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Enigma Rose: First Lady
Joshua Steadman, the mayor of a small town on the outskirts of Washington DC, is on the fast track to the United States Senate. He has all the makings of a voter-friendly politician. He’s handsome, charismatic, and has the perfect first lady who is more popular than him. Unfortunately for the mayor, his wife becomes sick and, on the eve of her death, comes clean about a disturbing lie she told him about his first love and sexual obsession, the enigmatic Rose Umbra. The truth changes everything he thought he knew about his wife and resurrects his obsession that died the day his wife told him the lie. Now his enigmatic ghost from his past haunts his every move and disrupts all his big plans he made with his wife’s replacement.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2021
About the author
S.E. Reynolds
3 books5 followersSE Reynolds loves to write about everyday people who do disturbing things just to capture life's most desired possessions, like money, love, and unbelievable sex. Enigma Rose: First Lady and its sequel, Enigma Rose: First Love, not only do just that but also delve into the demons that haunt these characters' psyche.
Her new novel, Brood 17 - The Grooming of Misty Dawn, delves into trauma and, if left untreated, can cause someone to go insane or be susceptible to unexplained outside forces.
Authors who have inspired her range from Faulkner and Poe to Paula Hawkins and Gillian Flynn. She loves stories with complex, multi-dimensional characters and settings that have a goth vibe.
Reynolds is passionate about raising her three boys; working out; cuddling with her Maltipoo, Bearcub; and sipping on a smooth Bordeaux. She lives in Northern Virginia on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., where she was born and raised.
Her new novel, Brood 17 - The Grooming of Misty Dawn, delves into trauma and, if left untreated, can cause someone to go insane or be susceptible to unexplained outside forces.
Authors who have inspired her range from Faulkner and Poe to Paula Hawkins and Gillian Flynn. She loves stories with complex, multi-dimensional characters and settings that have a goth vibe.
Reynolds is passionate about raising her three boys; working out; cuddling with her Maltipoo, Bearcub; and sipping on a smooth Bordeaux. She lives in Northern Virginia on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., where she was born and raised.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 20, 2021
S.E. Reynolds, ‘Enigma Rose’.
As an Hidden Gems ARC reader I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily promised an honest review. Here it is.
Rating: 3 (of 5 stars).
In general: Complicated Relationships.
Main characters:
- Joshua Steadman.
He had a childhood full of poverty and domestic violence. He got a free education that he had to pay back with a military career. After the army he became a respected cop. But shocked by a bad incident he abruptly left the police. With the help of his wife Melissa he became the mayor of a small city (Fairview) in Oregon, also a respected job however with a miserable salary. They had one son, JJ, who suffered from ADHD.
Two years ago Melissa died suffering from cancer.
- Rose Umbra.
The girl Joshua fell in love with during his study. She liked their physical attraction but didn’t want exclusivity or a permanent relationship.
The enigmatic Rose was a roommate of Melissa. Twenty five years ago she suddenly left town after a heated discussion with her father.
After a while Joshua fell in love with Melissa; they married and she became a very suitable, admired ‘first lady’ of the mayor. But Joshua never forgot Rose, his passionate ex-lover.
- Stacie Shewster (37).
She’s partner in a very lucrative law firm living in a dream home in an upscaled community in Fairview. She isn’t a striking beauty, very focused on her career and unlucky with her (few) dates. Stacie desperately wants a permanent relationship and children.
- Virginia Barnes.
She was married to Harry and they had one child, Robert. She hated his behavior and they divorced becoming co-parents of the boy; but her relationship with her ex remained problematic.
She works as an editor for a publishing house.
Two years after Melissa’s death, mayor Joshua is looking for another permanent relationship. He incidentally meets Virginia and some time later Stacie and realizes that each woman could help him with his political ambitions.
Both are trying very hard to win the attractive Joshua with the respected position and are very jealous of each other. (For me, their manipulations are a bit overdone to remain credible).
The author, S.E. Reynolds, describes in an original plot how Joshua handles the two interested women. But his old flame Rose stays in his mind. The result is an interesting (but a gloomy) story with wild scheming characters, a lot of lies, a few unsuspected secrets from the past and a surprising ending.
R. Huiszoon.
As an Hidden Gems ARC reader I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily promised an honest review. Here it is.
Rating: 3 (of 5 stars).
In general: Complicated Relationships.
Main characters:
- Joshua Steadman.
He had a childhood full of poverty and domestic violence. He got a free education that he had to pay back with a military career. After the army he became a respected cop. But shocked by a bad incident he abruptly left the police. With the help of his wife Melissa he became the mayor of a small city (Fairview) in Oregon, also a respected job however with a miserable salary. They had one son, JJ, who suffered from ADHD.
Two years ago Melissa died suffering from cancer.
- Rose Umbra.
The girl Joshua fell in love with during his study. She liked their physical attraction but didn’t want exclusivity or a permanent relationship.
The enigmatic Rose was a roommate of Melissa. Twenty five years ago she suddenly left town after a heated discussion with her father.
After a while Joshua fell in love with Melissa; they married and she became a very suitable, admired ‘first lady’ of the mayor. But Joshua never forgot Rose, his passionate ex-lover.
- Stacie Shewster (37).
She’s partner in a very lucrative law firm living in a dream home in an upscaled community in Fairview. She isn’t a striking beauty, very focused on her career and unlucky with her (few) dates. Stacie desperately wants a permanent relationship and children.
- Virginia Barnes.
She was married to Harry and they had one child, Robert. She hated his behavior and they divorced becoming co-parents of the boy; but her relationship with her ex remained problematic.
She works as an editor for a publishing house.
Two years after Melissa’s death, mayor Joshua is looking for another permanent relationship. He incidentally meets Virginia and some time later Stacie and realizes that each woman could help him with his political ambitions.
Both are trying very hard to win the attractive Joshua with the respected position and are very jealous of each other. (For me, their manipulations are a bit overdone to remain credible).
The author, S.E. Reynolds, describes in an original plot how Joshua handles the two interested women. But his old flame Rose stays in his mind. The result is an interesting (but a gloomy) story with wild scheming characters, a lot of lies, a few unsuspected secrets from the past and a surprising ending.
R. Huiszoon.
February 5, 2023
This was not what I was quite expecting. I thought I was reading a traditional thriller, but what I got was an explicit sex novel with a thriller twist. Joshua Steadman, the mayor of a small town in Virginia, has lost his wife to cancer and is left to raise a son with special needs. He tries to get back into the dating game and meets an attractive divorcee, Virginia. They have a short and steamy relationship, but Joshua is haunted by the memory of Rose a college lover.
Each chapter of the novel is written from the point of view of a specific character and this works effectively in telling a tale of betrayal, obsession, and murder. The explicit sexual dialogue will not be to everyone’s taste, and there is little redeeming in any of the main characters, but I found it an easy read with twists. I recommend this or a long plane flight or holiday read.
Each chapter of the novel is written from the point of view of a specific character and this works effectively in telling a tale of betrayal, obsession, and murder. The explicit sexual dialogue will not be to everyone’s taste, and there is little redeeming in any of the main characters, but I found it an easy read with twists. I recommend this or a long plane flight or holiday read.
August 22, 2021
I enjoyed this steamy romance story. This is a new author for me which I look forward to reading more from them in the future. I enjoyed being pulled into the story by the characters from the beginning. This is a well written story about a small town named Fairview. What we learn about this town is that it has alot going on but it is never boring. I enjoyed the characters as they are unique and how they brought the story to life. They made the story fun, easy and entertaining to read. I found this book to be fast paced as well as hard to put down. I really enjoyed this book and what the characters brought to the story. I highly recommend this book.
August 29, 2021
Holy cow! When I first started reading, I had a hard time getting into the book. It was confusing because each chapter was some else’s point of view. I’m thinking too much going on. Once I start reading, I have to finish the book. I’m glad I continued reading. Some many twist and turns! I never expected the ending. Boy was I surprised! I ended up enjoying it. Once you figured out the details between the characters, things started falling in place. Yes, it was chopping and not well written, it still blew my mind.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.
August 20, 2021
This is a book that did not a one likeable character. After making a source of passion, Rose disappears. I read through a lot of bland story. I only stilled with yet believing Rose would be back. The action hits when Rose finds her, and went to her. This was different a typical romance. Actual, it wasn't a romance.
March 7, 2023
I was asked to give an honest review. I had a hard time finishing this book. I was really hoping to like it so I could write a positive review. This story could use a little more character development. It did not have a single likable character. I found the storyline predictable and it didn’t seem to evolve naturally.
October 17, 2021
Excellent book
I loved this book, fast paced and thoroughly kept my interest. Maybe not for everyone, I'd have to give it an R rating. If you like a great read and don't mind some pretty sexy dialog this is a great book. I will definitely be looking for Reynolds next book.
I loved this book, fast paced and thoroughly kept my interest. Maybe not for everyone, I'd have to give it an R rating. If you like a great read and don't mind some pretty sexy dialog this is a great book. I will definitely be looking for Reynolds next book.
November 3, 2022
Great book! Wonderfully descriptive characters and a town that I could easily visualize, having lived in that area for many years. I love books with twists that I don't figure out in advance.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews