The Perfect Catch by Samantha Vérant

                                 

Ebook: 308 pages Kindle Edition

Genre: Contemporary Psychological Thriller, Romantic Thriller

Publisher:  January 27th 2026 by Storm Publishing

Source: NetGalley

First Sentence: I'm kicking through the junk he's left behind.

Review Quote: ‘This one pulls you in fast and keeps tightening the screws… Tense and addictive.’ Reader Review, 

My Opinion:

The author states in the notes at the end of the book that her inspiration for this novel comes from real life events. Firstly when she was conned out of money, which fortunately she got back and secondly when she learnt about the world of fashion whilst launching her own handbag line. Events that certainly gave her a brilliant framework for this mind-blowing story.

In 'The Perfect Catch' we have the two main characters, Lexi Marlowe and Christophe Montclair. The reader is taken on a fast paced suspenseful journey' We soon learn that Christophe is a con-man who manipulates rich women, he just may have picked the wrong one this time though.

A quick read full of twists and turns, recommended for thriller readers.

With thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Lexi Marlowe has spent years building her fashion brand from nothing, while carefully guarding the secrets of her past.

Then she meets Christophe Montclair – charming, sophisticated and heir to a fortune, he sweeps her off her feet with glamorous parties and his endless high-society connections.

When he gets down on one knee, Lexi barely hears the alarm bells ringing in the back of her mind. Is he too good to be true, or is she simply in love?

Their honeymoon period is soon littered with red flags. Christophe won’t talk about his past, claiming he values his privacy. Tense phone calls leave him looking over his shoulder. Then the police turn up with questions about a murder…

Lexi’s new husband is hiding something big. But he isn’t the only one who married a stranger…

Author Profile:         

                                                          

                                                            Courtesy of  Goodreads

Samantha Vérant was born in the USA, she is a travel addict, a self-professed oenophile, and a determined, if occasionally unconventional, at-home French chef. Over the years, she’s visited many different countries, lived in many places, and worked many jobs— always on the search for the one thing that truly excited her. Then, one day, she found everything she’s been looking for: a passion for the written word and true love. Writing not only enabled her to open her heart, it led her to southwestern France, where she’s now married to a sexy French rocket scientist she met over twenty years ago, a stepmom to two incredible kids, and the adoptive mother to one ridiculously adorable Charteux cat. When she’s not trekking from Provence to the Pyrénées, tasting wine in American-sized glasses, or embracing her inner Julia Child while deliberating what constitutes the perfect boeuf bourguignon, Samantha is making her best effort to relearn those dreaded conjugations.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Goodreads-Author Profile  Amazon-Author Profile  Samantha Vérant Official Website

A Flash of Lightning by Tony Drury

                                            


Paperback: 280 pages                                                                                             
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Publisher: City Fiction 2013
Source: Publishers 
First Sentence: Matthew Orlando Buckingham, obviously known as 'Mob', was angry, very angry.
Main Characters: DCI Sarah Rudd, Matthew Buckingham, Jessica and Nick Rudd.
Setting: England

My Opinion: This was Tony Drury's fourth novel which I am ashamed to say I read in 2016 and never got round to publishing my review, for which I apologise. I have always enjoyed his writing and 'A Flash of Lightning' was no exception.  An exciting and enjoyable read, with an insight into the London financial world, some good plots. The references to The Great Train Robbery of 1963 were particularly interesting to me as I remember being fascinated by this robbery when it took place,  I was just 11 years old!  Recommended to those that like some romance mixed with intrigue. 



My Previous Reviews for Tony Drury's Novels:

Megan's Game   The Deal   Cholesterol   Novella Nostalgia Series

  

Précis Courtesy of Back Cover:

Jessica agrees with her mother; it's time she had a baby.
She's given up looking for the right father.

City financier, Matthew has raised £6 million to make a film.
Now it's gone missing and his neck is on the line.

DCI Sarah Rudd has learned that there are terrorists planning to murder 400 people. She doesn't know where or how and now her brilliant career is threatened.

Will DCI Rudd uncover the terrorist plot in time to save the nation? Who has taken the film money? Will Matthew find the love o his life and a new mother for his daughter? And why is The Great Train Robbery on everybody's mind?


Author Profile:

                                           



       Tony has an about page on his website which I refer you to for biographical information.


 
Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

City Fiction Publishing - FB     City Fiction Publishing - Website    Tony Drury on Twitter

Tony Drury - Amazon Author Page     Author's Official Website      Goodreads Profile

The Deal by Tony Drury

Paperback: 248 pages                                                                                                 
Genre:Romantic thriller
Publisher: City Fiction 2012
Source: The author's publicist in return for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentence: Ascent...yes, ascent, he pondered, as he quietly relayed the melody in his mind.
My Opinion: Having thoroughly enjoyed Megan's Game the debut novel from this author, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read and review The Deal his second novel.
This is a romantic thriller, a genre appeals to many, an easy read that keeps you turning the pages as the plot builds. The setting in the financial district and a publishing house I found of particular interest.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

The pressure is on for corporate financier Oliver Chatham. As the City languishes in recession, he is under contract to raise two million pounds for a publishing company.
But it’s not only money at stake – if he is successful, Amanda Wavering, woman of his dreams and sister of the publishing house’s chief executive, will consummate their relationship; if he fails, no deal.
As if this wasn’t challenge enough, Oliver’s finance house becomes caught up in a battle of ferocious egos, as new bloods battle with the old guard for the future of the business. While old school boss Charles Harriman fights his own demons and the terrifying kidnap of his child, fearless corporate researcher Sara Flemming takes her reputation – and her life – right to the edge in her bid to expose the dodgy dealings of a Russian mafioso.
Will Oliver get what he bargained for – or will he learn the hard way that you should never mix sex and the City?



Author Profile

Biography in the Author's own words, Courtesy of Goodreads.

I was born in Birmingham and being the son of a Bank Manager I started my career in banking. In the 1960′s job security was very important. I joined the Midland Bank, Kidderminster, where I married the manager’s secretary Judy.

I was transferred to a Birmingham branch and from there my career changed. I joined a Secondary Bank much to the dismay of my parents.

In 1973 I was moved to London and promptly ran into the Secondary Banking Crisis and did well to keep my job I realised I was intellectually limited (ok: thick), so I wrote the text book on Finance Houses. It was published by Robert Maxwell who offered me a job as Managing Director of Waterlow Publishers. A year later he told me to “f**k off”, but he paid my contract.

The next ten years were spent building up a financial publishing company which went onto the stock market. I managed to buy the local squash club as well. I also had partnerships in a print company and a design studio. This experience was all very helpful in my career at the present time.

By now, I had written six financial books, the best being ‘Investment Clubs: the low risk way to stock market profits’, which was sponsored by Barclays Stockbrokers and sold 25,000 copies.

I set-up ‘ProShare’ in the early 1990′s to help shareholders form Investment Clubs.

St. Helen’s Capital was born in 1998 and by 2006 I had built it into the most successful PLUS Markets advisory firm.

I sold out of St. Helen’s in 2006 and promptly walked into the latest recession which virtually wiped me out.

I am still married to Judy (pictured). We have a son Chris and a daughter Emma, a son-in-law Simon (a barrister) and a daughter-in-law, Samantha. Chris and Samantha have now given us our first grandchild, Henry, who is the most gorgeous baby ever and I love him to bits.

I worked hard for the Conservative Party and was an Association Chairman and a County Councillor. I left when David Cameron betrayed the Party by entering into a totally unnecessary Coalition with the Lib-Dems (minority Government was staring him in the face). However, I have now rejoined in support of Andrew Selous, our local MP.

On my 60th Birthday, I decided I needed a new hobby, something a bit less energetic. I started writing fiction, mainly because I’ve spent most of my life telling stories. ‘Megan’s Game’ was my first book, which took five years to write and it was published in May 2012, followed by ‘The Deal’ in October 2012 and then ‘Cholesterol’ in June 2013. Very excited that my fourth novel ‘A Flash Of Lightning’ was released on the 21st November 2013 and most recently, 'The Lady Who Turned' was published in September 2014.

A bit of luck came my way and some producers who had read ‘Megan’s Game’ said they would like to make it into a film……..The script is now written and the film will be released in 2014. The producers loved the locations, Aberdovey in Wales, the City of London and the South of France.

Another film company in London has just bought the rights to my fourth novel 'A Flash Of Lightning' and is currently in development.



Photographs and biographical information courtesy of the following sites.

Tony Drury- Facebook   Amazon Author Profile   Official Author Website - Tony Drury

Twitter Profile   City Fiction Publishing - FB Page    City Fiction Publishing - Website    

 Goodreads Author Profile

Megan's Game by Tony Drury

                                                            

Paperback:  247 pages
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Publisher: City Fiction 2012
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentence: The early morning sky was unusually cloudy as Lance Corporal Rhys Williams of the 1st Battalion, The Welsh Guards, tried to cushion his body from the bumps inflicted by the uneven and dusty road leading back towards southern Basra.
Review Quote: 'Tony Drury's crime/romance/finance exposé packs a punch' Money Maker Magazine.
My Opinion:  Fun to read.


I had never heard of this author before his début novel was recommended to me by one of the district nurses' that looked after my husband last Spring. However now I have I will most certainly be reading the other titles he has already published including the most recent 'A Flash of Lightning'. 

This romantic thriller was such fun to read, especially so for me as much of the novel is set in the beautiful region I am fortunate enough to now call home. I enjoy reading books set in surroundings that I am familiar with, an extra bonus for a change to be able to picture places without imagination. Do not get me wrong though I get much pleasure from using my imagination when reading normally, the very reason I always read the book before seeing the film. As a matter of fact I think this novel would convert well to television or big screen, but then I am bias, the scenery alone is stunning without the romance and mystery. (Note - I have just seen on the author's FB page that Megan's Game is being made into a film, I could not be more thrilled!). Tony Drury's personal knowledge of the world of finance and the region in Wales where the story is partly set has made for a plot that flows smoothly throughout.

Megan of the title is a young war widow still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband in Basra. Living in the beautiful Cardigan Bay area of Wales, she works as a sports teacher in a village school and at a local Outward Bound Centre. Her life changes one weekend when she plays in a local tennis tournament, finding herself partnered with a local holiday home owner. Megan and her partner David get on well together and there is an immediate spark of attraction between them. However his life is mainly in London where he is immersed in the world of  finance, very different from Megan's life in Wales. With two such different lifestyles can a relationship between them ever work?  To complicate things further David is preoccupied with the suspicious activities of a city broker and even finds himself a suspect in a murder enquiry. How can he ever hope to have a successful love affair with Megan? The odds are certainly against them getting the happy ever after ending. 

Anyway as I have already said this was fun to read, a successful mix of two genres that had me reading way past after the lights should have been turned out!  An impressive début from an author that will appeal to a wide cross section of readers.


A fabulous trailer for the book!





Author Profile

Tony is a corporate financier based in the City of London, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers and a Member of the Securities Institute. He has written extensively over the years and is particularly well known for his financial and political books. He blogs weekly for www.enterprisebritain.com - both in his name and that of his alter ego, Mr. Angry.

He decided to pursue his love for fictional novels by becoming a Romantic Thriller Writer and in May 2012 released his first book 'Megan's Game' which is being released as 'Megan's Game' - The Film.

Tony Drury is also a fully elected member of the Romantic Novelists' Association. 

Read his fuller biography here 

The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and his writing.


You Tube    Tony Drury - Facebook   Amazon Author Profile   Official Author Website - Tony Drury

Twitter Profile   City Fiction Publishing - FB Page    City Fiction Publishing - Website