Secrets (Romantic Suspense) [Kindle Edition]

Aris Whittier (Author)

Book Description

If you love Ghost Whisperer you are going to love SECRETS!

A woman with a secret...
Ashley Dawson, a best-selling mystery author, has a gift--she can communicate with spirits. She likes to keep that gift to herself because telling her secret to others would cause trouble. However, her life profoundly changes when she is urged and guided, by a persistent spirit, to the house of Nathaniel Marshall--a man who doesn't believe Ashley's bizarre accusations and makes no attempt to hide it.

A man with a hidden past...
Nathaniel, a high-powered architect, has vowed to never talk about his past and where he came from or the death of his beloved wife. That was all behind him. What mattered was his ability to build the family business and give back to the parents who adopted him. He didn't have the time or the gumption to listen to Ashley--that is until she provides him with evidence that proves her claims are very true.

Dark, hidden secrets revealed...
Ashley wants to bring Nathaniel peace and understanding and help him heal--and she knows she can do it if he'd just believe her. Nathaniel isn't interested in finding peace--he doesn't believe he deserves it. But when he discovers Ashley is being stalked and women throughout the city, with her name, are being murdered one by one his cold front instantly turns to fierce protection.  He will do anything to protect her. 

Both Nathanial and Ashley will have to dig deep into their pasts to stay alive and find the killer before it's too late for the both of them...

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviewed by Tamera L. for Readers Favorite

Ashley Dawson is a famous author, who has the uncanny ability to see spirits. Ashley has been dealing with the spirit world all her life, but has always kept her secret close to her heart. But then she meets a ghost named Sara, who desperately wants Ashley's help. Ashley decides to help the troubled spirit, going on a quest to find a particular house, and more importantly, the man who owns it. But Ashley isn't prepared for the fluttering of her heart when she meets Nathaniel Marshall, the owner of the magnificent home. Nor is Ashley prepared for the battle of wills to come. As Nathaniel begins to trust her, Ashley finds herself falling fast for the charming architect. But danger is lurking ever so closely as a crazed fan begins to stalk his favorite author, testing Ashley and Nathaniel's new found love.

This charming love story was a delight to read. From the first page, I was hooked. Ashley Dawson drew me in with her spiritual connections and her stubborn quest to help Nathaniel find peace after losing his wife in such a tragic fashion. The writing flowed smoothly chapter after chapter. Nathaniel was equally captivating - a true lady's man. And of course, the delightful Sarah was ever so kind to share her wonderful husband. Aris Whittier has written a captivating tale. "Secrets" has just the right amount of ingredients - romance, paranormal and a dash of thrill - all equaling a delicious read! I look forward to reading more novels by this talented author.

About the Author

Aris Whittier is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman's fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time. Visit Aris Whittier at: awhittier.blogspot.com

Product Details

• File Size: 442 KB
• Print Length: 305 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006QAO4GY
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,356 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Suspense, romance, and a touch of paranormal April 28, 2012

By Elizabeth

Format:Kindle Edition

Ashley Dawson can communicate with spirits. When one sends her to a stranger's house, her life changes forever. Nathaniel Marshall opens his front door. He isn't happy with the interruption, but when he hears the red-head's story he becomes livid. Nathaniel is no one's fool and he won't put up with someone coming to his own home and treating him as such, no matter how beautiful the woman standing before him might be.

Despite their rocky beginning, Ashley soon becomes indispensible to him. When someone begins stalking her, Nathaniel will go to any length to keep her safe. But how can he protect Ashley from someone who seems like a ghost? Her stalker is little more than a shadow, coming and going as he pleases. Then several murders occur and the message is clear -- Ashley is next.

Aris Whittier's novel, Secrets, is a fast-paced mystery with interesting characters and intriguing plots that easily maintain the reader's attention. Several twists throughout the novel keep the audience guessing; my favorite coming at the very end. Whittier cost me a late night as I found the novel next to impossible to put down. Like Ashley, the reader finds him/herself sucked into Nathaniel's world wanting to understand his dark past while rooting for him to overcome it.

