Tuesday, January 5, 2016

When Secrets Strike

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
WHEN SECRETS STRIKE

In Laurel Ridge, Pennsylvania, a community once united must suspect one of their own

Amish quilter Sarah Bitler's dreams no longer feature a husband and family. Instead, she searches for success in the quilt shop within Blackburn House, a place once tarnished with deadly secrets. She refuses to let the past influence her future…until an ominous fire forces them to collide.

Firefighter Aaron King was the first to touch Sarah's heart—and the first to break it. Now a widower and father of two small girls, his return to Sarah's life brings her buried feelings to the surface. As a string of horrific incidents tears apart their community, an arsonist's wrath threatens to destroy them all. With Aaron as the only suspect, Sarah must follow her instincts to find the truth. But to protect an innocent man, she might risk her heart to Aaron again…and risk her life to an unknown killer.


My Review:

A compulsive read. A case of eyes wanting to skim conflicting with a heart wanting to savor. I'm loving this series -- so much, in fact, that I read book one and book two back to back. Check last week for my review of Where Secrets Sleep but no worries about needing to read it before you dive into When Secrets Strike. This reads beautifully as a standalone.

I love the community Perry has created. The mix of English and Amish and enough quirky characters to keep me on my toes. So many secrets for a small town to harbor. Such fun to puzzle things out along with Sarah. I totally got some things way before she did but that just created a frenzied anticipation that made it nearly impossible to wait for the big reveal that would put Sarah in the know as well. And there were other aspects of the suspense that I had to slowly piece together, like one of Sarah's artfully designed quilts.

Unlike the first book, which was mostly set in the 'English world', When Secrets Strikes is definitely an Amish read with both hero and heroine among the town's stalwart Amish members. Sarah has loved Aaron since her childhood. He has always looked upon her as a friend. Close proximity and encroaching danger cause their easy-going relationship to shift. Suddenly Aaron is noticing Sarah in a whole new way and she is second guessing every look and touch. Delicious romantic tension tightens the plot -- guaranteed to send a reader into a dizzying tilt-a-whirl of romantical delirium. :-)

And while not categorized as Christian Fiction, (published for the general market by HQN) there is a subtle inspirational thread on forgiveness that makes this read all the more satisfying.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  When Secrets Strike please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 10 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

32 comments:

  1. I definitely want to read this and the one you reviewed last week!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  2. Her books are good too. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom

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  3. Another Marta Perry book wow. I want to read this one and the one you featured last week. You had me at, "guaranteed to send a reader into a dizzying tilt-a-whirl of romantical delirium" . Well that and just seeing it was a Marta Perry book. I found an old Love Inspired of hers last week at the thrift store from the early 2000's and look forward to reading it.

    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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    1. I really love how Marta Perry tells a story and how she develops a suspense. Masterful. Good luck, Deanne.

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  4. I am intrigued by this one. Thank you for the opportunity, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  5. I love Marta Perry's book and would love this one. spotts06ATcomcastDOTnet

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    1. What's not to love, right? Good luck, Stella.

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  6. You have me at "a compulsive read" :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Glad I got your attention. Good luck, Trixi.

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    1. Oh yes, you do, Carrie. I can't wait for the next book. Good luck!

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  8. Marta Perry writes wonderful books. I would LOVE this book, I know. Great review. Hope to win!
    Susan in NC
    susanlulu(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. I had no idea Where Secrets Sleep was the beginning of a series. I'm so looking forward to reading both books. They sound so good! Thanks for another great review.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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  10. I HAVE to read this one! What an amazing review -- love romantic tension, danger, and the Amish all mixed together in one delicious pot! Er, book that is. ;)

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Yeppers -- we have the same appetite for reading, Diana. Good luck!

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  11. Sounds like a great suspenseful book full of surprises.
    karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. We have the first two books in this series in the church library. Hope I win to add this one to our shelves.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You definitely need to complete the set, Janet. Good luck.

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  13. Really wanting to read that!
    Thanks!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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  14. The romance sounds so good, but I get nervous with the suspense in some books. I don't mind suspense, but I won't read them if the bad guy/girl is a serial killer or worse. The covers of Marta Perry's always seem so eerie to me, so I have to see a review first. This one doesn't sound as creepy as Where Secrets Sleep. I didn't even comment on that one. haha Buut I'm willing to give this one a go. :) tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Definitely no serial killer here, Terrill. I'm the same way about creepy suspense...don't want it to come haunting my dreams. LOL Good luck, Terrill.

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  15. Love a mix of English and Amish, romance, and suspense!! Thanks for the great review, Kav!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. A lethal combination for sure. Good luck, Bonnie.

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  16. This looks like one I would enjoy!! bookwormgal2011 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Good luck bookwormgal. Love your moniker.

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