A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance

Destination Brides #4

by Liz Fielding

A luxury escape…

A chance to reveal her baby bombshell!

In this Destination Brides story, a bid at a charity auction wins Eve Bliss a dream holiday on safari! As a penniless single mom, she’d be foolish not to go, but she’s not expecting Kit Merchant to be there on business. She and Kit once shared a passionate moment. Now, together in beautiful Africa, how long can she keep her four-year-old secret? Kit has a daughter!

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

Hi, I'm Liz Fielding, and I'm a best selling contemporary romance author with more than 15 million books in print and Katie Fforde wrote, when honouring me with the Romantic Novelists' Association's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019 said - "Liz Fielding's books, with their warmth, humour and emotion, have charmed millions of readers. She is a true star of the romantic fiction genre..."

And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."

Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.

My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.

For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter

Reviews

[Amanda]

This book made me fall in love with romance all over again. Sweet, charming characters wooed me from the onset. I was mesmerized with the sharp, vivid writing, and literally entertained with all the drama, banter and shenanigans of the main protagonists. Overall, a fab story I’m positive romance lovers will love from start to end!

[KTK]

A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance follows the story of blazing red head Eve Bliss and Kit Merchant, a young, famous yacht sailor and oblivious father to their three-year-old daughter Hannah. After meeting four years ago Eve and Kit had been getting on with their very separate lives, until after bidding on a charity trip, and returning home to help support his family after his father’s stroke, they end up spending a week together in Nymba that changes their lives for ever.
The book begins with Eve determined to keep her daughter a secret from Kit, going as far as to dye her red curls a mousy brown in the hopes to fly under his radar. Both characters have their own separate drama going on, and Fielding writes from both perspectives, creating truly compassionate, rootable characters for the reader to enjoy. The tension created by Eve’s secret daughter adds an air of dramatic expectation to keep readers hooked, while the dreamy atmosphere of Nymba itself means that even the world outside of the two protagonists is enthralling.
Eve herself is a character that you can get behind from the beginning. Fielding creates such a relatable, modern, selfless women in Eve, who always puts her daughter first and stands as a character that many women will enjoy reading. Even as Eve’s life begins changing out of her control, she stays strong in her confidence, as a mother with responsibilities over both Kit and Hannah’s life, and as a woman trying to do the best she can. The entire story entirely suits the true love genre, creating a sweet romance and an achingly cute family. Apart from a few saucy (read and you’ll understand!!) scenes the story mostly focuses on the emotional side of their lives and relationship, which works as one of the best strengths of the book, allowing you to properly get to know and love the characters.
The book left me yearning to hear more about Eve and Kit’s love life and future, and a sequel to A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance would definitely be well received!

[Keri-Anne Masson-Abrams]

I have to admit this is my first book i have read by liz Fielding. Safe to say i will be buying more.
I loved the writing style, it made the book reallu easy to get into and made me want to read on and find out what happened next.

This book is about genevieve bliss (eve) who nearly 4 years previous while filled with greave after the death of her mother ends up seeking comfort from kit merchant a big shot sailing legend. Little did she know that this unforgettable one night stand would lead to an unexpected pregnancy.
4 years later eve has had to return to Nantucket determined not to be recognised just on case kit is in town ans in order to keep her daughter Hannah a secret, she colours her recognisable bright red hair a dull brown. But will this do the trick?
While at kits family auction eve cant resist bidding on a dream safari holiday to Nymba. Filled with memories of staying there with her mother as a child she is determined to win.

Kit Merchant has returned home to help with the family buisness after his father suffers from a stroke. However not everyone is happy to have him back. Kit excepts the task of travelling to Nymba to have a meeting with the Nymba trust. He is determined to proove to his family that he can do this.

Stuck ag Nymba with Kit can Eve keep her identity a secret?

Eve soob realises that you shouldnt believe everything you read in the magazines and that maybe there is more to Kit that she thought.

A beautiful well written story showing thay not everything is always as it seems and sometimes all it takes it a second chance.
Such likeable character. The chemistry between them is always a little flirty and their story always keeps you on your toes wondering where the story would go and what would happen next.

[Helen]

Liz Fielding is a must read author for me, she has such a wonderful voice for storytelling, her stories are just so very good and so very romantic with so many fabulous emotions throughout and this one had me smiling with joy as Kit and Eve get a second chance at love and families.

Eve is back in Nantucket for family reasons she was last there four years earlier and a very sensual night at the beach gave her, her beautiful daughter, she is doing her best to stay under the radar when she attends a charity auction being run by the Merchant family and bids on and wins a safari in Africa, a place that brings back many memories for her, it also brings her in contact with Kit Merchant the one person she was trying to avoid.

Kit Merchant is a famous yachtsman but he is home because of family, he has never forgotten the night at the beach years before and the beautiful woman he called Red, at the auction he is remembering her more and when he arrives in Nymba for a safari he never expects to run into Red and feel that instant attraction again and then when she uncovers her secret, Kit is determined to become a father and husband.

I loved this book from the first page, the characters the settings are amazing, getting to know Eve and Kit was absolutely wonderful, they are both such amazing people they are caring and loving, open and honest and their journey was so very moving and emotional, there were lots of happy sighs while reading this one and I do highly recommend it, it really is a must read, and although part of a series it can be read as a standalone but I will be reading the others in the series. Thank you MS Fielding for another keeper.

[Gale]

A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance will not only grab your attention but it will touch your heart. I can’t do the story justice so I’ll just say what I loved about it. The story opens four years after the characters’ story begins. Genevieve “Eve” Bliss, a single mom, is attending a charity auction in a very swanky resort where the owners of that resort bring back a lot of memories and feelings of inadequacy. Annnnnnnnndddddd of the encounter she had with the prodigal son, Christophe (no lame ‘r’ for him!) “Kit” Merchant. Eve thinks she is safe, to not run into Kit, as he is somewhere across the world racing a yacht. Of COURSE it doesn’t work out that way as Kit shows up at the event and the fun begins!

Eve has hidden their four year old daughter from Kit – one he never knew about. Simple explanation and the author does a much better job of telling this story. Both Eve and Kit have such sorrow in their lives, when the world thinks they have it “all”. Reading what they have dealt with, reading how they felt growing up, actually feeling when they get their lives going in the same direction…it makes for a wonderful story. I loved them singularly; I loved them together as a family. Wonderfully warm read!

[Lynn Brooks]

4 1/2 STARS!

A SECRET, A SAFARI, A SECOND CHANCE by Liz Fielding is book four in the Destination Brides series and revolves around a single mom teacher and a carefree sailing champion in a delightful take on a reunion story with a surprise baby.

The book starts with a bit of back story to fill us in on how they came to have their fling a few years ago, then we are thrust into the story that leads to them unexpectedly reconnecting.

Kit comes across as a bit of a partying playboy, but beneath the surface, he's a guy that has searched for the woman that touched his soul for years. He's thrilled to finally have her back in his life ... but how will he feel when he learns she's kept his adorable daughter from him?

Eve has a high expectation of what she expects a father to be, and because she doesn't feel in her heart that Kit could ever be that man, she's reluctant to even give him the chance. She's a bit of a conundrum really. You like her, and feel for what she's gone through ... but she's a bit self-righteous too.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a surprise baby romance, and especially to those who enjoy a story set in a foreign country where the details of the sounds, sites and wildlife in this book really shine.

[Nas Dean]

A SECRET, A SAFARI, A SECOND CHANCE (Destination Brides Book 4) by author Liz Fielding is a September 2019 release by Harlequin Romance series.

Eve Bliss is a single mum so when she gets a chance to go for a holiday in Africa, she takes it. Little does she know that her baby daddy would also be there. What could she say to him now? After all she had never told him about her daughter.

Kit Merchant knew he was missing something when he met Eve. He felt he should know her yet he could not place her. Then he realised she was the girl he had spent one incredible night with. He was attracted to her again. And there was definite chemistry between them. But what would he say when he will find out the secret Eve is hiding?

A SECRET, A SAFARI, A SECOND CHANCE is set in South Africa and I loved reading it. The romance is sweet and emotional between Eve and Kit. And the tension between them is palpable and real. As a reader this story is the ultimate escape to South Africa and safaris and adventure and romance. Author Liz Fielding wove a magical spell in telling this story that would keep a reader engrossed till the last page.

Highly recommended for all readers of romance.

[Darlene Fredette]

5 Stars. Liz Fielding has once again picked me up and placed me in the setting of her story. The visual storytelling is breathtaking. I felt like I was part of the setting, staying at the Nymba Safari Lodge. A balloon ride, a canoe trip, star gazing, and animals from birds, monkeys, giraffes, lions, and elephants, there was beauty on every page. The story opens with a peek at Eve and Kit meeting for the first time four years ago and continues to the present at a charity auction. Eve and Kit are perfect lead characters. Their connection is captivating. When Kit learns he has a daughter and meets Hannah for the first time, the emotion is packed with a punch. The scene where Eve sends Kit a video of Hannah and says “Go to Daddy” and Kit’s response is “I’m in love” is such a heartwarming moment. And there are so many that follow...wow! I loved this romance story and exquisite setting. This is book four in the Destination Brides, and while I haven’t read the other three books, I can’t imagine a better reading ride than this one. Reviewed for Still Moments Magazine.

[E]

Liz Fielding is one of my favourite authors. I'm impressed she continues, after so many books, to write such warm, engaging, feel good stories. There's no doubt where you're going with this, HEA guaranteed, but it's how Liz takes you there that works so well. She writes about characters that are believable, with story-lines that maintain my interest. This book contains the classic tale of an unexpected pregnancy, kept quiet from the father for what seem like sensible reasons, but which comes to light some years later to the total shock of both parties. The backdrop of a safari in Africa was a more unusual twist that worked well. Loved Eve and Kit and how they worked through their issues of the past and present, to find a future together. I always prefer a book that engages you with the emotions of the protagonists and draws you into their world- this one didn't disappoint. Thanks Liz (honest review made after receiving free copy.)

[Hilma]

This is the first time I read a book by Liz Fielding, but it won’t be the last after reading A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance.

I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Eve, Kit, Hannah, and all the others were likable, which is a big thing for me. If I don’t like or correct with the characters in a story I have a difficult time continuing. This isn’t a love at first sight story, but you root for Eve and Kit throughout the book and the ending *sigh* It was sweet and perfect. I wish there had been an epilogue, but not having one doesn’t take away from how well written the book is.

A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance is an easy lovely read, perfect for a weekend where you want to get lost in a romance from the comfort of your bed. I could have easily devoured this book in one sitting, but unfortunately real life didn’t make that an option this time. I will definitely be reading more from Liz Fielding!

[Jacqui Leech]

Eve Bliss wins a charity auction for a safari... but doesn't realise until the next day as she left early to avoid Kit Merchant.
Eve and Kit have a history, they shared a evening together following the death of her mother and Eve never shared the consequences of that night with Kit.
Eve goes on her safari... Kit goes to inspect his families hotel and meet up with their local partners, the two meet again...
Liz Fielding's writing absorbs you into the story, you feel like you are watching all the action from the sidelines, you can almost smell the river, see the dancing, enjoy the sunsets. It is a wonderful love story of two people who because of circumstances and perceptions parted after only one night, read the book and enjoy how they 'find their way back to each other'

I received this ARC in return for an honest review

[Fleur]

I was hooked from the get go with this book, The characters are fantastic and you can't help but fall in love with them as well as connect in different ways with them. Eve has had an interesting life but one where she has never been able to well stand up and be proud of herself, instead she hides and now she has to face up to a big secret. Kit is a man who has always done what he wants, yes he is successful but at a cost he doesn't realise until his family needs him, but even then it takes a second chance encounter with Eve to see what he truly needs in his life. There is a lot of heartbreak, happiness, sass, warmth, laughs and love that wraps around you as you read about Eve and Kit's adventure in love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia]

A lovely story about a second chance. When meeting for the first time they had one night only together. But it had consequences, as Eve became pregnant. Now, years later, she wants to avoid him, to not have to tell him about their daughter. When she gets a chance to return to her favourite childhood place - in Africa - she did not expect to find Kit to be there as well. Her daughter had stayed behind but meeting Kit again and learning more about him she believes it is time to tell Kit that he has a daughter.
A sweet love story of two people who had met at the wrong time in their life and now have a second chance at a life together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachy]

A heart warming and comfortable story about adventure, heartache and misunderstandings, good intentions and real life fears. The characters are flawed and likable, the descriptions of the places are lovely. You can imagine yourself being in the hot humid air or by the salty air of the sea.

"Eve" is a single mum determined to do the best for her child but scared of the outcome and the future. "Kit" is headstrong and has always followed what is heart and his head have told him to do. But when a chance encounter at a charity auctions throws the two back into each others lives after 4 years apart, things begin to unravel and change altering the destinies of these lovely characters.

[Dottie]

If you love second chance at love stories this is one for you. Eve is grieving the loss of her mother and is vulnerable. When she meets Kit whether its her grief or an immediate attraction she has a one night stand with him. In the morning he is gone. Their one night finds her pregnant but chooses not to try to contact Kit as his life is so different than hers. Secrets never lead to good and when she goes to a charity auction 4 years later notices Kit. What to do disguise herself or confront him? Is there a second chance for them? Liz Fielding writes such a lovely story with fantastic background truly a wonderful book.

[Rosie]

Love this author. I was really rooting for the characters to find a way out of their conflict and find their happy ever after. The storyline was unusual and compelling, and I loved the setting. Made me want to go on safari! I found the book perfectly paced. The hero and heroine were both very likeable and I thought the hero’s journey was particularly interesting as he receives quite a bombshell during the book! This ultimately added to the heartwarming romance that suffuse all this authors books.

[Fiona Marsden]

Loved this little reunion story about two people who met at crucial moments in their lives and made a connection.
Four years later their paths cross again and secrets are revealed.
Really loved Kit in this story. A world renowned yachtsman, he is at another turning point in his life and so is Eve and her daughter.
The story is set in Nantucket until the destination holiday kicks in to Africa. This was beautifully described in a way that showed the authors own experience and love of Africa.
Overall a sweet and emotional story.

[Celicia Fowlkes]

This was a real feel good book. They had a child together and he didnt know it. Yet when he found out, he embraced it wholeheartedly. She did not want him to give up sailing because she knew that was his first love. He gave it all up because he had her and Hannah at home. He had his priorities right for a change.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila]

Eve met the world famous yacht sailor Kit four years ago during a low time for her and they have a fling that resulted in her daughter Hannah. She has not seen him until a trip to Africa and she tries to disguise Hannah by dying her hair because she never wanted to trap him as sailing is his life. What will happen when Kit finds out he has a daughter?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W]

A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance is the fourth book in the Destination Brides series and the first I have read by this author. This is a sweet and heartwarming second chance at romance. The characters are charming, well developed, and lovable. The storyline is sweet, well written, with drama and romance.
I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.

[AJReads]

A Secret, A Safari, A Second Chance by Liz Fielding. Eve and Kit had a one night stand four year ago resulting in a pregnancy that she never told him about. She returns to the island where they met to leave her daughter before heading to Africa for a holiday, returning to her childhood home. There she runs into Kit again. The chemistry is still there but will Kit be able to work out where he knows Eve from and will he find out he is actually a father. A great read.

[Rachel]

A gorgeous sweet story. I loved the African safari and the fun that Eve and Kit got up to there. I also liked how the secret baby was handled - Kit was surprised, shocked, and a little hurt, but he wasn't angry and together, he and Eve went home where he could meet his daughter and they could all live happily ever after. But not without having some startling revelations about themselves along the way.

[Deborah Dumm]

I received an ARC for my honest review. The opinions are my own.
I loved the characters in this book from the moment I was introduced to them. The story line is great. I loved the fact that this is a sweet romance. I felt as if I was there with the characters as their story unfolded. Loved the setting of the story. I highly recommend this book.

[Peggy Clayton]

I just loved this book it is about a lady who has decisions to make. Plus she has a secret to tell someone very special. I love the way Liz writes as it is so interesting that I stayed up late to read the whole book at once. She has the blessing of story telling . Liz hit a grand slam with this Harlequin Romance which is part of the Destination Brides Series!

[Janie]

Loved reading "A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance (Destination Brides #$)" by Liz Fielding. Eve met Kit four years prior to their current meeting. They have a fling and then she found out she was pregnant with Hannah. Even with coloring her hair and wearing shabby clothes Kit finds himself drawn to Eve. He then figures out Eve is Red who he knew and fell for 4 years ago.

[Barbara]

Book four in the Destination Brides series a well written story of a second chance. This is Genevieve/ Eve Bliss, their daughter Hannah and Kit Merchant's story which I enjoyed reading. Kit does not know about Hannah. Kit and Eve meet four years ago on the beach in Nantucket. I enjoyed reading their story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Liz Fielding; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patty Duplechin]

Eve Bliss and Kit Merchant met a few years ago and had a fling. Eve had a child for him and never told him. She thought he wasn’t father material. They meet again for a week in Nymba. This trip could change their lives forever. Weill she tell him about their daughter, now that they meet again? Will he forgive her? How will he handle it? Well written. Worth the read. Liz did it again

[Kimberly]

The book is a good romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable second chance at love, and a secret baby romance read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meredith]

I liked Eve and Kit and the African setting was a nice touch. Comma errors started to get to me. The last fourth of the book felt awkward in pacing but the final chapter continued to have major action.