Secrets and Lies

A Cassie Scot Novel

By: Christine Amsden

Narrated by: Melissa Reizian Frank

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Cassie Scot, still stinging from her parents' betrayal, wants out of the magical world. But it isn't letting her go. Her family is falling apart and despite everything, it looks like she may be the only one who can save them.

To complicate matters, Cassie owes Evan her life, making it difficult for her to deny him anything he really wants. And he wants her. Sparks fly when they team up to find two girls missing from summer camp, but long-buried secrets may ruin their hopes for happiness. Book 2 in the Cassie Scot series.

©2013 Christine Morgan (P)2013 Christine Morgan

Gimmie the next book, ASAP!!!

This is book two in the Cassie Scott series and it picks up where the first left off. Cassie is still dealing with the disowning by her family and Evan's power over her.

There are many levels to this book, Cassie's need for independence, the relationship with Evan, a little side romance hint, two mysteries to solve and loads of backstories to reveal. The book really keeps ya hopping, in a good way. It is never really over whelming and the pace is very well done.

I really like the mysteries in these books, they are very involved and keep me on edge. This one is mostly about two missing teens who have connections to both Cassie and Evan's families. Again, a lot going on but not impossible to follow. I prefer the moments when Cassie is being a detective and not wallowing.

I do get a touch annoyed with Cassie and all her self pity and doubts. But I just have to remind myself she is 21, and that is typical of the age. She has to workout all that leftover teen angst. It really plays into her interactions with everybody around her. This isn't a major issue, and not really solvable because it is an age thing. She needs more years to really mature and gain wisdom. So, I will forgive her the growing pains.

I am also torn on the relationship with Evan, they really do love each other, but need to seriously work on communication!! This is another place where age and wisdom come into play. I just have to keep reminding myself they are only Twenty-one.

I am very intrigues by a potential romance between two supporting characters, I really hope we get more of that or a spinoff!! I love me a possessive Alpha wolf, especially when it comes to a mate thing!!

This is more of a clean read, some steamy kisses but not much more. Okay, some steamy groping too but no full on smexy action.

I love the opening and ending on Evan's POV, 90% of the book is Cassie's POV, the switch up really helps give insight into Evan. This is imperative as you might find him cold otherwise.

I listened to the audio book, the narrator Melissa Reizian Frank is terrific!!! She had great voices and characterization a that were easy to identify. She drew you more into the story and had you by the heart at emotional moments! I am definitely putting her on my listen list!!

Warning, this book is going to drop dome serious bombs on you in the end!! I am talking some serious WTF!!! My jaw hit the floor, even though I suspected something. I am on pins and needles waiting on the next book, it can not come fast enough!!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

I am loving and hating this series............

Secrets and Lies is the second in this paranormal romance/adventure series, and I think the book should be read as part of the ongoing series for the most enjoyment. So much of the magical world building happened in the first book, and this second book takes off immediately where book one ended. Secrets and Lies finds Cassie once again trying to solve multiple crimes of a magical nature, including a string of robberies with a seeming ghost as the culprit and the kidnapping of two teenage mage girls from a summer camp. Although these mysteries both provide plenty of intrigue and excitement, it is once again the developing relationship between Evan and Cassie that sucked me into the story so deeply. This is why I am both loving and hating this series. The author gives a whole new meaning to the words slow burn when it comes to the romance between Cassie and Evan, and, just when I think everything is going to be okay between them, Amsden drops another bomb. The particular bomb in this book happens right at the end, and I am literally only stopping to write this review before starting the third book in the series. While the book ends with a major cliffhanger in the relationship, Cassie succeeds in wrapping up both mysteries and begins her journey to reconciliation with her parents. I can't recommend enough listening to Cassie's adventures.

Melissa Reizian Frank's narration is superb. She narrates the first book in the series, and she is truly the voice of Cassie. Her delivery is flawless, and she differentiates between characters with great skill. I hope that she narrates all the books in this amazing series because I can't imagine a better choice for this exciting paranormal series.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

as good as the first book

the story keeps going and it keeps sucking you in it was a very very good book I loved it a lot the narrator was great and wonderful and overall it was very enjoyable

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

This Unrequited Love is Killing Me!

What made the experience of listening to Secrets and Lies the most enjoyable?

While the mystery and action scenes are most enjoyable in this second book of the series, Ms. Amsden has a unique talent for painting relationships, especially for describing those in turmoil. I must say, there was a great deal of arguing and so much misunderstanding, sometimes I just wanted to knock some sense into Cassie and her dark, mysterious love, Evan. In spite of my impatience with their constant friction and lack of communication, it probably reflects today's society more than I'd like to admit. After all, these are just kids (21). I yelled at them frequently, trying to get them to talk to each other.

And what's with the big family feud between their parents? What really happened in the hospital in that 24 hour period when Cassie and Even were born only one day apart? Could it be true? (no spoilers here)

I also loved the twists and turns and new mysteries that were revealed throughout the story and was VERY relieved with one outcome about two victims who I was really upset about initially, but then Ms. Amsden redeemed herself (just kidding about the redemption, but I'm trying not to spoil the story line here, and when you read or listen to it, you'll know exactly what I mean!).

The fire in the barn was too realistic, made me shudder! Very well done! And the scenes in the haunted cabin felt real/creepy to this listener. Great fun.

Most of all, I felt impatient with Cassie for not forgiving her mother when she was in the hospital. She should have dropped that darned attitude, forgotten about past problems, and just run to her mom's side! (See? I was totally pulled in and the story seemed so real, once again I was yelling at Cassie! LOL) Thankfully, she finally did the right thing and that was most satisfying, especially the scene where she learned more about her mom's history than we'd ever expected!

I was very unhappy with the ending, though, because I am a happy ending guy who wants everything resolved NOW. I guess we will just have to follow these two kids onto books three and four and see if they can finally get together! (can't wait for the next book, seriously)

All in all this was an enjoyable listen with great mysterious and romantic overtones - recommended as the second listen in the series. (best read/listened to in order of release date)

What other book might you compare Secrets and Lies to and why?

This book is the sequel to book one in the Cassie Scot series, and was a consistent, smooth follow-on story.

What about Melissa Reizian Frank’s performance did you like?

Ms. Reizian is a reliable, talented narrator who keeps voices consistent and does so from book to book, which is important. Her deeper tones allow her to do the male voices very believably and also to differentiate all characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Cassie finally went to her family in the hospital and then to her mother's side.

Any additional comments?

Ms. Amsden's writing is polished and smooth, without a hitch. It takes years to develop such a skill, to be able to "write like you talk" so that the reader isn't pulled out of the story with artificial snobbery or words characters wouldn't use. I love reading/listening to a story that moves forward so effortlessly, yet tells such a compelling tale! Kudos!

Looking forward to the next in the series!

Their families manipulations destroy their dreams.

She always felt to be less, the only one out of seven children to not have magic.
Then, to be asked to give up their family, so they would have the power of seven practitioners.
He helped her bear it all, although neither of them trusted the other with their hearts.
Tissues will be most likely needed for those that are emotionally involved in a story.

Another Cliff Hanger...

The title says it all for these 2 doomed lovers. Not theirs as much as the families' secrets, but no matter, the results are damning. In between the family feuds is a mystery to be solved and in a combined effort that is brought to fruition, so some good news. The same level of maturity (or lack thereof) is as evident here as the 1st book, and is spread evenly among all characters. We're left with another cliff-hanger and I haven't decided yet whether to listen to book 3 or just cut my losses...

This is the second book in the series and it just keeps getting better!

This book has a lot of twists and turns. It is packed with adventure, suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery and romance. I definitely recommend this book!
The narrator does a fabulous job with the characters and voices of each character. I can’t wait to download the next book in the series.

Book Two

I will start with just saying how great Reozian is and I just think she captures Cassie’s likeness perfectly.
Cassie is a cool down to earth ‘normal’ girl. She has shown great character development since early in the first book when she is the rescued damsel, leaving her to owe a debt. She definitely handles the dirty work in this one. Cassie wraps up the major mystery in this book, proving just how much of a bad@$$ normal detective she is. There is plenty left that you will need to read the next books to find out. Two of her friends are coming into their own interesting storylines. I’m not sure what is going to happen with her family and I think she forgave her parents too easy. There is a bomb dropped in the Epilogue that deals with her relationship with Evan so I definitely have to listen to the next one.

Hooked

I am really enjoying the Cassies Scot series. I have gotten sucked into her life and want to know what will happen next. Christine Amsden has created a character that I found I care about. I am also loving Melissa Reizian Franks narration. I can be very picky about narrators and think she does a great job.
The series revolves around Cassie, a non-magical person trying to make her way in a magical family and community. I don't want to give away anything. If you like the Mercy Thompson & Kate Daniels series ( as well as Lorelei King & Renee Raudman) you will enjoy Cassie Scot.

good book that hit too many hot buttons for me

This is a disappointment. The writing here is fine, as is the narration. Plus, I read and enjoyed book one. At the time of writing this review, I'm about a third of the way through book three and enjoying it too. I even have book four that I intend to listen to and anticipate enjoying it. But this particular book's plot just happened to include two elements that I hate. And I don't just mean dislike a little bit, but actively hate and try to avoid in my books.

[this is a bit spoilery]

I honestly think that a full half of mystery books are about women being raped, trafficked, or used as breeding stock (which is all part and parcel of the same), possibly more. I am just so sick of it. I no longer find anything about it new, or original or enjoyable. In fact, I cringe away from them. Women being victimized is all over social media all day. It's in the news. It's spoken of among friends and apparently it's inescapable even in the literature we read for fun. Female victims vastly outnumber male in general and sexual violence seems a favorite theme of authors. I'm just plain sick of getting slapped in the face with it all the time. So, while I acknowledge this isn't Secrets and Lies fault, it 100% set me on edge and severely compromised my enjoyment. I feel like it's a lazy plot line.

And here's the thing, sure, I can see that in a society that values powerful bloodlines there would be those who try to take advantage of it. But I can also see that there's no reason some women wouldn't born uber powerful too and girls taught from day one to protect themselves. But instead we're just given women=victim, over and over again. Even in just this series, book one's victims were a teen girl and an over-sexualized woman. And here, in book two, we're given two innocent girls. I sense a theme (and expect it to continue forward in the series). Men are predators and women are victims. I am so sick of this never varying narrative in my fiction.

This brings me to the second element that I hate, I mean really rage about. And it's kind of related, in that it's commonly seen (though not as common as women=victims). I absolutely hate when a character is wronged and then forced to forgive the perpetrator to save the day. I hate this! What Cassie's parents did to her was horrible. She was entitled to all of the hurt and anger she felt. That she was then forced to forgive them to save them is almost a violation all it's own. That she could hurt and be angry and still want to save them, because she doesn't want to see them dead, is one thing. Fight a battle, pay a price, make a speech, there are a million actions she could be forced to take to save the people who hurt her and still maintain her own (rightful) emotions. But for her to be forced to forgive, that's too personal and a new wrong all of it's own. So, she has to be further wronged because she's been wronged. F*ck off.

What's more, the whole idea that she should forgive her parents because her mother suffered a past trauma doesn't track for me. It made the events worse. They threw Cassie out, fully unprepared, to be victimized in exactly the same way her mother was. That doesn't make it forgivable to me. That makes it worse. Nothing in this plot line did anything but anger me.

Plus, it was just too much of an emotional swing. The parents were loving, wonderful good guys. Then parents did something horrible and became bad guys. Then we find out mother has been traumatized in the past, so they're supposed to be good guys again. I couldn't personally make all those adjustments in times. So, I disliked seeing Cassie trying to rebuild her relationship with them. That should be on her parents, not her, and they should be working for it.

All in all, I disliked this book based on it's plot. I still enjoy Cassie. I still like the series. I acknowledge this book as an anomaly. I haven't one-starred it (because it doesn't deserve it), but I really wanted to. It just seemed to hit all my most hated hot buttons.

Excellent!!

This was a fantastic second book; I was wholly immersed in the story from the start right to the end. Christine Amsden has done an incredible job with the world-building, plot and characters. I really enjoyed Melissa Reizian Frank's narration; her performance was fabulous. Overall, Secrets and Lies is an exciting listen, and I highly recommend it. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review..

Don't keep this book a secret

I really enjoyed this book. I like the complex family life that help as well as hinder Cassie's life, making for an interesting story and I liked find out more about her family's magic. The plot for the mystery kept you guessing who had kidnapped the girls and how magic was going to be involved. This book continues from were book one left off and I think the series is one you need to listen to in order just to fully understand what is happening (it is lightly covered in this book but better explained in Book one) and also because it is a great book. I am off to start book three, it is that good, normally I would have another book in between but I want to see what happens next.
Cassie is still struggling with being disowned by her family but she isn't the only one, the rest of the family is falling apart without her and when a magical family self-destructs it can be deadly. Can they come together and sort out there differences?
At the same time a distant cousin has gone missing from a summer camp with her best friend, who just happens to be related to bad boy Evan. When even Evan's powerful magic can't find them he turns to Cassie and her normal investigating skills for help. Can Evan and Cassie deny there attraction and work together to find the missing girls before they turn up dead.
I liked the narrator and found she had plenty of skill to give each character there own voice.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Very Good

An exciting and suspenseful read. There were lots of different things happening in this story which made it very exciting and interesting, the mystery of the missing girls, the relationship between Cassie and Evan, and the secrets that Cassie's mother was keeping from her. A very enjoyable listen and excellently narrated. Looking forward to reading the next book.


I voluntarily reviewed an advance reading copy.

amazing book

Cassie Scot, still stinging from her parents' betrayal, wants out of the magical world.
amazing book can't wait for book 3

Secrets and lies

I loved this supernatural mystery read. A fast paced read that is a real page turner. I loved this audio the Narrator does a fantastic job. The Author has brought forth an epic read with this second book in the series. I love putting together puzzle like reads like this one and it didn't disappoint. It had me on the edge of my seat. I felt like I was watching them through my minds eye invisioning the scenes there written so well and come out fantastic in this audio. A definite must listen.
Shauna Joesten

Entertaining

Secrets and Lies picks up where book 1 left off. The story is action packed with family drama, personal growth pains, love interests, and paranormal mystery. I really like the characters and the storyline is interesting and entertaining. The narrator did a fantastic job with providing unique voices for each character and appropriate tone inflections for each scene. I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. The story can be listened to without listening to book 1, but I recommend listening to book 1 first so that you have the full backstory.

Awesome

I love this series so far and can not wait to listen to the next one.
Brilliant storyline and amazing characters. I highly recommend this book.
The narrator is pretty good also she brings the characters and story to life.
😹😻🤩

Life just keeps getting harder for Cassie

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Cassie is dealing with the fall out of her family disowning her and has been thrown together with Evan. Even though her parents have disowned her they are still trying to dictate about her relationship with Evan even though at the start it’s platonic their constant interference pushes her closer to Evan. After Evan saves her life she owes him her life ( some magical rule) wh has makes it hard for her to deny him anything. When two teenagers disappear from a summer camp Evan and Cassie go to help and in the end both extended families have to come together to help the kidnapped teenagers but the feud causes alsorts of bad feelings. Once again the narrator really does a fabulous job and I can’t wait to start book 3 .