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ONCE YOU FIND
Everything in attorney Skye Barclay's life is fitting smoothly into place until she makes the startling discovery that she was adopted. Not only does she learn that her birth mother has died, but now Skye finds out that she has a biological brother: Vincent. Skye wants to track him down, and her parents support her. But her fiancé, Wayne, refuses to accept her decision…and abruptly ends their engagement.

A LOVE THAT'S TRUE
Skye's search for Vincent leads her to his adoptive parents, Dr. Justin and Lorren Madaris, and, lo and behold, Slade Madaris—Vincent's tall, dark, and sexy cousin. Slade is by far the most compelling man Skye has ever met, but she isn't ready to get involved so soon after Wayne's rejection…not even when Slade offers her a job so she can stay in town and get to know her brother better.

MAKE IT LAST…FOREVER.
Slade is a shrewd businessman, but hiring Skye is one of the riskiest moves he's ever made. Soon their mutual attraction explodes into a steamy summer affair. When Wayne shows up in town, determined to win Skye back, Slade sets out to prove that he and Skye are meant to be together. Because a Madaris man never walks away from a challenge—especially when true love is on the line…

--back cover

292 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 30, 2007

74 people are currently reading
720 people want to read

About the author

Brenda Jackson

895 books3,588 followers
In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.

In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.

In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.

Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.

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5 stars
812 (60%)
4 stars
367 (27%)
3 stars
130 (9%)
2 stars
24 (1%)
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,339 reviews38 followers
July 23, 2014
This 14th book's story line was okay. This story is slow moving. I didn't like Skye's parents. I felt sorry for Skye. I liked how the Madarises stick together. I liked the ending.
Profile Image for SassyMama.
1,016 reviews4 followers
October 26, 2007
Sizzlin' As Always

Congratulations and Kudos, Mrs. Jackson on this being your 50th novel! PLEASE, keep 'em coming! All I want to know is how can I marry into the Madaris Family?...LOL..."Slow Burn" offers another thrilling rollercoaster ride with the Madaris'.~~~~~~~Mrs. Jackson did an EXCELLENT job with Slade and Skye's romance. I enjoyed the instant attraction between Skye and Slade. The storyline as always flowed effortlessly across the pages. The characters as usual are UNFORGETTABLE. Main and secondary characters will have you LOL at their antics. Slade is definitely a gentleman that knows how to provide satisfaction to HIS woman, not just a physical satisfaction, but he showed Skye he was capable of being their for her emotionally, too. I totally got caught up in all the passion and desire between Slade and Skye it was so intense it just about scorched the pages. I love the way Mrs. Jackson always brings you up to speed with what's happening with the rest of the family and their circle of friends. You also get a secondary romance with Nedwyn Lansing & Diana Madaris (an older couple), which is okay, but I was more interested in the main characters. This is definitely a CLASSIC Brenda Jackson romance! Now, I am anixously awaiting the next Madaris novel!~~~~~~~FYI, the description on the back of the book states that Skye Barclay is an attorney, but in the novel, she's an accountant...OOPS! Still, if you are a TRUE Madaris fan, this is a DEFINITE MUST READ...you will not be disappointed!
Profile Image for JigsawGirl.
4,141 reviews
June 8, 2020
I would rate this book at 3.5 stars. The most interesting part was the mystery of Skye's parentage and the reasoning behind her ex-fiance and adoptive parents attempts to force a marriage.

I thought it was nice that the Madaris clan gave her a sense of family and were so accepting. Of course, more emphasis was placed on her relationship with Slade rather then her relationship with the brother she came to town to find.

I also liked that there wasn't as much angst between the couple as in some of the other books. I listened to the audio version of the book and thought the narration was well done.

On the minus side, I truly got tired of hearing about the Madaris stubbornness, the Madaris men getting what they want, etc. How many times do the Madaris family have to verbalize all of their wonderful qualities? How many times do they have to discuss the "taste" of one another? A few too many times in this book. For me, the frequency of the statements throughout the book took away from the story.

Profile Image for Tanya Mayes.
710 reviews23 followers
July 14, 2014
This was a very tender love story. Slade Mardaris and Skye Barclay met when Skye in search of her biological brother Vincent after finding out she was adopted. Showed up at Dr. Justin & Lorren Madaris's Ranch. From the moment Slade opened the door it was love a first sight for them. I love that Slade was considered the "Slow Burn" instead of being like his twin brother Blade "Mr. BAM". Slade was a slow sensual lover, super caring just what skye needed a man to show her that she is special and loved. After dealing with her ex-finance and her adopted parents. I'm not giving this story 5 stars because I didn't care for the side story with Skye's ex and the mystery person, they really could have been out of the story they didn't add anything. I love the side romance between Senator Lansing and Diana Madaris, now that was really sweet. "No pills needed" :)

It was still a good read because Slade was a Madaris Man on a mission.
Profile Image for Valerie.
36 reviews
September 30, 2008
The Madaris' remind me of the families popularized by TV shows like Dallas and Dynasty. They just have to be African American. It's a big, sprawling clan. They have lots of money, land and history. They are all beautiful and so are all their friends. When Skye Barclay comes on the scene, claiming to be the half-sister to one of the partriarch's adopted sons, the Madaris confirm her story and welcome her with open arms. They just don't count on the baggage Skye brings with her. The story becomes overly complicated and difficult to follow. Way to many Madaris' to keep up with!
Profile Image for The Book Junkie Reads . . ..
5,010 reviews153 followers
December 26, 2019
This is a Madaris book true to form. Skye is looking for her brother. She tracks her brother to the Madaris original couple (Tonight and Forever). Finding her brother was all she was looking for, she most certainly got much more than that in Slade.

