In Seductive Secrecy, Charlie and Cameron's story picks up where it left off in the first book of the series, Seductive Shadows. Author Marni Mann easily draws the reader back into Charlie and Cameron's relationship. This couple has a complicated relationship full of troubling pasts, dark secrets, personal demons, and complex issues that keeps drawing them back into the shadows. While their relationship is intense and once again tested, this passionate couple is truly perfect for each other, and their ability to sustain their love, overcome obstacles, heal, and move forward is oh so worth the read!

Seductive Secrecy is an amazing story about two broken souls who find each other, and conquer the shadowy obstacles that life keeps throwing their way in order to help them to grow, heal and find a way to stay together.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlsizzlingbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-shadow-series-by-m... ( )

Seductive Secrecy is a great followup to Seductive Shadows! It still has that dark and gritty feel to it, but some color starts to bleed into it. The book picks up a few months after the fall of the mansion, and you'd expect for Charlie and Cameron to be living happily ever after, "The Up and Coming Artists". But the past is a bitch to get over, they are both broken still, and Charlie's time at the mansion haunts her. Just when the couple think they have things settled, visitors from the past threaten to rip them apart.

I liked Seductive Shadows a bit more, because it was emotionally complex. It forced you to question yourself.. it ripped you apart.. poured a bit of salt in, but it had an implied HEA that I didn't much care for. But when I heard that Marni decided to write this book I was excited. Seductive Secrecy has more of a romantic aspect to it and a great heartbreaking angst in the middle. I love how, like the characters, their relationship is flawed and a tad insecure. I think Mann did a great job with this book, because the plot of the first book was so dark and a bit taboo to a plot that is primarily about relationships. But it remained interesting.

The ONLY thing I would criticize this book on is the smexy times, the first two scenes were steamy, but they became redundant after a while, I skimmed through them. And if I ever met a man that would like to keep his face buried between a set of legs like Cam, then I'd probably chain him to my bed. But jokes aside, oral scenes are boring to me and I could have done without so many of them.

If you liked Seductive Shadows, then you'll like this book. If you haven't read either, I'd recommend them both! ( )

Seductive Secrecy by Marni Mann
(Book #2: Shadows Series)
Source: ARC from author
Rating: 5/5 stars

I have been sitting her staring at my blinking cursor for ten minutes trying to figure out some clever way of launching into this review. I give up on clever and am going with pure, unadulterated honesty: I LOVED this book and did not even come close to putting it down until I finished the entire thing. Yeah, it’s that good.

Secrecy doesn’t pick up right where Shadows ended but a short time afterward. Charlie and Camreon are living together, their respective careers and reputations are in ascent and though the memories of the mansion still linger, they have settled into a comfortable routine. For the most part. Charlie is finishing school, selling paintings at a record rate, taking new commissions on a regular basis and all her sexual needs are being met by Cameron. For the most part. Cameron is still fiercely committed to his work, still refuses to open up about his own past and is as darkly intense as he was in book one. Cameron cares for Charlie and assures her that their relationship is absolutely solid. For the most part.

While the threat the mansion once posed is no longer as real, it is still a presence in Charlie’s mind. Though most of the key players/leaders from the mansion are now on trial and no threat to Charlie, her father is off the grid and a large number of her former clients are still on the street. One of Charlie’s greatest fears is running into one of those men unexpectedly and though Cameron assures her he can accept her past and her role at the mansion, Charlie isn’t sure Cameron will be quite so accepting if he is ever face-to-face with one her former clients.

Though Cameron is absolutely confident he has accepted Charlie’s past, that confidence is destroyed the moment he comes face-to-face with one of her clients. Perhaps even more shattering for Cameron is the realization that he knows the man. True to form and in all his intense darkness, Cameron snaps the tether completely and ruins everything he and Charlie have built together. Mind you, this snap doesn’t happen until many agonizingly painful weeks after the stunning revelation. Though Cameron desperately wants Charlie in his life it is tremendously hard to move past knowing at least one of the men he has shared his lover with. Oh, and Cameron is a selfish douche bag!

As if the highly intense and emotionally draining personal drama isn’t enough, Charlie is also forced to come face-to-face with one of the key players from the mansion. Because one seriously awkward and damaging meet and greet just isn’t enough  Under the impression she is going to meet a new client, Charlie is blown away by the person who opens the door and in a stunning display of self-control, Charlie manages to hear out this person and not send them to a well-deserved death. This fantastic little twist adds a whole new dimension to Secrecy that actually turns into a sort of mini-plot with some astounding ramifications that left me reeling at the end!! Once again, Marni Mann takes the crown for bombshell dropping queen!!
The Bottom Line: To say I was pretty much blown away by Marni Mann’s Seductive Secrecy doesn’t even come close. Clearly Mann has never heard of the sophomore slump as Secrecy is 200+ pages of madness, emotional highs and desperate lows, some bat-shit crazy plot twists and naughty bits that will leave the entire frickin’ room steamy!! I have only one complaint about this read and all I can without giving too much away is I really, really, really wanted Charlie to make him work for it a little longer. Overall, Seductive Secrecy is a dark, twisted, engrossing, and totally sexy read that will not be put down until you reach the very last page!! You have been warned :) ( )

By: Marni Mann
Published By: Entice by Booktrope
Age Recommended: Adult (Erotic)
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Series: Shadows #2
Review:

"Seductive Secrecy" by Marni Mann was the second in this authors series: Shadows and it would probably be a good thing to read it first before reading (Seductive Shadows) for more of a understanding to what all this novel is about. This novel has a great plot...to tell would ruin the story of it all so.....

all I will say is that you must pick up "Seductive Secrecy" after reading Seductive Shadows and you will see what I mean. However, I will say its a unforgettable story about 'love in light and in darkness.'

For Charlie and Cameron will there be a 'happily ever after?" Will things ever settle down before we see visitors entering the picture that could cause much trouble. This novel offers a lots of emotions that are very complexed. You will find that the characters are somewhat flawed and very insecure. Yes, it is a romantic novel but so much angst in the middle of it all. All in all I thought this novel was written very well once you got into it you will be able to see how it will suck you into all of the 'emotional vortex' of it all. Once Charlie and Cameron are living together there will be obstacles that will lead to jealousy. Why is this? What happens when Cameron's brother Ryder comes into the picture? What secrets does Ryder have that will be brought out into the open? How will these secrets have any bearing of Charlie's and Cameron's relationship? Then the story continues with Charlie's now reconnecting with her father. What will come of that? I don't want to say to much more not wanting to ruin it for the reader...so I will say you must pick up the amazing read to see for yourself. Be ready for a 'emotional wreck' at the end but still it's a wonderful brilliant read. "Seductive Secrecy" is for anyone who likes dark romances and that being said ... pick up this novel... I don't think you will be unhappy with it. ( )