Secret Love (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Handsome cattle baron Jacob Madaris reluctantly fulfills a poker pal's request to host beautiful actress Diamond Swain for a three-week respite at his sprawling Texas ranch, Whispering Pines. Worried that the star's arrival will disrupt the smooth operation of his successful business and distract his workers, Jake decides to keep Diamond's presence low-key. Although he has vowed to never let a sophisticate like his nasty ex-wife into his heart again, and Diamond's own bitter divorce from an abusive husband makes a romantic match with Jake unlikely, the requisite relationship develops. Confronted with unwanted media attention after eventually going public with their love, Jake and Diamond rely on the support of his large and loyal family. Jackson's (Fire and Desire) talent for character development imparts credibility to the otherwise improbable marriage that the couple manages to keep secret for more than a year. (Jan.)

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Celebrity actress Diamond Swain needs a peaceful place to hide out from the news-hungry paparazzi—a place like Whispering Pines. And yet from the moment she arrives at the remote Texas ranch, Diamond finds herself at odds with its rugged owner, Jake Madaris—a man who challenges her to care about more than making it to the top.

Jake doesn't have time to babysit some Hollywood star. Then he comes face-to-face with beautiful, compassionate Diamond and is drawn into a whirlwind, secret romance. But is what he shares with her strong enough to overcome the media's prying eyes? Together Jake and Diamond must discover what's truly important…if they're to claim a love that lasts a lifetime. --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583140735
• ISBN-13: 978-1583140734
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,077,013 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wait is Over!, December 27, 1999

By	Melanie Schuster (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Millennium, schmillennium, Secret Love is the big reason to ring in 2000! All of you long-time Brenda Jackson fans know exactly what I mean--this is the one we have been waiting for, the whole story behind the romance and marriage of Diamond Swain, sought after Hollywood goddess, and Jake Madaris, the wealthy cattle-ranching member of the estimable Madaris family.

If you are among the few who have never read any of Ms Jackson's scintillating romances, you are in for a treat. Ms Jackson writes wonderfully--her books are full of humor, romance, suspense and a strong love of family. Her characters are memorable and endearing and since her stories are interconnected, you get to visit a bit with favorites from past novels. In Jake and Diamond's case, we have been wondering over the course of several books just how this couple got together and why their love was so secret. And believe me, it was worth the wait!

Sexy, sweet, passionate and exciting, this book is one that you will read in one sitting. I have to confess that Jacob is my favorite of the Madaris men, although they are all so wonderful it's like saying I like blue M&M's better than the rest...I love all those men and the fabulous women they wed. And you will too, if you don't already. Don't keep Secret Love a secret--read it and get the word out that 2000 is off to a sizzling start!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE SECRET'S OUT -- LADIES PACK YOUR BAGS AND HEAD TO TEXAS!, December 27, 1999

By	Vannessa (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This story of the secretly married couple we first met in Eternally Yours -- sexy rancher Jake Madaris and beautiful movie star Diamond Swain -- just HAD to be told. Well, Ms. Jackson has told it and it was more than worth the wait! Jake Madaris is so AWESOME he'll have you packing your bags and heading for Texas to find a Madaris man of your own. Diamond is the type of woman we all want to be -- especially during those STEAMY love scenes. I don't smoke, but I felt like I needed a cigarette after a few of the HOT, HOT, HOT ones. Brenda Jackson fans will get to catch up with ALL her other characters while falling in love with her newest ones in this truly touching story. I couldn't put this book down. This is definitely one of the very best romances that I've ever read and it's definitely Ms. Jackson's best work to date. Buy two copies of this book -- one for you to enjoy and one for the man in your life to take a lesson or two from !

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Those Madaris Men!!!!, April 20, 2001

By	free4lyfe "VOR" (Florida) - See all my reviews

I only recently became an avid reader of African American romance novels, my first Brenda Jackson book was True Love which got me to reading other books she had written. What can you say about those Madaris men and their friends? When Jake's first marriage ended it left him bitter and leary of city women, he never believed a woman could love him or his rancher way of life especially a beautiful world renowned African American actress like Diamond Swain. Diamond needed a retreat where she could escape the pressures of Hollywood, her friend Sterling Hamilton knew just the place, his friend Jake Madaris' ranch where he himself had found solitude. Jake was not thrilled with Diamond invading his peaceful existence, but the woman Diamond proved to be was far different from the glamor and glitz of her celebrity status. Diamond found Jake's manner and strength appealing but she was afraid if she shared his life it would jepordize his quiet lifestyle. Jake and Diamond could not help their love for one another but Diamond's need to protect their private life forced Jake to accept keeping their love and marriage a secret.

After Diamond's safety is threatened by an overzealous fan, she realizes she has kept Jake a prisoner of her love forcing him to change his life because of her fear. They decide to first disclose their marriage to Jake's family then announce it to the public, however, all is not well there is now a threat against Jake by a demented and confused man.

Jake and Diamond overcome the obstacles and dangers of sometimes having their lives played out in public view, Diamond has "a Madaris" who will protect, cherish and love her and Jake has "his Diamond".