Hidden Obsession

Obsession #2

by Susan Vaughan

A woman hiding a secret…
Financial straits force freelance writer Sheridan Harte to return to her Maine hometown to ghostwrite a memoir. Sheri just wants to do her job and avoid revisiting her tragic past. But after a brutal murder and attacks on her best friend and her client, she resolves to stay. Sheri then finds herself in the arms of a determined blue-eyed cop tempting her with humor and toe-curling kisses. And in the crosshairs of a killer.

A man seeking the truth…
As Detective Justin Wylde investigates the murders, he encounters more suspects with secrets than boulders on the rockbound coast. Past betrayals taught him not to trust, but he can’t help being drawn to Sheri. The puzzling case endangers her life, but also keeps Justin from protecting this beautiful woman whose caring heart and sexy laugh make him long for more than a fling.

A killer stalking the next victim.
Passion and trust grow between Sheri and Justin. When her secret is revealed, Justin turns away, but must face hard truths in his own past. Can he solve the case before the killer carries out a special plan for Sheri?

Genres: Romantic Suspense

363 pages, ebook

Published October 2, 2019

About the author

I wanted to write as soon as I learned to read. I dabbled with stories and poems for years, but didn't start writing seriously until many years later. My favorite books have always been mysteries and romances, so the mix in romantic suspense was a natural. I love writing romantic suspense because it throws the hero and heroine together under extraordinary circumstances and pits them against a clever villain.
My books have been both a Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Nominee and a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Reviewers have called my books fast-paced, thrilling, action-packed, sizzling, and highly emotional.
I have also published two children's picture storybooks, Sleigh Magic and Stowaways: a Maine Pirate Tale.
I am a West Virginia native but I have lived for many years on the coast of Maine.
For more information about my books, please visit me at www.susanvaughan.com or as Susan Vaughan, Author on FaceBook.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

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[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a small fishing village in Maine, this crime romance brings together a detective with a heart and a writer. I found the main characters in this book interesting and enjoyed the fact that whilst Justin Wylde was protective and caring towards Sheri, he respected her views and intelligence, and took her observations into consideration, especially as the killer's strikes were getting closer to home. Although suspenseful, the book isn't particularly gruesome. The plot is also interesting and with all the inhabitants' lives being intertwined, everyone is a suspect. Justin has only one rule in relationships: honesty. When he discovers Sheri's secret, he feels that his trust has been broken and it takes yet another threat to her life for him to sort out the differences between his own past and Sheri's experiences. This book is well written and kept my interest, and comes to a successful close. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling Mystery . . .

I really enjoyed this book which captured my attention right at the start. As Sheri Harte arrives in town, her best friend Deb has witnessed a murder and is fearful of the killer coming after her to keep her quiet. Aside from the intriguing mystery itself, the romance developing between Justin Wylde, the investigating homicide detective, and Sheri, who was in town to ghostwrite a book for her client, kept the suspense level right where it needed to be.

Sheri has an upsetting incident in her past, and Justin feels somehow betrayed by her not sharing it with him. When Sheri becomes a target of the murderer, however, he needs to step up and protect her. Will they get everything straightened out? Will they discover the murderer? Or will the bodies continue to mount up?

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman torn apart by the suicide of her boyfriend when she was 15.
A detective that does no trust any woman.
Yet she play a pivotal role in a murder and he needs to protect her.
But is there more?
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.

[Elene Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheri is returning to Dragon Harbour after many years to ghost write the memoirs of her best friend’s grandmother, Miriam, a feisty octogenarian. The return is bitter sweet, filled with traumatic memories of her youth and the reasons she left in the first place. Without revealing spoilers suffice to say all will be revealed as he story progresses.

Sheri’s arrival coinsides with her best friend Deb witnessing a murder and waiting for the arrival of the police. Enter Justin, detective in charge of the investigation.

There is immediate chemistry between Sheri and Justin and with her amazing attention to detain and recalling what she can see soon draws her into the investigation.

As the incidents and bodies mount up so does the chemistry between Sheri and Justin.

For me it was a good ‘who done it’ more than a romantic suspense but I enjoyed the book and have gone ahead and bought the first book even though the book can be read as a standalone.

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I have voluntarily reviewed the book and this is my honest review.

[Maretha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with sparks, suspense and hot loving. An enjoyable read with lots of twists. You can’t help but love both Justin and Sheri. Two people finding something special with each other when they least expected it. A must read for all action/suspense romance lovers. A really really enjoyable read.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Kaitlyn Dunnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely twisty plot.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is wow - what a thrilling adventure with characters you want to know and a twisty mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down and not wanting it to end when I got to the last page. I loved the instant attraction and undeniable chemistry between freelance writer, Sheri Harte and Detective Justin Wylde, and their dynamic with the secondary characters added to my reading pleasure. Ms. Vaughan is one of my favorite writers and never disappoints whatsoever; and I can hardly wait to see what she will have for us next. If you enjoy well-crafted suspenseful romance, you will love "Hidden Obsession". I received an advance reader copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. I enjoyed it so much, I purchased a copy to read again later.

[Douglas Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great crime and romantic adventure involving Sheri Harte a freelance writer who meets Justin Wilde a Maine state detective and eventually romance starts. This story kept me engrossed in the drama and is a can’t put down book. The plot begins with a brutal murder and gains momentum when an elderly woman who Sheri is ghostwriting a memoir for is assaulted.
Even as Sheri becomes a killer’s target the story takes twists and turns to the dramatic conclusion amid sexy get togethers.
I really like this addition to the Obsession series and can’t wait for the next book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Silke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Obsession is the perfect title for this book. I had a few inklings about the murderer towards the end but still Susan kept the road so twisted and curved that I was still surprised about how it played out. Great entertaining read with numerous very likeable and unique characters where the romance between Sheri and Justin is a sub-plot that adds to the complexity of the story and fuels some of the developments in the investigation, but is not the focus. Definitely a book you will want to finish once started!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freelance ghostwriter Sherri Harte returns to her hometown when contracted to write a memoir. A place that is shrouded in traumatic memories and pain for her. When a murder stuns the town, there will be o shortage of suspects. Justin Wylde crosses paths with Sherri during his investigation of the murder, their attraction is immediate. When the killer strikes again the danger comes even closer.
I enjoyed the blend of secrets, mystery and romance. It kept me interested from the first chapter to the last.

[Christine Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful Story The main characters in this story were very interesting. Each were strong with human frailties and likeable. Sheri was exceptional in assisting with the solving of the crimes with Justin's backup. The romance was well written and enjoyable. This story also contains other intriguing characters . I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Obsession series a well written mystery suspense story that kept me turning pages. Freelance writer Sheridan Harte returns to her Maine hometown where she meets Detective Justin Wylde. Their story kept me on the edge of my seat. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book read more like a mystery/suspense with romance in it. It's just not my type of writing style-very matter of fact-like, but I'm sure others will like it. We follow Justin and Sheri as they are taken on a little journey with this streak of violence.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, it had me hooked form the beginning. It left you guessing until the end as to who was the one behind it all. The relationship between Justin and Sheri added to the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 star

I stumbled over a few trivial things but overall I enjoyed this book. Solid romantic suspense. . . . .

[Dawn Cyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheri Harte is a ghostwriter with a tragic past, which haunts her. Upon returning to her hometown in Maine where she grew up. She meets up with her longtime friend Deb Delano, but Deb just witnessed a murder taking place this morning while taking her dog for a walk.
Justin Wylde, state homicide detective comes to Maine to investigate.
In the midst of all this drama sparks are flying between Justin and Sheri. Deb is afraid she is being stalked,because she saw the murder.
Her grandmother, Mariam who Sheri is ghost writing for, is enjoying playing matchmaker instead of recording her memoirs.
This is an exciting and compelling story. Driven by well developed characters. Action packed with suspense and hidden twists around every corner to the last page.
I received this book from Ebook Discovery. I volunteered to review and this is my honest review.

[Irene S · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want romance and steamy scenes mixed with your mystery and suspense, this might be the book for you,. There is plenty. The book did start a little slow for me, but it does pick up to a suspenseful end. I like that Sheridan and Justin are developed characters, whose secrets are slowly revealed I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I really liked this book.