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Warning: It is passionate, it is suspenseful, it'll blow your mind.
There is darkness, you have been warned, enter at your own risk...
Secrets, they entice you, they bind you, they hold you captive. A challenge whispered to you luring you closer. Will you delve into their darkness? Would you go? Or would you hide...

I had rules. They protected the fortress of my darkness.
My secrets.
I allowed myself certain distractions, but nothing permanent.
It wasn’t allowed.
If I slipped, then I’d fall.
That was one thing I couldn’t afford.
Until her.
She was secrets wrapped up in a challenge. Tied with a big bow of sensuality.
I was about to take the biggest fall of my life.

I’d found complacency in my nightmare.
A comfort in normalcy.
I was surviving.
It sucked, but I was safe.
Until he crashed into my world.
He had secrets.
Lots of them.
He wasn’t the good guy, not at all.
But was he what I needed?

She's hiding from her future.
He's running from his past.
When they collide it's explosive.
Danger is a persistent predator.
It seeks until it finds.
There is no past, and no future.
There is only now, and right now danger is coming.
You can run, but you can never hide.

330 pages, ebook

Published February 14, 2017

86 people are currently reading
168 people want to read

About the author

N.M. Catalano

24 books500 followers
"I am just a woman, like many of you, who has lived through beauty and ugliness, happiness, (sometimes extreme), and sadness, (sometimes heart wrenching), and have grown to love life and myself even more. I write because I love the characters, I am madly and hopelessly in love with them and want to share them with you. Life is beautiful and is meant to be enjoyed day by day, sometimes you have to pick out the good stuff with a magnifying glass like a needle in a haystack, but enjoyed none the less. The stories that I put on paper, I think, help us to find that enjoyment a little bit more."

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5 stars
66 (64%)
4 stars
25 (24%)
3 stars
10 (9%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for LoveMyAuthors.
800 reviews14 followers
February 14, 2017
NM Catalano does it again....I loved that Rico is finally getting to tell his story.

Still broken over the events of 20 years ago Rico's found his routine, and guards himself with walls and work. Maria scared and hiding, thinks he is her worst nightmare come to life. Their worlds collide and these two broken souls find healing and love. She learns to trust and he learns to live again and forgive himself. The rescue scene and the bad guy getting his due made my heart happy..total score for the good guys!

I love a series like this one, where each couple gets to tell their story and then get their HEA or HFN, and the reappearance in subsequent books makes me feel the bond between characters and their love for family....the way that Rico holds dear his "family" from his past gives his hard as steel character a soft side that endears him to the reader. I cried for Maria's mom at the end and her moment with Rico...very touching.

Thank you for another hot steamy escape Nadine!


Profile Image for Ann Meemken.
349 reviews3 followers
April 18, 2017
When I was first introduced to Rico he came off as arrogant jerk. I did not trust him and he seemed secretive. Which comes in handy in his profession. As we see more of him in Stranger series, he redeemed himself by his actions. In Black Ink, I seen him him in a different light. I could not wait to see how this story was gonna play out. I knew Maria was gonna have her hands full with Rico. She was strong, sassy, and could hold her own with him. He did come off as an ass hat in beginning but the interaction between him and Maria that first meeting was funny, and smoking hot. It showed both of them that they were both just existing, not living. Maria got him to open up and let his guard down about his past. It showed her she could trust him. It was beautiful watching their relationship blossom. The journey helps put some of their demons to rest.

I love this quote "Life is a sequence of events, moments strung together to make memories. Those moments are what defines us." I loved this story. Holy crap the ending was incredible. I look forward to the release of Scott's story and Canvas. EEK can't wait!

**I received a copy for an honest review**
**Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog**
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
April 6, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/6/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
I had rules. They protected the fortress of my darkness.
My secrets.
I allowed myself certain distractions, but nothing permanent.
It wasn’t allowed.
If I slipped, then I’d fall.
That was one thing I couldn’t afford.
Until her.
She was secrets wrapped up in a challenge. Tied with a big bow of sensuality.
I was about to take the biggest fall of my life.

I’d found complacency in my nightmare.
A comfort in normalcy.
I was surviving.
It sucked, but I was safe.
Until he crashed into my world.
He had secrets.
Lots of them.
He wasn’t the good guy, not at all.
But was he what I needed?

She's hiding from her future.
He's running from his past.
When they collide it's explosive.
Danger is a persistent predator.
It seeks until it finds.
There is no past, and no future.
There is only now, and right now danger is coming.
You can run, but you can never hide.
Profile Image for Teresa.
306 reviews
July 5, 2018
Well, I just finished another incredible book!!! Seriously, I can feel the passion NM Catalano puts into her work.
Rico has his demons, that's for sure. Is he gonna be able to beat them to save Maria? Or is Maria gonna be the one to save Rico in the end. You're gonna need to read this book to find out! Thank You So Much NM Catalano for yet another incredible read!
Profile Image for Pauline (Passionate About Books).
809 reviews15 followers
February 14, 2017
Can you survive when faced with a cauldron of death and destruction?

Two peas from the same ugly pod... a man and a woman whose roots are from the bad side of town... from the hood... they collide in this full of suspense police novel. Both born and bred by the laws of the concrete jungle, they struggle to escape for a better life but are haunted by the ghosts of their past lives and are forced to deal with them head on. Secrets are revealed, barriers are torn down, scorching flames of passion are spread wildly in this expolosive novel. 5 Stormy Stars for Rico and Maria... a fearless couple who face their demons with brutal force and come out survivors!
Profile Image for Carol Hepstall.
551 reviews5 followers
April 7, 2019
OMG !!!

I absolutely loved Rico and Maria’s story. I was totally captivated by this beautiful love story. I was totally intrigued by the storyline and its characters.I couldn’t put it down until I was finished with the book. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read
Profile Image for Scrap.
882 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2017
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book

This is my first read by N.M. Catalano and will not be my last! I love her writing style.

Rico and Maria were the perfect couple and the sparks start flying. Once they get past the first impression feelings..it was on!

Rico was a bad boy that left New Jersey to get away from his past after a tragic incident. After 17 years, he became a cop trying to not be the “bad boy”. Except for this case he was working on he didn’t realize that he was going to meet Maria who was Hiding from her past and her future. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time and experienced a murder, so she had to run from New York. she was Hiding from her future. Will Rico and Maria be able to move forward from their pasts? You have to read this book to find out.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
February 14, 2017
Maria was in the wrong place at the wrong time, which made her witness to something that made her a big target. So her mother sends her to her grandmother and aunt, to keep her safe. Rico has been living with severe guilt for years, which has left him broken and closed off from others. But when he meets Maria, somehow, it cracks his armor, and he can't stay away from her. But when their secrets and past collides, will Rico be able to keep her safe?!

Yep, that's all I'm saying #sorrynotsorry! It took a few hours for me to get my heart rate down enough to even type this review, because the N.M. Catalano has delivered ANOTHER EPIC STORY that had my heart racing cover to cover. One of my favorite things is that she always intertwines all of my favorite characters in every story, so it becomes like a family reunion. Her diabolical twists and turns swirl everywhere, and the majority of them coming out of left field to make me scream f-bombs throughout the whole journey. Her brilliant writing style caught me right from the beginning, to where I couldn't put it down to even eat or use restroom. Maria and Rico's simmering chemistry IGNITED into FIERY FLAMES of sexy scene goodness with the power to destroy all panties everywhere! (Of course, my knickers went up in flames as soon as I saw that she had a new book out.) So yeah, I'm going to conclude all of my fan girl gushing, because if you hadn't already guessed, this is one of my favorite authors, and I always wait impatiently for her next masterpiece! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Profile Image for Becky Cox.
433 reviews9 followers
February 15, 2017
I have enjoyed watching the characters of the Stranger series develop and grow. I have further enjoyed reading each of the stories. I missed Perfect (sorry N.M.) and will have to read it.

Hiding is Rico and Maria's story.

A different side of Rico is exposed in this book and his past is revealed and explains much of his previous behavior. As Hiding develops it shows was a great guy Rico really is.

"Tragedy struck in an alley in the middle of the afternoon in broad daylight. I'd been a walking time in a breathing corpse waiting to detonate after that."

Maria suffers a devastating event and in trying to do the right thing stirs up some major trouble from the wrong people. She flees to North Carolina to stay with her aunt.

Rico and the crew go out to eat at the restaurant where Maria is working and sparks fly. These two are hot together and their banter is hilarious. Rico's bossy side is hot.

And here the story takes off. It is a roller coaster ride of mystery. In the center of the mystery is the developing love story of Maria and Rico.

He calls her "Kitten" and I love that.

Another great addition to the Stranger series from Catalano.

I was gifted a copy for an honest review.

Reviewed by Becky for Jo&IsaLoveBooks
Profile Image for Leanne.
537 reviews47 followers
February 28, 2017
I've been tooing and froing from a 3 star to a 4 star with this book for the last few days now.
There's just something about it that didn't quite draw me and had me remembering all the little details. I didn't devour the story in one sitting, it didn't have me wanting to read until I noticed I'd burnt dinner.
BUT
the characters and story line are all really good. I adore Rico and his immediate reactions to Maria. I'm a big fan of these types of stories, where 2 broken souls find each other and become whole.
I have read the Black Ink trilogy by this author and enjoyed it. Some of the characters from this Stranger series flow through that too but I feel like I now need to go back and get acquainted with them all better. I want to get more of an attachment to them all and love them as much as all the other reviewers seem to do. I think that's maybe what I'm missing...a bit of a connection. Even though this can very easily be read as a stand-alone, and thoroughly enjoyed, there seems to be a thread flowing through that maybe I'm missing.

all in all though, if a book makes me want to go back and read the other books by the author then I can't be rated anything less than 4 stars!
Profile Image for Joanne Martinez.
138 reviews
February 16, 2017
Wow! N.M. Catalano has hit another home run with this book. She had me at her first book "Stranger", and every one since. She captures you mind and then your soul with her writing. I am not a writer and find it very hard to put what I am feeling into words. This book is about Rico, who is torched by his dark past. Running from his feelings of shame and has spent the last 2o years trying to make up for his past. Maria is a young woman who is hiding from her past. Once they meet it is a story of trust, and passion, and trying to stay alive! Rico is not about to let any harm come to her. It is a book that is hard to put down. You are so caught up in their journey. And so very sad for it to come to an end. I can't wait for N. M. Catalano's next adventure.
Profile Image for The Book Madame .
57 reviews
February 15, 2017
Oh my Goodness! I first met Rico in the Black Ink Trilogy and wanted his story desperately. Ms Catalano delivered an amazing story, as always. Rico was everything I hoped he would be and more. He was sweet, loving, fierce and damn hot. Maria was perfect for him, both broken and desperately needing love to help them heal. I do admit, I love Grandma with her loyalty, spunk, sense of humor and love of family. I imagine that's how Maria would be if we had their story far into the future
Profile Image for A Book Lover's Emporium Book Blog.
2,816 reviews171 followers
February 14, 2017
I have been meaning to read one of N.M Catalano's books for a while as she is a new author to me and the blurb for this one certainly had me intrigued. I was very much looking forward to reading it and I wasn’t disappointed, as it was a very good story. It was written well and I found myself quite anxious at times as to what was going to happen next.
Like the blurb says -
She is hiding from her future,
He is running from his past...
What happens when the two come together? You will have to read it to find out as I don't want to give anything away.
I don't think you'll be disappointed there are some nail biting moments; some sad, angry moments and some very hot intimate ones too, I recommend you go and one click this book.
Profile Image for Jay Williams.
241 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2017
I love N.M.Catalano's books each one is a pleasure to read and she has done it again with hiding. I loved this book Rico ia a man who is dwelling on an event that happened 20 years ago and Maria running from something that happened 6 months unbeknown to each other that they are hiding from the same people. Sparks fly when these two meet it is an instant attraction though Maria acts like a bitch thinking that Rico could be part of the gang that she is running from. There is plenty of action and steamy sex, Catalano writes one hell of a sex scene
Profile Image for Jenna Miller.
44 reviews5 followers
September 7, 2019
Rico and Maria's story was well written and includes massive amounts of passion and desire. Both are stubborn and strong people who, at first, seem to hate each other. However, as the story moves along, it is their individual feistiness that makes them all the better together.
Their intimate scene together are insanely sexy and hot; their chemistry is undeniable. While their interactions and relationship is the focal point of the book, the plot of Rico's and Maria's past coming together and needing addressing is fantastic! The awful Ivan character will make you yell at the pages as you read what he does to innocent people! The ending brings suspense and a thrilling completion to this storyline!
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading even more from this author! Definitely worth the time to read.
Profile Image for Christy McCurry.
552 reviews20 followers
February 15, 2017
Hiding, has all essential elements for a spellbinding romantic suspense.

Rico first caught my eye in Kink. I am so excited he got his own story. And what a story it has been.

To the world, I was a police officer.
To me, I was a bad guy in a uniform.
There’s a price for everything.
Every sin that blackened my soul, every drop of blood that has stained my hands, every last breath that I stole. Every. Single. Thing. I did for someone.
And I wouldn’t change a thing.


N.M. Catalano delivers an interesting plot you can sink your teeth into. With it's perfect blend of action, drama, mystery and romance, this book has had me on the teetering on the edge of my seat.

I highly recommend.

