When trust is broken, can it ever be repaired? At one time, Terrence “T-Murder” Burrell had it all—a wife, three kids, and an extravagant lifestyle as one of the most popular rappers in the industry. Because of his cheating, he lost his family and knew his life would never be the same. But one night with his ex-wife changes his outlook, and he sees a chance not only to redeem himself, but reclaim the life he once took for granted. Charisse Burrell divorced Terrence after he broke her heart one too many times. In a moment of weakness she gives in to her desires and makes a mistake that she soon regrets. Now Terrence wants her to believe that not only has he changed, they should try again. Her brain says she shouldn’t trust him, but will her heart give him another chance? (Quicksand is a series of stand alone stories based on love, sex, and romance. Why Quicksand? Because love pulls you in. The more you fight, the deeper you fall. You can't fight your way out of quicksand, and you can't fight your way out of love.)
Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels, and dozens of romance short stories. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not spinning tales of romantic fiction, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale.
She’s also the founder of Books by Black Authors, a discovery platform for readers seeking stories by Black authors.
Great way to show your remorse and regret by having the opening chapters show how H was sexually attracted to backup dancer (H and h are divorced) and then to end up in a relationship with her. I never understand when authors start of a book either with a sexual encounter with ow or them actually in a relationship with them. How are we as a reader supposed to move on from that fact when it was shown to us right at the beginning. How are we supposed to believe that H has supposedly always loved the h when the guy can’t even keep it in his pants?! This low score isn’t for the cheating as I was aware of it but more for the execution of it and the fact that the h took him back over a guy that treated her so well. When are we going to get more books where h doesn’t lose her self respect by taking a nasty disrespectful cheating arse back? Their kids are going to grow up knowing all about their fathers cheating as it’s all over the tabloids but the life lesson they will learn from their mother is that it’s ok as long as he says he will never do it again! Bearing in mind this guy lied to his wife’s face before and he kept promising he wouldn’t do it again. She was stupid for taking him back because this guy was sexually weak when it came to other women as evidenced at the beginning when he was feeling bad about what he did to his wife then the next minute he is going home with the backup singer/dancer. Once a cheater always a cheater def apples to this guy that’s my 100% belief.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is well written but there is no way that the heroine would have taken her ex husband back. He was a serial cheater and used his money to control her. The story jumps five years after the divorce and he’s still controlling her with money and emotionally abusing her. He does nothing to earn back her love outside of manipulating her. This should have been a cautionary tale of toxic love. In fact, I think the story would have worked well with her moving on with her life and cutting financial and emotional ties with her ex.
I really like this author but I don’t think this story works well as a short.
Rapper, Terrence Burrell aka T -Murder cheated on his wife terribly throughout the course of their marriage and after 5 years of being divorce, he wanted Charisse back! T realized his cheating was the downfall of his marriage but he wasn't going to stop going after Charisse until he had his wife back under one roof. This tale will have you questioning was it worth it or not after all he took his wife through. I loved this second chance/redemption story and would look forward to Delaney Diamond revisiting this family in the future since this story was so similar to Diddy and Kim Porter's relationship.
This story captured my attention and my heart. I was so glad to see that Terrence learned from his past mistakes. I was dismayed to note how real it is that some women when they can't have a man's affection, time and love have no compunction about trying to mess things up for him and the woman of his heart. I truly loved Terrence and Charisse's story. Ms. Diamond you have another best seller on your hands. I certainly hope this becomes an audio book too. If so might I suggest Pete Ohms as narrator? Excellent book I am so glad to have been able to read this book. Great job Delaney very great job indeed!
Wow! A real life look into what damage divorce and cheating can do to an entire family. This was some real life grown folks drama up in here! I was rooting for Terrence as well as lifting up Charrisse at the same time.
A tad bit unbelievable and just weird that though they were divorced and supposedly secretly still in love with one another yet they were both having sexual relations w/other people...and unrealistic that after all the cheating Terrence did on Charisse during their marriage that she could even consider taking him back...I like that they were friendly and respectful to each other in the presence of the children...but after all the HELL he put Charisse through and the public humiliation during the marriage and after...ain’t no way IMHO she should take him back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I know that the Quicksand series is supposed to be all short stories, but just like Book 1, Book 2 didn’t feel like a short. Not at all. I love second chance stories, so I was excited about reading this one.
I liked Charisse immediately. I liked Terrence, too, but spent much of the book going back and forth about how I felt about him. He was a great father, a good provider and I loved his relationship with Charisse, but once his past came up, I was kind of ambivalent about him. He was such a rapper, lol.
This was quite the journey for these two. They went through a lot, but I’m glad they got their happily ever after.
I felt like this was a little different for Delaney Diamond, but as always, she rocked it.
I chose this rating because Ms. Diamond deserves it! I read it in 2 hours. It will become a part of my library-along with all of my other keepers that she has created-I re-read them all the time and will re-read this one as well. The story supports that it 's alright to forgive and re-build when love is the foundation. Keep everyone out of your business, because when it comes down to it, it's only one heart that counts. Keep on writing, what ever or who ever gives the motivation. Forgiving - moving forward won't be easy-worthwhile never is. Thank You much for being courageous enough to do it right!
Short and Spicy! Nothing like seeing your ex-wife on a date with another man, to make you realize how stupid you were for destroying your marriage screwing around with a bunch of hoochie mamas! I had a huge problem with Terrence's arrogance expecting Charrise to sit home all alone while he ran around all he wanted. Forgiveness is huge and I'm not all that convinced that Terrence deserves another chance. He lied and cheated over and over again. Still an interesting and entertaining story.
Delaney you then did it again. You made me visualize the couple. Terrence I didn't want to like and yet there was a vulnerability about him that could not be missed. Charisse being the person she was , you wanted her to have happiness even if it wasn't with Terrence. Add the elements of Bo and Ennis and you see Terrence's conscious. I imagine the couple being T.I . and Tiny and the road to reconciliation after so much mistrust and abuse of love.
I enjoyed this book. When we are young sometimes we live foolishly. I liked this story because seeing a man mature and make things right when he has done wrong touches my heart
I’m really enjoying the Quicksand series so far. This is another great story with awesome passion. Wish we got to see more of Terrence in his quest to do better or some therapy. I recommend this story.
I loved this story. The characters are different from her usual characters, but the story pulled me in. Her character development always amazes me. A great story of redemption.
I wanted to like this story, unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. Terrence, the hero, was not a likable character. There was no growth and he did nothing to really show that he had changed or had put in the work to be the kind of husband Charisse needed. Usually, in second-chance novels, there is something to root for even when you don't agree with the characters. There were no redeeming qualities about this relationship, for me, and I found myself hoping they didn't end up back together.
I really really hate cheating heroes (no spoiler since it is in the synopsis. That said, this book was really good and I enjoyed the writing style very much.
Without You by Delaney Diamond is the second novella in the Quicksand series. The theme is second chance love, which is a theme I always enjoy.
Infidelity and distrust led to Rapper Terrence “T-Murder” Burrell and Charisse Burrell’s divorce five years ago. Over the past two years, the pair has gotten into a positive routine of co-parenting their three kids. This fictional story seems to come right out of the headlines. Overall, the friendship is genuine and the love is still there. It’s apparent that Terrence wants Charisse back.
This is a quick read that is easy to get into. Charisse is a good Mom who focuses on her family. I like how Ms. Diamond highlights Terrence as a dedicated father and provider as well. He just couldn’t get the relationship part right while they were married, in the midst of being a high profile celebrity.
Ms. Diamond definitely captures the passion between Terrence and Charisse, which is what we’ve come to expect in her books. Just when I thought I had this second chance love story figured out, Ms. Diamond added a twist that I didn’t see coming. This kept me engaged. Overall, this is a very good read by Ms. Diamond and I recommend it.
Without You is a different kind of read from Delaney Diamond, but I like it.
Terrence is a rapper who lost his family because like many entertainers, he gets busy outside his marital bed. He takes care of his family and gets along with his ex-wife, Charisse. A death in the family throws them together and the-fire-that-never-quite-went-out blazes to life between Terrence and Charisse.
The reality of an entertainer's life is presented well—the bad behavior, the limelight, and underhanded things people will do for publicity. I gotta say this is part of what I enjoy about romance. Being able to immerse myself in a story and suspend reality. 'Cause Terrence is a man I don't know that I'd be able to forgive for the capers he pulled during his marriage. When I think about it, there are women living the same reality. Charisse is that strong woman we'd all like to be to keep the family together and handle a man who's a serial …
Anyhow, this book definitely isn't for everyone. If you have the ability to enjoy a story and not allow your sensibilities to be thrown into disarray over other people's morals, you can pick up Without You.
This was an enjoyable but quick second chance cheating redemption romance. I have had this book in my TBR pile for four years, but I finally decided to read it last night. Terrence and Charisse are already divorced when the book begins after years of infidelity on Terrence’s part. He is a famous rapper/actor. Charisse is a stay at home mom. I gave this four stars because the writing was solid and I enjoyed the story overall. I did feel things were a bit rushed and I would have liked to see more groveling from Terrence. He basically gives one drunken apology and then they are back together, and that is precipitated by the fact Charisse is pregnant b/c they had the equivalent of a ONS. I won’t say Charisse gave in too quick, but I questioned rather she why she would eagerly remarry a blatant philanderer just because he wrote he a pretty rap song. 🤷🏽♀️ I mean…I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I liked how the story developed. I enjoyed how Charisse was able to explain to Terrence, using his songs, how he disrespected her and reduce their love story to something superficial. It was great how at the end of the book and after some soul searching he was able to express the depth of his love for her through lyrics. It was a nice parallel. I found that the author really explained how people (usually men) can be unfaithful while still claiming to love their partner. For them there is a disconnect between sex and love and they struggle to see how it's unacceptable and deeply hurtful. As ever, this book confirmed to me how deeply personal cheating and how one deals with it is. It clearly isn't black and white. As always love is a leap of faith.
The overall writing of the book is great but the story telling made the h looked very weak and stupid. Made no sense that he was trifling hoe for so many years, he lied, cheated and embarrassed his wife publicly repeatedly, she divorces him and then five years later because of a song he is redeemed? Sorry but no, she was made weak by taking him back, in real life that reconciliation wouldn't even last 3 months. Because of his background and went on I'll say once a cheater always a cheater. Read it for yourself so you can understand where I'm coming from
Charisse is the ex-wife of a rapper who has had much success over the years. Terrance is the father of her children. He has given her and the children almost anything their hearts have desired. However, Terrance has not been innocent in their marriage the pressure of groupies and his male ego ruined the marriage that they had. Terrance loves his ex wife, he wonders if after 5 years he can ever when her back. Will he or won't he? Can he change his cheating ways and get the love of his life back? I love the reality Ms. Diamond put in her books..Hope you will too..
Before beginning this read, I perused a few reviews. And boy was there a mixed bag of opinions! In some instances, I could understand the reviewers POV. But in the end I decided to reserve my judgement until I finished the story! Let me just say, I loved it! And while the author took an unconventional approach in getting to a do-over for Charisse and Terrance, I was very satisfied with the outcome! I went from doubting their HEA, to rooting for them in the end! Very good read!
I enjoyed this book. Charisse and Terrence were together for years but got a divorce because he was constantly cheating on her. It's been five years since the divorce and he wants her back. In my opinion he didn't really do much to show her he changed but to each his own I guess. I like second chance books but this would have been a five star book if it was longer so he could really show her had would be faithful to her
Charisse and Terrence married young and when success soared them to the top fame and fortune along with infidelity tore them apart. Fate brought them back together and now they can have their forever! This was such a cute story, just goes to show what's meant to be will be! I always enjoy Delaney Diamond's novels and look forward to the next one in this series!
Redemption. Terrance and Charisse’s chemistry was still there even when they when suppose to be just friends after their divorce. This book was so good. Once Terrance realized that he wanted Charisse back and acknowledged his mistakes, it was on and popping. Kudos to Delaney Diamond on another awesome story.