The Jury

Once upon a time there were seven very different women who had been broken but not beaten by life. In those tough days of healing, they became the Sisterhood, a group of devoted friends who vowed to change their lives, empower themselves, and be there for each other, no matter what. Now, theyre ready to answer the call for the woman who started it all, Myra Rutledge.

Five years ago, Myras pregnant daughter was killed by a hit-and-run driver—the playboy son of an ambassador with diplomatic immunity. Myra was left to grieve while the murderer was free to return to his lavish lifestyle with no fear of ever having to pay for his crime. But not for much longer. As the air turns crisp the Virginia hills around Myras lovely old farmhouse, the Sisterhood has gathered for a little creative planning, and what they have in mind is a gift for Myra of long-awaited and very sweet revenge…

Fern Michaels is the New York Times bestselling author of Picture Perfect, Weekend Warriors, Payback, The Real Deal, Kentucky Rich, Plain Jane, Yesterday, and many other novels. She shares her 300-year-old South Carolina plantation home with her six dogs and resident ghost, Mary Margaret, who leaves messages on her computer.

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 Rutledges 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 Websters husband, a U.S. Senator, has used his wifes graciousness and elegance to advance his career even as hes abused her trust at every turn and left her dreams for the future in tatters. Now, on the eve of his greatest political victory, hes about to learn a serious lesson in payback. Because the senator crossed the wrong woman…and there are six more where she came from…

Fern Michaels is the New York Times bestselling author of Crown Jewel, Weekend Warriors, The Real Deal, Kentucky Rich, Plain Jane, Yesterday, and many other novels. She shares her 300-year-old South Carolina plantation home with her six dogs and resident ghost, Mary Margaret, who leaves messages on her computer.

There are some things that a group of gracious ladies just cant overlook—and doing one of their friends dirty is at the top of the list. Thats the mission of the Sisterhood, seven women who would do anything to help out one of their clan, especially when it means righting a wrong. And Isabelle Flanders has definitely been done wrong.

Her former colleague, the conniving Rosemary, did everything in her power to ruin Isabelle, from framing her for a terrible drunk driving accident to stealing her husband and her architecture firm. Now, Isabelles formerly lovely life is in tatters while Rosemary scoops up the spoils. Its enough to make any friends blood boil. Rosemary may think shes flying high, but shes about to tangle with the Sisterhood. And when the Sisterhood is on the case, revenge is swift, delicious, and oh-so-sweet…

PRAISE FOR PAYBACK

“Revenge is a dish best served with cloth napkins and floral centerpieces…fast-paced…puts poetic justice first.”—Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR WEEKEND WARRIORS

“Readers who grow weary of seeing the bad guys get away with their crimes will enjoy seeing what happens when well-funded, very angry women take the law into their own hands.” Booklist

“An unforgettable story.” —Rendezvous

The loyal friends who make up the Sisterhood have gathered at Myra Rutledges beautiful Virginia home for the first time in a year, eager to talk, laugh, and share their joys and heartaches. For one of their number, its an evening filled with anticipation. Because tonight, over delicious food and in the company of those she trusts most, it will finally be time to tell her story—and for the Sisterhood to help plan her revenge.

Yoko Akias mother was only fifteen when a wealthy man swept her off her feet with promises of love. Instead, he filled her brief life with horror and misery. The Sisterhood has helped each other exact vengeance on rotten men before, but this time its different. Their target is none other than Americas favorite movie star—a brute who has conned the world into believing hes Mister Perfect. But hes about to learn that nobody—not even a powerful superstar—is above the Sisterhoods special brand of payback...

“Revenge is a dish best served with cloth napkins and floral centerpieces…fast-paced…puts poetic justice first.” —Publishers Weekly on Payback

“Readers who grow weary of seeing the bad guys get away with their crimes will enjoy seeing what happens when well-funded, very angry women take the law into their own hands.” —Booklist on Weekend Warriors

“An unforgettable story.” —Rendezvous on Weekend Warriors

The women of the Sisterhood are fun, smart, sassy, and determined to get their way every time. But most of all, they are the best friends a woman wants by her side in good times and bad. Meeting once again in Myra Rutledges beautiful Virginia home, theyre ready to face a new challenge and right a vicious wrong...

Alexis Thorn, once a successful securities broker, spent a hellish year behind bars for a crime she never committed. Now she has her freedom, but shes left with haunting memories of being hauled from her office in handcuffs...of the cell door clanging shut behind her...of her pleas going unheard. Meanwhile the real criminalsher former employers, Roland Sullivan and his lover Arden Gillespiecontinue to make millions by conning the innocent, especially preying on the elderly and taking their life savings. Alexis dreams of getting even. The legal system failed her, but the Sisterhood wont. They have a delicious plan that can give Sullivan and Gillespie a taste of their own bitter medicine...

Life isn't fair. Most women know it. But what can you do about it? Plenty. . .if you're part of the Sisterhood. On the surface, these seven women are as different as can be--but each has had her share of bad luck, from cheating husbands to sexist colleagues to a legal system that often doesn't do its job. Now, drawn together by tragedy, they're forging a bond that will help them right the wrongs committed against them and discover an inner strength they didn't know they had. Growing bolder with each act of justice, the Sisterhood is learning that when bad things happen, you can roll over and play dead. . .or you can get up fighting. . ..

Praise for Fern Michaels and her Sisterhood novels. . .

"Readers will enjoy seeing what happens when well-funded, very angry women take the law into their own hands." --Booklist on Weekend Warriors

"Delectable. . .deliver[s] revenge that's creatively swift and sweet, Michaels-style." --Publishers Weekly on Hokus Pokus

Includes bonus Sisterhood chapter!

Its been years since the members of the Sisterhood first banded together, with the help of their mentor Charles Martin, to exact their own form of justice on those whose crimes had gone unpunished by the legal system. Now, back in the United States after an enforced exile, and ensconced in a new home on Big Pine Mountain in North Carolina, Myra, Kathryn, Annie, Alexis, Isabelle, Yoko, and Nikki are breathing easy at last—but not for long.

One dark night, under cover of a vicious storm, a helicopter lands on their mountain. The Sisters arent about to wait to be ambushed. Braving the storm, they set out to greet their guests, only to be told by Charles that the mysterious visitors are the Sisterhoods new employers, and theyve got a dangerous new assignment in mind.  The task they face is daunting. If they succeed, the Sisterhood will be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams. If they fail, theyll forfeit much more than a paycheck. But if the Ladies of Pinewood have learned one thing over the course of their adventures, its that when friends band together, miracles can happen

Praise for Fern Michaels and her Sisterhood novels…

“Revenge is a dish best served with cloth napkins and floral centerpieces…fast-paced…puts poetic justice first.”—Publishers Weekly on Payback

“An unforgettable story.”—Rendezvous on Weekend Warriors

Fern Michaels is the USA Today  and New York Times  bestselling author of Up Close and Personal, Fool Me Once, The Nosy Neighbor, Pretty Woman, and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are over seventy million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown, and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret.

Through all their adventures, the bond of the Sisterhood has remained steadfast and unshakeable. But for the first time, the Sisterhood verges on falling apart when the ladies have to choose between two difficult assignments. The first job guarantees a huge paycheck;the second offers a presidential pardon—and a chance to finally emerge from hiding.

For the sake of their union, the gals put aside their differences and focus on a new mission. A mysterious Washington, D.C. political operative needs them to track down a computer hacker who has stolen a highly classified list of fundraisers names. With a presidential election looming, the girls soon realize the job is a lot more dangerous than they had anticipated. Will their client come through with his promise? And can the ladies stop fighting—and stay alive—long enough to see it happen?

Praise for Fern Michaels and her Sisterhood novels…

“Revenge is a dish best served with cloth napkins and floral centerpieces…fast-paced…puts poetic justice first.”—Publishers Weekly on Payback

“An unforgettable story.”—Rendezvous on Weekend Warriors

The seven women of the Sisterhood—Myra, Annie, Kathryn, Alexis, Yoko, Nikki, and Isabelle—have risked everything in the name of justice, including their own freedom. Their most recent mission promised to reward them with a presidential pardon and a chance to leave their enforced exile. But before they can enjoy their prize, theyll have to tackle a risky new mission in the heart of Sin City.

Myra and Annies childhood friend, Beatrice, needs a favor. Her estranged daughter, Marble Rose, has been enjoying a stroke of good luck at the casinos lately—the kind of luck that makes enemies of the most powerful people in Vegas. Those people want Marble Rose stopped, permanently. But as the Sisters investigate with the help of their ally and attorney, Lizzie Fox, they discover a web of corruption that will pit them against their most ruthless opponent yet. Armed with Alexiss red bag of tricks, the ladies are about to put a daring plan in action. Theyve never failed before, but in Vegas, there are no sure bets—and this time, theyll have to wager everything they hold dear…

Praise for Fern Michaels and her Sisterhood novels…

“Delectable…deliver[s] revenge thats creatively swift and sweet, Michaels-style.” —Publishers Weekly on Hokus Pokus

Fern Michaels is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of Up Close and Personal, Fool Me Once, Picture Perfect,  and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are over seventy million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown, and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret.

A Sisters work is never done—not when there are wrongs to right and underdogs to defend. Just returned to their mountaintop hideaway after their latest successful mission, the seven fearless friends enjoy a celebratory dinner and retire to bed. But within an hour, an alarm sounds, and the ladies rush into the compound in time to see Myra and their mentor, Charles, climbing aboard a helicopter. All thats left is a mysterious note, signed by Charles.

Still reeling, the Sisters receive an urgent call from retired justice Pearl Barnes. Pearl runs an underground railroad to help abused and displaced women, and shes just rescued fourteen pregnant teenagers who belong to a highly secretive and controversial polygamy sect. But keeping the girls safe will require the kind of help only the Sisterhood can provide—if they can band together and go it alone...

Praise for Fern Michaels and her Sisterhood novels…

“Revenge is a dish best served with cloth napkins and floral centerpieces…fast-paced…puts poetic justice first.”—Publishers Weekly on Payback

“Delectable…deliver[s] revenge thats creatively swift and sweet, Michaels-style.” —Publishers Weekly on Hokus Pokus