A billionaire on the verge of death. And his family? In free fall…
The wealthy Marshall family is untouchable. Or so they thought. But when a car accident puts patriarch Harrison in a coma, cracks appear in the family facade. It seems Harrison had an awful lot of secrets, and he’s not the only one. His wife, Mariella, and children, Luc, Rafe and Elana, not to mention nephew Gabe, all have things they’d rather keep hidden.
Enter a mysterious figure called the Fixer… Who is this person, and what is the Fixer’s connection with Harrison? And with those cracks becoming ever wider, what sins will be revealed?
Joss Wood loves books and travelling— especially to the wild places of Southern Africa and, well, anywhere.
She’s a wife, a mom to two teenagers, and is bossed around by two cats and a Great Dane X the size of a baby cow. After a career in local economic development, she now writes full time.
Secrets of the A List is the 1st instalment of 12 parts. Wow what a first instalment. Plenty of Secrets, Lies, Power, Hidden Agendas, Secret Passionate Liaisons and a Possible Attack.
The Marshall family hold alot of power and wealth and are not people to be crossed.
So when head of the family Harrison is involved in a very serious car crash. He's left fighting for his life. With no one around to say what happened.
It's here we first make contact with 'The Fixer' . He knows Harrison very very well. Who is he and why does he think this accident is a repercussion of something they have done.
We learn 'The Fixer ' is a very dangerous, secretive, in the shadows kind of guy. He is not a man to be messed with. But know this.... He is calling ALL the shots! He is in CHARGE!!
Harrison's wife Mariella, is beside herself with worry. But will never show fear or emotion as that is not the Marshall way. She comes across as cold but I don't think she really is. It's just her way.
The Marshall family are one messed up family. The brothers Luc (The Oldest) and Rafe (The youngest) are at logger heads.
Luc is a cosmetics surgeon who appears to be very grounded, reliable, very close to his Dad, but not his Mum. Hates he's brother because of he's carefree nature and he's close relationship with their Mum.
Rafe is the talented one who can turn his hand to just about anything. He adores his mum, but never feels good enough for his Dad. Especially when He came out as being Gay. He helps he's mum with the family business but never lasts long doing anything. He comes across as disjointed, craving attention, miserable.
Then we have Elana, now she's going to be a very interesting character. She works when she feels like it, within the family business. She is the dark horse of the family. She craves attention, sex, lust, power and comes across as very spoilt, selfish, an attention seeker, not happy, broken, but a very colourful character. I can't wait to discover more about Elana.
Even whilst their Father Harrison fights for he's life. The children can't help but fight over responsibility, money and power.
Then we meet Gabe. Gabe is going to be a very interesting and intriguing character. He is the cousin. But only Elana gets on with him. Both brothers resent him for being so involved with the family business even though he is not blood.
So many little stories unfolding all around. While Harrison fights to stay alive.
The Fixer is the character I'm most excited about. Who is he and why is he calling all the shots behind the families back. Why is he called The Fixer?
The story so far is unfolding at a nice pace. It's nice and short just 5 Chapters long. But in those short chapters alot is crammed in. Little teasers throughout the book without giving too much away.
The ending was left exactly in the right place. A perfect ending ready to begin the next book.
I can't wait to find out more about the Marshalls . I have a strong feeling there is going to be a whole lot more,Drama, Lies, Secrets, sex, dangerous liaisons, and mystery.
I think this is the perfect read for those who love Mystery, Drama, Scandal, Secrets, Love & Lust.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mills and Boon Insider for giving me the chance to read this beautiful book and review voluntarily.
This is part 1 of 12. So nothing is going to be resolved when you get to the end. I knew that going in and don't hold it against the book.
It is the story of a .1% family. Daddy is a billionaire hospitality mogul, Mommy is from an old,old,old, old California family. The eldest son is a plastic surgeon to the stars, son number 2 is a flighty gay decorator and the daughter is even a flightier party planner with a penchant for married actors. There is a cousin, who is Mom's nephew (??) and he is always dismissed as a phony even though he is also a scion of an old,old,old, old California family; which should give him more gravitas than the kids of a nouveau riche chef, but then where would we get conflict. There is also an old family friend and a mysterious man named the Fixer.
They all come together when Daddy, Harrison, is in a terrible car accident and hovers near death. They are putting the fun in dysfunctional. If you are old enough, you will probably recognize these themes from Dallas, Dynasty, Falcon Crest and General Hospital.
It really didn't make me curious to read the next 11 parts
This is one of those books that isn't quite 4 star material, but also not 3 stars. I wish there was half star rating because I'd definitely give it 3.5 stars.
Harrison Marshall and his family are part of the A-list, they are extremely wealthy and successful. We enter the scene as the family gathers at the hospital after Harrison is in a nearly fatal car accident. Suffering from serious injuries, tensions run high between his children. When Harrison is transferred to a private hospital without the family's permission, they learn there was more to his business than they thought and that someone else is now calling the shots for his empire. Mariella, Harrison's wife and business partner, is livid that she isn't in control and that she was kept in the dark for so long. They only know that the person calling the shots is known as The Fixer.
It's definitely an intriguing story with an interesting glimpse at family relationships and the A-list society. I like the drama of it all, sex, affairs, money, and mysterious people. And I want to find out more about who these mysterious people are. But there is a lot to take in right from the start, which I found confusing and overwhelming. And while I like that it was such a quick read, I don't like how it ends just sort of in the middle of the story. It feels more like an episode of a tv show, ending on a dramatic note to keep you intrigued for next week's episode. I felt a little cheated that this happened after 60 pages, it just seems too short. Right when things are starting to make sense and get intriguing it's over. I think people might be impatient to wait to read the rest of the story, or forget about it as they wait for the rest of the series to come out. Next, each "episode" of the series will be written by a different author. I'm interested to see how that works out and how this changes the feel of the story. I like a consistent voice across a series and that's not possible with different authors - everyone has a different voice.
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the first of a dozen installments in the story - which will be passed around for different authors to complete, which I think sounds like a fascinating idea.
I have recently read a couple of slow release books, and much to my surprise found that there is something rather magical about repeatedly getting short bursts of information about an unfolding drama. I guess that should not be a surprise, given that Dickens, Thackeray and many classic novelists shared their stories that way ... but in this world of instant gratification, and even binge watching of tv shows, it provides a novel form of entertainment - and I would recommend that you give it a try at the very least.
We are given some heavy clues as to the nature of the family members of the seriously injured Harrison, and some of his associates, either private or business ... Paris anyone? But there is something strange afoot, and we can only wait till the next installment to find out just what it may be!
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
The first episode in this 12 part series introduces to the main characters in the Marshall family. Harrison, the patriarch, has had a car accident and is in a coma. His wife and matriarch Mariella is trying to keep it together as her husband, the man she loves, is fighting for is life.
Their sons, Luc and Rafe who are very different and don't get along well and as tensions run high the end up fighting. No one can get in touch with their sister Elana who is busy with her lover. Rafe, their cousin seems to be the only reasonable one even while he is being treat as an outcast by his cousins.
In the background we have The Fixer. The Marshalls will soon learn that Daddy had a side business they know nothing about. What that means for the family we don't yet know.
The first instalment of this series is fast paced, highly entertaining and full of family and relationship drama. I am eager to read the next instalment to find out what where to from here. I can already tell I'm going to love this series. I'm very happy we only have to wait a week for episode 2. Bring it on.
"The Fixer had no doubt that the Marshalls would rally together and face this challenge as a united front, but there was a strong possibility that the secretive nature of what they did would be revealed. No problem was unsolvable, however, as they proved over the years."..........
Harrison Marshall has been in a horrible accident. Harrison isn't just anyone, he's famous and rich, and hiding a few secrets. Seems his wife and three children, and nephew, have their own little secrets.
Enter "The Fixer." What exactly can he fix for this family? What will come to light with Harrison's life hanging by a thread? Can "The Fixer" keep them safe? Safe from their own mistakes, lies, and self made drama. Will Harrison live or die? Tune in to this episode to find out.
Just when you start getting into the secrets, and who the fixer might be, the story comes to an end. Gasp!
This is "episode 1" in a 12 episode series. See what happens next in the lives of the people on the "A" list.
Thank you Joss Wood, Netgalley, and Harlequin Books
This first episode got me quickly hooked and desperate to find out more about the Marshall family. Following a bad car accident , Harrison is taken to hospital where his family gather, trying to find out more about his prognosis. You can feel the tension between the brothers and the underlying resentment towards their cousin. Their sister is also hiding some secrets from everyone. There are plenty of secrets being kept in this family and some of them seem to carry danger. The Fixer doesn't sound like a desirable character and he now has control over this family. I can't wait to find out more. The wealthy world adds an extra dimension to the delight in reading this story. The opulence doesn't create happy lives- but it is fascinating to read about.
This was really good I thoroughly enjoyed it so much going on this is going to be a great series can't wait for the next one to find out more bring them on.
MS Wood has started the series with a bang with characters that have such different personalities and there looks like there is going to be a lot of tension between them all. It will be very interesting to see how they all handle the journey.
I dnf'd at 60% : This is ghastly. Rich, spoiled, thoroughly obnoxious adults none of whom are believable. The mother is appalling, the daughter is even worse. I’m at 60% and it’s taken me less than five mins to read so this is a very short book.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I must say for a short book, this uses way too many words. It is overly descriptive and could be even shorter. The “Fixer” is a person that I don’t understand. The family is a mixed up mess of rich, entitled people who need to figure themselves out! If the father didn’t get himself into an accident, I don’t think they would even be in the same place at the same time! I just couldn’t get into the story and identify with any of the characters.
