Blood Money

When Patty O’Donnell married her Irish sweetheart and moved from America to her husband’s small home town on the Irish seacoast, the most dangerous things she had to deal with were the half-ton racehorses in her father-in-law’s stables. But when she and her husband return from a late night out to find their house being searched, she discovers there are far worse things lurking in her bucolic surroundings than temperamental Thoroughbreds.

The teenage son of a late family friend brings proof of a long forgotten debt owed by the O’Donnells, part of a cargo lost in a shipwreck over a century and a half ago. He wants the cargo salvaged, and quickly, so he can help his mother free herself from her abusive second husband. The O’Donnells are willing, but the search and salvage mission puts them square in the sights of modern-day pirates, who want the salvage for themselves.

Suddenly, Patty finds herself hunted and in a fight for her life, where yielding to panic means a swift and ugly death.

Blood Money is wrought with intrigue, suspense and mayhem. Pepper Smith knows how to draw a reader in and keep them hooked until the very last page. I could not put this fascinating tale down. The characters are especially interesting and strong-willed. Ms. Smith has an uncanny ability to make you feel like you are standing there with the characters and experiencing all the emotions they are feeling. I never saw the ending coming. With all the twists and turns in this intriguing story, you will never guess who the masterminds are.

Billie Jo, Romance Junkies Reviewer
Rating: 4.5 (of 5)

A petulant jump-jockey wanna-be. A family of international treasure scavenging pirates. An abusive husband, a defiant step-son, and a proud wife. These are the characters that form the foundation of the lively plot of Blood Money.

Pepper Smith's debut reveals a promising new talent for lovers of suspense and mystery...Blood Money's plot has more twists and turns than the halls of an Irish castle, with a lively pace and cunningly crafted clues...I give this book a Muse Review Mark of Good, for its well-constructed plot and satisfying conclusion.

Mary Schneider, Muse Book Reviews

Blood Money can be summed up in one word: WOW. This story is loaded with action, intrigue, danger and excitement. Patty is a determined woman who doesn't stop at anything after she sets her mind in motion. She may no longer live in America, but she never forgets her backbone and sense to maintain her independence in what she believes. She eagerly shows others that she can stand on her own two feet when danger arises. Pepper Smith has created a remarkable book that gives the characters true grit. Everything is so detailed with the landscape and the picturesque beauty that it pulls the reader into the whole aura of the story. I have always wanted to visit Ireland and Ms. Smith has a flair for writing that put me right in the setting of it all. She has composed an incredible story that had me hooked all the way to the end. The characters were believable and light up the pages. The plot was tight and the outcome unpredictable. I highly recommend this book. Bravo to Ms. Smith for creating strong characters and a powerful strong heroine.

Linda L, Fallen Angel Reviews
Five Angels, Recommended Read

This is a truly fascinating story and shows women as being resourceful and able to handle themselves in tricky situations. Several women in this novel are portrayed as strong-willed and this is particularly true of Patty. Though she now lives in Ireland she has retained a strong sense of her American independence and surprises many with her lack of submissiveness to men and refusal to play the damsel in distress.

Throughout this gripping tale are interwoven beautiful descriptions of Ireland as well as Italy, where the treasure hunt takes them.

Christina Winikoff, Book Review Cafe
Rating: Five Cups