C. J. Sturges has loved Maddie all his life, but when she dumps him following a one night stand to return to her fiancee, the Frog Point bad boy leaves town to become a successful big city accountant. Two decades later, he returns with a mission: to discover if MaddieÆs spouse Brent is embezzling money from his own company. When he sees Maddie, hurting and fragile, C. J. realizes that he still loves her. Maddie tells him that Brent has been cheating on her again. The comfort he offers her turns into a passionate love making session, but this time C. J. refuses to leave.

Maddie is frightened as she worries what the townsfolk and her daughter Emily will say when she files for divorce. Still, she is relieved that the obstinate CJ will not let her go this time around. However, BrentÆs cheating and her own adultery are the least of MaddieÆs problems. She soon learns more about her spouse, her family, and her best friend than anyone should have to cope with in a lifetime, let alone a few days. As her world spins out of control, Maddie even begins to doubt CJ, thinking he too is just another liar.

Although this is Jennifer CruiseÆs first mainstream fiction, the novel has all of the warmth and charm readers have come to expect from this category romance writer extradinaire. The story line focuses on several serious topics such as adultery and murder, but the talented Ms. Cruise magically brings a smile and a laugh or two to the reader. TELL ME LIES is grand reading written by an author whose star is just beginning to shine all over the literary sky. It will prove impossible to wait for her next book to be released.