PULL A FAST ONE? NOT ON THE SISTERHOOD'S WATCH ...
There are some things that a group of gracious ladies just can't overlook --- and doing one of their friends dirty is at the top of the list. That's the mission of the Sisterhood, seven women who would do anything to help out one of their clan, especially when it means righting a wrong. And Isabelle Flanders has definitely been done wrong.
Her former colleague, the conniving Rosemary, did everything in her power to ruin Isabelle, from framing her for a terrible drunk driving accident to stealing her fiance and her architecture firm. Now, Isabelle's formerly lovely life is in tatters while Rosemary scoops up the spoils. It's enough to make any friend's blood boil. Rosemary may think she's flying high, but she's about to tangle with the Sisterhood. And when the Sisterhood is on the case, revenge is swift, delicious, and oh-so-sweet ...
Fern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it. I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
This book in the series seemed unfinished. Fern Michaels normally cleans up the loose ends in the epilogue, but not this time. Did Isabelle keep the architect offices? What about Bobby, her ex? That was left unresolved. Fern even had an opening for Isabelle to explain her side of things and for Bobby and her to get on the same page about what happened, but instead she had Isabelle push him out the door and that's it. Case closed. A bit more time should have been spent on this one instead of trying to churn out the next book. I hesitate to continue the next in the series. Perhaps I need a break. Myra and Charles are getting on my nerves. How many times do I need to be reminded that they are the loves of eachother's lives.
Entertaining story. I’m still reeling from the deaths of the characters who were killed off in book four. I didn’t like this story as well as I did the previous stories, but it was a good revenge story.
I really enjoy Fern Michaels’ Sisterhood books. Moving onward to this 5th sequel, we follow the women as they avenge Isabell Flanders. She has lost her architecture company, her husband, and her dignity, all because of lies that her colleague, Rosemary, told several years ago. The Sisterhood really goes all out on revenge against Rosemary, weaving a complex plot to foil her once and for all.
As with all the Sisterhood books I’ve read so far, I found this one fun and enjoyable to read. While we are dealing with some pretty ruthless revenge-seekers in the Sisterhood, it’s still a very relaxing read for me. Fern Michaels had a wonderful way of painting Rosemary as a selfish, self-serving backstabber and because of that, it was enjoyable to read about her slow downfall into craziness while justice is served. A fast-paced book where you quickly get to know all the new characters’ complex personalities. Looking forward to reading book 6.
This book was funny, entertaining and interesting to read.
Linn met Nick Pemberton when she was seventeen. She had a week affair with him and ends up pregnant. When her abusive father finds out, he throws her out of their home. Linn tries to contact Nick but her letters were returned unopened.
19 years later, Linn takes Will her son, to NYU freshman orientation and sees Nick as one of the guest speakers. Linn decides to take revenge into her own hands but someone with a higher power may beat her in getting to Nick.
This one reminds me of an author who can’t make up her mind what story she wants to tell. Consequently the plot was poorly developed and the characters lacked depth. Time for a breather from these.
Characters: Isabella Flanders: lost it all when sick, cough medicine, driving with egotistical employee who had wine at lunch, ran a light, hit a car with mom, dad, baby, killing them all – Isabella first in a coma, then didn’t have memory when first woke up… employee claimed Isabella was driving… that Isabella stole blueprints she drew… jury found Isabella guilty and sentenced her to 10 years probation, community service, $200,000 architect license penalty, and architect license suspended… she lost her livelihood; employee sued her insurance, getting $2.5 million dollar settlement – and brother/grandmother got .5 million dollars – of which most went to lawyers; grandma put money away for college, but has trouble making ends meet.
Myra and Charles: working behind the scenes… Charles covertly (to the rest of the women – not Myra) goes out of town for a day… I think to put in place an exit plan in case of…
Nikki and Jack: Nikki still hiding Jack (though they live together when Nikki not at the farm)… Nikki gives Jack a plak naming him an honorary member of the Sisterhood… and Jack has trouble with Ted, who has taken up the banner of figuring out what the women are doing, and who turns his back on him when he finds out Jack lying about his relationship with Nikki… and jack struggles with his conscience again… but when push comes to shove, he has his ninja buddies on hand, and rushes in to save the day when the women’s plan goes astray – he stuns Ted & Maggie – he rescues Rosemary from the grave that is unexpectedly collapsing in the rain – he retrieves the tape recorder that has Rosemary’s confession – and sicks his ninja’s on the fbi gold shields trying to break up the party…
Maggie Spritz & Ted Robinson: though newspaper competitors, their relationship personally and professionally grows… they end up tackling the LOP – Ladies of Pinewood – together, spying, questioning, etc… and end up in the graveyard watching the women with Rosemary… and though Jack (they don’t know it was Jack) stuns them… they do an article that just focuses on Rosemary… hmmm The only illegal things the sisterhood does is to break into Isabella's house, and to drug her... hmmm
Rosemary Hershey: Isabella’s ex-employee; ambitious architect; takes advantage of Isabella’s coma and blames her for the accident that took 3 lives (no apparent remorse) and steals isabella’s drawings, but accuses Isabella of stealing them… Myra finances Isabella’s return – paying her penalty so she has her license back, getting her a big job designing a Kentucky-like breeding horse ranch, putting her into a high rent office; and Sisterhood makes it public that Isabella is back, and plans to reopen the cases against her… and then they daily mail Rosemary articles, etc about the accident, the court hearing, etc – and the plans she stole… driving Rosemary over the edge…
Bobby Harcourt: though at the time, tried to see Isabella… testified in her favor… didn’t believe her to be guilty… he ends up succumbing to Rosemary’s seduction and marries her… but they fight more often then not… they sleep in separate bedrooms… and Bobby decides it is time to buy her out of the partnership and to get a divorce… he brings Isabella a rubber plant tree (like she used to have in her office) and though he does try to discuss the past, Isabella simply says the past is in the past… I thought they might get back together.
FBI gold shields: for some unknown reason, they are following Jack and Ted… doesn’t seem to be related to jack’s getting them beat up… but it doesn’t seem to be on behalf of Charles… hmmmm
Yoko / Kathryn / Alexis: supporting the mission… Kathryn a bit snippy, Alexis goes to the grandmother and grandson, and figures out how to help them (with the money stolen from Rosemary’s safe)… Yoko’s husband has left her – to join a gay dance company… and Yoko is overjoyed (it was an arranged marriage).
Summary:
Rosemary falls apart (for one who masterfully took over Isabella’s life) … accepts blueprints for the horse farm (thinking her husband gave them to her as a peace offering?)… those plans are found to be stolen (ruining her reputation)… she asks her husband to come to her that night… she puts on a ballerina (with g-string) outfit – apparently a favorite sex outfit for him… the sisterhood drug her, take her to the cemetery where a 15 foot grave is dug… they put her inside, and tell her she is only getting out if she confesses… it pours down rain, the dirt turns to mud, and starts to slide into grave… the rope to pull her out breaks… jack comes to the rescue… and the next day, a bedraggled, wet, ballerina picture of her is in the newspaper saying she slipped into a grave while dancing in the rain… and she was admitted into a psych ward… hmmmm
Isabella has her life back!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Sweet Revenge by Fern Michaels Sisterhood #5 related series Men of the Sisterhood 249-page Kindle Ebook ends on 226
Genre: Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Featuring: Author's Bibliography, Washington, D. C.; Virginia, Architects, Lawyers, Wealthy Socialite, Injustices, Revenge Plot, Assault, Vigilantes Women's Club, Corruption, Sneak Peak for Secrets - Lost and Found #2 Blurb Only; Sneak Peak for Fear Thy Neighbor Chapter One
Rating as a movie: R for adult content including violence
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🍬🙃⚖️
My thoughts: This was a quick read but the side stories have become cumbersome, are the gold shields friends or foes? The ladies have been a little sloppy the whole time but now they're straight stooges, and the dialogue was cringier than usual. I might be done with this series after Alexis gets her revenge.
Recommend to others: Maybe. This is like an R rated cozy mystery.
Sisterhood 1. Weekend Warriors (2003) 2. Payback (2004) 3. Vendetta (2005) 4. The Jury (2005) 5. Sweet Revenge (2006) 6. Lethal Justice (2006) 7. Free Fall (2007) 8. Hide and Seek (2007) 9. Hokus Pokus (2007) 10. Fast Track (2008) 11. Collateral Damage (2008) 12. Final Justice (2008) 13. Under the Radar (2009) 14. Razor Sharp (2009) 15. Vanishing Act (2009) 16. Deadly Deals (2009) 17. Game Over (2010) 18. Cross Roads (2010) 19. Deja Vu (2010) 20. Home Free (2011) 21. Gotcha! (2012) 22. Blindsided (2013) 23. Kiss and Tell (2014) 24. Eyes Only (2014) 25. In Plain Sight (2015) 26. Point Blank (2015) 26.5. And the Angels Sing (2015) aka Wishes for Christmas 27. Crash and Burn (2016) Sisterhood Series: Books 14-15 (2017) 28. Need to Know (2017) 29. Safe and Sound (2018) 30. Cut and Run (2019) 31. Truth and Justice (2020) 32. Bitter Pill (2020) 33. 19 Yellow Moon Road (2021) A Golden Tree (2021) 34. Tick Tock (2022) 35. Rock Bottom (2023) 36. Backwater Justice (2024)
Michael's Sisterhood series is a great read for when you want something to just relax and unwind. I love the twists and turns these books take. Six women bond together to right the wrongs they have suffered at the hands of a justice system that is not always just. Myra, a grieving mother whose daughter is killed by a hit and run driver with diplomatic immunity. Nikki, a lawyer who was raised by Myra after her parents' deaths and was the daughter's best friend. Kathryn, a rough and tough truck driver who was raped by a group of weekend motorcycle "gang" member while her husband Alan (an invalid) is forced to watch. Alexis, an African American broker who is framed on embezzlement charges and spends time in prison. Julia, a plastic surgeon whose philandering husband (a U.S. senator) gives her HIV. Isabelle, a gifted architect who loses everything when a partner in her firm claims that she was drunk and behind the wheel when the car the partner is driving runs a stop sign and hits another car killing a family of three. And Yoko, a nursery owner whose mother was brought to the U.S. as part of a human trafficking scheme. Vigilantes at their best. As they say, "Karma is a bitch", and when the ladies of the Sisterhood get their sights on you, you better pray that their version of karma is a bit better than what you actually deserve. To add more delicious twists to the series plot, there's a DA who first tries to thwart the Sisterhood and then well, you read the first four books to discover what happens to him. Then there is the the intrepid reporter, friend of the DA, who just knows something illegal is going down and he is determined to uncover the scandal along with a gossip columnist from the same paper. 33 books in the series and this is just book #5. Now on to book #6.
Isabelle Flanders is the next one up for a Sisterhood revenge. Her former colleague, Rosemary Hershey, ruined her career and framed her for a drunk driving accident that left 3 dead. She also stole Isabelle's fiance. Now Rosemary will feel what it is like to lose it all.
I can't get enough of this series. The characters are great and the friendship they share is amazing. The tactics they use are brutal, but no one, usually, gets hurt physically. There have been a few rather violent revenge plans in the past. Isabelle deserves payback for what Rosemary did to her and I did feel a bit bad for her, but Rosemary's attitude toward everyone made that feeling dissipate over the course of the story. She is just a mean person who wants it all her way. Nikki and Jack are still together and Nikki has made him an official silent member of the Sisterhood. He ends up helping them, again, in his own special secret way at the end of the book. He may act like he's not comfortable with what the girls are doing, but I think he actually enjoys watching them do their thing. Each girl has her own special talent and they are all very resourceful. Charles is the main source of outside help and Myra handles the money side of it all, but I have no doubt that these girls would be able to find a way to continue their activities without their help. It would be less fun though.
OK so Jack is coming around somewhat! He is still torn on right from wrong and taking the law into your own hands. Isabelle was wronged by a co worker, she ended up loosing everything. When her name was pulled, she knew what she wanted. With the help of Charles of course her plans were set into action. Myra and Charles kind of set this one out, I mean they were there in the book, yet you didn't read about them as much. Nikki had to take a back seat as well because of Rosemary had went to her law firm to obtain a lawyer, and Nikki didn't want to be seen there. Love how Alexis can dress the woman up to play a part and do it exceptionally well. Yoko, even though she seems shy at times, she will get down to business and make you pay. Oh wait..............the part of the plan to get Rosemary to confess her crimes. Oh that was a doozy. I seriously thought Rosemary was a goner. Like the woman say "they are not murderers" This is where Jack pops in as well. He knew what was going to go down and he sat on the sidelines watching. When the 2 reporters from the Post show up, he sprung into action. It was nice to see that Isabelle got her revenge. I wonder if we will see if she kept her company that they created to help her get the justice she wanted. Plus how much more is Jack going to intervein before he is brought into the fold fully?
Not sure whether I had read this book.... But have read many after this.... Interesting to read an older one to see the old relationships. Do love this series....
There are some things that a group of gracious ladies just can't overlook --- and doing one of their friends dirty is at the top of the list. That's the mission of the Sisterhood, seven women who would do anything to help out one of their clan, especially when it means righting a wrong. And Isabelle Flanders has definitely been done wrong.
Her former colleague, the conniving Rosemary, did everything in her power to ruin Isabelle, from framing her for a terrible drunk driving accident to stealing her fiance and her architecture firm. Now, Isabelle's formerly lovely life is in tatters while Rosemary scoops up the spoils. It's enough to make any friend's blood boil. Rosemary may think she's flying high, but she's about to tangle with the Sisterhood. And when the Sisterhood is on the case, revenge is swift, delicious, and oh-so-sweet ..
Sometimes revenge is served best sisterhood style! When a hard-working architect is destroyed by the woman who was supposedly her right hand man, the sisterhood helps her bounce back. Framed for an alcohol fueled and run murder, her award winning design stolen, and her fiancé hoodwinked by another woman, Isabel has lost everything. Play by panic attacks and suffering from memory loss of the day in question, she can’t fight back in court. A jury finds her guilty and absolves her former friend of any wrongdoing. To add insult to injury, the architecture board has suspended her license to practice for five years or until she pays an incredibly steep fine. When she meets the ladies of the sisterhood, she is living in poverty, depending on food stamps and working a minimum wage job to pay her bills. The ladies decide to help her vindicate herself and help her take the best kind of revenge against her enemy, living well with a clean conscience.
Isabelle was a prestigious architect. Her partner Rosemary stole her design and took credit for her work. Rosemary even took her fiancé. Then, one afternoon, the two were-in a drunk driving accident. Rosemary was driving but said that it was Isabelle who had been driving drunk. People had been killed leaving a child orphaned. Rosemary sued Isabelle making her bankrupt. All the while, the orphaned boy was left with nothing. The Sisterhood exposed Rosemary’s lies and made her go insane in public. She also lost her architect license because the Sisterhood made it look like she stoleI Isabelle’s plans for the bid. Isabelle got her career and credibility back while Rosemary lost her architect firm and suffered mental illness.
In Sweet Revenge, Isabelle Flanders finally gets her justice. She had been a young and upcoming architect. She had already received two Architect of the Year awards and looked to be receiving number three this year. She had her own firm and her fiance, Bobby, worked along side her. They complemented each other very well. Then, they hired Rosemary and things went sour. Rosemary wanted everything Isabelle had and more. Rosemary dazzled Bobby and worked on his ego until she had taken his attention away from Isabelle. Then, she manipulated things so that it looked like Isabelle had stolen her (Rosemary's) work and tried to pass it off as her own.Isabelle lost her work, her firm, her fiance, and even her license. She could no longer work at what she loved.
Sweet Revenge: Revenge of the Sisterhood #5 by Fern Michaels, narrated by Laural Merlington is one of my favorite series. I have only listened to the audiobooks, mainly because the narration is amazing! I still cannot believe Laural Merlington is really only one person....wow! I highly recommend readers start at the beginning of the series to get an understanding of how and why the Sisterhood was formed. These books are outstanding, and I am highly confident you will thoroughly enjoy them. 5/5 stars across the board!
Thank you for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. Happy listening! :-)
Isabelle's time is here. Finally, she is going to get her revenge on the woman who stole not only her career and architecture firm but also her fiance. Years ago, Isabelle's colleague Rosemary framed her for a drunk driving accident that killed three people and ended her career. Isabelle was stripped of her license and blackballed. But with the help of Charles and the sisterhood, it's finally time for the truth of that day to come out. Watch out, Rosemary Hershey; justice is headed your way.
It's universally accepted that some women can be just as ruthless and shitty as men, as Michaels created a humdinger with this particular story.
Isabelle Flanders has finally gotten her revenge on Rosemary Hershey, by driving her crazy and getting her to confess that she was set up. The girls have completed another of their missions, but reporters Ted Robinson and Maggie Spritzer are always right behind them, every step of the way. Thanks to Jack and some of his friends, they were able to put them out of commission during the last part of the mission, so they wouldn't interfere. Now they are on to their next mission, to get revenge for Alexis, now that she is ready for it.
The Sisterhood is a diverse group of women who believe in the bond of friendship and justice needs to be served. Isabelle Flanders is an architect who has had her life ruined through no fault of her own. She was railroaded by a so called friend who destroyed her reputation, took over her architecture firm, stole her ideas and blueprints and said they were her and stole her husband. Isabella was destroyed by Rosemary and it has taken her along time to recover and exact her revenge. Enter the Sisterhood. Rosemary is going to be sorry she ever crossed Isabelle.
Another Psycho Drama Revenge This book is the fifth in a series that is based around a group of female vigilantes. These women have all been in a position where the law has not been just. They are determined to dole out justice and right some wrongs. This episode goes a step further by making the perpetrator doubt her sanity. It is perfect! For the most part, this is a clean book. There is no foul language, no bedroom scenes, and violence without gore. I have been reading these books in order and have found no reason to stop!
Sweet Revenge is the 5th novel in the series Sisterhood. It took a few chapters to figure all the characters, there are a lot, and how they all fit together. Wondering if I started from the first book it would have made sense earlier in this novel. This group of mostly women are vigilantes.
In this novel Isabella was a successful architect who lost it all by trusting her colleague who lied and cheated blaming the accident on Isabella. The Sisterhood wanted to make things right for Isabella so they set up a plan to get Rosemary to pay for her crime.
Actually the story gets a five. It's always great to get back at someone who's wronged you and these ladies do it in style and with flair. However the books are heavy into folks from previous stories. If it's been a while (as it has with me) since you read previous volumes and you've forgotten all the characters that went before, it gets really confusing. If you binge read from one volume to the next it probably works fabulously, but for me, I get lost and cease caring.
Thank you for my ARC of Sweet Revenge. This was a fast read. I felt like I was missing something with this tale of revenge. It might be because I have not read the first four books in this series. The plot was interesting but I felt like the characters were one-dimensional and I really needed a lot more in terms of their development. Normally I really like anything Fern Michaels writes. I look forward to reading more, just not this series.
The Sisterhood series is entertaining and makes you wonder what is going to happen next. I normally don't agree with vigilantism, but this series is entertaining and definitely not gruesome. You find yourself pulling for the sisterhood when they get in a bind, which often happens and enjoy the dynamics between the different characters. Thoroughly enjoying the series even though it's an older series
Too many contradictions in story. Isabelle was fined and lost license for accident, young father accused of running stop sign, Rosemary tried and acquitted. What's real story? Guests at dinner were to present invitation or be denied entry, but Rosemary was admitted without it. Or did she receive one even though she was not supposed to? Copy editors should have caught plot errors.
Seemed to be 2 flaws in the story. Plan was not to let Rosemary into the dinner at the Silver Swan without an invite but she was there, and no mention or follow up to the reporters on the scene at the revenge. Ending was too quick and did not seem to follow the plot up to that point. Love these books but this one seemed hurried at the end and cut short.