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There's only one way to keep secrets buried…

If only it had been something else that brought Lissa Sherman and Mack Jackson back in touch after so many years. Something—anything—other than the murder of Mack's father. Even worse, Lissa's car had been used as the murder weapon.

Thirty-five years ago, four friends went out joyriding and ended up in a terrible accident that left one dead and the others with no memory of that awful night. Now two more people, including Mack's father, have been murdered, and if the lone survivor knows why they're being targeted, she's not talking.

Even as Lissa and Mack find themselves drawn together in the midst of tragedy, the mystery deepens when someone comes after Lissa, too. Is the danger to her tied to the other deaths, or are two killers at work in town? Now Mack has to fight an unknown attacker as well as his feelings for Lissa, but it may be that he can't win either battle.

329 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2015

275 people are currently reading
564 people want to read

About the author

Sharon Sala

280 books2,305 followers

Biography



Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.


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5 stars
661 (49%)
4 stars
449 (33%)
3 stars
175 (13%)
2 stars
39 (2%)
1 star
15 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
Profile Image for Pamela(AllHoney).
2,700 reviews377 followers
March 15, 2016
The second book in Sharon Sala's Secrets and Lies series. Lissa Sherman is back in Mystic teaching first graders. She has a stalker. Seems harmless at first but things escalate. When her car is having issues she takes it to Paul Jackson to fix. The next morning she arrives to pick up her car and he is dead. The death of his father brings Mack Jackson back to town. Was it an accident or was it related to another recent death? Once upon a time Mack and Lissa were going to get married and start a family when tragedy strikes and misunderstandings arise. Now ten years later they may have another chance at love. If they survive.

This is a series that needs to be read in order. There is, of course, the dreaded cliffhanger. Something happened 30+ years ago. A group of friends had a car accident, killing one and the other three lost their memories of that night. Now two of the three are dead. And it looks like murder.

It's not a bad series as far as series go. I was entertained and enjoyed it for the most part. My biggest gripe would be the cliffhanger itself.
Profile Image for Jonel.
1,717 reviews311 followers
August 30, 2015
Sala’s fast paced, emotive writing sets the scene for this suspenseful novel. I quite enjoyed the different types of suspense that we encountered throughout, from danger to a creepy factor, it was all there, building to a crescendo. Vivid scenes take readers deep into the heart of the tale. The sense of the unknown factors had me on pins and needles and left my needing to read the next book in the series.

By giving readers multiple points of view from town inhabitants Sala not only allows readers to see all sides of what’s going on, but also to get to know everyone well. The intertwining stories also gave me something to puzzle out, trying to figure out how it would all come together in the end.

Once again Sala has created a romantic suspense that was hard to put down. This well written novel is well worth reading.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Katherine 黄爱芬.
2,423 reviews291 followers
July 29, 2019
Si Pembunuh masih berkeliaran....

Kali ini si Pembunuh merengut nyawa Paul Jackson, ayah Mack, membuat Mack pulkam dan bertemu kembali dgn mantan istrinya, Lissa setelah berpisah 10 thn. Lissa sendiri sedang dikuntit oleh seseorang, dan si penguntit ini meneror Lissa yg membuat Mack turun tangan.

Dari segi suspense, lumayan ok-lah, terutama saat menceritakan si penguntit (gak dinyana juga orangnya, walaupun di awal-awal sudah diksh tahu namanya). Tapi dari segi romance, plotnya ambrol dari awal. Kalau mau menceritakan ttg CLBK, novel ini gagal, krn dgn gampangnya author membereskannya di awal-awal (kalau gitu ngapain juga mereka berpisah 10 thn?). Lalu, interaksi antara Daniel Craig dan Cindy Crawford jejadian ini terlalu mulus meluncur seperti jalan tol, malah gak ada greget sama sekali.

