Customer Reviews

A Dark Secret

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Years ago, Sharlene Bradley left her family to flee the slums of Detroit and the problems of being a Zebra in a society where neither white nor black accepted her. Never looking back, she vanished in New York. Currently, she uses the name Camille Morgan, passes herself as a purebred Caucasian, and is engaged to Jeff Stone, son of a Virginia Senator and one of the last former segregationists still in Congress.

Camille's life goals are within her fingertips until her sister Karen arrives begging for her help. Their mother needs a kidney transplant to live and none of the immediate family matches hers. Karen wants Sharlene to come home to save their mother's life.

DARK SECRETS is an intriguing premise that showcases the problems society poses by buttonholing mixed racial children. The story line is filled with tensions and twists as each of the prime charcaters hide secrets from one another. However, the tale is overburdened with too many secrets turned into tiny subplots. The stereotyping of the Senator and his wife make them seem more like blithering idiots than a highly placed politician and his polished wife. Elizabeth Atkins Bowen writes an interesting family drama that fans of the sub-genre will enjoy but they will think this novel could have been a bit more focused.

Harriet Klausner

Elizabeth Atkins-Bowman's second novel (her first, White Chocolate, is another must-read) proves that she is a masterfully gifted storyteller. This racy, mysterious tale is sensual, surprising and challenging in unexpected ways. This is a treat not to be missed!

The book is one of intrigue and subtle romance. Atkins Bowman is a gifted storyteller. This book is a page turner providing many twist and turns throughout. Just when you thought you had someone figured out another family member pops up with their own hidden secret. Camille, aka Sharlene thought she had it all figured out and thought the world was a better place on the other side, NOT!

Atkins Bowman provided many thought provoking scenes and scenes that made the reader gasp. Near the conclusion you understood Sharlene's mother's treatment of her even if you didn't agree with her actions. Everyone and I mean everyone had a secret. The Stone family was as dysfuntional as they come. Great story!

I have to admit that this book enthralled me, I read it in 6 days! But by the end it just seemed ridiculous. Certain scenes were just so over the top. We're talking unnecesary rape scenes,foul language and an ending so out there! To those of you who read it: what woman in her RIGHT MIND is going to play a tape of herself being raped to a packed ball room!? gimme a break!

I picked up this book after hearing Elizabeth Atkins Bowman speak at a writer's conference and I couldn't put it down! Every plotline was interesting and exciting. The characters were very engaging. The book is refreshing because it shows multiracial interactions, which you don't see often in mainstream fiction. We live in a multiracial and multicultural world, congratulations to Elizabeth for writing about it! It's also a very good book for the romance and the suspense. All of it keeps you guessing right up until the last page. Very well done.

Bowman's sophomore effort, Dark Secret, is a mover and a shaker.
There are none of those "dull moments" that we as readers often find
in 400+ page books. The saga of Sharlene (aka Camille), a biracial
woman passing for white and striving for the love and affection of a racist-riddled political family, unravels and unfolds at lightning speed.

Sharlene leaves home at a tender age and reinvents herself, becoming part
of a world that accepts her based on her achievements and outward appearance.
But how far will she go? Bowman tells the story of Camille, whom her mother
refers to as "ghost chile" and Camille's "sweet praline" sister Karen with an
awakening edge.

Bowman's characters and language grab the reader from the first page, and never let go of the chokehold until the last word. She is a no-nonsense writer, and you won't find any fluff or frills in this novel, just 416 pages of action-packed reading. This is not a book you want to pass up.

Reviewed by CandaceK

I found this book to be very good. Of course it is an old story revisited. It reminded me of the old movie "Imitation of Life" with a deadly twist. The story moved quickly and kept my attention. The story had a little bit of everything including romance and intrigue. Some of the happenings within the family were a little hard to take, but it goes to show that we never know what goes on behind closed doors. It takes an open mind to read and enjoy a story like Dark Secret. Take it from this black woman who loves to read this book will be well worth the time spent reading it. If you enjoy it then you have to read "White Chocolate" also by Elizabeth Atkins Bowman.I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I really liked this book, although not quite as well as "White Chocolate". It was a real page-turner and there was much scandal. I think this story illustrates just how far a woman will go to find love when the people around her don't show her any. The story also shows how crazy some people can be.

Ever wonder what it's like to live on the other side. Ask Camile and she may tell you It ain't all that. Ever wonder what is like to be one of the rich and famous, respected political family member, Camille might tell you, they got they troubles too. Dark secrets tells of deceit and bigotry. there were so many secrets between the characters, this kept the book interesting The reader would be surprised with the many twists and turns in the story line. Some were predictable, and others just blew you away. The plots and subplots were interesting. Very good character development and secondary characters. I am sure you will enjoy this one.

Dark Secret totally draws you in. This book is full of scandal, deceipt, and love. I couldn't put it down. Reading this book totally drew me. This novel moves along smoothly with all kinds of twists and turns! Can't wait for more from Elizabeth Atkins-Bowman!