| Title | : | Hot Secrets (Tall, Dark Deadly #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 197 |
| Publication | : | First published January 23, 2012 |
Tall, dark, and deadly, these three brothers run Walker security. Each brother is unique in his methods and skills, but all share key similarities. They are passionate about those they love, relentless when fighting for a cause they believe in, and all believe that no case is too hard, no danger too dark. Dedication is what they deliver, results are their reward.
Book 1 HOT SECRETS:
Royce Walker, a former FBI Agent, who’s opened a private security firm with his brothers, has always had the hots for the prim, proper Assistant District Attorney, but considered her hand’s off because of a family connection. However, when danger threatens Lauren, he isn’t willing to stand by and watch her get hurt. Now the passion for survival is only rivaled by the passion burning between them. And that passion, might just be the death of them both.
Hot Secrets (Tall, Dark Deadly #1) Reviews
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This book is everything that I don't like in M/F romance, heck, romance in general.
The long haired (yuck), giant of a man comes and saves the "strong" woman (who is described as strong but snivels and makes stupid choices and relies solely on the man) from her predicament. The female MC is brunette, so naturally she isn't as attractive as her blond BFF (??), and she is shy and sexually repressed. The two have insta-lust, "love" in a few days, they stop the bad guy, and then trot into the sunset.
I'm surprised Fabio isn't on the cover.
Now I don't mean to sound like such a jaded meany, but this book felt so dated, so old-school. I think that if you are reader who is just getting into romance that this might seem fresh, but for me it felt stale. The writing, technically, is pretty competent. The plot moves along nicely, and the author certainly seems like she knows what she's doing. However the content, *gah*, it killed me.
I'm wondering if this is a re-working or re-release of an older story because some details seemed a decade too old. For example, when they get a phone call and the MCs hear "street sounds" in the background, they tell each other that it sounds like the guy is calling from a pay phone. A PAY PHONE. Do they even have those anymore?? If I heard noises like someone was outside, I would say that it was a cell phone, of course! It was especially strange because the characters used cell phones throughout the story, and even said something like, "who has house phones any more."
Aside from a few very dated details, the story itself also felt tired. Honestly, I've read this plot or something similar 100 times before. It takes a lot more than this to keep me interested in a story.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I also bought this book free on Amazon to compare copies* -
3.5 good-but-not-as-good-as-I-expected-it-to-be stars
After reading some of the Dirty Rich series, I was interested in the lives of the intel/security guys that the Hs used to keep their hs safe and dig up details on potential threats: Walker Security. The head of the group is Royce Walker, a former FBI agent who created the company to work alongside his brothers Blake and Luke who also have federal agency/specialized military backgrounds. Royce has been asked by a prominent Senator to whom he owes a favor to check into threats his daughter, Lauren, has been receiving.
Lauren is an ADA who has a very high success rate, and she is currently prosecuting a very controversial and high-profile case where she is seeking the death penalty, so receiving threats is just another day at the office... except even she has to admit the ones she has received more recently are a little more unsettling. When she encounters Royce, aka the man who stars in her naughty dreams, at her father's birthday event, they quickly hit it off. And when things start to move to the next level between the two of them, Royce has to decide if he should come clean about why he "accidentally bumped into her" in the first place or keep it to himself for fear that Lauren will push him away, which not only means that it will break his heart, but that she would be in danger without his protection. What will happen when Lauren finds out what Royce is hiding? Which of Lauren's enemies has it out for her and why? And since that person seems to be able to slip through every security measure Royce employs with ease, will he be able to keep the woman he has fallen head over heels in love with safe?
What I liked:
--- High level of suspense and anticipation of what might be thrown at these two next
--- Getting some insight into the Walker Security boys
--- Lauren was a very likeable and sympathetic character
--- Decent steamy goodness
What I didn't like as much:
--- The case Lauren was prosecuting seemed a little over the top - it was a woman who killed her husband bc he was abusing her - not a case that a DA would go for the death penalty on regardless of the circumstances of the murder, and especially not during an election year
--- Not as much steamy goodness as I expected based on the other books by this author I have read, so that was a bit of a letdown
--- When the bad guy was revealed,
Overall, a good read if you're curious about the Walker brothers, are good with a skimpy mystery in the plot, and like a little steam with your instalove :)
Plot --- 3.5/5
Main Characters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 3/5 (Walker brothers & h's bestie = 4/5; others 2/5)
Steam Level* --- 3.5/5
Violence --- nothing triggering
Language --- some but not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all -
FREE on Amazon US today (3/20/2017)
Stand-alone book 1.
