Reviews of Jingle of Coins by C.D. Ledbetter
If you're looking for a good suspense thriller, pick up a copy of JINGLE OF COINS and go inside the underbelly of gambling casinos.
After a horrific car accident, Emily Sane loses her ability to paint. The accident also did something to her hearing, causing even the slightest noise to be too loud to bear. Then she discovers she can hear when the slot machines are about to pay out in the casino.
Glen Craigone thinks Emily is cheating, but doesn't know how. He moves into the same apartment complex to try and figure it out, but then decides to blackmail her into splitting the winnings with him.
Neither one of them counted on getting in the middle of an FBI operation where Emily's next door neighbor, Kate, a high class call girl, is being used as an informant. The FBI lost three agents, and they think Mike Dragonisi knows what happened to them--Kate is the FBI's inside girl. When the operation goes bad, Mike targets Emily and marks her for death.
JINGLE OF COINS is a refreshingly different kind of romantic suspense. The hero and heroine are less than squeaky clean where the rules are concerned, which makes them a perfect couple and the romance between them satisfying. I would love to see this couple in a follow-up novel and find out what happens to them in the Witness Protection Program. Read JINGLE OF COINS and you'll see what I mean. Great read! Don't miss it.
Margaret Marr
Emily Sane had everything going for her. She had just been asked to head the special effects department for the most sought-after director in Hollywood. Hours upon hours spent sketching and making special effects models had finally paid off! But life had a cruel way of evening out the scales. Driving down the mountain after a particularly good filming day, Emily lost control of her car, plunging through the guardrail into the gorge below. As her jeep repeatedly rolled over and over upon itself, finally coming to a stop leaving Emily pinned inside the mangled heap of metal, the only thing she could think was, “Please God, don’t let me die”. And He didn’t, but Emily would never be the same again.
When Glen Craigone first set eyes on Emily, it was courtesy of a security surveillance tape. For when Emily had discovered that while a lot of gamblers claimed slot machines could talk to them, she could really hear them! There was a very distinctive noise they made just as they were about to pay out. Emily had only recently stumbled across her “gift” of hearing the machines talk. Apparently when her car accident robbed her of her artistic talent, it also gave her hyper-sensitive hearing. She decided to put her gift to good use -- supporting herself. Emily was off to Vegas!
What started as routine surveillance soon turned into a personal obsession for Glen. He simply had to find out all there was to know about Emily. In the process, a germ of an idea began to form. As he and Emily got more personal, things all around Emily seemed to heat up. She landed a fantastic job as a floral designer for one of the larger hotels on the Strip. She had become friends with the amazingly beautiful, high-priced call girl next door. And her “gift” was becoming quite a useful thing indeed...
Until the night that her neighbor died in Emily’s doorway from a gunshot wound. Now it seemed that Emily and Glen were about to embark on a lifetime of living on the run to avoid being the next victims. Could even the Witness Protection Program protect them? Would they be able to stay together despite everything?
Although the storyline feels a bit unrealistic at times, Jingle of Coins is a wonderfully fun example of romance and life in Las Vegas! Emily was a fairly well developed character, portraying her frustration and insecurities in a very believable way. The naivet... she displayed was refreshing, watching as she opened up to Glen, and then not getting the least bit upset when she found out that he had begun their relationship by tracking her for security.
I have to say that I did enjoy Jingle of Coins immensely, even while wishing that some of the secondary characters, such as the mafia members, had been given more depth and development. They both played such an important role in this story -- it could have only enhanced the overall effect. That being said, I still did not put this novel down until the last word had been read! I look forward to reading more from C.D. Ledbetter!
Tracy Atencio for Heartstrings
Suppose you found a way to win money in Vegas without cheating and a man you really wanted at the same time. What would you do?
Emily Sane enjoyed a rewarding career as a special effects creator for films. Following the wrap-up of her latest film, she is in a terrifying automobile accident. The head injury she sustained has affected her hearing by making it extra acute. It has also destroyed all artistic abilities she had, and brought her career to an end. She is unable to drive the hills of California, the site of her accident, and she moves to Nevada. She attempts to make friends by joining some of her new neighbors for a night out. In a casino, she finds that slot machines that are soon to pay off make a very definite noise that only she can hear. She decides she can support herself by slot machine winnings until she finds something else to do with her life.
However, the casino security personnel have noticed her multiple jackpot winnings. Especially Glen Craigone, a visiting security specialist who noticed the prostheses Emily wears to block noise, as well as the way she cocks her head as she plays the slots. He determines to keep her in view.
He moves into the new apartment complex she has found, and she determines to keep him in view after seeing his green eyes.
To this already heady mix, add an extraordinarily beautiful call girl, an extraordinarily sadistic mobster, an undercover investigation of the disappearance of three secret service agents, and you have a thriller that is hard, if not impossible, to put down. JINGLE OF COINS is highly original and a thriller from the first word.
Catherine H. for Romance Junkies
Emily Sane was a great artist and special effect supervisor in Hollywood until one day after a shoot she was in a horrible accident. Due to the accident, she can no longer use her hands fully so she is in search of something else to do to make a living. After friends take her to a casino one day she learns that she has an uncanny ability to hear when a slot machine is about to pay out. This is also due to her increased hearing from the accident. After a few wins, Emily decides to leave San Diego and head to Las Vegas to try and make some money to fund the rest of her life.
Glen Craigone is watching Emily one day as she makes several wins. Glen is a security expert from a Las Vegas casino and takes a great interest in Emily, especially when he learns that she is moving to Las Vegas. Once there, he introduces himself to her and inserts himself into her life. Finally, he comes in with an ultimatum for her and it’s a deal she cannot refuse.
The sparks really fly between the two characters and I love the frank perusal that Emily makes of Glen and her comments to herself about him. They are both equally attracted to each other, but Glen has an agenda that soon becomes secondary. Add in some interesting secondary characters and more suspense involving the Feds and the mob and you have a wonderful fast-paced story that always has you wanting to know what will happen next.
The author does a great job with character development. I found that I liked both Emily, Glen, and the secondary character of Kate who is Emily’s friend. All the characters feel like real people that you know. The suspense element is very strong with several different things going on that tie in together. The romance is also good with the tension and growing relationship between Emily and Glen. I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. When the book was finished, I wanted to know more about the characters even though the story was tied up nicely. I would definitely recommend this book and it is a definite keeper for me.
Crystal for Fallen Angel Reviews
C.D. Ledbetter’s latest novel JINGLE OF COINS is a really clever romantic suspense that borders on “noir” pulp-fiction.
Emily Sane’s special effects career is about to take off when a devastating car wreck leaves her out of work and unable to tolerate loud noises. The damage does have one favorable outcome; Emily’s reaction to sound allows her to detect changes in pitch of slot machines. As Emily tries for the big payoff, she must deal with Glen, a gorgeous hot blackmailer, a high price call girl neighbor, inept Secret Service agents, and ugly crime bosses.
It is to Ms Ledbetter’s credit that she can keep the many characters and numerous sub-plots fresh, unpredictable, and quick. JINGLE OF COINS is definitely more suspense than romance, but is wildly entertaining. This is a great book for curling up on a quiet evening with a good cup of coffee. A mystery with the right amount romance and sneaky characters that was a fun read, and one you will recommend to your friends.
Anya Khan for Coffee Time Romance
As she scores a job working for a director of special effects, Emily gets into a bad car accident. The doctors tell her she’ll never be able to work as an artist; also her hearing is enhanced so she has to wear hearing aids when she is in a place with loud noises. After she recovers, she goes to a casino and hears the sounds of the slots as it gets ready to make a big payoff. After going back to the casino twice more and walking away a winner, she decides she can build up a nest egg to buy a flower shop.
She moves from California to Las Vegas and meets Glen Craigure, who works security for one of the hotels. He saw her on the tapes at the California Casino. When he decides she’s not doing anything illegal he tells her that he wants her to split the winnings with him or he will report her to the casinos. She agrees and while working together to make sure she doesn’t stick out in a crowd the attraction between them blossoms, Emily’s call girl neighbor Kate brings her to the attention of a dangerous criminal who wants something he thinks Kate gave to her.
C.D. Led better is a very talented author whose romantic suspense tales are so good people will want to read them immediately. Glen is the heroine’s love interest even though he has a touch of larceny in his heart but when the chips are down, he risks his life to protect Emily. Fans of Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz will find immense satisfaction in JINGLE OF COINS.
Harriet Klausner
A terrifying accident leaves Emily Sane with a unique ability; she can hear when a slot machine is about to pay off. She moves to Vegas and begins to use her unusual talent to create a new life. As Emily becomes involved in the lives of her neighbors, she finds herself in the midst of danger, and her glamorous dreams are soon threatened.
In the novel, JINGLE OF COINS, C.D. Ledbetter paints a story of mystery, suspense and romance in Vegas. I found the characters to be very well-developed and the idea of Emily's "gift" was rather interesting. The story moves at a quick pace and the action is very exciting at times.
C.D. Ledbetter does a great job at creating vivid characters and an imaginative plot. If you like suspense and action, this is a good book for you. If you're looking for a "clean" romantic suspense novel, however, you might want to skip this one.
Rebecca Wire for Roundtable Reviews
THE JINGLE OF COINS, written by C. D. Ledbetter, is a fast paced romantic suspense with all the bells and whistles. There is the strong heroine, a lively story line and a whirlwind romance, who could ask for more?!
Emily Sane had a challenging career as special effects supervisor for Hollywood films until that fateful day she was involved in a freak accident that damaged her brain and stole her artistic talent. Now she is starting all over in Las Vegas where she discovers another talent as a result of the accident. Emily is able to hear when the slot machines are about to hit the jackpot. She begins to utilize this wonderful new skill by systematically visiting every casino on the strip.
Emily’s budding career lands her in plenty of hot water and Glen Craigone is there to catch her. Glen is a security specialist in one of the casinos and he wants to exploit Emily’s talent to make himself rich. He doesn’t count on falling in love with her or getting caught up with Emily in the mob underworld.
THE JINGLE OF COINS by C.D. Ledbetter kept me on the edge of my seat, itching to find out what happened next. For an “adventure movie” read, I recommend THE JINGLE OF COINS.
Reviewed by Donna for eCataRomance Reviews
Emily Sane has just landed a permanent job doing something that she loves. An artist by trade she does not know that fate has another plan in store for her.
Driving down a steep mountain incline Emily crashes her car and after months in hospital her dream job is no longer a possibility for Emily has lost the ability to draw. Once she comes to terms with this she has to move on with her life.
Still affected by the accident Emily's hearing is now highly sensitive and she finds that she has to wear a hearing aid to dull the sounds or suffer horrific headaches.
A chance outing to a small casino is the catalyst that brings to Emily's attention the unique ability she now possesses. For when Emily plays the slot machines she can hear when one is about to pay out the jackpot from the sound that it makes.
Thinking at first that it is a fluke Emily decides to test her ability and see if it is indeed a case of the machines talking to her.
Sure enough Emily finds that her gift is genuine. What she does not realise is that she has come to the attention of Glen Craigone who immediately spots that she is "cheating" but cannot figure out how.
Emily, oblivious to the attention she is getting, moves to Las Vegas in order to put her gift to good use and make enough money to live on for as long as she can get away with it. She does not realise that Glen is also heading to Vegas for his business and that when he spots her there he is determined to figure out her secret.
Emily has to question the morality of what she does and decide whether she is in fact cheating at the slots. What she does not expect is to be confronted by Glen (who is her handsome next door neighbour) who has decided that rather than turn her in, they should combine forces and he can teach her how to be less suspicious in her manner and she will split the jackpot with her.
But Emily and Glen find that they have even more to worry about when they get mixed up in another neighbour's problems.
Kate is call girl with wealthy clients. She is also working undercover for the government to bring down one of her clients who is suspected of various criminal activities.
By various twists of fate Emily is mixed up in the whole matter and when one dead body arrives on her doorstep she knows that she is in a great deal of danger.
A calm head is needed and whilst previously it had been Glen to act more rationally it is now the time for Emily to step back and see that not everything in life is about money. But Glen wants to make sure that they have enough money to live comfortably and to be protected by the government when the whole mess is over.
I don't want to give too much away since this is a suspense novel after all and if I do it will rather spoil the fun for other readers.
However I will say that it is an enjoyable read and the idea of someone having hearing that can assist in winning on the slots is a very original one.
The suspense is played out very well although avid romance readers should be aware that the romance does take very much a back seat in this novel.
Enjoyable and entertaining with a moral debate just waiting to start...would it be cheating if you had the ability to win at the slots by merely listening to them?
Reviewed by louisabrown.net
JINGLE OF COINS by Carla Ledbetter is a fast moving story about a woman who survives a terrible accident that leaves her with a new and unusual ability. Emily Sane had been a special effects designer in the film industry before her accident renders her unable to continue in her profession. Emily discovers quite by accident that she has the ability to "hear" changes in pitch in slot machines just before they payout. Emily soon begins profiting from her new talent but not without complications. Those complications lead to Emily relocating to Las Vegas and further complications in her plans for building a nest egg with her ability to win at the slots. Emily also gets acquainted with her new neighbors, Kate the high priced call girl and Glen, the casino security expert who unbeknownst to Emily has moved into her apartment complex planning to cash in on her skills as well. The story moved quickly and was an enjoyable read. Recommend.
Kay Martinez for Murder Express
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