Secret in Houston

Lone Star Brothers #3

by Susi Hawke

Secrets always come out in the end.

When you’re having a fling with your brother’s best friend…

Houston is a hot, snarky omega who will do anything for those he loves. He’s only done one sneaky thing in his life, and that was going to come out as soon as his secret boyfriend, Cody, got home from his latest tour of duty. Once they announced their relationship to his family, especially his brother who was a former squadmate and good buddy of Cody’s, things would be fabulous. What could possibly go wrong?

…but then the alpha soldier goes MIA after a chopper crash while on mission.

Cody was held captive by insurgents after his helicopter went down. When he finally gets home a year later, he’s battling a severe case of PTSD along with partial amnesia. He has no memory of being involved with his buddy’s sexy little brother with the cute-as-a-bug baby.

Two men who started with the best intentions until life pulled them apart.

How can Houston tell anyone, let alone Cody, that he’s the father of his baby when the anxious soldier doesn’t seem to remember having so much as dated him? Heck, Cody still thinks of him as the teen kid who came to see his brother graduate from basic training.

Skip ahead a few years, and Cody is enthralled by Baxley, Houston’s sweet three-and-a-half-year-old son. He’s kicking himself for not having asked the guy out when he had a chance. What would he have to offer him now?

A simple lab test for a desperately ill child is all it takes for secrets to emerge and Cody’s world to tilt on its axis. Cody and Houston have decisions to make. It will take faith, hope, the support of family, and maybe even a lifesaving gift to make things work out.

This mm book contains mpreg, and intended for 18+ readers. Trigger warning: this book contains scenes of a sick child and an adult living with PTSD. Grab your kleenex because this 50k novel has triple the feels you’re used to from Susi Hawke, and definitely includes an HEA and all the laughs, naughty-knotty times, and family fun you’d expect!

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Omegaverse, Audiobook, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Second Chance

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2018

About the author

I'm a total fan of M/PREG Paranormal Romances, first and foremost as a reader. I'm excited to share my own omegaverse(s) with you. What's not to love about adorable Omegas and the Alpha men who love them? If I'm not writing about men sporting baby bumps, I'm definitely reading about them!

I'm a native of Las Vegas, NV, so I'm pre-wired to love everything weird ~ although I don't find any kind of love to be weird. I'm a cis woman who's been happily married to the same lovable lug for 18 years. We have a 16yr old son, well, at least I think we do? Either that, or we have a ghost that eats all our food and uses up all wifi playing xbox while screaming into a headset.

As a new author, it's been amazing to find the amount of support that I've been given from readers and my fellow authors. Feel free to message me, I love to chat with fellow readers. Am I a reader? Heck yeah! In fact, I'm never certain that I can completely trust an author who isn't a fellow bibliophile.

I will try to update here when I'm doing promotional parties & chats. I usually do those on Facebook. If you haven't already signed up for my newsletter, you should totally do it! I only send out NL's to announce new releases or important announcements. I also like to note in my NL what I'm currently reading along with a cover shot and the link for anyone who is interested.

I look forward to interacting with everyone here!

Reviews

[Kaity · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars

ehh.. kinda forgettable even when i just finished the book. for the secret baby trope there wasn't any drama which was shocking haha. also huston was annoying ..

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a chance on this series mostly because I love the narrator, John Solo. Susi Hawke is a new author for me, but so many of my book loving friends have recommended this author to me… The Lone Star Brothers seemed like a good place to start.

The idea of all these folks coming together, supporting each other, and making a family is always going to work for me, but there’s something about the way Susi Hawke writes these characters that is fresh and unique. I’m enjoying the story lines - they are sweet, but also have a welcome touch of darkness to them which I didn’t expect. What a pleasant surprise!

This episode, Secret in Houston, has a character with severe PTSD. Ms. Hawke deals with this in such a positive way. Showing the trauma and explaining some of the horrific things this character had to deal with while in captivity, she also explains how he uses creative therapies and shows him working on his healing throughout the story.

What really hit me in the heart is the medical condition of their son, which reveals itself partway into the story. I am not going to spoil it for you here, but *gah*, I was blinking back tears. Susi Hawke has embedded these characters into my heart and I was a mess.

John Solo’s vocal style is rich and expressive. The dimensions his characters’ voices add to the stories he narrates always enhances the experience for me. I’m impressed with the variety of the accents and different voices he’s using for these characters, and Secret in Houston is my favorite so far. I’m looking forward to listening to John Solo perform the next book in this wonderful series.

an audio copy of Secret in Houston was provided for my honest review

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love those Logans

Houston has been a favorite from the very first book. I love his story, even the sad bits. It's a fantastic love story.

[Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans · Rating 2 out of 5]

[SoCalBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Adorably Cute book by Susi. And another Great Narration by John.

This book hit me with all kinds of feelings. I was happy when Cody was found after being MIA and came back into the picture. I wanted to be upset with Houston for not telling Cody about Baxley for so long, but I totally understand the reasoning behind why he waited, but not why he waited for so dang long. I mean three years after he came home and he still didn't know, wth…. Also, I don't understand why Houston was out dating other people during that time. That part confused me since Houston was totally in love with Cody but he was dating others instead of waiting for Cody to figure his PTSD stuff out. The part with Baxley was totally heartbreaking ad made me want to cry. This book was really cute all around though. I liked that they had all kinds of real life problems to deal with and that both main characters went about dealing with them in mature ways thinking them through and talking things out making the hard decisions that needed to be made. I think this has been bumped up to my favorite of the series, even though parts of it made me sad to hear.


Audio - John Solo did an amazing job. With this audiobook I felt like I was hearing a real story and getting the full impact of the emotions and heartache that these characters had to deal with. His voices for each person were on point and I was really pleased with how the audio turned out for this one.

[Ｙｅｓｓｅｎｉａ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

I was looking forward to reading this, the blurb seemed interesting, but it didn't live up to my expectations. Some things I didn't like since the beginning?
✘ Cody comes back from being MIA the last year and then next chapter, it has already been three years? And Houston hasn't told him about his son? wth? I have read many secret baby books but normally there was a "reason" and the father wasn't present in the mother and baby's life but Cody remains friend with Houston's brother and they have shared many moments this 3 years, so what's the excuse? I didn't like Houston very much. The real problem seemed to be him,and the fact he doesn't remember dating him, and not Cody's amnesia in general. But, even then he should have told him about his son.
✘ Houston has been with someone else this three years. Personally, I don't like the protagonists to be with other(s) while they're apart. It's my choice. Still, I could have passed it if it was just a mention of past lover(s) but no we see how he's with some Mark guy. Sorry but I didn't feel the supposed love he profeced felt all the time Cody was missing.
✘ I just knew it when the kid started to get sick there was going to be the typical it's leukemia he needs his father's marrow. Though it wasn't leaukemia but some other non-cancer disease. I was rolling my eyes. This was too predictable.
✘ And last, it's not a biggie but I can understand the use of some enderments like babe, doll face or bitch between friends, who doesn't do it for fun, but saying that almost everytime made it sound a little immature. And it's not like every gay talks like that. This is a it's not you, it's me thing.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Susi surely does know how to take your emotions on a rollercoaster ride. Cody and Houston show us a range of emotions when dealing with so much. PTSD and Baxley's severe childhood illness, they show that they are made of sturdier stuff. Ready for Austin's book now. I wonder what she has in store for him.

[Abbie]

Dnf

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story gets 5 stars. The audiobook gets 4 stars. (Great either way!)

Review of the audiobook:

This is a fun series with a lot of heart. Mixed in with steamy sex and fantastic humor, there are stories that tug at my heartstrings. This one includes a hero with PTSD, as well as a character with a scary health issue. And of course Houston, the omega diva with a heart of gold. Houston and Cody are terrific together, and I really love the scenes they share with adorable little Baxley. The story is painful to hear at times, but there is still snark and humor in almost every conversation Houston has with anyone else. I love him! And Cody is the exact alpha needed, supportive and strong, never trying to tame or change Houston in any way.
I love that all the brothers and their partners play a big role in each book. Kyle, Gideon, and especially Lukas are great friends to Houston; and their interactions are wonderful - and often very funny. This is a family, and they love and annoy each other as family does. They also offer nonstop support and encouragement.
Though I still find some of the accents a bit too much at times, I really do enjoy the narrator's portrayal of most of the characters. I loved hearing Houston sing a bit of the birthday song and wished for more!
This is a really great addition to the series, and I can't wait to hear Austin's story next.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for the audible version of Houston's story and was definitely not disappointed at all. Houston's sassy snark makes the heaviness in this installment a little easier to bear. Little Baxley tore at my heart strings, I wanted to just wrap him up and hold him to protect him. I wanted to be upset with Houston for not coming clean with Cody earlier than he did but with all the circumstances and obstacles that these two faced I understood where he was coming from. Their story touched me in so many ways that I can't even begin to describe how good it was. Everything from sad moments to happy to swoon worthy was in this book. The author does an amazing job of telling this couple's story and allowing you to feel what they are going through. The narration was well done, as only John Solo can do, making the audible a very enjoyable listen. I'm waiting on pins and needles for Austin's story to be available on audio. I feel like the set up for that was has been handled really well. We also got to see all of the brother's and spouse's from the first two books as well which was definitely an added bonus!

[Claudia Lezár · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:

5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A

3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+

3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B

2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D

1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Logan family is growing. Babies abound. Second dads not so much. One of the funniest Logan brother is featured and his interactions with the rest of the family is at times hilarious. A childhood illness can be so terrifying for a family especially the Bearer Father. But uncles with children are devastated too. How easily it could have been one of their youngsters. So unexpected, so quickly, so deadly, so scary. Having family and friends circle the wagons helps but not nearly enough.

Secrets are revealed. Fatherhood becomes more wonderful than how it was imagined as a dream. A little boy's dream comes true. Acting the part versus being the real thing. Do you create another child to help with the health issues of your child? Do you risk the health of your current child or allow medical breakthroughs to insure an almost certain positive outcome? But are you ready to tamper with a higher power and his plans. Suspense and tension permeate off the pages. I'm so sad the next book is the last of the series yet I'm eager to read it

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*stars

This is the 3rd book in the series and is about Houston, the youngest brother and the only omega amongst the 4 siblings. After getting together with an army friend of Beau's - Cody, and then falling pregnant whilst Cody is MIA overseas, it takes number of years and a medical crisis to bring the couple back together.

This had a little bit of everything, family, humour, drama, fluff, smexy time and some quite heavy topics around PTSD and childhood illness. It kept me page turning, especially around a moral issue, what would you do? However, you could tell the research had been done on the medical and procedural events, they were very well explained, overly so - it did become quite draining at one point. There's a fine line between being factual and entertaining and I think this just tipped the wrong way.

Overall, another entertaining read, the kids names are getting bizarre but it feels familiar and comfortable to be amongst the family and content with the HEA.

[SC · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t know why I started to read this book

Especially when I already know I do NOT like this author’s writing style.

In a nutshell - if you like gay men that call each other by female pronouns, timelines that are not well defined, sex scenes that are more crude than sexy, and people calling each other “hon” (cue major eye roll), then this is all for you. Way too many secondary characters. Parts of the plot didn’t add up, and I ESPECIALLY hate it when an author has kids speaking like they’re 30 for the sake of the book, even if it’s fiction. I don’t really see why this author’a books are so highly rated. Give me strong gay men, not gay men that come off as women, for that matter, just write M/F.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I liked this book. I love angsty books, and this one has a good bit of it. I knew we’d get our hea, but there were some bumps in the road. I liked the story line, it was interesting and had me nervous for the family. Although it’s a series, I had no issues following alone and it can definitely be read as a standalone. The characters were well developed and I really could feel the chemistry between Houston and Cody. John Solo did an excellent job with his narration, characters were well represented with his different voices. Each were easily distinguished from the others, and as always he is very nice to listen to. A definite recommend from me.

[Lacrymosa Quiñones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Houston & Cody

I adored this book, did not know what the author was going to do for Houston but I liked the pace and storyline the book took.

Character breakdown;

Cody: I liked how the author highlighted his ptsd and made it a point show how he dealt with it and grew from it, rather that gloss over it. It made the book much more meaningful to read.

Houston: I loved the toughness he had and how how good of a father he was. That no matter what he thought things through before doing them. I liked him a lot.

Definitely enjoying this series can’t wait to read the next one.
If you like second chances books, this is the book for you!

[Stella Gladden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, but interesting...

This was sad but interesting book in the Lone Brothers series. There was a lot of heart breaks and sadness, dealing with illness of a child. Not knowing whether you will find a cure in time to save his life. But with hope and a prayer, miracles can work wonders. It did for Houston and Cody, they found away to save their son and gain a daughter in the process. The book was kind of sad and but interesting, and ended with a HEA. So keep them coming, I can't wait to read the next book about Austin.

[Esther Alayeto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Houston and am so glad to have his story. This one is very emotional and really got to me. Houston and Cody are wonderful together and it was really sad that Cody couldn't remember Houston because of his PTSD. They went through so much together and it was heartbreaking at times but it's a beautiful story with a spectacular HEA. The narrator did a fantastic job with the characters and with the range of emotions throughout this story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[wordsandblankspaces · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It was ok. I think the blurb sounds a lot better than the actual story. My biggest issue with this book was the pet name overload. Babe, bitch, cutie, fancy, angel etc.. It was too much. And I realize that Baxley being sick was a main storyline but sometimes it felt like I was reading a WebMD page about aplastic anemia. It's just jarring in a short book to go from the jokes and sexy times to a sick kid and a bunch of medical jargon. I will probably read the last book but I may take a few days before I do. I need a small break from the Logan clan.

[Michelleroebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody's Fancy!!

Cody was missing in action, a POW and the man of his dreams, but all he remembered about Houston was he was his friend little brother. Houston was once again heartbroken, Cody didn't remember their time together so he couldn't tell him about their son. But,when the baby gets sick with Houston out of town it was the lab tech that gave Cody the news that was the beginning of their journey. Spending time together and an unexpected heat helped Cody to realize that the man in his dreams was his fancy,Houston. Cute Couple!!😍😍

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Susi Hawke

This book was great to start to finish. The story kinda starts into "lost in Dallas", but you won't miss too much of it if you read this as a standalone.
The story was very well researched (especially the disease, I can't really speak for the PTSD).
It was heart wrenching at times, but so sweet and the love between Houston and Cody was great.
Loved this book and really enjoyed it

[Tracie Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

I have loved every book in this series so far but this one was more intense. As someone that had their five year old go through something similar, this hit a little too close to home. I prefer a little less angst but this wasn’t too bad. Amazing support groups via the brothers and their spouses! Love the characters and can’t wait for Austin’s story. Love the Texas theme!

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

His fling with a man going off to war has Houston keeping the secret of his sons father. He didn’t feel the need to tell his family who the father was after Cody didn’t come home from the war. His son and his brothers and their families give him everything he needs. When Cody returns he has no memory of Houston. The truth finally comes out when an illness reveals the truth.

Another nice addition to the series. All the snark and family shenanigans made it enjoyable to read

[Gabriela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh my god, I am about to drop this book with the advertisement to pseudoscience such as aromatherapy and healing crystals. Really? There is no evidence that this works at all. Not evidence at all. Mental health is delicate thing, to be advertising things that do not work, are more related to faith seems to me a lack of moral values. I am afraid if I continue I would later find conspiracy theories and such. Sorry, as a science minded person, I can’t stand this, be it fiction or not.

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets are about to come out....

All the feels!!!!
We get humor - these characters are hilarious and so much fun to read. We get sweet moments that make you smile, too. And best of all you get hot sexy times between strong Alpha and a sassy Omega. I love this book and this series and highly recommend it.

[Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book it was such I tear jerker and I was pretty glad I had a box of tissues sitting next to me. I can’t wait to read Austin’s book and I was thinking at the very end of the book that Austin’s not liking people in his space and his germaphobe self reminded me a little bit of Jonah from Hidden or maybe that’s just me...?

[LaVon Lyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional rollercoaster!

This book was an emotional overload in best way possible. I love this story as much as I love this series, it was sad, happy, funny, thrilling, heart wrenching, heartwarming, just everything you can ask for in a great story! I’m gonna hate to see this series end.

[Beth Sweryda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Lone Star series!

I was so looking forward to the story of Houston, Bax and Cody! I wasn't disappointed! You feel so bad for Houston at the beginning of the book and just can't wait for it all come together! I loved this book and can't wait for the next book in this series. Austin needs his HEA!

[MG Lahey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ❤ Houston and Cody

If ever there was a couple that deserved a HEA it's these two. Sure, Houston is a bit of a bratty Omega, but he found his match in Cody. Then Cody gets waylaid and thought dead, going through hell to get back. The Alpha deserves happiness and love. The characters are awesome and likeable, the stories engaging. Can't wait for Austin's book!!

[Joscelyn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgotten love

This was a great third installment in the Lone Star Brothers series. I really enjoyed seeing Houston, aka Fancy, and Cody finally get together even if it was after a three year wait. I can't wait to read the next book, I have the feeling that Austin is going to meet someone that gets all up in his stuff.😊