Christy
Radical Reads Book Blog
Profile Image for The Erotic Book Review.
118 reviews15 followers
January 11, 2019
I read an ARC of this magnificent story! I have been waiting on Rico's story since he was introduced in Kink. I knew that it would be epic and Nadine, as usual, did not disappoint!! This was quick, no holds barred erotica! Rico did not mess around... he knew what he wanted and he went after it. Maria was my shero! She was fierce and didn't take any sh**! She is a fighter and feisty, so that made her irresistible to Rico. My heart was racing and I was so caught up in this story that I could not put it down. I've said it before and I'll say it again...Nadine has a way of gripping you from the first line and not letting go until the end. This will leave you begging for more! Kudos N.M. Catalano!!
Profile Image for Romaine Heart.
2,337 reviews30 followers
April 18, 2019
Marie is on the run. She's hiding from her past that could cost her her life. Upon meeting Rico she was drawn to him but she sensed he was from a gang.
Rico fights daily with his demons of his past that almost destroyed him. He left the hood to become a detective. He's intrigued with Marie and her eyes tell him she's hiding something.
When Marie and Rico's pasts come back to haunt them, their lives are put on the line.
Loved the grandmother! Too bad she doesn't have a story of her younger days. What a firecracker!
Love the author's erotic, romantic thrillers.
They definitely keep you on the edge of your as she weaves unexpected twists of events that keeps you craving more.
Profile Image for Shel.
701 reviews12 followers
November 9, 2022
Tragic and emotional!

Rico's story is filled with violence that he turned into triumph. While the ghosts of the past still haunt him, he is using his pain to right wrongs for others.

Maria is hiding from her painful past and the monsters who hunt her. Leading a seemingly quite life she becomes the freighted prey once again.

Rico vows to protect her but when his ghosts merge with her monsters then no one is safe.

The story is exhilarating in its drama. It is a firestorm in their passion. And it is an emotional deluge in the ending. I am crazy for Rico and Maria!
Profile Image for Sharon Ryder Roberts.
1,080 reviews17 followers
April 14, 2021
One of the darkest, disturbing reads i have ever read to date. Do not get me wrong i have read some very dark reads that have let me down, as they lack the emotions that flow from the pages ready to punch, slap you where it hurts so bad it makes you scream and tremble with fury... But N.M Catalano has surprised me to hell and back literally!
Profile Image for Samantha.
631 reviews
August 19, 2019

I absolutely loved Rico and Maria’s story. I was totally captivated by this beautiful love story, and was totally intrigued by characters and storyline. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read
Profile Image for Lynne Miller.
1 review
April 7, 2019
Great read

Loved this book. It was good to see Rico get his own story. Can't wait for next one! Great series.
Profile Image for Beth Ostrosky.
283 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2019
A Very Good Read!

Oh so look hot! This was a delicious, scorching book! The characters were awesome and very likable. The plot was well thought out! Try it! HOT!!!
Profile Image for Janice Giroux.
37 reviews3 followers
June 13, 2019
My Monsters are Real...

And even though I ran, and found him, they’ve found us both! Let’s hope we both survive. Great job, Ms. Catalano!
Profile Image for Sarah DeLong.
1,761 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2019
Rico's story is nothing short of impressive. Dark. Delicious. Gritty. Suspenseful. Arousing. Him and Maria had my heart and mind in knots!
Profile Image for Scrap.
882 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2017
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book

This is my first read by N.M. Catalano and will not be my last! I love her writing style.

Rico and Maria were the perfect couple and the sparks start flying. Once they get past the first impression feelings..it was on!

Rico was a bad boy that left New Jersey to get away from his past after a tragic incident. After 17 years, he became a cop trying to not be the “bad boy”. Except for this case he was working on he didn’t realize that he was going to meet Maria who was Hiding from her past and her future. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time and experienced a murder, so she had to run from New York. she was Hiding from her future. Will Rico and Maria be able to move forward from their pasts? You have to read this book to find out.
Profile Image for Cally.
583 reviews8 followers
February 22, 2017
We meet Rico and Maria who are both battling with demons from their pasts..

They meet in the restaurant where Maria is working as soon as they set eyes in one another you can feel the heat coming off them and the electricity crackling in the air between the two of them.

Rico is the ultimate alpha male who knew what he wanted and would go for it. Maria was one tough chick she's feisty and won't take from nobody. Maria through a lot of heartbreak in her life and despite her tough appearance on the outside she is just a scared girl of what the future holds.

Will Maria and Rico both be able to battle their demons or will the demons drive a wedge between the two of them.

This book is red hot suspense book that will have you gripped from the first page to the last
Profile Image for Joyffree.
3,410 reviews62 followers
February 25, 2017
An emotional journey of reconciliation.
One of those stories that leave you breathless and emotional.
You know - where you ohh so slowly close that last page, hesitant to leave this world behind.

They were once the dregs of the street, all they had were each other - until the day their lives were shattered by the best of intentions.

"He healed me with his gift. His secret is my salvation. His demon has set me free. We are free."

This is a stand alone HEA - BUT - I suggest, with all honesty, that you will get more if you start from the beginning. The characters in this series also run in the same circles as Black Ink.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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