Arc Review and Giveaway: S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared: L. Marie Adeline
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"I, Cassie Robichaud, solemnly swear to serve S.E.C.R.E.T. to the best of my abilities. I will do what is necessary, what is right and what is within my power to assist in the execution of sexual fantasies for our participant(s)..."
And so begins S.E.C.R.E.T. II, which opens with Cassie's initiation into this mysterious organization, one that helps women experience their most potent sexual fantasies. Cassie spends the next year as a "S.E.C.R.E.T. member-at-large," not quite a guide, she'll assist Committee members (including two new ones, Kit DeMarco and Angela Rejean) in recruiting men and helping to execute a new inductee's fantasies.
After a false start with the first potential inductee, Cassie makes the acquaintance of Dauphine Gray, a 31-year old who works at the Funky Monkey vintage clothing store on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Geeky, gawky and easily distracted, Dauphine has no idea how attractive she really is because her face is forever in a book. Reading is her passion, music is her pleasure, and Dauphine's all but given up on sex, especially after a painful rejection that still haunts her. Then Cassie and the women from S.E.C.R.E.T. show her it's possible to reignite that flame.
Meanwhile, Cassie must work through her resentment over losing Will to Tracina and their future baby. But when paternity questions surface, Tracina threatens to expose Cassie's S.E.C.R.E.T. membership to the one man both women love. Will Tracina expose Cassie to Will, and if she does, what will he make of his secret love's S.E.C.R.E.T. life?
SEE MY 4 STAR REVIEW OF S.E.C.R.E.T. (click book cover)
S.E.C.R.E.T. is slowly becoming a series favorite of mine. I
started S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared with a bit of apprehension, while I enjoyed the
first one; I found some sections of it not meeting its full potential. I need
to retract my apprehension regarding Shared because L. Marie Adeline positively delivered.
Shared totally topped S.E.C.R.E.T. This book had me completely engaged,
captivated, and aroused, as well as majorly frustrated with the characters. I couldn't devoured the pages fast enough. S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is a quick fast seductive read.
For those who may be late to the party, S.E.C.R.E.T. is a
journey about a private society of women, 12 months, 1 recruit, 10 steps, 9
fantasies, and 1 decision. The ladies of the society custom design fantasies and scenarios
to coincide perfectly with the challenges and personal struggles that the
chosen candidate feels she faces in re-finding her identity. This is not a standalone;
I would highly suggest that you read this series in order, as the characters
from book one transfer over into this book as well.
"Control and trust, trust and control. My two competing demons."
Dauphine Gray is S.E.C.R.E.T.'s newest recruit. She has been broken, her ultimate trust betrayed. Due to this hard lesson in life, she lacks trust in not just people, but also in herself. As a means of survival, Daph hates to hand any type control over to anyone else, that is until she's introduced to the enticing world of S.E.C.R.E.T., with their guidance and encouragement, Dauphine is offered the strength to find her confidence and worth again. I had so much fun observing her as she learned to loosen the reins of control and let the chips fall where they may. Dauphine just had that somethin' somethin' that kept me flipping the pages. I really admired her well-written quirky and disciplined personality.
"But this was real life. It was a lot riskier and messier and trickier than fantasy. In S.E.C.R.E.T. I couldn't be rejected, I couldn't screw up. In life those negative results were possibles, maybe even probables."
Cassie Robichaud is last year's recruit. Cassie was great in
S.E.C.R.E.T and for the first 3/4 of this book. After that, she and I had a
MAJOR love/hate relationship. I really really disliked what she did towards the
end; I found it to be extremely selfish. One of the main male leads in this
book has been my favorite since S.E.C.R.E.T. and I was crushed when she pulled
what she did. Absolutely crushed. I so wanted to slap a bitch, well Cassie if
we are being specific. So yeah, I enjoyed everything up until the last 1/4 or
so. One little moment disappointed me for the rest of the book, especially when
I reached the end and found out her decision and reward wasn't even worth the
heartache she caused.
L. Marie Adeline leaves no doubt in the readers mind that
her writing is unique and creative when it comes to her execution of
delicious and detailed fantasies. The scenes as well as the connection were
much more believable and a hell of a lot steamier. The author delivers perfection in the form of an
adventure that holds no boundaries, no limitations, and no responsibilities, other than the challenge to step beyond your comfort zone and enjoy your
sexuality to the fullest with no form of judgment. S.E.C.R.E.T.'s story line
encourages women to help other women liberate themselves sexually as well as
internally (gaining back their lost self-confidence, self-worth, and yes, their
identity).
Thank you, Caroline Ambuhl & Sullivan and Partners, for providing me with an ARC of S.E.C.R.E.T. in exchange for my honest opinion.
L. Marie Adeline is the pseudonym for the best-selling author Lisa Gabriele, who has written both novels and non-fiction.
S.E.C.R.E.T., the first installment of an erotic trilogy is published in more than thirty countries. It was a bestseller in several countries, including Canada where it was #1 for several weeks.
Giveaway:
(1) Paperback ARC Copy of S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared : L. Marie Adeline (U.S. & CANADA ONLY)- Book will be sent to the winner directly from the publisher.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Age 18 and over please. Ecopy giveaways are international. Signed or paperback giveaways are US only unless otherwise specified. Giveaway will run 9/13/13 to 9/21/13 closing at 12:00 a.m. Winner will be notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize; otherwise, a new winner will be chosen. Please allow time (up to two weeks, unless stated otherwise) for the delivery of your book. If you have not received your book within the started time please notify us. In addition, if the book has yet to release please keep in mind that the book will be distributed within two weeks of it's release date.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
(1) Paperback Copy of S.E.C.R.E.T. : L. Marie Adeline (U.S. & CANADA ONLY)- Book will be sent to the winner directly from the publisher.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Age 18 and over please. Ecopy giveaways are international. Signed or paperback giveaways are US only unless otherwise specified. Giveaway will run 9/13/13 to 9/21/13 closing at 12:00 a.m. Winner will be notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize; otherwise, a new winner will be chosen. Please allow time (up to two weeks, unless stated otherwise) for the delivery of your book. If you have not received your book within the started time please notify us. In addition, if the book has yet to release please keep in mind that the book will be distributed within two weeks of it's release date.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
11 comments
Thanks for the post and the introduction. I like the idea of building a woman's self esteem and confidence along with a fresh story line. I would definitely love to check out this series.
ReplyDeleteI have heard great things about this book & the reviews have been awesome!! I cannot wait to read this book!! Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeletethe story is very interesting i also like the fact of building a womans self esteem up . the book sounds very interesting i would love to win a copy of it denise smith denise226@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteThe review sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really good! I haven't read anything like it! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I like the concept and it seems different from other books. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI read the first book and have been waiting for the second book to come out.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving how this book sounds...an organization that helps women experience their sexual fantasies...heck yea! Lol. Thank you for the giveaways
ReplyDeleteLooks like the type of book I like.
ReplyDeletelove the woman empowerment books...and the combination with fantasy sounds so interesting, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of the secret society. Even better that the main character is a women is sexy and hell! Cannot wait to read this series. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaways.