FBI Special Agent Jesse Marx doesn’t know which is worse—waking up in a horse stable with no memories of the past several days or waking up to discover he’s wearing a wedding band. Not only has he been injured, but he’s also gotten hitched—something he vowed never to do.
Sienna Fleming refuses to feel a connection to any man, much less be tied down to one. But when she needs help solving a string of murders, Jesse is the only man she can turn to for help. Unfortunately, Jesse is ready to bolt. Considering the circumstances, she can’t blame him . . . but she also can’t let him go.
The two are roped into this together. . . for better or worse . . . because it will take a united effort to stop this killer before someone else dies.
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
Forgotten Secrets by Christy Barritt starts a new series on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. The first chapter starts with a bang, and then flips to the hero waking up in a place surrounded by people that he had never met before. The suspense does not happen until 40%, then Barritt allows the suspense to keep moving non-stop. Being the first book in a continuing series, it was important to lay the setting and the characters, which is exactly what Barritt had done. One of the issues that I found a little off setting was the romance between the heroine and the hero. They were married, but they had to develop emotions for each other, so this takes a little bit of time for this to happen. When they do find they want to be together, it was a little too easy for me. Overall, Forgotten Secrets by Christy Barritt fits nicely into the cozy mystery genre, but the romance was a little off.
I received a complimentary copy of Forgotten Secrets by Christy Barritt, but the opinions stated are all my own.
The gripping prologue hooked me and what followed kept me glued to the pages. I thought the whole idea behind the ranch was really cool. I'm definitely interested in spending more time there and seeing even more of what they do.
I was instantly intrigued by Jesse. He was tough, rugged, and, yeah, a little stubborn, too. But I liked him a lot. It took me a while to warm up to Sienna. She was very secretive, and I never did fully understand why some of those things were kept secret for so long. But once she started opening up and things started being revealed, I ended up liking her.
There was some suspension of belief needed for some things, but overall, this was a good start to a new series. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
This was a new to me author and I had heard that some people love her books an other people that DNF'ed her books so I was curious to see what I would think. I personally did like and enjoy this book, it was a short, fast paced mystery thriller that definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and the plot twists and reveals also got me so that's great. I liked Sienna and Jesse both separately but their chemistry was also pretty good and it was cute to see how despite the secrets and everything that they're going through, their marriage was slowly becoming real with real feelings developing between them. I will say though that for a Christian book there is barely any mentions of God and the characters don't seem to very spiritual and I don't fully remember if it's mentioned if they're even Christian or not. If you're looking for a more Christian based book this isn't it but if you're interested in reading a fast paced mystery then you might like this too.
Heart-Pounding Action from the first page to the last! Wow, how would you feel if one minute you know you are going to die and the next you wake up finding out you are married, and not remembering how it all happened? This is the beginning of another fantastic series written by Christy Barritt and I know I’ll be hooked in and love each book! Christy Barritt has a way of bringing unthinkable stories to life! The two main characters in this new book go through so much and they are on a time crush trying to solve this mystery before anyone else gets killed, as well as themselves. This book also has some fun interesting relational bits between Jesse and Sienna. Can they really find their way to a “happy ever after” as a married couple? You know a GREAT author when as you read, you experience all the emotions and fears the characters feel. Your heart beats fast, you find it hard to breathe, and all you want to do is get warm, clean, and safe. These two went through so much! I know I’ve said this before, but really, I wouldn’t ever want to be one of Christy Barritt’s characters because they are always running for their lives! When you read any books by Christy Barritt you’ll be taken on a ride like you will never believe. Her writings are always full of suspense, action, twist, and turns. This one is no different. There is so much that happens from the first page to the last that you will need to remind yourself to breathe as you read this book. (Or at least try to breathe!) The book takes us from one twist to another. We as readers, don’t know who has done it until the end. Try as I might, I’m always shaking my head and thinking, “why didn’t I guess that?” If you LOVE “who-done-it” stories with mystery, suspense, action, and a bit of relationship tension plus romance mixed in, you will love this book! I highly recommend you pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed. I was given this book by the author which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Special Agent Jesse Marx with the FBI has been undercover with a dangerous cartel and somehow has been made. The last thing he remembers is knowing he was about to die, the he wakes up on a farm in Arizona and meets the wife he doesn't remember marrying. His new wife, Sienna Fleming, is tough and packing a lot of baggage, but has one mission -- find out who is killing off persons involved in a military operation 15 years before and she thinks Jesse is the perfect person to help. But she goes about it in a very unorthodox way. Jesse is for all intents and purposes, a prisoner on a ranch out in the middle of nowhere. He doesn't know if the others on the ranch are friend or foe. Can Sienna convince Jesse to help her find out who murdered the vets -- and stop more from happening? Can she gain his trust? Did someone Jesse worked with in the FBI blow his cover? Does the cartel know he survived?
I enjoyed the southwestern setting and the premise of this first book in a new series, but struggled a little with liking the female main character at first. She seemed callous and hard, laughing at Jesse's discomfort. I began warming up to her halfway through. The book kept me guessing as to who was the good guys or the bad guys.
I received a free copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
FBI agent Jesse Marx wakes up in a horse stall after a cartel member throws him off the roof. What's more, he realizes he's legally married to the woman who saved him. They said their vows when he was in a medication-induced stupor at the hospital, and now this complete stranger -- his wife -- wants his help investigating three suspicious deaths, all while they avoid the cartel trying to kill him. But can he trust her and the others at Vanishing Ranch, where he woke up? I love this premise. I'm not sure most ordained people would marry someone off who is clearly drugged, but this might be the best marriage-of-convenience story yet. Constant action. I never guessed the culprit. Love both main characters. I'm not sure how much experience the author has with animals, though. Sienna says they don't have many overhead costs at the ranch, which includes several rescue horses. As a farmer with horses and other livestock, I can tell you the cost of hay alone would make your head spin. And mountain lions don't generally prey on people, with some exception. And I'm not sure how well a 5' woman could mount a Shire without help. Still, this is one of my favorites so far this year. Very fun, and I didn't want it to end.
The twists and turns don't stop is in this action packed book!
Once again, Christy Barritt delivers a unique and engaging story!
I enjoyed this book because it was so unique in the premise. Jesse Marx seemed to reach the end of his luck as an uncover FBI agent when he's thrown off a roof by the cartel. The next thing he knows he's in a horse stall (horse included) with no memory of how he got there. Oh and he's married another strange and confusing circumstance that Jesse has to face.
This story is full of action, but it also is touching in how Sienna's story plays out. It's also a story about trust and second chances.
Although, I'm not sure how I feel about the overarching storyline of the series, I look forward to what Barritt does next!
Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of this book from the author, but I was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This was a confusing one for me, and it was supposed to be.
The female lead in the story is annoyingly snarky at the beginning. She is trying to get the male lead to want to stay and help her company find answers to something that they are super vague about, but she keeps mocking him - although later in the story she tells him why she was like that - when you don't have that answer you want to take her aside and tell her to quit!
He wakes up after having fallen from a building and is quite surprised to find himself not only alive, but married to this snarky gal. Well, that's one way to get him to stay!
It's a rather confusing ride with lots of people trying to kill them and who ends up being in the middle of one of the mysteries is quite a surprise!
This is a clean read with a very mild Christian theme.
Vanishing Ranch is the place where abused women go when they need to escape their old lives and start afresh, with a new name, new life, and new home. But when FBI Special Agent Jesse Marx wakes up there and finds out he is married to a total stranger, it is the last place he wants to be. His last memory is of being confronted, his deep cover exposed, and a fall that should have killed him.
Sienna Fleming made the split decision to marry Jesse in order to get him released from the hospital and save his life. Now, she finds herself attracted to the handsome FBI agent.
The story progresses as they learn to work together. There is tension and mystery. The short segments/chapters move the story along at a rapid pace. This well-written book is a quick and fun read. A good start to a new series.
This was about a FBI agent, Jessie who nearly gets killed by the cartel when he is saved by a woman and a hug riding a dump truck. They take him in and pretty much holds Jessie hostage until he helps them with a mission.
This would be a book for fans of Jeneva Rose and Daniel Hurst. I'm not a fan either and that's probably why I absolutely disliked this book. With short simple sentences, the language being juvenile, the characters being bland...it was terrible for me. By the time I arrived at 50% I just skipped and skimmed and read the last chapter. I think the plot was good but it wasn't carried out well in my opinion. The writing style was juvenile. Everything just...was not my cup of Joe. I think if you like Hurst or Rose, you'd probably give this a five but for me, this was a one star
This book was more suspense than romance. Not much of a slow burn but not insta-love either. I enjoy reading romantic suspense but again this leaned heavier on the suspense than the relationship building, I felt. I didn’t feel any chemistry. There were only two scenes where they almost kissed and that felt very anticlimactic.
The premise - Guy wakes up and finds out he’s married to a woman he’s never met before and now he has to help her solve something if he wants her to make the marriage disappear. Things could have gone differently here and I just felt this was dull. The high rating is surprising to me.
This new Vanishing Ranch series begins with an intriguing opening scene and keeps up an exciting pace as the mystery unfolds. As expected from this prolific author, the suspense grabs you and doesn’t let go, continuing to escalate and keep you guessing. I was completely surprised by the person behind the murders. The concept of a remote desert ranch that helps hurting people and horses and acts as a base for investigators offers a compelling setting. I look forward to more thrilling tales. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Great start to a new series by Christy Barritt! This book has it all, a bit of romance, intrigue and secrets. Former CIA operative, Sienna Flemming and her friends abduct FBI Special Agent Jesse Marx after he was thrown off a building by the cartel. When he wakes up he’s on a ranch without much memory of the past few days, and married to Sienna. As they try to find out why people are dying and try to prevent more murders, things get pretty complicated. A must read!
Buckle up, because from the first page of Forgotten Secrets you will be going on a roller coaster of a ride. Trust is a big issue, since all the assumed trustworthy have their secrets, and the person Jesse is with, well, he had never met her before and she married him when he was drugged and unable to consent, let alone remember! Yet, people keep dying, and Jesse needs to get to the bottom of it as well as clear his name of false accusations. Yep! Buckle up, hang on, and enjoy the ride.
