May 2014 BOM- Secrets and Sins, Book 1

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Here's the goodreads description

Twenty years ago, Leah Bannon’s beloved Uncle Richard vanished without a trace. Leah, now a private investigator, begins to suspect it was murder. When she reopens the cold case, Gabriel Devlin—-the man she loves but can never have—-inexplicably stands in her way.

Only four people know the truth about Richard’s mysterious disappearance—-Gabriel and three childhood friends...who have all sworn to take that secret to the grave. But a hidden enemy wants those shocking secrets brought to light...even if he has to kill to make it happen. After experiencing an unimaginable loss two years ago, Gabriel refuses to put himself through the pain of loving someone who could be gone in an instant. But as he thwarts Leah’s investigation at every turn—-both to keep his friends’ pact, and to keep her safe from danger—-the sexy PI makes it impossible for him to protect his secrets. Or his heart...

[LaShawn]

Excited about reading this book and joining in on this discussion. Just purchased mine!

[Fiza]

Gabriel is a great read, hope you all enjoy it :)

[Andrea]

I just started this one. Shocking opening.

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

I was going to start last night, but fell asleep. Starting now.

[Echo]

I plan to start this weekend:) I hope.

[Angela]

blew my mind, never saw it coming - intrigue and love - great book - off to read the rest of the series

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Angela wrote: "blew my mind, never saw it coming - intrigue and love - great book - off to read the rest of the series"

That's good to know Angela! I'm already rooting for Gabriel to be happy. I've only read the first chapter, and I'm impressed.

[Andrea]

That big twist concerning (view spoiler)[Richard (hide spoiler)] was so incredibly done. I love an author who can surprise you so completely but when you go back and look, many clues were there. I'm re-reading it now and enjoying it just a much!

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Andrea wrote: "That big twist concerning [spoilers removed] was so incredibly done. I love an author who can surprise you so completely but when you go back and look, many clues were there. I'm re-reading it now ..."

I finished it. I gave it 3 stars. For the most part, I liked Leah. There were a few "seriously?!" moments though. Gabriel- I just could stop feeling sad for him. For me, I found the mystery to be a little on the predictable side. I've been doing that with a lot of the mysteries lately. I'd really like to be stumped throughout the story and surprised at the end. I'd definitely read another book by this author.

[Andrea]

I was being so careful with spoilers and then the author does it herself! I couldn't believe my eyes. I started Secrets and Sins: Malachim and within the first few pages the author recaps the entire first book! If someone picked this one up first, they'd have absolutely NO reason to go back and buy it. Why do authors do that?? I really want to write her.

[Andrea]

Michelle, maybe because you've been reading so many...? I understand you'd be able to pick up those little clues better than most readers but I didn't think it was that obvious, especially about (view spoiler)[Nathan (hide spoiler)].

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Andrea wrote: "Michelle, maybe because you've been reading so many...? I understand you'd be able to pick up those little clues better than most readers but I didn't think it was that obvious, especially about [s..."

I think you're right Andrea. Lately, every time I pick up a mystery, I start guessing and thinking of 1000 ways the story could turn out. Ugh! It's become a bad habit now. (view spoiler)[The bit about Nathan was a surprise though. When I started thinking that it was him that was doing everything, I was so disappointed. I wanted to like him! (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Andrea wrote: "I was being so careful with spoilers and then the author does it herself! I couldn't believe my eyes. I started Secrets and Sins: Malachim and within the first few pages the author..."

I hate it when that happens. I hate spoilers so much that I avoid reading a lot of reviews.

[Andrea]

I must confess to being an end of the book reader. I'll read maybe the first 1/4, skip to the last chapter to see how it turns out and then go on and continue from the middle. lol-- I know, crazy. But for that reason, I don't mind spoilers in reviews so much.

I still don't want the author doing it though.

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Andrea wrote: "I must confess to being an end of the book reader. I'll read maybe the first 1/4, skip to the last chapter to see how it turns out and then go on and continue from the middle. lol-- I know, crazy. ..."

For shame, LOL! I think I'll read Malachim soon. How are you liking it.

[Andrea]

Equally intense opening, and I'm quickly coming to like Mal. This takes place a few weeks after the end of Gabriel's book and Mal is on the verge of losing his business and being disbarred. But of course, he'll have more problems than that before it's over. #wickedsnicker

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Andrea wrote: "Equally intense opening, and I'm quickly coming to like Mal. This takes place a few weeks after the end of Gabriel's book and Mal is on the verge of losing his business and being disbarred. But of ..."

I read the synopsis. I sounds really good!

[Georgie]

I tweeted the author about any Secrets and Sins books having an interracial couple but I haven't heard back. Is Gabriel or any of the other books IR?

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Georgie wrote: "I tweeted the author about any Secrets and Sins books having an interracial couple but I haven't heard back. Is Gabriel or any of the other books IR?"

If I understood correctly, in Gabriel the heroine is described as biracial- Asian and Caucasian. The hero is Caucasian.

[Georgie]

Thanks, Michelle. I would love to read more IR suspense books with BW as the lead. Spoiled and picky, I know. :)

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Georgie wrote: "Thanks, Michelle. I would love to read more IR suspense books with BW as the lead. Spoiled and picky, I know. :)"

I don't think you're spoiled and picky at all. Believe me, I get it!

[Debby]

As a young girl growing up all of the interracial books always featured ww/bm and now I also prefer bw as the lead. I like to see diversity in the books but having someone who looks like me as the lead I is even better!