Secrets

Big Bands Big Hearts #3

by Sandra Alex

An unforgettable bassist. A first love abandoned. A forced move to a foreign land. And a sinister fan that exposes a toxic secret…at the worst time.

Lizzee has the most beautiful smile. She’s the new girl in school, standing at the front of the auditorium, with a strange guy’s arm around her. As I play bass on stage, her eyes are on me. Days later, we’re working together, and she tells me how talented she thinks I am. Her knowledge of music is unfounded for a military brat, and I soon find out why. We spend an unforgettable few weeks together, and then she’s gone, without a trace. Thirteen years later, she resurfaces, with a new name, and I have no idea what happened to her…or how she found me. And it’s not until I watch her cling to life that I find out the truth.

***

Blaze is going places. He just doesn’t know it yet. But I do. With a father that I barely know and a mother that means everything to me, it’s a difficult balance. Being a vagabond means not making any ties, but once a tragedy almost touches down in my family, I’m forced to make one…but from a million miles away. It’s the reason I go back after thirteen years. It’s what I’ve always wanted but denied myself, until it happens by accident. But when I find him, he's not the same person, nor am I.

…one common thread holds us together. And I don’t know if it’s enough… until it’s almost too late, that is.

Genres: Second Chance, Contemporary

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2022

About the author

Meet your next book boyfriend.

Love stories that could actually happen.

New to Sandra Alex? Download your FREE BOOK and see what you've been missing https://dl.bookfunnel.com/9ak1h8gll1

About the Author

Sandra has been writing poems and short stories since middle school, and writing full length, self-published novels since 2010, using several pen names.

Writing full-length steamy romance series has quickly become a love for this author. Her stories have elements of humor, family issues, suspense and personal growth. Her books take the reader right into the bedroom with the characters to feel the same intensity as the lovers do in the story. Sandra's goal is to have the reader rooting for the main couple...and she doesn't disappoint.

You'll find this author working out weekday mornings at ungodly hours. She's gluten and dairy free, and is probably the only person on earth who doesn't do coffee or chocolate.

Her favorite movie is Bohemian Rhapsody, her favorite tv shows are Friends and The Connors. She's also a die-hard Rocky fan and has read the Fifty Shades trilogy and watched the movies more times than she cares to admit.

Sandra is married with two daughters and is a lover of all things four-legged, including her own two furbabies.

The Ford Brothers series focuses on five swoon-worthy brothers who each served in the military, and lost their billionaire father suddenly, which left them to run his airline after his death. Each book features one brother, but they make appearances in all five novels. In case you haven't guessed, the titles in the Ford Brothers series have been inspired by hazard warning signs, an idea the author came up with after completing a health and safety course prior to starting the series.

The Miles for Love series is about unexpected love, and it features the Lynch family; four brothers and one sister, who are each passionate, imperfect, and are just like you and I...but way sexier and with much more interesting lives. They are very individual and each have a unique story to tell.

The Rock Star Romance series is inspired by the death of Eddie Van Halen on October 6, 2020. It is a standalone series unlike any other this author has written. Look for this series! It's available now!

Ford Brothers Series order:

Proceed with Caution (Colton and Julia) second chance romance

Enter at Your Own Risk (Wade and Kendra) rock star/hate to love romance

Handle with Care (Garrett and Nora) second time around/betrayal romance

Slippery When Wet (Dalton and Amelia) widower romance/younger man & older woman

May Explode if Heated (Jack and Kristina) bad boy romance

Trespassers will be Prosecuted (Bryn and Liz) billionaire romance

Miles for Love Series order:

Crossing Boundaries (Daniel and Kayla) best friends to lovers romance

Crossing Oceans (Aleks and Mallorie) long-distance romance

Crossing Roads (Christopher and Ashley) hate-to-love romance

Crossing Hearts (Tyler and Ripley's story) second chance romance

Crossing Borders (Grant and Frankie's story) second chance romance

Rock Star Romance Series order:

Dress Rehearsal (Billy and Michelle's story)

Opening Night (Jimmy and Cindy's story)

Platinum (Tommy and Debbie's story)

World Tour (Danny and Diana's story)

Big Bands, Big Hearts Series order:

Dreams
Jump
Secrets
Unchained
Runaround

To learn more about Sandra, you can check her out here:

Website: https://www.sandraalexbooks.com
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/sandra-alex
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SandraAlexBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandraAlexBooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandra_alex...

Join her Facebook reading group Sizzling Reads by Sandra Alex:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/32052...

For a FREE Prequel for 'Proceed with Caution', 'Crossing Boundaries', and an

Reviews

[Maddy Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaze was in a rock band in high school when he met Lizzee. She was the new girl in school and they were so cute together. She loved music as much as he did, his lead singer dropped out and he asked Lizzee to join his band. One night he kept her out too late and her mom had a fit and put separation rules on the young lovers. Worse then that Lizzee and family left and never said goodbye. Twelve years later and neither one of them has moved on, or tried to fall in love again. In fact Blaze has made it an art form loving and leaving groupies. Then there’s Regan, crazy is too tame a word to describe her and her mom. She’s nuts and has plans for Blaze. This book has now crossed into the “I can’t put it down portion of the read!” Liz is about to enter his life. Things move quickly from here and it’s really good. This is the third book in the series, so I was a bit lost reading about the others in the band and a doctor called Ray. No matter I’m going to read book one next. Also anyone who knows me knows I hate cliffhangers more then liver, but I loved this book and now I’ll patiently wait for book four. I’m giving this book five stars and I highly recommend it.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance Rock Romance

Blaze and Lizzee met their senior year of high school and things just clicked leading them to love for the first time in their lives. Both also had a love of music so what could be better?! All of it suddenly comes to an end with Lizzee leaving town without a word to Blaze.

Now many years later Blaze has made it big and Liz is at the top of her career as well when all it takes is a job relocation change for Liz and an interview with a famous rock band. Yep, you guessed it…that is the band that Blaze is the bassist for. She’ll finally get to explain why she left so abruptly but will Blaze want to hear any of that? I mean, he is living the rock star life with groupies abounding. With that also can come the crazies and one has just latched on to him.

I have become a real fan of this series this author has written with just the right amount of the rocker lifestyle, steam and the women the guys fall for. I can’t wait to see what comes next!!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Sandra Alex for providing me with an ebook copy of Secrets for me to read and review. This was the addictive, fast paced story that is the norm for Alex's books! I flew through this book in only a couple days! This is the third book in the Big Bands, Big Hearts series and it followed the bassist, Blaze as one of the lead characters, but still gave readers glimpses of the previous characters that we have already grown attached to. There were a small number of grammatical and wording errors that I noticed while reading including the wrong name used at one point, however they weren't frequent enough to detract from the story. I am so excited that there are many more books coming in this series as there were a number of cliffhangers at the end, and I can't wait to see what will happen next!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic tale by Sandra. Fast paced, entertaining and just the perfect amount of steamy.

I don't typically enjoy books that take place in two periods of time but I loved the way Sandra did it in this story.

It was great for someone to put into words how much young love really can effect you for the long haul!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in The Big Bands, Big Heart's Series and it is Liz and Blaze's story. Blaze and Liz met while in school and both loved music so they had a strong and great connection until Liz suddenly disappeared and not saying goodbye. Year's later and they meet again and still have the same strong connection and never forgot each other but neither are the same after everything that they had been through in there lives but will this be there second chance or has too much time passed for it to work out. I really loved the characters and storyline and even though it has a cliff hanger ending I can't wait to read more book's in this series.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book. I really enjoyed it. I loved Blaze and for me is always a hero who makes or breaks the story. I loved the first person point of view which is always a deal breaker for me.

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

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Blaze and Lizzee's love story which begins as a high school romance that is detailed in at least the first third of this book. They truly love each other but then Lizzee disappears without a trace, Blaze is heartbroken. When they are reunited many years later, they are both successful in their chosen careers - he's the bass player in a rock band and she is an entertainment reporter. The love is still there but so is the hurt. I raced through the parts when they weren't together because there is just something so special about this couple that I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen. I really like the author's writing style. She tells great, engaging and emotional love stories that are just so interesting! Blake and Lizzee have a special place in my heart. 4.5 stars.