FREE:
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Tall-D...
BLURB:
Royce Walker, a former FBI Agent, who’s opened a private security firm with his brothers, has always had the hots for the prim, proper Assistant District Attorney, but considered her hand’s off because of a family connection. However, when danger threatens Lauren, he isn’t willing to stand by and watch her get hurt. Now the passion for survival is only rivaled by the passion burning between them. And that passion, might just be the death of them both.
The Walker Brothers… Tall, dark, and deadly, these three brothers run Walker security. Each brother is unique in his methods and skills, but all share key similarities. They are passionate about those they love, relentless when fighting for a cause they believe in, and all believe that no case is too hard, no danger too dark. Dedication is what they deliver, results are their reward.
FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day. I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 600 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... -
You can get the ENTIRE TALL, DARK & DEADLY series (including: Hot Secrets, Dangerous Secrets, Beneath the Secrets and Secrets Exposed) for just 99 cents! And you can also get the prelude short story to Beneath the Secrets (book 3 in the box set), ONE DANGEROUS NIGHT for FREE!
TALL, DARK & DEADLY BO SET FOR 99 CENTS ➜
http://mybook.to/TDD4Amazon
ONE DANGEROUS NIGHT (short story) FREE ➜
http://mybook.to/ODNAmazon
Both the box set, all single titles and the short story are also FREE IN THE KINDLEUNLIMITED PROGRAM as well ➜
http://lisareneejones.com/tdd
*****
AUDIO LISTENERS! You can also get the ENTIRE TALL, DARK & DEADLY series for FREE with your Audible Romance Package membership! Or just $1.99 each with Whispersync ➜
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*****
AND I have the entire TALL, DARK & DEADLY series available on my website to but PERSONALIZED & SIGNED paperback copies ➜
http://lisareneejones.com/signed -
OMG I loved the story it is a thrilling, fast-paced, suspense-filled ride in which Royce and Lauren try to find out who her stalker is with the help of the Royce's brothers Luke and Blake.
The romance was scorching too and Royce is a bossy alpha which I loved. With so many suspects, can Lauren trust anyone?
This is my first time reading Lisa Renee Jones and she has me hooked I am going straight on to Dangerous Secrets Luke and Julie's story.
Copy received from NetGalley for an honest review -
Predictable
Writing: There were moments that were really good, like the beginning, my goodness was I hooked! However, I found Lisa Renee Jones' writing style weird at times. Example-
Royce was narrating and speaking to his brother on the phone. In that same paragraph it was narrated that his brother was looking at his computer screen. If Royce is narrating and on the phone with his brother, how can he narrate that his brother was looking at the computer screen?
Characters: Royce and Lauren were okay. I didn’t feel invested or attached to them though. The angst between the characters (the secret) was not substantial. It seemed petty and the level of anger from Lauren unwarranted.
Storyline: The beginning definitely grabbed my attention. Lisa did not begin with a long boring narrative, she jumped right in with the characters and some great action!
The rest of the story was predictable. I figured out the stalker and who was involved early. Also, Lisa created this build up, but once it reached the climax it fell short. Everything happened quickly; a couple of paragraphs and it was over. I had to re-read it a couple of times to grasp that it was over.
Intimacy Scenes: There was one scene that was very STEAMY!
Overall: The book had potential. It started out really good, but then it veered off track. -
Royce Walker is a whole lot of sexy. He has skills that make him perfect for protecting the innocent or those in danger. He gets asked to look into some threats to a senator's daughter and out of obligation agrees to see what he can find out. He finds himself with Lauren Reynolds the beautiful Assistant DA at her father the senator's birthday party. Not long after that he already finds himself providing her with protection. Lauren is one tough chick though and it takes a lot to rattle her. As the story progresses more and more the threats get that much more serious. Royce enlists his brothers Luke and Blake to help him try to figure out what's going on. All the while keeping the secret from Lauren that he is there for protection while in fact he is also in love with her. This is fast paced story. Filled with action, suspense and thrills. You get to meet all 3 of the Walker brothers and let me tell you they all come across as hot and sexy and capable. Try to guess who the bad guy is. I had several thoughts to who it might be but never could nail down who was behind the threats to Lauren. This is one of those read in one sitting books that i love. 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Hot Secrets by Lisa Renee Jones. -
I started this whole series after reading the walker security series so kind of backwards but I'm in love with these boys.
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Hot Secrets by Lisa Renee Jones
Book 1 Tall Dark & Deadly Series
Hot Secrets is the first in the tall, dark, and deadly series and is my first read from author Lisa Renee Jones. I enjoyed this sweet, hot, steamy romantic suspense novel. Lauren is an Assistant District Attorney and is known to work cases that are dangerous. She is tough as nails and keeps pushing even when there is known danger.
Royce Walker has always been attracted to Lauren and takes the opportunity to become more involved with her when he finds out she may be in danger. He is a former badass FBI Agent and has opened a private security firm with his brothers. When the brothers are together their antics are funny and endearing.
There is an insta-connection with this couple that happens pretty quick in the story and it builds from there. Royce pretty much takes over with wanting and trying to protect Lauren from harm. The villain in the story is creepy and it was surprising was a little surprising to me at the end. Overall, I enjoyed reading this one and will check out the next books in the series. I want to read more about the brothers.
One of my complaints is that sometimes Lauren came across as slightly dense, I mean how many red flags do you need to figure out that maybe something is not right.
ARC provided thru Netgalley, author Lisa Renee Jones -
It's probably me, but I find myself getting a bit bored with crazy stalker stories. A stalking sub plot can add a bit of much needed drama to a romance, something that KA does really well, but when it's the main plot, as it was in this, it leaves me feeling a bit...meh about the book. I would've preferred to read more of their time together when they weren't fretting about what the evil stalker was gonna do next.
I wasn't really feeling the chemistry between them either - the insta lust/love happened too fast to be plausible. I'm beginning to learn that a mysterious 'spark' when the m/c' s touch for the first time is usually a sure sign of a book I won't enjoy.
I bought the box set, but I don't think I'll read the rest of the Walker bros stories for now, they're just not doing it for me. -
The first book in Lisa Renee Jones' Tall, Dark and Deadly series. Assistant District Attorney Lauren Reynolds is getting ready for a big case and is getting threats. Royce Walker steps up to the plate to protect her. But Lauren doesn't know that her father asked Royce to protect her.
A hot and steamy little number. It was a decent entertaining read but not fleshed out enough to really enjoy it. -
Wow! I suspected that the stalker was the person it turned out to be but was surprised with his partner. I liked the alpha male and the story kept me interested throughout.
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Hot secrets is book #1 of the Tall, Dark & Deadly series by Lisa Renee Jones. It's a standalone bodyguard romance, told from both points of view with a HEA.
Genre: Contemporary romance.
Tropes:
➵bodyguard
➵big city
➵romantic suspense
The story was entertaining if not a bit predictable. I'm not sure if it was the narration but I just couldn't connect with the couple.
By the numbers quick review:
★ World building: 💌💌💌
★ Character development: 👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚
★ Romance: 💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 3.4 -
Hot, steamy, intriguing romantic suspense.
Royce Walker has the perfect job when it counts. He is allowed to use his job as the reason for protecting his long time obsession, Lauren Reynolds. She is the Assistant DA and has a boat load of trouble heading her way. But Royce maybe the one thing that no one expected to have her back (and front). The fireworks just bloom from there. Take the ride and enjoy as the climax rides its high and all the way to completion.
Jones has brought me another hot romance to get the blood flowing.
Eric Michael put that extra need in the way he voiced the story. A connection to the characters was forged with the words but bonded with his rich timber and smooth diction. -
This was my first book by this author. Not impressed. This is not my idea of a strong female character. I wanted to slap her a lot. And the instant love where she had her head resting on his chest in the first 10 mins of meeting him. Really?
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Been awhile since I have read anything by Lisa Renee Jones...
