About
Originally from Annandale, Virginia, Shelley Stout resides inCharlotte, North Carolina, where she enjoys spending time with her twogrown sons. She also enjoys volunteering at a local homeless shelter.Shelley is a contributing writer for Charlotte area magazines, and heraward-winning fiction has appeared in anthologies, The StorytellerMagazine and online at WordRiot.
Betrayal (Alex and Cassidy) (Volume 2)
Description
<p>There is no one to trust in Nancy Ann Healy’s thrilling new novel, <i>Betrayal</i>.</p><p>FBI agent Alex Toles is relieved to return to work at the NSA after a frightening on-the-job ordeal. Her life partner, Cassidy O’Brien, and Cassidy’s seven-year-old son, have also been instrumental in healing Alex’s wounds.</p><p>But their peace is short-lived when they discover that their good friend—and President of the United States—John Merrow, has been assassinated.</p><p>Little do they know, however, that President Merrow’s death is just the beginning. Even as Alex and Cassidy are forced to confront the loss of their friend and the ramifications that will have on the global stage, they must cope with problems much closer to home.</p><p>Battling intolerance over the nature of their romantic relationship and long-hidden secrets within their families, Alex and Cassidy must confront the truth of their pasts in order to build the future they seek.</p><p>On top of it all, they must confront a conspiracy that spans multiple governments, intelligence agencies, diplomatic services, and international corporations if they are to finally discover the truth about the mysterious group known as the Collaborative—and about themselves.</p>
Story Behind The Book
In the early 20th century, radium was considered a miracle cure-all. Doctors prescribed it for many ailments, and patients believed it was safe.
In the 1920s, young women factory workers in Ottawa, IL, painted the numbers on luminous watch and clock dials with paint made from radium. They were taught to dip their brush tips into the paint, and then for a sharp point, place it between their lips. Scores of women died from this practice. This is their story.
Reviews
<h4>Batt Humphreys, former senior producer for CBS News and author of Dead Weight:</h4>
<p>"Shelley Stout debuts with a novel of characters as compelling as
the true story it covers. Like a good reporter, she follows the facts.
In this case she not only uncovers a story little known, but more
importantly she reveals in her characters, the humanity of a tragic
tale."</p><h4>Red Adept's Kindle Book Review Blog</h4>
"5 Stars......this was a novel to tug at the heart."<br /><br /><h4>The Historical Novel Review</h4>
"At turns humorous, feisty, and heartrendingly childlike, [main character] Helen’s narrative voice is powerfully blunt."<br /><p></p>
