Carole's Sunday Review: White Lies - Susan Barrett

Author: Susan Barrett

Title: White Lies

Genre: Fiction

Pages: ebook

Published: Aug 2016

Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher)

Beth is a guest at a wedding. The bride is Tess, her natural daughter, who'd been adopted as a baby. During the moments leading up to the marriage ceremony, Beth remembers the lifetime events that have led to her present state of sick fear. Recent revelations have made her suspect that the bridegroom is the first child she'd given up for adoption, and therefore Tess's half-brother. Will she speak of this impediment to matrimony, as invited by the priest, or forever hold her peace? 

Holy cannoli batman! This was certainly a ball of secrets, twists, and drama. I liked it.

This story follows three women: Beth, Liz, and Tess. Beth was a young girl who was forced to give two babies up for adoption. Tess is one of those babies. Liz is the adoptive mom of Tess. Beth reconnected with Tess. However, Tess gets engaged to a guy named Michael who was put up for adoption at the same time as Beth's first baby. Not only is the timeline spooky, but Michael looks a LOT like Beth's baby daddy. Could it all be a coincidence? Or is Tess about to marry her half-brother? Should Beth say something or keep it to herself? TOUGH spot to be in. 

This book...eerily enough...came at an ironic time. My mom was put up for adoption. She was adopted but she never knew anything about her biological family. Just within the last couple of weeks, we have tracked them down. She has a whole bunch of half siblings out there that have lived around her her whole life and she never knew it. Luckily I know my dad is not her half sibling (*wipes sweat from brow*), but WHAT IF? Could you imagine? Is it better to not know then find out years later? There is a lot to think about there for sure. 

I liked Beth a lot...she had a tough life. She got screwed over by men. Men are jerks!! *shakes fist* But yes...fate is not kind to her.

Liz was okay. I get her jealousy...but I feel it was unwarranted. 

I did NOT like Tess at the beginning, but once she matured a bit I grew to like her. 

It's hard to say much else without ruining all the twists and turns. But the ending made me cry. SOOOOOO GOOD! Kuddos to the author *tips hat*

This was a quick read, but it was a story with a lot going on. Easy to follow and the characters were intriguing with all the secrets and twists. Like I said...secrets never truly last. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 5. 

About Carole the Reviewer

What is there really to say? I am of course a lover of books, poetry, movies, plays, and music. Nothing is better than enjoying a cup of tea and immersing yourself in another world and forgetting about the world for just a little bit. My cat and chinchillas keep me entertained over here in Michigan (the mitten state of the USA). I'm game for any genre of book or movie. You can find me over at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings.

Review: A Bargain Struck - Liz Harris

Widower Connor Maguire advertises for a wife to raise his young daughter, Bridget, work the homestead and bear him a son. 

Ellen O’Sullivan longs for a home, a husband and a family. On paper, she is everything Connor needs in a wife. However, it soon becomes clear that Ellen has not been entirely truthful.

Will Connor be able to overlook Ellen’s dishonesty and keep to his side of the bargain? Or will Bridget’s resentment, the attentions of the beautiful Miss Quinn, and the arrival of an unwelcome visitor, combine to prevent the couple from starting anew.

As their personal feelings blur the boundaries of their deal, they begin to wonder if a bargain struck makes a marriage worth keeping.

Set in Wyoming in 1887, a story of a man and a woman brought together through need, not love …

My thoughts:

This is not your typical sort of romance, neither is it pure historical fiction. No, it's...romantic historical fiction ;) And this one in a western setting.

Did the romance come quick? No. Did it come easy? No. This couple struggled and my heart wept for her. Ellen was a strong woman who had been through a lot and she acts like a little grey mouse, not voicing her opinion. I shall not say what happened, but she has a secret and it's something others have a hard time handling.

Life on the frontier was not exactly easy either. It's a tough life. 

Connor was a good man. Again, I can't say much, but yes he comes around.

Life on the farm, getting to know a new husband, having a step-daughter who hates her and more creates a good book that was hard to put down. I just wanted to know one thing...will there be love? So I could not stop reading.

Conclusion:

A good book with a story that moved me.

Paperback, 336 pages
Published September 7th 2013 by Choc Lit (first published July 31st 2013)
Romantic historical fiction
From the author for an honest review