchanges.
Rozner spent many years leading Financial Education seminars for women. She and her husband of 47 years live in the northern Chicago suburbs, and have two daughters and four grand children.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 24, 2012
Smart, well-written women's lit meets Fifty Shades of Gray-sexy.
Read
February 25, 2023rtc
December 7, 2012
Trade Secrets by Holly Rozner
Page Count: 370
Release Date: 18 October 2012
Publisher: self-published
Source: Complimentary copy provided by JKS Communications in exchange for an honest and unbiased review as part of the Trade Secrets Virtual Book Tour
Prior to reading Trade Secrets, I didn't know a thing about the Exchange, but Rozner's dark, risky account has introduced me to a whole new fascinating, disturbing, and dangerous world.
The year is 1986 and Remy Masterman, a woman who believes she's seen enough of this world even though she's still in her fresh twenties, enters the Chicago Exchange with one mission: to discover the secret surrounding her father's sudden, obscure death—because she knows there is one. What she doesn't know is that the Exchange is enshrouded in sexism, savagery, and corruption, and it'll take more than her no-nonsense attitude and perseverance to see any progress. She refuses to use deceptive means because she's a classy woman—wholesome, kind, lovable—but in a market that can either make or break her, she's going to have to start using more than just her brains and beauty to get what she wants.
The infamous crash of 1987, known as Black Monday, sets back all of Remy's plans, but in return reveals some more intriguing ones from the corrupt offices of the Chicago market. I loved seeing this historical event fictionalized into a contemporary setting, then speculated upon. I'm a glutton for based-off-true-story fiction, and appreciated Rozner's insider perspective on the trade.
I felt the entire story, though, mostly the plot and all the characters, is too idealized, and not just in the "good" way. The main character is too good, the villain is too bad, and the ending just perfectly predictable. There are bumps in the road, but by the first half of the book, it's clear who will win and who will lose.
Character-wise, Sarna is probably the only one who has dimension, the only one who is admittedly shallow—a weakness all humans struggle with—and the only one whose complexity I really felt and really think is experienceable. She's sinfully deceptive and wicked smart, but she learns a few things upon entering the Exchange, which shapes her into a more genuine person. This rawness, honesty, and slow development make her the only dynamic character in the entire book. Off of that: Remy is too goody-good—there's nothing negative or even self-depreciating about her, ever—and that makes her dislikable. But she's a strong, self-assured woman who (although being perfectly gorgeous and intelligent and successful) has her own career and relationship struggles, like the best of us do. She's well-portrayed, just not very fleshy... not very human.
I think Rozner spent way too much time and detail on the wrong aspects. There are paragraphs describing just what the interior of a room looks like, or what someone's meal consists of, or what Sarna is wearing, which makes the book drag on profusely. 370 pages is moderate for a full-length novel, but it's excessive when it could have been written better in 270. I also don't think she was meant to write erotic scenes; she should stick to a strictly literary voice. Sensuality, she pulls off well, but the explicit scenes are just awkward. I felt like I was reading a teen fanfic or a porn script. Not erotic at all. Case in point:
and
Case closed. Trade Secrets could have done (and probably would have done better) without the sex, just leaving the sexy. When sex scenes become forced, the classy, crafty plot automatically turns foul. However, I did enjoy Sarna's sexual exploits... there are a few men she pursues throughout the book, and while her manipulation is utterly detestable, it's utterly thrilling at the same time.
Stylistically, Rozner's voice is smooth and reads chick-lit. Nothing phenomenal, but still easy on the eyes.
The ending is way too rushed! The climax is complicated and scintillating, and the falling action engaging, but the conclusion is too abrupt as if the author suddenly realized she had run out of her 370-page limit and squeezed in the entire resolution into two pages. I was left hanging with many of the characters, but wasn't at all impressed. There are two ways you can leave readers hanging: by indicating there will be a sequel to keep them coming for more, and by insufficiently urging things too quickly. Rozner did the latter; based on the conclusion that dispenses a "happy ending" but doesn't elaborate, I am in no way am I inclined to read a sequel (not that there even is one) yet I'm still left in the dark about many of the little plot holes. Leaves a sour taste in my mouth—all the suspense, all the drama... it was all for nothing. NOTHING!!!
Don't mind me, though. Really.
Love: As much as [Remy] needed a career and the feeling of success that came with it, she also needed people in her life. Making money can get a person only so far.
Only people can make you feel real.
Pros: Real, relatable emotions conveyed // Fascinating concept // Sharp commentary on the American Exchange // Penetrating insight on relationships and friendships // Sarna is a masterfully deceptive, dynamic character // Sensual // Easy read
Cons: Shallow, annoyingly idealized characters // Just so-so in style // Drags on a lot—370-page count unnecessary // Predictable // Awkward and misplaced erotic scenes // Hasty, unsatisfying ending with inadequate closure
Verdict: If you wouldn't be too psychologically distressed by a disgruntling ending, be sure to try Trade Secrets because the thrill and danger of the Chicago Exchange—a backdrop I've never encountered in literary fiction before—is worthy of stepping into, and bidding highly on.
7 hearts - Not without flaws, but overall enjoyable.
Page Count: 370
Release Date: 18 October 2012
Publisher: self-published
Source: Complimentary copy provided by JKS Communications in exchange for an honest and unbiased review as part of the Trade Secrets Virtual Book Tour
Prior to reading Trade Secrets, I didn't know a thing about the Exchange, but Rozner's dark, risky account has introduced me to a whole new fascinating, disturbing, and dangerous world.
The year is 1986 and Remy Masterman, a woman who believes she's seen enough of this world even though she's still in her fresh twenties, enters the Chicago Exchange with one mission: to discover the secret surrounding her father's sudden, obscure death—because she knows there is one. What she doesn't know is that the Exchange is enshrouded in sexism, savagery, and corruption, and it'll take more than her no-nonsense attitude and perseverance to see any progress. She refuses to use deceptive means because she's a classy woman—wholesome, kind, lovable—but in a market that can either make or break her, she's going to have to start using more than just her brains and beauty to get what she wants.
The infamous crash of 1987, known as Black Monday, sets back all of Remy's plans, but in return reveals some more intriguing ones from the corrupt offices of the Chicago market. I loved seeing this historical event fictionalized into a contemporary setting, then speculated upon. I'm a glutton for based-off-true-story fiction, and appreciated Rozner's insider perspective on the trade.
I felt the entire story, though, mostly the plot and all the characters, is too idealized, and not just in the "good" way. The main character is too good, the villain is too bad, and the ending just perfectly predictable. There are bumps in the road, but by the first half of the book, it's clear who will win and who will lose.
Character-wise, Sarna is probably the only one who has dimension, the only one who is admittedly shallow—a weakness all humans struggle with—and the only one whose complexity I really felt and really think is experienceable. She's sinfully deceptive and wicked smart, but she learns a few things upon entering the Exchange, which shapes her into a more genuine person. This rawness, honesty, and slow development make her the only dynamic character in the entire book. Off of that: Remy is too goody-good—there's nothing negative or even self-depreciating about her, ever—and that makes her dislikable. But she's a strong, self-assured woman who (although being perfectly gorgeous and intelligent and successful) has her own career and relationship struggles, like the best of us do. She's well-portrayed, just not very fleshy... not very human.
I think Rozner spent way too much time and detail on the wrong aspects. There are paragraphs describing just what the interior of a room looks like, or what someone's meal consists of, or what Sarna is wearing, which makes the book drag on profusely. 370 pages is moderate for a full-length novel, but it's excessive when it could have been written better in 270. I also don't think she was meant to write erotic scenes; she should stick to a strictly literary voice. Sensuality, she pulls off well, but the explicit scenes are just awkward. I felt like I was reading a teen fanfic or a porn script. Not erotic at all. Case in point:
Joey's sticky semen floated inside of her.
and
The money made [Joey] sooooooooo sexy.
Case closed. Trade Secrets could have done (and probably would have done better) without the sex, just leaving the sexy. When sex scenes become forced, the classy, crafty plot automatically turns foul. However, I did enjoy Sarna's sexual exploits... there are a few men she pursues throughout the book, and while her manipulation is utterly detestable, it's utterly thrilling at the same time.
Stylistically, Rozner's voice is smooth and reads chick-lit. Nothing phenomenal, but still easy on the eyes.
The ending is way too rushed! The climax is complicated and scintillating, and the falling action engaging, but the conclusion is too abrupt as if the author suddenly realized she had run out of her 370-page limit and squeezed in the entire resolution into two pages. I was left hanging with many of the characters, but wasn't at all impressed. There are two ways you can leave readers hanging: by indicating there will be a sequel to keep them coming for more, and by insufficiently urging things too quickly. Rozner did the latter; based on the conclusion that dispenses a "happy ending" but doesn't elaborate, I am in no way am I inclined to read a sequel (not that there even is one) yet I'm still left in the dark about many of the little plot holes. Leaves a sour taste in my mouth—all the suspense, all the drama... it was all for nothing. NOTHING!!!
Don't mind me, though. Really.
Love: As much as [Remy] needed a career and the feeling of success that came with it, she also needed people in her life. Making money can get a person only so far.
Only people can make you feel real.
Pros: Real, relatable emotions conveyed // Fascinating concept // Sharp commentary on the American Exchange // Penetrating insight on relationships and friendships // Sarna is a masterfully deceptive, dynamic character // Sensual // Easy read
Cons: Shallow, annoyingly idealized characters // Just so-so in style // Drags on a lot—370-page count unnecessary // Predictable // Awkward and misplaced erotic scenes // Hasty, unsatisfying ending with inadequate closure
Verdict: If you wouldn't be too psychologically distressed by a disgruntling ending, be sure to try Trade Secrets because the thrill and danger of the Chicago Exchange—a backdrop I've never encountered in literary fiction before—is worthy of stepping into, and bidding highly on.
7 hearts - Not without flaws, but overall enjoyable.
July 19, 2023
Not very deep
This is the first book I read by this author. Unfortunately it was not well written. While there was an attempt to develop some of the characters it was never clearly defined. I was actually surprised when I realized at the end of the book it had taken place over 2 years. There were dates mentioned but did not make it into the meat of the story. Topic was interesting and probably would make a really good book if they kept it to fewer characters and they were better developed.
This is the first book I read by this author. Unfortunately it was not well written. While there was an attempt to develop some of the characters it was never clearly defined. I was actually surprised when I realized at the end of the book it had taken place over 2 years. There were dates mentioned but did not make it into the meat of the story. Topic was interesting and probably would make a really good book if they kept it to fewer characters and they were better developed.
October 9, 2017
U
Loved the book, use to work in investments so it was easy to follow what was going on, in the pit.
Loved the book, use to work in investments so it was easy to follow what was going on, in the pit.
September 20, 2019
I really liked this book, growing up in New York I was very informed about the stock market. This book gave me a good perspective about the pit and the secrets to trading legal and illegal.
October 13, 2012
Trade Secrets by Holly Rozner
I have always been fascinated by what happens in the pit and I do own stocks and bonds but leave it to others to know when to trade or sell them so I thought this would be a good detailed book to read all about the processes.
REMY MASTERMAN had lost her father to the Exchange and now she was there to try to learn the secrets it held and why her father, Harry Saks had taken his life.
Her husband Stuart was too busy to devote much time to her. He forbade her to buy a seat to trade but she did anyways and walked out on him.
In college she had studied the theater and knew all the background things to getting one on stage, fell in love and got dumped. She changed her major, dated Stuart and married him.
The book also follows Joey Fortunato as he was introduced to Zachary Silverman-her dad's boss, as Joey learns the business. His path crosses Remy's a few times...
The book also follows Jason Branson, his private and his public life and as his path crosses with Remy.
Remy gets distracted by Jason Branson and agrees to go to the dance with him. Joey watches out for her on the floor as others are taking advantage of her so he tries to teach her about the pit and trading.
Love the detailed descriptions of places surrounding where she is walking to, how a room is set up, etc
Love how she handles the problem with being the only female on the floor, it got all of their attention.
Ken and her love for him got in the way after her return from Paris with Lara.
Monet gardens and the bridge brought them together as he photographed her. His real job is a consultant in financial circles.
They do spend time together, meeting in each others towns for a weekend. After the crash as she watched others lose everything they had
she took some time away and thought more about her plan of investigating about her father.
There is a major twist at this point and the story just takes off from here as we learn what is to come next you can't help but feel scared for Remy.
The crash effects everybody's' life's and she finds out Ken has a secret that he can't even share with her once he moves to Chicago.
The other plan takes hold and it pans out. The enormity of the layers of deception are revealed at last...
What a super read, travel, romance, some sex, and the action and travel, what a great combination for a super good book to read!
I have always been fascinated by what happens in the pit and I do own stocks and bonds but leave it to others to know when to trade or sell them so I thought this would be a good detailed book to read all about the processes.
REMY MASTERMAN had lost her father to the Exchange and now she was there to try to learn the secrets it held and why her father, Harry Saks had taken his life.
Her husband Stuart was too busy to devote much time to her. He forbade her to buy a seat to trade but she did anyways and walked out on him.
In college she had studied the theater and knew all the background things to getting one on stage, fell in love and got dumped. She changed her major, dated Stuart and married him.
The book also follows Joey Fortunato as he was introduced to Zachary Silverman-her dad's boss, as Joey learns the business. His path crosses Remy's a few times...
The book also follows Jason Branson, his private and his public life and as his path crosses with Remy.
Remy gets distracted by Jason Branson and agrees to go to the dance with him. Joey watches out for her on the floor as others are taking advantage of her so he tries to teach her about the pit and trading.
Love the detailed descriptions of places surrounding where she is walking to, how a room is set up, etc
Love how she handles the problem with being the only female on the floor, it got all of their attention.
Ken and her love for him got in the way after her return from Paris with Lara.
Monet gardens and the bridge brought them together as he photographed her. His real job is a consultant in financial circles.
They do spend time together, meeting in each others towns for a weekend. After the crash as she watched others lose everything they had
she took some time away and thought more about her plan of investigating about her father.
There is a major twist at this point and the story just takes off from here as we learn what is to come next you can't help but feel scared for Remy.
The crash effects everybody's' life's and she finds out Ken has a secret that he can't even share with her once he moves to Chicago.
The other plan takes hold and it pans out. The enormity of the layers of deception are revealed at last...
What a super read, travel, romance, some sex, and the action and travel, what a great combination for a super good book to read!
November 10, 2013
Overall, "Trade Secrets" is a good novel. After Remy Masterson's father is killed in an accident, she decides to become a trader at the Chicago Exchange to learn more about his life and what she suspects was not an accident that killed her father. Being a woman, she's not accepted in the boys club that is the Exchange, and when she notices irregularities, her suspicions about her father's death are heightened.
I liked this book, and as I said, overall it is a solid mystery/thriller. Little things about the novel annoyed me. Some of the sex scenes were not really needed for the plot of the novel. The other big thing that annoyed me was the sudden shifts in scenes. The reader had the impression that two characters were alone in the office and suddenly, a third person was there without it being set up. Or there would be an internal monologue and then it would suddenly be a conversation with someone else.
In the end, I would recommend this book to others, and I would look for other books by the same author.
