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Money is my mistress.
Solving problems, my trade.
Until the tables turn, and trouble finds me.
Now on the run, I need a plan.
But not before I’m blindsided by a pain-in-the-ass stranger.
Maggie.
Curves, startling blue eyes, and she hates me.
I don’t trust her and with good reason.
My plan is simple: use her.
Then I kiss her. Touch her. Crave her.
She was my way out, now she’s my downfall.


Novels in Scarred Hearts series include interconnected characters but each story can be read on its own and has an HEA. Reading them in order is not crucial but recommended.

Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2018

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About the author

S.M. West

39 books1,205 followers
USA Today bestselling and award-winning author, S.M. West, writes sexy, angsty stories about brave hearts and wild love, including, more times than not, heart-pumping twists and turns.

Apart from her infinite love of books, she’s a self-professed wine, chocolate, and travel junkie. When not writing or hanging with her family, she’s usually talking to her characters (in her head) or planning her next adventure!

She currently lives near Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two smart and sassy daughters.

Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
Griffin - Best Thriller
Smash - Best Romance

Global eBook Awards
Griffin - Gold, Romantic Suspense
Scoring the Player - Silver, Romance

Global Book Award
Griffin - Silver, Romantic Suspense

NYC Big Book Award
Reverb - Distinguished Favorite, Romance

Finalist National Indie Excellence Awards
Griffin


Visit her at:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2KHXIRi
website:https://www.smwestauthor.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/smwestauthor/
Instagram:hhttps://www.instagram.com/smwestwrites/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/SMWestAuthor
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/smwestwrites/

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5 stars
121 (35%)
4 stars
137 (40%)
3 stars
55 (16%)
2 stars
22 (6%)
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5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
Profile Image for Dri ✰.
693 reviews231 followers
September 17, 2018
★ 1 STAR ★

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Depois de uma semana intensa de trabalho, sem tempo e ânimo para ler, finalmente consegui iniciar e finalizar uma leitura...

Nick e Maggie são dois personagens complexos e intrigantes, porém não consegui me conectar com nenhum dos dois.
Não acho que os personagens foram bem desenvolvidos e estruturados, pra mim ficou faltando algo que os deixassem mais autênticos.

Um dos meus problemas neste livro foi a escrita. Achei ela confusa e senti uma falta de continuidade em determinadas passagens. O ritmo também foi outro ponto negativo, pois achei rápido e dinâmico demais. Muita coisa acontecendo ao mesmo tempo, muitas cenas encerradas de maneira abrupta e isso me deixou perdida em diversos pontos da história.
Creio que por isso não apreciei ou me conectei com a trama.

Algumas ações dos personagens foram previsíveis pra mim, os problemas que surgiram foram resolvidos de maneira rápida e sem muito elaboração e o final acabou ficando bem repetitivo.

Eu juro que tentei gostar dessa história, até porque traz alguns elementos que eu geralmente gosto de ler, mas infelizmente não consegui... Tinha potencial, porém não alcançou minhas expectativas.
Profile Image for Snow.
2,241 reviews688 followers
September 6, 2018
I. Am. Fuckin. Thrilled. To. Read. This. Gem. 😈😏

and as much as I hate to say this, I did like the story BUT not as much as I wanted to.

Nickolas/Nick Prophet is involved in a murky business of criminal milieu. NOT cause it thrills him or it's in his DNA code, it's because he wanted a better life for his family, mainly his sisters, especially his elder Lea, who sacrificed herself for them, and now Nick, mainly feels remorse and guilt...
but then the deal went wrong, Nick was betrayed and set up for the fall. Then in the lines of hide and avoid the lingering life-threatening danger, fate brought him in the path of Maggie Hill and the two frenemies entered the "push and pull", "on and off" game until it was too late to ignore the feels....and the stakes got higher as now Nick has not only his life to protect but the one of the woman he loves.

Suzanne aka SM West won me over with ther debut book Red and her writing talent got my attention, then she developed a distinguished style that comes naturally and easy while reading. Here, I found the "patches" in the plot, the story has it's ups and downs, but the fluent current of the storyline is missing, in my opinion, this making it a bit of a chaotic read.
I was missing those "fine lines" that would intertwine the sequences of the storyline and connect them into this beautiful mozaic of shattered pieces glued together by the remarkable webs of Suzanne's writing.

The characters are well developed individually BUT together, they lack that final touch, that would embark them towards more. That too, was in "patch work" mode, for me.

Nevertheless, this story is filled with action and interchanging pace of the story flow until the very ending where the revealing of the crucial segment (Lea's life changing sequence that pushed Nick into the murky lines of the crime business) was awkwardly rushed and put into the "spotlight" just like that, even though, there wasn't any other option, it still sounded, bluntly direct without any merit.

So, I can't help it but give it 3.75, which only reflects my impressions as always and NOT general opinion.

***ARC kindely provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***
Profile Image for Kim Bailey.
Author 9 books610 followers
September 6, 2018
Let me preface this review by saying: SM West & I are the best of friends. I love her to the moon and back, and then some more.
Now, you may think this review is biased. It may be slightly, but I promise I don't blow smoke. I don't review books if I don't enjoy them. In fact, I don't bother reading books I don't enjoy anymore. (who has time for that?)
With that said...

PROPHET IS AMAZING!
It has all the elements I look for in an enemies-to-lovers romantic suspense.
1. Sexy Alpha with a soft side. Check.
2. Fiesty heroine with a backbone. Check.
3. Intense action to keep the pages turning. Check.
4. Hot as sin sexy times. Check.
5. Loveable secondary characters. Check.
6. Villains you love to hate. Check.
7. Heart in throat & stomach in knots moments. Check & check.
8. All the swoon you can handle. Checkity-check, check, check!

I've read this book three times now--some parts more--and I'll probably read it again in the future. I loved it.
Profile Image for QuinnReads.
3,144 reviews151 followers
August 25, 2021
Crossed Paths

I enjoyed this book so much! It's a bit dirty, dark, and gritty but that's part of what I like about it. There's plenty of action and the pasts of both Nick and Maggie play integral roles with how things play out.

I really like how Maggie stuck to her guns, even when it was unknowingly against her own best interests. As for Nick, he keeps things VERY close to the vest, struggling to let anyone in, including his family and best friends. It makes those tender moments even more special.

I love that there are interactions with Kit and Caro, who get their turn at the spotlight in the next book of the series. (Yes, I read / listened to them out of order. It was fine. There are some spoilers when doing it that way but nothing to prevent you from enjoying the books no matter the order.)

Speaking of listening, I had the pleasure of listening and reading this book. I liked both narrators - Jason Clarke and Savannah Peachwood.

Please note that there are some trigger warnings to heed. Organized crime and the messy business that often accompanies it is present, including physical assault and the threat of sexual assault.

Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Profile Image for Myla.
617 reviews126 followers
September 14, 2018


Prophet is an action-filled that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The unpredictability of each scene gives an added thrill that keeps you turning pages. Each character was thoroughly developed. Nick is a sexy alpha hero but at some point, you will love to hate him because he acts like an a$$. Damsel in distress that's not Maggie, she's fierce, smart and gorgeous. The sexual tension brewing between Nick and Maggie is undeniable and you just want them to get over it and when they did, it's quite steamy that you want a second round for these two. Overall, I enjoyed the twist and turn, the suspense and those romantic scenes this book offers. S.M. West didn't disappoint with her latest work. A must-read!

Note: ARC provided by the author. Thank you!
Profile Image for Mimiorphee.
581 reviews39 followers
September 14, 2018
A new Suzanne West book? Count me in! First of all, have you seen that steamy cover? It's gorgeous. And so very...  Nick!


Is it a question of wrong time, wrong place? Or is there something more to Nick and Maggie's encounter? Ah but you'll have to follow these two badass and tough characters to find out! Be warned, you might feel a little breathless by the end of this journey, and it's going to be for the best!. Action packed, emotion riddled, this is one of, if not my favorite book by this author. 

She flawlessly executed it, with a fluid writing style and an amazing characterization.

Prophet is an intense enemies to lovers story that enticed me a along. I loved  the family vibe of it and the intensity and the sizzling anticipation between Maggie and Nick. 

Danger, menaces and risks punctuated the mystery surrounding the characters. I highly recommend this book if you need a little adrenaline rush!


I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!
Profile Image for Michelle Claypot_Reads.
2,279 reviews62 followers
September 14, 2018
This was a great read. Nick & Maggie had amazing chemistry from the first scene. But their story certainly isn't an easy one. Nope. Plenty of twists & turns & betrayals in this one had me reading as fast as I could to find out what was next. Recommend if you're looking for an action packed read.

I received an arc of this book.
Profile Image for Brenda Romconfan.
30 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2018
As a reader who just had an encounter of the first kind with the thriller romance genre in Prophet some of my thoughts are:

Prophet is a fast moving train ride of fiction passing through themes of chaos, fear, lust and darkness....but also making stops at the plot stations of humans trying to find balance, safety, shelter, belonging and love..

In the first few chapters of the book I was navigating without a compass in the off kilter world of Nick Prophet and his accidental hostage Maggie... I'm not sure if most books in this genre read like this but I must say I loved these twisty ally ways with danger at every turn the story kept veering into; It works in my opinion because SM West's writing is very elegant and the events kept getting more and more interesting as the duo was getting chased by the Russian Mafia and other thugs across Canada. (I actually researched this and turns out their is a Russian Mafia presence between Seattle and Quebec..who knew)


This quote perhaps embodies the inky beauty of the author's mind and this side of human nature I am not used exploring but probably should :)

"People are animals. Every single one. We are hardwired to survive at all costs, and most of us have no clue what we’re capable of until faced with the unthinkable."


This is also my first SM West book and I have to say I find her style wonderfully strange and very cool....she kept rearranging the fictional world around me; shuffling and reshuffling these flash fiction snap shots where her characters are being tracked ruthlessly in the snow. The hunted had to constantly outsmart the hunter and find these tight (but very cozy wink wink) claustrophobic hiding spots. However you can't get too comfortable there since sinister hit men still lurk nearby, following your tracks, ambushing with the intention of ending Nick and Maggie if even breathing rises a decibel above a whisper.

.....stay with me, tighten your seat belts because things are about to shape shift :P....

Then their is transition across the mood spectrum from pitch black to more gray where the reader ends up at these vignettes of two people cocooned just right for safety and survival. A softer side of human nature emerges then; an incredible raw intimacy between Maggie and Nick unfolds.... This was beautiful to me because as romance reader I really need to see vulnerability in characters and walls coming down... These elements of sublime tenderness appear more potent in this book since they are contrasted against the thriller darkness in Prophet.


I highlighted plenty in the book .... here is some of my fav quotes:

"Her fragility prods my sleeping monsters, deep within me. There was a time when my creatures were born from a place of necessity....scorched the earth and left chaos in their wake. I’ve long since put them to rest. Finding no comfort in their mayhem, no answers in their wrath...."

aaaaand this one :D

"Our mouths seek each other dueling like demons..."

This book, to conclude, mystified me, had me anxious like I'm being chased, made me feel all the tingles (for a romance it's super hot), and kindly afflicted me with empathy towards Nick and Maggie...I cheered on their love despite the odds and tried to warn them from the unsavory characters in the shadows demanding old debts be repaid....I'm so glad I found (a) Prophet to lead me out of my comfort zone...I LOvvvved it :)
Profile Image for Rhonda Ziglar.
3,901 reviews39 followers
September 14, 2018
5 AMAZING STARS!! This book was AMAZING!! I love S.M. West's books, but this is my favorite one so far. Nick is PERFECTION and Maggie is his perfect match, two strong willed people with so much love and hate. These two have been through tragedies and their story has all the feels with plenty of holding your breath moments. This is one book you will want to read this year, so grab it.
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,134 reviews911 followers
November 8, 2019
This book has all that promise of romance and suspense. Some dark criminal underworld that kind of story. I have so much expectation. However I was sorely disappointed. Lets break it one by one.

The writing it seems to be copy and paste from many books. So the flow of the story is confusing and stiff.
The characters chemistry is non existence. Despite how the author teasing us with some steamy foreplay. But when the foreplay is gone, the chemistry is also gone.
The suspense is flat. At the end I do not care who is the bad guy. Who is lying about who.

Due to all of that flaws, the story is like sitting on the heavy traffic line on highway. It suppose to be fast, but its stuck. Its bit frustrating.

2 stars
Profile Image for ~Stéphanie's Journal~.
620 reviews360 followers
September 14, 2018
Are you ready? Because you sure needs to buckle up with the ride SM West will pit you through!

I've always loved a good book where I don't want to stop reading. One where I need to know what will happen next. Prophet was one of these books, one you start and never stop. The story was captivating and the plot gripping with engaging characters .

Maggie is one though cookie and being kidnapped doesn't make her happy one bit! Even if it's for her own good, she isn't an easy woman. She fights, she yells and well all of it gets the attention of Nick. The attraction between them wasn't immediate. It comes slowly and naturally which set a nice pace to the romance part of the book.

Nick isn't the kind of man you want to piss off! I would prefer having him a a friend than an enemy. Under all his alpha male hotness, there's also a heart. I have to say I loved to hate him. His actions were questionable for some and also unsettling. SM West slowly brought us to see what kind of man he's and I couldn't stay indifferent to his character.

Prophet was an exquisite enemies to lovers book filled with questions, tensions, anxiety and the duality between characters was absolutely exquisite to witness. Don't wait any longer and grab Prophet right away. Your next favorite book awaits you

~I voluntary beta read and read this book provided by the author ~
Profile Image for Tee loves Kyle Jacobson.
2,481 reviews174 followers
September 17, 2018
Okay S.M. you had me on the edge of my seat with this book. Holy Hell I loved all the twists and turns and Prophet, Maggie, Kit, and Caro were amazing characters who came alive off of the pages as I read. I love how crazy Prophet was. He was serious about finding out who set him up and why. His last job was supposed to be easy as cake. No problems or issues should arise except when he finds out he has a bounty on his head because off the job. He took something that was not his to take and now the rightful owner wants his property back and will stop at nothing to kill Prophet.

That's when Prophet meets Maggie and everything changes because she is the perfect hostage. But when things start to heat up and things start to make less sense Prophet is starting to think that Maggie is an innocent pawn in his crazy world. As he and Maggie are on the run he finds out things about Maggie and soon realizes that he has feelings for her and can't give her up to the bad guys. But what can he do? Can he save her and himself from danger? What will happen to Maggie? What will happen to Prophet?
Profile Image for Bethany-Kris.
Author 106 books4,217 followers
October 1, 2018
Another great read from SM West.

Once I was able to sit down and read Prophet, life is always getting in the way, I plowed through it faster than I realized until I noticed there was only a few pages left. And that left me a little sad. I think I could have continued reading these two for a few more chapters just because. I enjoyed their interactions, their banter ... the way they hated each other, and yet, still managed to like one another, too.

Nick is not really a criminal because he wants to be, but rather, life simply shook out for him that way. He needed to step up, and so he did. That life he chose, though, has had long-lasting consequences, and he's not quite done with dealing with them when Maggie saunters into his life.

This fast-paced, enemies-to-lovers tale will keep you on your toes to the very end. Sexy, thrilling, and perfect, really. You'll cheer for them as much as you'll be shouting at them. Well done, Suz!
Profile Image for poppy.
4,591 reviews27 followers
September 12, 2018
This was a great read that pulls you in right from the first chapter and keeps you hooked right until the very end. This is not my first read from this author but it is my favorite so far I just loved the suspense it kept me on the edge of my seat. Nick and Maggie had lots of chemistry and were smoking hot together he can kidnap me anytime.
Profile Image for Caroline Doig.
5,359 reviews47 followers
September 2, 2018
Wow this is one amazing read and my 1st read and review for this author. This story starts with a bang there’s so much action, suspense, danger and some sexy scenes it just kept me reading right up until the end. I’m just going to give a short take on this story, Nicholas Archer is Nick Prophet and that’s the name he goes by. He helps the big bad criminals move the illegal containers of cargo off the docks and onto the train but this time he has stolen a shipment of guns from another criminal without even knowing it so now he’s on the run and there’s another problem he accidentally got a woman involved and now she’s on the run just like him. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat from the beginning right up until the end it was fantastic. A fantastic story a 5 plus ⭐️ read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,770 reviews16 followers
September 12, 2018
Prophet by S.M. West is the story of Maggie Hill and Nick Prophet.
Nick trying to make money fast and allot of it. Nick did things that maybe he shouldn't but he never really did anything hardcore illegal until he was set up. Nick's reason for doing the shortcuts and doing compromises on some of the things he got involved in was to help his family. Maggie ended up being taking into this Nick's on the run escape plan. Now Maggie has to stay on the run too. But these two are finding things hotter than the heat that is on them.
Enjoyed reading their story!
Profile Image for Gina Burkart.
2,728 reviews48 followers
September 17, 2018
Wow what a great read. The chemistry is off the charts. This story will have you hooked and loving the book. This is Avery steamy alpha male story that will have you on edge through out the book. This is a must read book.
Profile Image for Annette Brignac.
202 reviews52 followers
April 25, 2018
I got to Beta Read this bad boy, and let me tell you it was AMAZING. Full review to come closer to release day! What an amazing, action packed read!
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,768 reviews39 followers
September 18, 2018
So, when Maggie meets Nick is it a coincidence? In Nick’s line of work, there is no such thing and once he knows Maggie’s secrets, he is convinced that she is there to set him up. Maggie is an unwilling hostage who isn’t just going to cave to the scary bad guy, that is for sure. This journey is an action-packed emotional rollercoaster!

Wow, there were quite a few twists in this story and at times you didn’t know who to trust. It was an intense enemy to lovers’ story that kept me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book if you’re in the market for a alpha bad boy and edge of your seat adventure!

Hero (Nick) 5 | Heroine (Maggie) 5 | Plot 5 | Writing Style 5 | Steam 5 | Romance 3 | Angst-Suspense 4 | Darkness 2 | Humor 1 | Secondary Characters 5 | Drama-Conflict 5 | Mystery 4 | Twists 4 | Action 5 | Pacing Slow/Steady | Dual POV | MF | Alpha | Twists and Turns | Kidnapping | Overall 4.5 Stars
#MSBB
624 reviews4 followers
August 29, 2018
Prophet is captivating and consuming! A definite keep you on the edge of your seat page turner! This story has so many layers, it's suspenseful, mysterious, and unpredictable. Nick and Maggie are almost hazardous to each other! Nick is a take charge kind of guy who is in survival mode. Maggie is a feisty firecracker who finds herself at the wrong place at the wrong time. When they are not clawing at the other Nick and Maggie are explosive and hot! The storyline has depth and is well written. I loved these characters and their development, even some of the secondary characters, which I hope Suzanne has plans for!! Highly recommend this book!!
1,575 reviews4 followers
August 29, 2018
Wow what a page-turner! This story was intriguing and had me hooked from the beginning. I loved the storyline, feisty Maggie and bad boy Nick. The chemistry between them is so good. Would like to read more about them. You just have to read this one!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 25, 2018
Very good book. I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. The characters had depth and chemistry. The story line was engaging. I will definitely read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Angelina.
741 reviews
September 18, 2018
Prophet is an addictive 5 star read by one of my favourite authors. This book was unputdownable and I've not stopped thinking about it since. The words used by this very talented author pulled me so much into the story and allowed me to visualise what was happening that I felt like I was watching a film. I loved Prophet and Maggie together, and I believe that it was his love for Maggie that finally allowed Prophet to feel like he'd achieved something good in his life and could move on from the choices he'd made as a teenager trying to hold his family together.

As always with the good, there's the bad and we get to see the ties that try to hold this couple to the past. Lives are threatened, and Maggie surprises us towards the end as she does something that doesn't seem possible of her. This gritty and action packed story deserves more than the 5 stars I can give it! I'm hoping that Prophet’s sister, Caro, and Kit get their own story as I feel there's something they're not telling us.

*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book
2 reviews
September 20, 2018
Im a sucker for a HEA and a bad boy and this book delivers. You, like Maggie, want to dislike Prophet but its impossible. Even when your angry with his (and her!) decisions your still rooting for them. You fall in love with them along the way😊 Im definitely interested in the relationship that was hinted at between Kit and Caro, now i want their book.
Profile Image for Up All Night With Books.
1,157 reviews40 followers
September 5, 2018
4.5 Stars
Review by Amy W.
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog


Wow! Prophet by S.M. West was more than I was expecting in a very good way.

Nick is trying to lay low after a deal has unexpected consequences, when Maggie shows up and throws everything off kilter. He can't trust her, but he can't leave her behind either. So with the bright eyed beauty in tow, Nick runs.

This book is action packed from the start. We jump right into Nick's very messed up night and don't come up for breath until the very end. It was a thrilling edge of your seat read that had me biting my nails in trepidation of what was to come.

This is only my second read by S.M. West and I have to say she is an author to keep your eyes on.

**ARC provided for an honest review**
Profile Image for Nick .
154 reviews5 followers
September 15, 2018
An enemies to lover romance that is a page turner. Nick is the sexy alpha male that is sure to get on your nerves. Maggie is not a push over type of girl. She is sassy, fiery and tough. A mix up bring them together but is that enough to keep them together. Prophet is action packed and full of twist and turns you don’t see coming. Add in the sexual tension and you are captivated. Prophet is one book you do not want to miss out of reading. S.M. West was a new author for me. I’m so happy the cover of Prophet caught my eye and I read. Ms. West will be on my TBR list.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Krista Sandor.
Author 33 books2,811 followers
September 9, 2018
I was absolutely blown away by S.M. West's Prophet. The drama and riveting characters hooked me from the first page. The writing is phenomenal. The imagery is superb. Ms. West creates a fast-paced world of life and deaths situations, and the heat between the hero and heroine is off the charts. Prophet's well-crafted balance of steamy and suspense will keep you turning pages late into the night.
Profile Image for MsMoxy.
411 reviews16 followers
November 12, 2018
4 Stars for Prophet

Prophet starts with so much action and intensity and continues this pace to the finish. Nick Prophet is done with the criminal world and looking to make a clean break now that he is comfortable enough to leave the business and go into retirement.

However, the world of organized crime has other plans for him and Nick reads both caution and temptation in the likes of Maggie Hill. She is an unknowing participant in this world but Nick does not think her sudden appearance is coincidence after his final job quickly went south. Nick wants out, but why has Maggie Hill conveniently shown up?

As this story unfolds the twists and turns take both Nick and Maggie on an unlikely journey that neither wants to be on. Besides outside forces after them, there is an immediate attraction between the two. Both are in denial and work to get away from the other, however the world they are caught up in keeps throwing them back together!

This was such a great read! And while predictable, the story was more about Maggie’s and Nick’s motives regarding their actions towards the other. The chemistry was amazing and both characters brought an edginess to the story that I enjoyed!

I loved the setting of the story and how it moved between Toronto, Quebec, and Montreal. The little cultural details was icing on the cake and gave it a touch of realism that I love in a contemporary read!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
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