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Secrets and Misdemeanors
When having to hide your love is a crime. . .After losing his wife to his best friend and former law partner, David Thornton couldn't imagine finding love again. With his divorce behind him, he wanted only to focus on his job and two children. But then something happened, making David realize that despite believing he had everything he needed, there was someone he desperately wanted-Lyle Wilson.Young and determined, Lyle arrived in Los Angeles without a penny in his pocket. Before long, however, the sexy construction worker nailed a job remodeling the old office building that held the prestigious Thornton Law Firm. Little did Lyle realize when he gazed upon the handsome and successful David Thornton for the first time that a door would be opened that neither man could close.Will the two men succumb to the tangled web of societal pressures placed before them, hiding who they are and whom they love? Or will they reveal the truth and set themselves free?
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
7 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
G.A. Hauser
267 books515 followersAbout the Author Award-winning author G.A. Hauser was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has written over eighty novels, including several best-sellers of gay fiction. GA is also the Executive Producer for her first feature film, CAPITAL GAMES. For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website. www.authorgahauser.com G.A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2010, 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, and Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, Best Author 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 2, 2009
And then they all skipped on down the rainbow to ride off on their unicorns.
This book was a hodge podge of ridiculous situations, unbelievable dialogue/behavior and boring sex. There is a shortage of well written m/m romance out there but I refuse to lower my standards just because it's a niche genre. I don't even have the energy (or the time) to list all the things that were wrong here.
Bottom line: A lot of m/m fans are going to really like this, but I just couldn't get past my issues with the dialogue and all the "what? oh, please" moments.
This book was a hodge podge of ridiculous situations, unbelievable dialogue/behavior and boring sex. There is a shortage of well written m/m romance out there but I refuse to lower my standards just because it's a niche genre. I don't even have the energy (or the time) to list all the things that were wrong here.
Bottom line: A lot of m/m fans are going to really like this, but I just couldn't get past my issues with the dialogue and all the "what? oh, please" moments.
October 6, 2010
Good Read! The Hotness I give a 3 star. The emotional part I give a 4 star.
The author did a great job at giving a in sight of what it is like for gay men when they first come out to let others know they are gay. About all the challenges in the reaction of others around them whether it would be their friends, co-workers, or even family.
The story of how an individual was Mentally Obbcest with himself for being gay but was afraid to be gay out in reality was truely sad. The individual was to the point it made him have low self esteem and he couldn't deal with rejection so he killed himself. Truely sad! But it happens everyday. We can't help who we are, we just need to accept that everyone is different and just be happy that we are a live and we all experience some kind of feelings. Actually, the world would be much better if everyone would just live their own lives and not try to live others for them.
I actually learned a little from this book and I could symthize with David having to deal with his divorce wife. What a witch!
The author did a great job at giving a in sight of what it is like for gay men when they first come out to let others know they are gay. About all the challenges in the reaction of others around them whether it would be their friends, co-workers, or even family.
The story of how an individual was Mentally Obbcest with himself for being gay but was afraid to be gay out in reality was truely sad. The individual was to the point it made him have low self esteem and he couldn't deal with rejection so he killed himself. Truely sad! But it happens everyday. We can't help who we are, we just need to accept that everyone is different and just be happy that we are a live and we all experience some kind of feelings. Actually, the world would be much better if everyone would just live their own lives and not try to live others for them.
I actually learned a little from this book and I could symthize with David having to deal with his divorce wife. What a witch!
March 9, 2012
Since I've read All Man I've been wondering about Lyle and David's story, so I'm glad I finally found it!
Pretty good book. I'm a sucker for insta-love, so I liked this part and I also quite like how ms Hauser handles GFY trope. There isn't much angst and beating himself over it, just open-mindness and willing to explore.
Maybe there's been a little too much purple prose once in awhile and David's ex-wife being too much of a harpy and David himself being too patient with her (I cheered when Lyle gave her that little speech in the end), but that didn't spoil my enjoyment. Nice and solid story.
Pretty good book. I'm a sucker for insta-love, so I liked this part and I also quite like how ms Hauser handles GFY trope. There isn't much angst and beating himself over it, just open-mindness and willing to explore.
Maybe there's been a little too much purple prose once in awhile and David's ex-wife being too much of a harpy and David himself being too patient with her (I cheered when Lyle gave her that little speech in the end), but that didn't spoil my enjoyment. Nice and solid story.
July 7, 2011
This book left a mix of different emotions for me: it was extremely well written with a great plot and hot guys to keep me interested all the way to the end. But boy, oh boy, were some of the scenes a big, giant mess. The whole situation with the ex-wife was too over the top. While I get that David's concerns about his ex finding out he was involved with a guy (because of the kids, custody agreements, etc.), all the screaming and yelling seemed too soap opera for me. And Lyle's bizarre roommate situation....what should have been a delicate and tragic situation turned out, well, again, too soap opera. And then there's the heroes, David and Lyle. Hmmm, Lyle is 25 and never been with a guy, really? David is in his 40s and was apparently happy and very devoted to his wife and marriage (until he caught her cheating with his law partner/best friend, hence the divorce). So....he meets Lyle and apparently has no issues about jumping into the sack with a guy (no hangups, no inner turmoil, no "am I really gay" back and forth, nothing). I had to really suspend disbelief with that. Most authors go with the repressed-gay angle with this type of plot, but no so here! Overall though, I applaud the author with the skill of her writing because as I said at the beginning, despite a lot of ridiculousness, I was hooked till the end.
November 27, 2014
The only person in this I didn't get pissed with at some point was Jennifer.
So yeah, Jeff was a major creep but Lyle was a dick to him even before he knew how creepy he was.
David tried too hard to control everything. Annette just has a major screw loose, and Joel believed his mother too easily considering he'd witnessed how crazy she is when it comes to David.
It was all incredibly OTT, but I think I actually liked that about it. It was beautifully written and entertaining. So I'll be looking for more from this author.
So yeah, Jeff was a major creep but Lyle was a dick to him even before he knew how creepy he was.
David tried too hard to control everything. Annette just has a major screw loose, and Joel believed his mother too easily considering he'd witnessed how crazy she is when it comes to David.
It was all incredibly OTT, but I think I actually liked that about it. It was beautifully written and entertaining. So I'll be looking for more from this author.
May 28, 2018
Lyle Wilson leaves Oregon for Los Angles. He arrives homeless and penniless. A co-worker, Jeff Best, offers to share his apartment with him until he can find his own place. While standing on scaffolding six stories up, Lyle spots David Thornton and cannot forget the handsome successful attorney. David has his own share of problems, including a bitter ex-wife who tries to make his life difficult. He lives for his children and for his job. He thinks it is enough until he notices the sexy construction worker and wants more.
Both Lyle and David were surrounded by unstable individuals. For Lyle it was his room mate Jeff and for David, it was his ex-wife. New relationships are always a bit fragile in the beginning. Lyle's and David's seem to have more than their share of issues. Lyle and David will need to rely on each other if theirs is to have a sporting chance.
I enjoyed reading Secrets and Misdemeanors. My biggest issue was how fast their relationship went. Love at first sight works in mysterious ways and so it is true for David and Lyle. So many changes for both men but love can be powerful. Find out how they settle their differences and settle into life together in spite of the obstacles.
Both Lyle and David were surrounded by unstable individuals. For Lyle it was his room mate Jeff and for David, it was his ex-wife. New relationships are always a bit fragile in the beginning. Lyle's and David's seem to have more than their share of issues. Lyle and David will need to rely on each other if theirs is to have a sporting chance.
I enjoyed reading Secrets and Misdemeanors. My biggest issue was how fast their relationship went. Love at first sight works in mysterious ways and so it is true for David and Lyle. So many changes for both men but love can be powerful. Find out how they settle their differences and settle into life together in spite of the obstacles.
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April 8, 2009First of all I have to check the meaning of Misdemeanors in my dictionary, and I didn't find it!!! I think to have understood the meaning in the context of the book, but, hey, my compliments to an author who has chosen to use it in her title!
All right, after I think five books I have read by G.A. Hauser, I have to admit that I like her books. Point. I don't know why, maybe cause she satisfies the romantic in me. Like in this one: Lyle is a 25 years old construction worker. He is handsome and nice: the first scene you read of him, I have imagined him like that hunk in the Coca Cola's ad (remember him? that lucious guy who enters in a office full of women bringing on his shoulder a big pack?). And Lyle is gay and he has an instant crush on David, the owner of the building he is working on and a big-money lawyer.
