Sex, Lies & Politics Series by Kristina Stangl

Twin Sisters, Kate Stanley and Jennifer Barrett, could not have been more different, nor have lived opposite lives. While Kate pursued her career to earn a doctorate in history, Jennifer chose romance and married her college sweetheart. Now, five years later, Kate is an accomplished history professor at New York University, while Jennifer is the ambassador’s wife... moreTwin Sisters, Kate Stanley and Jennifer Barrett, could not have been more different, nor have lived opposite lives. While Kate pursued her career to earn a doctorate in history, Jennifer chose romance and married her college sweetheart. Now, five years later, Kate is an accomplished history professor at New York University, while Jennifer is the ambassador’s wife. But when Jennifer suddenly goes missing, it’s up to Kate to step into Jennifer’s world and pose as the ambassador’s wife, in order to divert a scandal and save her sister. As Kate assumes Jennifer’s identity, she must learn how to adjust to her new role as the ambassador’s wife, both publicly and privately. She must publicly display the image of the ever supportive and dutiful wife, while surviving the internal turmoil within the walls of the estate, sparked by the embassy staff. But most importantly, she must also convince the world that she is madly in love with her new husband, the ambassador…. John Barrett is the U. S. Ambassador to Türkiye and has been married to Jennifer for five years. While the world perceives them to be the ideal happy couple, behind the iron curtain, nothing could be further from the truth. Sex, lies, lust and betrayal have plagued the Barrett’s marriage for years. Pretending to love one another in public, while hating each other in private, became a reality John only knew too well. But when Kate assumes Jennifer’s identity, pretending to love Kate surprisingly becomes easier. The mandatory state dinners suddenly become tolerable; perhaps, even rather enjoyable. The forced smiles feel more genuine. And the staged kisses ignite a burning sensation deep within his heart, that leaves him bewildered. The art of pretending has slowly become less of a demanding trivial task, and has evolved into something more authentic and real. In a world rooted in political theater, where hate can easily be disguised for love, and love for hate, when does the fine line between pretending to love end and falling in love begin? less

Twin Sisters, Kate Stanley and Jennifer Barrett, could not have been more different, nor have lived opposite lives. While Kate pursued her career to earn a doctorate in history, Jennifer chose romance and married her college sweetheart. Now, five years later, Kate is an accomplished history professor at New York University, while Jennifer is the ambassador’s wife... moreTwin Sisters, Kate Stanley and Jennifer Barrett, could not have been more different, nor have lived opposite lives. While Kate pursued her career to earn a doctorate in history, Jennifer chose romance and married her college sweetheart. Now, five years later, Kate is an accomplished history professor at New York University, while Jennifer is the ambassador’s wife. But when Jennifer suddenly goes missing, it’s up to Kate to step into Jennifer’s world and pose as the ambassador’s wife, in order to divert a scandal and save her sister. As Kate assumes Jennifer’s identity, she must learn how to adjust to her new role as the ambassador’s wife, both publicly and privately. She must publicly display the image of the ever supportive and dutiful wife, while surviving the internal turmoil within the walls of the estate, sparked by the embassy staff. But most importantly, she must also convince the world that she is madly in love with her new husband, the ambassador…. John Barrett is the U. S. Ambassador to Türkiye and has been married to Jennifer for five years. While the world perceives them to be the ideal happy couple, behind the iron curtain, nothing could be further from the truth. Sex, lies, lust and betrayal have plagued the Barretts' marriage for years. Pretending to love one another in public, while hating each other in private, became a reality John only knew too well. But when Kate assumes Jennifer’s identity, pretending to love Kate surprisingly becomes easier. The mandatory state dinners suddenly become tolerable; perhaps, even rather enjoyable. The forced smiles feel more genuine. And the staged kisses ignite a burning sensation deep within his heart, that leaves him bewildered. The art of pretending has slowly become less of a demanding trivial task, and has evolved into something more authentic and real. In a world rooted in political theater, where hate can easily be disguised for love, and love for hate, when does the fine line between pretending to love end and falling in love begin? less

One woman is about to discover that her forgotten life isn’t such a fairy tale after all…. Karly Summers, a romance author, has just awakened from a prolonged coma. After surviving from a near fatal hit-and-run accident, Karly’s memories of her past are all but limited. From what she’s been told, she’s a famous romance author, as well as the wife to a prominent U. S. Senator from Washington, D. C. From the outside, Karly’s life seems all but perfect. Except it isn’t…... moreOne woman is about to discover that her forgotten life isn’t such a fairy tale after all…. Karly Summers, a romance author, has just awakened from a prolonged coma. After surviving from a near fatal hit-and-run accident, Karly’s memories of her past are all but limited. From what she’s been told, she’s a famous romance author, as well as the wife to a prominent U. S. Senator from Washington, D. C. From the outside, Karly’s life seems all but perfect. Except it isn’t…. Someone wants her dead and until she uncovers the truth about her accident, then her past might still come back to haunt her. And this time, for good…. But Karly still has one ally. A stranger, who’s stood by as her mysterious protector. And although Karly can’t remember him, she does recognize his distinctive voice. Especially, whenever he calls her darling…. This Novella was also previously featured as episodes on Kindle Vella. less

Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew meets the world of politics, in a romantic soap opera-like modern fairy tale about a woman starting afresh amidst the disastrous aftermath of a lost election. Known as the Shrew, Katherine Sharp is a strong, witty, determined and merciless up-and-coming politician who bows down to no one. Except this time around, her life-long dreams of reaching the senate’s floor have come crashing down into the oblivion... moreShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew meets the world of politics, in a romantic soap opera-like modern fairy tale about a woman starting afresh amidst the disastrous aftermath of a lost election. Known as the Shrew, Katherine Sharp is a strong, witty, determined and merciless up-and-coming politician who bows down to no one. Except this time around, her life-long dreams of reaching the senate’s floor have come crashing down into the oblivion. Reeling from the devastating loss of her unsuccessful campaign, Katherine must come to terms with her life moving forward. Can she forge a new path, outside of the gruesome world of politics? Will she have the courage to end her sham of an engagement to her philandering fiancé? And most importantly, will she finally take notice and a liking to her trustworthy assistant and sidekick, James Petruchio, the man known in the press as the only person who can tame her? less

Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew meets the world of politics, in a romantic soap opera-like modern fairy tale about a woman starting afresh amidst the disastrous aftermath of a lost election. Known as the Shrew, Katherine Sharp is a strong, witty, determined and merciless up-and-coming politician who bows down to no one. Except this time around, her life-long dreams of reaching the senate’s floor have come crashing down into the oblivion... moreShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew meets the world of politics, in a romantic soap opera-like modern fairy tale about a woman starting afresh amidst the disastrous aftermath of a lost election. Known as the Shrew, Katherine Sharp is a strong, witty, determined and merciless up-and-coming politician who bows down to no one. Except this time around, her life-long dreams of reaching the senate’s floor have come crashing down into the oblivion. Reeling from the devastating loss of her unsuccessful campaign, Katherine must come to terms with her life moving forward. Can she forge a new path, outside of the gruesome world of politics? Will she have the courage to end her sham of an engagement to her philandering fiancé? And most importantly, will she finally take notice and a liking to her trustworthy assistant and sidekick, James Petruchio, the man known in the press as the only person who can tame her? less

Kill me or kiss me, sometimes, the only way to gain a husband’s attention is to kidnap him…. Twelve years ago, they got married. As childhood friends, Kayla Steuber and Jack Warner came from opposite worlds. While she was born with a wooden spoon and raised by her grandmother out in a remote cabin in the woods; he was born with a silver spoon and grew up within his family’s esteemed estate, Cerulean Manor... moreKill me or kiss me, sometimes, the only way to gain a husband’s attention is to kidnap him…. Twelve years ago, they got married. As childhood friends, Kayla Steuber and Jack Warner came from opposite worlds. While she was born with a wooden spoon and raised by her grandmother out in a remote cabin in the woods; he was born with a silver spoon and grew up within his family’s esteemed estate, Cerulean Manor. However, in a twist of fate, Kayla is struck by an unexpected illness and is forced to marry her childhood friend. A marriage rooted in paper. But as Jack departs for the east coast to attend college, Kayla is left behind at Cerulean Manor to endure the cruel abuse spawned by her mother-in-law, Vivian Warner, and her household staff. Desperate to flee from her unfortunate fate, Kayla reluctantly accepts Vivian’s offer to abandon her marriage and start a new life in another city. Several years later, Kayla, an entrepreneur with a flower shop in San Francisco, is determined to move on from her estranged husband. After requesting for a divorce through an exchange of emails, Jack has chosen to ignore her. And now, as the newly elected Senator of California, it’s become even more difficult to reach him. Furthermore, according to the press, Jack has a “wife” who lives overseas. Apart from her name, Mrs. Warner, not much else is known about the mysterious first lady. Meanwhile, Jack’s office has agreed to a billion-dollar project to renovate Kayla’s community. In a matter of weeks, her local business will be forced to shut down and vacate the premise. Plus, after several unsuccessful attempts to reach him, Kayla is determined to confront Jack, once and for all. And to do so, she’s willing to kidnap him. Force him to withdraw from the project and to at long last, divorce her for good. But to Kayla’s great surprise, when she finally comes face-to-face with her estranged husband, Jack simply laughs. Unfortunately, her gun failed to scare him off and furthermore, he claims that he still has no plans to divorce her. Apparently, the project only served as the aims to bring her back to him. “Either, you kill me, now,” he mischievously spoke, with a wicked grin resting upon his handsome face. “Or kiss me. Take your pick. ”. less