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State Secrets
Cookbook author Holly Llewellyn is the last person who should be labeled an "enemy of the state"—or is she? After all, her brother is a missing traitor, and with her ties to the president, the Secret Service isn't taking chances….
So they send in agent David Goddard, undercover. But after one glance, David knows Holly isn't just an "assignment"—she's a woman who'll change his life.
So they send in agent David Goddard, undercover. But after one glance, David knows Holly isn't just an "assignment"—she's a woman who'll change his life.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
255 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,222 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 4, 2021
Despite the cheesy dated 1980s front cover (check out those Members' Only jackets) and the fact that it was one of those throw-away Harlequin paperbacks that bored grandmothers buy in bulk and read five a day, Linda Lael Miller's "State Secrets" was surprisingly entertaining. I was hooked, at least.
The plot: Secret Service agent David Goddard goes undercover (reluctantly) to spy on popular cookbook author Holly Llewellyn, due to the fact that she is the third cousin to the president-elect and that her brother, a former agent, is on the run after selling information to the Soviets. His bosses suspect her of being an accomplice and/or possibly a spy for the KGB herself.
After not-so-subtly ingratiating himself into her life, Goddard immediately realizes that she is an innocent in all of this. He also unexpectedly falls in love with her. Oy, such conflict!
It's a pretty formulaic romance, although Miller is a decent writer, so she manages to keep it interesting. There was the potential for a pretty suspenseful espionage thriller in here, but it didn't go there, sadly. The cheesy '80s references were fun, though, especially if you happened to live through that decade.
The plot: Secret Service agent David Goddard goes undercover (reluctantly) to spy on popular cookbook author Holly Llewellyn, due to the fact that she is the third cousin to the president-elect and that her brother, a former agent, is on the run after selling information to the Soviets. His bosses suspect her of being an accomplice and/or possibly a spy for the KGB herself.
After not-so-subtly ingratiating himself into her life, Goddard immediately realizes that she is an innocent in all of this. He also unexpectedly falls in love with her. Oy, such conflict!
It's a pretty formulaic romance, although Miller is a decent writer, so she manages to keep it interesting. There was the potential for a pretty suspenseful espionage thriller in here, but it didn't go there, sadly. The cheesy '80s references were fun, though, especially if you happened to live through that decade.
September 15, 2009
I'm not sure why I keep reading books by the author, but I do. Evidently this is one of Miller's first books, originally published in 1984 and now it has been updated and re-released. On the inside cover of the updated edition there is a picture of the original book cover in all of its 80's cheesetastic glory.
The story is fine, although not very deep. The best thing about the book is too see where Miller missed an important update. For every reference to Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda there are scenes where the heroine dresses for a date in her best navy blue blouse with a bow tied at the neck. The best missed update is when the little boy in the book can't wait to go visit a friend so they can play "Donkey Kong"! It made me laugh, at least.
The story is fine, although not very deep. The best thing about the book is too see where Miller missed an important update. For every reference to Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda there are scenes where the heroine dresses for a date in her best navy blue blouse with a bow tied at the neck. The best missed update is when the little boy in the book can't wait to go visit a friend so they can play "Donkey Kong"! It made me laugh, at least.
April 6, 2016
Author: Linda Lael Miller
First published: 1985
Length: 2928 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Spokane.
Sex: Explicit. Frequent.
Hero: Secret Service Agent.
Heroine: Cookbook author caring for her nephew.
Cheating: She’s seeing someone else.
Trigger: Drug taking (cocaine) by secondary character.
To start with, they’ve known each other less than a week before they have sex. She doesn’t trust him. He’s using her. But they have sex.
There is a lack of grovel when she discovers his prevarication.
The plot is convoluted.
And there is an oddly abrupt ending.
An interesting premise that failed at the starting blocks.
It didn’t work for me.
References:
Author's website: http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/books/...
(ISBN 9781460891483)
-CR-
First published: 1985
Length: 2928 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Spokane.
Sex: Explicit. Frequent.
Hero: Secret Service Agent.
Heroine: Cookbook author caring for her nephew.
Cheating: She’s seeing someone else.
Trigger: Drug taking (cocaine) by secondary character.
To start with, they’ve known each other less than a week before they have sex. She doesn’t trust him. He’s using her. But they have sex.
There is a lack of grovel when she discovers his prevarication.
The plot is convoluted.
And there is an oddly abrupt ending.
An interesting premise that failed at the starting blocks.
It didn’t work for me.
References:
Author's website: http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/books/...
(ISBN 9781460891483)
-CR-
December 14, 2020
Not very good
April 15, 2025
Maybe 3.5 stars
This story was published in 1985 and feels every bit of it.
I love these cheesy romances from the 80's and 90's, so this one was a fun one for me. The drama was great and a pretty unique set up. The story was pretty short and quick to read. I did love David. I like that we saw him pretty smitten from the start. I wish Holly didn't push him away so much after it was revealed that he was a Secret Service Agent. But then again, we do need plot...so drama it is.
Overall, I thought this was a fun and sweet story. I loved how supportive David was of Holly and how much he cared about her nephew.
This story was published in 1985 and feels every bit of it.
I love these cheesy romances from the 80's and 90's, so this one was a fun one for me. The drama was great and a pretty unique set up. The story was pretty short and quick to read. I did love David. I like that we saw him pretty smitten from the start. I wish Holly didn't push him away so much after it was revealed that he was a Secret Service Agent. But then again, we do need plot...so drama it is.
Overall, I thought this was a fun and sweet story. I loved how supportive David was of Holly and how much he cared about her nephew.
April 25, 2015
Story of David a Secret service agent undercover to learn of the president elect's outer family. Holly's brother is accused of being a traitor and he is on the run, suspected to eventually show up near Holly and David is hoping to be there to grab him.
I love it when a ward is treated better with a potential love interest than the relationship one is in. Holly is taking care of her brother's son while he is on the run. Her current boyfriend always refers to him as the kid. Where David calls him by his name and makes a point to include him.
The story unfolds as David enters Holly's life via a student in one of her cooking classes. She suspects he's not what he says he is, but forces beyond her control, keep her near him. She later learns of his betrayal and the two work on setting their lives straight.
I love it when a ward is treated better with a potential love interest than the relationship one is in. Holly is taking care of her brother's son while he is on the run. Her current boyfriend always refers to him as the kid. Where David calls him by his name and makes a point to include him.
The story unfolds as David enters Holly's life via a student in one of her cooking classes. She suspects he's not what he says he is, but forces beyond her control, keep her near him. She later learns of his betrayal and the two work on setting their lives straight.
November 8, 2018
State Secrets - PG13/R
Violence: none
Language: fewer than 60, including deity
Sex: descriptive kissing, roaming hands (H is OBSESSED with the h's breasts), sex (easily skipped through).
Whoa. The h, supposed bastion of virtue, was wiling to hop right into bed with the H. And he's a wishy-washy head case. Ugh. Then there's a definite case of *come here, come here, come here--get away, get away, get away* on the part of the heroine: I hate him/I'll sleep with him, rinse and repeat. It's cliche laden and stereotypical. And exhausting. Last 10% is an ad for a new book. Just NO.
Violence: none
Language: fewer than 60, including deity
Sex: descriptive kissing, roaming hands (H is OBSESSED with the h's breasts), sex (easily skipped through).
Whoa. The h, supposed bastion of virtue, was wiling to hop right into bed with the H. And he's a wishy-washy head case. Ugh. Then there's a definite case of *come here, come here, come here--get away, get away, get away* on the part of the heroine: I hate him/I'll sleep with him, rinse and repeat. It's cliche laden and stereotypical. And exhausting. Last 10% is an ad for a new book. Just NO.
January 24, 2024
So glad I only lost a borrow through Hoopla instead of cash. This book was...not sure I have words. I listened to the audiobook. If I read the ebook, at least I could skim through it.
Holly was unbearable. She was whiny, wimpy, and wishy-washy. She not only didn't listen to her instincts about her brother, but she didn't listen about David either.
David was equally as wishy washy. How did he decide he LOVED this woman he didn't know? How old were these people supposed to be? Holly was all in her feelings about someone she JUST met. So she whined about David betraying and seducing her although she LOVED this man she just met??!! Holly was also often unpleasant to her friend whenever she got in her feelings.
And what was the point of having Sydney be part of the book? When was this written? Holly was referring to all men as "rat finks"? Excuse me?!! What was up with all of the mentions of the ancient movie stars?
There was nothing sweet, romantic, mysterious, suspenseful, etc. about this book. The best thing about this book was Toby. The only positive thing about this book was Toby.
I was glad to see this one end. Equally glad I don't have to add it to my DNF list. DNF's for me used to seldom happen. They seem to be occurring far more frequently.
Holly was unbearable. She was whiny, wimpy, and wishy-washy. She not only didn't listen to her instincts about her brother, but she didn't listen about David either.
David was equally as wishy washy. How did he decide he LOVED this woman he didn't know? How old were these people supposed to be? Holly was all in her feelings about someone she JUST met. So she whined about David betraying and seducing her although she LOVED this man she just met??!! Holly was also often unpleasant to her friend whenever she got in her feelings.
And what was the point of having Sydney be part of the book? When was this written? Holly was referring to all men as "rat finks"? Excuse me?!! What was up with all of the mentions of the ancient movie stars?
There was nothing sweet, romantic, mysterious, suspenseful, etc. about this book. The best thing about this book was Toby. The only positive thing about this book was Toby.
I was glad to see this one end. Equally glad I don't have to add it to my DNF list. DNF's for me used to seldom happen. They seem to be occurring far more frequently.
October 7, 2018
Should Remain Secret
Through the years I’ve read and enjoyed lots of Lina Lael Miller’s books but I didn’t realize that “State Secrets” was a supposedly updated, recycled version of one of her earliest works. David is a Secret Service agent assigned to “investigate” Holly who is a cookbook author and distant cousin to the President-elect and she has a brother who’s guilty of selling state secrets to support a cocaine habit. So the Secret Service considers Holly a potential threat by association. As a romance, this has potential that’s just never met and the plot has too many threads that never get woven together. Except for in bed, there is a total lack of communication between Holly and David and we’re supposed to believe that his cliche-ridden behavior is indicative of Secret Service agents. Really? Added to that, the dialogue between them is reminiscent of the Edwardian era. Totally unbelievable. The end to this travesty was way too long in coming.
Through the years I’ve read and enjoyed lots of Lina Lael Miller’s books but I didn’t realize that “State Secrets” was a supposedly updated, recycled version of one of her earliest works. David is a Secret Service agent assigned to “investigate” Holly who is a cookbook author and distant cousin to the President-elect and she has a brother who’s guilty of selling state secrets to support a cocaine habit. So the Secret Service considers Holly a potential threat by association. As a romance, this has potential that’s just never met and the plot has too many threads that never get woven together. Except for in bed, there is a total lack of communication between Holly and David and we’re supposed to believe that his cliche-ridden behavior is indicative of Secret Service agents. Really? Added to that, the dialogue between them is reminiscent of the Edwardian era. Totally unbelievable. The end to this travesty was way too long in coming.
January 11, 2022
Overall I was a bit quite bored reading this book, this is also the second book I've bought that's written by Linda Miller the first one I've read marriage season disappointed me and I'm afraid my sentiments with my first book is the same with this one. What attracted me to bought this book was it's plot but it's just all clichés and it's like written by a horny high school teenager. The chemistry between the two characters is just so fucking fast paced!!! The flow of the romance was dull for me. Also page 26 of this fucking book Holly is acting like a fucking karen now I wonder if she's actually one that made me uncomfortable.
It's just sad I think I'm not gonna buy any of her works anymore.
It's just sad I think I'm not gonna buy any of her works anymore.
August 3, 2020
An easy read romance with a few twists & turns. Likable characters made the book interesting. Basic plot is Secret service agent and the woman he’s sent to watch fall for each other rather quickly, but then it all unravels when she finds out who he really is... author does a good job exploring the rollercoaster of the emotions the main characters go through. Although frustrating at times, it is very believable. Everyone needs an Elaine in their lives..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 6, 2019A secret service agent is told to find out if a cookbook author is a traitor.
I just can't do romance anymore, apparently, and that's sad to me. But this isn't my idea of a good romance: she's engaged, but finds herself attracted to him within a couple of days and sleeping with him within a week (while still engaged). That's not romance, sweetie, that's lust.
I just can't do romance anymore, apparently, and that's sad to me. But this isn't my idea of a good romance: she's engaged, but finds herself attracted to him within a couple of days and sleeping with him within a week (while still engaged). That's not romance, sweetie, that's lust.
February 28, 2021
This one is one of this author's early works. I listened to the "updated" version of the book. I don't think it needed to be updated. Throwing in recent pop culture references did little to update it. The story still read like an early 80's romance. It was cheesy and a bit over the top. I still enjoyed it.
April 17, 2021
Very interesting story. Creative - main characters are a cookbook author and a Secret Service agent, and a child (a nephew). Really enjoyed the suspense aspect of the story as well as the romance.
The paperback copy I had included a story by Brenda Jackson (“Tall, Dark...Westmoreland”) which I also enjoyed (even though I hadn’t read any of the other Westmoreland novels).
The paperback copy I had included a story by Brenda Jackson (“Tall, Dark...Westmoreland”) which I also enjoyed (even though I hadn’t read any of the other Westmoreland novels).
September 25, 2017
Secret Service agent assigned to meet/learn about a sister of a traitor and cousin of the newly elected President gets tangled up in his assignment, her and life in DC. LL Miller writes fun books to read.....this one is no exception.
September 27, 2017
Older book republished
This one reminded me of a cheesy soap opera so much emotion and drama and florid prose. They really shouldn’t have tried to update the book by making the enemy Al-Queada. There were too many other things that screamed 80s.
This one reminded me of a cheesy soap opera so much emotion and drama and florid prose. They really shouldn’t have tried to update the book by making the enemy Al-Queada. There were too many other things that screamed 80s.
September 12, 2018
I didn't think the characters were overly consistent. She never resolved the trust issues between them really and the book was drawn out and could have ended several chapters earlier. Overall, not my favorite read.
October 9, 2017
State Secrets is an older romance written by author Linda Lael Miller. Good story.
May 28, 2018
Secret service agent falls for his assignment. Didn't feel like the speed worked but otherwise good read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2018
Interesting story. I won't read anymore from Miller, however, because I don't like the explicit sex scenes. Not in good taste at all for me as a reader.
May 29, 2019
No character development, a lot of whining. I usually enjoy Miller's books but this one left something to be desired.
April 18, 2019
Book wasn’t all that bad!
October 16, 2019
I enjoyed listening to this story. What more can you ask for, but a tall handsome man to walk into your cooking class.
October 29, 2019
Boring and predictable.
November 26, 2024
Sometimes reading these vintage books is fun, and sometimes not so much.
February 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I read it as part of the anthology A Proposal for Christmas. While Christmas does play a role in this book, it is not the central focus. The book begins just before Thanksgiving and goes through the beginning of the following year, with the epilogue being many months or years later. The book has a HEA ending with no cliffhanger. Having read this book, I would be interested in reading another of Linda Lael Miller's works.
March 8, 2023
Billed as the first book written by LLM, it is just "okay". It bogged down in the middle somewhat (after Craig's arrest) and had too much going on at the end, much of which was unresolved. Toby was a great character as was Elaine. The hero was somewhat off. Anyone would be suspicious of a man who keeps averting his eyes when telling you something, the first sign of a lie. Later he is completely abject over his participation in Craig's arrest and then rude and out-of-line later in the book. I could not get a handle on him. The heroine was inclined to either whine and pity herself or to be grumpy and out of sorts. She had a lot to deal with, granted, but a little of that goes a long way. Wish there had been more about her cooking, of which she seemed to do very little except in class and previously from the freezer.
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November 26, 2014Since this was written in 1985 and was probably her first book I'm going to cut her some slack. Aspects were good. But the main character I found very immature winey. Seems to be written by a teenager almost. Someone's first try at romance. It shows how far L.L.M. Has come, because if I had read this first I would've never picked up another one of her books. It was pretty bad on a whole. Seems written by someone without much relationship experience. And in 1985 I guess their wasnt much romance lit out there. Idk.
January 9, 2016
Another good little romance story by Linda Lael Miller. This was a straight up love story no western theme here. Holly is a cookbook author and conducts cooking classes at the town department store. David is a member of the presidents secret service team. Holly's brother Craig used to be on that team but he is accused of conspiring with the enemy and David is assigned to find him and bring him in. He figures the best way to catch Craig is to watch Holly and he signs up for her cooking class. Then the fun begins. Good read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews