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Deadly Illusion

A Suspenseful Standalone (Secrets and the City, Book 1)

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Deadly Illusion

By: Kathy Lockheart
Narrated by: Sarah Puckett, Michael Norman Johnson
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About this listen

AN AMAZON TOP 25 BESTSELLER!

I was able to hide the bruises from everyone... until an MMA fighter came along. Now he'll die to protect me. Maybe even kill... He insists I stay with him for protection, but Damian is keeping his own dark secrets and warns me that anyone who gets close to him will be in danger…Worse, my assailant is determined to finish what he started.

And now, my life, along with the lives of everyone I love…… is in peril.

Can Damian and I survive and get our happily ever after?

Or will this fairy tale end in murder?

*STANDALONE, no cliffhanger

©2021 Kathy Lockheart (P)2025 KATHY LOCKHEART Romantic Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Combat Sports

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All stars
Most relevant  

Listener received this title free

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
I throughly enjoyed this book , it was gripping, heartbreaking and heartwarming… I was engaged throughout the whole book the suspense had me at the edge of my seat..
I just couldn’t stop reading it.
Damian a MMA fighter holy moly he’s hot 🔥

Damien 🫠

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⭐⭐⭐⭐
. 5 🌶️
Audiobook Review:
Narrated by Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson.
First off this book is quite heavy on page regarding DV. So be extra cautious reading or avoid if it's triggering. I will be honest it's my first for this author so I wasn't sure about spice. This book is very angsty but not much spice. We somehow get that 1 scene much much later on in the book.
Jenna's story with her ex Colton, kind of takes up half the story. The author has done a fantastic job in writing what living in a DV relationship looks like. It's easy for us to judge and say she knows it's wrong so why doesn't she leave. It's not that easy when you're actually in the relationship. So we get all the heartbreaking emotions that Jenna goes through. I really liked Jenna's strength to rebuild her life and actually want another chance in love.
Her brother was amazing and so was Damien. Damien went straight into Protector mode and took care of her. He was grumpy alpha at best but he too was hiding dark secrets. So he wouldn't let her get too close to him emotionally. The chemistry was strong but the fight against it was too strong in my opinion.
There were times when Jenna did make silly decisions leading to risks.
I wasn't happy about the fate of one character, I didn't think it was needed and yes I cried a lot.
There is a lot of triggers so please double check. This story really does gut you even though these two do get their HEA. The narrators did great with all the emotions and actions in the story. Giving the right feels making the characters real.
I need a happy story now for my empath heart.

Heartbreaking but really good

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This is the first book in the Secrets and the City series, a romantic suspense. This was my first Kathy Lockhearth's book, and won't be my last. Jenna and Damien's story is heart-wrenching, suspenseful and enthralling, filled with secrets, danger, violence, and heartbreaking twists and turns. Wow! I loved it! Jenna is beautiful, strong, and brave. Damien is enigmatic, supportive, and protective. The story is told from Jenna's POV. The supporting characters are interesting. I loved Jenna's brother, Justin. Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson did a great job bringing this story to life. This is a captivating romantic suspense. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to listening to Fatal Cure, the next book in the series.

Captivating Romantic Suspense!

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This friends to lovers, forbidden, second chance, slow burn, emotional romantic suspense was really well done. The author gives up the perspective of a domestic abuse survivor in a respective, realistic manner.

These characters were flawed, tortured, and human. Jenna and Damian had an intense, effortless connection and I really liked how their relationship developed. The plot was really good and I did not expect the plot twist.

Even though the book was written only from Jenna's POV, I really enjoyed the duet narration by Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson and felt it really added to the experience of the audiobook.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slow burn, emotional, romantic suspense!

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Kathy Lockheart takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride like no other, emotionally moving with some heartfelt moments and some gut-wrenching and hard to get through moments and situations. Jenna and Colton’s relationship was all fine and dandy until it was not when his true colors surfaced and the evil within him. Both had gone through hardships growing up, but Colton’s really did a number on him, left him more broken than Jenna even imagined. She tried to forgive him after he first put his hands on her, but it is hard to forget and, most of all, it is hard to trust again. Those around her sensed something was not right, including her brother Justin and then her new friend Damian, who has his own inner demons. When Colton goes off the rails, both Justin and Damian became her protectors, but even they can not stop the evil that Colton is ready to throw at them. This story may take some out of their comfort zone, some may even ask why did Jenna stay with Colton after the first time, but the author kept it real, since this happens all the time and for each victim as their reasons, whether is it lack of self worth or confidence or maybe just blinded by love. This is a well written, well plotted story and while I did not appreciate direction taken with Justin or the logic behind it, but that is my opinion and I also feel it would have been more of an impact if it played out differently, regardless it made me very sad and even mad. That said, there is never a dull moment in this book, the drama is non-stop, angst is high and there are thrilling and suspenseful moments, twist and turns, and romance worth waiting for in the end. The world building, character growth and development are fantastic. Kathy Lockheart, thank you for this great story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧  Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson did an amazing job bringing these characters to life and delivered a spot on portrayal of each. Naturals in their roles, both grasping every aspect of their characters’ personality and demeanor. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had your feeling them all. These two voice artists are the perfect pairing, with voices and talent that complement each other, and a performance that elevates the story to another level. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.

Emotionally Moving! Astounding Story & Listen🎧

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If you are looking for hearts and roses this isn't it. A love story, yes but a tough path getting there. Damien is Alpha and not a typical hero, while Jenna is a strong woman but has made some bad decisions. A very nasty relationship and death that you won't see coming make this story a hard, but must read. Our hero is easy to love, and is madly protective of those he loves. Jenna takes some convincing that she is actually a damsel in distress. A story that paints a very worrying picture of how easy it is to fall into a controlling relationship and the lengths the couple will go to in order to hide the reality of their relationship. This is a different take on a love story but is so well written you won't want to stop listening.
This was the first book I read from Kathy and I was so excited to listen to this audio version. I wasn't disappointed, the fantastic way the narrators brought the characters and story to life brought a new depth to the story. I was hooked and didn't want to stop listening until I had finished. If you love a story with lots of twists and turns, deceit and danger, you won't want to miss this.

A thrilling story with so many twists

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What an amazing start to this series! I loved this romantic suspense. Jenna has moved to a new town to start fresh. She needs to be away from her parents and the shadow of her older sister. Meeting Colton seemed like a dream. He was everything, until she found his true self. But he doesn't understand breaking up. Stalking and terrorizing her is something she will not deal with,so when Damien comes to her rescue, she takes him up on his help. Damien is and MMA fighter, and he protecting Jenna is what he wants to do. But can he keep her safe? This is full of that on the edge of the seat suspense, with a story that isn't minimized the fear, the danger, and the violence. Surprises and tragedies all come along too, making my heart jump and grieve. Add in a slow burn love story that had me falling right along with Jenna. It's an amazing listen.

Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson keep the thrills coming with a fantastic narration. Puckett is Jenna, with all the love and all the strength she has. She pulls out the emotional turmoil. Johnson is phenomenal as both Colton and Damien. The maniacal Colton is scary as can be and Damien has a dangerous sound along with that teddy bear heart. Loved these two together.

Fantastic start to this series!

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I have no idea how to review this book by Kathy Lockheart because it is such a delicate subject to write about and its was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
There is definitely a trigger warning for this book as it centres around domestic abuse and the deadly cycle it can put someone in.
Jenna meets a sweet man she thinks she might spend forever with he seems too good to be true and he is just that an illusion.Because as the relationship progresses Colton changes and little by little his real personality begins to unfold.Jenna always seems to be accomodating to his needs,afraid to say or do the wrong thing and put him in a mood.
Jenna knows she shouldn't stay and endure his abuse but he always manipulates her into staying with him.
He doesn't change and eventually Jenna leaves him..but he won't accept it and won't let go with devesating consequences.
During this time she meets Damian an MMA Fighter who had to stop fighting due to injury,he also owns a gym.The Gym Jenna attends to learn how to defend herself.
Damian helps her fight back ! Unfortunately Damian is off limits because he doesnt do relationships he has his own tragic past,and Jenna falls for him.
This is a slow burn romance and Kathy Lockheart does an excellent job at giving an account of a woman in an abusive relationship...It is sometimes hard to read/listen too...
I was also very upset and frustrated at one point in the book and found myself sobbing at the outcome..I cannot believe Kathy would do that to us.!!
The Narration to this book is so amazing performed by Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson..
They did a great job at portraying the characters in this book and I really enjoyed listening to them.
This is a Fantastic and emotional story full of drama that has you on the edge of your seat.
Brilliant.
5 Stars

tragic and romantic.

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It was really a great book! I enjoyed it thoroughly. Definitely some heavy topics, so please check TWs.

Duet narration 🎧

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