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Deadly Secrets

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PHILIPPE LAFRANCE is a well known reclusive writer whose life is suddenly thrown upside down. The grandfather he never knew existed dies. Throughout his own investigation, Philippe learns that his family has kept secrets from him, deep, ugly secrets. A killer is murdering the men in his family. First his father then his grandfather have succumbed at the hands of another. This murderer is trying his utmost to keep secrets buried. Bereft, Roxanne St-Clair is left to manage a restaurant when the only person who ever mattered to her, her foster parent and mentor, is murdered. She puts her life on hold to find his killer and bring him to justice. Thrown together by circumstance and a mutual goal, Philippe and Roxanne fight their attraction and team up to find the killer, bring him to justice and unearth the truth. To stay alive, they must keep one step ahead of the assassin in order to prevent him from killing his next target, Philippe. Will they succeed in bringing to justice this killer before Philippe becomes his next victim? Will they be able to deal with the truth behind all the secrets?

286 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2008

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About the author

Leeann Burke

1 book40 followers
I cant remember a time when I didnt have characters living in my head. It wasnt until the age of 12 that I realized not everyone hears characters talking to them. Thats about the time I put pen to paper and created their stories. I finished my first and only short story within weeks. I kept on writing through high school, university and my first few jobs. To this day I still have a pen and paper handy.

I have completed 10 manuscripts. After 22 years of writing I got the call. The owner of LBF Books called to let me know she wanted to purchase DEADLY SECRETS. I cant express what it feels like to finally see my publication dream come true.

I currently live in Ottawa Canada and Im working on DEADLY DESIRES as sequel to DEADLY SECRETS and plotting more books.Visit my ag my website www.leeannburke.com
"

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5 stars
56 (39%)
4 stars
40 (28%)
3 stars
34 (24%)
2 stars
8 (5%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
152 reviews27 followers
December 28, 2008
This wonderful book reveals that great minds DO think alike, but in different ways. A book I'm sort of working on involves a woman whose policeman husband dies discovering that he was up to his neck in corruption and embarking on a dark odyssey into his secret life. Similar idea - we care more about the darkness when it effects our significant others. I believe Aristotle called this PHILOS. Deadly Secrets is both brilliantly written and atmospheric and above all, convincing in its characterisation and ability to suspend disbelief. Read it for yourself and you'll see I'm telling the truth.
Profile Image for Antonietta.
4 reviews
February 10, 2009
Loved how romance between Roxanne and Philippe developed—gave me a very warm feeling. Murder mystery kept me on my toes! I enjoyed the investigative questions and answers that occurred throughout novel, making the characters come alive for me, and the eventual knowledge of “who had done it” a surprise. One of the things I liked about Roxanne that stuck in my mind was her ability to know ingredients in a dish by taste and smell as well, and yes, has something to do with story. Of course, Philippe’s talents as an author came in handy too. The letter at end of novel from Ms. Burke to readers was touching, and explained author’s personal reasons for donating proceeds of novel to breast cancer research. It was a great joy to me to be able to read this wonderful novel.
Profile Image for David.
Author 100 books90 followers
Want to read
January 27, 2009
I just received word about the novel Deadly Secrets that is an official sponsor for the American Breast Cancer Foundation and will also be donating funds to further Breast Cancer Research. Please take some time to check it out.

In the book, Philippe Lafrance is a well known reclusive writer whose life is suddenly thrown upside down when the grandfather he never knew existed, dies. He investigates the reason and learns that his family has kept secrets from him. Deep, ugly secrets. Worse, a killer is murdering the men in his family. He discovers that his father, then his grandfather, were murdered by someone desperate to keep secrets buried.

Bereft, Roxanne St-Clair is left to manage a restaurant when the only person who ever mattered to her, her foster parent and mentor, is murdered. She puts her life on hold to find his killer and bring him to justice.

Thrown together by circumstance and a mutual goal, Philippe and Roxanne fight their attraction and team up to find the killer, bring him to justice and unearth the truth. To stay alive, they must keep one step ahead of the assassin in order to prevent him from killing his next target, Philippe.

Will they succeed in bringing to justice this killer before Philippe becomes his next victim? Will they be able to deal with the truth behind the deadly secrets?

The book is available at Amazon.com and Fictionwise.com
Profile Image for Idris.
113 reviews20 followers
January 29, 2011
I was selected as a First Reads winner, so I want to thank Goodreads and Leeann Burke for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

My Opinion:

The story talks about a young man who one day discovers certain things in his life that he ignored, and among those secrets, is the death of two of his close relatives. From that moment, together with a beautiful young woman, he will try to discover the truth before the murderer kills his next target. Him.
The story takes us directly to the point. No long introductions or detailed passages. The author takes us through pages showing new characters and mysteries to solve. Sometimes I thought I was reading a book written by one of the great masters of mystery, where you don’t know the truth, until you reach the last pages. Also we have romance, family problems, drama, political stuff… a little bit of everything.

The main characters are well defined, and we can clearly see how they complement each other, and how they overcome their fears. I loved some secondary characters, and others I hate them from the beginning.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book. I recommend it to all fans of mystery who also love romantic stories like me.

4 Stars: I really like it!
Profile Image for Claudia (CJ).
391 reviews
October 11, 2010
A First Reads win on Goodreads! Looks like a good book!

I was right after all it was a good book. Roxanne St-Claire & Philippe Lafrance see each other for the first time at his grand fathers funeral. Philippe never knew the grandfather even existed and Roxanne lost her guardian who she cared for alot. So brings together the story of love? and murder and a good mystery! I enjoyed this book and was happy to see part of the proceeds on the sale of this book are going to American Breast Cancer Foundation.
19 reviews
April 11, 2023
Finished this over the weekend & I loved it! It grabs you right from the start with an instant connection between Roxanne and Philippe and then finding out soon after that Philippe's grandfather hasn't just passed- he was murdered.

The rest of the story is about Roxanne and Philippe falling in love while trying to figure out who is the murderer. The whole time I was trying to guess who it was, but someone new would come into the picture and you're thinking, "oh yeah, totally him" and it happens again and again 🤣 I like that I wasn't able to guess the ending, which in many of these types of books you can.

I enjoyed all the complex relationships and how diving deep into why Philippe has lived guarded off since he was young. His father passed when he was 5, and his mother decided to cut all ties to everyone who knew and loved Philippe but never showed him any type of love. For him, rediscovering past friends opened up a whole side to him that he didn't know existed. I hated his mother from the start and hated her more by the end.

The best part about buying this book is that the author, Leeann Burke, is donating all proceeds to The American Breast Cancer Foundation 💗
Profile Image for Once Upon A Maltese Reader.
138 reviews18 followers
April 22, 2023
Dear Bookstagrammers,

Trust you are well and in good health!

Thanks to LeeAnn Burke I’ve received this e-book in exchange for an honest review. I was intrigued to read this book since it contains a very fast-paced story that left me wanting more. Although it is not my favorite genre, I wanted to give it a try and it did not disappoint. The review here is my sole opinion and totally honest.

So, the book is about a very well-known writer who had an immediate change in life. Philippe Lafrance never knew his grandfather let alone how he died. This writer decided to investigate what happened and discovers that his family had kept a lot of secrets from him. A killer is murdering all the men of his family including his father. Roxanne St-Clair, a very beautiful woman captured the eye of Phillippe and since both of our characters are thrown together due to some circumstances in life and goal, they decide to work on the case. Their attraction is mutual, and they had to team up to find the killer.

This book falls under mystery and romance and it makes total sense when reading the story. I’ve truly enjoyed it. In fact, I couldn’t stop reading it. There are some minor grammatical mistakes but, overall, it didn’t bother me at all. What I know is that the story is great when it comes to the plot and the development of the characters is truly remarkable. It is very fast-paced, and I highly recommend this book for all to read. On another note, I did discover that the income from the book will be donated to American Breast Cancer Awareness so well done to the author, and well done for the amazing book you wrote!
9 reviews6 followers
January 5, 2012
From Romance Junkies

"George Lafrance left behind many secrets when he passed away...mainly secrets regarding a grandson he had that no one knew anything about. Roxanne St-Claire knew sweet George to be a compassionate man, but on the very day they laid him to rest, the police inform her that his death is a homicide. Stunned, she couldn’t believe someone would try to kill him.

Philippe Lafrance is a reclusive, well-known mystery writer whose world is flipped when he finds out that a grandfather who he never knew has died. He didn’t understand why his family kept his grandfather secret but after seeking answers, he discovers deep ugly secrets that everyone wants to keep hidden. Those secrets happened to be the reason the killer ended George’s life, and the life of Philippe’s father before that.

Thrown together in a whirlwind of events, Philippe and Roxanne must fight their mutual attraction to find the killer. Each step they take leads them closer to their goal but the more information Philippe uncovers, the closer he comes to being the killer’s next target. Will these two be able to survive these deadly secrets?

From the beginning, Leeann Burke draws her readers in with a gripping suspense that leaves you breathless. I found myself picking out suspects and trying to determine the identity of the killer, but the author left me surprised in the end. DEADLY SECRETS is a fabulous book that is perfect to curl up with on a lazy afternoon. Definitely a recommended read! "
January 5, 2012
From Coffee Time Romance

Philippe Lafrance is a writer who prefers being alone. That is until he is told that a grandfather he never knew existed had died. As he tries to find out the reasons why he never knew about his grandfather, he uncovers things that certain persons want left in the past; including the suspicion that his father and grandfather were murdered and did not die of heart attacks.

Roxanne St-Clair was taken in by Philippe’s grandfather when he found her behind his restaurant as a teen. He changed her life and became a very important part of her life, and now he is gone. What else can she do but help Philippe hunt for a suspected killer and make them pay for their crime?

Roxanne and Philippe are strangers yet find a connection that each is wary of at first, but as they undercover the mystery of Philippe’s father’s past they find themselves giving in to what has begun to bloom between them. Will they be able to enjoy their newfound joy? Or does the killer have other plans for them?

This book definitely has all the elements of a great who-done-it, intrigue, suspense, murder, lies, and suspicions. Not to mention there is some romance thrown in the mix. Deadly Secrets is a book you will want to pick up not only for a good read but to support a good cause as well. Ms. Burke is donating proceeds from this book to breast cancer research. This reader/reviewer commends Ms. Burke on not only her writing but her compassionate heart as well.

Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Profile Image for Naomi.
4,724 reviews143 followers
January 28, 2011
Part of me is extremely happy that I was able to get this book from my library and part of me wishes I would have broken down and purchased it because proceeds go to the American Breast Cancer Foundation. The book overall to me was a mediocre read meaning nothing really stood out which needs to occur for a book to get more than 3 stars. I think it was because it was a Mystery/Romance which tends to make me draw a glazed look anyway. Still though, I was impressed with the author's donation to an cause close to my heart and may still purchase the book for my library if they would like it.
Profile Image for Heather W.
4,025 reviews30 followers
February 7, 2020
I really enjoyed "Deadly Secrets: Family secrets can be deadly" and found it to be an intriguing romantic suspense story.

Who really knows the secrets in your family's past? Are they enough to make someone kill?
Philippe and Roxanne are great characters tied together by a common goal... to find out who is killing the male members of his family. This story is well written and engaging, with murder, danger, suspense, intrigue, and romance.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I would love to read more.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
Profile Image for Danielle.
224 reviews
February 8, 2020
This was a very enjoyable read.
I loved the mix of romance and murder mystery.
The characters were very well written and they all have their characteristics that make them very interesting in their own way.
This book definitely has a way of keeping you on your toes with every page, more excitement is added to the story.
Profile Image for Liberty Blake.
Author 13 books61 followers
January 7, 2012
Roxanne and Philippe are two characters with the same goal, find out who killed Philippe's grandfather before they can kill Philippe.

This is a wonderfully told story, with a lot of heart. Don't wait too long before you read it.
Profile Image for Ewa.
2,280 reviews
February 7, 2020
The story line and character are ok. From the top book you may expect more.
The romance is too predictable but we have some twists and turns.
It was OK read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Pat Eroh.
2,611 reviews29 followers
October 11, 2021
A compelling story that grabbed my attention from the start and did not let go. Philipe and Roxanne are interesting characters with a common tie to each other, murder. Great read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Arun Verma.
337 reviews5 followers
May 16, 2023
The funeral for George Lafrance marks the start of the narrative. He has a foster child who is in mourning, Roxanne St-Clair, standing to the side. And Phillipe, a grandson that nobody was aware of until a week ago and two police officers stood back, hawk-eyed.

This has set a Suspenseful tone of the novel. Gradually the story proceeds and you find yourselves in Labyrinth. Philippe discovers that his family has been hiding from him some very dark and unpleasant secrets. The males in his family are being murdered by a killer. His grandfather and father both passed away at the hands of another.

When Roxanne St-Clair's foster father passed away, she is left destitute and forced to run a restaurant. Roxanne and Philippe are drawn to one another by circumstance and a shared objective. Here is a layer of romance and chemistry that added another star to the novel.

The author has unveiled a lot of human emotions that are usually hidden due to societal constraints. The most important aspect to me was "Childhood Trauma". Key elements to pay attention to here are Grief, Guilt, Remorse, Denial, Repressed memories, Childhood trauma and Self-discovery. The author has done a commendable job in narrating such sensitive topics.

Philippe and Roxanne have endured a lot of pain at young age. Both lead different lives however faced abhorrence and abandonment from parents. Philippe's character is relatable. An introvert and headstrong despite relying on mother issues. Also, Roxanne’s character has displayed an array of qualities reflecting her intelligence and courage.

Amidst all the murder investigation, Phillippe and Rozanne face their own insecurities and fears. It was poignant and compelling to see them discover themselves and overcome their insecurities. I was amazed at the characters as they were grey, flawed and this is reality. We frequently run into circumstances where the past has moved on but we are unable to.

With a good mix of all the above this was an interesting read.
Profile Image for Teresa Collins.
879 reviews14 followers
March 23, 2023
This is a compelling story of family secrets and the damage they can cause to more than one generation. The characters here are realistic, three-dimensional, and at times (for the 'bad guys') so easy to dislike. The dialogue flows smoothly and feels natural which adds an extra touch of believability to the story. As another reviewer said, the reader begins to suspect who the perpetrator is, almost from the beginning; but don't give up on it because you think you've figured it out. There are revelations coming that are genuinely unexpected.
My only negative issue with the book is the emphasis on romance. I'm not a romantic suspense girl. I like my mysteries to be straight mysteries. But I have to give Ms. Burke credit in that while I don't enjoy being a part of someone's bedroom scene, at least she kept it clean and not graphic or explicit. I enjoyed this book and will be looking for other books of Ms. Burke's to read.
Profile Image for Beary Into Books.
794 reviews58 followers
April 12, 2023
I love a book that keeps you guessing and makes you pay attention to each character. The author did a fantastic job of making the reader think they knew who did it but then more information gets revealed to make you question yourself all over again. I read this book in two days because I couldn’t put it down. I loved and hated all of the characters (You will understand when you read it). Honestly, how I felt while reading this book is exactly how I want to feel when reading a suspense novel. I want my emotions to be all over the place because that means the book is really good. Right away I connected with the writing, it had a nice flow and was constantly moving. This is definitely a book you’ll want to experience for yourself and if you're a fan of romantic suspense then you’ll love this one. Overall, I highly recommend this one. It was well written, fast paced, and one that makes you think about family. If you have Kindle Unlimited you can read it for free now!
3,319 reviews17 followers
February 6, 2020
A story that pulls you in from the start. The mystery and suspense part of the story will keep you turning the pages, the romance part of the story will have you falling in love with the characters. The questions being asked and answered during the investigation make the story come alive yet keep you guessing "who did it". As an added bonus, the author has decided that proceeds from the sale of this book to breast cancer research. A wonderful book to read and I highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

9,413 reviews114 followers
February 6, 2020
This is the 1st book I've read written by Leeann Burke; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
2,415 reviews
February 5, 2020
This was a good book with an interesting storyline. The story and characters are well written. I recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Susan Koehne.
12 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2020
Need a new proofreader

There are so many grammatical mistakes - perhaps English is the author's second language. And there are discrepancies in the timeline of events in the story. The relationship between the two main characters developed so quickly that it was a bit like a soap opera.
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,756 reviews16 followers
June 17, 2015
This was a well written chick lit mystery. A reclusive author's Grandfather dies. This is the first he knew of him. He is also heir to much of the Grandfather's property including a half share in his restaurant. The other half is left to a young woman who the Grandfather had taken in as a teen age runaway. The couple get together to search the Author's background, which they believe will explain both his Grandfather and Father's deaths. Without giving spoilers, they do get together and also learn both were murdered and why. Ultimately they learn by whom also.
432 reviews7 followers
February 25, 2012
I left a little detached from the characters but it was still an interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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