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Cognac Secrets
Secrets drip from the past like Spanish moss from the trees…
On first glance, Bennie seems like the mildest of the brothers within the Voodoo Bastards. Nothing could be further from the truth. Baptized in blood and tempered in the fires of vengeance, club life is a quiet life as compared to what he’s come from. Sometimes, the past has a way of sneaking up on you, though… and for Bennie, it’s in the feelings stirred within his chest on a drunken bender in the Quarter by her emerald green eyes and long dark hair.
Sandrine Starkweather has done her best to claw her way out of her past and takes refuge in the pulse pounding music under the bright lights of Bourbon on her days off. She’s hiding in plain sight, and generally likes to keep it that way until this drunk biker sidles up and smoothly starts dancing with her instead of on her. She can’t resist, the broken in her recognizing the broken in him and what follows is an unlikely friendship that could be dangerous to each of them but in very different ways…
On first glance, Bennie seems like the mildest of the brothers within the Voodoo Bastards. Nothing could be further from the truth. Baptized in blood and tempered in the fires of vengeance, club life is a quiet life as compared to what he’s come from. Sometimes, the past has a way of sneaking up on you, though… and for Bennie, it’s in the feelings stirred within his chest on a drunken bender in the Quarter by her emerald green eyes and long dark hair.
Sandrine Starkweather has done her best to claw her way out of her past and takes refuge in the pulse pounding music under the bright lights of Bourbon on her days off. She’s hiding in plain sight, and generally likes to keep it that way until this drunk biker sidles up and smoothly starts dancing with her instead of on her. She can’t resist, the broken in her recognizing the broken in him and what follows is an unlikely friendship that could be dangerous to each of them but in very different ways…
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2024
35 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Downey
95 books1,140 followersA.J. Downey is a Pacific Northwest girl living in an East Tennessee world who finds inspiration from her surroundings, through the people she meets, and likely as a byproduct of way too much caffeine. She specializes in real and relatable romance stories featuring that real-life kind of love that everyone craves.
You can find her on Facebook at facebook.com/authorajdowney
You can find her on Facebook at facebook.com/authorajdowney
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 2, 2024
Feels like you are there
The way she describes the streets and sights you feel like you are there. I really liked how Bennie fell first. Sandy is running from her past and trying to build a new life for herself. Can't wait until the next book. Will always be my one click author
The way she describes the streets and sights you feel like you are there. I really liked how Bennie fell first. Sandy is running from her past and trying to build a new life for herself. Can't wait until the next book. Will always be my one click author
April 2, 2024
Whhhhhhyyyyyyyy
I cried,I laughed!
Loved Bennie and Sandy,but I cried for Louie.
Please hurry with next book,love this series.
I wonder who will be next.
I cried,I laughed!
Loved Bennie and Sandy,but I cried for Louie.
Please hurry with next book,love this series.
I wonder who will be next.
April 6, 2024
Really loving this club!
Didn't really know a whole lot about Bennie before jumping in but absolutely loved him!
So far, Sandy & Bennie might be my favorite couple. There was something so lovely about the two of them - separately and definitely together. They both helped the other grow so much. I appreciated that despite initial (understandable) reservations Bennie didn't fight how his feelings grew, didn't attempt to pull away in some misplaced gallant act. Because that sure-footed love was exactly what Sandy needed.
We need to talk about how my heart got absolutely ripped from my chest though... the heck?! I really thought that storyline was headed somewhere else 😭😭😭
Loved being back with the B*stards again! The club members (heh) are really getting fleshed out and a better grasp of their individualism, AND brotherhood as a whole, is unfurling for us. I don't really feel like we got any clues on who might be next up in the series and a sick part of me loves the suspense 😏 My gut says Cypress or Axeman, maybe.
In the midst of ANOTHER reading drought it was nice to sink in to a good book from one of my very favorite authors. Inhaled this faster than I have anything in weeks!
Didn't really know a whole lot about Bennie before jumping in but absolutely loved him!
So far, Sandy & Bennie might be my favorite couple. There was something so lovely about the two of them - separately and definitely together. They both helped the other grow so much. I appreciated that despite initial (understandable) reservations Bennie didn't fight how his feelings grew, didn't attempt to pull away in some misplaced gallant act. Because that sure-footed love was exactly what Sandy needed.
We need to talk about how my heart got absolutely ripped from my chest though... the heck?! I really thought that storyline was headed somewhere else 😭😭😭
Loved being back with the B*stards again! The club members (heh) are really getting fleshed out and a better grasp of their individualism, AND brotherhood as a whole, is unfurling for us. I don't really feel like we got any clues on who might be next up in the series and a sick part of me loves the suspense 😏 My gut says Cypress or Axeman, maybe.
In the midst of ANOTHER reading drought it was nice to sink in to a good book from one of my very favorite authors. Inhaled this faster than I have anything in weeks!
April 1, 2024
Good
I really have mixed feelings about this book. Was a bit different than the other books in this series. I liked the characters and storyline. There were some good twists and turns plus some action and suspense. What I didn't really cared for was that it took so long to really get into the main part of the story. The first half of the book was basically how the 2 main characters had been through so much bad stuff. It was just kind of brought up over and over and didn't really add anything. But, overall the book was good. Looking forward to more of this series.
I really have mixed feelings about this book. Was a bit different than the other books in this series. I liked the characters and storyline. There were some good twists and turns plus some action and suspense. What I didn't really cared for was that it took so long to really get into the main part of the story. The first half of the book was basically how the 2 main characters had been through so much bad stuff. It was just kind of brought up over and over and didn't really add anything. But, overall the book was good. Looking forward to more of this series.
March 30, 2024
my heart…..
I had temporarily forgotten how easily this author can cut your heart out and hand it back to you bleeding, before slowly knitting back together the wound
A difficult read in places, this is nevertheless an amazing story with fantastic characters.
I loved both Sandrine and Bennie, and enjoyed how their personalities, foibles and love story unfolded as the pages turned.
I had temporarily forgotten how easily this author can cut your heart out and hand it back to you bleeding, before slowly knitting back together the wound
A difficult read in places, this is nevertheless an amazing story with fantastic characters.
I loved both Sandrine and Bennie, and enjoyed how their personalities, foibles and love story unfolded as the pages turned.
April 1, 2024
Congac Secrets
An excellent read, I absolutely loved Bennie and Sandy’s story ❤️❤️❤️ he locked he’s heart away and was happy to agree to friends with benefits. Sandy changed everything and the rest is history. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎
An excellent read, I absolutely loved Bennie and Sandy’s story ❤️❤️❤️ he locked he’s heart away and was happy to agree to friends with benefits. Sandy changed everything and the rest is history. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎
April 1, 2024
Another Great Read
Absolutely phenomenal as always! The story just sucks you in and honestly this author has exceptional story telling skills. The details and the emotion is just *chefs kiss*Also can we talk about this cover??? Ooooft!! Very nice! 🔥😈
Can’t wait for the next, and thank you AJ for bringing us more of your world. Please don’t ever stop!!
Absolutely phenomenal as always! The story just sucks you in and honestly this author has exceptional story telling skills. The details and the emotion is just *chefs kiss*Also can we talk about this cover??? Ooooft!! Very nice! 🔥😈
Can’t wait for the next, and thank you AJ for bringing us more of your world. Please don’t ever stop!!
April 14, 2024
Cognac & Sandy
I couldn't put this book down. Benny locked his heart away after he lost the love of his life tragically. When he met Sandy she burrowed her way into his heart. Sandy's life was not all sunshine and roses she suffered at the hands of those who should have loved her. I loved going on this journey with them and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I couldn't put this book down. Benny locked his heart away after he lost the love of his life tragically. When he met Sandy she burrowed her way into his heart. Sandy's life was not all sunshine and roses she suffered at the hands of those who should have loved her. I loved going on this journey with them and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Read
April 1, 2024DNF. I hope that cover is AI, otherwise the H has a serious issue with his side and the his pecs look concave. Also, not interested in reading about a guy who wants the h to go by another name for the night.👎
July 15, 2024
LOVED IT!
I will be on pins and needles waiting for the next book in this series!😍 I love Ms A.J. and her storytelling! She is so talented😘 I always look forward to reading more from her!
I will be on pins and needles waiting for the next book in this series!😍 I love Ms A.J. and her storytelling! She is so talented😘 I always look forward to reading more from her!
March 31, 2024
OUTSTANDING
This is turning out to be one heck of a saga, and I’m excited to see where it goes and who gets the next story!
This is turning out to be one heck of a saga, and I’m excited to see where it goes and who gets the next story!
dnf
April 3, 2024DNF. NB (secondary characters)
September 22, 2024
Sigh
Good story but the ending was a real disappointment. I actually said where's the rest of it before putting this story down. Yeah big sigh.
Good story but the ending was a real disappointment. I actually said where's the rest of it before putting this story down. Yeah big sigh.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews