Diamonds and Lies

by Inge-Lise Goss

Sparkling rocks, family secrets, and seductive liesMia’s advertising career masks a side job in the family business―the business is thievery and the competition kills. Partnering with her brother, Andy, Mia is drawn into a short timeline to plan a diamond heist to make good on Andy’s double-cross of the crime boss who hired him for the prior job.

A Heist That Her Brother’s Life Depends OnOpenly teasing the mark, Mia plays with the jeweler’s attraction to her, insinuating herself into his life, gaining his confidence. When Andy’s past threatens them both, Mia abandons the heist and disappears. The mark, under Mia’s spell, hides and protects her from danger. They are both in peril as her brother’s stalker closes in on them. Alternating between ecstasy and fear, she has to make a fateful decision.

Is she placing her trust in the wrong man? Can a relationship built on lies become real?Scroll Up and Grab Your Copy Today!

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2019

About the author

Inge-Lise Goss, a USA Today, Award-Winning Bestselling author, was born in Denmark, raised in Utah, and now lives in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon with her husband and their dog, Ted. She spends most of her time in her den writing stories. There, with her muse by her side, her imagination has no boundaries, and her dreams come alive. When she’s not pounding away on the keyboard, she can be found reading, rowing, or trying to perfect her golf game, which she fears is a lost cause.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

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[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inge Lise Goss has written a romantic suspense that lives up to the genre in spades. I love a good heist story and I’m always a sucker for romance, so this story was impossible for me to put down. My favorite part: Mia Sloan. Loved this character, the way she loves her brother, the way she tries to do the right thing, her spunk and the way she goes with her gut when it comes to falling in love. All around fantastic read with a very satisfying ending.

[J.C. Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamonds and Lies, by Inge-Lise Goss, is a fast-paced, page-turning romantic mystery/thriller guaranteed to keep your eyes glued to the page.

Mia Sloan is hiding from her past. As the daughter of an unrepentant cat burglar, she has turned her back on the life of crime her father taught her to pursue life as an executive with a top-level ad agency. But her brother, also trying to go legit, cannot seem to keep away from the excitement of stealing diamonds.

When Andy’s past sins catch up to him, Mia slips back into her life of crime to find out who killed her brother.

From there, the story offers twists and turns, a bit of romance and a long night staying up past your bedtime.

The writing style is crisp, economical and tells the story within the space of two hundred pages. Ms. Goss is an excellent writer and this is my first encounter with her work. It will not be my last. Highly recommended.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The missing diamonds need to be replaced, or I’m toast.’

Nevada author Inge-Lise Goss was born in Denmark, raised in Utah and graduated from the University of Utah, magna cum laude. She and her husband live in the majesty of Red Rock Canyon and after a career as a certified public accountant, she drinks in the scenery and turns it into her novels.

Inge-Lise steps away from her very popular series – THE TEGEN SERIES, THE GWYNN REZNICK MYSTERIES – and offers a stand-alone novel that is one of her finest action adventure tales to date! Before getting to the story it is worth noting that for many readers and fans of thriller novels (and this is most decidedly a Thriller!), the opening pages of the book are key as to whether or not a novel is going to produce. Inge-Lise offers a prologue that will likely have you holding your breath - not really giving away the story to come, but setting a chilling mood that is stunning. She adds the aspect that she happens to be a very fine wordsmith in the way she incorporate natural atmosphere in lush prose. ‘Mia Sloan checked her watch, trepidation mounting as if she were checking a bomb’s timepiece while trying to defuse the explosive device. Andy’s call had awakened her early, wanting to meet for breakfast with his favorite sister. As his only sibling, Mia knew his modus operandi when he needed her help…’ Tension level established and the story progresses with finesse.

But on to the story, as offered by the author’s synopsis: ‘: Sparkling rocks, family secrets, and seductive lies. Mia’s advertising career masks a side job in the family business - the business is thievery and the competition kills. Partnering with her brother, Andy, Mia is drawn into a short timeline to plan a diamond heist to make good on Andy’s double-cross of the crime boss who hired him for the prior job. Openly teasing the mark, Mia plays with the jeweler’s attraction to her, insinuating herself into his life, gaining his confidence. When Andy’s past threatens them both, Mia abandons the heist and disappears. The mark, under Mia’s spell, hides and protects her from danger. They are both in peril as her brother’s stalker closes in on them. Alternating between ecstasy and fear, she has to make a fateful decision. Is she placing her trust in the wrong man? Can a relationship built on lies become real?’

For those fortunate enough to have read her other books the suspense ahead may not surprise, but for those for whom this is the first outing with Inge-Lise Goss beware. You are in for a terrifying adventure with more twists and turns than you can imagine, Highly Recommended.

[LUAYNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Excellent, clean writing. Plenty of intrigue and mystery. Did not figure out guilty person. Great surprise. Would love to read more adventures of main characters.

[Jimmy Jefferson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense murder romance all rolled into one

Diamonds and lies is a story by Inge-Lise Goss and is about a pair of thieves trained by their father to be skilled and evasive in the commission of the perfect thefts. Carlyle is the father and was caught, convicted, and then murdered in prison while protecting the identity of his children as accomplices. Mia and Andy have continued the family business with Mia using her beauty and seduction to distract while Andy uses his skills to slip in undetected and claim the loot. A double cross, stolen diamonds, and the mob create the perfect storm for these siblings to navigate. The story is fast paced and has plenty of action along with an unexpected interest in romance. I found the characters to be developed and the story kept my attention from the first page. A must read for the romance, action seekers. Check this one out and let me know what you think.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia and her brother, Andy, both have day jobs. She’s an advertising account executive and he owns an auto repair shop. But they make most of their money at their second job. They’re both skilled thieves. Andy sets it up and Mia keeps the mark distracted while he does the heist. Andy has a gambling problem and shorted a crime boss. To fix the problem, he needs to replace the shorted diamonds, quickly. Before the new job can be completed, another event catches up with him and finds they’re both in danger. Mia goes on the run. Her new mark tracks her down and claims he’ll protect her. She becomes torn between desiring the mark or fearing him.

This is an exciting, fast-paced novella. I thought I had the culprit figured out a few times, but like other books written by Inge-Lise Goss, she kept me guessing until the end with numerous twists and turns. I enjoyed this suspenseful read, and I highly recommend it.

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diamonds and Lies by Inge-Lise Goss is a great mix of mystery and romance as two siblings try to right a wrong. Mia is an advertising executive who has a side gig, and along with her brother Andy, must pull off the perfect scam in order to steal some diamonds. This is all to rectify Andy's double cross of a major crime boss. Of course Mia plays with the jeweler's heart, the mark, as she insinuates herself into his life. But of course there are complications, and that is where this book takes off. The author writes with authority, creating characters you actually care about. She also constructs a plot that is fast paced, fun to read, and downright exciting. Full of intrigue and suspense, this book will keep you reading until you finish the book in one sitting. Secrets, lies, and more will keep you guessing until you reach the satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend for a light yet suspenseful read.

[Amanda Jane]

Shorter story than usual..

I enjoyed it still but it wasn't as long as I wanted and therefore wasn't as in depth as Inge-Lise's other novels.. it's by no means a "short story" though!!

I guess now I have become addicted to her books I need a longer hit!!! 😂😜

[Casi McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Author Has My Attention

Wow. Romance, mystery, mafia, and an unexpected heist dropped in the heroine’s lap—bursting with action Inge-Lise Goss’s Diamonds and Lies grabbed me on page one and never let go. Her style drew me in and I love the touch of humor in her well-developed characters. This is the kind of book I search for. Total enjoyment, beautifully crafted, and lots of action. I highly recommend you pick up a copy and get ready for a one-sit read.

This author has my attention and I look forward to reading more from her.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting fast paced mystery that is full of intrigue and suspense along with action and romance. Lies, secrets, and plot twists will keep you guessing and turning those pages to see what happens next. Very well written plot with some awesome characters kept my interest throughout the book. One I definitely recommend to my mystery loving friends.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diamonds and Lies by Inge-Lise Goss

This was a really good one. The characters in this one are so believable, and lovable. They keep the mystery, even from each other. And that HEA, awesome!

*I read this as part of the Love Under Fire anthology

[Julie Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

This is a nice easy romance to read. Great for a quiet afternoon in the sun. I found the characters likeable and the writing great. The story flows nicely. Look forward to my by this author.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ad exec/thief and a private investigator fallin love amid, murders, lies and diamond. There are twists and turns but the puzzle pieces do fall into place in the end. Wonderful and adventurous read.

[Mona williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow talk about a amazing book! she has a side job as a thief. she charms her victims before the crime. only this time the job she is suppose to do with her brother goes wrong. you must read to find out what happens.

[Denise DeJonge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced adventure story that includes love, loss and ilea. Definitely an aptly named book. No clear way of knowing “whodunit” until the very end. Captivating!

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling read, suspense, romance adventure loads of action what more can I ask for in one story... Nothing lol Diamonds and Lies was a great read, highly entertaining I really enjoyed it.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia Sloane is a rising young advertising executive--and together with her brother, Andy Carlyle, a jewel thief. She mostly lives on her legitimate income, and uses her ill-gotten gains to build a nest egg for the future. But now Andy is in trouble; he went gambling with a part of a stash of uncut diamonds--and lost them, instead of winning big. Now he needs to have either uncut diamonds of the amount that he lost, or $5 million in cash, in just a week.

This doesn't leave time for their usual careful planning. Andy picks a target, the owner of a chain of jewelry stores, and sends Mia in to check the place, and the owner, out. As hoped, she connects with him, and gets both more information about the shop, and a date with the man, which will give her a chance to check him and the store's operations out further.

Soon, though, it becomes clear that something odd is going on. Someone is following Mia. Andy's criminal connections are suddenly distant. This whole situation may be not about Andy stupidly gambling with diamonds he stole for a far more dangerous criminal, but about Andy and Mia's father, Leo Carlyle, who hid a large stash shortly before he was arrested, tried, and sent to prison. Murdered in prison, Leo never told anyone, not even his kids, where the stash was hidden--but the local gangsters don't necessarily believe that.

Meanwhile, Mia is beginning to suspect that the man she met at the jewelry shop, the mark she's supposed to be playing, may be playing her.

The characters are interesting, and layered, and unexpectedly likable. I won't call the plot believable, but it's fun and exciting. I enjoyed it.

The narrator, though, is mixed. She has an excellent, clear voice, with good control--and repeatedly mispronounces words that aren't especially unusual. Every time it happened, it kicked me out of the story for a moment. I hope she works on that, because her voice is wonderful.

I won this audiobook in an author giveaway, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

[S.R. Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride!

What happens when the “inheritance” from your burglar daddy, Leo Carlyle, means you can’t help but continue on with his life of crime? Enter Mia and Andy Carlyle, who have both learned from the best, and because of that, for years they have been fully immersed in one successful caper after another. They have become expert on how to do their surveillance and stakeouts, how to scope out the most hidden security cameras, how to choose their meet-ups carefully––and how to hide their feelings well.

Starting out with an action-packed scene where Leo is caught, sent to prison, then meets foul play in there, we quickly move on to a well-planned diamond heist of their own. One that could very well backfire. The problem is, Mia’s “mark” in the case, Oliver LeMonte, soon makes things complicated. Is he really whom he claims to be? Does her strong attraction to him threaten to spoil Andy’s and her plans?

Twists and turns abound in this fast-paced book, as new revelations about their parent’s backgrounds threaten to expose and possibly kill even the most periphery of players. Will it all work out? Not so fast…just read it. I can assure you, you’ll be in for a fine, edge-of-your-seat time. Definitely recommended!

[Uvi Poznansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia’s Father trained her and her brother Andy in the family business: burglary. Before dying in jain, “Never come back for me,” he told his children. “I’ll be OK.”

So, despite her career a an advertising executive, Mia has a dark side and seductive skills, which she puts to use to help Andy plan his next heist, a lucrative diamond store on Fifth Avenue whose owner invites her to his home for a romantic dinner. Her curiosity extends to locating the safe in his home and spotting the security cameras.

Enter Vince. a private investigator who helps her track down Andy’s killer, who may have also killed his own cousin, Ethan. Despite her immediate attraction to Vince, she is reluctant to open up to him. “You were my mark. I don’t get emotionally involved with marks. When a job is done, so is whatever relationship I developed to obtain information.”

Diamond and Lies is a fast moving thriller about greed, crime, and love, with a fascinating main character.

Disclosure: I was first introduced to the Inge-Lise Goss’ work when we took part in the same box set, and bought her book with the expectation to be well entertained. Five stars.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mia has always tried to be different than her family and found her place in her advertising career. Her family however, is not ready to just let her walk away. When a lucrative heist comes up and Mia’s brother needs her help with it, he effectively guilts her into helping him on the “short” job. When Andy her brother gets into trouble with the mob, and Mia starts to develop feelings for Vince a Private Investigator, things start to heat up and Mia has to make the decision where she stands and who she will fight for.
This book was a quick and fun read, I enjoyed the character development that the author clearly spent time on. The tension between Vince and Mia was palpable and I really enjoyed the flirting and leading on that they both had going. The danger element from the mob felt a tad bit like a tired trope, but overall it still worked.

[Katie Mettner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing Family Mystery

Diamonds and Lies by Inge-Lise Goss was quite an adventure! There was intrigue, family secrets, loss, love, and revenge. Mia was an unusual protagonist that while you know you she isn't the most honest woman in the world, she does what she does because of her family. You want her to find happiness and you hope Vince is the one to bring it to her. Vince, while motivated to find his cousin's killer, can't help falling for the beautiful vixen who has the skills he needs to get the job done. This book is hard to review without giving spoilers because the intrigue is woven into the story from beginning to end. If you love a good diamond heist mystery mixed with romance, you'll want to read Diamonds and Lies.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful, twisting story. Mia is pulled back into the family's life of crime when her brother desperately needs her help. As she starts her quest to steal back some diamonds, her plans become disrupted. She finds that very few people are telling her the truth and she is scrambling to get what she needs and to decide who she can trust. And how long will her company put up with her claims of a sick aunt?

This is an exciting story of intrigue, desperation, deceit and maybe a bit of lust.

I enjoyed reading this story and I would recommend it for a mature reader.

I listened to an audio version of this book that I enjoyed. It was well narrated.

[Susan Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, mystery and romance

Inge-Lise Goss delivers a mystery with just the right amount of intrigue to keep you guessing until the end who the real bad guy is. A not so reformed thief teams up with a PI to find the murderer they both seek for different crimes, while throwing in a bit of larceny. The story is fast paced, with a strong, smart heroine and a good guy (for the most part) hero. The story resolution is very satisfying complete with a little twist at the end. Took a lot of willpower not to skip to the end. :)

[Karen Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this heist love story. It had everything you want in romantic suspense. I enjoyed the interplay between the H/h and the uncertainty of their house of cards. Can their love survive on the foundation of lies. What will happen with her brother? Will the family business become her legacy or her doom. This story was so exciting and fresh. I love the way you constantly felt the tension from page to page. Everything was heightened with the lies that were between them. I loved not knowing what was going to happen next. I can't wait to read more from this writer.

[Diane E]

Good story

Mia Sloan works for an advertising company , by day . Occasionally she helps her brother Andy with not so legal heists at night . She is suddenly involved with Oliver/Vince, jewelry store owner . She ends up in a few not so good places as she becomes threatened. As she looks into several bits of information she discovers a dark history and doesn't know who to trust .

[Alta Schwenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first read by this author, but definitely going back for more. Great story-line, with great characters.
Sufficient twists and turns with enough suspense to keep you glued to the pages. Definitely a keeps.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the narration from Natalie Disaster

Mia's brother needs help with the family business and so Mia agrees to help him. When her brother's past actions cause trouble for her, making Mia to give up her new job.
This is a romance, full of intrigue, suspense and tension.

[Latrese Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good, but the end felt rushed

I was fairly caught up in this book, and looked at how many pages were left with concern. The book hadn't reached its peak and I was almost out of story. Overall a good read

[M Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprise, and what a delightful introduction to this author!
Great mystery, lots of moving targets, plenty of action and drama. Who did it? Who could be trusted?
Once I started this book, I couldn’t stop!