Donald Churchwell

Queen of Spades Donald Churchwell

In this sequel to Drop Dead Gorgeous, Alexandra Jane (A. J.) Moring is now an assassin employed by a covert group of disgruntled DEA members. She always leaves a calling card at the scene of her "hits," a queen of spades playing card. Killing as an occupation, even if the victims are truly evil and deserve to die, gradually takes its toll on her psyche. When Carlos the Scorpion takes her pursuit of him personally and retaliates, it starts a downward spiral that begins to take control of her every waking moment. Eventually she begins to have serious doubts that she and her fellow team members are any less evil than those they pursue. As she struggles to keep her head above water, she reaches out to a man she respects, hoping, pleading, for humanity in the form of a relationship and the chance to experience love, and being loved, for the first time in her adult life. Just as her attempts to find a way to care for and about others begin to bear fruit, a horrific series of events completely casts her over the cliff. She flees Colombia, abandoning her job, her obligations, and even her family, for the only thing left that she knows, stalking and killing. Only now, she will be a mercenary. No duty, no higher calling, simply death for dollars, and on her terms. Has A. J. turned totally to the dark side? Or is there some trace of humanity and goodness remaining in her now twisted soul? Read the Queen of Spades to find out.