Tapi mau gak mau hrs baca the final-nya, buku ke-3. Siapa yg gak kepo dgn si Pembunuh, walaupun di buku ini kelihatannya gak kerja keras, cuma makan-makan doang.
Profile Image for Vfields Don't touch my happy! .
3,502 reviews
April 26, 2020
Sharon Sala somehow became a favorite author of mine. This is another of her rock solid trilogies. There is a mystery that spans over all three books but at no time was I upset by the cliffhanger-ish endings.
#2
She is as strong as Sala’s other female protagonists. Even when she was scared she didn’t let women down by becoming ‘weak & whiny’.
He is macho, strong and all about taking care of her without being overbearing.
Their coupling was sexy and hot without being overdone.
The mystery was interesting enough I never rolled my eyes. We still have the continuing the main murder to catch.
Off to #3!
Profile Image for Carolyn.
2,233 reviews
September 27, 2021
This series must be read in order. And, while there are separate mysteries in each book, the main theme "murder" which carries through all the books isn't solved until the third book. It is worth reading them all! The characters are great, as are the stories. ;)
Profile Image for Stephanie Jenkins Ortiz Cerrillo.
373 reviews12 followers
November 26, 2017
Lissa Sherman and Mack Jackson are thrown back into each other's lives after 10 years because of the death of Mack's father. Lissa barely makes it to Paul Jackson's shop with her car still running and needs it by morning. Paul always liked his son, Mack's, ex-girlfriend, Lissa, and immediately offers to stay late and try to have Lissa's car ready for her by morning. Shortly after Lissa leaves the shop someone else is at the shop, someone Paul greets, someone he knows and that someone drops Lissa's car on Paul killing him instantly. Lissa is wrought will guilt that if Paul hadn't stayed to work on her car he would still be alive. Can Lissa and Mack get over their heartache and grudges toward each other after their sudden and heartbreaking splitup that was fueled by secrets and lies? Even though they are thrown together in a time of tragedy after all these years will they give each other another chance. Is the death of Dick Phillips and the death of Paul Jackson related? To further the turmoil, Lissa has a stalker and the danger keeps escalating. Are all of these events in Mystic related and what do they have to do with a car wreck that happened with the two deceased men and two fellow female graduates 30 years ago on graduation night? Is the only living person from the accident, Betty Jacobs, life in danger too. So many secrets and lies and can these mysteries be solved before more people die? I think not.

Cold Hearts is another great addition to the Secrets and Lies Series. I can't wait to read the 3rd book in the Series and find out who the killer is and how all these events are tied together. I'm sure, true to Sharon Sala fashion, I will be led through many twists and turns and be left shocked and surprised.
Profile Image for Lindap.
1,499 reviews
January 18, 2021
3.50 / 4 Stars

This one was on the fence at 3.50, but I pushed it to 4 Stars.

There is the ongoing mystery as to who is killing off 3 high school graduates from 1980 who either witnessed something they shouldn't have, or were so drunk they forgot what they did. After the car crash that killed the driver and left the other 3 critically injured, all 3 have no memory of what happened. (Although 2 of them started having disturbing dreams about that time.)

There are a lot of similarities to the first book. By the end of this story neither couple from either book has any parents left. There's a lot of injuries, hospitalizations and crying. Both male and female MC's are weepy. The secondary mystery is....who is stalking Lissa. Like in the first book, the secondary mystery is solved.
939 reviews15 followers
July 28, 2022
35 years ago 4 friends have a car crash & leaves the driver dead. Book 2 has Mack coming home for the death of his dad…the second death of the surviving 3 friends. Mack reunites with his long lost love Lissa ( she’s being stalked by a crazy person)….they broke up because Lisa was pregnant (they were 18) . Mack thought she aborted their baby She sets him straight,that she had a miscarriage. Mack gets hurt by her stalker while defending Lissa,she moves into his house to take care of him. The last survivor is murdered & her daughter is shot also.
Profile Image for Gail.
1,545 reviews
September 21, 2020
Another great story. Great characters and you keep reading to find out what will happen next!
Looking forward to the next story!
376 reviews3 followers
June 1, 2021
This is the second in Sharon Sala’s Secrets and Lies trilogy and it was just as good as the first one. The action was well paced, fast but still allowing for good plot and character development.
As the series continues, we are getting more and more glimpses of the main mystery and sketches of the lives of other characters in the book Lissa Sherman and Mack Jackson are the lovers that are given a second chance in this book and the mystery that is their story both past and present is well written without being too melodramatic or unrealistic. I did love the twist at the end, something that I was not expecting, but really made the book all that much more thrilling. Again, Sharon Sala has balanced the mystery and romance so well in this book. Not all the characters are likeable, but that is what real life is like, we don’t have to like everybody we meet.
I am eagerly looking forward to the final book in the series.
Profile Image for Betty.
223 reviews10 followers
September 7, 2015

COLD HEARTS
Sharon Sala

Melissa Sherman has returned to her hometown of Mystic, West Virginia after being gone for ten years. Lissa will be teaching first grade and will be living in her late parent’s home free and clear. She left right after high school when Mack Jackson, the love of her life, accused her of a heinous act. Lissa has only been in town for two weeks and has already picked up a stalker.

Lissa’s car is giving her problems and she makes it as far as Paul Jackson’s garage and gas station before it dies on her. When Paul tells her he can’t start on it for 2 days she pleads with him since she has no other mode of transportation. He begins working on it that evening, and while he is underneath the vehicle someone comes in and releases the lift control switch; Lissa’s car lands on Paul’s head. Lissa discovers this nightmarish scene when she stops by the garage the next morning. Paul was Mack’s father, and Mack rushes to his father’s garage and sees the woman he loved more than life; the one that had betrayed him in an unforgivable way.

Lissa feels guilty that she encouraged Paul to work on her car last night; Mack tells her she should not feel that way and that he doesn’t blame her. These two star crossed lovers don’t want the other to know how much they have suffered in the past ten years. They have a rather stilted, but still pleasant relationship for a while. However, it’s easy to see they have deep feelings for each other.

Sheriff Trey Jakes wants to make sure that Paul’s death was an accident, and sets his deputies the tasks of finger prints, etc. As he is leaving, Betsy Jakes, his mother, calls and seems unduly disturbed to find out that Paul Jackson is dead. Years ago on their graduation night four teenagers were in a car crash that killed the driver, Connie. Recently two other passengers of that car have died; Dick Phillips was actually murdered and Paul Jackson has had a horrible accident. Betsy is convinced that these deaths are attributed to the car wreck, which in her mind means she will be the next one to die.

COLD HEARTS will keep the reader on pins and needles, as several storylines are twisted together in this multilayered fantastic whodunit. Melissa’s stalker gets bolder; the mysterious killer gets brasher. Sharon Sala has penned a spellbinding psychological thriller showcasing authentic and fully fleshed out characters. Plus, this story is told in a terrifically chilling narrative. The ground work is laid out for the next installment of this series, DARK HEARTS.

Betty Cox, ReaderToReader
1,008 reviews8 followers
August 28, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Cold Hearts gives us two mysteries and a romance. The first mystery, which spans the 3 books in the trilogy, is who is killing off members of the 1980 graduating class. The second mystery is who is stalking Lissa. The two mysteries come together to provide a second chance at love for Lissa and her high school boyfriend Mack.

This is the story that is written from a variety of points of view. We get Lissa and Mack's point of view as well as a host of others including the stalker, the killer and the cop investigating both mysteries.

From the mystery side of things I loved the changing view points. It had me sucked in and I wanted to see what everyone was up to and how it all fit together. From a romance perspective though the changing view points didn't work as well because I didn't really get attached emotionally to any of the characters. Mack and Lissa story is emotional and ultimately lovely but I just didn't feel it.

Cold Hearts is the second book in Secrets and Lies trilogy and I look forward to reading book 3, Dark Hearts to find out what happens next.

