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Counterplay #1

Misdirection

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A secret exposed. A plan turned deadly. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Arianne Douglas seems to have it all. A happy family. A fulfilling career. And an adoring husband. But when her husband’s ex-wife, Millie, discovers her deepest secret—the truth could send Arianne’s entire life crashing down around her. Millie has been on a twenty-seven-year mission to destroy her, and she’s not above using Arianne’s son, Nash, to do it.

Power. Money. Revenge. Sex. Murder.
Begin the saga that's hailed as Game of Thrones meets General Hospital.

mis•direction
[mis-di-rek-shuh n]
noun
1. a wrong or incorrect direction, guidance, or instruction.
2. the act or instance of misdirecting or diverting

Your move.

The Counterplay Series follows the Douglases, Adames, O’Malleys, and Caissys—four intertwined South Louisiana families, and their struggle for power, love, and revenge.

*This series is intended for 18+ audiences due to language and adult content.

455 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

74 people are currently reading
715 people want to read

About the author

Elizabeth Burgess

11 books57 followers
For Elizabeth Burgess, writing is not only what she loves to do, it is freedom, salvation, and escape. It is life. Introduced to the art of words at a young age by Junior High English teacher, she poured herself into a self-study of all things poetry and prose throughout the entirety of her high school and college career—hoping to one day become a lyricist in Nashville. As the years went on, her dreams changed and morphed, but her love for words did not.

A nurse by trade, Elizabeth loves incorporating the medical field in each book she writes. Her favorite characters are always flawed, and if you see her wearing any color besides black, you know she’s sick. Thanks to her maternal grandparents, she believes she can do anything if she sets her mind to it, and will always offer you a glass of sweet tea if you come over.

When she’s not working on her next novel, she enjoys Saturday nights in Death Valley, listening to Fleetwood Mac on rainy days, and taking pictures of her beloved Louisiana. Elizabeth is the author of two series, Counterplay and the Hopewell Coven. She lives in Northeast Louisiana’s farming country with her partner Terri, two Catahoula Curs, Bowie and Pike, and host of spoiled cats.



Learn more about Elizabeth at: http://liddyburgess.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Cory .
729 reviews85 followers
September 7, 2015
Have you ever stumbled across a TV series that's been out for quite some time, but you've never watched any episodes? You watch the first one, and you are immediately hooked, and the rest of your weekend it spent watching the entire series until you are caught up. That's how I feel with this book.

4.5 stars for making me not want to stop until I got to the end. I STILL don't want to stop because there are more books to the series. :)

First off, I recommend jumping to the very end of the book to read the appendix. This gives the names of each character and what family they belong to. I think this will help keep everyone straight in your mind because everyone seems to be intertwined and there were a couple of times I had to do a double take to remind myself who someone was lol

Within the first nine words of the book you know what someone has died. It starts there folks and the ride continues until the very end. There is no passing Go and no collecting $200. You are on it from start to finish.

I think another reviewer wrote that it was like General Hospital meets Nip/Tuck. I think that's a great description. It's fast paced and there are a ton of twists and turns. It seems like everyone is lying to at least one person about something. Some with the best intentions and others with malicious intent.

There are exes that have been done for years that are still sleeping together. Strong willed men that might like to be bossed around by women from time to time. Men and women that aren't together, but are deeply in love and have been for years. Children that hate their parents, but secretly still long for their acceptance. Backstabbing and blackmail are as common as going to the grocery store. A word of advice....stay out of the medical business near New Orleans as it's cutthroat.

All in all, I loved it. I couldn't wait to read on to see what happened next and I was never really sure who to root for as sometimes I felt myself feeling sorry for someone that was a complete jerk just a few chapters before.

