Raves for Secrets Volume 5:

Five roses from A Romance Review! "Newcomer Shannon Hollis is Strictly Business with this story of seduction at a corporate seminar. As far as Elizabeth Forrester is concerned things are tough enough for a woman in the corporate world without the additional stress of an office love affair. But will she succumb to the allure of Silicon Valley’s resident hunk, Garret Hill? He can make all of her fantasies come true but will he stay? Hot, hot, hot. This is not your usual corporate romance. Elizabeth and Garret’s story will certainly add sizzle to your nighttime reading."  Cynthia at A Romance Review

"Hot, hot, hot! Not for the faint-hearted!"  Romantic Times Magazine

"As you make your way through the stories, you will find yourself becoming hotter and hotter. Secrets just keeps getting better and better."  Affaire de Coeur Magazine

"Secrets 5 is a collage of luscious sensuality. Any woman who reads Secrets is in for an awakening!"  Virginia Henley

"Each of the breathless tales in this steamy collection of erotica will make your wildest dreams seem tame by comparison!"  Doubleday Book Club reviewer

Following in the high-quality tradition of the other Secrets volumes, Secrets 5 is for the woman who enjoys sexy, smart romance. The heroine of Shannon Hollis's 'Strictly Business' will strike a chord with working women as she tries to balance what she wants (a successful career) with what she can't have (the gorgeous executive with whom she takes a business trip). As Affaire de Coeur said, 'This story sizzles in all the right places!'"  Barnes and Noble customer review

Excerpt

      Elizabeth laid both hands on Garrett's chest and spoke quietly. "Please don't misunderstand me. We've had an incredible two days, and I'll treasure them always. But I can't do this." He took a breath to speak, and she covered his mouth with a finger. "Let me finish. I care about you and I think you care about me. But everything else aside, our goals in life are too different. You live for Stratton Hill. I can't. I just don't see a future for us. Not the kind I'm looking for, anyway." Elizabeth's voice failed on the last words, and the tears choked off anything more she wanted to say.
      Garrett tried to take her in his arms. "Elizabeth. Darling. I never thought I'd hear you say you care. I can't believe it. It's--"
      "Garrett, didn't you hear any of what I just said?"
      "Of course I did, but I'm focusing on the important part. We care about each other. That's what matters most."
      For an engineer and a strategist, he could be surprisingly unrealistic. "But I'm looking for a future, Garrett. A meaningful future. And I don't think you can offer me that."
      "What do you call a meaningful future?" His voice was too quiet.
      She needed to explain this clearly, without sounding like a needy female. Her mother's behavior with her father flashed into her memory, and stiffened her resolve. "It's not as if I want white picket fences; I'm just not that kind of person. But I do want a home I can share with a man I love and respect. I want a partnership where the first priority is our life together. And some day I want children, which will make it even more important that our priorities are in the right order. Which would mean business in second place."
      "Do you expect me to propose?" He was trying hard to understand. Elizabeth's heart squeezed with love and her own pain at having to deny them both what they desperately wanted.
      "No, of course not. It's too soon to expect anything from each other."
      He dropped her hands as if they burned him, and walked over to the window. "That's the most unkind thing anyone has ever said to me." His shoulders were rigid with hurt.
      "Oh, God." For an expert in human resources, she was really making a mess of this. Where were all her communication skills when she needed them? "What I'm trying to say is that Stratton Hill isn't my entire life now, and won't be in the future." She crossed the room, and touched his shoulder blade with a gentle hand. "Garrett, my dad gave thirty years to IBM. I grew up without him. For God's sake, my mother took me to the father-daughter dance because he was tied up on a project and couldn't give me the time. I've learned the hard way how important it is to put relationships first."
      He turned to her slowly. "And you think I wouldn't?"
      "I know you wouldn't," she said, her voice husky with tears.