Welcome to my leg of T.E. Sivec’s A Beautiful Lie Blog Tour. Click here for complete tour information.
Title: A Beautiful Lie
Author: T.E. Sivec
Series: Playing with Fire #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: e-copy supplied by author for honest review
from Goodreads…
He saw her first, but his friend made the move.
She settled for the safer choice, but her heart knew the truth.
They love, they crave, they lie.
Garrett McCarthy, Annabelle Parker, and Milo Roberts were as close as friends could get. They shared in each other’s joy during graduations, promotions, and engagements. They consoled one another through heartache and loss.
When one of the friend’s life is tragically cut short, it’s up to the two left behind to pick up the pieces and find out the truth – no matter the cost. As they slowly start to uncover the nature of his deception, and the very powerful people behind it, they begin to question everyone and everything, even themselves.
Everyone has secrets – some do it for love while others do it for power. Those secrets can change perceptions, alter reality and sometimes destroy lives.
What do you do when you find out your whole life has been a lie?
Normally it takes me a day, maybe a day and a half to read a book. Normally I’ll deny myself food and sleep to finish a book. I didn’t do that with this one. Oh, I loved it…I loved it so hard I almost don’t have the right words for you…but with this one, I wanted to slow down and savor it. I mean seriously, slow down and take it all in. Let it wash over me and pull me into the drama and suspense of this beautifully crafted tale. Goddamn you Tara, I’m going to have to kiss you full on the lips when I finally meet you…don’t worry, flossing more is a New Years resolution for me.
A Beautiful Lie tells a remarkably captivating story of friendship, loss, redemption and love – pure, deep, unwavering love that stands the test of time and tortures of the soul. This story confirms the fact that the heart is going to love who the heart needs to love and there’s is nothing, absolutely NOTHING you can do to make that love go away. While A Beautiful Lie is a departure from Sivec’s previous stories, the character development, pacing, dialogue and heart we’ve grown accustomed to are still there. Ms. Sivec, you got mad skills bitch.
Annabelle Parker might be the first woman to make my Fictional Freebie List – okay, I don’t swing that way but if I did, she’d be at the top of my list! I mean seriously, who didn’t think Alias’ Sydney Bristow wasn’t badass hot back in the day?!!? Totally hot. Parker lived a charmed life full of love and family but when her mother dies, her world goes to hell in a hand basket. Everything she’s every believed in suddenly becomes askew. She builds walls around her heart to keep herself safe. When she meets Garrett and Milo, her axis tilts again. Thinking she’s making life easier for herself, she ends up with one, denying her heart its one true love. Oh Parker, I get that you loved both men, but it almost feels sadistic how you keep your true love so very close but won’t let him in your bed. It’s almost like you are subconsciously punishing yourself for your parent’s situation. Stop it girl, you are breaking my heart with this sweet torture. Killing me. (and not to give anything away but I found Milo to be a dick long before he proved me right)
Where Parker might make her way onto my special list…Garrett McCarthy is firmly planted there. Hold on a second, I’ve got to go add him before I can proceed with this review. OK, I’m back, he’s there and all is right in the world. Garrett is such a good guy, almost too good. He loves Parker so much, all he wants in the world is for her to be happy. He thinks she is happy, blissfully happy. His heart is broken and can never mend but for the woman he loves, he’ll live with the jagged edges and pain, just so he can be close to her. The scene where Garrett is unable to control his passion for Parker any longer was seriously, one of the hottest most anticipated scenes I’ve read in a long time…it was so intense, so emotional, so raw, so gratifying, so emotionally beautiful, I had to go back and read it twice, shut up – it was three times. I told you I needed to savor this bitch – fucking Tara is in my headspace man – I’m spent. And then the next day, in the shower…shower wall sex – you know me, stick a fork in me I’m fucking done.
The great part about being a book reviewer is getting my greedy hands on these books early, ‘cause I’m an instant gratification whore that way. The sucky part is not being able to say all I want to say because I don’t want to spoil anything for you guys. This book has so many twists and turns. It’s a slow boil of a book but trust me, the payoff is outstanding. The adventures are so intense, the suspense literally had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I’m not joking, My Guy walked through the family room where I was reading and actually shook me, apparently he said my name twice and I didn’t respond because I was so enthralled. This book will pull you in and drive you crazy. At one point, towards the end, I had to get up and walk around, I think it was a combo platter of not wanting the story to end and being so emotionally riled up, I needed to catch my breath a bit. Seriously, Milo is/was a dick. So much action. So much emotion. So much Garrett – goddamn that man is scandalicious…and you know, the skills a man demonstrates for the woman he loves with every ounce of his being far outweighs the swagger and fucking Garrett has some major swagger, with his Navy Seal alpha badass hero sexy self. Hot damn, Garrett, he is all you can possibly imagine and more. Read it, I dare you to say I’m wrong about Garrett. Watching Garrett and Parker sort themselves, solve a mystery, bring down a seriously awful bad guy all while dealing with new lies finding their way into the sunlight is emotionally draining in all the right ways for a reader. T.E. Sivec, I’m not even joking when I say get your pucker ready – you won’t need a restraining order because I’ll keep my hands to myself but I will kiss you when we meet!
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T.E. Sivec is the pen name for Tara Sivec. Under T.E. Sivec, she delves into a more serious genre that is her absolute favorite to read – romantic suspense. She loves reading a book and feeling her heart speed up with anticipation and wanted to be able to give that feeling to her fans.
T.E. lives in Ohio with her husband and two children, living the dream of being a full-time writer.
Connect with T.E. Sivec
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Ok… I wasn’t sure I was going to read this one but you pushed me over the edge on it.
Just remember, it’s a slow boil but once it hits…hang on tight! A pay attention…the devil is in the details!!! Enjoy
Garrett, Garrett, Garrett…SIGH. There are no words!
This one is definitely a slow boil. In fact, I was not really liking it in the beginning. Parker was getting on my nerve (note singular nerve — hubby says I only have one) and she was so cocky! Still not sure how I like her…she did get better but she is not good enough for Garrett. It is a good thing he loved her so much.
Parker and Garrett’s chemistry was off the charts! Seriously! These 2 burned up the pages…or kindle! I don’t think I have read chemistry between 2 characters that was so hot. That shower seen was AWESOME! I really hated the separation at the end but the epilogue was epic!
AND Milo…I kind of felt sorry for him.
I just checked your freebie list…I saw you were lusting on SONNY?? I almost lost respect for you until I saw he is no longer on your list. That man and his “smell the fart acting”! lol FTR I whole heartedly approve of your current list…I know, now you can sleep at night. lol
I know, age has not been kind to Sonny and one would think acting skills would improve with time but again, sadly now. Glad you approve of my list, sleep WILL come much easier tonight! Do you have a list?
I don’t really have a running list. It’s more of the current book I’m reading and if I’m totes loving him. Some of my past were Lee and Hank from Rock Chick, Braden from On Dublin St, Will from Slammed, Dorian from Dark Swan series and one of my latest is Xan from Madeline Sheehan’s Trinity series…YUM! Xan is holding position until the next dude knocks him down. Of course there is many, many more…
that’s an impressive Fictional list…what about in real life Hope? Who is your David Gandy?
I only have a fictional list.
I’ll let you not like Parker if you let me not feel sorry for Milo…he’s a dick.
I was iffy on whether to read this book. But like usual, you’re review has changed my mind and I am going to give it a shot. *sighs and adds yet another book to my TBR list* The reader in me thanks you with glitter…but my checking account so does not.
Oh, I did have an important question…is there wall sex?! (Or anything as equally scandalicious?!)
oh Kat, there is scandalicious sex, wall sex, shower sex, pool sex, and the sexual tension…and Garrett knows his way around a woman. Sorry about your checking account but your libido will be happy!
Wall Sex?
Did some one say Wall Sex!?
Ok… it is forcast over 100 Degrees F here tomorrow…that has to be my time to shelter from afternoon heat = time for a ‘A Beautiful Lie”…will post when I’m done!
remember, it starts slow but once it hits…it hits hard! And they have some crazy hot sex
Well, Well, Well Ms Sivec…..you are one talented lady!
That was EXCELLENT!!
SOOO different from the Chocolate Lovers Series, yet just as clever. Hats off to you.
You know what Scandal….. as much as Garrett is all yummy, alpha, navy seal, spunky and alround ‘shaggable’!? The one I was quietly eyeballing was Brady. I would be seriously interested to know what the man can manage against a wall!!!!? Fictionally speaking ofcourse.
Oh and my Hubby thanks you for the pool scene! That earnt him extra attention yesterday evening! A bit of outdoor activity to set the heart racing!
That would be Tara Im Thanking for the pool scene , Scandal!
yes Teena, we can double date! I’m guessing Brady will not disappoint!