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House of Morgan #1

Secret Crush

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Billionaire FBI agent John Morgan returns for his father’s funeral, igniting his interest in his sister’s best friend, and getting them both in danger.

For some, joining the FBI is a long-term goal. For billionaire John Morgan, joining the Bureau is a stepping stone to proving his father is culpable for his sister’s death. After his estranged father dies, John is forced to return home and face the ghosts of his past. But that proves to be more difficult than he ever imagined.

After losing her best friend under inexplicable circumstances, Alice Collins’ world view shifts until her small town sensibilities convinced her to attend Mr. Morgan’s funeral. Soon, the past and the present collide, and Alice is caught in the crosshairs. But when John comes to her aid, it only serves to complicate matters for both of them.

Can a handsome billionaire on a vendetta fall for a small town girl… or does he have something else in mind?

260 pages, ebook

First published September 19, 2016

1166 people are currently reading
725 people want to read

About the author

Victoria Pinder

202 books543 followers
Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun. She’s worked in engineering, after passing many tests proving how easy Math came to her. Then hating her life at the age of twenty four, she decided to go to law school. Four years later, after passing the bar and practicing very little, she realized that she hates the practice of law. She refused to one day turn 50 and realize she had nothing but her career and hours at a desk. After realizing she needed change, she became a high school teacher. Teaching is rewarding, but writing is a passion.
During all this time, she always wrote stories to entertain herself or calm down. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, and Victoria spent too many years living other people’s dreams, but when she sat down to see what skill she had that matched what she enjoyed doing, writing became so obvious. The middle school year book when someone wrote in it that one day she’d be a writer made sense when she turned thirty.
Besides her full time job of teaching, in 2013 and 2014, she sold on her own sold books to three different publishers. The Zoastra Affair, Chaperoning Paris, Borrowing the Doctor, and Electing Love will be published from Soul mate Publishing. Mything the Throne will be published with Double Dragon Ebooks. Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush will be published with Jupiter Press.
Now she is represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency and she hopes to continue selling her novels that she writes. Moving up to the next level from hard work and determination is rewarding, and partnerships bring new opportunities.
Also she’s the Vice President of Progams for the Florida Romance Writers. She’s gone to multiple conferences and intends to continue. She learns and meets so many people at conferences. Her website is here, www.victoriapinder.com, and she’ll continue to grow my web presence. She is working hard on other projects and found the time to plan her wedding this year.
Before writing, her father had taken her to many star trek conventions and on her own she grew up as the only girl in the 90s at the comic book store. Science Fiction was her first love, but contemporary romance was her second. She’s sticking with contemporaries for the near future.
Member of Florida Romance Writers, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA, Celtic Hearts and Savvy Authors.

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5 stars
276 (40%)
4 stars
210 (30%)
3 stars
118 (17%)
2 stars
51 (7%)
1 star
30 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews131 followers
Want to read
April 25, 2022
🎁 FREE on iBooks today (2/6/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
Billionaire FBI agent John Morgan returns for his father’s funeral, igniting his interest in his sister’s best friend, and getting them both in danger.

For some, joining the FBI is a long-term goal. For billionaire John Morgan, joining the Bureau is a stepping stone to proving his father is culpable for his sister’s death. After his estranged father dies, John is forced to return home and face the ghosts of his past. But that proves to be more difficult than he ever imagined.

After losing her best friend under inexplicable circumstances, Alice Collins’ world view shifts until her small town sensibilities convinced her to attend Mr. Morgan’s funeral. Soon, the past and the present collide, and Alice is caught in the crosshairs. But when John comes to her aid, it only serves to complicate matters for both of them.