It felt like I watched a whole season of Grey's Anatomy/Revenge! I would definitely recommend this book as it was highly enjoyable!
Profile Image for Eileen.
808 reviews24 followers
April 17, 2015
I was asked to read this book from the author. I enjoyed it a lot. I did get confused with the characters. That is the downfall of reading on my iPad. I didn't see the explanation of the characters till I was done with the book. It is a page turner you definitely want to know what happens with this crazy family. Great job
Profile Image for Mark Hayes.
Author 26 books49 followers
August 17, 2015
Books come in many category's, many forms, and you never quite know what your going to be reading until you start turning the pages. This is perhaps even more true of independently publishes books which are free of the requirement to conform to particular genre's. The Waiting, first book of a series by the same name, is no exception to this rule. It is however a book which lends itself to a series, because the book itself is a series.
22915102It is probably best described as the novel equivalent of a soap opera. It holds all the elements of an american soap in the same vain as Dallas or Dynasty. I say this without criticism, because if you like the soap opera style then you will enjoy this series and it will draw you in to keep reading, not only to find out what happens to the characters you love, but to the characters that you love to hate as well, and there are undoubtedly a lot of characters in here.
You can think of the characters as the cast of the soap opera, and the action moves between them in much the way the action of a soap opera would as well. Strolling between scenes as one character interacts with another before the action is carry forward by that character to the next, like links in a chain which sweep you along as they progress. The narrative in this respect is the camera following one then the other, before panning over to follow the next character who wonders through the scene.
In other hands this technique of many voices each carrying there own story and there own desires forward as they weave in and out of other lives, would swiftly become confusing, if not indeed a mess. Burges and Hewes however manage to make the narrative seemly seamless. While a chapter may have one, two, five or even ten different point of view characters in scant few pages it never gets lost in itself or more importantly losses the reader in its intricate web. This in itself is something of an noteworthy achievement because there are a lot of characters in this book.
I am also a sucker for any novel that comes with a play list at the end. But every good soap opera has a theme tune.
Handily at the back there is a set of family trees that helps you sort it all out if you do get confused. though as I reviewed the kindle version I was not able to just flip to the back as easily as I would in a print copy to check just how two characters were related. Yet some who, again in testament to the narrative skills of the authors, I never need to. I was too busy enjoying the story, all be it with a scene of impending doom that is laid out in the first chapter. The narrative carry s you along and carefully remind you of al those connections when you need little reminders without over burdening them.
The first chapter is set around events at the end of the first book. So you know the tragic events you are moving towards. Then the action drops back thirty days and you learn how the tragic events came to pass. While as a narrative trick it is hardly original it is written well. Importantly by the time you get back towards the looming event your invested in the characters and care about them. You want to know who got shot at the beginning, and perhaps more importantly if they are going to survive. To use the Soap opera comparison this is who shot JR and a whole season devoted to finding out not only who but why.
No characters are all good, or all bad, there are shades of grey running through them all that even the ones which seem at first nothing but villains you come to care about. Which again is a well played hand by the authors. It is too easy to make a character all bad, and leave not even a glimmer of light about them. They do however play hard ball with there characters form the start. You'll love some and hate others like any good soap. and like any good soap the nastier the characters may be the more you end up loving them.
In short this is a book which should be 'Rivers' the soap opera. Named for the hospital which holds a central place in the lives of most if not all characters in the book. If it was a Soap it would be getting its second season after this marvellous opening year. And even a jaded old hack like me who doesn't much like soap operas and appreciate and enjoy a good one all the same, and this is a great one.

Profile Image for Michelle Kemp.
332 reviews
June 24, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!! once you start reading this book you wont put it down.
the twists and turns. I can see this book going to the big screen.
Great job !!!!!!
I can't wait to read the next book!!!!
Profile Image for Amie's Book Reviews.
1,656 reviews178 followers
March 22, 2015
THE WAITING

Author: Elizabeth Burgess & Marie Hewes

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Publication Date: August 2014

Length: 417 pages

Intended For: Readers ages 18+

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book starts off with a murder.

The book then goes three weeks into the past and a large number of characters are introduced. It can be daunting trying to remember who each character is and how they are connected to each other, but the author does a good job of explaining each of the complicated relationships.

The cheating, womanizing and egotistical Dr. Andrew Douglas has been married to the lovely and talented Arianne for twenty-six years. Throughout their entire marriage he has cheated on her with a string of young, buxom women but none of them have really meant anything to him. His sense of entitlement and self-importance allows him to exist guilt free and to never even consider what effect his philandering might have on his wife or children.

Arianne is the perfect wife. Despite the fact that Andrew had been married when he and Arianne first met, Arianne had hoped to change his cheating ways and to turn him into a good husband and father. Twelve years into their marriage, in a moment of weakness, Arianne fed up with Andrew's cheating and his lack of availability she sought solace in the arms of his best friend, Dr. Gregory Adams. The result of that brief, but intense affair was the birth of the now thirteen year old Pike.

No one knows that Pike is really Gregory's biological child, even Gregory has no idea, and Arianne is determined to keep it that way. She also tries to hide the fact that deep down she is still in love with Gregory. Her sense of honor will not allow her to follow her heart and leave Andrew to seek happiness with Gregory.

Andrew Douglas wants it all. He wants his gorgeous and talented wife at home waiting for him. He wants his mistresses ready and waiting for him whenever the mood strikes him. He even wants his ex-wife in his bed, despite her hatred for Arianne. He wants more prestige, more power, and of course, more money. This desire for "more" leads him to get involved in organ trafficking.

It is his ex-wife Maddie who gets him involved in the scheme. This "venture" seems too good to be true and Maddie has a diabolical plan of her own.

If I try to list all of the characters in this review, it will end up being several pages long.

This story is full of intrigue, love, lust, betrayal and lies. It is a bit like "Gray's Anatomy" meets "Dallas" meets "Criminal Minds."

The best word to describe this book is SCANDALOUS!

Despite the large and detailed cast of characters this is a good story. In fact, it would make a good television series. In a television venue it would be allowed the time to develop each of the characters and to highlight each of the complicated and convoluted ways they are tied to each other. The author should definitely send this book to a television producer.

Readers know from the beginning that the lives of the characters in the book are about to be shattered and there is non-stop action throughout.

Old actions come back to haunt some of the characters and deep seated hatred is let loose by others.

If you enjoy a good drama/thriller than THE WAITING is the book for you. I read this entire 417 page book in a twenty-four span. It is just too good to put down. I highly recommend adding this book to your MUST READ list.

I rate this book as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy immersing themselves in the complicated, dysfunctional and dramatic lives of others.

There are three more books in this series that are currently available. Book # 1.5 "THE FUNERAL" is next up on my reading list.

* This book is NOT suitable for readers under the age of 18. There are sexually explicit scenarios and adult themes and situations.


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Elizabeth Burgess and Marie Hewes have been best friends since the ages of six and four. They both live with their partners in Louisiana. THE WAITING is their first book.

To learn more about these authors visit: https://elizabethburgessandmariehewes...

Follow @LiddyBurgess on Twitter for updates


To read more of my reviews, visit my blog at http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

Follow me on Twitter: @Amieroger
Profile Image for Amanda Clark.
Author 3 books9 followers
August 5, 2015
I am torn on how to start this review. On one hand, I ended up loving this book. On the other hand, I had a hard time starting out.

Now with that being said, the first time I read Chapter one I was completely confused. I felt I started this book mid conversation. There is so much history between these characters. I was swallowed up. I didn’t understand who was related to whom or how they knew each other. So I decided to start over, first by reading the appendix. Once I read that, there is still that feeling but at least you know the history of the characters. It’s almost as if you are looking into a window of their lives and seeing it as voyeur. There are a few times throughout the book I had to recall the appendix. There are so many characters and viewpoints that I got a little confused from time to time. Not so much that it took away from the plot, but enough that I had to stop and think.

I wanted to like every character in this book or at least see the decent side of them. We encounter this every day, we see the side of someone that we want to see. We know everyone has a side of their personality they don’t want anyone to see. We get to see it in the book. What it’s like behind closed doors. Every character shows their strengths and flaws. You see the heartache and struggles of Arianne and Andrew as parents, grandparents, lovers and friends. You see their children, as it is to grow up in a house with a father who is absent and a mother who would do anything for her children even sacrificing her own happiness. There are torn households due to lying and cheating. Ex-wives that hold grudges for decades and the children struggle as adults because of their upbringing. It makes you want to scream “Just be honest!” There are a few good people trying to make the best of the situation.

I definitely found myself pulling for certain characters. But as I said previously, each characters faults are there for everyone to see. That makes it hard to truly like any one character.

I liked that the prologue and epilogue tied the beginning and end. I am looking forward to reading the next installment. I found myself wondering, what’s next for each character. I give this book 4 Stars. The only reason it wasn’t 5 stars, was the beginning. Trying to get to know the characters was hard but I enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot. It kept me guessing and wondering what’s next.

*Reviewed by Alex for My Own Little Corner
Profile Image for Jennifer Sons.
403 reviews18 followers
October 10, 2014
This is Elizabeth & Marie's debut novel but you can never tell! It was awesome!

OOMMMGG!! Talk about a twisted web they weave! If you want twists, passion, suspense, drama, love, hate, angst, soap operas, then you HAVE to read it!!

It was like a real life soap opera! This one married to this one but sleeping with that one but in love with another one!! Twists & turns at every page! I was expecting more from the "Operation" but I think more of that will come later! This book was more about the twisted web of relationships! The characters were really strong which I like!

You WONT be disappointed! If you get confused with all the stories & characters, there's a guide at the end you can flip to to keep the characters straight! That's my only complaint is there are so many stories & characters that it's a bit confusing at times!! Amazing job! I can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for C Boers.
Author 6 books123 followers
March 23, 2016
The beginning of this book was a bit tough to get into because there was a huge character dump...I felt myself saying "wait who is that?" For quite a while in the beginning. There is an appendix of characters but I don't usually connect with characters that way, feels a bit forced. Throughout this book I was disgusted by the actions of the characters though I still didn't want to put it down. Some of this story is probably reality for some so it was believable. sometimes they got what was coming to them sometimes they didn't. It was a bit dark for my taste and I probably won't read the sequel because of that, BUT it was well written and kept me wanting to keep reading. I'm sure that it is an enticing read for most readers.
6 reviews5 followers
September 16, 2014
As an avid reader of anything from a tube of toothpaste to War and Peace, I can honestly say it's been some time since a book has grabbed my attention from the prologue to the last page. Ms. Burgess has created a story of family, love, power, and lies told in such a way as to make you feel a part of it. Set in the rich tradition and beauty of New Orleans, The Waiting will have you turning pages late into the night. I've laughed, cried, found a hero or two, and yes, even someone to hate. Beautifully written!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Sofya Dolinko.
46 reviews7 followers
April 3, 2015
* I received a copy of this book from author in exchange for honest review*

Wow what a ride! This book is like GH meets Nip/Tuck meets Dynasty. It is juicy, with few unpredictable twists. And what a perfect ending!!!
One minute I hated characters next minute I wanted to give them a hug.
It took me awhile to figure out who is who and I am hoping next few books further explain the history behind the drama.


5 stars hands down!!!
Can't wait read the next one.
Profile Image for Jennifer McGill-Sadera.
Author 2 books62 followers
February 10, 2015
A wonderfully drama-filled read from the bayou. It's got all the glitz and foibles of iconic TV shows like "Dallas," or "Dynasty," mixed with the medical backdrop reminiscent of my former favorite, "General Hospital." Lots of twists, turns and intrigue.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
Read
May 28, 2017
Wow, just wow!! 'Misdirection' pulled me in from the beginning and refused to let go. the storyline was incredibly complex. I loved it. The way it played out was full of drama, lies, romance- most forbidden, twisted characters and passion. The characters, I'm not even sure where to start. Some of them I loved, some despised and then there were others that I'm not sure which category they fit into. In other reviews, this book has been compared to soap operas. I whole heartedly agree. I don't usually read books with this much drama, but as I said, the story pulled me in. What's that saying? 'Oh the tangled web we weave'? That fits this book. I can't wait to read the next one. I have to see how the story plays on. A must add to your tbr list. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Tony Parsons.
4,156 reviews102 followers
January 24, 2015
The setting is by Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans LA.
Dr. Andrew Douglas is extremely successful & wealthy, what could any person possibly need?
Dr. Bob Bobby O’Malley (Chief of Surgery, St. Tammany General Hospital, Sol, Susan (deceased), & Brandon father, Co-owner of Gaudet Seafood, Millie Douglas his mistress, BDSM, Hope Foundation, ex-USMC) asks Dr. Andrew Andy Nash Douglas III (Chief of Surgery at River City Medical Center, Rivers, Arianne husband, Sydney (Millie Douglas) father, Nash, Reece, & Pike father, former Green Beret, Vietnam) to join him in a business venture.
Unknown to most it is illegal & what if the 2 get caught, their lives would be ruined forever.

What secrets do Dr. Douglas III current wife Arianne Douglas hiding?

Who & what part does Dr. Robert Solomon O’Malley, Jr. play?

I used to live in an apartment by Lake Pontchartrain right where the amusement park & 7-11 was. Then we moved closer to downtown. Binjeuts, chicory coffee, the 2-wheel cart street vender’s sausage rolls, & white grits with my breakfast. I miss N/O & the Mardi Gras.

Not my usual read; but I was captivated right from the start.
1 word sums the book up scandalous.

The life/times of 5 prominent families & several others. Filled with power, wealth, divorce, lies, deceit, illicit sex affairs, sexual preference, corruption, politics the book is never a dull moment.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written YA Southern down-home who’s sleeping with whom book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. Thanks for the Character Appendix. This could also make another great Southern down-home movie (Gone with the Wind, Peyton Place, The other woman), or a mini TV series or even a daytime soap opera. 1 book I didn’t quickly put down. Another easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free (Goodreads; Author; PDF) book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Profile Image for Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews).
1,450 reviews32 followers
January 12, 2015
Wow! I am emotionally wrung out after reading this book. There are lies, betrayal, cheating, multiple love triangles, sex, money, privilege. For those of you who can remember Dallas and J. R. Ewing and more recently Desperate Housewives, or Revenge, this book is very similar. It held my attention from the first page.

The book opens literally with a bang…a shooting with a mother cradling her badly wounded child. But, you don’t know who the victim is until the last pages of the book. The path that leads up to this murder is deeply twisted and full of mystery. Arianne Douglas is married to Andrew Douglas who is a serial cheater, yet Arianne harbors feelings for Andrew’s best friend, Gregory. This is just the beginning of the trials of the characters in this book, especially when you add in Andrew’s ex-wife, Millie, who hates Arianne, and a black market organ operation in the hospital where Andrew, Millie, and Gregory work. I never knew what secrets or treachery would be revealed in the next chapter. There were characters that I really liked and wanted to find happiness, like Arianne and Gregory. Then, there were characters I truly hated like Millie. She has to be one of the most memorable villains I have come across in a long time, maybe ever. Andrew is complicated. There were parts of him that I hated, but yet there were a few redeeming qualities he had, not much but a few. There were a lot of extra characters in the story, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep up with who was who at first. But, the more I read, the easier it was to keep them straight. There was also a guide in the back that had a little description of each character and how they were connected to each other.

You should try this if you like a lot of drama, emotion, and mystery. If you are a fan of dramas on television like Revenge and other similar shows, this book should be right up your alley. It ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, but you get clues about the direction the book is going in the last chapter or so. It’s not that big of a surprise. Nevertheless, it’s an ending that makes you want to read the next book and see the fate of the major players in the first book.

***Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
Profile Image for Kelly.
252 reviews16 followers
June 7, 2015
****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you. ****

The Waiting is a contemporary suspense novel told in third person. There are a lot of names thrown at you in the beginning. I was overwhelmed. So before you start reading this book, go to the character appendix at the back of the book. Read it twice. It doesn’t give any spoilers away and you get a better sense on how everyone’s relates to each other. HUGE BONUS! Thank you for that.

This books prologue starts you off with a WTF and sucks you in. I had a really busy weekend when I got this book and I was sneaking in reading whenever I could: on the car ride to the wedding, right before a wedding, in the car on the way to the reception, in the bathroom during the reception. It really grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. I also lost a lot of sleep. The plotting and suspense are really well done.

The Waiting has the feel of greedy meaner General Hospital. You really have to question everyone’s motive when you are reading the book. The book is details are complex and little things matter. I don’t want to say more because I don’t want to spoil anything for you.

I felt that the female characters were soap opera extremes. Some women were doormats. They did whatever their husband’s said regardless of their feelings or desires. Or the women were cold and heartless. Please understand that the women that were cold and heartless were not strong and independent. They were viscous and ruthless.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. There is a cliffhanger ending but I didn’t have a book hangover from it.
Profile Image for Lora.
1,295 reviews14 followers
July 14, 2015
4 ½ out of 5 stars

This book was crazy! There were liars, cheaters, and just plain bad people doing all kinds of things not limited to affairs, illegal operations, and murder. And I loved every second.

...well, I can’t say every second because it did take a few chapters before I had all the characters figured out and their relationships with the rest of the characters. I found myself cheering for some here and others there. I felt the pain that these characters were experiencing...and I really wanted to kill a few of them here and there.

For a debut novel, this one was outstanding. I couldn’t help but think how amazing it was that all of this came from one of the authors’ dreams. If I dreamed about best friends with such crazy relationships and others who choose outsiders over their biological families, I think I would never want to dream again --- BUT if it produced a book like this, maybe I’d change my mind.

There were several times when things were hinted at thru the book that I didn’t know about and just when I’d get annoyed thinking I didn’t know enough, something else would come about and I’d be on the edge of my seat again.

My notes from this book include many times where I would call a certain character a less than nice name and then wonder how in the world they could think the things they were thinking…and then on the next page, I’d have a little better understanding of why they acted the way they did. The ride was so amazing that I can’t wait to dive into The Watching and see what happens next.
Profile Image for Derek White.
Author 5 books105 followers
September 29, 2014
A Copy of this Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*

Imagine a mixture of the cash availability of Dallas or Dynasty together with the morals of Desperate Housewives and you will have a slight idea of this book.
Now add in a really good story, very well told and you will know what to expect. Be patient as you read but don’t bother to make notes of who is sleeping with whom as the list will have completely changed by the time you are half way through. The changes seem perfectly natural, but please do not let it influence how you carry on your own life – it’s definitely not a way of life to be recommended.
What it to be recommended though is the standard of writing and tale telling. The author must be a brilliant raconteur to have at a dinner party. I was kept entertained and page turning for the whole three hundred and fifty eight A4 pages of the copy I had. By the end my favourite was Arianne, the only one of the bunch I would want as a friend, yet she was betrayed several times over by those she loved and I look forward to Book Two in the series if only to learn what will happen to her. (I don’t go in for spoilers so can say no more except, “Do yourself a favour and buy a copy!”)


Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
Profile Image for Suleika Santana -All About Books .
738 reviews23 followers
July 14, 2015
This was an excellent read! I loved every page! It has a lot of drama but not like stupid drama, more like this person is sleeping with this other person and the other person is divorced to that one and then the girlfriend from that other person is sleeping with this other person and then the husband is sleeping with 3 other ladies. You need to pay attention and keep track of your characters because there are many and they are all connected but I never got lost and truly loved all the things that happened in this super awesome story.
It kind of reminds me of a soap opera, not that I watch those, last one I watched was over 20 years ago but I know that soap operas are like this and I thought it definitely reads like one.
The characters are incredible and in like many books you have a few villains that you might dislike a lot, I have to say that Millie and Nash were my villains but they were incredible characters, they made the story super good.
Ari , Andrew and Gregory are definitely my faves and I cannot wait to see what happens to their lives after that ending.
So many great characters, Reece, Pike and Layton were also faves.
There is a lot going on in the story and it is a bit long but not boring at all, you will never bore with all the things that happen in the story. The ending is not a bad cliffy but it definitely killed me, I need to know what happens next for sure.
I will definitely recommend this book!
Profile Image for CATHERINE.
1,476 reviews8 followers
May 12, 2017
I was fortunate enough to receive an ebook copy from the author to review and I appreciate the opportunity to read a genre that I typically wouldn't read. I could see it as a T.V. mini-series. It reminded me of Dynasty with its over the top characters, plot twists and intrigue. I think this is the first book in the series but references to the history of the characters made me feel like I had missed a book. There were a lot of minor characters that were difficult to keep track off but there was an appendix that helpfully explained the relationships to each other. The female characters in true soap opera style were either over the top evil femme fatales, or soppy doe-eyed walk overs. I had little sympathy for women who chose to let the men in their lives treat them so badly. In saying that none of the men came off any better, violent, slaves to their needs - money and sex, easily manipulated greedy misogynists or too weak to fight for what they really want due to some misguided sense of honour. There was one section when a main character is hurt by another which was disturbing although I did appreciate the karma of what happened to that person as a result. If you like soap operas this is definitely the book for you! Welcome to the series.
Profile Image for Kenisha.
261 reviews9 followers
April 7, 2015
I was given this book by the author and I was honored to read and submit my review. This book was more than 5 Stars!!!!!!Definitely movie potential. LOVED Reading this booK. It was like watching a soap opera literally. You had General Hospital meets The Young and the Restless turned to the Bold and the Beautiful ending with the Days of our Lives. I was a little overwhelmed with the number of characters involved. I thought I was going to have to map out who was who too keep track. However, the author did a tremendous job of outlining each ones role within the story. The story, Ooommmgggee The story. Every page had you on the end of your seat. The drama, lies, backstabbing, plotting, revenge, greed and then there's love. Yes, Love. Between the different relationships is love. Even though each one loves and displays love in an unconventional way. I don't want to put to much to give anything away. But this was the best book I've read this year. I cannot wait to read the remaining two in the series. THIS IS A MUST READ AND ADD TO READ LIST!!!!! To sum this book up... SCANDALOUS
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
April 25, 2015
** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

Wow, just wow!! 'The Waiting' pulled me in from the beginning and refused to let go. the storyline was incredibly complex. I loved it. The way it played out was full of drama, lies, romance- most forbidden, twisted characters and passion. The characters, I'm not even sure where to start. Some of them I loved, some despised and then there were others that I'm not sure which category they fit into. In other reviews, this book has been compared to soap operas. I whole heartedly agree. I don't usually read books with this much drama, but as I said, the story pulled me in. What's that saying? 'Oh the tangled web we weave'? That fits this book. I can't wait to read the next one. I have to see how the story plays on. A must add to your tbr list. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Blog.
5,382 reviews272 followers
September 13, 2014
This book is full of lies, cheating, back stabbing but also full of love and romance. It is hard to put into words all that this book has to offer the reader. Arianne loved her husband and her children, but she also knew that her heart belong to someone else. Arianne has dealt with a lot since marrying Andrew 27 years ago including his cheating. Arianne is the strongest person you will meet in this book, and is the one person everyone can count one. The big question is can she find happiness for herself without disappointing everyone around her? This book does contain adult sexual content.
Profile Image for Janie.
1,518 reviews15 followers
June 1, 2015
"The Waiting" by Elizabeth Burgess Marie Hewes is Book 1 in this series, their debut book, and this makes it my first read by the author. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. If you love suspense, romance, and drama you'll love this book. I didn't want to put it down.

Dr. Andrew Douglas has been married to Arianne for almost 27 years. Andrew routinely cheated on his wife throughout their marriage. About 13 years ago Arianne had a brief affair herself with her husbands best friend. The outcome to her cheating resulted in a pregnancy. Want to know more? You need to read this book.


Profile Image for Elizabeth Robbins.
496 reviews9 followers
April 23, 2015
This is an outstanding first book to a series! I mean it, seriously well-crafted novel. There are so many characters, all entangled. A seriously disfunctional group of doctors and nurses, all so stuck in their own plans for a perfect life that none of them see the pain they are causing the others! Pretty dark, and seriously mind-bending, this book easily earned all five stars! I will be reading the rest of the series ASAP.
Profile Image for Carole Anderson.
442 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2015
This book reminded me of a Soap Opera. Rich people screwing each others' wives, greedy, evil etc. I didn't like many of the characters which I think spoiled the read somewhat for me. I was so disgusted with them, I couldn't care less what happened to them. Guess that would mean it was well written. I did have a bit of a problem with all the hints of the past - okay if this was the third book in a series, but it was too confusing for a first book.
Profile Image for Amber Daniels.
Author 3 books28 followers
August 10, 2015
This is a good book I can't wait to read the next!! It was a little slow getting started but once you get into the characters it will blow your mind how much one family and a small group of friends can have so much hate and betrayal. Just when you think you got it all figured out For. Get. It. because that is when you find a new twist. Good job Elizabeth Burgess. I will read more of your books for sure.
369 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2017
I received this book for an honest review"

I have to say this book was really good.. pulled me right in.. This book was nothing but drama and more drama, twisted wicked love triangle between friends and family members everything else greed,hate,jealousy and revenge also murder.. Out of all characters i love Arianne the most she strong out of everybody she only many one mistake out of everybody else.. hope see more of her in book 2 and she don't go prison please lol..
1,471 reviews7 followers
January 21, 2023
Great thriller

This story was a little hard to follow. So many relationships and and cheating and backstabbing it was hard to keep up. These characters were so entwined. The end seems tragic. Can't wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for Becky.
9 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2025
Like an unhinged soap opera and I can’t get enough
Profile Image for Kath Dee at CLiK Books.
777 reviews26 followers
November 18, 2016
I reviewed this book on behalf of CLiK Book Blog.

Having never read anything by Elizabeth Burgess before, I was intrigued by the synopsis. I was not disappointed!

This book met every expectation I had and surpassed most of them.

It's a cross between Days of our Lives and Dynasty but in a far more meticulous way. Interwoven relationships with the characters, this one Sleeping with that ones husband and ex daughter in laws sleeping with ex father in laws...... OMG it was epic.

I'm not going to paraphrase the synopsis but you'll get my drift when you've read the book.

With such a detailed intertwining of relationships, I did get a little scattered but thankfully the author supplies a guide at the end of the book to help keep you straight with who is with who!

Very well crafted characters with very sordid lives. If you like your sexy romance with a side of drama, then this is the book for you.
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