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Secrets and Broken Pieces.: An MM story of romantic love. (Promises, a gay romance series Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.3 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

When hate turns to love, on multiple levels...

AXEL
The day I started as the first junior ever to be employed at Judd Racing, I never expected to fall in love. I arrived there with vengeance in my heart. And I set about delivering my plan to right the wrongs of my past.
Or, so I thought.

FLORIAN
Axel turned up, and it was like a whirlwind walked in and snatched away my rational thoughts. Not only was he hot, hot, hot, but he had an emptiness in his soul that was crying out to be filled.
And, I knew I was just the person to do it.

The road to true love for Axel and Florian was never going to be simple though, and in this book, which is a spin-off to the Commitment series, we follow these lesser-known characters and understand exactly what makes them tick.

We cry for the pain that Axel simultaneously hides too well, and doesn’t hide at all. We root for Florian to work out the kinks and bring out Axel’s true character that we can all see hidden away under his iron-clad surface.

Axel fears what would happen if he reveals his true character while Florian fears for their future if he doesn’t.

Then we cheer for their happy ever after when they eventually work out what the hell they need to do to make their lives work.
As one.

Axel is another example of how Botha combines all the hallmarks that have made her page-turning writing a go to for anyone looking for love. Download your copy now.


Axel is the first in the Promises series of gay romance books, a spinoff series from the Commitment Series. The MM romance books included in this LGBT series are: Axel and will be followed by Florian’s story, although each book is a story in its own right and has a HEA.

Other series in the same Universe include: Love 1: Daisy, Love 2: Idris, Love 3: Cassius and the Commitment Series 1. Buckle Up 2. G-Force 3. Jump Start 4. Ignition 5. Turbo Charged 6. Pole Position

A note from Karen I'd love to hear your thoughts on this and my other series', it's always great to hear what readers say directly. All my contact details are on my Amazon Author Page, feel free to message me.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Secrets and Broken Pieces is the start of a new series by Karen Botha, but it's set in the world of the Buckle Up series.
Axel has come to work for Elliott, but hasn't told him that he's his son. I absolutely love this. Axel's life has been awful; he's homeless, his mom died, and foster care was bad.
At his new job, Axel meets Florian. The interest is immediate, but both fight it. I love the age difference in this romance, as it's both hot and fun. Their story is one of acceptance, as well as dealing with past scars. It's a tale of guilt, deception, bad timing, confessions, and understanding. It's about trust and letting your walls down.
Holy crap, I freakin love the way Florian deals with Axel's scars. Total swoon moment!" Amysmmromancereviews.blogspot.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NWZQFH4
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 21, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 939 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 174 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 1 ‏ : ‎ Promises, a gay romance series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

About the author

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Karen Botha
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Karen Botha was born in Lincolnshire England where her father was in the royal air force. As a young girl she always had a passion for reading and writing. Working most of her adult life in digital marketing didn't leave her much time to pursue her passion for stories. at 36 She retrained for a reflexologist and started working for herself. This helped her free up more than enough time to enjoy a re-found passion writing.

Her first novel was inspired by true life experiences and tales from clients. But don't believe everything you read.

She enjoys romance, traveling and motor sport, this gives her inspiration and ideas for her books.

She lives in London with her Husband and rescue dog called Shadow.

SIGN UP FOR MAILING LIST - http://karenbotha.com/

GET INTO KAREN'S INNER CIRCLE - https://www.patreon.com/karenbotha

VISIT HER WEBSITE - http://karenbotha.com/

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/KarenBothaAuthor/

INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/karenbothaauthor

EMAIL - karen@karenbotha.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
17 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2021
    The first books I read of this author was the commitment series and the more I read the more I didn't want them to end. And this spin off series did not disappoint!! You can't help but feel the emotions of the characters. I laughed and cried right along with them and cheered for Axel & Florian to find their way back. Now I can't wait for Florian's story
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2019
    3.5 stars
    Secrets and Broken Pieces is a romance, but it's also the story of one man finding his place in the world. My heart went out to Axel even as I wanted to give him a good shake and tell him to stop wasting his chances. He's been through more than anyone his age should have to go through. Then we have Florian, who knows what he wants but doesn't seem able to just say it and get it out there. Needless to say, the romance here did frustrate me at times, but it's also a good mix of sweet and sexy even as this pair goes through all the push and pull.
    The writing is good, but the pacing felt a little off to me, and I would've liked a bit more development with Axel and father on page. That said, I did enjoy the read and will be anxious to see where this goes from here.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019
    This is a new series from Karen Botha. It is skillfully written and filled with interesting characters. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2019
    His entire life has been a lie and he doesn’t know it. Living with his loving, caring, single mom, who repeatedly told him that his father abandoned them, didn’t care about them, and didn’t want to know them, Axel learned to hate at an early age.

    What was wrong with him or his mother that his father didn’t want to know them? Why had his father left them behind? How can he force the issue? Questions that led to a deep desire for revenge. Finally after years of planning, his road to revenge began. It was clearly in his hands.

    He had to complete his mission. Take everything from his estranged father, show the man he was wrong, make him regret his past. Nothing was going to get in the way. His mind was set. The plan was in place. It had to work – It would work. Until everything changed.

    Karen Botha wrote a great story filled with angst. Axel learned love from his mother, learned hate too. Botha made me feel Axel’s love and hate at the same time. She pulled me in and made me continue – to find out how Axel’s plan worked (or didn’t) – to see if Axel could learn love from someone other than his mother, to see if Florian could keep his distance even when Axel continuously flirted, to see if Axel’s father really abandoned them….

    If you enjoy reading a romance mystery where everything isn’t what it appears to be, then Secrets and Broken Pieces by Karen Botha is just the book for you.
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2019
    This book is a look into a young man's life and how he manages to pull himself up off the street, homeless and hungry, into a working, functional member of society.

    Although a fictional story, it's obvious the author did extensive research before writing the book. Additionally, Axel, the main character, is gay. The author again has done extensive research into the LGBT world. Warning: there is graphic sexual content.

    The story itself is excellent. Although I personally had a difficult time with the sexual encounters described, I enjoyed the overall story and characters. Watching how Axel grows and learns to accept love and help from friends and others around him puts the reader on an emotional rollercoaster from tears of sadness and then joy to intense feelings of anger and frustration.

    All in all I give it 4 stars but not for anything lacking in the story or the characters. The author does a beautiful job on both of these fronts. But rather because of my personal objection to the graphic sex, I could not give a full 5 stars.

    I received a free ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2019
    This was a fantastic, powerful, grab-you-by-the-feels, heartbreaking yet hopeful, sexy and totally awesome story filled with tears, betrayal, revenge, redemption, forgiveness, discovery, lies, darkness, and ultimately love.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Bookworm Betty: Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars New Series - Great Story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2019
    This is a follow on series to the Commitment series. This takes the story of Axel and Florian further. Axel is the secret son of Elliot and has vowed revenge for having abandoned him and his mother. Having gained a job with Judd Racing as the trainee PR replacement, he is in a prime position to sabotage his father's business. What he didn't count on was falling in love with Florian, Judd Racing's head of training for the team fitness. As they work out their differences their relationship although rocky develops into a hot romance heading towards their HEA. Having read the Commitment series this was a good follow on with Axel and what makes him tick and with a bit more about Florian too. It was also good to re visit with some of the previously met characters. As with all Karen's books the characters and story are well developed and written. Taking the reader on the journey with Axel and Florian.
    I received an ARC from the author for which I voluntarily leave this review, also buying the book to add to my growing collection of Karen Botha books.

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