Can a handsome billionaire on a vendetta fall for a small town girl… or does he have something else in mind?
Profile Image for Nellie.
1,363 reviews23 followers
February 19, 2017
not clean. needs editing. very cheesy, characters were so unbelievable. their actions were not at all reality. I'm shocked at the rating. no way. just the editing alone made me crazy. but no way would anyone behave the way these people did.
Profile Image for Trish Roy.
12 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2019
I'm as confused by all the 4/5 star ratings as I am by what I just read. I hate not finishing a book, so i stuck it out. This was horrible, in one sentence they're saying something, to contradict themselves in the next, then change again. I don't normally bother with a review, but this was just so disappointing, I will not be reading more of the series.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,861 reviews68 followers
October 26, 2019
Secret Crush (The House of Morgan Book 1) - a review by Rosemary Kenny

A what if...? murder mystery mixed with second-chance romantic story is the captivating #1 on Victoria Pinder's House of Morgan series, Secret Crush.
MC1 is John Morgan, billionaire and, strangely, an FBI Agent too. He's using his professional position to gain information that will implicate - and possibly incarcerate - his own father, whom he suspects of complicity in, (or outright committal of) his late sister's suspicious death. MC 2 is 'farm girl' and local town resident Alice Collins. She's also lost a woman who was very close to her and remembers John from when he was several years younger when she had the eponymous Secret Crush on him.
What happens when the pair both attend John's father's funeral?
How will each react when the circumstances of their presence are revealed?
Who will John now believe caused his sister's death? Does Alice reveal her past crush to John?
Will the truth be revealed in a way that will enable the MCs to have an HEA, even if not together?
Read Secret Crush, aka House of Morgan #1, by the amazing Victoria Pinder to find out for yourself!
Profile Image for Chalice.
3,681 reviews112 followers
June 7, 2020
I can't quite place my finger on what was wrong with this story, but I think it comes down to awkward dialogue and improbable situations.
The hero is a billionaire who comes from a quasi-criminal robber baron-type family, and then he went to college and joined the FBI and seems to have done quite well despite just falling into it all. He joins because he believes his father killed or had his sister killed. His boss resents him, his father disdains him, and his brother barely knows him. He resigns, sort of, and then goes home to his father's funeral where not one, but two presidents come to pay their respects. In the meantime, he reconnects with his dead sister's best friend, they blow hot and cold with each other, someone tries to kill her, her farmer family loses and then regains a contract (for strawberry distribution?) with his family. It really never stops, and there's no rhyme or reason to most of it.
The heroine is in farming. And she had a best friend who is now dead. That's all we really get about her.
I also never really got the "House of Morgan" bit - the Morgan company? Morgan family? Morgan empire? House of Morgan makes it sound like a fashion house or a monarchy, and I didn't catch if there was an explanation for that wording.
The ending was fairly predictable, despite the weirdness before, and I won't be reading the other books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kat.
7 reviews
February 23, 2017
I read this book as part of the Happier ever Alpha anthology. I am looking for new authors to read and hoped some of these stories would grab me. This one didn't- I didn't believe in the characters. there was just something off. Don't get me wrong, it was an ok read but I spent more time skimming than reading after a while.
137 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2019
Did not finish. Thought it had potential....but the storyline was way too fast to be believable for me. I also can't stand in any book when the main female characters are in danger and they are completely stupid about it all in the name of being independent. If someone has shot at you, for the love of Pete, stay in the safe house!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for April.
159 reviews
February 8, 2019
DNF

I thought the summary of the book was very interesting, but the book fell flat. The beginning of the book was unbelievable and never grabbed my attention. I know this book is a work of fiction but there still needs to be some kind of believability for me to enjoy the book.
4 reviews
November 11, 2018
How did this book get a 4 star review? The editing is non existant and the book is down right confusing. After slogging my way through 4 chapters I finally gave up.
Profile Image for Jodi.
224 reviews3 followers
December 13, 2018
Very poorly written which tells me self published
Profile Image for Katie Utterly Unashamed.
826 reviews194 followers
May 6, 2019
Awful, I skimmed half of it because it was so bad... none of it even made sense!! The author was clearly bipolar... I only finished it because I was bored..
Profile Image for Caroline.
122 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2019
** Received book in exchange for an honest review**


Victoria kindly gifted me Secret Crush in exchange for an honest review. It's the first book I've read by Victoria and I'm glad she gave me the opportunity to delve in to her books and fictional world.

I think it's standard that most books have the 'lucky' character and the 'simple' character. I have them too so I don't want it to sound like I think it's wrong... just stating that that's what we have.

John Morgan is the lucky one. He's middle child to the Morgan heir (They're rich & powerful) and also the rebelous one. Peter the eldest seems to have turned in to their father and Vicki, the youngest is dead.

John joins the FBI to arrest his father because he believes he had something to do with her death.

After the death of his father, Johns world changes in strange ways.

Alice Collins is our simple. I like her. Family orientated and works hard. I can relate to her a bit when it comes to putting family first instead of herself.

Alice has had a crush since high school and being at Johns fathers funeral means that her crush comes rushing back.

Their relationship has no other choice but to blossom after the circumstances of someone threatening Alice's life.

I don't think i've read since May but this book has seriously perked me back up. I just hope I manage to keep up with the reading bug.

The follow up is Secret Baby which I don't have a copy of yet because at the time Victorias offer went out, I wasn't reading at all so it would be wrong to ask for things when I knew I couldn't specify a date for it being read. I was meant to read this one for September and failed. The story is at the right pace. You're not waiting weeks for the next 'hit' or steamy scene - they happen enough without overdoing it. Nothing was awkard and I didn't skip. In fact the only errors i found were due to editing but I got the book before it was released so I'm bound to get that and I repect that.

Truly is a lovely story!
Profile Image for Becky Claxon.
2,204 reviews18 followers
December 19, 2017
This was such a good book. This has suspense,intrigue, romance and family. Alice Collins helps her parents with their farm. They sell most of their fruit to the House of Morgan who is rich as can be. Alice used to be best friends with Victoria who is the owner’s daughter. Unfortunately a few years ago she died. Victoria’s brother John Morgan went to work for the FBI to try and pin her death on his father. None of the kids liked their father, and John knew he was a crook.

Their father dies and the oldest brother Peter is set to take over the business. Peter asks John to come home to Miami for the funeral and the reading of the will. John tells his boss he is leaving for his father’s funeral, but his boss is not very nice. John has never liked him. Alice shows up for the wake to pay her family’s respects and runs into John. She had a crush on him when she was in high school. He is even more handsome now and he is paying attention to her. Most of the women he has been around just wanted him for his money. Alice is a breath of fresh air. Now someone wants John hurt and thinks Alice is important to him and is trying to kill her. There is also a big surprise at the funeral.

I just love suspenseful romance novels and this is one of the best I have read. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily read it and wrote my review.
82 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2019
Secrets and Suspense

Apprehension, secrets, deception, romance, family. Whom do you trust? Should I open up to the man I had a crush on and still do? How does a man deal with having a relationship with this lovely and smart women when he hadn't had a normal family life. Manipulation was the standard in the House of Morgan. Truth and love had been had been its victim. Love eventually conquers it foe. Alice and John are the main characters of this story. Working class and rich class find common ground; love. They push through the garbage and drama left behind by the deceased patriarch to find their happy ever after. A page turner. Loved it.
490 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2021
After his father’s death, John decides to leave the FBI. At the funeral, he reconnects with Alice, his sister’s best friend…
I disliked the sexual tension. I did not find that it enhanced the story, on the contrary actually. Near the end, when the “action” started, I finally thought the book was not a complete waste of time. I guess it depends what kind of books one prefers to read. Nonetheless, enjoy reading about John who finds that the definition of family and love Alice lives and loves is worth fighting for.
308 reviews13 followers
December 30, 2016
There are secrets, suspense, and romance in this well-written story by Victoria Pinder. There's even a farmer's daughter, Alice, who has always had a crush on John, but never thought she was worthy of him. After John's father's death, he returns home and rediscovers Alice. But it's the suspense that kept me reading, too. You will enjoy the suspense and the unexpected in this first book in the series. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Crystal Yawn.
602 reviews3 followers
January 8, 2017
I just read this as part of an upcoming box set.
Secret Crush is a whirlwind of an action/mystery romance. With people being shot at , coming back from the dead and so much more it never gets Dull. I couldn't put this one down
A full story of John and Alice but plenty of room for other characters to come alive. I think the House of Morgans has the potential to be fabulous and have added book 2 to my wish list!
Profile Image for Sherry Westendorf.
4,593 reviews22 followers
June 16, 2017
I loved this one. I have to go back and read the first one before I go on. But will have to read this one again too. What fun, exciting, suspenseful, and oh so enjoyable. There are a lot of twists and turns and it keeps you on the edge of your seat and you can't put it down. It is something you have to read as I don't want to spoil it for you, but I highly recommend it. I was given a review copy and voluntarily review it.
Profile Image for Sheila Lee.
1,007 reviews13 followers
January 15, 2018
4 stars
I will not restate the plot nor reveal any spoilers in this review.
Victoria Pinder takes you on a wild ride in this book. Just when you think you know who the bad guys and girls are, the author twists the plot so you can't see what's coming next. This book has romance, drama and suspense. My only objection is that the ending wrapped up very quickly and I still had a few unanswered questions which I hope are addressed in another book.
527 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2019
Secret Crush

