"I leaned hard against the door and slid to the floor. At last I was being drawn back to that house of secrets - to those hidden memories of loss and sorrow. For so long I had fooled myself into believing the past would never catch up with me. But now the moment of truth had come...and if there was a hell, I just knew that demons were dancing in delight." (excerpt pg 29)
In the novel House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson, Ballie Cooper and her two sisters are headed back to their summer house in Bremerton, Washington for a surprise trip from their father. What is intended to be a happy reunion for them becomes shrouded by memories from the past.
Closing my eyes, I tried not to think of those last days at the summer house, but I couldn't help it. I could see it all as if it were yesterday.
"What's Daddy doing?" Geena asked.
We girls had gathered on the upstairs landing that overlooked the open downstairs living area. "He's making Momma her cocoa," I told them.
" I want some," Piper said, her six-year-old voice a little louder than I would have liked.
Of course, given the fact that Momma was playing her rock music as loud as the stereo would allow, I didn't figure Dad would hear us.
"We're supposed to be asleep," eight-year-old Geena said.
Just then our father crossed the room to switch off the music. I fully expected our mother to complain, but there wasn't as much as a word. I couldn't tell if she was even still in the living room. Maybe she had gone to bed.
Without the music playing, however I could hear another sound. It was our father and he was muttering and talking to himself. He was also crying. At least that was what is sounded like. I heard him sniffing and saw him wipe the back of his hand against his eyes.
"Why is Daddy crying?" Geena asked in a hushed whisper.
So it wasn't my imagination. He really was crying. I'd never seen this before and it scared me. Something must be very wrong if he was that upset.
"I have to do this for the girls." His words were as clear as those Geena had spoken. I shook my head and leaned closer to the rail.
"It's for them. They will be safe."
He took a prescription bottle from his pocket and opened it. I was mesmerized by the scene. What was he doing? What did he have to do for the girls - for us? (pg 34).
I received House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. This is a book of redemption and one that shows how sometimes our past can hold us back from moving forward in the life that God has planned for us. It shows us what happens when a secret from 15 years ago causes one sister to want to end their silence and that the truth must be revealed. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and is my second book by Tracie Peterson. I know my readers will enjoy this bit of Christian suspense found within its pages.
For more information on this book, the author and where to get a sneak peek at the first chapter, click on the links below:
If you would like to read the first chapter of House of Secrets, go HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.
In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.
She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.
Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.
Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Together again, the three sisters sift through their recollections of fifteen years ago...of an ill mother, and of their father making a desperate choice. They vowed, as children, to be silent--but one sister believes the truth must now be revealed. Yet can they trust their memories?
Mark Delahunt arrives in the wake of this emotional turmoil. Determined to win Bailee's affection, Mark becomes the strong fortress for her in this time of confusion, and what was once a tentative promise begins to take root and grow. Caught between the past and an uncertain future, can Bailee let God guide her to heal the past and ultimately to embrace love?
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