Far beneath the bright lights of the Vegas strip lies a thriving subtropolis, nearly 300 miles of it. It’s dark. It’s real. And it awaits those who can’t make it in one of the most competitive cities in the world.

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Born to a single mother and former showgirl, Shay Wilson was determined to succeed in her hometown of Las Vegas, not on stage but in the courtroom. After paying her way through school as a bartender, Shay is hired by one of the most prestigious law firms in town, yet quickly realizes she’ll never make partner unless she finds clients of her own. With that goal in mind, she returns to her former night job to serve drinks and pitch potential clients. Soon she has the money, clothes and contacts to start her own firm. But her clients aren’t who she believed them to be, and what she uncovers about them could destroy her career and threaten her life. On the run and out of options, Shay submerges herself into the dark world that exists within the water sewers beneath the City of Sin. It is a place those above ground have no idea exists, and it is where Shay will either save herself and others or succumb to forces more deadly than she could have imagined.

The third and final book in the Danielle Grant series.

Danielle has made a new life in Zurich with her daughter and in-laws, but love turns elusive once again as her relationship with Lars deteriorates. Can she compromise and learn to love a man whose passion for life equals her own, and carries with the same risk as Andre, who died because of it? Can she truly trust her emotions to another once again? Find out if Danielle’s dreams are of true love are meant to be.

Available in over 100 countries and across all major distributors, including Amazon, Apple, 24 Symbols, Kobo, Playster, Overdrive, Scribd, Tolino and more

Seductively readable…

Set in Zurich, Gerdes‘s three-book series is a resonant portrayal of a successful, independent woman who finds true love in unexpected circumstances. In the first installment (Made for Me) readers see Danielle Grant moves to Zurich to take a high-profile job, but finds herself forced to choose between love and career after becoming romantically involved with the very charming Andre Mettler, who presents a conflict of interest for Danielle’s employment. With her strong work ethic and high morals, Danielle opts to honor her work commitment, walking away from Andre. Soon she falls for another man who loves her equally, but the fate has another plan and Danielle who always does the right thing, has no intention to do things differently this time. In the second installment (Destined for You), things are looking great when a tragedy strikes, leaving Danielle fumbling to get her life together. Turning to Lars seems natural in time of crisis. Soon they rekindle their romance, but Danielle’s fear of losing Lars to his passion (high-risk sport) puts distance between the couple. Determined to find a new and independent life without relying upon a man, Danielle begins her journey of self-reflection and realizes the preciousness of true love in the third book (Meant to be). Gerdes’s writing is authoritative, assured, and full of meaning, and she tackles complex themes and draws multifaceted characters with ease and authority: for independent, willful, and highly assertive Danielle, there is never a middle ground when it comes to taking significant decisions of her life. Gerdes’ portrayal of credibly flawed Danielle confronting weakness in her own nature as she comes to terms with the condition of her life is both realistic and authentic; Lars is a thorough darling; Andre doesn’t get much space in the story but leaves his mark nonetheless. Gerdes excels when it comes to the rendering of the two love stories that mark Danielle’s life. She portrays the passionate and yet fragile period of Danielle’s relationship with the two men with grace and poignance. The depiction of Danielle’s enduring relationship with Lars and the way it survives despite all odds is deeply realistic and wholly convincing. Gerdes’s prose is first-rate; her narrative flows with ease; and her portrayal of enduring relationships is credible. Lovers of women’s fiction and literary romance can pick the series without a second thought. Highly recommended!

Austin Marks is proud of the company she’s built and knows it’s one of the best PR firms on the West Coast.  So it’s no surprise when her biggest competitor calls up asking for help.  His client, a pharmaceutical company, has been accused of killing people with tainted drugs.  He needs a crisis team to spin the PR and Austin agrees to take over the job.  But when she directs attention to the software company as being responsible for the mistake, she unknowingly opens a Pandora’s box of global proportions.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING

Clive Garrison has hit rock bottom and is trying to make his way back up. He writes articles for The Weekly, a paper that profits off scandal and sleaze.  So when he hears about the software glitch and learns that the enigmatic Austin Marks is behind the PR spin, he decides to put his investigative powers to the test.  But what he uncovers is much different than he expects.  It turns out Austin’s past is filled with secrets and people who will kill to protect them.

The countdown is on…

A thorough page-turner…
Set in San Francisco, Gerdes’s latest thriller vividly explores the devastating effects of technology. A leading pharmaceutical company comes under fire after several people die because of tainted drugs. When Austin Marks, the head of Mark Communications, steps in for damage control and focuses her attention to a software firm as being responsible for the mistake, she finds herself entangled in a conspiracy of global proportions. With the blame shifting on the software firm, the stakes rise, and Austin’s personal life comes under scrutiny as an investigative journalist sets on to unravel her past. Gerdes is masterfully skilled at building up anticipation and tension. She handles Austin’s interactions with her clients and a love interest with an assured authority to equate her public relation expertize. The traumatic incidents in Austin’s past are revealed gradually, and her character is ripe with all the vulnerability of a flesh-and-blood human being despite her practical, spunky persona. High on anticipation, tension, and suspense, this novel deserves readers’ attention.

Lindy Gordon is living the enviable life of an entrepreneur in San Francisco. Her public relations firm is thriving, her five-year marriage is strong and her apartment at the top of Noe Valley is the envy of her friends.

Then the unthinkable happens. An accident briefly ends her life, leaving her with a scar, cracked bones and fractured images that make no sense—at first. As her body heals, she learns little in her past was what she believed it to be. Relationships have soured, love and loyalty has been misplaced and the ultimate betrayal has devastating consequences to her financial life. Through it all, Lindy’s belief that her second chance is for a purpose remains, but the answer of why remains elusive.

With nothing more than wits and long-dormant faith to sustain her, Lindy works to save friendships, renew family ties and open her mind and heart to one who could truly love her.

Review by Prairie Book Review Jan 31, 2020

A warmly satisfying read…

A woman comes to term with soured relationships and ultimate betrayal in Gerdes’s beautifully written, gripping novel about treachery, the redemptive power of true love, and the special bond that comes from genuine friendship. Lindy Gordon has it all: a successful, thriving career and a solid marriage. But an accident briefly ends Lindy’s life, leaving her with a scar, cracked bones, and fractured images that make no sense. As her body heals, she learns little in her past was what she believed it to be. The one relationship that she held close to her heart has soured, love is lost, and an ultimate betrayal results in a devastating financial blow to her business. With an underlying faith to sustain her, Lindy works to save friendships, renew family ties, and open her mind and heart to the one who could truly love her. Gerdes’s writing is heartfelt and earnest, and her plot is cleverly constructed, driven by a smoothly paced narrative. There are a lot of complex issues: sexual predators, rape, high-risk teens among others that Gerdes skillfully explores without sidetracking from the novel’s main theme. The characters with their mix of optimism, personal issues, and a host of uncertainties (they are satisfyingly resolved by the end) feel genuinely complex and interesting. Gerdes drives her emotionally perceptive narrative forward with a sure touch and skillfully captures the vibes of broken relationships, family ties, and issues of trust and faith. Lovers of women’s fiction will devour this deeply engrossing novel in a jiffy. Highly recommended!

Danielle Grant is living the life her father always imagined for her. She as a beautiful, healthy child, a position at the top of her field and the man that seemed to be made just for her.

Then the for the second time since coming to Switzerland, the unexpected happens. Tragedy strikes, catapulting her into a vortex of grief. Forced to step back from her career, she takes time to evaluate her life, her goals and reimagine how her heart can heal.  Increasingly, she turns to one man for counsel and inspiration, the one who was there from the beginning. As she rediscovers who she is and what she wants for her future, Danielle determines to start over with a new home. She also confronts the complexity of integrating new family members and old friends painfully phasing out of her life.  With her family hanging in the balance, Danielle forges ahead, believing that destiny will find her and bring along the man who was always meant to be in her life, forever.

Authors note: the images on the slider are those I visited throughout Europe that feature in the Danielle Grant series…Zurich, Prague, Italy…all the locations referenced exist!

Seductively readable…

Set in Zurich, Gerdes‘s three-book series is a resonant portrayal of a successful, independent woman who finds true love in unexpected circumstances. In the first installment (Made for Me) readers see Danielle Grant moves to Zurich to take a high-profile job, but finds herself forced to choose between love and career after becoming romantically involved with the very charming Andre Mettler, who presents a conflict of interest for Danielle’s employment. With her strong work ethic and high morals, Danielle opts to honor her work commitment, walking away from Andre. Soon she falls for another man who loves her equally, but the fate has another plan and Danielle who always does the right thing, has no intention to do things differently this time. In the second installment (Destined for You), things are looking great when a tragedy strikes, leaving Danielle fumbling to get her life together. Turning to Lars seems natural in time of crisis. Soon they rekindle their romance, but Danielle’s fear of losing Lars to his passion (high-risk sport) puts distance between the couple. Determined to find a new and independent life without relying upon a man, Danielle begins her journey of self-reflection and realizes the preciousness of true love in the third book (Meant to be). Gerdes’s writing is authoritative, assured, and full of meaning, and she tackles complex themes and draws multifaceted characters with ease and authority: for independent, willful, and highly assertive Danielle, there is never a middle ground when it comes to taking significant decisions of her life. Gerdes’ portrayal of credibly flawed Danielle confronting weakness in her own nature as she comes to terms with the condition of her life is both realistic and authentic; Lars is a thorough darling; Andre doesn’t get much space in the story but leaves his mark nonetheless. Gerdes excels when it comes to the rendering of the two love stories that mark Danielle’s life. She portrays the passionate and yet fragile period of Danielle’s relationship with the two men with grace and poignance. The depiction of Danielle’s enduring relationship with Lars and the way it survives despite all odds is deeply realistic and wholly convincing. Gerdes’s prose is first-rate; her narrative flows with ease; and her portrayal of enduring relationships is credible. Lovers of women’s fiction and literary romance can pick the series without a second thought. Highly recommended!

Recruited to Switzerland for the job of her dreams, Danielle Grant is surrounded by stunning beauty, intelligent people and the expectation of returning home with a fat bank account when her contract concludes in twelve months. All she has to do is abide by the terms of her employment contract and exercise discretion in all aspects of her life.

Despite her intentions to remain free of romance and a distracting relationship, she falls in love, only to learn that she has inadvertently put her career in jeopardy. From her top floor penthouse, Danielle struggles with moral choices, heartbreak and the cost of integrity. Reconciled to being alone, she finds a new love, but even this is tainted when the decisions of her past come back to ruin all that she has created. Now Danielle must face a wrenching choice that will determine once and for all if she will remain in Zurich, keep her career intact and ever have a family to call her own.

Authors note: the photos in the slider are from trips to Europe, destinations such as Zurich, Switzerland, Lake Cuomo, Prague, Lichtenstein and elsewhere are all featured in the book. The locations, eateries, homes…are all real. It made this series a joy to write.

Series review from Prairie Book Review Feb 14, 2020

Seductively readable…

Set in Zurich, Gerdes‘s three-book series is a resonant portrayal of a successful, independent woman who finds true love in unexpected circumstances. In the first installment (Made for Me) readers see Danielle Grant moves to Zurich to take a high-profile job, but finds herself forced to choose between love and career after becoming romantically involved with the very charming Andre Mettler, who presents a conflict of interest for Danielle’s employment. With her strong work ethic and high morals, Danielle opts to honor her work commitment, walking away from Andre. Soon she falls for another man who loves her equally, but the fate has another plan and Danielle who always does the right thing, has no intention to do things differently this time. In the second installment (Destined for You), things are looking great when a tragedy strikes, leaving Danielle fumbling to get her life together. Turning to Lars seems natural in time of crisis. Soon they rekindle their romance, but Danielle’s fear of losing Lars to his passion (high-risk sport) puts distance between the couple. Determined to find a new and independent life without relying upon a man, Danielle begins her journey of self-reflection and realizes the preciousness of true love in the third book (Meant to be). Gerdes’s writing is authoritative, assured, and full of meaning, and she tackles complex themes and draws multifaceted characters with ease and authority: for independent, willful, and highly assertive Danielle, there is never a middle ground when it comes to taking significant decisions of her life. Gerdes’ portrayal of credibly flawed Danielle confronting weakness in her own nature as she comes to terms with the condition of her life is both realistic and authentic; Lars is a thorough darling; Andre doesn’t get much space in the story but leaves his mark nonetheless. Gerdes excels when it comes to the rendering of the two love stories that mark Danielle’s life. She portrays the passionate and yet fragile period of Danielle’s relationship with the two men with grace and poignance. The depiction of Danielle’s enduring relationship with Lars and the way it survives despite all odds is deeply realistic and wholly convincing. Gerdes’s prose is first-rate; her narrative flows with ease; and her portrayal of enduring relationships is credible. Lovers of women’s fiction and literary romance can pick the series without a second thought. Highly recommended!

Two years after the unexpected death of her husband, Kaitlyn Reid’s life is improving. Her relentless devotion to helping Seattle’s less fortunate, through a non-profit created in his name, provides a welcome distraction from her pain, gives her a purpose for living, and sprinkles joy upon her broken heart.

Just as she begins to believe life after her husband is possible, an unexpected email from her attorney informers her that she is being sued by a woman claiming to be the mother of a boy fathered by her deceased husband.

Her fragile life, her finances, and the charitable work she loves are in jeopardy. Still reeling from the news, Kaitlyn meets Rick Santos, a recently divorced financier who has relocated to Seattle. Unaware of her personal turmoil, Rick proposes they become each other’s ‘convenient date.’ Vulnerable, but with nothing to lose, she accepts.

A Convenient Date explores a woman’s struggle to let go of a painful past and embrace the possibility of a real future. Will she trust her heart to Rick? Will she allow him to serve as her ballast during her times of crisis? Or will she run, fearing a future resembling the dark torment of her past?

Kaitlyn discovers that doing the right thing isn’t discretionary or convenient. It may ruin her financially, destroy her reputation, and cause her to lose the only true love of her life. But truth and honesty are the only things that will give her the freedom she needs to live again.

 Strong, smart, sexy. Is there a convenient date waiting for you?