How can anyone resist a billionaire who is also an FBI agent? Certainly, not I! John Morgan is irresistible. I truly enjoyed the romance and the mystery. The characters are likable and draw one further into the plot. The heroine and her mother annoyed the snot out of me!! Stupidity and stubbornness are NOT attractive!!! Baby girl and her mother had that and drama in spades! Next!!!
1,012 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2020
Error

This is a good story but one of my pet peeves is mistakes in time lines and year discrepancies. This would be 4 stars without those errors. Example her brothers walks out the door. Next paragraph Alice unlocks the door and John leads him to it. This is just one of many of these types of mistakes in this book. I wanted to like this story, but I just couldn't get passed the mistakes.
521 reviews
November 6, 2022
Twists, turns, danger

John Morgan is a man set on justice and revenge against his father for the death of his sister and the corruption. Coming back to his hometown for his father's funeral and maybe closure, he finds his dead sister's best friend, Alice. Then the twists, turns, danger, suspicion, action, and passion happen. Great story, good characters, and nail biting suspension kept me reading and wanting more.
Profile Image for Kelly.
444 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2018
"Secret Crush" was such a good read. John Morgan is handsome and a mess. Alice Collins is down to earth and just the person to ground John. The twists and turns in the story made for a hard-to-put-down read. Though a stand alone novel, I look forward to reading more in the series to learn their stories. I have suspicions about a few of them.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews99 followers
February 12, 2019
Reconnecting

John is working for the FBI to put down all the b ad men that did business with his father. He blames his sister Victoria's death on him. But now his dad is dead and he has to go b back for the funeral. Alice had a crush on John but never really acted on it, she was his sister's friend. But went to the fiber out of respect. What happens next is mind blowing.
2,868 reviews11 followers
August 8, 2019
This story has a much different feel to me than the later ones. The danger to the Morgans and those around them is more central to the story. This story has aspects of an action story and fewer of the romance. All-in-all a great story.

Action-packed. Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Page-turner. Romantic. Scary. Steamy. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,297 reviews
September 1, 2019
Fabulous! Excellent, Wonderful, Marvelous!
I adore everything about this novel and the way that it inspired my faith. I felt the characters struggles and trails as if they were my own. I prayed for them and wept with them. These emotions brought on means that no one will be disappointed if they decide to give this novel a chance! ❤
1,039 reviews
September 27, 2019
Good romantic suspense

I enjoyed the first book I. The house of Morgan series. John and Alice were good together but I felt their engagement was a laity.e quick even though they knew each other a long time, they only dated a little. I didn’t see who the bad guy was until he was was revealed which I prefer over having it broadcast.
Profile Image for Joan.
2,207 reviews
Read
December 30, 2019
Before I even started reading there were pages and pages of details of who is who in the Morgan family tree. There are nearly 70 names mentioned. Who the hell is expected to remember all that! And if I need to know all those details BEFORE I can read the book then... NO. I’m done, before I even start. Stupid.
Profile Image for PollyAnna Joy.
Author 4 books27 followers
March 20, 2020
Fun story

I enjoyed reading Secret Crush by Victoria Ponder. It's a cute, fun story that has a few surprises and is exactly what is expected from a romance.

I did notice a few inaccuracies and/or inconsistencies, though. Enough that it made parts of the story confusing and just plain difficult to understand.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews

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