Personally, I have been praying for Margie Drazen's story since we first met her in Control. To me, Margie Drazen is a super hero. The eldest daughter who steps up for her family over and over at the expense of her own life, sacrificing for the good of her siblings. The capable, whip smart, seemingly boring, spinster sister of the Drazen clan, she spoke to my heart. The grown up Margie we meet in Submission, Corruption and Forbidden is the work- a-holic, straight- laced sister devoted to her family, keeping them out of trouble and acting as a buffer between her siblings and their damaged, fearsome parents. She is sarcastic, pragmatic and doesn't suffer fools. A tough cookie.
Every super hero has an origin story and "Secret Sins" is Margie Drazen's. You will never guess in a million years what it is. Not only were my prayers answered but every wish I could have ever dreamt of was granted. It's so spectacular. It will suck you in and leave you breathless, whether you're coming into this story blind or have been consumed by every detail of the Drazen dynasty. The musicality of Ms Reiss' prose drives this epic story and the visions of her LA beguile and enchant, but it is Ms. Reiss' ability to touch the hearts of her readers that never ceases to impress and surprise me. She is masterful in the way she manipulates the emotions of her readers. Margie's secrets and the turbulent emotions they trigger steadily engulf you, pulling you toward an unimaginable climax.
They say still waters run deep, and "Secret Sins" takes us to the Mariana Trench. It turns out that our Margie wasn't always so serious and buttoned up. In "Secret Sins" she is precocious, brilliant, does nothing by halves and is in way over her head. A self-proclaimed teenaged rock star groupie heiress, her idea of fun is bending chaos to her will, and walking on the knife edge of trouble - big trouble in the form of two of the sexiest rock stars around who also happen to be best friends. Indy and Strat are charismatic as hell, provocative and every girl's dirty fantasy - and Margie's are hot, hot, hot. Set against the drug fueled hard rock scene of 80s LA , Margie's story is like a night blooming flower - unexpected, beautiful, and intoxicating. It is heartbreaking, shocking, raunchy, scandalous, and stunningly romantic. Ms. Drazen has a fragility hidden beneath that hard shell and tailored business suit that will bring you to tears. And layers. So. Many. Layers. Hiding so many things.
"Secret Sins" has a shifting time line which alternates between teenage Margie and fledgling lawyer Margie, which only heightens the tension and emotional impact of the events and revelations that turned Margie into the family's fixer and secret keeper. The tension is like a tsunami - building and building until the wave of emotion knocks you flat and its undertow threatens to take you out to sea. "Secret Sins" had me gasping, bawling, and grinning like a fool. Some of the tears were happy, some sad, but all of them were genuine. Flat out, this is some of Ms. Reiss' best storytelling to date. It's vivid, bold , complex and fearless - just like Margie. YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.
THIS IS MY TOP READ FOR 2016.
10 stars - 5 for Cinnamon and 5 for Ms. Margaret Drazen, Esq.
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I've never been so excited to put a book onto the Read shelf before. I ADORE MARGIE AND HER STORY. I'll tell you all the reasons why on the 18th.