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Ashley Dawn.
Author 41 books81 followers
August 27, 2015
Completely love Sharon Sala's books and this one was no exception. Some people will do anything to keep their dirty deeds a secret. A terrible night over thirty years ago is the center of the chaos that brings Mack and Lissa back together. There were four that night and now only one is left and she isn't talking. Investigating his father's death, Mack and Lissa grow closer. Then someone targets her and they have to figure out who is coming after her and why.
Wow. I really liked this story. The characters were great and they draw you in. The story pulls you along and you just can't put it down. It was freaky how the past catches up with the present and how far people will go to keep secrets. The chemistry between Lissa and Mack was great and I couldn't wait for them to figure out what was going on.
Absolutely a 5/5. Great book!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Profile Image for Dobby.
564 reviews36 followers
April 25, 2016
Another exciting Sharon Sala romantic suspense. Be warned, however, that this book has a cliff-hanger ending. I don't like cliff-hanger endings. I usually wait until I have all the books in hand, lined up ready to read sequentially. The next book in this series, Dark Hearts, is scheduled for publication at the end of March, 2016 - over 6 months from today. That's just cruel. Minus one star for poor production planning.
1,133 reviews
September 11, 2015
Lissa Sherman returns to Mystic, W.V., to settle her mother's estate and teach school. She doesn't intend to see her old boyfriend, Mack Jackson since they had parted on bad terms, but unfortunately, her car is used to murder Mack's father.

This book is a continuation of Sharon Sala's Secrets and Lies novels and the mystery is ramped up even more when all 4 people involved in the joyride end up dead.

I am eagerly looking forward to the third novel, Dark Hearts.
Profile Image for Dawn ♥ romance.
1,830 reviews29 followers
September 30, 2016
I really enjoyed this romantic suspense full of intrigue. The romance with old lovers reuniting worked for me especially when the hero owned up to his rash behavior from years ago. The story fit just right in this trilogy. Mack comes home when his father dies under a car in his auto repair shop. It turns out the car belonged to Mark's old love Lissa.
Profile Image for Alisa.
146 reviews3 followers
September 2, 2015
Sharon Sala did it again! Didn't want to put this book down but then again I didn't want to finish it because I was attached to the characters. The ending was unexpected and left me looking forward to book #3.
Profile Image for TinaNoir.
1,892 reviews337 followers
September 3, 2018
Continues the murder over-arching plot of the previous book in the series.

In this one the hero, Mack's father was one of the survivors of the car crash from 35 years ago where a group of teenagers saw something they weren't supposed to see and 3 of 4 lived but with no memory of what it was. In the previous book, that book's heroine's father was one of those car accident survivors who was murdered and we were left with no clues or motive. However through storytelling, we get at least three possible suspects.

Like the previous book, the present day murder with motives going back 35 years serves as a surrounding mystery plot and a catalyst to get the hero and heroine together. Also like the previous book this larger mystery is still unsolved at the end of the book but there is still a self-contained suspense subplot that does get resolved. The heroine has a stalker who menaces her throughout the story. There is a bit of a mystery with the stalker that I figured out very early but was curious how the author would allow it to play out. It was pretty creepy.

Still a good read and now I am ready to move on to the third book where I'll be sad of who the third murder victim is going to be (we've gotten to know them well throughout the series but it if stays true to the story this person will be the next victim) but really curious of which one of the possibles it really is.
Profile Image for Dawn.
44 reviews18 followers
March 15, 2020
The second book in the Secrets and Lies Trilogy is about Mack and Lissa. This one continues where the 1st one left off, the town is still looking for a killer. This one starts with Macks father being killed, Lissa's car is used as the murder weapon. Mack and Lissa have a past so that starts heating up when Mack tries to figure out why his dad was murdered. From the 1st one we know that something happened over 30 years ago to a group of four friends and that there is now a murderer out killing off survivors of that fateful night to keep the secret from being told.

The story followed the first one, Trey and Dallas are in it again since they are still searching for the killer of Dallas's dad. The characters are good, you can follow them easily, relate to them, feel for them. You know close to the beginning that Mack and Lissa are going to end up together since they have a past and the tension is there but it doesn't take away from the story. They don't find the killer by then end but as there is a 3rd book you kinda get that the killer will be found hopefully in the 3rd book. Overall I love Sharon Sala's books and this one is just another good example of her excellent story telling.
Profile Image for Merle.
2,403 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2018
This is the second of three novels in the Secrets and Lies trilogy by Sala. Mack Jackson has come home after a tragedy. His father has been found dead in his auto body shop. When the death becomes a murder investigation, all signs point to something that happened more than thirty years earlier. The night of their high school graduation, four teenagers went for a ride and hit a tragedy. One died, and two are now victims of mysterious deaths all these years later. Mack is drawn into the story, along with the girl he had left behind ten years ago because of some lies and misunderstandings.

The only pleasant part of this story is the rekindling of Mack and Lissa's romance because this small town just holds too many ugly secrets. The bad news for readers is that you really need to read all three books to get the entire story. The good news is that for the most part, Sala does a good job of bringing yet another small town to life.
Profile Image for Jo.
613 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2023
Too flat for my taste
Mack and Lissa fell in love ten years ago so when Mack came home after his father's demise and met Lissa again, readers were led to believe that they were still in love and continue their relationship as if nothing happened. I didn't say it was bad but I just didn't feel the sparks
The murder once again fell into the background as Ms. Sala saved it for the final book. The highlight here was the stalking. It was quite interesting but I could guess since the beginning the secret between Louis and Reece
Ms. Sala already gave several hints on who might be the killer, and I do want to know who and how Ms. Sala wrapped up the series. So on to the final book
Profile Image for Tiny Shen 沈帝妮.
1,251 reviews34 followers
February 25, 2019
Rating : 3,5/5

Kelanjutan dari Wild Hearts..

Korban kembali berjatuhan dan masih blom ada titik terang mengenai pelaku nya. Dan gw heran, udh 30 thn berlalu knp baru sekarang beraksi? Toh para saksi juga udh lupa.

Selain itu, author juga menyelipkan kisah tokoh utama wanita yg memiliki stalker. H/H dulunya adalah lovers dan dgn kejadian pembunuhan ayah tokoh utama pria, mereka kembali CLBK..

Dan endingnya cliffhanger.. Ga bisa membayangkan perasaan Trey Jakes, menemukan ibunya tewas dan adik perempuannya sekarat. 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,912 reviews10 followers
August 31, 2021
This was another great book that kept me interested until the very end and even then I almost wanted to jump off right into the next installment. Getting to know Mac and Melissa was a pleasure and it was very interesting to see what happened with the stocker. I have to admit that I didn’t quite see that coming although I should have. I am really looking forward to seeing how does trilogy ends. I’m sure it will go out with a bang…
63 reviews
June 26, 2025
Mystery mixed with a romantic story of tradgedy reuniting former lovers, revisting the lives of Mystic, WV's families and friends while two suspenseful crime sprees that keep you guessing who the culprits are. One is a psychotic stalker turned rapist serial killer, and one is a murderer. Shocking, scare your pants off, cliffhanger ending! Gotta have the 3rd book waiting while reading this trilogy!
1,179 reviews3 followers
October 21, 2023
Spoiler Alert:

I thought the ending was totally ludicrous. Why would the police chief let his mother drive home without police protection?

Also the shoulder wound and the bad guy with the long gray ponytail were repeated from a previous book.

Seriously.

Do authors think we don’t remember these things?
801 reviews28 followers
November 2, 2017
4.5 The only reason I didn't give a 5, is I have to first find, then read the last book to find out who the killer is! It is driving me crazy trying to figure out who it is! The man stalking Melissa, I never saw that coming! It was genius!
Profile Image for Nancy.
703 reviews14 followers
March 4, 2019
Like another in the series, Dark Hearts, everyone cries their way through the book. I know it is supposed to make the men appear as sensitive but they just seem wet and wimpy to me. The women all seem weak and whiney.
72 reviews
July 18, 2019
Super romance-suspense novel. This is the second in a series of three. Be sure to read these in order. Caution, this one is a cliff hanger. It is however worth reading all three, just know ahead of time you need all three. The books have kept my interest and I have enjoyed them very much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews

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