By Kathleen O’Connor

"Richard Douglas Connerman, (Rich) has an expensive toupee, perfect teeth and a fast car. He also has a scheme to sell securities to suckers. He’s involved with two women who both know and know about each other. You might say his life is complicated.

In this rollicking novel, the reader gets to view the excesses of greed (Texas style) through the observant eyes of Rich’s business partner, Rashid Al-Khadari (Al).

This quiet man from Qatar observes that the western world has too many options. “You gave a man only one suit, and he would always know how to dress. You gave him a dozen, and he would enter into a state of confusion forever.”

Al’s wife, Noor, is addicted to American soap operas and to warning her husband that Rich is a bad man. Pereda’s portrayal of Noor’s relationship with her husband is touching and convincing.

This is a fast-paced book with five narrators and changes in locale from Texas to Florida and the Middle East. There are intrigues and psychological games galore. The author manages to satisfactorily resolve all these scams, conspiracies and betrayals in just 150 pages and take the reader on a fun ride at the same time."  

“The Florida Palm,” Fall 2006. Reprinted by permission.
Kathleen O’Connor is the author of No Doubt and a reviewer for “The Florida Palm” magazine.