I enjoy books that are not based on reality. This one is really different with Sienna marrying Jesse when he is unconscious & without his consent. Also kidnapping him to Vanishing Ranch until she can convince him to help her with a secret matter. There is a lot going on in this story that makes it an excellent mystery. The romance is lite & the ending feels like something is missing. I've read book 2 & know, for now, this is the way this book will end. #2 deals with different people & a totally different plot. This is an excellent ride, however.
A book of suspense, danger and intrigue. Jesse never intended to marry so he was very surprised when he awoke in a barn with a wedding ring on his finger. How could he be married when he was obviously badly injured? Sierra has never intended to be tied down to a man but she desperately needed Jesse to agree to help solve several murders. Meanwhile, Jesse and Sierra have the cartel, FBI and the murderer all after them. Will they end up in prison or dead before they prove their innocence? Highly recommended book!
Lots of action and adventure in this story about and undercover FBi agent whose cover was blown. Jesse almost lost his life when his cover with a drug cartel was blown. Fortunately, Sienna and her team rescued him. Except, Jesse has no memory of the rescue or his fake marriage to Sienna. At first he’s suspicious of her motive, but as he gets to know Sienna and the group she works for, he begins to believe in their mission. There’s also the growing attraction between the pair. If only they can survive the bag guys!
And the list goes on. Think about this situation and what your reaction you would have been: Jesse woke up with lots and lots of pain and stitches and trying to figure out where he was. That wasn’t the biggest question on his mind; when and whom did he marry and why and what was he doing in this desert area. Start reading this awesome and page turner story now. Can’t wait for the next one.
Forgotten Secrets kicks off the new Vanishing Ranch series. The ranch is ostensibly a place where people go to disappear. Jesse and Sienna team up to track down whoever is killing squadron members that were in a fire fight in Afghanistan 15 years prior. Typical of Barritt's writing, there is suspense, danger, and romance. Good start for a new series.
Once again, Christy Barritt starts this series off with a winner! Jesse and Sierra are wonderful main characters. The excitement in the story starts immediately and continues throughout the book. I love how the strong women is portrayed in Sienna. She has dealt with a lot in her past and challenges herself to overcome the difficulties. The mystery and suspense throughout the book, makes this a must-read story!
Super predictable story line. And that wouldn't be a problem except it felt awkward and a bit unbelievable. Especially at the beginning with the marriage and everything. The storyline also felt a bit disjointed at the beginning like I missed something. With all of Siennas secrets and strange urge to laugh at everything, it just didn't flow. But it improved as it went along. It turned out fine, though I wouldn't read it again.
Plot seemed unreal to me, and the situations continued to be. They were government trained undercover missions.. To go along without any base of what was going on and relying on the other person to be telling you the truth. Especially when one has been undercover you are watching out for yourself, not blindly following someone else on their mission. This was a dud, without a good base of what and why this was being done.
My thoughts: This is the first book in a riveting new series by prolific author Christy Barritt. As usual, Ms. Barritt kept me guessing and I had to keep reading to find out what happens next. The action is nonstop and keeps the pages turning. The romance is weak and there is no faith message, but if you like suspense you will love this book. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.
This was an ok book. It was a very fast read and a highly condensed storyline. The two MCs basically went from distrust and strangers to in love and ready for life in about 3 weeks. The "bad guy" was at least a surprise and the ending left it wide open for a series continuation. I'm assuming with more couples finding each other in unlikely ways. It was a clean story (cozy-style) with some Christian aspects.
This books grabs you in the very first sentence and by the end of the first chapter, you can't wait to see what happens next! The latest book from Christy Barritt delivers it all - interesting characters and situations, mystery around every turn, clues to follow and a story that keeps you in suspense until the surprising climax! This is a stand alone read but I am looking forward to more stories about Vanishing Ranch and the people who live/work there. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.
Once again Ms. Barritt has the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end in this romantic suspense. Jesse and Sienna work together to solve a couple of cases, not knowing who to trust, and having their lives endangered several times. Great start to this new series.
3.5 stars The mystery and danger parts of this book were good. I like a fast paced plot and this one kept me interested all the way through. The romance was very anti climactic though, in an after the fact way. No first kiss moment here. It left me a little disappointed. Thus the 3.5 stars instead of 4. Content: mild peril, mild violence, death.
This is one of Christy Barritt’s best books. The complex plot kept me on my toes to the very last page. Sienna and Jesse are some of my favorites. I loved how they worked together and trusted each other despite their own personal, past experiences. Ms. Barritt knows how to write an amazing mystery.
Sigh … so romantic (smile) and exciting. This is one of those stories that has it all: great story line, suspense, action, romance … and all well balanced. Ms. Barrett has strong female leads, but the strong, tender male heroes make her stories the really great romances … very enjoyable.
A complex plot with two main threads and plenty of suspense and tension. Jesse Marx and Sienna Fleming are two interesting, complex characters, each with a story of betrayal. They're brought together in an unusual way, strangers yet married, and they're forced to trust each other when they face multiple life and death situations.