To Love & Betray

by Shelly Ellis

Overview

For the wealthy Murdochs of Chesterton, Virginia, managing scandalous damage and killer drama is now their only chance at survival . . .

For Evan Murdoch, the bad news just won't stop. As he battles an attempted murder charge, he's on the verge of getting forced out of the family corporation--and fears he can't trust his new wife, Lelia. Enter savvy family matriarch Ida, whose wild-card schemes might be the answer to his prayers--or lead to disaster like he's never seen.

With Evan sidelined, his ex-playboy brother Terrence struggles to keep Murdoch Conglomerated from catastrophe by becoming the new public face for the company. But a secret he tries to hide from his fiancée could send his best intentions--and last chance at love--down in flames.

Fiery Murdoch sister, Paulette, will do anything to protect her infant son--and her secrets. But her worst nightmare is about to come true. And with their vengeful half-brother, Dante Turner, closing in on the family he despises, the Marvelous Murdochs could pay a price that could finish them once and for all . . .

Praise for Best Kept Secrets
"Secrets abound in this full-bodied tale." --USAToday.com

"This fantastic novel is replete with scandal, entitlement, treachery and passion up to the surprising end." -RT Book Reviews

"Drama, hot sex, and betrayals are all wrapped up in this addictive yet well-written story." --AAMBC Book Club

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496708816
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	11/28/2017
Series:	A Chesterton Scandal Novel , #4
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	908,380
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Shelly Ellis is an award-winning journalist who earned her journalism degree at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her novel, Another Woman’s Man, was nominated for a 2014 NAACP Image Award. The romance and women’s fiction author is also a film buff and amateur painter. She lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, not far from Washington, D.C., with her husband. Visit her online at www.shellyellisbooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

2017-09-19
When a wealthy African-American businessman is accused of trying to kill his troublemaking half brother, it throws his family off balance as they try to prove his innocence and save their company.Evan Murdoch is thrown in jail on attempted murder charges even though it's obvious his half brother, Dante Turner, is lying as to who tried to kill him. As Evan waits for bail, Dante tries to coerce Evan's fiancee, Leila, into having sex with him by telling her he'll drop the charges if she does. Thankfully Leila doesn't go too far, realizing he just wants to hurt Evan. Meanwhile, Evan's sister, Paulette, is concerned that her son may not be her husband's, and their brother Terrence is engaged to C. J., a newspaper reporter. Evan's soon-to-be ex-wife, Charisse, continues to vie for his attention. So when she has information that will likely exonerate him, it sends Leila into a jealous fit. Paulette finds the perfect nanny, and Terrence gets a surprise on his doorstep that may drive C. J. away. Talented author Ellis continues the soap-operatic lives of the Murdoch family (Lust & Loyalty, 2017, etc.) to mixed results. As Evan notes, "Unrest and upheaval were painful and consistent realities for the Murdochs. They couldn't get away from it!" Except that the Murdoch characters, who are ostensibly good, intelligent people, do and say the exact wrong thing at every possible turn. And Dante, who's a jerk but is supposed to at least be smart, evidently isn't. Background checks? Communication? Fidelity? Not in the Murdoch repertoire. Kicking out your teen daughter who's dealing drugs? Not seeking treatment when you're clearly hooked on oxy? Obviously not in Dante's toolbox. Furthermore, much of the dramatic tension blows up and dissipates almost immediately, so it feels like we're careening from strife to tumult without buildup or character growth.An interesting melodramatic setup is undermined by the characters' disappointing and head-scratching choices.

Kirkus Reviews