As with her debut novel, Fatal Embrace, Whittier outsmarted me. I was convinced that this time I knew who was behind everything. Alas, I was wrong -- again! I'm definitely hoping for another chance to match wits with the author. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

Those who liked Whittier's first novel will be pleased to hear that Michael Carven makes a cameo appearance in Secrets.... While I enjoyed the mystery and even the main characters, I was disappointed with the increase of explicit and unnecessary sex scenes in this novel in comparison to Fatal Embrace. The reader should also be prepared for some vulgar language.

**Review copy provided by author. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly Good March 14, 2012

By K. Opsahl

Format:Kindle Edition

Ashley Dawson is use to waking up to spirits but this certain spirit is different. This spirit, named Sara, manifests and wants Ashley to visit a man named Nathaniel Marshall. Ashley is instantly drawn into the mystery that is surrounding this spirit and wants to help Sara immediately. She finds out that Nathaniel was Sara's husband and Sara wants her to help Nathaniel heal. This is one hard job to do when Nathaniel is not about to believe Ashley's bizarre explanation.

Nathaniel was devastated when his wife passed away and has never fully recovered. Now that a curvy, vivacious woman has shown up on his doorstep saying that his dead wife has sent her to heal him, Nathaniel really thinks he has gone crazy. But maybe, what happened to his wife wasn't an accident and that is what Sara is trying to say. By bringing Ashley into the picture the truth will come to light but at what price? Will Nathaniel lose Ashley too at the hands of someone hell bent on revenge?

The beginning is hauntingly good and continues its pace throughout. Whittier weaves characters from her previous book and continues the intense emotions all the way to the end. I do have to say that the tidbit about her friend's boyfriend was predictable but I am thinking there might be another story coming out with those two.

(e-book was provided by author for an honest review)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A rare case when a story may have benefited from LESS romance June 16, 2012

By Read, Rinse, Repeat TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Why did spirits have to be so vague?" And why do they only communicate with "vague, you-try-and-figure-out-what-I'm-saying crap." My thoughts exactly. I'm glad that Ashley, a mystery writer and the heroine of "Secrets", expressed this frustration when the ghostly Sara reached out to her. But this would have been a much shorter book if Sara had given up all of her secrets in the first chapter.

Sara, who has been deceased for a year, "contacts" Ashley and expresses an urgent need for Ashley to convey some information to Nathaniel, Ashley's widower husband. Ashley has never met Nathaniel, and she doesn't know exactly what Sara needs, but her first priority is to convince Nathaniel that she's not crazy. When Ashley shows up at Nathaniel's house, proclaiming to have been sent by Sara, he's still in grief. He resents the intrusion, and he's more than a tad disbelieving of Ashley's story. She eventually convinces him, and when she does, it's a very touching moment. Their initial attraction speeds up at this point. I found this change in their relationship abrupt and not very believable, and Nathaniel's grief over Sara seemed to go out the window very quickly. When they were still getting to know each other, and after having only shared a couple of kisses, Nathaniel learns that Ashley has a stalker. Nathaniel thinks, "God, if something had happened to her, [I] wouldn't survive it." That seemed to come out of left field. I wish the author would have prolonged the intense romance; it would have been a nicer treat to see them come together at the end.

The mysterious, unknown stalker is obsessed with Ashley. "He arches his brows wickedly" and "smiles ruthlessly." Pretty much everything but cackle wildly and twirl his mustache evilly.... When the villain is revealed at the end, I was surprised. The surprise was possible because the villain's stated methodology and the timing of when he started stalking Ashley didn't really add up.

The book started off strong, but I felt like it went downhill as soon as Ashley and Nathaniel became romantically involved so abruptly. The ghost theme didn't have much to do with the story, other than to serve as unique way to get the two main characters together. It did come into play at the very end of the book, but it was in a way that was too sappy for me.

There are irksome typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors throughout. Some if it is sloppiness, but in other cases, it's a lack of knowledge of basic grammar. I was able to get past it because the story was decent, but they are plentiful enough that some readers may get too frustrated to continue. I hope someone will edit this book, because it risks turning off too many readers in its current state. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Invigoratingly Suspenseful June 5, 2012

By Shylah

Format:Kindle Edition

This book was very intriguing. Each page left me full of suspense, anticipating the next page. The ghost whispering and the murders give the book a complete package. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in suspenseful readings.

More About the Author

Aris Whittier is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman's fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time. Visit Aris Whittier at: facebook.com/ArisWhittier