Perfect Bait
What People are Saying About Perfect Bait
“An extraordinary novel filled with gripping suspense, action and adventure … yet softened through deep compassion and free-flying spirit. I encourage everyone to pick up this book, although your spouse might need a crowbar to pry it out of your hands!”
—Evan S.
“As a 25-year police veteran and homicide detective, I love hunting criminals more than hunting fish! Michael Fowlkes really captures the gritty elements of crime fighting. All done in settings that embody the lure of the open ocean, the love of boats and the raw, passionate beauty of desire.”
—Sgt. Ron B.
“My husband is missing our entire Hawaiian vacation. He hasn’t looked up from the book since he started reading it on the plane. I can’t wait to get my hands on it.”
—Jan F.
“Best book I’ve ever read in my life. I bought the book to read during my trip on the Red Rooster III. Figured it would last the entire trip. Started reading it after we baited up, again figuring it would put me right to sleep. But once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. Read all night—and no one’s going to believe this—but everyone on board will swear to it: when we had our first jig strike the next morning, I didn’t even put it down to fish! I had to find out what happened to them. Read it cover to cover, non-stop. To say I love the book is an understatement!”
—Larry W.
“Read the book while I was in Avalon and couldn’t put it down. The book has it all—suspense, adventure and way sexy romance. Can’t wait for my husband to read it. Can’t wait for the sequel!”
—Karen O.
“The read of a lifetime.”
—Casey P.
“Absolutely amazing! If you love romance, suspense and thrills, this is definitely a book to read. It truly is a book that was hard to put down. Luckily, my husband loves fishing, so reading it nonstop was okay by him.”
—Kristine G.
“An absolute page burner. I haven’t been able to put it down. One of the best novels I’ve ever read.”
—Ron P., M.D.
“I read the book cover to cover in one day. I could not put it down. One of the best stories I have ever read. The passion, betrayal and loss kept me glued in.”
—Robby G.
“It had all the elements necessary to be what I refer to as ‘riveting.’ Neither my husband nor I could put it down. Your style is lively and your imagination vivid and exciting. We enjoyed every word.”
—Cathy and Russell C.
“Loved the book. Couldn’t put it down. Thinking the entire time what an awesome movie it would make. Such an intriguing, suspenseful story. Totally fresh and original. A cross between Jaws and the The Perfect Storm with lots of steamy romance and great sex. When are you going to write the sequel?”
—Tim D.
“Thanks for keeping me up ‘til three a.m.!! I couldn’t put your damn book down!! Awesome job … fishing, romance, sex, intrigue and many good lessons for boat captains. Congrats on a great book.”
—Captain Chuck B.
“Just read your book for the second time, and all I can say is thank you for giving us such an awesome read. It’s a great novel with tons of twists and turns, suspense and romance that has me eagerly waiting for the sequel.”
—Matt McG.
“I loved this intriguing story, so much so, that I could not lay the book down after I started reading it. From the sensuous love scenes, to the full drama at sea, I was glued to the book. I have never found anyone who could describe so well the passion between a man and a woman as you did. If only we could all find this kind of love for each other.”
—Robert H.
“If you love the ocean, action, adventure, extraordinary characters and spellbinding suspense, you will not be able to put it down.
—Pete G.
“The book was fantastic. I read it as soon as I bought it and couldn’t put it down. I gave it to a friend of mine, and he read it on a recent fishing trip to Mag Bay and Cabo. He, too, enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down.”
— Jim S.
Perfect Bait
Michael Fowlkes
Thunderbird Press
Rancho Mirage, California
Perfect Bait
Michael Fowlkes
Originally published under the name Flawed
Copyright ©2012 by Michael Fowlkes.
All Rights Reserved.
Book Design by Karoline Butler, KKCalifornia
Cover Design by JulieMetz/Monica Gurevich for Julie Metz, Ltd.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
This is a work of fictition. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author or the publisher.
Grateful acknowledgment is made to Crown Publishers, Bell & Sons Publishing, LLC, for permission to print excerpts from Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, ©1927.
Published by
Thunderbird Press
P.O. Box 524
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012932670
ISBN: 978-0-9742406-4-0 (hardback)
ISBN: 978-0-9742406-5-7 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-0-9742406-6-4 (ebook)
To courageous women, loyal dogs and boats of all shapes and sizes.
Contents