Mystery/Romantic Suspense
Sink or Swim
If you enjoy fun mystery novels with suspense, romance, and unexpected twists, dive into Sink or Swim.
Personal trainer Cassidy Novak garners popularity and fame while starring in a hit reality show. After she catches the attention of a stalker, her well-ordered life turns topsy-turvy.
As Cassidy's competitors disappear one-by-one, she teams up with Zach Gallagher, the charming photographer tasked to record her personal moments for a local newspaper.
Is Zach trustworthy? He shadows her as easily as the stalker. Cassidy hates the bizarre rules in this guessing game, but when her stalker forces a showdown, she plays to win...
Made the Nook Top 20 and was a Nook Mystery Bestseller.
A #1 Amazon Kindle Bestseller in the Women Sleuths and Romantic Suspense categories.
Sink or Swim is also available in the three-book Young Ladies of Mystery Boxed Set.
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Reality TV Can Be Murder
Read an Excerpt
Cassidy sat poised in her chair as former contestants filed onto the soundstage at WBC in New York. Together, the studio audience and television viewers had watched the recorded footage of her walking the plank. Gabriel would now interview the competitors from the inaugural season one final time. More importantly, he would announce her prize. If it erased most of her debts, then it would at least make this whole embarrassing experience worthwhile.
Cassidy’s heart kicked in her chest and sweat moistened her brow. As one of her old teammates entered, her heart rate skyrocketed for a different reason. Josh Sanchioni slid into a bucket seat, carrying himself stiffer than normal in his sharp gray suit. Studio lights caught his sunbleached strawberry blonde waves, brightening the reddish gold tints.
Cassidy slipped her gaze to his leather shoes. If Josh hadn’t been engaged, they could have been an item. Instead, they’d been good friends until that one evening when the cameras were off and they almost kissed. They’d both realized their mistake and backed away. Things were strained until Josh walked the plank a week later. Tonight, not only did Cassidy have to face Josh, she would probably meet his fiancée.
Her cheeks heating, Cassidy focused on the competitor beside Josh as a distraction. Adam Horton sat erect, hands folded in the lap of his olive green khakis. He wasn’t military, but he dressed like an Army wannabe. His reptilian eyes drilled into Cassidy, his angular face revealing the shape of bones underneath. A blond goatee darkened his pointy chin. Cassidy shuddered involuntarily. Adam never said much, but he made her uncomfortable just the same. She’d sense someone watching her on the ship and Adam would be lurking in the hatches. Luckily, he only lasted on the show two weeks.
“Before we catch up with our former contestants, I’d like to congratulate Cassidy on a job well done,” Gabriel said in the middle of the circle.
Applause thundered from the audience and a wave of excitement crested over her. Cassidy offered a smile for the cameras as Gabriel finished, “I’m proud to present you with your prize – a luxury vacation for two to the Bahamas on a real cruise ship with $3,000 spending money!”
Dumbfounded, Cassidy watched as a video depicted a majestic ocean liner on the large TV screen. “Set sail with us to the Bahamas, where you can swim with dolphins in turquoise waters, relax on sugar white beaches and explore the island’s history as a haven for pirates,” said the female announcer in a voice-over. “On your voyage, you can enjoy our ten lounges, two outdoor pools, luxury spa, casino, cinema, dynamite shows, and glass walls and elevators that get you up close to the ocean views.”
Another boat? More ocean views? Were they friggin’ serious? A frozen smile hovered on Cassidy’s lips. Too bad she’d already seen the counselor that afternoon and he’d attested that all her screws were still in place. This travesty might be enough to unhinge her.
What Reviewers are Saying
“Being on a hit reality show not once, but three times, made Sink or Swim really hit home for me… It was an easy read and extremely well written … I would love to see it come out as a movie one day!”
- Stephenie LaGrossa of Survivor: Palau, Guatemala, Heroes vs. Villains
“After being on a reality show, Big Brother 10 on CBS and Showtime, reading Sink or Swim made me feel like I was Cassidy. People don’t ever know what happens behind the scenes. I thought it was a great read and kept me in suspense.”
- Michelle Costa of Big Brother 6
“I thought the author did a great job of giving the behind-the-scenes of the process and various scenarios that reality TV stars may experience during and after they’ve appeared on air.”
- Shawne Morgan of The Amazing Race 16
“If you need help getting through a murderous workout (pun intended) this book is a wonderful, clever, and entertaining distraction. The identity of the stalker left me guessing until the end, and believe me, that is a refreshing and pleasant surprise. Congratulations, Ms. Juba, for giving us a great read.”
- Coffee Time Romance & More
“By incorporating well-developed characters, reality TV, murder, mystery, believable dialogue, complex characters, plot twists, and a bit of romance all together in a compelling, fast-paced story, Ms. Juba has penned a novel that will keep readers glued to the pages, unable to put it down until they reach the satisfying conclusion.”
- Romance Junkies
“Once again, author Stacy Juba has penned a novel that is definitely not going to sink; it will do more than just swim: it will rise to the top with no lifeboats needed.”
- Fran Lewis of Bookpleasures.com
“Juba demonstrates an exquisite talent for leading her readers through a maze, only for them to discover a completely different outcome.”
- Ariesgirl Book Reviews
“Stacy Juba has done it again! There was action, mystery, and romance all tied into one very well-written story.”
- Book-Club-Queen
“A novel with a good pace, a strong plot, and memorable characters. If you’re looking for a fast and easy romantic suspense novel with an independent female protagonist, this is the book for you.”
- The Masquerade Crew
“The suspense was constantly building, and you will be working hard throughout the entire book to figure out who did it. Don’t do that to yourself because you will never be able to figure it out, but isn’t that part of the fun?”
- This Is From My Heart
“This is a very enjoyable book to read. I found myself wanting to read 'just one more page' before going to bed. Can't wait to read more by this author.”
- A Book and a Dish
“Love, love Cassidy! Juba has done a great job making this book seem like something that had actually happened. I never knew who the actually stalker was (which is a HUGE plus in my book). The book has a few twists and turns that keep it interesting and builds up to a great conclusion.”
“This novel really surprised me and had me flipping pages faster than ever to find out what was going to happen. It’s a thriller, mystery, and just a plain good read all rolled into one that kept me guessing throughout.”
“If you enjoy a good mystery with great characters, then Sink or Swim is the book for you. An excellent book for a weekend or weeknight read.”
“Sink or Swim is a quick read and is one of those books that sucks you in and won’t let you stop reading until the very end.”
“This is a wonderful and fast-paced, with a cast of characters that could rival Survivor or The Amazing Race ... A satisfying read.”
“Another super-fun summer read by Juba, who makes romantic mystery/suspense deliciously fun – this time, by taking on reality TV with a sinister twist.”
- Jen Blood, BloodWrites Mystery Picks of the Week
“The end was a complete shocker, and considering I usually guess who by the end by the middle of the book or movie, I really enjoyed being surprised ... This was an excellent book.”
“Juba takes full advantage of the potential in this premise to maintain the tension throughout.”
Want More Mystery and Suspense?
Discover Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, Sink or Swim, and Dark Before Dawn together in the Young Ladies of Mystery Boxed Set—three gripping novels filled with mystery, suspense, danger, and unexpected twists.
