Reputation: A Novel

A New Romantic Suspense Novel by Indy Quillen

• A fractured woman hoping to find a fresh start.
• A cautious man willing to be open to love again with the right woman.
• And a fiery scandal sparked by jealousy with the potential to destroy her reputation and so much more.

Liz Allender’s Los Angeles art exhibitions have become more lavish and popular with every show. And now her artwork is being noticed by collectors from as far away as New York and London. But when the man in her life plants seeds of self-doubt about her artistic success, then follows up with a personal betrayal, her once stable world begins to crumble… and in the space of one night she loses both her artistic confidence and her ability to trust in love.

Deciding that a spontaneous adventure in a small, mountain town is just what she needs to reclaim the woman and artist she lost along the way, Liz leaves behind the world she knows for anonymity and a chance to discover her true self again. And hidden behind a new name and new identity, she does find total freedom … to heal, to escape, to explore a new style of art, to be whomever she wants to be, both as an artist and as a person.

What Liz doesn’t count on is Luke Carson, a ruggedly handsome local who’s undeniably, yet cautiously, attracted to her from the first minute he sees her. And it’s not long before he finds himself coming up with reasons—or excuses—to be where she is. But as the two begin spending more time together, there are others who start taking an unhealthy interest in Liz and her relationship with Luke. Soon jealousy spurs rumors intended to make Liz leave town … rumors that become increasingly spiteful as the envy and jealousy continue to grow.

With Liz and Luke both nursing wounded hearts from past relationships, will they be able to let the walls down long enough to let each other in? Will Liz’s secret identity drive Luke away when he learns the truth of who she really is and the people she’s connected to? Or will the rumors being spread around town create a scandal so shocking and fiery that any chance of them being together is completely destroyed … along with Liz’s reputation?

Preview a sample chapter of Reputation: A Novel

Dennis Crosby Interviews Indy

BOOK REVIEWS

“A different type of story, the same brilliant storyteller. Indy Quillen’s smooth, engaging writing style, glides the reader into the world of intrigue, betrayals, and perfectly flawed characters, set against the backdrop of art, creativity, and the subtle beauty of nature. Be prepared to read this story in one sitting.”

—Ara Grigorian, Bestselling author of 15 Days with You, Ten Year Dance & Game of Love
…Stories of Second Chances…

“This is the kind of book I really love. Complicated characters, beautiful setting (Indy Quillen does landscape so well in all her books), fast-moving story that doesn’t move so fast I can’t also enjoy the good writing, which I did, and tension enough to keep me awake and reading into the wee hours. This is the kind of book you don’t want to stop reading because you want to know what happens next, but you also don’t want to end because you love being right there with the story and the characters. Oh, and then, after you finish the book, for the next little while, you miss the characters and wonder what they’re up to and what happened to them next. Thanks, Indy Quillen, for another fine read. I’ll need to catch up on my sleep before your next one.”

—Judy Reeves, author of Wild Women, Wild Voices and A Writer’s Book of Days

REPUTATION – a five-star read worthy of your time!

“A gifted artist faces betrayal by her lover in REPUTATION, the most recent novel from author Indy Quillen. In her quest to resolve both professional doubts and personal insecurities, highly acclaimed artist Liz Allender embraces a new identity and seeks a respite from the high stakes, international art world. She flees LA, settles into a remote mountain cabin, and commits to the renewal of her artistic passions. Her quest to redefine herself as an artist and as a woman yields unexpected challenges.

Liz discovers there is no escaping those willing to malign her character as she expands her creative reach. Envy and jealousy escalate when she falls for a man of integrity and honor. An adversary dies under suspicious circumstances, and Liz finds herself implicated in the woman’s death. Will the destruction of her REPUTATION be sufficient for those who resent her talent and beauty, or will she be forced to confront trumped up murder charges by those who continue to cast aspersions on both her character and her artistic gifts? And will Liz’s new lover stand by her side as she asserts her innocence?

—Laura Taylor, 6-Time Romantic Times Award Winner

“I get SO tired of women protagonists that are stupid and helpless, this story was refreshing. The main character has her troubles, that is for sure, but she isn’t a mess waiting to be rescued by a man. The settings was delightful and the story was NOT predictable. I really liked this author’s Fox Walker series and will read anything she writes. I am not going to tell you about the story but I will say that it kept me reading into the night and that I was sorry it ended.”

—Linda Jo Hunter, author of Lonesome for Bears

“Indy Quillen paints with words. In her foray into romantic suspense, Quillen outdoes herself with lush scene setting and description, with each brushstroke of prose another step in the completion of a landscape of tension, romance, trepidation and triumph. Her protagonist Liz, seeking an escape from life in the city, finds everything an artist needs in a quaint mountain community … but jealousy and spitefulness threaten to undo her treasure of peace and creative enlivenment. A new life beckons for her here in the mountains, if Liz can hold onto what she’s found. Five earned stars for its wonderful writing.”

— Dale Amidei, author, Absinthe & Chocolate and The Bonus Pool