This is most certainly a read the will read again and again. Jackson make the Madaris Family & Friends a series to come back to over and over again.
Profile Image for Whit.
3,638 reviews51 followers
October 16, 2014
Awesome story! Engaging characters! Absolutely loved it! I love a man who protects what's his. When Slade Madaris opened the door he had no idea that the woman of his dreams was standing on the other side. When Skye Barclay set out to finally meet Vincent, the brother she never knew she had, she had no idea that super sexy Slade, would make all her dreams come true as well as protect her from some really dangerous people. Well Done!
Profile Image for Michele Minor.
449 reviews4 followers
September 14, 2009
The plot about Skye finding her biological half brother and the suspense that her ex fiancee is trying to marry her so that he can inherit his trust fund makes the book interesting since you want to find out the identity of Skye's biological father. When traveling to Texas to find her biological brother she meets Slade Madaris when the sparks fly between them.
Profile Image for Chelsea.
67 reviews
October 19, 2013
Ssssss.... what a slow burn it was. I really like this one, the modest twin Slade was a great fit for Miss Skye.. I enjoy the fact that the Madaris family and friends support one another on all endeavors and dilemmas. A strong family like this one can stand against anything. I love this story and I definitely look forward to reading about the bachelor twin "Blade."
Profile Image for Angela.
591 reviews3 followers
August 30, 2011
Nice intro into the younger cousins.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,102 reviews62 followers
August 28, 2022
Thank you to Katie Mettner (author) who I won this book from on her FB page.

I'm a little confused but on the back of the book it stated that she was an attorney but in the first few pages it mentioned that she was an accountant for a real estate company. What I thought was funny that it had 4 pages of the Medaris' family and friend of family tree. I was thinking, I hope all these characters aren't in the book. A lot of the family was and maybe some of the family friends but didn't go back and forth to see who was and who wasn't.

I like romances but this one was a little bit too romance-y and sex ridden for my usual tastes. I liked the Medaris family and how they protected and helped Skye and the almost end of the book was eye-opening.

The epilogue was predicable as always.
Profile Image for K Lamb.
112 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2020
Mrs. Jackson always knows how to keep her readers wanting for more. From the first page til the last, the characters, plots, and climaxes captures her readers. The main character Skye Barclay is searching adamantly for her biological brother. While searching for one thing, she ended up blessed with 10x more. And what can you say about those Madaris men??? Whew, they make the pages in the book catch a fire. Slade truly accepted her for who she was and convinced her to stop caring so much about what others think.
111 reviews
August 27, 2019
I really love this story

I love this story so much, it is one of my favorite book my mrs. Jackson. I have read this story so many times, I love the relationship between slade and skye, it was beautiful. If you haven't reed this story by Mrs . Jackson you should read it soon, it is a great book.



1,242 reviews9 followers
May 13, 2022
Excellent read

Excellent read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Slade and Skye’s love story was erotic and thrilling. It had a few twists and turns. Skye found her biological family and the love of her life. Also, Senator Ned Lansing and Diana Madaris finally acknowledged their love and became one. As always, it was great catching up with the Madaris family and friends.
3 reviews
October 17, 2024
Mrs. Jackson knows what she is doing when it comes to hooking a reader into her stories. This was a 1 day read for me and she will always be an automatic buy author for me!

Skye's story had me teary eyed and in love all at the same time. This was a wonderful read regarding healing, reaching out and found family. Loved it.
Profile Image for Chad.
60 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2020
This one truly surprised me. I love all of Brenda’s books but the suspense in this one I wasn’t prepared for. The Madaris series is proving to be maybe her best series yet. I always thought it was the Westmorelands but now I’m on the fence. Great suspense, great drama, great romance, great read.
52 reviews
March 3, 2025
Can't get enough of reading Ms. Jackson's booms

I've said this over and over, but I simply cannot get enough of the Madaris clan and friends. I just love the continuation of characters and the story lines
Profile Image for Zabel94.
13 reviews
March 14, 2025
Audible book review: Slow Burn not only fits Slade, but the progress of the story. Once it got going, the multiple story lines and mystery did make the book worth reading.
Added bonus: story was read by a male. This put a different depth to the story making it more interesting.
24 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2016
REVIEW

Once again Brenda displayed your unyielding adventure for true love. This is another page turning , can not put you down until I'm finish.
222 reviews
July 12, 2017
Ugh, the typos and grammatical errors! A good proofreader would've done wonders. And editing.
Profile Image for santonia.
2 reviews
August 21, 2019
Just go ahead and read it already..

Seriously just do it. I you already have read the rest of the series you wont be disappointed in it
Profile Image for Kim.
148 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2019
Another good Madaris read, and I really liked Nedwyn and Diana's story
Profile Image for Darlene Dejohnette.
130 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2019
Love The Madaris series!!!!!!! Wish I could run into one of these 🔥🔥🔥🔥, smart and family oriented men. I've now read the whole series....on to the Westmore series.
Profile Image for Pierrette.
31 reviews
March 2, 2021
A Good read

Interesting story, filled with plot twists. Wouldn’t expect less from Ms Jackson. Includes a side story about Senator Ned Lansing and Diana Madaris
Profile Image for Tigger.
1,490 reviews7 followers
April 20, 2023
How I never read this story is a total mystery to me!
Star rating: 4.5
21 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2023
Slow Burn Sparks Falmes

Mrs. Jackson does it again. More challenging stories and excited twists. Slade is a slow burn but sparks a great fire.
Profile Image for Turtleberry Turtleberry.
Author 49 books49 followers
May 18, 2024
Slade and Skye had me at hello. They fell in love the moment they met each other. There was a lot of drama getting them to happily ever after but this was such a good book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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