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Southern Secrets #2
Touch Me Gently
Secrets lead to nothing but trouble and heartbreak.
Newly arrived in the small Southern town of Oakboro, Salem Lacy is planning to keep a low profile after an ill-timed step out of the closet cost her the corporate job and high-powered friends she had in Atlanta. That plan derails when Salem meets the mysterious and beautiful Knox Bolander, a woman who is whispered to cause odd and sometimes dangerous things to happen. When a fire that occurred twenty years earlier on the Bolander estate threatens to destroy Salem’s chance to rebuild her life, she must decide if she will risk everything again for this secretive woman who has been rarely touched and never loved.
Newly arrived in the small Southern town of Oakboro, Salem Lacy is planning to keep a low profile after an ill-timed step out of the closet cost her the corporate job and high-powered friends she had in Atlanta. That plan derails when Salem meets the mysterious and beautiful Knox Bolander, a woman who is whispered to cause odd and sometimes dangerous things to happen. When a fire that occurred twenty years earlier on the Bolander estate threatens to destroy Salem’s chance to rebuild her life, she must decide if she will risk everything again for this secretive woman who has been rarely touched and never loved.
264 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2012
About the author
D. Jackson Leigh
28 books213 followersD. Jackson Leigh grew up barefoot and happy, swimming in farm ponds and riding rude ponies in rural south Georgia. Her love of reading was nurtured early on by her grandmother, an English teacher who patiently taught her to work New York Times crossword puzzles in the daily paper, and by her mother who stretched the slim family budget to bring home grocery store copies of Trixie Belden mysteries and Bobbsey Twins adventures that Jackson would sit up all night reading.
It was her passion for writing led her quite accidentally to a career in journalism and, ultimately, North Carolina where she lives with her small pack of three terror, uh, terriers.
It was her passion for writing led her quite accidentally to a career in journalism and, ultimately, North Carolina where she lives with her small pack of three terror, uh, terriers.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 11, 2021
Interesting small town romance with secrets and family drama at it's core. Stand alone to the 'Southern Secrets' previous novel, there is no cross-over at all - just the theme of family secrets in southern towns where gossip and bigotry can reign.
Again it felt like basic lesfic fare, enough entertainment and emotion to keep me reading and satisfied - but I'll be honest that there's probably not a lot in either of the books to have me remember them for long-term. Just casual weekend/afternoon reads to pass the time, and there's nothing wrong with that!
I enjoyed getting to know Knox and Lacey and their past hurts and individual family issues they are trying to come to terms with in small town in the South. They are sensitive and yet brave in their own rights. Knox is a genius from a young age and also has other special abilities outside the norm.
The host of folks from the town are nice enough, but it wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been. I did like the connection between the women and them finding solace and understanding with each other and a home while healing past hurts - but again I would have liked to see it play out further.
Again it felt like basic lesfic fare, enough entertainment and emotion to keep me reading and satisfied - but I'll be honest that there's probably not a lot in either of the books to have me remember them for long-term. Just casual weekend/afternoon reads to pass the time, and there's nothing wrong with that!
I enjoyed getting to know Knox and Lacey and their past hurts and individual family issues they are trying to come to terms with in small town in the South. They are sensitive and yet brave in their own rights. Knox is a genius from a young age and also has other special abilities outside the norm.
The host of folks from the town are nice enough, but it wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been. I did like the connection between the women and them finding solace and understanding with each other and a home while healing past hurts - but again I would have liked to see it play out further.
January 4, 2016
This probably would have been a five star read for me if it weren't for the telekinesis aspect of it. I know the Southern Secrets series is only tied together thematically rather than by characters, but it made no sense to me that it's the one book in the series with a character who has a superpower, and it bothered me enough to keep distracting me.
That said, I still really enjoyed the book. I loved Knox and Salem and seeing them get together and grow to love each other is adorable. I'm only sad that I'm running out of books to read by this author.
That said, I still really enjoyed the book. I loved Knox and Salem and seeing them get together and grow to love each other is adorable. I'm only sad that I'm running out of books to read by this author.
July 20, 2012
i'm trying to catch up on a million and five books. one million and five. this week i picked up Touch Me Gently and i will say i rather enjoyed it. it reminded me of all the things i love and loathe about the South. (i lived in NC for six years.) once i stop channeling my own butt hurt rage into the characters, it was easy to fall in love with this story. the opening chapter is awesome. slap you in the face awesome. you're dying (pun intended) to know what's going to happen next, but i'll leave the spoilers out.
Knox was my favorite character. i love sexually innocent nerds. i prey on them in real life. their blood is delicious. just kidding. her love interest Salem was just a intriguing. the secondary characters were vivid and very likable. the hint of paranormal and the mystery sub-plot all flowed together.
all in, Leigh is a very smooth story teller and i can't wait to read more of her work.
Knox was my favorite character. i love sexually innocent nerds. i prey on them in real life. their blood is delicious. just kidding. her love interest Salem was just a intriguing. the secondary characters were vivid and very likable. the hint of paranormal and the mystery sub-plot all flowed together.
all in, Leigh is a very smooth story teller and i can't wait to read more of her work.
June 11, 2016
Oh So Good!!
After reading this book it is easy to see why I've heard nothing but great things from this talented author!
Knox is a woman with a secret who has returned to her hometown after her father's death. She intends to rebuild his stable of prized Frisians while continuing her work as a virtual patient programmer. Salem too has lost her father and is in town to decide what to do with his insurance business. As the two get to know each other sparks literally begin to fly. Can Salem find the peace she desires? Will Knox learn to trust? What about the small town gossips and the man who wishes them both harm? I know you know how to find the answers...
I'm partial to any lesfic book that has horses, and I've heard such wonderful things about D Jackson Leigh so it was a pretty safe bet that I would like this book. However, I loved this!! The characters, the story line the flow and major lack of editing errors... It was so wonderful! Knox was so vulnerable and painfully shy while Salem battled her own insecurities and self worth. They both feel real and easy to identify with. I liked watching them grow on their own while finding comfort and solace with each other. The secondary characters made the small town setting even more real and entertaining. This book is a delightful read sure to get you hooked on this fantastic author!!
After reading this book it is easy to see why I've heard nothing but great things from this talented author!
Knox is a woman with a secret who has returned to her hometown after her father's death. She intends to rebuild his stable of prized Frisians while continuing her work as a virtual patient programmer. Salem too has lost her father and is in town to decide what to do with his insurance business. As the two get to know each other sparks literally begin to fly. Can Salem find the peace she desires? Will Knox learn to trust? What about the small town gossips and the man who wishes them both harm? I know you know how to find the answers...
I'm partial to any lesfic book that has horses, and I've heard such wonderful things about D Jackson Leigh so it was a pretty safe bet that I would like this book. However, I loved this!! The characters, the story line the flow and major lack of editing errors... It was so wonderful! Knox was so vulnerable and painfully shy while Salem battled her own insecurities and self worth. They both feel real and easy to identify with. I liked watching them grow on their own while finding comfort and solace with each other. The secondary characters made the small town setting even more real and entertaining. This book is a delightful read sure to get you hooked on this fantastic author!!
August 9, 2024
A little bit of everything all thrown into the pot which made a surprisingly good and satisfying read. Recommended, as always when DJL.
December 30, 2019
Not a conventional romance character but romantic all the same .
May 30, 2020
This was an enjoyable read, although it may not be for everyone. I don't like the sort of X Men like angle of the book, I hate books with any sort of angles like that. But it was thankfully dealt with as just another "thing" a normal human deals with.
The story progressed quite well and the writer really built up the place setting well, and also presented the various "reveals" at a good pace. Otherwise I probably would have stopped reading as I hate reading about superpowers or ghosts who save the day normally.
It's pretty unique. Also while the cover design is very nice, I don't think it matches the story content at all.
The romance part is cute, nothing too melodramatic. But the strongest aspect of the book is really the entire atmosphere the writer built.
The story progressed quite well and the writer really built up the place setting well, and also presented the various "reveals" at a good pace. Otherwise I probably would have stopped reading as I hate reading about superpowers or ghosts who save the day normally.
It's pretty unique. Also while the cover design is very nice, I don't think it matches the story content at all.
The romance part is cute, nothing too melodramatic. But the strongest aspect of the book is really the entire atmosphere the writer built.
July 1, 2012
Jackson Leigh's latest offering has a taste of Southern Gothic - but not quite what I expected. I thought there would be a bit of ghost story weaved in, but found it to be something completely different. The author's voice and writing style made me more than willing to suspend my disbelief for a few hours and settle in for an enjoyable read.
October 5, 2016
Loved the story line especially the beginning. I think that the character of Salem could've been fleshed out a bit more but that's just my humble opinion. Jackson Leigh's books always hit the spot for me.
November 13, 2014
I had a taste for something different than I nomally read and D. Jackson Leigh provided that. It was a sweet read with some action and I'm not just talking about the Lesbian action either. Salem and Knox both had their issues to deal with but they came together beautifully.
I read this a few days ago so some things get a bit blurry with details. However, these two female charactes were both smart, could hold their own and found love.
I read this a few days ago so some things get a bit blurry with details. However, these two female charactes were both smart, could hold their own and found love.
March 24, 2016
I love this book but i think it could have been a littler better. It was well written and great characters but the love in it was kinda dull. But they do have to go through a lot to finally understand what they feel for one another. But still i couldn't help but love the way they just fit together. Great book!
August 18, 2014
Uhmm.. hmm. Nope. I am still not over the opening scenes of the book. Loved it more when the animals came in... I just wanna cuddle the living daylights outta Tuck. I liked the bit of paranormal mixed in. The last parts may have felt bit rushed.. *shrug* but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
March 13, 2013
could southern story:)
April 28, 2013
Another great book from D Jackson Leigh. I love the characters and the animals. She always brings the animals personalities to life. I can just picture Tuck and Guardian snuggled together.
December 29, 2013
Such a fantastic book! Grabs you from the start, Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, gave me chills at the end, I love it when a book can do that :) very unputdownable
October 26, 2015
2012 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews