Dead Man's Hand — Jean Lamb

Tonio Vitor is a gambler, and likes to win. Except when he loses his family, his estate, and his face in a deadly fire. He'll do anything to gain them back, even risk his soul. He changes his name, so what he must do won't tarnish his own. But when it's all over, who is the ghost--Ravin Gambrell or Tonio Vitor?

Jefferson P. Swycaffer, author of Warsprite and The Ultimate Prey, has this to say about this book:

Take the Italian Renaissance, with powerful trading houses locked in vendettas, dueling for control of the world's wealth. Add a delicate touch of magic, in the form of a civilization where ghosts are commonplace reality. Now, follow the destinies of two young men, their parallel lives linked by a gambling debt. Love and vengeance are the heart and soul of this gripping novel of high intrigue. The reader is caught up in the emotional lives of the two protagonists. Jean Lamb shows her knowledge of trade, gambling, and the sea, and presents us with an intricately plotted novel of high diplomacy...and low knife-fighting.

The story is innovative and memorable, and the characters are real, believable, and often as frightening as anyone in today's headline news. The reader will become caught up in the adventures and challenges of Avdan Delcoros and Tonio Vitor; these two heroes are interesting, captivating, and, best of all, engaging. They are people you would be glad to meet, and they are brought to life in this book.