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

[Michelle Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandra Alex has this rock star genre down pat. You know you are going to get an easy and enjoyable story every time you open up one of Sandra's book.

This was the case with Secrets. Both characters were enjoyable to read. There is always something special about a second chance love story.

That being said I found it hard to believe that Lizzy wouldn't or couldn't at least try to get in touch after her move. If you love someone you can't not try and get in touch.

Even though the story was reasonably predictable, it was still a lovely read.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaze and Liz . . .

Blaze and Lizzee met their senior year of high school. She was a new student and he was singing on stage. They both loved music and she told him he would go far with his talent. Then suddenly, she and her family left town with no explanation.

Thirteen years pass and Blaze has no one serious in his life. He goes through the groupies but never getting close to anyone. Liz is sent to interview a rock band… and is back in Blaze’s world. Will she tell him why she left the way she did? Will either be interested in taking another chance on the other after all this time? And how will a crazy fan impact their lives and risk destroying any chance they have to be together?

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets is the 3rd book in the Big Bands, Big Hearts series and it centers on the bassist Blaze. Sandra Alex takes us to the beginning, where Blaze is playing in a rock band while in high school, and takes us to his adulthood where he is in one of the best bands on the circuit. We get to see Blaze and his first love Lizzie deal with their love of music and each other, family, secrets, and separation and how time brings them full circle to their HEA. This is a page turning great read. Blaze also has a crazed fan with an agenda that carries over into Book 4 so there is a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to Book 4 where we will learn more about Storm. I received this ARC and voluntarily give my review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in this series, and this is Blaze and Lizzee’s story. These two meets as seniors in high school, and they bond quickly, until Lizzee suddenly leaves town without a word. Now years later Blaze is a bassist in a famous rock band, and Lizzee is sent to interview his band. There is still an intense connection between them, and the chemistry is undeniable. This is a well written story with secrets, family, friendships, intrigue, 2nd chances, and love, which leads to an entertaining and compelling page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaze meets Elizabeth/ Lizze at high school she’s a new girl and he thought that this girl was going to break his heart, they fall in love then something devastating happens and Lizzee disappears. Years later the two meet again fate always intervenes now Blaze is a famous rockstar and Lizzee is a reporter she goes to his concert and when Lizze interviews the band Blaze recognises her and walks out. I loved this story it’s a fantastic read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Aimee Lombardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, Secrets is one fantastic continuation of this series.

All the drama, angst and secrets had me on the edge of my seat!!!

Can't wait for book four unchained to find out what happens next!!.

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

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it started I thought it was strange because they were so young and didn't fit her other stories.
Then it changed and I really enjoyed it.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!! Love every book in the series! I received an arc of this book.

[Jenn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance RockStar Romance

Lizzee and Blaze knew each other in highschool and fell in love almost instantly. The connection that they had then, even when they were ripped apart from one another, never diminishes. The story does not shy away from some darker themes that often exist in this world, but does so in a way that is not overwhelming or very obvious. I loved how the two reconnect, although I wish we see more of them after that point. I also loved the various points of view narratives in the book which added so much to the story. There are so many ways things can go moving forward and I can’t wait to see which path this world takes.

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

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

They're hot and heavy in high school, but she disappears, breaking his heart and keeping him away from future relationships. She's back as an entertainment reporter, and he wants nothing to do with her. This is the best book so far in the series. I'm in love with both Blaze and Lizzee, and can't fault either of them for the circumstances that broke them apart. The story is fast-paced, and I couldn't stop reading once I started. There's a little cliffhanger at the end, which ties this book into the next one. Can't wait! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rock stars and second chances

Blaze and Lizzee meet and fall in love, but she disappears. Years later they meet again and the spark is still there.
If you enjoy second chance romance and rock star romance, this latest installment in Sandra Alex's Big Bands, Big hearts series is for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.