I liked this book, and as I said, overall it is a solid mystery/thriller. Little things about the novel annoyed me. Some of the sex scenes were not really needed for the plot of the novel. The other big thing that annoyed me was the sudden shifts in scenes. The reader had the impression that two characters were alone in the office and suddenly, a third person was there without it being set up. Or there would be an internal monologue and then it would suddenly be a conversation with someone else.
In the end, I would recommend this book to others, and I would look for other books by the same author.
April 15, 2013
Having a background in accounting, a love for the market, this book was phenomenal. This book gives a view of how outrageous the 80's were. Millions were made and lost on the floor of the stock exchange.
Unfortunately lives were also list over the corruption in the trading of stocks. Remy is bent on discovering who was behind the death of her beloved dad. Going into the lions den with no idea what to expect, Remy finds out that there are many layers to her fathers world.
This was a well written and researched novel. It was a fast read for me. I couldn't put it down! Highly suggest this book to anyone.
Unfortunately lives were also list over the corruption in the trading of stocks. Remy is bent on discovering who was behind the death of her beloved dad. Going into the lions den with no idea what to expect, Remy finds out that there are many layers to her fathers world.
This was a well written and researched novel. It was a fast read for me. I couldn't put it down! Highly suggest this book to anyone.
August 31, 2013
The story has a lot of potential and the premise is good, but the most the characters are flat. There were a few minor characters that I could connect with but the main character was especially weak. The story made some big leaps through the plot. Several times I thought, how did we get here? Almost like the book was missing chapters.
One character that did stand out was the trading floor. That was a character the author spent time helping us get to know. Great detail here. Enough for the outsider to understand but not too much to bore you.
I think this book could have been great with better content editing
One character that did stand out was the trading floor. That was a character the author spent time helping us get to know. Great detail here. Enough for the outsider to understand but not too much to bore you.
I think this book could have been great with better content editing
September 2, 2013
I enjoyed Holly Rozner's "Trade Secrets" due to my having traded on the foreign exchange market, and like other reviewers, they thought they'd probably glean some of the inner workings in the pit. And boy, did we ever! It seems like an obvious thing that could occur (inner circle trading) but sometimes I need to be hit over the head in order for it to sink in.
As for the blurb saying fans of 50 Shades would appreciate it, well, I couldn't get past page 50 of Fifty Shades... but I managed to 'get through' Holly's book... so I'm not sure if her reference in the blurb could put some readers off.
For a debut, I thought it was great. Well done, Holly!
As for the blurb saying fans of 50 Shades would appreciate it, well, I couldn't get past page 50 of Fifty Shades... but I managed to 'get through' Holly's book... so I'm not sure if her reference in the blurb could put some readers off.
For a debut, I thought it was great. Well done, Holly!
January 6, 2013
I do not know anything about finance or the stock market and have less desire to learn after ready this book. However, the writing is good and kept me involved. There was enough characters to keep my interest although I felt that only the main character had any depth. The others were developed very little but this may have been deliberate as these characters were shallow and only cared for money.
September 27, 2012
A page-turner that will keep you thinking (about corruption, sexism, second chances, and karma) even after you've recovered from the suspense. A great debut!
February 11, 2013
Interesting idea, but far too many details about trading...I skipped a lot.
February 18, 2013
The character development was inconsistent and naive, which caused the overall storyline to fall flat. I wanted it to be abetter read than it was.
June 30, 2013
Made it to chapter 5 and had to quit, which I rarely do. The story was inconsistent as well as character development. I felt like I was missing information from chapter to chapter.
October 19, 2013
Very good story on the stock market
March 27, 2014
Interesting read
Full of insider trading, scandals, romance, greed, even murder. worth a look. I read this book in one sitting, couldn't put it down.
Full of insider trading, scandals, romance, greed, even murder. worth a look. I read this book in one sitting, couldn't put it down.
January 19, 2013
Financial markets are always interesting especially if set in the town where you live.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews