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Read Payback (2005)

Payback (2005)

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Rating
4.16 of 5 Votes: 2
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ISBN
0821778765 (ISBN13: 9780821778760)
Language
English
Publisher
zebra

Payback (2005) - Plot & Excerpts

Payback by Fern Michaels is a 2005 Zebra publication. Years ago, It was suggested to me that I might like this series. But, I was skeptical because at that time I was into really dark, gritty novels and looking at the book covers, this one as an example, with a white picket fence and red roses on it, I was sure it was too syrupy for me. But, when I received a copy of one the sisterhood novels as a gift a while back I thought- “Why not?” As it turns out I really liked the book, and wanted to read the series from the beginning, but I doubt that will ever happen, so I will try to read one here and there where I can and as close to being in order as possible. Payback reunites the ladies, and Charles, once more as they gather to help one of their own with a little 'payback'. In this case, Julia, a doctor and the wife of a prominent senator, discovers her husband is a philanderer and has given her HIV. So, she wants to be sure he pays for cutting her life short and she will start by casting doubts on his political future by making sure the press discovers his infidelity, but that's just for starters...The story also continues the saga between Nikki and Jack as they begin living separate lives, despite still being in love, but Jack finds his prying into the sisterhood's activities has dire consequences. Still, Jack is a very stubborn man, so I doubt he has fully learned his lesson. I enjoyed this one well enough, but certain parts of the plot puzzled me, like Julia insisting on keeping her diagnosis a secret from her husband. It seems to me that the longer she waited, the more likely he could infect someone else. The plot against the senator was vague and things moved too slowly for my taste, and there wasn't a lot of action or build up of suspense. What sold this one for me was the drama between Nikki and Jack and his obsession with finding out what the ladies were up to, which led him into territory he never dreamed of.I know there are books in this series that were a lot stronger than this one. But, it was nice to go back and read one of the older titles and get a little more background on the long running series. Overall 3 stars

“Some Women Get Angry. . . The Sisterhood Gets Even. Meet the Sisterhood--seven very different women who found one another in their darkest days and formed an indelible friendship, strong enough to heal their pasts and bring laughter and joy back into their lives. In Myra Rutledge's beautiful, Virginia home, amid hugs and fresh iced tea, shrimp fritters and shell-pink tulips, the friends have gathered to embark on their second mission of sweet revenge for one of their own. Julia Webster's husband, a U.S. Senator, has used his wife's graciousness and elegance to advance his career even as he's abused her trust at every turn and left her dreams for the future in tatters. Now, on the eve of his greatest political victory, he's about to learn a serious lesson in payback. Because the senator crossed the wrong woman. . .and there are six more where she came from. . ."Revenge is a dish best served with cloth napkins and floral centerpieces. . .fast-paced. . .puts poetic justice first."Didn’t take long to read but didn’t seem very real --- good to see bad guys ge caught but how these ladies did it, just isn’t real.

What do You think about Payback (2005)?

I’m not even sure where I picked up this novel, perhaps at a garage sale. I’m sure I was attracted to the quotation on the front: “Friends make every burden lighter, and every triumph sweeter . . . . “ And the blurb on the back about the “sisterhood.” Friendship is one of my favorite subjects. However . . . The title should have gotten my attention—the novel is one of the Sisterhood series which is about seven very different women who become vigilantes, pursuing justice and revenge against those who have wronged them in some huge way (drunk driver who kills a daughter, an insurance company that refuses needed treatment to children and others, a philandering husband who gives his wife HIV/AIDS). Money is no object, expertise is available, missions for each of the seven women occur. Definitely a pop novel—a quick read--pure escape.
—Georgia Herod

1.75starsI've rather enjoyed a couple of the later books of this series, but find the second installment far less appealing. The overall premise of women banding together for vengeance is a fine driver for this long-running series, and lends itself to a variety of situations for our protagonists. This time out the senator husband of one of the sisterhood has not only drained their financial accounts, he has given her a death sentence. Before she takes her last breath, Julia would like nothing better than to completely and irrevocably destroy the separate life of handsome, distinguished Mitch Webster and make him pay for not only taking her life, but for thinking to leave her destitute and dependent upon him. We're also treated to a thread featuring a broken hearted Nikki whose ex-fiance is attempting to: 1) verify there is a sisterhood; 2) discover their plan; 3)derail their current plan; 4) prove they are behind a work problem he is having and; 5) win Nikki back. The final major thread here has sisterhood founder Myra using and (frequently) talking to her deceased daughter's ghost. I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from the later books and noting their changes. The elaborate scheme, interaction among the characters and the intricately woven threads all work for good and make this a serviceable series. One of the major things that didn't work for me in this effort was the stiffly formal speech (or maybe the rich are just that different) - I wish that were all that bothered me. The whole ghost thing didn't seem natural to me for this setting so I had a hard time accepting it - again, I wish that were all that bothered me. What bothered me was the insult I felt as a reader, a woman and an African American. In the end, I could never recommend this book to anyone ever due to the amount of illogical conclusions, TSTL actions of characters that should have known better and the stereotypes. Too many things didn't work here to not be annoyed with this read.
—PepperP0t

In this second book of the Sisterhood series, the women take on the mission of righting injustices done to Julia Webster, a doctor infected with the HIV virus by her philandering husband Mitch, a senator.Julia's mission is two-pronged in "Payback (Zebra Romance)." In addition to making Mitch pay, she also wants to punish a greedy HMO that sentences patients "to death" by denying claims for treatment.Again, technologically savvy Charles Martin's expertise is critical to the success of the plan that unfolds over the next several chapters. There are some other wrongs to right along the way, too; the women must somehow halt a nosy DA (Nikki's ex-fiance) who threatens their goals by following them, stalking them, and trying to hinder their efforts.Some of the details of the plans were quite complex and took sheer genius to bring about. And yes, it was fun to see the "bad guys" getting their just desserts. But enough is enough.After reading the first book in the series (Weekend Warriors) and others that are later in the series, I think I'm done with these books. I enjoy other books by this author a lot more. I'm giving this one three stars.
—Laurel-Rain

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