4 Stars! ~~~ A wonderful launch to this series, that’s riddled with secrets and intrigue.
Fatal Image by Lenora Worth
Love Inspired Suspense # 38 – January 2007
The Secrets of Stoneley – Book 1 of 6
.
Returning to Stoneley, Maine is the last thing Bianca Blanchard wants to do. But it’s her Aunt Winnie’s 60th birthday, and it’s been ages since all six of the Blanchard sisters had been home at the same time. Bianca’s heart skips when she sees her father’s right-hand man, Leo Santiago. She’s always felt very aware of Leo and had looked forward to their light flirting. Leo’s mother had recently passed away, and he found a photograph of his mother with Bianca’s that he thought she would like to have. When Bianca later shows the photograph to her Aunt and sisters, they are shocked to read that date on the back; it was taken a week after her mother’s death. Bianca has always felt there were secrets surrounding her mother, and now with this photo she’s determined to find the truth. Leo insists that she let him help her, and as they dig into details of her mother’s accident, they unearth information that suggests her mother may be alive. Bianca’s confused. How involved is her father in her mother’s disappearance? And can she trust Leo, he’s always done her father’s bidding, is he really falling in love with her like he says? And was the death of the private investigator she hired truly an accident?
This was a wonderful launch to this series. The tone is rather gothic, as the Blanchard Mansion seems to have its own personality; steeped in intrigue and secrets. Bianca is a determined woman and she’s not afraid to tackle her father to get to the answers. Leo had a brief battle over where his loyalties lay; with Bianca or with her father, his employer. Good hero that he is, he chose wisely. I liked the two conflicts to this story; the ongoing mystery of Trudy Blanchard, and the romantic conflict with Leo’s own secrets from Bianca. The romance was sweet and resolved nicely. I’m very much looking forward to the next instalment in this series.
Excellence: Very Good ~ Steaminess: Affectionate
My Totals = 42 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 42 ~ Other Publisher = 0
March Mini-Challenge ~~ “New-to-Me” ~ #16
-
Lenora Worth – Though I have several books written by Ms. Worth in my TBR, I’ve been so busy reading my favourite lines that I’ve been passing her books over. This mini-series sparked my interest last year when it came out. As I’m one of those readers that prefer to have all the books in the series on hand before starting to read the first, this series once completed last June got stuck in the TBR pile. I’m glad I decided to reach for this series now. Ms. Worth does a wonderful job with this book and I’m eagerly looking forward to reading more of her work.
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
I wanted to read this series
I wanted to read this series so much but when I discovered it, the first book was not available her. I really wish that the first books would be available at least until one month after the last book is released!
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Actually .....
the eHarl bookstore just tightened up their shelf date recently .... this time last year you could still purchase books 6 months old, in fact it was the 6 month old books that were in the bargain bin, not the 4 month like now
but it wouldn't have helped with this series .... it was selling out very quickly, and I found I had to order them ASAP in the month ... in fact, one of the books sold out before I had a chance to buy it, and I was lucky enough to find it still at Chapters .... so now with series of any sort, if I really want them, I order them early to guarantee having them ....
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog