Spotlight, Review and Giveaway - Secrets and Sins: Malachim by Naima Simone

Secrets and Sins: Malachim

By: Naima Simone

Romantic Suspense

Release date: September 2013

Ignite Books an Entangled Publishing Imprint

 

Quote:  “Emotional, suspenseful, and sexy, with wonderful characters…”—Christy Reece, New York Times Bestselling Author

“Red hot romance, heart-pounding suspense!”—Katie Reus, USA Today Bestselling Author

 

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Blurb:

Looking like sin and smelling like trouble…

When Danielle Warren shows up on Boston attorney Malachim Jerrod’s doorstep looking for a job, his first thought is trouble. Well, actually his first thought is how does a woman with the face of a saint have the voice of a sex phone operator? But sexy trouble or not, he’s desperate for a paralegal to help keep his struggling law office afloat. Can the boss keep his distance from the silk of his employee’s skin, the siren lure of her body…or ignore the haunting vulnerability in her eyes.

She’s the last thing he needs…

Danielle’s name is not her own, but the new identity finally allows her to take control of her life, make her own decisions, and she refuses to allow anything—even an unwanted hunger for her new employer—to distract her. Distraction is as dangerous as the desire she spies in Malachim’s gaze and the need that renders her defenseless to his touch. But the shadowy figure stalking her every move and growing more violent by the day makes letting her guard down impossible.

But the only one he desires…

Danger is on the hunt, threatening the boss she’s falling in love with. Should she fight for the future of her dreams or flee to save Malachim’s life? Danielle must make a decision. Because her lies are unraveling. And some secrets can kill…

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Excerpt:

"I don’t…” Danielle paused as if considering her phrasing. “Have a lot of faith in the police or the justice system. In my experience, they haven’t always been…reliable.”

Oh, Malachim heard so much in that slight hesitation. At some point in her life, those sworn to protect and serve had failed her. She didn’t trust cops. Suddenly, her vehemence about not calling the police after the mugging made sense. Through the years, he’d had clients who’d had troubled pasts and possessed an inherent dislike for anyone with a shield pinned to his or her chest or carried in a wallet. While her reply assuaged some of his questions, it didn’t answer all of them. What had occurred to instill her mistrust? Was it related to the fear of men she tried—and failed—to conceal?

“I get you might have had a negative experience with the police, sweetheart. I do. And I’m sorry about that. But you lied. Why?”

She shook her head, her curls glancing off her cheeks. “I-I,” she stuttered, “I didn’t want to tell the detective what the intruder said to me.”

He leaned over the table as fear slithered across his soul like dark clouds over a bright, full moon. “What do you mean? What did he say?”

Another pause, and the skin over her knuckles blanched.

 “He said we…didn’t get to spend time together.”

“Fuck!” He exploded from his chair. The piece of furniture teetered before rocking forward, the front legs hitting the floor with a thud. He noticed her flinch, but he could do nothing to reassure her. Not while fury raced through his veins.

He stalked from the room and entered the kitchen. He didn’t want to scare her with his rage. Because part of it was directed at Danielle. Why hadn’t she said something earlier? The home invasion, the shooting, her narrow escape… Suddenly, the robbery-gone-wrong had taken on a darker, more sinister cast.

One where she, not her belongings, had been the primary target.

She wasn’t going back to that apartment; if he had to fucking tie her to his home until she saw reason, he would. If Pat hadn’t been there, she could’ve been…

The desire to see her, to stroke her cheek, to pull her into his arms overwhelmed him. He returned to her, a scrap of driftwood being carried back on the swell of need. He’d scanned her in the hospital waiting room, but he had to do it again. Had to convince himself she was truly all right.

Her gaze settled on him the moment he walked into the room, as if she’d been watching the entrance for him. Acknowledging he faced probable rejection, he still strode to the couch and dropped to his knees beside her. He stared into her eyes. Noted the thick, black fringe of lashes. Studied the delicate arch of her dark brows. Detected the soft gasp of air between lush, parted lips.

“Can I touch you?” he whispered.

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Buy Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

 

 

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My Review:

 

Elena Ranier is an abused wife who has had enough.  Fleeing her husband after a particularly bad beating, she contacts authorities and has her lawyer husband arrested.  Still fearing for her life, Elena Ranier disappears and Danielle Warren is born.

 

Malachim Jerrod is a lawyer losing not only his employees and clients but maybe even his license to practice law due to his involvement with  a murder scandal. He meets Danielle when she applies for a paralegal position with his practice and despite grave concerns and misgivings, he hires her.

 

I like Danielle, she is a strong woman fighting to find some happiness in her life.  She tries so hard to overcome the fear that plagues her, which I find very admirable.  Her whole life has been one struggle after another but she refuses to let that defeat her though she thinks it has wrecked her belief in love.

 

Malachim is the poster child of a tortured hero to me.  He grew up with his father's verbal abuse and his mother's love but indifference to that abuse.  I love his strength of character and his unfailing belief in people, even though he has been betrayed so many times.

 

Both of these strong characters have great chemistry together even though neither wants to care for the other for fear of getting hurt, which added a great dynamic to the story.  I mentally kept rooting for these two to trust each other and find happiness.

 

This book is filled with so much suspense and sexual tension, be prepared to not want to put it down once you've become engrossed in this absorbing and riveting tale.

 

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Naima Simone’s Bio:

Naima Simone is a multi-published author in contemporary and erotic romance. She’s a member of RWA’s Southern Magic chapter, mother of the Dynamic Duo, lover of everything Vin Diesel and wife to the fabulous husband who tolerates this affair. Come visit Naima on her website, Facebook, Twitter  and Goodreads.

 

 

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Sizzling September Releases by Ignite Tour Giveaways

  (5 Winners at end of Tour)

From Naima:  1 $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

From Ignite Books:  $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

From Annie Seaton author of Dangerous Desire: 1 sailboat necklace,

From Caridad Pineiro author of For Love or Vengeance: 1 "Reborn' t-shirt and a signed copy of her book Kissed by a Vampire

From Gail Ranstrom author of Sweet Treason: 1 signed copy of Courtesan’s Courtship and 1 Swarovski Crystal Bookmark (made by Gail)

 

 

 

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