A Novel by Zoe Mayen
The Paradise Trap
A Psychological Thriller Where Paradise Turns Deadly
Synopsis
Welcome to Villa Rosamar. Leave your secrets at the door.
When a plea for help arrives from Georgia’s estranged friend, Isabelle Gardiner – queen of charm and persuasion – it’s the last thing Georgia wants. Compelled by the bonds of their past, Georgia can’t refuse.
Of course, there’s more to the weekend in the Canary Islands with Isabelle’s nearest and dearest than sun, cocktails and late-night laughter: Whispers of blackmail. Old scores to settle. Underlying it all, the resurgence of a past Georgia thought she’d escaped – that someone hasn’t forgotten.
When a dead body turns up, it’s clear to Georgia: this isn’t a reunion. It’s a trap. And revenge is the real guest of honour. As paranoia soaks the Villa, alliances splinter and masks begin to slip. It’s time for Georgia to confront the sins of the past; before the Villa claims another life. Time to face a brutal truth: What has Georgia really come here for?
*Note: This is the same edition of the book originally entitled "Villa Vendetta." It is Book Two in the Georgia Winters series but can be read as a standalone.*
What Critics Say
"What starts as a sun-soaked reunion in paradise quickly turns into a tense, twist-filled thriller. Secrets, revenge, and betrayal simmer beneath every page..."
— KelliG, Amazon.com review
"The pacing was excellent, with reveals and shifting alliances occurring at just the right moments... The ending was a genuine surprise, flipping my expectations on their head."
— Tarun, Amazon.com review
"Twisty, tense, sun-soaked thriller... The writing made me feel like I was actually wandering that fancy villa with everyone hiding secrets behind their smiles."
— Nora Klein, Amazon.com review
Read an Excerpt
The invitation arrived on a Tuesday, tucked between a gas bill and a postcard from her mother. Cream-colored envelope, heavy stock, no return address. Lena turned it over twice before sliding her thumb beneath the seal. Inside, a single card read: *You've been selected.* She should have thrown it away. She should have recognized it for what it was — a lure, dressed in luxury, baited with everything she'd ever wanted. But Lena Carroway had never been good at saying no to beautiful things.
The Paradise Trap — Excerpt
The invitation arrived on a Tuesday, tucked between a gas bill and a postcard from her mother. Cream-colored envelope, heavy stock, no return address. Lena turned it over twice before sliding her thumb beneath the seal. Inside, a single card read: *You've been selected.* She should have thrown it away. She should have recognized it for what it was — a lure, dressed in luxury, baited with everything she'd ever wanted. But Lena Carroway had never been good at saying no to beautiful things.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Donec velit neque, auctor sit amet aliquam vel, ullamcorper sit amet ligula. Nulla quis lorem ut libero malesuada feugiat. Cras ultricies ligula sed magna dictum porta. Vivamus suscipit tortor eget felis porttitor volutpat.
Praesent sapien massa, convallis a pellentesque nec, egestas non nisi. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur vel accumsan sit amet nulla facilisi morbi tempus. Pellentesque in ipsum id orci porta dapibus. Sed porttitor lectus nibh. Donec sollicitudin molestie malesuada.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Donec velit neque, auctor sit amet aliquam vel, ullamcorper sit amet ligula. Nulla quis lorem ut libero malesuada feugiat. Cras ultricies ligula sed magna dictum porta. Vivamus suscipit tortor eget felis porttitor volutpat.
Praesent sapien massa, convallis a pellentesque nec, egestas non nisi. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur vel accumsan sit amet nulla facilisi morbi tempus. Pellentesque in ipsum id orci porta dapibus. Sed porttitor lectus nibh. Donec sollicitudin molestie malesuada.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Donec velit neque, auctor sit amet aliquam vel, ullamcorper sit amet ligula. Nulla quis lorem ut libero malesuada feugiat. Cras ultricies ligula sed magna dictum porta. Vivamus suscipit tortor eget felis porttitor volutpat.
Praesent sapien massa, convallis a pellentesque nec, egestas non nisi. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur vel accumsan sit amet nulla facilisi morbi tempus. Pellentesque in ipsum id orci porta dapibus. Sed porttitor lectus nibh. Donec sollicitudin molestie malesuada.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Donec velit neque, auctor sit amet aliquam vel, ullamcorper sit amet ligula. Nulla quis lorem ut libero malesuada feugiat. Cras ultricies ligula sed magna dictum porta. Vivamus suscipit tortor eget felis porttitor volutpat.
Praesent sapien massa, convallis a pellentesque nec, egestas non nisi. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur vel accumsan sit amet nulla facilisi morbi tempus. Pellentesque in ipsum id orci porta dapibus. Sed porttitor lectus nibh. Donec sollicitudin molestie malesuada.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Donec velit neque, auctor sit amet aliquam vel, ullamcorper sit amet ligula. Nulla quis lorem ut libero malesuada feugiat. Cras ultricies ligula sed magna dictum porta. Vivamus suscipit tortor eget felis porttitor volutpat.
Praesent sapien massa, convallis a pellentesque nec, egestas non nisi. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur vel accumsan sit amet nulla facilisi morbi tempus. Pellentesque in ipsum id orci porta dapibus. Sed porttitor lectus nibh. Donec sollicitudin molestie malesuada.
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