I started to read the first installment of it and while it has an interesting premise, I found I didn't identify with any of the characters. It seems like none of them has any redeeming qualities. I probably won't read the rest of the installments.
Secrets of the A-List the first book in a serial type series is an engaging read from start to finish!
The Marshall family is a high-profile, prominent family in Los Angeles. Harrison Marshall, husband to Mariella Santiago-Marshall, and father to Luc, Rafe, and Elana is in critical condition following a car wreck. As each family member learns of the news and races to the ICU of the local hospital, their personalities and backstories are revealed bit by bit. Luc is a successful cosmetic surgeon, his father's pride and joy in all ways except one—he didn't go into the family business. He has a girlfriend although there are hints that he may not be faithful. Rafe is sensitive and artistic, and very much adored by his protective mother. Elana is the wild child of the bunch who couldn't even be bothered to answer or look at any of the dozens of messages from her family regarding her father while she is “busy”—with a man who his not her fiancé. Gabe is Mariella's nephew who for most of his life was raised with the Marshall children, and went into the Marshall family business but seems to be resented by his cousins. Joe, a family friend and business partner is not much more than introduced in this installment, but hints suggest he will be an important character as the saga continues. Lingering in the shadows of the story is likely the most important character, The Fixer. This character sounds like he may be a fictional Howard Stricklin. I love ‘Ray Donovan’ the Showtime series, so The Fixer story playing into this twisted plot is intriguing. Even more curious are hints that the wreck may not be an accident and that The Fixer may be fixing more than he bargained for. I enjoyed this quick read and was happy to find that even though it is a serial, it didn’t end with a cliffhanger. The colorful cast of characters and the enthralling plot will entice a reader to the next in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Secrets of the A-List is the first episode of 12 in the series titled A Secrets of the A-List Title. This particular episode is written by Joss Wood. Each following instalment will be written by a different author.
Harrison Marshall is the head of an A List family. He is involved in a serious car accident which leaves him in a coma fighting for his life in hospital.
His family come together at the hospital, but although they show a united front in the public eye, there are a lot of bad feelings and resentment being carefully kept hidden between the various members of the family. We are introduced to Mariella, the wife, and the grown up children Luc, Rafe, and Elana. Gabe is Harrison and Mariella's nephew but they have brought him up as a son much to the disapproval of the bloodline sons. What a complicated family they are.
What nobody realises is that Harrison has been living with a huge secret. He is in partnership with a man running a 'Fixer' business. They charge big money to 'fix' problems that celebrities wouldn't want to come to light. His partner knows about the car accident, he also knows that there is a huge danger of his family somehow finding out about Harrison's secrets. Secrets that will put himself in danger of exposure. Will they find out, and if they do, what will the 'Fixer' do about it?
Like a TV show, you have to wait until the next episode to find out!
As the first episode in 12 where the author has to set the scene, I think it has been done efficiently. I sadly found it a little slow, which I guess is to be expected from this part of the whole. It was all very well written, and we know who is who, but I am guessing the exciting stuff is all to follow. At least I hope it is.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
Intriguing! Like the Dallas soap opera, a powerful family with secrets and whose members have rivalry and competition between each other. The family owns an empire that started in the catering business, then branched out into hotels, restaurants, etc. The patriarch, Harrison Marshall, came from poverty and worked relentlessly to make a name for himself. He married into the Santiago family, whose pedigree dates back to when Los Angeles belonged to Spain. Part of the reason he worked so hard was to prove himself to his wife’s family. His wife Marissa, a force herself, has been his partner and collaborator during the thirty years they have been married. They have three children: Luc, a plastic surgeon, Rafe, an interior designer, and Elana, who “works” at the family corporation, but her attendance is just enough to justify her salary. Marissa’s nephew, Caleb, was taken to live with them as a child, because his mother was a drug addict, and he is loved by Hamilton and Marissa as if he was their own. The siblings, however, make sure to differentiate him as apart from the main family.
This is not a book, but the first of a series of twelve novellas. In this book, Harrison suffers a very serious car accident and his prognosis is uncertain. His wife, children, nephew and best friend rush to his side. Then there’s a mysterious character, named “The Fixer”, who has controls over Harrison’s life and his fortune. No one in the family had ever seen him nor heard of him, yet they are about to find out how much control The Fixer has, the hard way. No romance plot seen at the time, but it seems like a very interesting read. Ends in a cliffie, BTW, so desperation for the next chapter rapidly ensued.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and willingly offer a review.
I received a free ARC in exchange for a honest review via NetGalley and the author. This book introduces us to the Marshall family. A an affluent and private family. When The head of the family, Harrison Marshall ends up in a coma in the hospital we're introduced briefly to his family members and some trusted employees. It was a quick read but a lot of information. I would compare this to one episode in a soap opera. The author gave just enough to have you wanting to know more. This is the first book in what I'm assuming 12 books. This was episode one. I've never read a book titled as an episode. I really enjoyed the book. The 'Episode' was short yet satisfying. I am looking forward to reading the following episodes. There are so many secrets I feel that need to be uncovered and I have a feeling there will be lots of twists and turns.
A rich family and a horrible accident. Even money can’t hide everything. This is a lesson that the Marshall family will learn when their farther is in a coma and secrets are alive.
This was a short kind of novella. It was a fast read but a little drawn out. There are lots of point of views in this book which takes a little away from the depth the book could have. The change of view didn’t really allow me to get to know the characters as much as I would have liked. The characters are some what cliche. But the story does flow pretty well and interesting enough that the reader may want to pick up the next one. I just would have liked a little more movement in the story line.
This is the first episode/novella in a series of 12. First of all, there is a mysterious fixer introduced at the very beginning. Story involves an extremely wealthy family: dad is a hospitality/hotel mogul, mom comes from an important California family, oldest son is a doctor, youngest son hasn't settled on a career, and the daughter is engaged but fooling around on her fiance. When the dad is left comatose from a terrible car accident, the family gathers at the hospital. But they aren't all happy, and there is a lot of tension between them. What they find out at the end of this episode is mind-boggling to them. Time for the next episode.
The first in a series of twelve episodes, we're opened with a scene from a tragic accident. While nothing is settled in this issue, we do see the family dynamics involved. We (and the family) get a couple of surprises, along with all the drama that ensues when large quantities of money are involved. I am looking forward to the other eleven issues. This was six chapters, enough to wet your appetite and leave you hungry for more. It had me drawn into the story from the first page. The writer has an easy prose without having to go back and reread paragraphs trying to understand the intended meaning. Looking forward to more!
Harrison Marshall has been in a horrific car accident. He is in the hospital but not knowing whether he will survive or not. Then without the family's permission he is moved to a private hospital and the family has no control over when they can see him or what his care will be in the future. They are completely at a loss as to what has happened. This episode sets the family characters and a clue to what has been happening that they have no idea about but all of a sudden they do not control any of the family business.
I was a bit confused. I hadn't quite caught on this is a serial of books, I saw 12 parts and thought it was 12 different stories in the series but it's not so beware for those who like reading a complete story in one go. This is well written. It's about a family and it is unique as it deals with so many people, a bit like a TV show. I did get a bit confused at the start, it talks about 'The fixer'. There is family dynamic or non dynamic as is the case with some family members and a bit of mystery.
Great start to a series. Episode one introduces us to the Marshall family. The head of the family Harrison has been in a serious car wreck. His family isn't sure if he will make it and what will happen to them. They each have their own issues and then they find out that someone else it calling the shots. I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review. I look forward to getting to know this family and seeing all that unravels.
Well, this is an intriguing start to this new serial. Secrets, lies, affairs, money, power, mystery. This short story sure packs a lot of info and sets up for much drama and excitement to come.
This family's world just had a bomb dropped on them at a very difficult time. This story is filled with lots of intrigue with what's happened thus far. Looking forward to seeing what will unfold in the next episode.
This was a short book but i learned alot about the Marshall family. The story begins with the patriarch of the family having an accident and is in the hospital. Which puts "the fixer" into action. Throughout the whole books I was dying o know who this said fixer was. On the other hand the drama in this family is crazy and I can't wait to read the next episode.
** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
We get a glimpse into the lives of all the family members and this mysterious Fixer, who I'm just dying to meet. The story is told from different POVs that give us a general idea of what's going on with everyone.
I absolutely loved it. I read it in one sitting when I was commuting to class. Waiting to read the next one anxiously!
The beginning of the book there was a lot to take in. But once the story got going it was very good. This book is setting up what appears to be a very intriguing story. A family that doesn't get along and has tons of money. Along comes the "fixer". Can't wait to see where this story goes.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review by Net Galley and Harlequin.
I hate cliff hangers like this. Especially when they are not good enough to keep buying the next books. This could be a script for a television drama of that leave you hanging at the end of each episode. Kind of like Dallas or Dynasty. Dysfunctional wealthy families. If I were the author I would pursue that route.
The tension and pace of this first episode was what kept me interested. OK, the characters are typical of how the 'rich and famous' are portrayed in any TV series or Hollywood film, but it is what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything else. If the other episodes are as action-packed and intriguing then this will sell like hot cakes.
This new series has so much intrigue. It's a very short read that packs a lot of punch. The characters are very interesting and I can't wait to read the next book! ****I voluntarily reviewed and gave my honest opinion of this Advanced Reviewer's Copy of this book from Net Galley****