The Bait

C. W. Gortner · M.J. Rose

Jan 2022 · Blue Box Press

About this ebook

Revenge is a diamond best served cold.

A year after THE STEAL, Ania Throne is determined to take back what the Leopard stole from her. Together with her lover and partner, Jerome, she stages a spectacular heist during the Venetian Carnival, to lure out the treacherous mastermind they unmasked. She’s willing to risk it all—until her revenge takes a dangerous twist that could cost her what she loves the most.

Jerome Curtis has given up everything for Ania. She needs his help and he’s fallen head over heels for the world’s most eligible jewelry designer. But when their daring scheme to catch the thief who escaped turns on them, he’s targeted for a crime he never wanted to commit—and he has to find a way out fast. 

From a glamorous costume gala to the winter canals of Venice, Ania and Jerome must confront the choices they’ve made and bait a new trap to catch the Leopard, before the Leopard springs his trap on them. This time, the stakes are personal, but with more than diamonds on the line, can they escape the bait or will it separate them forever? 

The second novella in To Catch A Leopard, THE BAIT is a nail-biting romantic caper by bestselling authors C.W. Gortner and M.J. Rose.

Reviews for The Bait:

“A great read that gave me all the feels.” ~  Konny, KDRBCK

“This short story is the perfect cut with ALL its glitz, glamour and sexiness of the 1950's.” ~  ShanKL, Goodreads Reviewer

“Read this if you love exciting mystery-romance stories!” ~ Karen H, Goodreads Reviewer

“This short novella was a great follow-up to book 1. If you read and enjoyed The Steal, I think you will enjoy The Bait as well!” ~ ABookwormWithWine

About the author

C. W. Gortner was born and raised in Spain. He moved to the United States when he was a teen-ager. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco and a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing from the New College of California. He soon found his passion for writing and became an author of historical fiction. His titles include: The Last Queen, The Confessions of Catherine De Medici, The Queen's Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile, Mademoiselle Chanel, and Marlene. He was named one of the top ten historical novelists by The Washington Independent Review of Books. MJ Rose is a former advertising executive who used her expertise working on major accounts, such as Harlequin Books, to propel her self-published debut novel, Lip Service in to the public eye. She lives in Greenwich, CT.