R.O. Palmer

Picasso Prince

2011-02-28T09:15:00.005-05:00

A newly discovered Picasso canvas, the Winter Prince, is up for auction on a Caribbean connoisseur art cruise, and collector Malcolm Golden has to have it. He also has a death threat, so he hires Cynthia James to be his covert bodyguard on Persian Prince, a cruise ship like no other.

Cynthia sees the job as easy money… until somebody on board turns up dead. The wealthy bidders, including Malcolm, are suspects, as is Cynthia, when her murky past comes to light. The Winter Prince may be in jeopardy, but the painting is safe from theft as long as the ship is at sea, isn’t it?

Picasso Prince is a mystery that isn’t a typical mystery, and a romance that isn’t a conventional romance. The novel mixes a pinch of travelogue into a tale of deception that confirms Ovid’s maxim: “Art lies in concealing art.”

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2010-04-21T08:16:00.001-04:00

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Darress Theatre

2009-03-10T00:45:00.002-04:00

Multiple tales converge at the Darress Theatre in Boonton, New Jersey, with the quirky building an integral character in each story. A murder rocks the quiet town; an everyday man blossoms; an ex-con adjusts to life after prison; an improbable romance ignites; and a poignant play, Cable’s Out, weaves its way through the novel, from first rehearsal to closing night’s curtain call.

Meet the dramatic players of Darress Theatre. The narrator, Ryan, a part-time actor in a dead-end job, weighs the responsibility of caring for a fading parent against the lure of an exotic newcomer. Dolly is the lovable Texan who keeps the Darress going by force of personality. George, a past-his-prime star, reaches for one last brass ring. And meet the Darress Theatre itself, old, odd, and worth saving because it is like no other.

Queen of Diamonds

2006-10-18T18:21:00.000-04:00

Queen of Diamonds is the story of Ngoc Soàn, a flamboyant Vietnamese gambler and businesswoman who has overcome gender barriers, racial discrimination, and war wounds to build a thriving Philadelphia diamond company. When she discovers that wealth alone doesn’t bring happiness, she pursues her dream—lowering diamond prices for the masses.

With the De Beers diamond cartel in control of the world supply, Ngoc defies the cartel in her quest for a revolutionary mining discovery—a discovery that De Beers will do anything to suppress.

A sinister Russian, a brilliant geologist, a rival tycoon, and Ngoc’s ambitious niece complicate Ngoc’s risky bid to bypass the cartel. Enter Paul Weeks, master of surveillance and disguise, who sells Ngoc the secret mining specifications. In the process, he uncovers Ngoc’s own painful secret, opening new possibilities for the Queen of Diamonds.

Patriot James

2005-09-30T21:36:00.000-04:00

How far will a woman go to fight terrorism?
Cynthia James goes all the way--as a patriotic assassin, trained to seduce and execute the terrorists who killed her brother. She joins Patriots for Freedom, a covert organization using advanced surveillance technology, an organization that blurs the line between patriotism and revenge. Rigorous training and perilous missions in Bermuda, Spain, and England empower Cynthia. But killing dangerous men--and enjoying it--jars her identity, igniting passion for both an unpredictable man and a sensous woman.
Ambitious executives control Patriots for Freedom. When their power struggle endangers Cynthia, she faces a dilemma: leave herself vulnerable, or turn on her bosses, Cynthia's decision initiates a series of twists that spiral out of control.
Patriot James pits a scarred woman, searching for her best, against the worst of enemies, Cynthia faces questions that many contemplate in today's world. Where does patriotism end and vengeance begin? Is technology more trustworthy than people? How should a civilized society fight terrorism?
Is Cynthia James a patriot? Readers may not agree on an answer, but they will experience the same intriguing adventure.