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Secrets In The Shadows
Would you leave home to get justice for a gruesome crime in the drug cartel?
Kim Mai, a 27-year old yoga teacher visits regional Madrid to deliver a letter to her murdered exboyfriend’s brother, Ricardo Perez. But Kim never expected to fall for Ricardo, a former detective turned hotel manager who vows to find the killer at any cost.
As Kim and Ricardo set out on a journey to discover his brother’s murderer in the South American cartel, a series of incidences brings them closer to deceit and danger. The bodies soon pile up.
No one can be trusted, and the final showdown will prove deadly, while Ricardo fights his feelings for Kim in order to keep her safe.
If you enjoy stories of romance, high action, and deadly villains, you’ll enjoy Lucy Appadoo’s third book, Secrets In The Shadows in the Women Of Strength Series.
Kim Mai, a 27-year old yoga teacher visits regional Madrid to deliver a letter to her murdered exboyfriend’s brother, Ricardo Perez. But Kim never expected to fall for Ricardo, a former detective turned hotel manager who vows to find the killer at any cost.
As Kim and Ricardo set out on a journey to discover his brother’s murderer in the South American cartel, a series of incidences brings them closer to deceit and danger. The bodies soon pile up.
No one can be trusted, and the final showdown will prove deadly, while Ricardo fights his feelings for Kim in order to keep her safe.
If you enjoy stories of romance, high action, and deadly villains, you’ll enjoy Lucy Appadoo’s third book, Secrets In The Shadows in the Women Of Strength Series.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2023
1 person want to read
About the author
Lucy Appadoo
36 books58 followersLucy Appadoo is a prolific author who writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels about strong women who manage adversity with strength and heart.
After a childhood spent reading and imagining escapist worlds, Lucy has put her imagination into stories. Her work as a rehabilitation counsellor, and former work as a counsellor in private practice, have led to an interest in writing inspirational stories about authentic, driven women who struggle with a new love interest or stalker.
Lucy enjoys plotting the next love story, travelling for fun and inspiration, researching crime stories and news to inspire her work, watching romance and suspenseful movies, reading, meditating, and spending time with friends and family. She also appreciates her Italian background, which has inspired her to write imaginative stories about her parents’ childhoods that have led to The Italian Family Series novels.
Check out Lucy’s website and sign up for a free exclusive suspenseful novella with romantic elements: https://www.lucyappadooauthor.com.au
After a childhood spent reading and imagining escapist worlds, Lucy has put her imagination into stories. Her work as a rehabilitation counsellor, and former work as a counsellor in private practice, have led to an interest in writing inspirational stories about authentic, driven women who struggle with a new love interest or stalker.
Lucy enjoys plotting the next love story, travelling for fun and inspiration, researching crime stories and news to inspire her work, watching romance and suspenseful movies, reading, meditating, and spending time with friends and family. She also appreciates her Italian background, which has inspired her to write imaginative stories about her parents’ childhoods that have led to The Italian Family Series novels.
Check out Lucy’s website and sign up for a free exclusive suspenseful novella with romantic elements: https://www.lucyappadooauthor.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 7, 2023
Take a timeout from burnout
I, for one, could certainly use some beachside barbeques, hillside hikes, multiple massages, and top-of-the-restaurant teas. And a trip to the Basque country sounds marvelous…
I *could* go into a judgmental mode and say Kim should have kept her ex-boyfriend at arms-length when he reached out to her after being released from prison; she should have broken up with him as soon as she found out his gang affiliation; she should have done more of a background check on the guy before she dated him.
But none of those are the core problem in their relationship. Neither is her late ex-‘s gang background.
Nay…the core problem is societal, rather than individual. How are gangs able to convince these young kids that they are now part of a family, that they now belong and now have protection? Honestly, I don’t think these kids need convincing. What they need is family, guidance, a sense of belonging, protection.
And while I normally agree with the late George Carlin’s mindset in that “it doesn’t take a village to raise a child; it takes two parents’, there are situations in which two parents are not available. That’s when the village comes in. Community members, neighbors, and teachers don’t replace parents, but these adults can still be look-outs and role models for at-risk youth. We cannot prevent a child’s loss of a parent (for whatever reason), but perhaps we can work toward mitigating the damage caused by it and prevent a world were gangs even exist.
There are so many activities (arts, games, sports, trades, writing, etc.) that can give our youth consistency and goals, plus the positive brain chemicals that enable us to have no need for the dangerous, and often fatal, artifice of gangs.
Some sage survival advice from the author:
Know whom to trust.
Always have an exit plan.
Learn various forms of self-defense.
Don’t do somebody else’s dirty work.
Get in shape and stay in shape (note to self).
Breathe deeply in order to oxygenate the brain for clear thinking (Yoga!).
Fave line:
‘Just because he wasn’t imprisoned doesn’t mean he’s not guilty.’
May we work toward a world in which our youth are protected from the adults in their lives so that they reach adulthood safely, happy, and fulfilled.
#BreakTheCycle
I, for one, could certainly use some beachside barbeques, hillside hikes, multiple massages, and top-of-the-restaurant teas. And a trip to the Basque country sounds marvelous…
I *could* go into a judgmental mode and say Kim should have kept her ex-boyfriend at arms-length when he reached out to her after being released from prison; she should have broken up with him as soon as she found out his gang affiliation; she should have done more of a background check on the guy before she dated him.
But none of those are the core problem in their relationship. Neither is her late ex-‘s gang background.
Nay…the core problem is societal, rather than individual. How are gangs able to convince these young kids that they are now part of a family, that they now belong and now have protection? Honestly, I don’t think these kids need convincing. What they need is family, guidance, a sense of belonging, protection.
And while I normally agree with the late George Carlin’s mindset in that “it doesn’t take a village to raise a child; it takes two parents’, there are situations in which two parents are not available. That’s when the village comes in. Community members, neighbors, and teachers don’t replace parents, but these adults can still be look-outs and role models for at-risk youth. We cannot prevent a child’s loss of a parent (for whatever reason), but perhaps we can work toward mitigating the damage caused by it and prevent a world were gangs even exist.
There are so many activities (arts, games, sports, trades, writing, etc.) that can give our youth consistency and goals, plus the positive brain chemicals that enable us to have no need for the dangerous, and often fatal, artifice of gangs.
Some sage survival advice from the author:
Know whom to trust.
Always have an exit plan.
Learn various forms of self-defense.
Don’t do somebody else’s dirty work.
Get in shape and stay in shape (note to self).
Breathe deeply in order to oxygenate the brain for clear thinking (Yoga!).
Fave line:
‘Just because he wasn’t imprisoned doesn’t mean he’s not guilty.’
May we work toward a world in which our youth are protected from the adults in their lives so that they reach adulthood safely, happy, and fulfilled.
#BreakTheCycle
July 7, 2023
Secrets in The Shadows, Book Three in the Woman of Strength Series – The Author, Lucy Appadoo, does it again when she pulls the reader into Kim’s story right from the beginning.
What do you do when a drug-dealing ex-boyfriend, Manuel, returns with something to tell you?
Kim's former boyfriend, Manuel, who has a criminal past, has recently been released from prison. He pays a visit to Kim and hands her a letter, requesting her to deliver it to his brother, Ricardo.
While working as an informant for the police, Manuel is soon murdered.
Kim travels to Madrid to visit Ricardo, a former detective who now manages a hotel and is determined to bring his brother's killer to justice, no matter the expense.
Kim and Ricardo embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth about his brother's killer in the South American drug cartel. However, a chain of events leads them deeper into treacherous territory, where they encounter deceit and grave danger. As the body count rises, they realize the gravity of their mission.
No one can be trusted, and the final showdown will prove deadly, while Ricardo fights to suppress his feelings for Kim in order to ensure her safety.
A captivating read full of suspense and romance.
What do you do when a drug-dealing ex-boyfriend, Manuel, returns with something to tell you?
Kim's former boyfriend, Manuel, who has a criminal past, has recently been released from prison. He pays a visit to Kim and hands her a letter, requesting her to deliver it to his brother, Ricardo.
While working as an informant for the police, Manuel is soon murdered.
Kim travels to Madrid to visit Ricardo, a former detective who now manages a hotel and is determined to bring his brother's killer to justice, no matter the expense.
Kim and Ricardo embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth about his brother's killer in the South American drug cartel. However, a chain of events leads them deeper into treacherous territory, where they encounter deceit and grave danger. As the body count rises, they realize the gravity of their mission.
No one can be trusted, and the final showdown will prove deadly, while Ricardo fights to suppress his feelings for Kim in order to ensure her safety.
A captivating read full of suspense and romance.
May 9, 2023
My favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and I really enjoyed Lucy Appadoo's book Secrets in the Shadows. Kim Mai's gangster ex-boyfriend Manuel Perez has been in prison. When he is released, he goes to visit Kim to ask her to relay a message to his brother, Ricardo. That's the last time she sees him because a few days later he is murdered. Kim eventually decides to go see Ricardo. She knows he'd been in law enforcement and maybe he might have the resources to find out who had viciously killed his brother. What ensues is the hunt for Manuel's killer. This story has danger, romance, and tightly guarded secrets. Once I started reading this book, I kept reading way past my bedtime. I ended up reading it in one sitting! I give it five stars.
June 28, 2023
Would you fly halfway around the world and put yourself in danger with a drug kingpin just to get justice for your murdered ex boyfriend? Kim goes to Madrid to deliver a letter to her murdered ex boyfriends brother and winds up on the wrong side of a drug cartel. When Kim and Ricardo take off to South America to try to discover what happened will they get out with their lives?
June 2, 2023
This was my first suspense/murder mystery romance
book and I loved it! It wasn't predictable, which kept it
interesting and had lots of suspense and unexpected
twist and turns.
Lots of action with appropriate breaks of gentle and passionate romance
book and I loved it! It wasn't predictable, which kept it
interesting and had lots of suspense and unexpected
twist and turns.
Lots of action with appropriate breaks of gentle and passionate romance
May 30, 2023
As usual, this author brings it! Another amazing read from her! One you don't want to miss!
June 3, 2023
What an amazing story. Kim Mai goes to Madrid to give something to an ex boyfriend’s brother. How will this all end. Will there be a romance between them. What secrets are there. Danger lurks everywhere. Can’t wait for another book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews