A brand new, edgy, sexy standalone romance from CD Reiss. Her name is Cinnamon. Cin for short. Band mates Strat and Indy don’t know anything about her except she’s smart as hell and sexy as heaven. They can’t agree who gets her, so they do the only thing two best friends could do. They declare her off limits to both of them. Margie, AKA Cinnamon-you-can-call-me-Cin, has a thing or two to tell … thing or two to tell these guys.
Nobody “gets” her. She’ll let them know which one she wants when she can decide between them. Until then, their little pledges and promises aren’t her problem.
Her family is her problem. Her friends. And the world-famous blues rocker who has her cornered. He’s her problem too.
This may be one problem she can’t fix without some help.
Secret Sins is a standalone novel with an HEA, an edge just where you need it, and a shocking twist at the end. It’s recommended for people with an open mind and a love of super hot stories.
BEG is added in the back as a free bonus novella! I hope you enjoy it!
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C.D. Reiss is always HOT! Love reading about this family.
Margie was a groupie more or less with her friends. After a concert she met the band I’m the hotel room to play poker. She relives her early years after she meets up with Indy. He had become a copyright attorney. They got back together then moved to NYC. They went to LA because of another family situation. She stayed he left. After 15yrs she found out Strat wasn’t her son’s dad but it was Indy. After years had passed she had Indy back in her life. So many things happening but yet their love grew stronger.
I love every CD Reiss book I’ve ever read, and this was no exception. Highly recommended.
Margie is the eldest of the Drazen’s children. Always responsible, never showing any emotion, the woman who takes care of everything and everyone, finally has her story told, and I can say that I did not expect everything I read. The woman made of iron and ice was not always like that. Various circumstances shaped her personality, and her journey was above all sad. I could never imagine everything that happened to her.
Beginning in 1982, we saw a teenage Margie, trying to find herself as a person and challenging the world. This year, she meets two young rockers: Stratford Gilliam/Strat and his best friend and guitarist Indiana Andrew McCaffrey (Indy or Drew). What starts out as a game, literally turns into friendship, until little by little the feelings change again. Divided between the two friends, Margie does not know what to do, until one night that started badly, ends with the three spending the night together. Everything was fine, until shocking news
transforms Margie’s well-calculated world. The rebellious girl became a centered, determined woman. But completely cold.
Many years later, Indy is back. With the two now lawyers, he ends up in the same firm she works with, bringing a case. With so many years between them, so many questions, this reunion promises to be interesting. But Indy hides the true reason for his return. And when Margie finds out, her world will be shaken again.
Guys, what a book that was! I have no words to say how much I loved. And how much I suffered for Margie. It was painful to see the happy girl having everything that she valued most be ripped from her, without being able to do anything. Her entire phase with Strat and Indy was fun, intense and sad at the same time. The key point of the book, which motivated her departure, made me countless times wanting to embrace her. I hated Declan in the other books. And I hated him with all my might. Neither he nor his wife are candidates for parents of the year. It was cruel and inhuman what they did to their daughter. The couple deserves each other.
With Indy / Drew back, Margie finally has a new chance to be happy. Or so she thought. Her father will again destroy his daughter with his most cruel deed. I can not say what happens or what is the secret without spoiler, but never, and I say never, I hoped for that. I read the other books, and my jaw dropped. This is a big twist in the series story. Margie has always been puzzling in the other books, but here she won me. So much evil surrounds the Drazen family, so much manipulation. Neither she nor her sisters and brother are happy. It is a great perfect family outside and a beautiful mess inside. All Drazen are trapped in this family web. And Margie was the biggest victim.
The book ends with a cliffhanger for the second and last part. I hope with all my heart that she can be happy. Or at least get her revenge.
“I’ll already remember you forever. You gonna make it count or what?”
There is simply no one who writes like her. With her undeniable mastery of the medium of language and utterance, C. D. Reiss introduces us to an extraordinary heroine in the character of Margaret Drazen (Margie). Margie’s story is at once both exhilarating and heartbreaking. And as readers we feel both emotions acutely. Two years in Margie’s life figure prominently in this book. Her adventures as a precocious teen, older than her years, in 1982…and 1994 when she ran headlong into what she left behind in 1982.
We learn about Margie through brilliantly executed time jumps in the narrative from the present (1994) and 1982 when she met the two men who would color her entire existence, Strat and Indy (Drew). The story is entirely in her POV, (first person). Not to worry though, Margie is one of the most reliable narrators and she tells us the good, the bad, the beautiful and the devastating. We truly get to know those whom she loves.
Margie inherited the powerful (killer?) instincts bred into the Drazen clan. She is meticulous about her life and her desire to be more than her money entitles her to be. She is just as meticulous with her emotional life. She dropped her guard once and while the effects are locked up tight in her psyche, they bleed through once in a while if only in a security code to her home (50-1-50).
The magic…the marvel of the writing is while we read, we inhabit her skin. (I swear at 47% into the read my heart flipped in my chest.) Indy (Drew) comes back into her life in 1994. He is devastating as the rocker turned lawyer. He is a beautiful man made for a beautiful girl named Cinnamon (“Call me Cin.”) … and now for a beautiful woman blossoming under the knowledge that he never forgot like she supposed he did.
With all the love and years of desire for her Drew brings with him in 1994, he brings a devastating secret. A secret that never can be told to another soul.
Two of many favorite quotes:
“Note to self: “Not feeling” stuff doesn’t mean you’re not feeling it. Being unemotional and cold doesn’t mean you don’t have a pot full of emotions waiting to boil over. It means the heat hasn’t been turned up enough, and the pot just hasn’t been there long enough. It means the pot hasn’t reached capacity. But it will.”
“I didn’t forget you. I thought you didn’t want me, and I was okay with that. I just took my lumps, but I think about you every day. Every time there’s music anywhere. Jingles in commercials. Muzak in the elevator. You’re there, and sometimes you’re mocking me and sometimes you’re holding me, but you’re there. I didn’t want you to know that. Ever.”
Loved this series.
One hell of a ride!
The story of Margaret Drazen (aka Margie, aka Cinammon, aka Cin) was jaw dropping and OMG AMAZING!!! There were so many “holy crap! What just happened? moments & things I had no idea about!!! I was shocked and enthralled and completely addicted. There were many twists, turns, and secrets that will leave you with your mouth hanging open. It is sexy, sweet, gut-wrenching, shocking, heartbreaking, and ugly at times. I enjoyed EVERY.LAST.MINUTE of this book! The angst is high ladies but so worth it!
CD Reiss has such a way of weaving these enthralling tales. Her characters are addicting and loveable, no matter how messed up they are. This is a must-read, especially if you’ve read any books about the Drazens. You need this in your life! I highly recommend reading this book!!!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
When I start a book written by CD Reiss, I know I’m in for a ride: bumpy, complex and captivating. Her characters are so interesting and complex and her plots are unpredictable. I unfortunately predicted this one half-way through the book but it was still intriguing and the heroine’s reaction was different than the other similar plot I had read, so it was still a compelling read.
Usually when I start this author’s books, it takes me a while to get accustomed to her writing style. For me, her writing doesn’t flow, it’s a little bit choppy and disjointed but I love it because I have to work at understanding her. It keeps my interest and once my brain neurons have molded to her style I’m engrossed until the end.
Margie Drazen is filthy rich, so much that she needs something exciting to do, something different from her staid and structured life. What she chooses to do is turn into a groupie for the singer and guitarist of rock band Bullets and ????. She has such a strange relation with these guys. She wants them both, but knows she doesn’t have the experience to manage having sex with them; they are eons far ahead of her. They are also attracted to her but they don’t touch her and they seem to have an agreement between them. Whenever one of them gets too close the other one issues a warning. They play this delicate game of calling for her, having her in the house during their parties, Margie lying to her family in order to be with them. Until one day, the party goes out of control and the repercussions change their lives.
The plot alternates between a young Margie in 1984 and the adult Margie in 1994. The young Margie wants to live, to experience the world, while the adult Margie is working as a lawyer with ambitions to reach partner in the firm. She is as contained, intelligent and snarky but you know life has happened to her and has muted the fire. The book ends with a sorta HEA, but you know there will be a sequel where the plot will be even further complicated and fascinating.
It’s time for Margie’s story!
All the Drazens have a wild side. Young Margie is the oldest and she comes by her wild side honorably. Even in her mid teens, the rock scene attracted her, especially when the rock band included two absolute hunks like Strat and Indy. Booze was her drug of choice. Sex was a goal though she was very picky. Only Strat and/or Indy would do, but they were not making any moves. Leave it to Margie to make sure she got her way.
I cannot spoil this for you. You must read her version of her life. Just keep in mind she is forced to mature and nurture her family as a means to protect what is hers. This woman has brass at her core. No wonder we all love her intelligence and her ability to fix all the problems for her loved ones. Is it time for her to fix her own life yet?
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
Margie!….whoah!. Where did you come from?
Untouched Heart wrapped in a sinfully delicious body. Free spirit trapped in a conformed family….my Gawd she’s volcanic, live wire of a personality, smart mouth and razor sharp brain….a lethal combination and a Drazen to boot…i mean what could go wrong…right?
No one knew what to do with me. I didn’t even know what to do with me. I knew I didn’t fit in, and I didn’t care . Maybe it was my version of rich girl ennui. Maybe I was just too smart, too good at too many things. Or too acerbic to make those warm girly relationships. I depended on no one. Didn’t feel useful.
Well prepare to be surprised cause this is the eldest Drazen, almost matrichial in character is one helluva bold brass. She’s also a groupie to the band Bullets and Blood , though more for the guitarist and lead vocalist-Indiana McAffrey and Strattford Gilliam. And it’s reciprocal-equally! And that creates THE PLEDGE. It’s either/or situation which at one point develops into either/AND and I was crosseyed while reading the powerfully orgasmic sex scene!
I didn’t know what or who I wanted, but my body got wet for both Sexy Strat and Sincere Indy .Insane.
Annoying.
Beautiful.
Looking from one to the other, knowing I could have either, I couldn’t pick an adjective, much less a man.
I loved the story, the plot, the setting, the characterization, the dialogues, the lines, the mood…EVERYTHING !!!
And then they meet years later….actually only two of them and the story just explodes! A sin just comes to light, so secret, so heartbreaking it just crippled me. Acute anguish…pain in my heart….felt like pulling my hair, running out to the beach and drowning in the ocean!!!
The light tasted too yellow. The air hurt. The floor and sky were too loud.
How can you tell a piece of your Heart that you are not for him **Fat Ugly Tears just rolled down my cheeks**
Note to self: “Not feeling” stuff doesn’t mean you’re not feeling it. Being unemotional and cold doesn’t mean you don’t have a pot full of emotions waiting to boil over. It means the heat hasn’t been turned up enough, and the pot just hasn’t been there long enough. It means the pot hasn’t reached capacity. But it will.
For a girl who isn’t supposed to have feelings, her soul is boiling cauldron of all the bubbling hot emotions in the world!!!!
Brilliant Christine …Bravo!!!!!
I’m speechless, just astounded.
F is for a Friend
Secret SINS by CD Reiss is the First book in the Saint Margie Duet. This is the story of Margaret ‘Margie “Cinnamon- Cin”‘Drazen, Stratford ‘Strat’ Gilliam and Indiana Andrew ‘Indy ‘McCaffrey.
Margie is the sister of Jonathan Drazen from the Submission series, but you don’t have to have read that series to fully enjoy this book. This book does go back and forth between a younger (teen’s) Margie and the older (late 2o’s age) that is in the present day.
Indy and Strat are friends along with being in a successful band. Margie ends up being a groupie/friend to them. Indy and Strat are both attracted to Margie but don’t want to ruin their relationship but taking anything further. Later though Indy does go forward with starting something and Strat takes a set back. Margie is torn between the two with her feelings so this just adds to the mix of their relationship.
This book only starts their story and the next book ‘SACRED SINS’ picks it back up.
I’m pretty sure I did things backward and didn’t read this book in the sequence it was probably suggested to. I had met Margie while reading the Songs of Submission series after Jonathan Drazen is already grown up. So while reading Secret Sins I kept trying to think back to everything I remembered about Margie in that series. Then I was stupid enough to go into the Canaries group and start reading specific threads in there, and whoa! Big mistake! Now I just want to stop and re-read the whole SoS series and then immediately start the Songs of Corruption and move into Forbidden again.
C.D. is just an amazing writer who spins the most complex, delicious stories. Reading the early days of Margie has just cemented for me why she is one of my favorite Drazens. I would never have guessed what the twist was! Now I’m dying for Sacred Sins.
I loved this book so HARD! Margie “Effin” Drazen is a goddess! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
What can I say about this book… so many secrets. I still don’t know how old she is… LOL! Strat and Indy are delicious rock stars who have both had their heads turned by this vixen. I cannot wait for the conclusion!
I liked this book alot. At first I didn’t like the back and forth from 1994 to the 1980s but once I got a couple chapters in it didn’t bother me anymore with the back and forth.
This book took a turn I did not see with Margie and her so-called brother at the end! Did not see that one coming C.D. Reiss!!
Well, now we know even more about that crazy Drazen family. The ending was a nice little surprise. My one small issue with the story is that it felt a little choppy, maybe because of going back and forth between 1982 and 1994. We would get a little glimpse and then it would switch again. I guess I wanted a wee bit more, but it was a good short story though. My favorite family members will forever be Theresa and Fiona. Those 2 ladies knocked my socks off!
Huge fan of CD Reiss’ SOS series and Secret Sins continues our journey with the Drazen family, with the long awaited story about the family glue, Margie.
I think this is just the beginning of Margie’s story, since this release covered her young life and the events that helped to shape her into the family protector, the family “fixer”. I’m not going to spoil the shock and awe for anyone, suffice it to say after the big secret is revealed, if you’re already a fan, like me, you may want to go back and revisit Jonathan’s story to view Margie with fresh eyes. If you’re new to her books, hang on…this is just the beginning.
Thank you Christine…I turned the last page feeling content with Margie’s story for now, but I know for a fact you are not through churning up our guts and toying with our Drazen emotions.
Tantalising