And I liked this one, it has a broody alpha, demanding and protective and sexy...so yeah, what's NOT to like...hahahah
anyway, I did like it BUT it wasn't the WOW effect that got through me... *wink* -
Lisa Renee Jones is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! Her stories are hot and suspenseful! The men are hot and the heroines are strong without being bitchy!
Lauren works high profile murder cases at the District Attorney’s Office. Royce is an ex-FBI agent who checks into threats made to Lauren as a favor to her dad. When they get thrown together, things get hot between the sheets!
I really liked Royce. He’s a hot alpha male who takes charge of situations and is a little bit (a lot) bossy. When called on his bossiness, he was willing to try to not be so bossy. Since it’s just his nature to be bossy, it never lasted long. Lauren is a strong professional woman who needs a little protecting. She was vulnerable without being wimpy and clingy. Even though she had been hurt before, she was still willing to take a chance on Royce.
Royce and Lauren were both great characters. They were strong and made mistakes. But they were also willing to put their feeling out there for the other person. I wasn’t banging my head in frustration at them. In fact, I was rooting for them and cheering them on.
The suspense in the book was awesome. The threats could have been coming from any number of people and while some people were definite front-runners, it was not easy to figure out. In fact, I was surprised by who was the guilty party.
This is a great beginning to the series and I look forward to reading the next ones! -
Three solid stars for Hot Secrets by Lisa Renee Jones
The publisher kindly provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book by Lisa Renee Jones and I did enjoy it. Hot Secrets is about Lauren, an ADA and daughter to a state senator, who is just about to start on a death penalty case involving an alleged abused woman who is accused of murdering her husband. Her father in hopes of keeping her safe, asks Royce Walker to look into her case. Royce, who operates Walker Security (along with his 2 brothers) accepts the senator's offer due to the fact the senator had saved his father's life when they had been in Vietnam together. Royce is very taken with Lauren but realizes that his assignment may ruin any chance he may have had at having her. Threats to Lauren increase and Walker Security steps up to provide protection and investigate who the possible culprit could be.Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It just felt a little rushed to the point where the drama and suspense got somewhat lost. There was so much made of the dilemma Royce faced with not telling Lauren about the business arrangement with her father but the reveal and resolution was fast- it wasn't drawn out long enough in my opinion. Same goes for the person responsible for sending the threatening calls and packages- the character(s) involved didn't get enough time on the page to really feel like a complete and fleshed out character.
I did enjoy reading Hot Secrets and will add the rest of the series to my TBR.
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3.5 Stars- Lisa Renee Jones is very talented and I have been very lucky to read several of her books to date. Each one I seem to love more than the next. I love a good mystery thriller with lots of steam. Lauren is an attorney, who is smart and tough and working her own way through life and trying to separate herself from her father's shadow. Her stepmother is the true wicked stepmother with her love for being a trophy wife, but Lauren knows the deal and accepts it at face value.
Lauren can't help but notice the ever present Royce Walker as he plays security at an event she is at for her father's birthday. When Royce and Lauren get on the dance floor their attraction is immediate and ever present. Lauren has more to offer than pretty looks and Royce is amazed and dazzled by her.
These two sure do steam up the pages but when Royce finds out that Lauren's life is in danger he vows to protect her. I really enjoyed the plot turns and twists and even got a nice little surprise throughout. The story does seem rushed though and I was a little taken back by that as this author has never seemed rushed to me before. Regardless, a nice read and I would recommend it and plan to read the rest in the series.
*The review was done in exchange for an ARC through Netgalley from Lisa Renee Jones- Thank you!* -
3.5 звезди
Книгата е доста подходяща за четене през летния сезон. Освен богата на "горещи тайни", книгата е богата и на "горещи страсти", което е нормално за един любовен роман, нали :)
Добрата новина е, че освен любовна история, в книгата има и сюжетна линия с нотка на трилър и това беше причината да продължавам да чета. Химия между Ройс и Лорън безспорно имаше в изобилие, просто нещата ми се случваха твърде бързо, дори и при всичкият адреналин породен от преследването на заплашителен и отмъстителен убиец.
Нещото, което ми допадна много бяха диалозите между главните герои, които бяха доста свежи всъщност. Има един стереотипен арсенал от фрази и цели изречения, които авторите на любовни романи много обичат да сеят наляво-надясно заливайки ни с тонове празни и сладникави приказки, които нормалните хора просто не изричат... никога! Е, тук дори и да е имало такива, бяха сведени до минимум или поне поднесени по такъв начин, че да не се набиват твърде много на очи. -
Premise: gun-shy DA falls for hot alpha security advisor, but there's a secret between them.
The Good
I'm a sucker for law enforcement/attorney romances, so I enjoyed the premise. There were some hot moments between the H/h.
The Not-So-Good
The execution left something to be desired. Too much telling, not enough showing. I didn't believe the instant attraction, much less the declarations of "no one's ever made me feel/do/say things like this" that both characters made to each other.
The Bottom Line
It wasn't horrible but it wasn't great. Full disclosure - this book suffered from the fact that I just finished the audiobook for Something About You by Julie James. That book had a similar premise with a much better execution. -
3.75 Stars~ Royce and Lauren were all about chemistry in this well done romantic suspense. Royce is one of my fave hero types. I call it Alpha/Bossy but with lots of training potential;) I got a kick out of Lauren teaching him to ask, not tell. Also, when he would catch himself rephrasing things to keep from making her mad. I enjoyed the banter and the emotional warmth of the couple. They were hot together and fit well. I thought the wrap up at the end was very rushed/abrupt. The epilogue was a nice attempt at a save, though. I would read more of this author/series. A solid romantic suspense read.
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Well the book wasn't that bad, but the development of the actions was too fast, they fell in love too fast and everything was just too banal and tawdry. It was 'love from first sight', definitely.
It was going to be better if there were a little more descriptions of... everything. Don't know, like i said, the book was nice, but i expected something more of it. -
This book was decent. Definitely worth the free price tag. I've read other things by this author and enjoyed them. This book kind of reminded me of a condensed version of a Sandra Brown book. Overall it was okay for the price.
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*4- Stars*
I enjoyed this, but there were a few discrepancies that bothered me - enough to pull me back into the story and look it up to make sure I wasn't going crazy. I also think it lacked because of the length - too easy to fall, too easy to forgive, too easy to resolve - that sort of thing. I still enjoyed it and am curious about the brothers too.
I listened to the audio and the narrator, Eric Michael Summerer, did a good job. Most of the time I really enjoyed it, but there were some spots where the timing was off and he sounded a little stilted. Not bad and I would listen to him again. -
Pretty predictable romance - an easy MF read
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Hot Secrets
Lisa Renee Jones
I give this book 5 hot secretive stars.....
This ARC was given by Lisa Renee Jones via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lisa Renee Jones is by far one of my favorite authors. I am addicted to her IF I WERE YOU series and ESCAPING REALITY series as well. I can't believe I did not read this book sooner!
Royce Walker is the prefect alpha male hero in this book. He is one of the three Walker brothers that make up the security company that is in the IF I WERE YOU series. Royce is told to check up on the Senator Reynold's daughter because of some threats the Senator is receiving. Royce's thoughts are it will only take a few days to determine if Lauren Reynolds is in danger and he will make suggestions to help the spoiled daughter who is the current DA in New York City. However, he is blind-sighted by her honesty and willingness to trust him. Once he realizes the amount of danger she is facing, he can't imagine leaving her side. Ultimately, he knows she will kick him to curb once she learns about her father's involvement. He know he must keep his secret in order to keep her safe. He just hates it.
Lauren Reynolds is well aware of Royce Walker and his blinding beauty. He is all male and has blue eyes that pierce though her. She is more then willing to hook up with him for one night of hot sex, Especially after being cheated on by her ex. Her job is demanding and she can't shake the feeling somebody is watching her. Oh yes, one night of Royce will make her feel right back to normal. However, Royce is not the man she thought to be. He is caring, sensitive to her needs, and damn bossy. She is not into being bossed around, but she can not help herself around his hot alpha personality. She quickly realizes how safe he makes her feel and she loves the thought of having somebody to take away the stress and bad times of her job. Lauren has never felt the way she feels about Royce and realizes a night (nor weekend) will be enough.
Can he save her and will his secrets be exposed? Will those secrets ruin any chance they might have as a couple? Once agin, Lisa Renee Jones intertwines hot romance with suspense and keeps you up late at night turning the pages to find out what happens next.
