House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson was a strange book for me. I enjoyed it, but it was a roller coaster of a ride. There were so many issues going on with the main character, Bailee, I found it hard to concentrate. The girl just has issues, all stemmed from a childhood with a mother who suffered from mental illness. These issues followed Bailee into adulthood, keeping her from developing actual relationship with people. I sympathized with Bailee and her sisters, but about mid book found myself wishing she would just stop complaining and get on with life. I don’t see how Mark put up with her at all. We all need a friend like Mark in our lives, as patient and caring as he could be.
While the plotline was believable, I found parts to be too convenient to find true. What are the chances Bailee’s one friend, who happens to be her boss would have a minor in psychology? It was little things like that.
I did enjoy the book, the roller coaster ride of emotions was wonderful, I just found myself waiting for the ride to end sooner than the time was up.
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing House of Secrets Bethany House (October 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.
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
When her father orchestrates a surprise trip to the summer house of her childhood, Bailee Cooper is unprepared for what follows. What is intended to be a happy reunion for Bailee and her sisters, Geena and Piper, quickly becomes shrouded by memories from the past.
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?
If you would like to read the first chapter of House of Secrets, go HERE.