David is a 41 years old handsome nearly divorced man. Unlike Lyle, he is not the hunk type, he is more like a Richard Gere of Kurosawa's movie rather than the American Gigolo's era. And since his divorce he has had a lonely and all work life. His only joy are those days he spend with his sons. But he has a bitch as ex wife and sometime she manages to ruin also that. David is not gay, but he has no problem to admit that even him is attracted to a beautiful man like Lyle (and maybe this is the only part of the book I have found a little to fast, David sets his mind on the gay thing too fast), and when Lyle makes a move on him, he eagerly accepts the unexpected gift he is receiving. And when he has a taste of such a sweet man, he seems to be not able to go back to his old life: he wants Lyle all for him, everytime and everywhere. But now is Lyle that makes a step back: all is happening too fast and too strong, how he can give up his shitty life to live in a penthouse with a man like David, tender and caring? HOW!!! Well, Lyle, sets your mind in the right track and accepts the dreams of every women on earth! And joke apart, this is maybe one of the things why I like so much G.A. Hauser's books, the subtle (and sometime not so subtle) irony she puts in everything and the glimpses on a all-glittering world no one of us will have never the chance to see in person: money, fashion, movieland and thing like that.
In the end my comparison to Richard Gere for David is not so strange: this story is more or less like a M/M Pretty Woman, with our David in the role of the too perfect and without a life businessman and Lyle in the role of the pennyless lover who is too proud to be kept by his older and richer "daddy".
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1602020779/?...
All right, after I think five books I have read by G.A. Hauser, I have to admit that I like her books. Point. I don't know why, maybe cause she satisfies the romantic in me. Like in this one: Lyle is a 25 years old construction worker. He is handsome and nice: the first scene you read of him, I have imagined him like that hunk in the Coca Cola's ad (remember him? that lucious guy who enters in a office full of women bringing on his shoulder a big pack?). And Lyle is gay and he has an instant crush on David, the owner of the building he is working on and a big-money lawyer.
David is a 41 years old handsome nearly divorced man. Unlike Lyle, he is not the hunk type, he is more like a Richard Gere of Kurosawa's movie rather than the American Gigolo's era. And since his divorce he has had a lonely and all work life. His only joy are those days he spend with his sons. But he has a bitch as ex wife and sometime she manages to ruin also that. David is not gay, but he has no problem to admit that even him is attracted to a beautiful man like Lyle (and maybe this is the only part of the book I have found a little to fast, David sets his mind on the gay thing too fast), and when Lyle makes a move on him, he eagerly accepts the unexpected gift he is receiving. And when he has a taste of such a sweet man, he seems to be not able to go back to his old life: he wants Lyle all for him, everytime and everywhere. But now is Lyle that makes a step back: all is happening too fast and too strong, how he can give up his shitty life to live in a penthouse with a man like David, tender and caring? HOW!!! Well, Lyle, sets your mind in the right track and accepts the dreams of every women on earth! And joke apart, this is maybe one of the things why I like so much G.A. Hauser's books, the subtle (and sometime not so subtle) irony she puts in everything and the glimpses on a all-glittering world no one of us will have never the chance to see in person: money, fashion, movieland and thing like that.
In the end my comparison to Richard Gere for David is not so strange: this story is more or less like a M/M Pretty Woman, with our David in the role of the too perfect and without a life businessman and Lyle in the role of the pennyless lover who is too proud to be kept by his older and richer "daddy".
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1602020779/?...
June 21, 2011
They've known each other two or three days and they're spouting I love you's? Unrealistic. Lyle's relationship with his roomate doesn't make sense. He seems angry all the time with him. I get he's under pressure keeping the fact the person he's seeing is a man not a woman a secret but their behaviours completely confuse me. In fact, all the characters do. The only semi-interesting thing was David's phone arguments with his ex-wife and even then it seemed like an excuse to write some witty I'm-right-you're wrong lines down on the author's part.
The sex was boring, too. It seemed like the author just wanted it written and done with. The story pace itself was constant (also boring) until it got to the sex, which is, let's face it, the part of the story we're dying to read to get a feel for their passion, and suddenly it spit, slick, slide and done. I think, just as it got to the steamy parts, it was over in one paragraph. I literally stared at the the last line and thought, 'is that it?'
I lost interest half way through and got rid of it.
The sex was boring, too. It seemed like the author just wanted it written and done with. The story pace itself was constant (also boring) until it got to the sex, which is, let's face it, the part of the story we're dying to read to get a feel for their passion, and suddenly it spit, slick, slide and done. I think, just as it got to the steamy parts, it was over in one paragraph. I literally stared at the the last line and thought, 'is that it?'
I lost interest half way through and got rid of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2012
Things I liked:
- the storyline wasn't unique but it was a new twist
- the emotions (most of them) seemed real and weren't brushed under a rug
Things I wish were different:
- the insta-love was horribly unbelievable. The MCs had known each other 2 days and had maybe said a total of 10 words to each other and they were professing their love.
- Lyle was a complete ass to Jeff in the beginning. Yes, Jeff was a nut case, but before that came out Lyle was a real jerk to him.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if David and Lyle hadn't had insta-love and had gotten to know each other before it was said. Lyle even says he won't move in with him because they don't know each other well enough. Also, Jeff's portion of the plot was not very believable.
Overall, it was okay but there are much better books by this author.
- the storyline wasn't unique but it was a new twist
- the emotions (most of them) seemed real and weren't brushed under a rug
Things I wish were different:
- the insta-love was horribly unbelievable. The MCs had known each other 2 days and had maybe said a total of 10 words to each other and they were professing their love.
- Lyle was a complete ass to Jeff in the beginning. Yes, Jeff was a nut case, but before that came out Lyle was a real jerk to him.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if David and Lyle hadn't had insta-love and had gotten to know each other before it was said. Lyle even says he won't move in with him because they don't know each other well enough. Also, Jeff's portion of the plot was not very believable.
Overall, it was okay but there are much better books by this author.
April 22, 2008
*snickers* This book is ridiculous. No really. That didn't stop me from enjoying it!
You'd think a 40 year-old guy who's only ever been in relationships with women & who's divorced with 2 kids, would be a little bit more apprehensive about jumping into a relationship with a 25 year old guy. But not in this book! Definitely not enough inner turmoil or angst for my taste, but the soap opera-esque drama was fun.
Overall, it was hard to resist. It was like bad fan fic, which made it alluring in its own right. I've read, hell I've written, better!
So yeah...I can't say I didn't enjoy this book because I totally did! And you can bet I'll read more of her (yes *her*!) books, because I have a feeling they'll all be cheesy fun like this one.
You'd think a 40 year-old guy who's only ever been in relationships with women & who's divorced with 2 kids, would be a little bit more apprehensive about jumping into a relationship with a 25 year old guy. But not in this book! Definitely not enough inner turmoil or angst for my taste, but the soap opera-esque drama was fun.
Overall, it was hard to resist. It was like bad fan fic, which made it alluring in its own right. I've read, hell I've written, better!
So yeah...I can't say I didn't enjoy this book because I totally did! And you can bet I'll read more of her (yes *her*!) books, because I have a feeling they'll all be cheesy fun like this one.
June 25, 2018
This story has a bit of it all - sex, May/December, angst, drama, (almost) love-at-first sight - brought to you by 2 very hot MC's. I found it very entertaining. And the cover - whew, that is one sexy cover (neither MC is a body builder but it's so hot, I don't care)!
You can read a little more about these 2 in "All Man" which is about Lyle's brother.
I suggest reading "Leather Boys" before "All Man" as those characters "Devon and Sam" are in "All Man" too so it's fun to catch up with them again too.
You can read a little more about these 2 in "All Man" which is about Lyle's brother.
I suggest reading "Leather Boys" before "All Man" as those characters "Devon and Sam" are in "All Man" too so it's fun to catch up with them again too.
April 15, 2009
This is the first book I've read by G.A. Hauser and I liked it ok. Her characters and story were better developed than a lot in the m/m erotica genre, but I found the quality of her sex writing to be lacking. The sex is frequent in the book, but brief and not particularly descriptive.
December 28, 2014
2.5 stars This book just seemed very weird to me. Everything happened so fast, and then what happened to Jeff, and his brother's beating up Lyle but he doesn't press charges, and David trying to be controlling. The whole thing was just odd.
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August 16, 2008Secrets and Misdemeanors by G. A. Hauser (2007)
April 8, 2010
Enjoyable, but very predictable.
July 2, 2011
3,5 stars
January 1, 2015
Two Stars - Very disappointing read. Characters continualy shot themselves in the foot, acted irrationally, inconsistently, and had some of the worst dialogue I ever had the displeasure to read.
October 17, 2012
Nice story but gave it only three stars because the scenes with the ex-wife got on my nerves, seriouly I felt like smacking her myself.
January 11, 2013
LOVED LOVED LOVED Lyle and David together. Also loved Jennifer, she was really funny and I liked how supportive she was for them.
March 6, 2016
too rushed. they say I love you only after two days...
The love scenes are insipid and predictables...bland... no connections... so cliché! Boring!
The love scenes are insipid and predictables...bland... no connections... so cliché! Boring!
July 8, 2014
A really enjoyable non pretentious read. Sexy construction guy and handsome wealthy business man. There was enough drama that it kept me interested and curious. Loved their story.
November 25, 2014
3.75stars
March 9, 2015
Meh. Seemed like the MC's had nothing going on besides lust, and the handling of the Jeff storyline was just sloppy.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews