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Payback Mountain #3
Secret Lies
TRUTH WILL OUT
Cameron King is living under an assumed identity in the town of Sisters, California. And still, she never feels safe. As the baker for the café at the quaint Cider Mill Farm, she's grateful to the people who've taken her in and have treated her like family.
But she doesn't belong, and does everything she can to hold herself apart.
Local cop, Sawyer McGrath is always watching her, making it clear he’s suspicious of her every move. And she can't blame him. He's protective of those he cares about, and Cam showed up out of the blue harboring deep, dark secrets.
When a threat from her past comes to Sisters, she knows her mere presence puts the people she's come to love in danger.
This time, running away breaks her heart. But she has to start over. Create another name, and find another town where she can hide.
The last thing she expects is Sawyer McGrath standing in her way.
Cameron King is living under an assumed identity in the town of Sisters, California. And still, she never feels safe. As the baker for the café at the quaint Cider Mill Farm, she's grateful to the people who've taken her in and have treated her like family.
But she doesn't belong, and does everything she can to hold herself apart.
Local cop, Sawyer McGrath is always watching her, making it clear he’s suspicious of her every move. And she can't blame him. He's protective of those he cares about, and Cam showed up out of the blue harboring deep, dark secrets.
When a threat from her past comes to Sisters, she knows her mere presence puts the people she's come to love in danger.
This time, running away breaks her heart. But she has to start over. Create another name, and find another town where she can hide.
The last thing she expects is Sawyer McGrath standing in her way.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2024
About the author
Diane Benefiel
23 books101 followersMurder? Stalker? Mayhem? Are bad guys coming to get her? Nope, Diane is just a retired school teacher with a laptop. She’s been married for decades. Decades. She walks Finn every morning (mostly). She FaceTimes with her grandkids. The most excitement she’s had lately is a bumpy ride on a plane, and that’s not the fun kind of excitement. But her heroines? They have all the thrills. Scary things happen to them. Hot, compelling men find them fascinating. And they always find their HEA.
An avid reader for as long as she can remember, Diane has always favored stories with strong female characters who go on adventures and can think themselves out of the most dangerous situations. It’s no surprise that those are the kinds of books she enjoys writing.
Diane’s love of the outdoors is reflected in her books. Born and raised in Southern California, family vacations meant camping in locations ranging from Big Sur to Death Valley to Zion. Two of her series are set in fictional towns in her happy place, California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her love of travel took her to Sweden as an exchange student when she was sixteen and backpacking around Great Britain (after a week in Paris) while in college. She and her husband have enjoyed pulling their little trailer to the National Parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Pinnacles.
Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award in Romantic Suspense and a USA Today Bestselling author, Diane has recently retired from a career teaching high school history. She now has all the time in the world for writing, gardening, and travel. That's the theory, anyway. She is a member of the Orange Country Romance Writers.
***Note to readers: Looking for High Sierras, Book 4? Burnover, High Sierras Book 4, is a novella you can find included with Already Gone, Book 3.
Check out her website at dianebenefiel.com.
An avid reader for as long as she can remember, Diane has always favored stories with strong female characters who go on adventures and can think themselves out of the most dangerous situations. It’s no surprise that those are the kinds of books she enjoys writing.
Diane’s love of the outdoors is reflected in her books. Born and raised in Southern California, family vacations meant camping in locations ranging from Big Sur to Death Valley to Zion. Two of her series are set in fictional towns in her happy place, California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her love of travel took her to Sweden as an exchange student when she was sixteen and backpacking around Great Britain (after a week in Paris) while in college. She and her husband have enjoyed pulling their little trailer to the National Parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Pinnacles.
Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award in Romantic Suspense and a USA Today Bestselling author, Diane has recently retired from a career teaching high school history. She now has all the time in the world for writing, gardening, and travel. That's the theory, anyway. She is a member of the Orange Country Romance Writers.
***Note to readers: Looking for High Sierras, Book 4? Burnover, High Sierras Book 4, is a novella you can find included with Already Gone, Book 3.
Check out her website at dianebenefiel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 13, 2024
Loved it. Diane’s previous title about Shane and Emery let readers know that there was possibly another story to be told after highlighting the sparks between Cameron and Sawyer. This new book Secret Lies finally tells Camila (Cameron King’s) story of a life once happy childhood to a life nobody would want. Cam was forced to flee for her life both physically and mentally. She settled in Sisters working behind the scenes at Delaney’s bakery, having been hired on faith by Delaney even though she could not present a driver’s license or other ID. Sawyer as a Police Lieutenant is unable to leave the mystery surrounding Cam alone plus he could not ignore the spark between them. As Cam’s carefully hidden way of life begins to unravel, reluctantly Cam is forced into close contact with Sawyer despite her efforts to deny their attraction. As previously mentioned, I loved this title, the whole Sisters series and hoping for more. Diane’s books draw you in with the mystery and excitement so you are very tempted to skip to the end, but don’t, however each chapter builds the mystery to the point you are thinking, come on, come on it’s killing me not skip pages to see what happens next. Her love/mystery/ books are works of her art and talent. Thank you Diane…I guess I will have to go back to rereading High Sierras, The Jamesons etc until your next book and it can’t happen soon enough! Could Owen be next?
May 15, 2024
Another hit from my favorite author! I loved Cameron and Sawyer’s story. A deep attraction that was undeniable. But unfortunate circumstances from the past were preventing any progress until that trouble came to town. Lots of action, steamy moments, and just a great couple (plus an adorable little dog) add up to another winner by this author.
October 26, 2024
It was okay, really boring and not very well written.
I got this book free on BookBub, and I’m glad it was, as I would seriously have been annoyed at paying £3.99 for it! It filled some time and that’s all I can say about it. It was an okay read, but it’s really not very well written. At one point the author writes WOULD’NTAVE. If it was just that one mistake I would have ignored it, but there’s loads and loads of spelling mistakes. The plot really didn’t make any sense either. The whole way through the book Cam thinks the police are looking for her to arrest her for something she did. When she explained what it was she had done, there was no way that the police would have been informed. Sawyer is a lieutenant in the local police station and Cam is so terrified of him finding out her secrets that it’s ludicrous! It doesn’t explain how Cam managed to get to the mountain, after she flees her home. It doesn’t explain how she was employed when she has no identification and never tells them her name.
The book starts a year after Cam has moved to the mountain. As she’s on the run from a very bad person. It says in the foreword that Sawyer never trusted her and that he’s suspicious of her. Maybe that was the case when she first moved there but it’s a year later and he’s not now. He’s half in love with her and it’s driving him insane how she won’t even talk to him. I can’t for the life of me figure out why he is as Cam is horrid to him! She constantly snaps at him, is rude to him and won’t even talk to him.
When Cam realises that she’s been found, she tries to leave but Sawyer finds her and stops her. Of course they’re soon having s*x and madly in love. Yawn. Of course the danger follows them and it gets extremely silly at times.
Sorry I didn’t enjoy it. It was too ridiculous with unbelievably ridiculous plots and badly written.
I got this book free on BookBub, and I’m glad it was, as I would seriously have been annoyed at paying £3.99 for it! It filled some time and that’s all I can say about it. It was an okay read, but it’s really not very well written. At one point the author writes WOULD’NTAVE. If it was just that one mistake I would have ignored it, but there’s loads and loads of spelling mistakes. The plot really didn’t make any sense either. The whole way through the book Cam thinks the police are looking for her to arrest her for something she did. When she explained what it was she had done, there was no way that the police would have been informed. Sawyer is a lieutenant in the local police station and Cam is so terrified of him finding out her secrets that it’s ludicrous! It doesn’t explain how Cam managed to get to the mountain, after she flees her home. It doesn’t explain how she was employed when she has no identification and never tells them her name.
The book starts a year after Cam has moved to the mountain. As she’s on the run from a very bad person. It says in the foreword that Sawyer never trusted her and that he’s suspicious of her. Maybe that was the case when she first moved there but it’s a year later and he’s not now. He’s half in love with her and it’s driving him insane how she won’t even talk to him. I can’t for the life of me figure out why he is as Cam is horrid to him! She constantly snaps at him, is rude to him and won’t even talk to him.
