Holy Lord people. This book. AMAZING!! And we are so honored to be able to do a promotion for it and the second book S.E.C.R.E.T.S SHARED - that comes out TODAY!! Get on this train! Now. You will not regret it. Read below for more info about our new favorite series.
S.E.C.R.E.T. (Book #1)
Cassie Robichaud’s life is filled with regret and loneliness after the sudden death of her husband. She waits tables at the rundown Café Rose in New Orleans, and every night she heads home to her solitary one-bedroom apartment. But when she discovers a notebook left behind by a mysterious woman at the café, Cassie’s world is forever changed.
The notebook’s stunningly explicit confessions shock and fascinate Cassie, and eventually lead her to S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T, an underground society dedicated to helping women realize their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie soon immerses herself in an electrifying journey through a series of ten rapturous fantasies with gorgeous men who awaken and satisfy her like never before. As she is set free from her inhibitions, she discovers a new confidence that transforms her, giving her the courage to live passionately. Equal parts enticing, liberating and emotionally powerful, S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T is a world where fantasy becomes reality.
PEPPER & MICHELLE’S JOINT REVIEW
PEPPER: OH SNAP!! 
I loved this damn book. From the first page. I totally felt Cassie’s pain. Loved this quote at the beginning:
“There were days when I felt I was just a suit of flesh pulled over a set of bones…”
I have been there before, so I totally related to her right away.
MICHELLE: So, as you know, I had a different reaction to this book. Let me say I ended up liking it a lot. But it started slow for me. I have the opposite issue as Cassie. I am very in touch with and in charge of my sexuality. I have more trouble with my emotional side.
But as I kept reading the message of the book started to resonate with me- the whole notion finding your inner strength. Will sort of sums it up towards the end when he says to her:
” You seem more…together. More confident. I don’t know. I mean , I always saw you like that, but I didn’t think you did, until lately.”
That really got me. When I started to realize that this was more than just getting in touch with her sexuality and all about her confidence and sense of self worth- it made the book really enjoyable. It was kind of like it finally clicked for me and I was like: 
PEPPER: YES! And I felt like I got that at the very beginning. I highlighted a lot of the passages because some of the stuff that was said - especially by her guide Matlida - really spoke to me. And not even in a sexual sense. But more for confidence and loving yourself.
There was a lot of conversation in regard to fear that I really paid attention to. Because I think fear really guides a lot of people in life. As it does for me.
MICHELLE: Yes! I basically saw that more and more as the book progressed. But I am so glad that I pushed through those first few chapters because when I got to her first step- I think I orgasmed a bit.
PEPPER: OK, so we have both agreed that the book had some wonderful self discovery for not only Cassie but for readers as well. BUT OH My God The STEPS?!? And the men?!? Just made this book perfection for me.
MICHELLE: I know, I was like- where is this S.E.C.R.E.T. society and HOW DO I GET IN???
PEPPER: RIGHT?! I was telling my hubs that we need to move to New Orleans immediately. Not that I want to do amazing and sexy things with other men, but just to find the mystery and intrigue that filled this book. I was eating it up.
MICHELLE: I think the more I think about the more I love it.
I was turned off by Cassie’s lack of confidence at first. But I realize that I have had the same issues she does in the book, especially lately (single and 30 will do that to you) so I LOVED that the steps didn’t just open her up sexually but to give her such a strong sense of worth and confidence. I want some of that. 
PEPPER: Yes, me too. I just want this secret society where I can go and be me and learn to love myself. It was so intriguing. This has got to be in my top 5 of fav books this year. Pure genius! And I cannot fucking wait to read the next book!! This is pretty much how I felt about the whole book: 
MICHELLE: I KNOW!
PEPPER: Now, as to not spoil anything, I am really looking forward to what happens with the guy she falls for at the end. It was a bit of a cliffhanger for sure, so I am pretty much foaming at the mouth for the next book. I’m like: 
MICHELLE: Ugh. I was so upset. I just wanted her to be happy after going through all that.
But yes. I also want to drop everything on our schedule to read book 2. But, I guess we should be responsible bloggers. Seriously though - book 2 is sitting on my bookshelf- taunting me.
So one thing I loved about this book might be silly but I don’t care. I loved the diversity. The women in the book were gay, straight, old, young, brown, white, black. They were bartenders and doctors and everything in between.
And the men- some were rich, some old, some young, black, Greek gods, whatever..there were so many. But they were all crazy hot.
PEPPER: OMG. That is not silly at all. I actually noticed that too and LOVED it so much.
MICHELLE: Oh I am so glad you agree. So often our heroes and heroines are sort of cookie cutter. So I just loved it.
PEPPER: It really was perfect. I have nothing bad to say about this book. I’ll say it again, pure genius. And this will be me until I get a chance to read book 2. 
MICHELLE: YES!! So, it’s really hard to say much without spoilers and you- the reader- really need to experience the book yourself.
PEPPER: Agreed. So go now, enter for a chance to win a copy or just do yourself a favor and buy this one!!
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
1) We loved that premise of S. E. C. R. E. T. It was unlike anything we’ve read. What was your inspiration for the story line? Does something like this exist in real life?
I was inspired by the idea of recovery and change, and how that’s possible with support. I wanted to write an erotic novel, but I had to start with a premise I would buy, the premise being: IF you had never had luck in love and wanted to have a rich, full, lush sex life, where would you begin? You’d begin in a place where other women once felt like you did, and looked to each other for support and guidance. Don’t you wish S.E.C.R.E.T. existed? In a way I tried to render it in a way that made the idea plausible, real.
2) We love to learn more about an author’s personal writing process. What can you share about yours? For example- does music play a role at all?
I do listen to music, most a channel on Songza.com called Muted Jazz. My strictest writing ritual is getting at it early in the morning. As the day progresses, my mind fills up with news, TV, Twitter, calls, demands on my time. If I don’t wake up at the crack of dawn and get at it, I get nothing done later in the day. Sometimes I set myself a quota (about 1500 words) but usually I’ll try to tackle a given chapter or scene and go for about five to six hours maximum. The most I’ve ever written was about 7,000 words. Those are great days.
3) What can we expect to see from you next?
It’s a real hodge podge right now. Of course I’m writing the third book in the trilogy…and I’m developing a TV series based on my first novel, Tempting Faith DiNapoli. There’s a History Channel show about sex in the works. And we’re in the very early stages of developing S.E.C.R.E.T. as a series as well. We’re taking our time on that. We want to do it right. But I do want to write a novel under my own name, (Lisa Gabriele) and I’ve got a number of ideas on the go. Remains to be seen which idea will survive. My job is to chase after the strongest one …and take notes!
4) When are you currently reading? (when you aren’t busy writing of course).
I have no less than four books on my nightstand. Stephen King’s latest, Dr. Sleep. Edna O’Brien’s autobiography. I’m reading a lot of Zane these days, the African American erotic novelist; I love her!! And I just bought the 40th anniversary edition of Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying. I go back and forth between all four.
AUTHOR INFO
L. Marie Adeline is the pseudonym for the best-selling author Lisa Gabriele, who has written both novels and non-fiction.
S.E.C.R.E.T., the first installment of an erotic trilogy is published in more than thirty countries. It was a bestseller in several countries, including Canada where it was #1 for several weeks.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, the second installment, will be published Oct. 15th, 2013.
S.E.C.R.E.T. SHARED (Book #2)
WARNING: Here are the links for the 2nd book in this series. It released today. However, if you haven’t read S.E.C.R.E.T. yet, there might be spoilers within the synopsis of S.E.C.R.E.T. SHARED, so just an FYI.
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