Broken by Lies (Bound and Broken)

I am already a big fan of books that involve the mafia, the mob, gangs, and/or drug cartels. It falls into the realm of I-Never-Want-To-Be-Apart-Of-That-World-But-I-Sure-Love-To-Read-About-It.
High stakes, high emotion, passion, obsession, and possession equate to deeper falls of love, disappointment, shame, and regret.
Alejandro “Alex” Estrada became the leader of his father’s successful and powerful drug cartel when Mr. Estrada went to jail. Alex was the “numbers” guy, not the killing machine everyone else involved with the cartel was. His father, Antonio, was quick on the trigger, no remorse for those on the other end. He solved his problems that way and Alex inherited all of that. He didn’t want the cartel to be run that way and he was doing everything he could to make changes while his father was in jail.
Alex had accepted that this was his life, knowing he’d never get out of it, but he also didn’t have anything else to really live for.
Until Emilia slammed into him. Literally.
Emilia had nothing but some money in her pocket and clothes in the backpack she shouldered. She came to Phoenix to meet her father, but after a lifetime of pretending she didn’t exist, she shouldn’t have been surprised by his rejection. What was she supposed to do now?
Probably not get into the car of the insanely attractive, covered in wealth man that she collided with the night before. But she felt safe with him even though she didn’t know him.
Alex and Emilia’s life up to this point had been about surviving and doing their due diligence to their parents. As soon as their paths crossed, they started to see life differently and wanted to make something more out of what they had rather than what was expected of them.
Emilia is trying to save money in order to move out of the guest room Alex has so graciously offered her. She wants to go back to college. She wants a family.
Alex begins to realize he wants the same things Emilia longs for, but he can never have them, especially with someone as good and whole as Emilia.
They both struggle with their feelings for the other and acceptance that life doesn’t always work out the way we want.
But then secrets are exposed. Alex’s life is connected to Emilia’s in more ways than one and heartbreak is inevitable for them both. Alex needs to protect Emilia, but will she let him when the person he needs to protect her from is himself?

I’m a sucker for characters. Even if the plot line of a story is not very good, but the characters have depth, I don’t seem to care about the plot line. In Broken by Lies, Alex, Emilia, and every other character that comes onto the scene grabbed a hold of me. There was depth, background, personality, and fight in all of them no matter how pivotal or minor their role was.
And what a blessing that the storyline was wonderful as well. When I thought I had things figured out, Rebecca would present something out of left field and I would be like “How did I not see that coming?”
I was lucky in the fact that I received both copies from Rebecca because as soon as I finished Broken by Lies, I had to read Bound by Lies (which releases June 15th, 2015). And holy smokes, I can’t wait to tell you about the second book, but it must wait.

Until then, go get your copy of Broken by Lies and be prepared to have your heart soar, your heart crack, your eyes turn to faucets, and your mouth hang open.

This book was just okay for me. It started out really good and then by the middle, I lost interest. I did finish, but I probably will not buy the second book. Fair warning, this book ends on a cliff hanger.

As a reader, I enjoy a lot of genres, authors and stories. Sometimes I tell myself "I don't like ___ in books", but then one of those no-nos happen and I'm ok with it.

This happened with Broken by Lies. I love, love this story!!! But wait, it includes insta-love...how can I love it?? Because Rebecca Shea is a wonderful writer. She made me kinda forget my dislike for insta-anything.

During this introduction of Emilia and Alex, we find Emilia enduring lots of heart ache, loneliness, and bravery. While she is naive, she is young and doing what she feels is best for her life. Alex is dark and quiet. Sometimes a person reaches the depths of darkness and needs to find their way out again. Yes, this is a romanticized idea, but remember, this is fiction. I love all types of love stories and romance, and this belongs to Emilia and Alex.

I'm also a fan of mystery/suspense, and this is included in Broken by Lies as well. There are many twists and turns with ALL the characters, some I didn't even see coming, which cause you to turn to the pages a little quicker.

This is the first of a duet series. Bound by Lies is out now and you will want to have it on hand once you hit the last page of this book.

I love Rebecca Shea and look forward to reading more of her stories!

Oh the agony . . . now I must wait for Bound by Lies. Great read!

***SPOILER ALERT***

I initially felt that Emelia and Alex got busy way too quickly, and wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book. But as I kept going I got past that issue and enjoyed the storyline. I would have liked to have seen more depth to Emelia's character. One minute she appears frail and weak and the next fiesty and strong. As for Alex, I'm in love. I became more hooked as the story develops with twists and turns and then I was hooked. And it was the end, to be continued ARGH!

I don't think Alex is dead. I hope Alex isn't dead. Please don't let Alex be dead. And please don't let Alex get together with Sam.

Ok, I'll be anxiously waiting for the next installment.