When Cam realises that she’s been found, she tries to leave but Sawyer finds her and stops her. Of course they’re soon having s*x and madly in love. Yawn. Of course the danger follows them and it gets extremely silly at times.
Sorry I didn’t enjoy it. It was too ridiculous with unbelievably ridiculous plots and badly written.
March 10, 2025
Sawyer's cop instincts went on high alert the moment he met Cam, a newcomer with evasive, non-answers as to why she decided to settle in the little mountain town of Sisters, Calif. His male instincts went on overdrive as well, making him as determined to find out her secrets as he was to protect her.
Cam was as drawn to the tall, ruggedly handsome police Lieutenant, as she was afraid he'd figure out her secrets for coming to Sisters. One of which could land in her jail for murder. Impossible as it was to avoid him and their attraction to each other, strange occurrences soon threw them together in the fight of her life.
I've been waiting for Cam and Sawyer's story since book one of the Payback Mountain series, and it did not disappoint. Community, mystery, and slow burn romance, this book has it all. Highly recommend it. Plus, have you seen the cover?!
Cam was as drawn to the tall, ruggedly handsome police Lieutenant, as she was afraid he'd figure out her secrets for coming to Sisters. One of which could land in her jail for murder. Impossible as it was to avoid him and their attraction to each other, strange occurrences soon threw them together in the fight of her life.
I've been waiting for Cam and Sawyer's story since book one of the Payback Mountain series, and it did not disappoint. Community, mystery, and slow burn romance, this book has it all. Highly recommend it. Plus, have you seen the cover?!
August 6, 2024
My least favorite book in this series. Cameron had too many TSTL moments. Also, why was the camper unlocked so that she could sneak into it? Previous scene shows Sawyer locking it. Why does she walk away from Sawyer and into the woods when she knows her ex is looking for her? These types of situations are frustrating to read.
August 13, 2024
Fantastic.
Cams story had .e.hooked from the get go. I loved Sawyer......why isn't he real? He is the perfect guy to have as your lover and protector. I swear I have read this book before. However, I must buy the other books in this series. Such fantastic characters and storyline. I would definitely recommend this story.
Cams story had .e.hooked from the get go. I loved Sawyer......why isn't he real? He is the perfect guy to have as your lover and protector. I swear I have read this book before. However, I must buy the other books in this series. Such fantastic characters and storyline. I would definitely recommend this story.
October 3, 2024
Loved this
## Fantastic read. I have not read the others in the series, so it stands alone just fine. There are of course references to other couples, but very easy to follow. I loved both hero and heroine, and their connection felt deep. I will definitely read again.
## Fantastic read. I have not read the others in the series, so it stands alone just fine. There are of course references to other couples, but very easy to follow. I loved both hero and heroine, and their connection felt deep. I will definitely read again.
August 9, 2024
Secrets
Cam was happy where she was now but fear still kept.her alert . she was on the run from a bully but kept her name and where she came from a secret. Will she be safe , will all the secrets be told? Read SECRET LIES for the reveal.
Cam was happy where she was now but fear still kept.her alert . she was on the run from a bully but kept her name and where she came from a secret. Will she be safe , will all the secrets be told? Read SECRET LIES for the reveal.
August 19, 2024
Sawyer and Cam were perfect for each other. Cam's mother, Heather, was taking whatever was dealt to her not to be poor again. Cam had enough love to forgive her.
August 31, 2024
Awesome book
September 29, 2024
Secret lies
Wonderful book by a fantastic author I have read several books by Diane Benefiel and enjoyed them immensely . can't wait for more.
Wonderful book by a fantastic author I have read several books by Diane Benefiel and enjoyed them immensely . can't wait for more.
October 5, 2024
Great Read
I really enjoyed this book, loved all the twists, and turns as you went on the journey with Cam and Sawyer.
I really enjoyed this book, loved all the twists, and turns as you went on the journey with Cam and Sawyer.
May 1, 2026
Thrills
Action-packed. The length is perfect. I like the characters and the plot. The villains seem to be some pitiful, hapless individuals.
Action-packed. The length is perfect. I like the characters and the plot. The villains seem to be some pitiful, hapless individuals.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews