Masked Secrets by J.D. Carothers
Prequel to the Love Over Murder Series
Contemporary Romance
June 25, 2026
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥Sworn Off Relationships
🔥Different Worlds
🔥Royal Romance
🔥Forbidden Love/We can’t be together
🔥Work-related romance
🔥Billionaire/Millionaire MMC
🔥It will never work (live on different continents)
🔥Trapped in an elevator
🔥Instant chemistry/Slow burn to intimacy because it’s forbidden
He’s a billionaire living for fun, fighting expectations, and avoiding his future. She’s an alluring, intelligent, career-focused woman. Throw in a masquerade ball, a steamy encounter, and a villain. It’s a recipe for fireworks.
Brooke
It all starts when the power goes out, leaving me trapped in a dark elevator.
Just when the walls are closing in and panic starts to take over, a sexy stranger comes to my rescue.
His deep voice, yummy British accent, warm shoulder to lean on, and flask of expensive whiskey is just what I need.
Embarrassment aside, what happened shouldn’t matter. I’ll never see him again. That’s good because I’m no longer the adventurous risk-taker I was in college. Now, I’m a rule-following professional—at least that’s what I tell myself.
Stuart
Her wavy, auburn hair, sparkling emerald eyes, and perfect curves mesmerize me.
When she panics, my instinct is to protect her. That is until she snuggles against me and sparks fly, making me want much, much more.
I regret not getting her mobile number. It shouldn’t bother me. I’m not looking for a relationship. And she doesn’t seem like the type for a fling.
To my surprise, she turns up unexpectedly. I’m relieved and thrilled. But she pushes me away.
Welcome to the fast-paced Prequel for the Love Over Murder series. While the Prequel is shorter than the other books in the series, it’s a standalone story featuring one couple’s journey to their happily-ever-after. Each of the other books in the series is also a standalone book featuring a couple’s journey to their guaranteed H.E.A. The series is especially for lovers of swoony moments intertwined with a light twist of suspense.
Download today or read with Kindle Unlimited: https://a.co/d/0hlguqib
Masked Secrets: Prequel to the Love Over Murder Series by J.D. Carothers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved being back in this “world” again! The Love Over Murder series was my introduction to JD Carothers, and I knew after listening to the first book that I was going to enjoy her writing, and I have! This story is a prequel to that series and while I will never understand why authors write stories of before after writing a series, I still enjoyed the story of Brooke & Stuart! I’m looking forward to having the story in my ears as soon as it’s available!
Brooke & Stuarts story was a quick one in the sense that it was fast-paced and really captured my attention, so the time flew by like nothing! It’s not overly long so it can be read in an afternoon but it’s not lacking in development or progression. The storyline flowed easily blending the romance journey with a little suspense just to keep things interesting! LOL Brooke & Stuart were very easy to like as individuals and as a couple and I couldn’t help but root for them. Their relationship journey flowed very organically making it easy to be relatable and realistic. I felt their connection at all times, and I loved how they balanced each other out.
My favorite aspect of this story is that the romance took center stage, and the mystery/suspense did not overshadow it in any way. As I mentioned, this is a shorter story and I’m glad that the author made the choice of always shining a light on the romance. Even though this was a quick(ish) read, it had all the essential ingredients for a story full of heart and I absolutely loved it!
Brightness invades my sleep, but I’m not ready to open my eyes. It’s too early to leave my cocoon of warmth. Rolling to the side, away from the light, I groan as my stiff muscles complain.
I lie there for several minutes, hoping to fall back into dreamland. No such luck. Anticipation of my morning alarm going off any minute keeps me awake. Eventually giving up, I turn onto my back, letting my head nestle into the fluffy pillow.
Hmm. Since when is my pillow so soft? And the sheets are like satin. Maybe I’m still dreaming. If so, I don’t want to wake up from this luxury. But my mouth feels like it’s filled with cotton balls. And my head aches. I need water.
I reach for my usual glass of water on my bedside table. Instead, I grasp a plastic bottle.
I open my eyes just enough to form narrow slits so I can look around without shocking my system with the bright morning sunshine that’s filtering through the sheer window coverings. Wait a minute. That’s not right either. My bedroom doesn’t face the morning sun.
“Something is off this morning,” I murmur to myself.
“Brooke, are you awake?”
“No, I must still be dreaming.” I smile, happy the dream isn’t over yet.
“It’s not a dream. You’re here with me. I’m Stuart. We met last night when we were stuck in the lift during the brownout. Remember?”
Oh. I remember Stuart. He calmed me when my claustrophobia caused me to panic. He was so sweet helping me breathe and giving me his jacket to stay warm. And I could listen to his deep, British accent any time.
Wait a minute. I jerk upright. “Where am I now? Why is my head throbbing?”
“You’re in my suite. While we were stuck in the lift, you drank some of my uncle’s whiskey to calm yourself. Then a little more. I suspect you’re not used to drinking straight shots. Combined with the stress from your fear, when you relaxed a little, you fell asleep in the lift. When the power returned, I tried to wake you. It didn’t work. You were in such a deep trance, I couldn’t rouse you.”
He’s right. I rarely have more than one martini. “Oh. How did I end up here?”
“I would have helped you home last night, but I had no idea where you live. You didn’t even have a handbag with identification, and the security desk in the first-floor lobby was closed. So, I carried you here to rest. I slept on the sofa in case you’re wondering.”
“So, we didn’t … you know?”
Meet J.D. Carothers:
When not consumed by her job as an attorney, J.D. Carothers loves to cook for her family and friends, read murder mysteries and romance novels, eat chocolate, and sip wine watching the sunset in Southern California.
Late at night or early on weekend mornings, she tries to find a quiet place to write her next novel and trade the stress of real life for a fantasy world where murder and romance are on the menu, along with the food she loves.
She just wishes there were more hours in each day!
Connect with J.D. Carothers: https://www.instagram.com/jdcarothersauth/
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