All The Secret Things by Sheila Cragg

As the title suggests, there are many secrets in  this story. Eight-year-old Emily Walcott goes through life dealing with how these secrets affect the whole family. Her alcoholic mother abandons them, leaving her father to raise her and her younger sister on his own.

It was disappointing that he married so soon, and I wish he'd tried a little harder to spend more time allowing the girls to adjust. However, the new step-mother does her best to bring a semblance of stability to the newly formed family.

Unfortunately, before long, her son creates an unsafe and scary environment for his step-sisters. Though Emily tells how he torments her and her sister, the step-mother is in denial. Emily searches for love, and sometimes turns to the wrong person to find it. This book documents the life from childhood to adulthood, and even then, she still discovers the biggest secret of all. The way Emily deals with it is astounding.

Kudos to the author on this debut novel. All the secret things is an entertaining and insightful read.

4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Heart of the Maze By Rain Chapman

Rain Chapman's writing is so vivid that her words become reality. The character's in this book, Cilia and Devlin, capture and evoke emotion from anyone who reads their story.

The authentic historical aspect of this book carries readers into an enchanted realm. The author, Rain Chapman, uses her imagination to fuel magical inner thoughts and feelings of the main characters,

The fantasy-filled, yet believable gifts Cilia and Devlen share drew me in. The undulated action carries this story forward. My anticipation surged from one chapter to the next, making the book impossible to put down.

I loved the book. Not one con to report here.

4 stars

Cold As Ice by Cindy Davis

This book evoked a wonderful mixture of emotions. The imagery is vivid; the well developed characters kept me invested in the story, and the author captured the story's time periods nicely.

Claudia Goodwin, the main character, instantly captured my interest. I love her spunk, which is quite evident when she becomes caught in a web of family demands.When her father, a frozen food business owner, assumes Claudia will marry another business owner's son to enable the family business to merge, she's appalled. How can he even suggest such a thing, and act as if she would consider it? She barely even know's David VanBuren. And what she does know about him convinces her that he isn't aa man she would date--much less marry. On the other hand, she knows David's playboy brother, Max. Now that hunk of a man is someone she'd gladly consider!

Even though Claudia adamantly refuses the arranged marriage--it falls on deaf ears. No matter what she does, her parents continue with wedding plans. David certainly doesn't help matters. He acts as if she is already his, despite the fact she loves another man.

Once Claudia finds out she is pregnant, marrying David seems like the only viable solution. She does so, and becomes a dutiful wife, even though David undermines her every turn. After he sells her father's business and decides to go into the diamond business with his brother, Max, she is thrown between them--a place she isn't sure she can handle.

I don't want to give too much away, but this story continues through several decades. I was constantly surprised at each turn. Claudia is strong and resilient; a real survivor in a man's world of the 50's, 60's and throughout the years. She is a mother, wife and businesswoman, and makes a name for herself despite every obstacle.


I highly recommend Cold as Ice. It will keep you up late at night because you will not be able to put it down. I love books like that.

3 stars