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Betrayed
Not yet published
Expected 10 Sep 26
In a city built on illusions, uncovering the truth can get you killed.
Nutritionist and personal chef Sutton O’Hara has her hands full raising her orphaned niece and nephew. She isn’t looking for a fight, but the chilling trail of bodies linked to the Golden Age Retirement Home is impossible to ignore. Behind its elegant façade lies a maze of secrets tied to The Circle—a shadow group that has been silencing witnesses and erasing lives for decades.
Building manager and former Naval Investigator Blake Redford is a man defined by duty and a tragic past. Assigned to protect the historic Temple House, he’s drawn to Sutton’s fierce spirit. To keep her safe as she infiltrates a killing ground, he steps into the role of the “boyfriend bodyguard.”
But as their fake relationship ignites into a very real passion, a devastating secret threatens to destroy their new connection. In a world where trust is a liability and the missing never return, Sutton and Blake are racing against an enemy that doesn’t just want them quiet. They want them gone.
Nutritionist and personal chef Sutton O’Hara has her hands full raising her orphaned niece and nephew. She isn’t looking for a fight, but the chilling trail of bodies linked to the Golden Age Retirement Home is impossible to ignore. Behind its elegant façade lies a maze of secrets tied to The Circle—a shadow group that has been silencing witnesses and erasing lives for decades.
Building manager and former Naval Investigator Blake Redford is a man defined by duty and a tragic past. Assigned to protect the historic Temple House, he’s drawn to Sutton’s fierce spirit. To keep her safe as she infiltrates a killing ground, he steps into the role of the “boyfriend bodyguard.”
But as their fake relationship ignites into a very real passion, a devastating secret threatens to destroy their new connection. In a world where trust is a liability and the missing never return, Sutton and Blake are racing against an enemy that doesn’t just want them quiet. They want them gone.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 10, 2026
About the author
Anna J. Stewart
242 books750 followersAnna J Stewart is the USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty sweet to spicy romances. She primarily writes for Harlequin's Heartwarming (sweet romance) and Romantic Suspense (spicy romance). In addition to being a Holt Medallion winner (Bride on the Run), she’s finaled in the Daphne duMaurier Award for Excellence, the National Readers’ Choice and had one of her books optioned as a TV movie. No matter the story, Anna’s books are always about family—the ones we’re born to and the ones we create. Anna lives in Northern California where she loves going to the movies, attending fan conventions, and heading to Disneyland, her favorite place on earth. When she’s not writing, she is usually cooking, baking, binge-watching her newest TV addiction, or re-watching her all-time favorite shows, Supernatural and all things Star Trek and Star Wars She also spends a frustrating amount of time wrangling two monstrous cats named Rosie and Sherlock. You can read more about Anna, her books, and her workshops for authors at www.AuthorAnnaStewart.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In this suspense romance, readers are taken back to Los Angeles and the Temple House where the tenants are like a family. This time the story belongs to nutritionist and personal chef Sutton O’Hara, guardian of her nephew and niece and Blake Redford, former Naval Investigator and currently hired as building manager. This is a man who has suffered great personal loss. When asked by his friend to keep the group safe, he never expected to be attracted to Sutton. But keeping his true identity might put a damper in this relationship as trust and honesty is something Sutton values greatly.
Meanwhile, the immediate concerns of the group is finally getting to find out who or what runs the Circle of the Red Lily. A group that for years has been getting rid of individuals who might have witnessed things the Circle doesn’t want divulged .
Can they overcome the danger and survive to finally get answers? Who can they trust?
The plot was engaging and the characters well developed and likable. Always enjoy seeing characters from previous stories getting secondary roles as each friend gets their own story.
This is a series that though the stories are stand alone , they are interconnected and best enjoyed if the books are read in the order they are written as a common thread follows each story.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own,
Meanwhile, the immediate concerns of the group is finally getting to find out who or what runs the Circle of the Red Lily. A group that for years has been getting rid of individuals who might have witnessed things the Circle doesn’t want divulged .
Can they overcome the danger and survive to finally get answers? Who can they trust?
The plot was engaging and the characters well developed and likable. Always enjoy seeing characters from previous stories getting secondary roles as each friend gets their own story.
