In The Liar’s Treasure, Camille Abernathy enlists the help of a secret society to find a long-buried treasure. One that has connections to her own family. And one that puts a target on Camille and her daughter.
Connie Mann, the author, tells us how she found inspiration for her latest action-adventure novel. And what she hopes readers will take away after they close the last page.
If you like what you read, get access to the entire first chapter of The Liar’s Treasure. Or find your own copy in softcover, e-book, or audiobook at a retailer near you.
How did you come up with the idea for The Liar’s Treasure? Was there a particular moment or experience in your life that inspired you to write this book?
I have always been fascinated with the idea of treasure hunts and what items people deem valuable. From there, my curiosity about “priceless” treasures led to research into the legends surrounding them and the creative ways people have tried to hide and protect them. Which then got me thinking about the biblical story of Ananias and Sapphira, which has always fascinated me because they died for lying. I wondered . . . What if a legendary treasure could judge motives? From there, the external plot took off.
What messages, themes, or symbols are included in The Liar’s Treasure? Why are they important to you and to the book’s overall story?
The Speranza team’s message of hope and its celebration of women helping women plays a big part in this story, just as it did in The Crown Conspiracy.
Also, in this story, Gran shows up with her late husband’s old Vietnam combat boots, which Gramps kept because they reminded him that “we have to put feet to our faith.” For Camille and Cass—and the whole team—his other favorite saying, “Faith is easy when you’re standing on familiar ground,” helps them take risks and hold fast to faith when things get scary and uncertain. That’s a really good reminder for me, and hopefully for my readers as well.
Who do you think will most enjoy this book, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?
I think anyone who enjoys a globe-trotting treasure hunt, an intriguing cast of characters, and a bit of romance will enjoy The Liar’s Treasure. But far beyond the adventure, my hope is that this story encourages readers to take a leap of faith, like Camille and the team did, even when it’s scary. To step out of their comfort zone and take risks, both big and small ones, especially on behalf of others.
The Liar’s Treasure by Connie Mann
Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of the Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure-hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.
To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find the Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.
Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.
Connie Mann loves taking readers on heart-pounding, suspense-filled adventures featuring strong, determined women who fight for what they believe—and for those they love. When those stories take place in exciting locales and include a tempting hero, so much the better. Her Speranza Team novels center around a modern-day secret society of resourceful, talented women who travel the globe helping other women, especially those trying to make the world a better place. Connie is also the author of the Florida Wildlife Warriors series, the Safe Harbor series, Angel Falls, and Trapped. She has won several writing awards, and Amazon declared Beyond Risk an Editors’ Pick. Through mentoring and teaching writing workshops, Connie is delighted to encourage other writers on their journey.
Connie has been a USCG-licensed boat captain for almost twenty years, and when she’s not writing, “Captain Connie” gets to introduce Florida visitors to dolphins, manatees, and other coastal creatures, which is as much fun as it sounds. She is also passionate about helping women and children in developing countries break the poverty cycle through education and entrepreneurship so they can build a better future for themselves and their families.
She and her husband love spending time with family and friends and heading off to explore new places, especially if they involve water and boats. Visit Connie online at conniemann.com and sign up for her newsletter for all the latest news.