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The Lies That Bind

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When the man that Dr. Teresa McCall promised to forsake all others for cheats on her, she is devastated. The crippling blow starts Teresa on a downward spiral that threatens not only her marriage, but also the career she has worked so hard for. Cloaked in a haze of frustration, Teri falls under the spell of fellow doctor Sean Morris, a cardiologist with one of Atlanta’s top hospitals. However, Dr. Morris is harboring a dark secret that not even the seasoned psychiatrist can sniff out.
It doesn’t take long before the heat from their explosive affair sets off a chain of events revealing a world where nothing is what it seems. Driven by emotion, Teri finds herself entangled in her own web of lies, distracted by her failing marriage, and unaware that a danger is circling and ready to destroy life as she knows it. When Teri is faced with a harsh reality, she decides it’s time to right her wrongs and see if she still has a marriage to fight for. Unfortunately, Sean has other plans. Teri soon finds herself standing between her husband and her lover, letting her heart choose for her; but a stray bullet threatens to take away her right to choose.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

1 person is currently reading
43 people want to read

About the author

D.L. Sparks

7 books49 followers
D.L.Sparks lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia where she is currently working on her next novel. You can visit her online at www.dlsparks.com "

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5 stars
21 (36%)
4 stars
22 (37%)
3 stars
9 (15%)
2 stars
5 (8%)
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1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Cheryl.
267 reviews53 followers
April 7, 2011
This book had me hooked from the start! I really thought Donovan was a jerk. Yes, Teri was really focused on her career and didn't pay enough attention to Donovan, but it sure was no excuse for Donovan to go off and have an affair in the first place. Neither one of them is perfect though. Teri really should have cut down on her hours and tried to get her marriage working better instead of trying to find a friend in Sean. Donovan wanted her to quit her job. I think she was afraid she would do that and he would just keep cheating on her and she would have no job and no husband.

The Lies That Bind was a page turner that was just full of surprises! I enjoyed every bit of this book, even though I got mad at the characters sometimes. The sex scenes were HOT! Nothing like a book with sex and suspense all wrapped up in one! D. L. Sparks did an excellent job bringing the characters to life for me, and I look forward to reading more from her!
Profile Image for African Americans on the Move Book Club.
726 reviews209 followers
May 15, 2010
Dr. Teresa McCall was a doctor who normally listened to everyone’s problems for a living, but got a devastating dose of reality when trouble hits home. Always able to figure out someone’s drama, she had no way of figuring out her own drama. Although her husband Donavan did the unthinkable when he carried on an affair for a year with a woman that gave him what Teresa didn’t. Love, affection and attention came second to her career and she left an opening for another woman to give her husband what he needed.
With a little effort on Teresa’s part to make their marriage work, she played her husband to the left because she just couldn’t get over the affair even though six months had past. Things get more complicated when Sean enters the picture trying to be Donavan’s replacement. He was there to cater to Teresa’s emotional disorder, because after the storm becomes too much for Teresa she decided that her husband was the better man for her. That only ignites a flame in Sean that causes him to literally stalk her.
The Lies That Bind started off kind of subtle then it escalated to some levels that started to make Teresa look foolish. Although her husband did wrong, she had a major part in it, by not being the wife that he needed. Although Donavan made every attempt to correct his wrong, she was more resistant and allowed Sean to swoop in and basically talk her into doing everything that was against her marriage. As her situation got worst, I was kind of hoping that her husband wouldn’t take her back. I got to a point where her behavior was driving me insane. I began to figure out the plot when Sean was pursuing her like she was the best thing since slice bread. Overall it was a good read. I was really happy that after all the madness, drama, lies and deceit it worked out for a couple that struggled through the entire story to work things out. Great job D.L. Sparks for an interesting read that kept me entertained.


Anna Black
AAMBC Book Reviewer
Profile Image for OOSA .
1,802 reviews237 followers
May 2, 2010
Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

The McCall’s are having marital problems. Donovan cheated and now Teri is finding it hard to trust him and move on in their marriage. The unsaid keeps them on opposing sides.

While the bickering continues, Donovan still blames Teri for the miscarriage. Work has completely consumed her and not much has changed since. A night out leads to an interesting find for Teri. Sean Morris, a cardiologist, makes it clear to Teri that he is interested in getting to know her. Flattered, she dismisses the thought, but soon finds herself intrigued by him. Besides, they share a common thread; they have both been cheated on. Unfortunately, for Teri, it’s more to Sean than meets the eye.

Shame and regret threatens to inflict more strain on their already crushed marriage. Can they forgive and forget or is there more to this story?

In my opinion, the story was unsurprising, though it tried to bill itself as suspenseful. The story just seemed to happen way too quickly without much provocation. There are issues with the editing, but for the most part, “The Lies That Bind” by D.L Sparks is an all right read.

Reviewed by: Crystal
3.5

Profile Image for Sistar Tea.
294 reviews
July 15, 2010

Live and Learn

I read DL's previous book and liked her writing style. Mrs Sparks didn't disappoint me this time. I enjoyed this novel, more so her style of writing. Even though I figured out the "surprise" it was still a novel worthy of reading.

Dr. Teresa McCall is a woman scorned and can't seem to get over an affair her husband Donovan had. No matter how hard she tries she can't forgive him.

Enter sexy and charming Dr. Sean Morris to light a spark under Teresa and give her more than enough reasons not to work on her failing marriage. Beware all that glitters is not gold and when his secrets come to light will Theresa be able to handle the bomb shell?

I enjoyed this novel and will continue to read Mrs Sparks novels. Although I was able to put the pieces together before it was revealed, I still was drawn to keep reading. I look forward to reading more from this author.

SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
4 Star rating
Profile Image for Adrienna.
Author 18 books242 followers
January 14, 2012
This novel started out good...put all things out on the table. Donovan, Cuban-African male breed, is cheating on his wife, Teri McCall because of her work ethics and well-demanding schedule as a psychologist. It is funny when we can help everyone else but having problems at our own home-front. Do men use this as an underlining excuse to cheat, marriage is for "better and for worse" not just only for the better part.

Valuable lesson (passage) in the novel: "when you are young, and no one seems to want to be your cheerleader and see your vision like you do, you just follow the crowd." I am so glad I was never a follower even though I kept to myself most of my childhood and adult years. We have to believe in ourselves and the gifts and visions that lie within us. Yet, most girls would give up on their dreams and do what everyone else is doing.

Key message: Two Wrongs don't make it right, will this couple get it right?

3.5 stars
Profile Image for GammasWorld.
9 reviews13 followers
December 18, 2010
I just discovered D.L. Sparks(on Twitter of all places). I must have been the only reader than didn't see the surprise coming ... well I saw the surprise coming but my culprit was someone else entirely. So for me, the villain was a surprise. This was a fast read and filled with enough suspense to keep you interested. I'll definitely read future novels by D.L. Sparks.
Profile Image for Ezraela-Baht.
102 reviews10 followers
April 10, 2010
D.L. SPARKS takes her readers on a roller coaster ride through out the whole book, it was non stop suspense, this is my first time reading from this author as well, and I am so looking forward to reading more material from her. Loved it!
Profile Image for Marc Medley.
Author 2 books53 followers
March 24, 2011
The Lies That Bind is definitely a suspense thriller. You won't want to put the book down looking to see what is going to happen next. D. L. did a great job taking the reader into the minds of each character. It was an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Michelle.
59 reviews
June 19, 2012


This book was a good read...husband cheats on wife wife cheats bk on him and he throws a tantrum, in the end they were rdy to restore their marriage...happy to see them get thru a time of trial. Also the grass is not greener on the other side! Fa realdoe
Profile Image for Shawntay F.
92 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2011
This book was great. I was guessing all the wrong "villains". Great page turner. I guess the old saying is true: two wrongs don't make a right, but it sure does make a great book.
Profile Image for Author G D  Grace.
74 reviews8 followers
Want to read
June 26, 2011
I heard that this one is a page turner.... I love to support other G. D. Grace, loves to support fellow authors...
Profile Image for Kiesha.
36 reviews
September 17, 2011
I loved,loved loved this book if you are into reading suspeneful and thrilling books. Well this book is for you. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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