This is a series that though the stories are stand alone , they are interconnected and best enjoyed if the books are read in the order they are written as a common thread follows each story.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own,
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yay! We finally get to read what Blake Redford is all about. “Just” a handyman…yeah. Right. And he’s got a major crush on Sutton O’Hara. And her kids, Addie and Lucas.
There’s an overall story about the house (in old Hollywood) where a “family of choice” is the theme for most all the folks who live there but I just love the interaction between them all. It is a really, really strong family unit and they do watch out for each other. When trouble comes calling, and it does, everyone pulls together. Sutton’s kids are adorbs and smart as all get-out. They are a part of the story, too.
Sutton gets caught up in the intrigue even though she is, let’s call it ‘risk averse’. I love how everyone teases her about her nutritional recipes but they still continue to suck down her food. Adorable! Blake rides to the rescue, of course, when trouble comes calling again but Sutton’s and Blake’s road to an HEA gets very rocky until it eventually smooths out. Temple House folks are nosy and caring and hilarious and make the story so enjoyable. For me, Moxie is all class.
Love the book! Love the intrigue and mystery and drama. Most of all, I love the “falling” of Sutton & Blake. So very special.
There’s an overall story about the house (in old Hollywood) where a “family of choice” is the theme for most all the folks who live there but I just love the interaction between them all. It is a really, really strong family unit and they do watch out for each other. When trouble comes calling, and it does, everyone pulls together. Sutton’s kids are adorbs and smart as all get-out. They are a part of the story, too.
Sutton gets caught up in the intrigue even though she is, let’s call it ‘risk averse’. I love how everyone teases her about her nutritional recipes but they still continue to suck down her food. Adorable! Blake rides to the rescue, of course, when trouble comes calling again but Sutton’s and Blake’s road to an HEA gets very rocky until it eventually smooths out. Temple House folks are nosy and caring and hilarious and make the story so enjoyable. For me, Moxie is all class.
Love the book! Love the intrigue and mystery and drama. Most of all, I love the “falling” of Sutton & Blake. So very special.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh Anna you have my heart with your books! This book did not disappoint at all. I stayed up later than I should have reading a few nights in a row. I loved Sutton, Blake, and the kids.
The circle of the red lily series is so so good. Betrayed is book 4 of 5, and i can't wait to see how it all ends! Anna J. Stewart weaves a great mystery until this found family romance. Blake has goats in his past and a secrecy that he hasn't told any of the residents of Temple House. Sutton is raising her niece and nephew. She works at the Given Age Retirement home as a nutritionist, she's helping them get ready for a big gala for their 100 year anniversary when one of the residents dies in a bit so natural way. Blake is trying to stay away from Sutton, but how can he?
The circle of the red lily series is so so good. Betrayed is book 4 of 5, and i can't wait to see how it all ends! Anna J. Stewart weaves a great mystery until this found family romance. Blake has goats in his past and a secrecy that he hasn't told any of the residents of Temple House. Sutton is raising her niece and nephew. She works at the Given Age Retirement home as a nutritionist, she's helping them get ready for a big gala for their 100 year anniversary when one of the residents dies in a bit so natural way. Blake is trying to stay away from Sutton, but how can he?
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC for my honest review.
In my opinion this was another layer of the Circle unpeeled. Granger brought Blake into Temple House to spy for him. Blake switched loyalties to the residents of the house who have become his friends and found family.
Sutton finally acts on the temptation in her path, and is rewarded with the chance for a future with Blake, if only she can get past the betrayal.
A serial killer makes a cameo, only to leave more questions than answers.
&
Just when you think you have the villain identified, Anna throws you for a loop in the epilogue!
Looking forward to Laurel's tale and the take down of the Circle.
In my opinion this was another layer of the Circle unpeeled. Granger brought Blake into Temple House to spy for him. Blake switched loyalties to the residents of the house who have become his friends and found family.
Sutton finally acts on the temptation in her path, and is rewarded with the chance for a future with Blake, if only she can get past the betrayal.
A serial killer makes a cameo, only to leave more questions than answers.
&
Just when you think you have the villain identified, Anna throws you for a loop in the epilogue!
Looking forward to Laurel's tale and the take down of the Circle.
Review of advance copy received from Author
BETRAYED by Anna J. Stewart
Release Date September 10, 2026
Release Date September 10, 2026
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews