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Family Secrets #2
MacNamara's Woman
The second Family Secrets novel from the #1
New York Times
bestselling author of
Right
Behind You and
Find Her...
Three siblings searching for the truth about their family are about to find more than they bargained for....
When Tamara Allistair lost her family, she quickly learned that the only person she could rely on was herself. Now Tamara wants revenge against the man who wronged her. But going after a target with far-reaching connections is a dangerous gamble, and soon Tamara is the one being threatened.
A man with his own share of family issues, ex-marine C. J. MacNamara knows that protecting Tamara is the right thing to do. Keeping her safe is no easy task, but getting her to trust him is an entirely different challenge. As Tamara attempts to right a wrong ten years in the making, C.J. puts his own life on the line to protect the woman who is more worthy of love than...
Three siblings searching for the truth about their family are about to find more than they bargained for....
When Tamara Allistair lost her family, she quickly learned that the only person she could rely on was herself. Now Tamara wants revenge against the man who wronged her. But going after a target with far-reaching connections is a dangerous gamble, and soon Tamara is the one being threatened.
A man with his own share of family issues, ex-marine C. J. MacNamara knows that protecting Tamara is the right thing to do. Keeping her safe is no easy task, but getting her to trust him is an entirely different challenge. As Tamara attempts to right a wrong ten years in the making, C.J. puts his own life on the line to protect the woman who is more worthy of love than...
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1997
138 people are currently reading
1356 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Scott
19 books117 followersA pseudonym used by Lisa Gardner.
Series:
* Walking After Midnight
* Guiness Gang
* Maximillian's Children - re-released by Penguin (2013) under the updated series name Family Secrets
Series:
* Walking After Midnight
* Guiness Gang
* Maximillian's Children - re-released by Penguin (2013) under the updated series name Family Secrets
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 5, 2019
A romantic suspense series. I loved the first book but this one is a dud.
The romance between the over-wary h and the over-eager H is anything but. I can understand that the h is emotionally damaged and needs space but it's overdone. For one, she acts quite inconsistent with her said persona of a successful, confident career woman. Almost like an unsure, overcharged teenager. And the H, who starts out as a super-likeable caring fella, needs to pipe down already. His eager beaver act gets pretty annoying, pretty soon.
The suspense is a complete no brainer.
And they remove a bomb on their own?! He's an ex-marine and is 'almost sure' that he's upto the task but...! Someone's trying to murder her and that's a huuuuge biiiiig piece of evidence - for the police! The book goes complete stupidos at this point.
The romance between the over-wary h and the over-eager H is anything but. I can understand that the h is emotionally damaged and needs space but it's overdone. For one, she acts quite inconsistent with her said persona of a successful, confident career woman. Almost like an unsure, overcharged teenager. And the H, who starts out as a super-likeable caring fella, needs to pipe down already. His eager beaver act gets pretty annoying, pretty soon.
The suspense is a complete no brainer.
And they remove a bomb on their own?! He's an ex-marine and is 'almost sure' that he's upto the task but...! Someone's trying to murder her and that's a huuuuge biiiiig piece of evidence - for the police! The book goes complete stupidos at this point.
August 20, 2011
Rating 3.5
This is the second in the Maximillian's Children series, a man who fathered children with three different women and whose kids still don't know what he did and facts about his death.
CJ's mother was the one Max loved, but he never married her since she didn't have a inheritance. CJ as a little boy saw his mother wither away with disease trying to save her with Max nowhere to be found. After her death he was with Max until he died too and he went to live with his grandmother with his siblings, angry and lashing out. But he changed and mellowed down, joined the marines and now owns a bar at Sedona, racing and sometimes bounty hunter. He likes helping out women in distress and one night he runs across Tamara, who's speeding and injures herself. From the way she is dressed he figures she is a New Yorker and when he tries to help and her and even offers to take her to a hospital she is not welcoming and insists on doing everything on her own, even when her breaks seems to be tampered with, CJ is intrigued.
Tamara has come to Sedona after ten years to finally confront the death of her family and boyfriend and the accident that left her in a hospital, struggling through injuries, learning to walk. She has made herself successful and has repressed herself, letting nothing in. She remembers how she saw her family slip away and thinks a senator may be responsible, she is here to uncover the truth.
Tamara was a little difficult to like, she was always too prickly and you could see her self-destructing. She coped with life the best way she knew, alone and pushing all emotion aside(she was alone in the hospital) , so she doesn't like how CJ won't let up and she starts thinking about him, reaching out to him. Their first time together, she refuses to let go and pushes CJ away way too much but still he helps her and tells her she needs to talk about her loss and the post-traumatic stress she has.
Then there are the attempts on her life and then a frame-up for murder. Throughout it all CJ stands up her, and I did wonder why sometimes and so does Tamara but she was one messed up, tortured character.
The book has made me mighty curious about Brandon's book, whose been running away since his wife's death and the real truth about Max.
This is the second in the Maximillian's Children series, a man who fathered children with three different women and whose kids still don't know what he did and facts about his death.
CJ's mother was the one Max loved, but he never married her since she didn't have a inheritance. CJ as a little boy saw his mother wither away with disease trying to save her with Max nowhere to be found. After her death he was with Max until he died too and he went to live with his grandmother with his siblings, angry and lashing out. But he changed and mellowed down, joined the marines and now owns a bar at Sedona, racing and sometimes bounty hunter. He likes helping out women in distress and one night he runs across Tamara, who's speeding and injures herself. From the way she is dressed he figures she is a New Yorker and when he tries to help and her and even offers to take her to a hospital she is not welcoming and insists on doing everything on her own, even when her breaks seems to be tampered with, CJ is intrigued.
Tamara has come to Sedona after ten years to finally confront the death of her family and boyfriend and the accident that left her in a hospital, struggling through injuries, learning to walk. She has made herself successful and has repressed herself, letting nothing in. She remembers how she saw her family slip away and thinks a senator may be responsible, she is here to uncover the truth.
Tamara was a little difficult to like, she was always too prickly and you could see her self-destructing. She coped with life the best way she knew, alone and pushing all emotion aside(she was alone in the hospital) , so she doesn't like how CJ won't let up and she starts thinking about him, reaching out to him. Their first time together, she refuses to let go and pushes CJ away way too much but still he helps her and tells her she needs to talk about her loss and the post-traumatic stress she has.
Then there are the attempts on her life and then a frame-up for murder. Throughout it all CJ stands up her, and I did wonder why sometimes and so does Tamara but she was one messed up, tortured character.
The book has made me mighty curious about Brandon's book, whose been running away since his wife's death and the real truth about Max.
November 28, 2019
MacNamara’s Woman is the second book in the Family Secrets series, and it was another enjoyable read. As with the first book – Maggie’s Man – I found it wasn’t quite to the usual Lisa Gardner standard, but I still found it to be addictive. As Alicia Scott, Lisa Gardner focuses a lot more on the romance, meaning the suspense is not as high, but it is still an addictive read.
With MacNamara’s Woman, we have a story that works perfectly fine as a standalone novel. There are small references made to the other family members, but not enough to take away from the story. In fact, I found myself wishes we were given more. There were a few questions introduced to the overall storyline, but I would have liked to see more of the family.
Although I would have liked more for the series as a whole, as a standalone this was an addictive read. There are plenty of questions introduced throughout, ensuring you’re happy to power through the pages. Some aspects were predictable, but the way things played out offered something a bit different to the norm. Even though this was not my favourite read from the author, the story was addictive.
All in all, MacNamara’s Woman was an enjoyable read that has me curious about what will happen in the final book of the series.
With MacNamara’s Woman, we have a story that works perfectly fine as a standalone novel. There are small references made to the other family members, but not enough to take away from the story. In fact, I found myself wishes we were given more. There were a few questions introduced to the overall storyline, but I would have liked to see more of the family.
Although I would have liked more for the series as a whole, as a standalone this was an addictive read. There are plenty of questions introduced throughout, ensuring you’re happy to power through the pages. Some aspects were predictable, but the way things played out offered something a bit different to the norm. Even though this was not my favourite read from the author, the story was addictive.
All in all, MacNamara’s Woman was an enjoyable read that has me curious about what will happen in the final book of the series.
May 18, 2020
MacNamara's Woman
3 Stars
Unfortunately, this second book isn't as engaging as the first in the series.
CJ and Tamara's romance is totally uninspired mainly due to the fact that they are unconvincing as a couple. CJ is actually quite beta, which is strange considering he is a former marine, and his hero-in-pursuit is overdone. Tamara is overly angsty (not surprising considering her extreme PTSD), but she is also quite cold and unemotional. They have very little chemistry and their connection feels forced.
The suspense plot is mundane and predictable. The identity of the culprit is painfully obvious as there are literally no other suspects to choose from.
It is also disappointing that there are no updates on the characters from the previous book and only a minor cameo by CJ's brother. Hopefully, Brandon's book will be better.
3 Stars
Unfortunately, this second book isn't as engaging as the first in the series.
CJ and Tamara's romance is totally uninspired mainly due to the fact that they are unconvincing as a couple. CJ is actually quite beta, which is strange considering he is a former marine, and his hero-in-pursuit is overdone. Tamara is overly angsty (not surprising considering her extreme PTSD), but she is also quite cold and unemotional. They have very little chemistry and their connection feels forced.
The suspense plot is mundane and predictable. The identity of the culprit is painfully obvious as there are literally no other suspects to choose from.
It is also disappointing that there are no updates on the characters from the previous book and only a minor cameo by CJ's brother. Hopefully, Brandon's book will be better.
October 23, 2023
3.5 stars
This one was waaaay better than the first book. I enjoyed the story and I loved the small town vibes. C.J. is unlike most veteran heroes which I enjoyed. He is
charming, sweet, considerate and didn’t find any issue with going after the woman he liked and making her his own. Tamara is a very complex woman, albeit frustrating at times but it made sense with her arc. She is a closed off workaholic who refuses to let anyone in. Which made her the perfect foil for C.J. Personally, I prefer the dynamic of a tough no nonsense heroine and a sweet charming hero. Which was executed wonderfully in this story.
This one was waaaay better than the first book. I enjoyed the story and I loved the small town vibes. C.J. is unlike most veteran heroes which I enjoyed. He is
charming, sweet, considerate and didn’t find any issue with going after the woman he liked and making her his own. Tamara is a very complex woman, albeit frustrating at times but it made sense with her arc. She is a closed off workaholic who refuses to let anyone in. Which made her the perfect foil for C.J. Personally, I prefer the dynamic of a tough no nonsense heroine and a sweet charming hero. Which was executed wonderfully in this story.
January 28, 2018
Amazing, read it in a day!
January 30, 2022
Another well done story.
November 22, 2013
Not sure this one is even worth 2 stars. The heroine was annoying and unlikable. She kept pushing away the hero. Some authors can write a story with someone facing a difficult past but still a likable character, i.e. Joss from On Dublin Street. Despite her issues I still liked her. Not so much this heroine.
I liked the hero better until he had a TSTL moment and touched and removed evidence!! Really? Someone is trying to kill her and you remove evidence? And then let said victim drive off in the car.
The ending was pretty obvious on the guilty party with an added twist. I actually skimmed through the last 40%. I couldn't stomach the heroine anymore. Her parents and boyfriend are killed in a car accident and she's gravely injured but thinks she doesn't need counseling? Thinks because her physical therapist tells her no one can walk for her that he is referring to living her life alone?
This just wasn't an enjoyable story which is too bad because I really liked the first book. Brandon, the brother who lost his wife is the next boom. Will he be as annoying as this heroine? Hope not.
I liked the hero better until he had a TSTL moment and touched and removed evidence!! Really? Someone is trying to kill her and you remove evidence? And then let said victim drive off in the car.
The ending was pretty obvious on the guilty party with an added twist. I actually skimmed through the last 40%. I couldn't stomach the heroine anymore. Her parents and boyfriend are killed in a car accident and she's gravely injured but thinks she doesn't need counseling? Thinks because her physical therapist tells her no one can walk for her that he is referring to living her life alone?
This just wasn't an enjoyable story which is too bad because I really liked the first book. Brandon, the brother who lost his wife is the next boom. Will he be as annoying as this heroine? Hope not.
December 1, 2014
Before she was the acclaimed author I love, Lisa Gardner wrote as Alicia Scott in an entirely different genre. This is a typical bad romance novel with a typical happy ending. In between, it had all the usual stuff. Boy meets girl, girl hates boy, ridiculous "passionate" scenes. Blech. There are two other books in this series, but I'll pass and stick to her fantastic, page turning suspense novels.
August 10, 2025
Tamara lived in Sedona as a child but after her parents were killed in a car wreck, she left and never returned until now. She is back because the night of the accident she was in the car and say a man who was in the other car. She has swore she would never return to Sedona and has been a success in public relations but since the man she thinks was the driver of the other car is now running for President of the United States, she feels she might have a case against him and wants to be there to work on his campaign but really to dig for information.
In the meantime, we know from being readers of the book that a grounds keeper is killed the same night she came back. This begins another round of killings, as part of the cover-up. In addition, she gets involved with the owner of the local bar and they because attracted and start a relationship.
That are some surprises and it turns out that the man who she thought was driving was actually not but was in the car with someone Tamara would have never suspected till the truth hits her in the face.
I recommend this to those who enjoy mysteries with a lot of twists and turns and where the investigation incurrs some real danger for the one trying to find out the answer.
In the meantime, we know from being readers of the book that a grounds keeper is killed the same night she came back. This begins another round of killings, as part of the cover-up. In addition, she gets involved with the owner of the local bar and they because attracted and start a relationship.
That are some surprises and it turns out that the man who she thought was driving was actually not but was in the car with someone Tamara would have never suspected till the truth hits her in the face.
I recommend this to those who enjoy mysteries with a lot of twists and turns and where the investigation incurrs some real danger for the one trying to find out the answer.
March 4, 2019
2/2017/307
First of all, I’m not a fan of romance novels, so you don’t have to put much stock in my review. I found Tamara to be an insufferable person. In my opinion, C.J. was foolish to pursue her. Their love-hate relationship that lasts for most of the book is very uncomfortable to read.
I thought it was easy to determine the antagonist. When Tamara was arrested for murdering Spider, I said, boy, they have the wrong person for sure. Tamara hasn’t been back to Arizona since she left almost ten years ago. Then, all of a sudden, she says that she did come back once a year to bring a bottle of cognac to her parents’ grave. It is easy to speed-read through a lot of this. You will miss nothing germane to the story.
I have read some wonderful books from Lisa Gardner. I will not be reading the rest of the Family Secrets Series.
First of all, I’m not a fan of romance novels, so you don’t have to put much stock in my review. I found Tamara to be an insufferable person. In my opinion, C.J. was foolish to pursue her. Their love-hate relationship that lasts for most of the book is very uncomfortable to read.
I thought it was easy to determine the antagonist. When Tamara was arrested for murdering Spider, I said, boy, they have the wrong person for sure. Tamara hasn’t been back to Arizona since she left almost ten years ago. Then, all of a sudden, she says that she did come back once a year to bring a bottle of cognac to her parents’ grave. It is easy to speed-read through a lot of this. You will miss nothing germane to the story.
I have read some wonderful books from Lisa Gardner. I will not be reading the rest of the Family Secrets Series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2020
This book are so good that I want to read all of series. This series of Family Secrets was the early beginnings of Lisa Gardner under the name of Alicia Scott. No matter, I am convinced that ever in the beginning Lisa Gardner had future in the Author world of writing. She weaves as a master painter through the book carefully holding your attention to the pages coming and going to the end. ENJOY as I did and as soon as the Lock Down of the Coronavirus is contained I'll be looking for addition books from Alicia and Liza Gardner.
May 17, 2019
This is an excellent little series written by Lisa Garderner under the pseudonym Alicia Scott. The first book follows Maggie, one of 3 siblings, this book follows brother CJ, and the third will follow brother Brandon.
I loved that CJ and Tamara are incredibly strong and stubborn characters! That's probably my favorite part about this book!
Overall, it was a pretty fast-paced, thrilling read!
I loved that CJ and Tamara are incredibly strong and stubborn characters! That's probably my favorite part about this book!
Overall, it was a pretty fast-paced, thrilling read!
May 15, 2017
3 1/2 stars second book in the series. Suspenseful romance, I enjoyed this book. This is C.J. and Tamera's story. Tamera comes back to town to try to solve the mystery of a car wreck that left her an orphan. Someone does not want her back in town, and C.J. finds himself trying to protect her (even if she doesn't want it).
May 12, 2020
This novel was not much to my liking, but it was a quick and easy read. Tamara, the lead character, is not really a likeable woman in my opinion, she was way to grumpy and cold to my liking. I found C.J., the male lead character, to be annoying as well. For me, the romance-part was not what I hoped it to be and neither was the suspense-part.
February 6, 2017
I didn't like either of the main characters. I understand that she had been through a huge trauma, but she was too cold and he was way too persistent to the point that he was almost a stalker. That isn't romantic. The drama/suspense was decent come the second half, but it was weak on the romance.
August 16, 2017
I really enjoyed that one too : you didn't have to wait to have a strong heroin, the plot was interesting, the psychology a little deeper than usual, the hero was patient and charming. I'm on to book #3 !
April 8, 2022
CJ sees a speeding car going faster then him. When the car wrecks he stops to help and falls in love. This lady can drive and stand up to him. But as she try’s to find out what happened to her parents trouble follows her.
August 4, 2022
Another great book
I like all the books Lisa Gardner writes . Whether its Lisa Gardner, Alicia Scott or whatever other name she uses, all her books are page turners. Now, on to Brandon's story.
I like all the books Lisa Gardner writes . Whether its Lisa Gardner, Alicia Scott or whatever other name she uses, all her books are page turners. Now, on to Brandon's story.
February 20, 2017
Got this from a mystery date a book at my library and although its not a book I would normally have picked up I liked it. Moved fairly fast I will be picking up the next in the series
September 22, 2017
I did not finish this book. The book featured a wishy-washy female lead, and a male lead who didn't care for her wishy-washy, but kept going back for more. A very bogged down book.
September 28, 2017
Great read
Another great read by Lisa Gardner. I am never disappointed by the building of the characters and the plot of the story line!
Another great read by Lisa Gardner. I am never disappointed by the building of the characters and the plot of the story line!
January 21, 2018
If your doing a trilogy the least you could do is have a little more interaction with the and future main characters.
January 30, 2018
amazing!!!
February 21, 2018
I liked this one BETTER than the first of this series
December 21, 2018
Lisa Gardner always writes amazing story lines, but this one actually failed to grip me. Unusual
June 1, 2019
As always, a good read
November 23, 2019
Easy read but nothing really spectacular that grabbed my attention. I love her thriller books - just not this genre.
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January 25, 2021Great and not Gory
I enjoyed this mystery. I read a LOT of this genre. This has complex characters, intrigue and romance. A fun read for these Covid times.
I enjoyed this mystery. I read a LOT of this genre. This has complex characters, intrigue and romance. A fun read for these Covid times.
September 2, 2021
3 1/2 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews