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Tall, Dark & Deadly #0.5
Secrets Exposed
A sizzling romantic suspense.
Her enemy is her passion, her passion is her enemy.
Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman's death, Lindsey blames her father's controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later - the past becomes the present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father's law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her body, her mind, maybe even her heart. With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey.
NOTE: Previously released as Hidden Instincts. Title change to indicate prelude to the new TALL, DARK, AND DEADLY trilogy coming in late 2011. I wrote this in 2004 and it was published by a library publisher and is in hardback in many libraries. You will meet the first Walker Brother-- Royce
Her enemy is her passion, her passion is her enemy.
Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman's death, Lindsey blames her father's controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later - the past becomes the present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father's law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her body, her mind, maybe even her heart. With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey.
NOTE: Previously released as Hidden Instincts. Title change to indicate prelude to the new TALL, DARK, AND DEADLY trilogy coming in late 2011. I wrote this in 2004 and it was published by a library publisher and is in hardback in many libraries. You will meet the first Walker Brother-- Royce
279 pages, Nook
First published January 1, 2004
128 people are currently reading
3441 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Renee Jones
373 books14.6k followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy - a modern girl we all can identify with.
In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.
In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.
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Want to read
February 11, 2018
You can get the ENTIRE TALL, DARK & DEADLY series (including: Hot Secrets, Dangerous Secrets, Beneath the Secrets and Secrets Exposed) for just 99 cents! And you can also get the prelude short story to Beneath the Secrets (book 3 in the box set), ONE DANGEROUS NIGHT for FREE!
TALL, DARK & DEADLY BO SET FOR 99 CENTS ➜ http://mybook.to/TDD4Amazon
ONE DANGEROUS NIGHT (short story) FREE ➜ http://mybook.to/ODNAmazon
Both the box set, all single titles and the short story are also FREE IN THE KINDLEUNLIMITED PROGRAM as well ➜ http://lisareneejones.com/tdd
*****
AUDIO LISTENERS! You can also get the ENTIRE TALL, DARK & DEADLY series for FREE with your Audible Romance Package membership! Or just $1.99 each with Whispersync ➜ http://adbl.co/2Bf2dSq
*****
AND I have the entire TALL, DARK & DEADLY series available on my website to but PERSONALIZED & SIGNED paperback copies ➜ http://lisareneejones.com/signed
April 26, 2016
I loved this it was love at first sight for Mark and Lindsey but they are both to stubborn to admit their feelings. They start working together on a case with similarities to a case that has haunted Lindsey for years. Their working relationship soon turns to scorching hot passion but they still fight it's a love/hate relationship.
Who is the killer?
Who is after Lindsey?
I could not put this down I wanted to know who the killer was there where a few suspects (I was correct) what was going to happen next. Mark and Lindsey also had me gripped will they won't they stay together.
Secrets Exposed had everything you need for a great suspense read.
Who is the killer?
Who is after Lindsey?
I could not put this down I wanted to know who the killer was there where a few suspects (I was correct) what was going to happen next. Mark and Lindsey also had me gripped will they won't they stay together.
Secrets Exposed had everything you need for a great suspense read.
April 22, 2015
The prequel to the Tall, Dark, and Deadly romance series based in Manhattan.
My Take
Yawn. Oops, sorry...didn't mean to yawn in your face. It was just so hard to stay awake through this. It started out well and quickly degenerated into manufactured tension and stupid drama.
What? Reeves has to take over the law firm because...why? None of the reasons she poses are any different from why she shouldn't take it over? He abandoned her dad. An-n-d, what did she do? What obligation does the law firm have to the client anyway? He hired her dad. Her dad is out of the picture. So… Can anyone explain this to me? Why not just let the firm go? It would screw up the reasons for the story, of course. Which is a good reason to give me a better excuse!
At least, Lindsey has her self-worth. That anyone else might prize something other than money or her idiot dad is beside the point.
I can understand her wanting to stop practicing criminal law. If what she believes to be truth really is. And I can see where working counterterrorism can be more satisfying as it's actively going after the bad guys instead of helping the bad guys go free. Duh.
Please tell me that a "venti Carmel latte" is a coffee drink named for the city in California. I know Jones can spell "caramel" as it shows up just paragraphs later. Lindsey and Mark take an extra day in Vegas to play, relax, meet an "alien female with big hears".
Well, I suppose making Lindsey an idiot who allows her issues to control her life and enable her to make stupid decisions is one way of creating drama. So, Lindsey runs off to Vegas, away from Mark, and then she cries because he doesn't chase after her. How old is she?? Twelve??
Oooh, Lindsey finally figures it out. She already knows what a jerk her dad is. That Mark had a blow-up with her dad and left the law firm. That he might have had good reason for it. Especially the ones he's been telling her since the confrontation at his apartment door. Oh, no, we have to get halfway through the story before Lindsey realizes that gee, maybe Mark wasn't the bad guy. L.A.M.E.
About the best part of this story is Mark's retort to goading by John Conner about how police errors set a lot of bad guys free. That he hates what defense lawyers "have to do for the system...as much as anyone else, but I respect what the principles are built on."
Jones, please find an editor or some friends who won't be afraid to tell you the truth. You have a nice idea that got lost.
The Story
Damn, damn, damn, she has got to talk Reeves into taking it over. She can't do it. She doesn't want it. Not after the fiasco of the Hudson case a few years ago. He's got to return and take this case over. Take the law firm over. Who cares why he left. As long as she doesn't have to do it.
This new case, the Williams one, it's just like Hudson all over again. Dead girls who look. Just. Like. Lindsey. And her father is sure that Williams is innocent. Just. Like. Hudson.
And Lindsey can't do it. Reeves has got to come back. But he has his price and Lindsey isn't sure it's safe to pay it.
The Characters
Lindsey Paxton (and her twin Lindsay) is a twit. Oops again, er, I mean, she's an FBI agent now after having run away from her father's law firm. Everything needs to be her way to her happiness and screw with anyone else's issues, 'cause she's the only one allowed to have them. Oops, bitchy much? Edward Paxton is her father, and he desperately wants Lindsey to come back to the law firm. The one he's screwed up. Especially now that he has cancer. Maggie Moore is her father's long-term assistant, and she's happy Lindsey is back.
Mark Reeves is her father's ex-law partner. He's now consulting in Manhattan and wants nothing to do with Edward's law firm. Todd Walker is one of her father's current partners.
Steve is her former NYC partner at the FBI. He's teamed up with Garth Bryant these days. Greg Harrison is her ex-boyfriend and the district attorney. Lindsey just loves to meet up with him so she can make more really stupid decisions.
Professor Roger Williams is the new Hudson. A professor at NYU who claims he's innocent. Detectives Kevin Woods and John Conner are Vegas PD and very cautious as to why Lindsey and Mark are in Las Vegas inquiring about their murder victims.
Friends of the latest victim, Elizabeth Moore, include Vicky Kencade who provides a crucial clue; Tom Maloney and Todd Rogers both seem to be Elizabeth's recently ex-boyfriend; Rick, a.k.a., Cowboy, is Todd's roommate (hmmm, Lindsey never does manage to visit Tom Maloney); and, Victor Ruzo owns the Pink Panther bar that some victims patronized.
The Cover
The cover is a couple holding each other: her arms loosely around his neck, his hands on her hips. She's a long-haired blonde looking out at us while he's a long-haired brunet who only looks corporate due to his button-down striped shirt.
I'm guessing that the title refers to the Secrets Exposed when Lindsey finally learns the truth about Mark's contretemps with her father and Greg's complicity in the cover-up. It could also refer to what we learn about Jones and her editors...
My Take
Yawn. Oops, sorry...didn't mean to yawn in your face. It was just so hard to stay awake through this. It started out well and quickly degenerated into manufactured tension and stupid drama.
What? Reeves has to take over the law firm because...why? None of the reasons she poses are any different from why she shouldn't take it over? He abandoned her dad. An-n-d, what did she do? What obligation does the law firm have to the client anyway? He hired her dad. Her dad is out of the picture. So… Can anyone explain this to me? Why not just let the firm go? It would screw up the reasons for the story, of course. Which is a good reason to give me a better excuse!
At least, Lindsey has her self-worth. That anyone else might prize something other than money or her idiot dad is beside the point.
I can understand her wanting to stop practicing criminal law. If what she believes to be truth really is. And I can see where working counterterrorism can be more satisfying as it's actively going after the bad guys instead of helping the bad guys go free. Duh.
Please tell me that a "venti Carmel latte" is a coffee drink named for the city in California. I know Jones can spell "caramel" as it shows up just paragraphs later. Lindsey and Mark take an extra day in Vegas to play, relax, meet an "alien female with big hears".
Well, I suppose making Lindsey an idiot who allows her issues to control her life and enable her to make stupid decisions is one way of creating drama. So, Lindsey runs off to Vegas, away from Mark, and then she cries because he doesn't chase after her. How old is she?? Twelve??
Oooh, Lindsey finally figures it out. She already knows what a jerk her dad is. That Mark had a blow-up with her dad and left the law firm. That he might have had good reason for it. Especially the ones he's been telling her since the confrontation at his apartment door. Oh, no, we have to get halfway through the story before Lindsey realizes that gee, maybe Mark wasn't the bad guy. L.A.M.E.
About the best part of this story is Mark's retort to goading by John Conner about how police errors set a lot of bad guys free. That he hates what defense lawyers "have to do for the system...as much as anyone else, but I respect what the principles are built on."
Jones, please find an editor or some friends who won't be afraid to tell you the truth. You have a nice idea that got lost.
The Story
Damn, damn, damn, she has got to talk Reeves into taking it over. She can't do it. She doesn't want it. Not after the fiasco of the Hudson case a few years ago. He's got to return and take this case over. Take the law firm over. Who cares why he left. As long as she doesn't have to do it.
This new case, the Williams one, it's just like Hudson all over again. Dead girls who look. Just. Like. Lindsey. And her father is sure that Williams is innocent. Just. Like. Hudson.
And Lindsey can't do it. Reeves has got to come back. But he has his price and Lindsey isn't sure it's safe to pay it.
The Characters
Lindsey Paxton (and her twin Lindsay) is a twit. Oops again, er, I mean, she's an FBI agent now after having run away from her father's law firm. Everything needs to be her way to her happiness and screw with anyone else's issues, 'cause she's the only one allowed to have them. Oops, bitchy much? Edward Paxton is her father, and he desperately wants Lindsey to come back to the law firm. The one he's screwed up. Especially now that he has cancer. Maggie Moore is her father's long-term assistant, and she's happy Lindsey is back.
Mark Reeves is her father's ex-law partner. He's now consulting in Manhattan and wants nothing to do with Edward's law firm. Todd Walker is one of her father's current partners.
Steve is her former NYC partner at the FBI. He's teamed up with Garth Bryant these days. Greg Harrison is her ex-boyfriend and the district attorney. Lindsey just loves to meet up with him so she can make more really stupid decisions.
Professor Roger Williams is the new Hudson. A professor at NYU who claims he's innocent. Detectives Kevin Woods and John Conner are Vegas PD and very cautious as to why Lindsey and Mark are in Las Vegas inquiring about their murder victims.
Friends of the latest victim, Elizabeth Moore, include Vicky Kencade who provides a crucial clue; Tom Maloney and Todd Rogers both seem to be Elizabeth's recently ex-boyfriend; Rick, a.k.a., Cowboy, is Todd's roommate (hmmm, Lindsey never does manage to visit Tom Maloney); and, Victor Ruzo owns the Pink Panther bar that some victims patronized.
The Cover
The cover is a couple holding each other: her arms loosely around his neck, his hands on her hips. She's a long-haired blonde looking out at us while he's a long-haired brunet who only looks corporate due to his button-down striped shirt.
I'm guessing that the title refers to the Secrets Exposed when Lindsey finally learns the truth about Mark's contretemps with her father and Greg's complicity in the cover-up. It could also refer to what we learn about Jones and her editors...
March 1, 2013
Why did I read the entire book even though I was bored and felt I had already wasted my time and money after two pages? I finish what I start with the hope it gets better. Luckily this can be read in a couple hours - if even that. If you skip through all the high school drama between the two main characters, it's actually only about a 20 page book. Yeah.
Romantic thriller? Um... okay.
The main characters:
Mark - Thinks he can have any woman he wants because he's just the most incredible Adonis to walk the earth. Terrified to have feelings for a woman, but just can't control himself when it comes to Lindsey at first sight. Arrogant lawyer. `Nuff said.
Lindsey - I want to punch her in the face. Doesn't want to be controlled by any man (what woman does?); however, instead of being a strong, independent woman, she takes offense to everything a man says to her that is contradictory to her opinion, which allows her hot temper to flare (and then she immediately feels guilty about it). Apparently, every man who sees her wants her, but every man is the enemy. Can't trust them... all they want to do is control her... blah, blah, blah... Lindsey should be a lesbian. Problem solved. She is a coward - rather than face consequences, she prefers to run away. But apparently she's a pretty good lawyer... we never really do find out.
The writing:
As this is the first (and last) book that I have read by this author, I have this to say: the dialogue, in more than one place, made me think "Ugh... Really?!? There is no way someone would say that in this kind of situation". Oh... and if you're going to name a character - pick a name. In one paragraph is name is Todd. In the next paragraph his name is Tom. Get it right. While you're at it, you may want to double check grammar and spelling (I'm pretty sure he was being "aloof" and not "aloft").
The murders:
Hold the phone! There are murders in this book?!? I never would have known, what with Mark and Lindsey constantly (and I mean CONSTANTLY) trying to figure out what they're going to do about their lust at first sight issue. Once they do figure out what to do about the sexual tension (duh), then there is the obvious question: how do they really feel about it? Let's think about that in every other paragraph, shall we? But their feelings for each other... Keep it all locked inside? Run away? I've never felt like this before. I've never wanted to feel this way. Ever. Oh wait... we're lawyers who are supposed to be defending a man accused of multiple rapes and murders. Maybe we should focus on that. Or... maybe we should focus on how sexy we think each other are and how we're going to deal with all of these feelings. Murder, shmurder... let him fry.
To sum it up... book sucked. No romance. No thrill. No mystery. Typos and characters confused about their own names (Am I Todd? Am I Tom? I'm so confused...). I want to punch Lindsey in the face.
Romantic thriller? Um... okay.
The main characters:
Mark - Thinks he can have any woman he wants because he's just the most incredible Adonis to walk the earth. Terrified to have feelings for a woman, but just can't control himself when it comes to Lindsey at first sight. Arrogant lawyer. `Nuff said.
Lindsey - I want to punch her in the face. Doesn't want to be controlled by any man (what woman does?); however, instead of being a strong, independent woman, she takes offense to everything a man says to her that is contradictory to her opinion, which allows her hot temper to flare (and then she immediately feels guilty about it). Apparently, every man who sees her wants her, but every man is the enemy. Can't trust them... all they want to do is control her... blah, blah, blah... Lindsey should be a lesbian. Problem solved. She is a coward - rather than face consequences, she prefers to run away. But apparently she's a pretty good lawyer... we never really do find out.
The writing:
As this is the first (and last) book that I have read by this author, I have this to say: the dialogue, in more than one place, made me think "Ugh... Really?!? There is no way someone would say that in this kind of situation". Oh... and if you're going to name a character - pick a name. In one paragraph is name is Todd. In the next paragraph his name is Tom. Get it right. While you're at it, you may want to double check grammar and spelling (I'm pretty sure he was being "aloof" and not "aloft").
The murders:
Hold the phone! There are murders in this book?!? I never would have known, what with Mark and Lindsey constantly (and I mean CONSTANTLY) trying to figure out what they're going to do about their lust at first sight issue. Once they do figure out what to do about the sexual tension (duh), then there is the obvious question: how do they really feel about it? Let's think about that in every other paragraph, shall we? But their feelings for each other... Keep it all locked inside? Run away? I've never felt like this before. I've never wanted to feel this way. Ever. Oh wait... we're lawyers who are supposed to be defending a man accused of multiple rapes and murders. Maybe we should focus on that. Or... maybe we should focus on how sexy we think each other are and how we're going to deal with all of these feelings. Murder, shmurder... let him fry.
To sum it up... book sucked. No romance. No thrill. No mystery. Typos and characters confused about their own names (Am I Todd? Am I Tom? I'm so confused...). I want to punch Lindsey in the face.
March 11, 2012
I have to say, I am really annoyed by heroines that are TOO headstrong/stubborn (meaning they take a lot of unnecessary dangerous risks just because they don't like being told not to), but because of Lindsey's background, I find it much more credible and less annoying. Or maybe that's just a sign of a well written character. Either way, having a high-powered attorney for a father, being a trained lawyer herself, and being an FBI agent makes her a prime candidate for being headstrong and stubborn.
The chemistry between Lindsey and Mark was nice and spicy, but most importantly, equal. I also liked the dynamic between Lindsey and her father, and with her and Steve. It shows that she doesn't completely shut everyone out; just keeps them at an arm's distance. The plot was definitely intriguing (especially with that prologue!). At times it was seriously creepy, and I started getting paranoid; mentally making a list of suspects on my own.
This book only gets 3 stars because I felt like the climax and falling action were too short and unexplained. The way the villain is revealed happens WAY too quickly and he doesn't even have to deal with any consequences (disappointing, in my book). Still, good read with mystery, suspense, romance, sex, and more.
The chemistry between Lindsey and Mark was nice and spicy, but most importantly, equal. I also liked the dynamic between Lindsey and her father, and with her and Steve. It shows that she doesn't completely shut everyone out; just keeps them at an arm's distance. The plot was definitely intriguing (especially with that prologue!). At times it was seriously creepy, and I started getting paranoid; mentally making a list of suspects on my own.
This book only gets 3 stars because I felt like the climax and falling action were too short and unexplained. The way the villain is revealed happens WAY too quickly and he doesn't even have to deal with any consequences (disappointing, in my book). Still, good read with mystery, suspense, romance, sex, and more.
September 29, 2024
(She had me at the tall and dark.) A standalone novel - the prequel to the Tall, Dark & Deadly series, with Jones’ signature blend of romance, suspense, and dark themes. Intriguing plot, and compelling characters - the female protagonist is complex and relatable, fighting with her own demons, - and there are some steamy scenes. :)
August 25, 2013
Secrets Exposed is the prelude to Tall, Dark, and Deadly series. Umm, WOW. That’s what I thought of this book. This is the first book I’ve read by Lisa Renee Jones, and I think it’s safe to say I plan to read many more, and as I’ve already purchased, and plan to read very soon, the 1st book in the Tall, Dark, and Deadly trilogy, Hot Secrets.
Now I’m not going to get too much into the description of the book as the summary above does a great job of that. We start off with Lindsay on Mark’s door step in hopes of convincing him of taking over the firm, because she doesn’t want it. Right away the sparks are flying between Mark and Lindsay. Poor Lindsay is such a conflicted character. She is strong, intelligent, and stubborn but has been thrown for a couple loops with her father’s illness, having her life turned upside down as she had to return to Manhattan, and being put in charge of a case similar to the one that caused her to leave law. What else is creep and conflicting for her is that she resembles the rape and murder victims in each of these two cases.
Mark is at the top of his game, a hotshot in his profession and mmm damn sexy. There’s just something about Lindsay that brings out the protector in him, even though he has a turbulent relationship with her dad, he is drawn to her and wants to help her in any way he can. Poor Mark tries so hard to protect Lindsay for her own good but he quickly learns that if he pushes her she will fight back. She tends to take unnecessary risks as she is determined to remind the men in her life that she is very capable of taking care of herself and she is a trained FBI agent.
This book is very suspenseful and is had me guessing the whole time who the murderer was, when he was going to make a play for Lindsay, and what will happen with the relationship that starts to form with Mark and Lindsay. I honestly did not see it coming at the time when murderer revealed himself and who it was! Oh, and the chemistry between Mark and Lindsay was sizzling *fans self* I probably could have read this book in one sitting, but as I started it at night, I had to put it down, but couldn’t wait till the next day to finish it!
Now I’m not going to get too much into the description of the book as the summary above does a great job of that. We start off with Lindsay on Mark’s door step in hopes of convincing him of taking over the firm, because she doesn’t want it. Right away the sparks are flying between Mark and Lindsay. Poor Lindsay is such a conflicted character. She is strong, intelligent, and stubborn but has been thrown for a couple loops with her father’s illness, having her life turned upside down as she had to return to Manhattan, and being put in charge of a case similar to the one that caused her to leave law. What else is creep and conflicting for her is that she resembles the rape and murder victims in each of these two cases.
Mark is at the top of his game, a hotshot in his profession and mmm damn sexy. There’s just something about Lindsay that brings out the protector in him, even though he has a turbulent relationship with her dad, he is drawn to her and wants to help her in any way he can. Poor Mark tries so hard to protect Lindsay for her own good but he quickly learns that if he pushes her she will fight back. She tends to take unnecessary risks as she is determined to remind the men in her life that she is very capable of taking care of herself and she is a trained FBI agent.
This book is very suspenseful and is had me guessing the whole time who the murderer was, when he was going to make a play for Lindsay, and what will happen with the relationship that starts to form with Mark and Lindsay. I honestly did not see it coming at the time when murderer revealed himself and who it was! Oh, and the chemistry between Mark and Lindsay was sizzling *fans self* I probably could have read this book in one sitting, but as I started it at night, I had to put it down, but couldn’t wait till the next day to finish it!
April 9, 2013
UUUUhh got this as a nook deal 3 book set for .99c and it was worth it and not in a good way. Lindsey was so annoying. At first you think ok she's dealing with stuff but she never gets better! When she knows a crazy serial killer is after her she still insists/sneaks out on her own. And she is bipolar with Mark and he calls her out on it multiple times, but she still keeps doing it and he still likes her! Why????
But I have to admit near the end it did peak my interest which seems to go up with my anger for totally different reasons. Lets no forget 2 stars is, Ok and that's definitley what it was. Beacause it did start to peek my interest and I already have the next one I will probably read it eventually.
One more thing, their best day ever started with hours of talking at Starbucks... really? You're spending the day in a vacation city, with what is probably a pretty nice hotel room and you want to sit in a crowded Starbucks to bond? Why did you leave NYC? You're killing me Lisa.
But I have to admit near the end it did peak my interest which seems to go up with my anger for totally different reasons. Lets no forget 2 stars is, Ok and that's definitley what it was. Beacause it did start to peek my interest and I already have the next one I will probably read it eventually.
One more thing, their best day ever started with hours of talking at Starbucks... really? You're spending the day in a vacation city, with what is probably a pretty nice hotel room and you want to sit in a crowded Starbucks to bond? Why did you leave NYC? You're killing me Lisa.
March 6, 2013
I had only one problem with this novella. It is a general complaint I have with writing in general. How come the Heroine is so stupid? Authors write strong smart independent women who struggle to find a place where they fit in to their jobs, families, relationships and society on general. Why then does every single one of them ignore all the "warning bells" they recognize? Seriously, if you knew you were being stalked and under death threats would you just say, "hmmm I know someone is there on the corner but I'm gonna go get coffee and hope he won't kill me before I can drink it." Other than that general pet peeve of mine, The story had other interesting characters and the flow was just right.
June 6, 2016
4 Steamy romantic suspense stars
First read September 2014
Second reading June 2016
First read September 2014
Second reading June 2016
August 16, 2017
2.5 Stars
March 21, 2024
Don't let the cover fool you. This was 100% more of a murder mystery with romance sprinkled in. It was like watching a true crime show with a love story in it, too. I liked this one a lot!
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December 19, 2016Title: Secrets Exposed
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Publisher/Year: EverAfter Romance 6/4/12
Length: 260 Pages
Series: Tall, Dark, and Deadly #0.5
Overview
Her enemy is her passion, her passion is her enemy...
Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman's death, Lindsey blames her father's controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later - the past becomes the present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father's law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her heart, while setting her body on fire! With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey.
My Thoughts
I don't know why i didn't read this one a while back, but at least i've fixed that. We have the prelude to the series here, where we're just meeting Royce Walker who's the eldest of the Walker brothers. In this first installment (or what should have been the first) we are focused on Lindsey who is a successful attorney yes, but who now works for the FBI in DC and has to come back to new york to take over her father's law firm - the same one that she worked for and felt almost killed her from the inside out after she won a case that turned out to possibly be the wrong judgement.
So Lindsey has now been forced to take on a case at her father's firm that's quite similar (eerily so) to the Hudson case, the on that ended her desire to be in the courtroom, and with that comes the idea that she needs Mark Reeves to come back to the firm and take it over since he would have been groomed for the spot instead of Lindsey. Of course, if that aggrivation weren't enough (the issues between Mark and Lindsey's father), you know that the sexual tension between leading characters will make it all that more interesting.
So throughout this story, we have the issues of the case to deal with - figuring out who's behind the rapes and murders, while both Lindsey and Mark draw so many similarities between cases that it gets to be far more complicated than anyone expected. Add on top of that the fact that they decide that they are super attracted to one another and act on it - which is nice - they don't fight it for too long. Add in an ex fiance who won't take the hint that things are over, and has also found himself inserting himself into a situation that made the case that much more complicated. And then there's the ex partner and his new partner that cause a bit of calm but do they really?
I spent the entire time wondering who the killer was. If Williams was the guy or not, and if not, who was it. How safe was Lindsey since she looks exactly like all the victims and will Mark be able to protect her when she doesn't want to be protected. The twist at the end is one i didn't expect and i think that's impressive since i'm usually able to solve these things quickly. Regardless, we have a nice story here that keeps you interested.
In True form of our author, we get some of the steamiest scenes between our leads - it's so hot that you know exactly where these two stand and i couldn't help but read more and more and more. I love the way that this series was designed and i can't wait to see what else comes of the Walker clan and the other guys.
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Publisher/Year: EverAfter Romance 6/4/12
Length: 260 Pages
Series: Tall, Dark, and Deadly #0.5
Overview
Her enemy is her passion, her passion is her enemy...
Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman's death, Lindsey blames her father's controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later - the past becomes the present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father's law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her heart, while setting her body on fire! With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey.
My Thoughts
I don't know why i didn't read this one a while back, but at least i've fixed that. We have the prelude to the series here, where we're just meeting Royce Walker who's the eldest of the Walker brothers. In this first installment (or what should have been the first) we are focused on Lindsey who is a successful attorney yes, but who now works for the FBI in DC and has to come back to new york to take over her father's law firm - the same one that she worked for and felt almost killed her from the inside out after she won a case that turned out to possibly be the wrong judgement.
So Lindsey has now been forced to take on a case at her father's firm that's quite similar (eerily so) to the Hudson case, the on that ended her desire to be in the courtroom, and with that comes the idea that she needs Mark Reeves to come back to the firm and take it over since he would have been groomed for the spot instead of Lindsey. Of course, if that aggrivation weren't enough (the issues between Mark and Lindsey's father), you know that the sexual tension between leading characters will make it all that more interesting.
So throughout this story, we have the issues of the case to deal with - figuring out who's behind the rapes and murders, while both Lindsey and Mark draw so many similarities between cases that it gets to be far more complicated than anyone expected. Add on top of that the fact that they decide that they are super attracted to one another and act on it - which is nice - they don't fight it for too long. Add in an ex fiance who won't take the hint that things are over, and has also found himself inserting himself into a situation that made the case that much more complicated. And then there's the ex partner and his new partner that cause a bit of calm but do they really?
I spent the entire time wondering who the killer was. If Williams was the guy or not, and if not, who was it. How safe was Lindsey since she looks exactly like all the victims and will Mark be able to protect her when she doesn't want to be protected. The twist at the end is one i didn't expect and i think that's impressive since i'm usually able to solve these things quickly. Regardless, we have a nice story here that keeps you interested.
In True form of our author, we get some of the steamiest scenes between our leads - it's so hot that you know exactly where these two stand and i couldn't help but read more and more and more. I love the way that this series was designed and i can't wait to see what else comes of the Walker clan and the other guys.
June 30, 2012
Secrets Exposed: Prequel to Tall, Dark and Dangerous
By Lisa Renee Jones
Lindsey Paxton is going to see Mark Reeve. He was her father’s partner, being groomed for to take over the law firm when she left it to become an FBI agent. They parted on very unfriendly terms, but she must get him to come back, or she would be stuck running the firm. Law wasn’t where her heart was anymore, it now belonged to the anti-terrorist department of the FBI. Plus the case her father took just before he took off to have his cancer treatments is just like the one that ended her career. There is no way she can try this case she feels.
Mark Reeves has moved on since he left the Paxton group, has his own consulting company now, so when Lindsey comes ringing his bell, he is not interested in taking over, but he is very interested in her. He agrees the next day after looking over some files and articles on the case to come in for 6 months to help her with the case and to get group back on track.
The similarities between this case and the one that cause Lindsey to walk away from law are eerie. So, eerie Mark starts making demands that she goes nowhere without him. The victims in the cases all look like her which scares him even more. He tries to take over her life and control her in this protective way. Lindsey bulks – she is a trained FBI agent after all, but she always ends up forgiving him. They go out of town for a couple days, chasing down a lead in Las Vegas, and when they get back to her apartment she gets her gun out of the drawer and puts the clip in it, saying someone had been in the apartment. Mark takes the gun from her and goes through the apartment – won’t let her do it! And SHE let him!
The play between these two characters is good, the sexual tension kept at premium high, and the independence/need to control clashing wildly. Certain parts of this book I adored, other parts, no so much. Like Lindsey handing over her gun to let a lawyer go through her house because she wasn’t going to win that argument? She had the gun! I give this a 3.5 starts, I will probably pick up the next Walker Brother book. I enjoyed the first one.
By Lisa Renee Jones
Lindsey Paxton is going to see Mark Reeve. He was her father’s partner, being groomed for to take over the law firm when she left it to become an FBI agent. They parted on very unfriendly terms, but she must get him to come back, or she would be stuck running the firm. Law wasn’t where her heart was anymore, it now belonged to the anti-terrorist department of the FBI. Plus the case her father took just before he took off to have his cancer treatments is just like the one that ended her career. There is no way she can try this case she feels.
Mark Reeves has moved on since he left the Paxton group, has his own consulting company now, so when Lindsey comes ringing his bell, he is not interested in taking over, but he is very interested in her. He agrees the next day after looking over some files and articles on the case to come in for 6 months to help her with the case and to get group back on track.
The similarities between this case and the one that cause Lindsey to walk away from law are eerie. So, eerie Mark starts making demands that she goes nowhere without him. The victims in the cases all look like her which scares him even more. He tries to take over her life and control her in this protective way. Lindsey bulks – she is a trained FBI agent after all, but she always ends up forgiving him. They go out of town for a couple days, chasing down a lead in Las Vegas, and when they get back to her apartment she gets her gun out of the drawer and puts the clip in it, saying someone had been in the apartment. Mark takes the gun from her and goes through the apartment – won’t let her do it! And SHE let him!
The play between these two characters is good, the sexual tension kept at premium high, and the independence/need to control clashing wildly. Certain parts of this book I adored, other parts, no so much. Like Lindsey handing over her gun to let a lawyer go through her house because she wasn’t going to win that argument? She had the gun! I give this a 3.5 starts, I will probably pick up the next Walker Brother book. I enjoyed the first one.
March 23, 2017
Raises hand here...ummm there's something not quite right here. I picked up Secrets Exposed as part of the Tall, Dark, and Deadly Series: Books 0.5-2 box set. This was supposed to be about the Walker Brother. By all accounts I should be reading about the last brother, Blake, instead I'm reading about Royce's friend Mark. Throw into the mix that I read the book exactly as they were presented, in the exact order and Secrets Exposed should have been the first not the last as the timeline with Royce is all wrong. When I'm reading a series, unless it was intended by the author to have their reader to read a series out of order, I prefer to read in chronicle order. Thankfully reading out of order didn't have that much of an impact.
So of the three books in the boxset, Secrets Exposed was my favorite. There was a bit more action and intrigue than the other two books and it wasn't until almost the end before I figured out who the killer was. The dynamics between Lindsey and Mark were less caveman and more equal-ish. I'm adding the -ish because there were still some brutish actions from Mark, but Lindsey was just not having it. HAH! I loved her for that!
Quite a few twists are offered up to keep the excitement level up in this book. First off, you have Lindsey trying to convince Mark to come back and help her out with a case. Angry groveling, looking hot and a career-ending murder case jump-start this story. Follow it up with sparks between Lindsey and Mark and not just of the sexual kind. She's a smart woman and isn't going to let a man tell her to stay like a dog. Their head-butting made for good reads but what really got me going was the murder case...or shall I say cases. That's plural folks and I'll let you find out exactly how many I'm talking about. And the killer, good lucky guessing who it was because it was a mystery until the big reveal. Score a few points for author Lisa Renee Jones on this one.
Secrets Exposed works very well as a stand-alone and is worth the read.
So of the three books in the boxset, Secrets Exposed was my favorite. There was a bit more action and intrigue than the other two books and it wasn't until almost the end before I figured out who the killer was. The dynamics between Lindsey and Mark were less caveman and more equal-ish. I'm adding the -ish because there were still some brutish actions from Mark, but Lindsey was just not having it. HAH! I loved her for that!
Quite a few twists are offered up to keep the excitement level up in this book. First off, you have Lindsey trying to convince Mark to come back and help her out with a case. Angry groveling, looking hot and a career-ending murder case jump-start this story. Follow it up with sparks between Lindsey and Mark and not just of the sexual kind. She's a smart woman and isn't going to let a man tell her to stay like a dog. Their head-butting made for good reads but what really got me going was the murder case...or shall I say cases. That's plural folks and I'll let you find out exactly how many I'm talking about. And the killer, good lucky guessing who it was because it was a mystery until the big reveal. Score a few points for author Lisa Renee Jones on this one.
Secrets Exposed works very well as a stand-alone and is worth the read.
January 16, 2013
This was a hard one... I loved the suspense side and the romance side but putting them together, something didn't click. I'm giving it 3 1/2 The killer really didn't kick into the story until it was too late. Otherwise it would have been a solid 4. I like the author and the series so I'm off to read the next one, in the hope that it will really be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2013
This was an amazing read. I could not put it down once I started and ended up finishing it in one evening.
It moved along at an awesome pace, had amazing characters and a story that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
Lisa Renee Jones is an awesome writer and out of all of her books, I have yet to be disappointed. Everyone should experience her books.
It moved along at an awesome pace, had amazing characters and a story that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
Lisa Renee Jones is an awesome writer and out of all of her books, I have yet to be disappointed. Everyone should experience her books.
February 3, 2015
Voilà un roman que je vais m’empresser d’oublier. Je ne vais même pas me forcer, à peine fermé, j’avais déjà oublié le prénom des personnages ! Pour faire court et en reprenant le titre de la série, ce roman n’a rien de sombre, rien de divin et il est encore moins mortel !
La suite ici: http://lune-et-plume.fr/secrets-devoi...
La suite ici: http://lune-et-plume.fr/secrets-devoi...
Want to read
March 12, 2012Kindle Freebie 3.12.12
July 13, 2012
Really enjoyed the book! Suspenseful, easy, fast read. Was a little bothered by the amount of typos and grammatical errors.
August 30, 2023
Very interesting book. I liked the interaction of all the characters. Great read.
July 14, 2013
Excellent Series!
January 30, 2019
Manhattan: his 20th story apartment; the Tavern; her father's office; Vegas: casino, their hotel room; Washington: her FBI office;
Lindsey Paxton: ex-lawyer; FBI special agent; left her father's firm and her father's expectations when she won a case of an accused rapist, and then he was arrested 2 days later with a rape/murder;
Mark Reeves: lawyer from her father's firm after she left... had been grooming him to take over since Lindsey left, but when Edward wouldn't take his advice and was making bad business choices (too many free cases - to lessen guilt over daughter?);
Williams v Hudson: two men accused (one convicted) on serial rape / murder of women that look like Lindsey; Lindsey defended one... and stuck defending the other;
Edward Paxton: Lindsey's dad; fighting cancer; put pressure on Lindsey to return and take over all;
Greg Harrison: her current FBI partner - friend;
Garth & Steve: Steve was her first FBI partner - and Garth is his current partner; Garth has tracked Lindsey for years... planting evidence to get her first rape case convicted - ends up he is the rapist/killer
Lindsey Paxton: ex-lawyer; FBI special agent; left her father's firm and her father's expectations when she won a case of an accused rapist, and then he was arrested 2 days later with a rape/murder;
Mark Reeves: lawyer from her father's firm after she left... had been grooming him to take over since Lindsey left, but when Edward wouldn't take his advice and was making bad business choices (too many free cases - to lessen guilt over daughter?);
Williams v Hudson: two men accused (one convicted) on serial rape / murder of women that look like Lindsey; Lindsey defended one... and stuck defending the other;
Edward Paxton: Lindsey's dad; fighting cancer; put pressure on Lindsey to return and take over all;
Greg Harrison: her current FBI partner - friend;
Garth & Steve: Steve was her first FBI partner - and Garth is his current partner; Garth has tracked Lindsey for years... planting evidence to get her first rape case convicted - ends up he is the rapist/killer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2020
The one thing I didn't expect from this story was the suspense. My, it's been a long time since indulge in some guessing game.
I actually love everything in this story, except one thing. Lindsey. Dang, this girl is so stubborn and so unreasonable I want to strangle her myself. Yep, that's how irritated I am with her character. But oh well, the author compensate very much with the male lead anyway and it was still a happy ending considering how the female lead acted.
Aside from that, I can't also dismissed the "thing" about the identity of the killer. It seems like he's just a passing-by character because there's no other detail about him aside from the fact that he's fixated to Lindsey. Like come on! Can you provide the man at least a short back-story, on how he started to pursue Lindsey and do all those things?
Oh well, we can't have all can we? But overall, it was still a very good read. Just be patient with the female lead and about the killer, then I'm sure anyone would enjoy this story as well.
I am giving this story a 3.5 rating for now ;)
I actually love everything in this story, except one thing. Lindsey. Dang, this girl is so stubborn and so unreasonable I want to strangle her myself. Yep, that's how irritated I am with her character. But oh well, the author compensate very much with the male lead anyway and it was still a happy ending considering how the female lead acted.
Aside from that, I can't also dismissed the "thing" about the identity of the killer. It seems like he's just a passing-by character because there's no other detail about him aside from the fact that he's fixated to Lindsey. Like come on! Can you provide the man at least a short back-story, on how he started to pursue Lindsey and do all those things?
Oh well, we can't have all can we? But overall, it was still a very good read. Just be patient with the female lead and about the killer, then I'm sure anyone would enjoy this story as well.
I am giving this story a 3.5 rating for now ;)
June 11, 2020
Serial killer on the loose, but no one knows but Lindsey and Mark. Lindsey is the killers target, and he's getting closer.
Mark is frantic trying to keep Lindsey safe, but Lindsey is the stupid blond in the horror movies that goes into the basement instead of running away! And because of that . . .
Twists and turns. Is it Greg, Lindsey's ex? Is it the Pink Panther's owner? Is it one of the victim's ex-boyfriends? Lindsey already knows she has put an innocent man behind bars and she wants to find the real killer so the innocent man can be set free.
Mark is frantic trying to keep Lindsey safe, but Lindsey is the stupid blond in the horror movies that goes into the basement instead of running away! And because of that . . .
Twists and turns. Is it Greg, Lindsey's ex? Is it the Pink Panther's owner? Is it one of the victim's ex-boyfriends? Lindsey already knows she has put an innocent man behind bars and she wants to find the real killer so the innocent man can be set free.
November 18, 2017
Good start
There's so much about this authors writing that I love. I just had some times of it dragging. For every moment of almost clarity there's interruption and I get bored lol. But I still want to see where she takes me in the rest of this series.
Safety
100 % Safe with 4 month separation. No mention of others.
There's so much about this authors writing that I love. I just had some times of it dragging. For every moment of almost clarity there's interruption and I get bored lol. But I still want to see where she takes me in the rest of this series.
Safety
100 % Safe with 4 month separation. No mention of others.
March 19, 2022
It's okay but too much repetition. I knew who was behind everything from the start. In my opinion it's very predictable. I found the next to last two chapters the best. Why do the supposedly smart women keep making the same mistakes. I'm glad I'm done with this series. I read in Tall, Dark, and Deadly 3 Book Box Set (Tall, Dark & Deadly, #0.5-2).
March 15, 2023
I read the digital version, and throughout the book, there were paragraphs where there was some strange alternate keyboard used. I had to copy & paste into the translation program in order to read it. It was awful. In addition, the heroine was an FBI agent, but often exhibited TSTL characteristics, which would seem to be diametrically opposed to her training.
April 22, 2022
My biggest problem with the book was Lindsey claimed to be an FBI agent but in no way acted like one. There is no way she would have been so scared of every single little thing or have gone out without her gun when investigating. Way too many problems.
February 18, 2017
I figured it out early and there was no chemistry between the main characters.
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