“Daddy, what is a white lie?”My father put down his spoon and looked at me thoughtfully.“Why’d you ask, Princess?”“I heard you talking yesterday and you said ‘one more white lie isn’t going to make a difference.’ I just want to know what you meant.”“You heard that, huh?” My father tilted his head to study me. “It’s just a small lie you tell when you don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. It’s … feelings. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
My eyes grew wide. “Like when you told Aunt Rena that her pie was good even though it tasted icky?”
“Exactly.” He smiled.
“Or when you told the man last week that you hadn’t seen Uncle Bruno and you had?”
The Smile fell from his face and he straightened in his chair. “No, Princess, that was a different kind of lie.”
Scrunching up my nose, I asked, “What kind of lie was that?”
My father swallowed hard before replying. “That’s the kind of lie where you have to have a real good memory.”
As an inquisitive child, the woman known as Clarissa Solano, could never have imagined how significant those words would become. That she would spend years twisting the truth: hoping and praying that she would not contradict herself and expose the secrets she keeps locked inside.
Most of the people in her life don’t really know her at all. She forces them to swallow her lies, but she is the one who feels the bitter aftertaste of deception.
When Lane Hunter sweeps into her life, she finds herself opening up in ways she never thought possible. He sees beyond the façade to the woman beneath and knows instantly that he wants her. However, all is not as it seems and when secrets and lies are exposed, it threatens to destroy them all.
SILHOUETTE has recently been nominated for the Summer Indie Book Awards 2017
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This is one of my favorite author since Silhouette. Love the way she write. Easy to read, keeping you wanting for more.
There’s a new voice in romantic suspense and you will want to remember her name, SE Cooper. Her debut novel, Silhouette is an amazing read. Her hero and heroine are each beautifully broken and through more than a series of unfortunate events, they find each other, and perhaps the piece that will mend their souls. This new author shows a wonderful ability to plot and subplot, which gives rise to even more questions and plot lines, all of which are beautifully crafted and resolved. Her characters are well developed and her writing is fluid. This is a book that readers will have difficulty putting down. Ms. Cooper’s ability to surprise the reader is refreshing. Just when you think you have things figured out, boom plot twist.
Lane is a truly swoon worthy hero. Working for his family’s security firm, his assignment is the tough as nails Clarissa, also known as Ari. Their chemistry is immediate and off the charts, until she finds out the truth. To say she is angry is an understatement; she’s down right livid. Ari has suffered a lot in her life, if the prologue doesn’t make the reader cry, I will be surprised. Both characters have suffered devastating losses, and allow those losses to rule their lives and emotions. Each is reluctant to allow someone else into their heart. Lane feels he is undeserving of happiness and Ari because of her past relationship with a man who couldn’t resist the temptations put in front of him. There is a lot of push and pull between all the characters in the book. Even the “minor” characters play important roles in the storyline.
I think if you enjoy romantic suspense, SE Cooper may become your new favorite author. The good news is that the author is already working on the next book in this standalone series. Each of her carefully crafted characters deserves to have their stories told, and I for one cannot wait to see what is up next for this up and coming author.
Favorite Quotes:
I believe that every one of us has a moment in our lives, which truly defines us. Be it a chance encounter, that makes your heart beat a little faster than it ever has before, a leap of faith into the unknown with no idea whether there will be someone there to catch you, or a split-second decision that changes the way you live your life forever.
His eyes sparkled with a fire I’d sell my soul for the chance to put out, but I held my ground.
I thought maybe my good looks were gonna scare you off. Just for the record, my heart is pure but my mind most certainly is not.
Seriously, you listed yourself as Hot Guy? Do you know how many times I picked up my phone, wishing I could call you, and all this time I had your number and it was listed under Hot Guy?
I’ve always like a man with good teeth… Oh, and shoes, I like a man who wears a nice pair of shoes.
My Review:
I struggled with the pacing of this story – and more than a bit. It was similar to walking into a movie that is half over and being annoyed with myself for being tardy and thick-headed, as I felt I had missed too many of the salient details and not able to fully catch on or keep up with the action. Yet despite my vexing irritation, I found Silhouette to be an engrossing, alluring, and enticing story that kept me intrigued, on edge, and often holding my breath. Every character was basically hip deep in secrets, and I’m talking torturous, dark, and monster under the bed type secrets. The storyline was full of angst, hard and weathered characters, hidden identities, and suspense; and during all the tension and conspiracies – a sweet and sensual romance was blooming – hello. I thoroughly enjoyed the respite provided by the witty banter the characters shared with their friends and family. S.E. Cooper is a mega talented wordsmith, and in no small manner – an evil genius.