LaylaFrom the moment of my birth I’ve been rejected by those who should have loved me, labeled as a freak because of my birthmark, bullied and tormented because I look different. When you’re told every day that you’re ugly and worthless you start to believe it. I managed to escape my malicious family and build a life for myself, but they’d broken something inside of me. I’m afraid to go outside, … afraid to go outside, afraid to be around large groups of people, afraid of any type of confrontation and my panic attacks have left me pretty much house bound. If it wasn’t for my online friends I probably would have given up on life long ago. But there is one special friend, a man by the name of Mark, who keeps me going. He’s brave, smart, strong, and kind…and has no idea that I’m secretly in love with him.
Mark
Once I was a good man with a perfect life. I had a job I loved training dogs for the police with my wife, had a great family who filled our lives with laughter, and I woke up every day with a smile on my face. I was completely content in my blissful ignorance. I had no idea about the criminal world that thrived all around me, no idea that I’d made some powerful enemies who do anything to destroy me. Including killing my wife. I swore my revenge, and got it, but in the process I lost my soul. It was during these dark times, after my vengeance was fulfilled and I was drifting in anguish, that a beautiful soul rescued me from my own personal hell. I tried to keep my distance, tried to shield her from the villains of the world, myself included, but the evil that surrounds me wouldn’t be denied. Despite my best attempts to keep her safe, someone is out to destroy Layla, and I’m the only one who can protect her.
But who’s going to save her from me?
Author’s Note- Each book in the Cordova Empire series can be read as a stand alone, but for the most enjoyment I’d suggest reading them in order.
more
I loved this story of Layla and Mark. They are both flawed individuals, with many ghosts ruling their pasts and making the future look dim and lonely. Layla is flawed not only emotionaly but also physically, since her birthmark on her face is very visable. She was an abused child and was locked away from the age of 5 by her horrible mother. She suffers from great anxiety and has an awesome service dog, who is totally lovable. Mark had a happy marriage but his wife and their dogs were burned to death by a rival cartel, and he is a changed and broken man. His need for vengence is how he became involved with the Cordova cartel. These two just broke my heart with their issues and they were perfect for each other. And let me say how much I loved reading more about the cartel and their families. While this book is easily a stand alone, it would be that much better if you read the first two books. Those are the stories of Hannah and Leo, and of Joy and Ramon, who are key figures in this book. I really enjoyed seeing how the love of friends and family can help heal the most devestating isssues. I definitely recommend this book.
If you’ve been reading this series, like me you’ve been waiting for Mark’s story. Now it’s here and it was worth waiting for.
Just a reminder this is a look at things from the Cartel world, whose views are just not the same as other folks.
Mark is the right-hand man to Leo, the torturer of the Cordova Cartel. In the previous books saw Leo and the way he found his HEA with Hannah and also his brother Ramon find Joy. These are not the easiest stories to read but they do have that HEA.
I really liked the beginning of this book, it shows the more vulnerable side of these men, especially Mark.
Getting stuck in the elevator in the Cordova building he meets Layla. An unusual woman from the start with her dog Vali.
I absolutely loved the interactions between Layla, Vali and Mark, although he does his best to keep his distance, for her protection of course.
From her sculpting to gaming this book was delightful and full of surprises. It does get a bit dark but nothing worse than some of the military novels out there.
It’s not an easy road for Layla and Mark, but every page brought something to bind them. I loved seeing Leo, Hannah, Ramon, Joy and their children and we also got a glimpse of Raimon and Fernando.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Secret Obsession by Ann Mayburn is book Three in The Cordova Empire Series. This is the story of Mark and Layla. I have read (and LOVED!) the previous books but felt you could make this a standalone book. If like me you have read the previous books then you get a reunion of the past characters. Layla has a birthmark on the side of her face that has touch her life from the start when her mother treated her very badly that causes her issues today. Layla was adopted away from her real mom and finally found a loving home but even with therapy still has issues with her past. Then she meets Mark in a elevator which is a changing point for her. Mark lost his wife who was also his high school sweetheart when she was killed in a fire along with their training dogs…which was a business they had. This made he change his life work and also to not be attached to people as much. When he meets Layla she helps him when he has a panic attack which she knows a lot about. Although Mark feels so much for her he feels she would be in danger if she was in his life fully so he puts her in the online friend zone which last for a few years until he can’t walk away anymore from her.
Loved this author’s writing and this series.
Sectet Obsession: Mark & Layla
Another good story, I like how these two have been friends for years with romantic feelings before they went further. It may have taken something bad to happened for them to act on their feelings but they got there, well done
unrealistic. The heroine had plenty of money so she could have easily gotten laser treatment which significantly fade port wine birthmarks. I know this was supposed to be about the growth journey of the heroine but this wasn’t believable. Author do your homework.
Secret Obsession by Ann Mayburn is book 3 in The Cordova Empire series. This is Mark and Layla’s story.
We find out how Mark met Layla. Learn more about Mark’s tragic past and find out Layla is an unusual woman whose had her share of issues of her own courtesy of a port wine stain on her face. The progression of Mark and Layla’s relationship is a couple of years so think slow burn romance but it’s quite worth it when all the drama has built up along with the angst and danger. I don’t want to give anything away but just know, Mark is all alpha, Layla is sweet but closed up due to her past….oh my!! It’s soo good!!! I loved the emotions, feels, passion, angst, twists, turns, action, drama, friendship , sweet moments, swoon-worthy alphas, sassy heroine and amazing romance.
I can’t wait for more in this fabulous series!!!
My Rating: 4.5 stars ********
Readers find themselves back in the arms of the Cordova Empire in this third installment in the sexy series that brings together a man weighed down by grief and loss and his attraction to a woman with issues of her own courtesy of a port wine stain on her face that led to a childhood of mental abuse and bullying. It’s a slow read at times, an emotionally intense one too, that had me hurting right along with this couple in a story that was empowering with a bit of suspense thrown in to keep readers glued to the pages.
Mark has been on the periphery of this series from the very start, but now’s the time for him to take center stage. Mark once had the perfect life with a wife he adored and a career training police dogs until a villain took his wife and career from him. From that moment on he became a different man, one with only revenge on his mind which led him to the Cordova Cartel. Though the people in the Cartel have become like family there’s still something missing in his life. Seeing others find their HEA has him wanting the same, even though he’s scared of what might happen once he again puts his heart on the line. The one woman to capture his attention is Layla, a woman with a painful past of her own. Their connection starts out very slowly though through online gaming and internet chatting, but when it comes time to meet in person he keeps them firmly in the friend-zone over fears for her safety. Too many times of pushing her away has the matchmaking Cordovas arousing his jealousy which finally sets them on a path to HEA full of erotically-charged encounters and danger from another woman. In a frustrating journey to get to this moment though there was lots of push and pull that had me wanting to smack Mark a time or two. I understand his fears, considering the loss of his wife, but constantly cancelling on Layla was just plain hurtful. For the most part though Mark’s a protective man, one who’s a bit controlling when trying to keep Layla safe. That controlling nature is reflected in the bedroom too in sizzling scenes influenced by bdsm which made their encounters even more scorching.
Layla’s early years were especially painful courtesy of a mentally abusive mother who made her fear everything, ruined her self-esteem by pointing out the evil of her port wine stain. Though she ultimately got adopted by a loving couple, her foray into public school after years of being locked away from society was just as painful because of bullying. When readers first meet Layla she’s extremely shy. It’s only in the dark, with make-up on, where she can be herself and it’s at that moment in an elevator where she finds herself connecting with Mark. Being stuck in the friend-zone though is very frustrating for her as she slowly became more confident during their time together and their conversations online. She became empowered by his loving words and deeds, slowly hinted to him what she wants out of a relationship with him, only to be pushed away again and again. The old Layla would’ve hidden away, but this Layla moves on, forcing Mark to finally make a move to claim her in a journey that had me cheering them on every step of the way. I found Layla to be a likable heroine, one who grew emotionally with each turn of the page. She may have started out timid but as the story progressed she became more strong-willed. When it came to the bedroom she didn’t hold back in her desires either, giving just as good as she got in bdsm-fueled scenes that made me blush a time or two.
On a whole this was a likable story that can stand strongly on its own but will be even better after seeing these characters from the very beginning. I enjoyed seeing the bond all of these couples have and appreciate the supportive side they give each other through each installment. The interactions between the heroes and heroines were teeming with witty banter and a strong sense of family that helped Layla and Mark when they needed help most. The erotic scenes between Layla and Mark were a nice balance to their warm and caring moments too. Though I enjoyed their erotic encounters I did find their pet names for each other a bit laughable. The names of Daddy Bear and Baby Bear took me out of the moment, actually made me laugh out loud at times, and lent an air of childishness to their scenes. Layla grew in so many ways that her pet name diminished her growing maturity and I could’ve done without them. Another thing I could’ve done without was the appearance of another woman, one who was obsessed with Mark. Her appearance was melodramatic and an unnecessary roadblock that came out of nowhere. Despite these small quibbles I still found this to be a satisfying read that has me counting down the days until Diego and Fernando get their stories told too!
Mark Magnus seems to be doing a “what if”. But then something happens to bring him out of his thoughts. Layla loves her anonymity. It’s a way that she can be herself without being known. It’s also a great way for the reader to get to know her. Mark also helps us get to know who Layla is.
Mark got me frustrated at times. Layla seems so sweet and wouldn’t hurt a fly but Mark seems the one who seems so indecisive when it comes her. She has a good support team in Hannah and Joy. They help in getting her out of both her comfort zone and her shell. Even though this can be considered a standalone, if you want to know more about those ladies than you need to check out the first two books in this series.
This is a very sexy story but our author goes one step further. She seems to be an advocate for those that need service animals. That means we have an important secondary character that is the silent type but always there when needed. Mark redeemed himself, in my eyes, once the suspense started. That just showed me that he could get past his “what ifs” and finally be who he’s supposed to be for Layla. These two hooked me into this series and I can’t wait to see what our author has planned for us.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Could not finish. Was boring.
Kind of skipped 2 books without noticing but from the fist reveal of the cover it called to me. Ann thank you for totally making me love the word Daddy in this way again. I loved the chemistry from the start with these two… reaching out in the dark is allot easier when someone is there to hold your hand. I personally admired Mark’s restraint in wanting to let her grow cause that’s what true friends do. You could read the strength in Layla and fierceness in the way she loved. Now to reverse and read book 1 lol.
I loved Layla and Marks story. He and their friends helped get her out of her own head. Both of their histories were heartbreaking, but together they proved they could weather anything!
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Warning, while I try my best to make sure there are no spoilers in my review, there is always a chance that something any review says could count as a spoiler for you. If you want to just know my overall opinion on the book, and I recommend it, please skip to my Overall and Would I Recommend It section.
I have to say, I have been in love with this series for awhile, and I was pining away for a new installment to come out. When I saw the announcement about this book, I was head over heels excited for it. But what was even better was the promise of the characters whose story would be revealed, and I was not disappointed. Let’s just say, when it comes to the happiness of a baby bear, there is simply nothing a daddy bear won’t do to make sure there is a smile on his girls face.
Our story starts with our long known hero, Mark, finding himself trapped in an elevator. Mark has been through a hell of a special kind and came out the other side a little differently than he would have wanted to. However, he finds that he is not alone in the elevator, and the woman who is there with him, might just have some demons of her own waiting to chomp down on her uniquely beautiful face.
Mark has been a character I have loved since book one of this series. He has always come across as a very calm yet dangerous man to me, which was as mysterious as it was appealing to me. However, in this story the other not so controlled side slips out a lot more often and the true intensity of his emotions break through in the most delicious way. I loved how deeply he cares for our heroine, Layla. His response to her is immediate in a way that really spoke more to a soul connection rather than a physical one that really tugged at my heart.
Mark has demons that want to devour him alive, and he is shocked to find just how much Layla’s presence affects him. knowing what he has gone through, I really loved how masterfully this aspect of their relationship was done. She both tames his demons and stirs them up in a way this is full on heart melting.
I think one of my favorite things about him is the way he thinks of her in his mind. Most of the time in contemporary romance, the hero’s are first taken by either how the heroine treats them in the beginning, or the way they look, however this is not the case with Mark. Mark takes in everything she tells him about herself and finds he can’t help but be drawn to the uniqueness of her personality. Every little part of herself that she finds to be a bit on the dorkie side, or not of great importance, he finds endearing in a swoon worthy way. I really loved this and how it added to the appeal he already had for her.
Layla is now one of my favorite heroines. I absolutely adored this character. Layla is one of the rare characters who is not perfect by society standards, but has features that make her even more beautiful than normal. Layla has a big birthmark that covers one side of her face and travels slightly down her back. As of this book launch, the model on the cover is an accurate representation of Layla, and I personally think she is a knock out because of the birthmark. Being different doesn’t make you a freak or a monster, it makes you unique and beautiful and I loved how this was represented in one of the heroines in this series.
I also have to say that Layla is one of the strongest heroines I have ever known. While she may not be able to turn into a secret ninja, she has had to deal with a lot in her lifetime, and she handles it is truly inspiring. Not only does Layla have to deal with the cruelty of kids and adults when it comes to her beautiful birthmark, but she also has to deal with a past that isn’t so pretty. Layla has just as many demons ready to swallow her whole as Mark does. In fact, the ones biting at her heels carry a lot more deep seated emotional pain and trauma than anything else. Yet, Layla carries on despite it all. I love how she stands up to the horrors of her past, and how much she wants to push herself even further in the right direction.
Layla’s love for Mark is also nothing short of amazing. I think one of the most striking things about Layla’s character is how her feelings for Mark really help her to grow as a character. The way she views him and how much desire she feels for him right off the bat is off the charts electric. I absolutely loved seeing this on the page.
Now, Mark and Layla have explosive chemistry right from the start, but their relationship is by far not an easy one. I loved the push and pull dynamic of this one. The growth that is seen in this couple is extraordinary. It really showed just how strong love really is and how capable it is of healing wounds from the past.
Neither of these characters are perfect, but that just helped make it all the more realistic for me. There were several times I found myself at the edge of my seat while reading this one, and I have to say I love the way it all turned out. The love and devotion these two feel for each other really pours off the page and has a way of leaving you in a swoony puddle.
I will say that while this is a story filled with love and devotion and is no where near dark enough to be a dark romance in my book, it does still carry its darker elements as well as some light BDSM. While I love that in my romance novels and it only adds to my enjoyment, I always like to make a mention of that in my reviews.
Also, you might want to make sure you have some cold water near you for this one, the steamy scenes are sure to leave you needing hydration.
Overall:
Secret Obsession is a book I have been wanting to come out for awhile and I was not disappointed by it at all. Layla is one of the most incredible heroines I have had the pleasure of reading. She is so uniquely beautiful and strong. Mark is also an amazing well done hero that could steal any woman’s heart.
Would I Recommend It:
Absolutely yes. Just keep in mind that while this is beyond not a dark romance in my book, it does have some dark elements to the romance itself as well as some light BDSM. If those things are not triggers for you though, YES go buy this book.
PS check out my blog for a special celebration treat.
Super hot!
Oh wow. What a book. I have been wanting to know Mark’s story from the beginning and Ann didn’t disappoint. This is the story of Mark and Layla. It hasn’t been an easy road for either of them. Layla was born with a birthmark and is covers most of her face. She has Mark’s both physical and emotional because of it. She was eventually taken from her mother and placed in a loving home. But she still suffers from severe anxiety but has a service dog to help her. Mark used to train dogs with his wife. But when they died by a rival cartel he hasn’t been the same. They meet in an elevator when it breaks down and she helps him through a panic attack. He starts to develop feelings for her but thinks it would be best to be friends. He keeps her there for years until he cant anymore. But I cant tell you everything. You need to read to find out if these two souls can heal themselves and each other.
Although you can read it as a standalone I highly recommend reading Obsession and Sweetest Obsession. You get to see those characters in this story
Layla and mark’s story
Wow this book was so deep in so many levels.
Let’s start with Layla
I mean she hasn’t had a good time growing up all because of a birth mark that covers her face.
The people that were supposed to be there to love her let her down.
My heart instantly connected with her.
I no what it feels like to have panic attacks and afraid of the world.
But it was so relatable.
Mark went through his own pain in his life as well that leaves him feeling lost.
Man when theses too are introduce u will want to keep reading to know what happens between them.
This book was so heartfelt and well written.
The author takes us on a journey that u will never forget.
Truly was an amazing read.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy and My opinion are My own.
Layla and Mark were made for each other. Layla has survived so much pain and trauma in her life she refuses to give up . I really enjoyed her growth throughout the book. Mark a man who also suffered a terrible loss and struggle to find happiness until meeting his baby bear changes everything. I loved this book great detailed to the story great supporting character from previous books in this series. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.