The sun was shining brightly and, as they made their way into the registry office, Sharon felt the first ripple of excitement she had felt in years. It was as if, with Reggie’s wedding, his obvious happiness had rubbed off on her. She knew one thing for sure: she never wanted another man. Never put your happiness in someone else’s hands. She had read that recently and she had felt a strange urge to cry. There was such a truth in it that it had hit her like a thunderbolt.

What she wanted now was to live her own life to the full. She had money, she had property and she had her family. First stop was Australia with Gerry, and then they were going to see where the fancy took them. One thing she knew was that no matter what happened to you, no matter how bad life got, happiness – true happiness – was a state of mind. She had paid out everyone who had ever hurt her and now her new mantra was quite a simple one: don’t get mad, get even.

Have you read all of Martina Cole’s phenomenal bestsellers?

DANGEROUS LADY

No one thinks a seventeen-year-old girl can take on the hard men of London’s gangland, but it’s a mistake to underestimate Maura Ryan: she’s tough, clever and beautiful – and one very dangerous lady . . .

THE LADYKILLER

George Markham has a nasty little hobby, which erupts into an orgy of vicious sexual depravity. In charge of the case, DI Kate Burrows fears she’ll lose everything she’s ever cared about to . . . the ladykiller.

THE RUNAWAY

Cathy Connor’s miserable life as a prostitute’s child changes for ever when she is forced into care. When she crosses paths with ruthless Eamonn Docherty she’s an equal match for him. And nothing’s going to make her run away . . .

TWO WOMEN

Brutalised throughout her marriage, Sue Dalston smashes her husband’s skull with a claw hammer in a final act of desperation. Celled up with murderess Matilda Enderby, their fates become inextricably linked. And no one could have predicted the consequences . . .

BROKEN

One by one, children are being abandoned. Thankfully, they’re rescued from harm. Then one victim is not so lucky, and DI Kate Burrows knows she’s in a race against time to save lives . . .

FACELESS

Eleven years ago Marie Carter was convicted of killing her two best friends. Now she’s being released from prison. But some people out there are watching her – they know that Marie Carter wants retribution.

MAURA’S GAME

Maura Ryan was once the queen of the criminal underworld. But enemies from her past are closing in and they’re about to learn that the dangerous lady is back and she’s as lethal as ever . . .

THE KNOW

When her eleven-year-old daughter Kira disappears, Joanie Brewer’s darkest fears are realised, and her obsession to uncover the truth threatens to destroy her entire family.