~If you love Ghost Whisperer you are going to love SECRETS~
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.
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...
Excerpt
“What’s your name?” Ashley Dawson asked, in a low and encouraging tone, of the translucent figure hovering at the foot of her bed. She fought the inclination to look at the clock and see what time it was. She feared that if she did, the apparition would disappear again. She guessed it was around three a.m. Please, tell me. I need to know your name. She didn’t speak the words aloud this time because it wasn’t necessary.
“Sara.”
Ashley watched the woman’s mouth move, but she didn’t hear the words. Instead, the words touched deep within her mind. That’s the way it’s always worked. She heard them in her head rather than aloud. She did have to admit, though, that it was hard to distinguish the difference at times. Even for her.
“Sara.” She repeated the name and felt the overwhelming peacefulness that always accompanied the spirit’s presence.
The name fit her, Ashley thought. It was sweet and simple, like everything else about her. Sara was petite, and her dark brown hair freely swirled around her shoulders as if caught in a light breeze. An unblemished drop of cream was the only way to describe her milky-white skin. Her disposition was tranquil and kind, naturally calming. Her voice was like something out of a Michelangelo painting.
In the huge, ornate, four-poster bed, Ashley pushed herself into a sitting position, never taking her eyes off the spirit. With a quick puff, she blew the lock of fox-red hair from her eyes. When it fell back into place, she raked the thick wave to the side in irritation. There was a reason why Sara was showing herself, and Ashley didn’t want the spirit to leave until she found out what that reason was.
This marked Sara’s third appearance. The first time she emerged, she’d awakened Ashley out of a dead sleep and merely stood at the foot of her bed and watched her like some angelic guardian angel. With a shy smile, Sara then disappeared, leaving Ashley completely baffled as to who she was.
Waking up to spirits had become commonplace to Ashley. Actually, she couldn’t remember a time when spirits didn’t come around. It had taken years for her to master how to block a spirit out. But even then, some refused to disconnect. When this happened, she simply chose to ignore them and fell back asleep. However, Ashley never wanted Sara to leave—something about Sara drew Ashley in. Ashley knew after her first appearance that Sara would come back. It was just a matter of when.
The second time Sara manifested herself was after Ashley spent a long night writing and editing her latest mystery novel. Exhausted, she hauled herself into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Looking into the mirror, she saw Sara standing behind her. When Ashley turned, Sara spoke her first words.
“Hello, Ashley.” Sara’s soft, lilting voice reached deep inside Ashley. “I want you to see something.”
Sara slowly faded away and a beautiful house immediately replaced her. Like Sara, the house was slightly transparent, but Ashley could make out every exquisite detail. Elegant gardens and a courtyard surrounded the handsome stucco exterior and clay tile roof. The grand house, surrounded by rolling hills of neatly planted vineyards, looked as if it should be sitting in the French countryside. Moments later, it too disappeared.
Although she hadn’t taken her eyes off Sara, Ashley had lost focus as she drifted back to their first encounters. Bringing herself back to the present, she reached for a pillow and tucked it tightly against her. “The house. Why did you show me the house?”
“Remember it.”
Her words were nothing more than a subtle whisper that danced through Ashley’s head. “I don’t think I could ever forget it. It’s magnificent.”
“It is how you will find him.”
Ashley watched the weightless form drift back and forth. She could see her dresser through Sara’s translucent shape and glanced at the clock—2:47 a.m. “I’m not sure what you want from me.”
“I need your help.”
“How could I possibly help you?”
“You’re the only one who can help me. You’re the only one who can help him.”
Ashley was quiet for a long moment and then asked, “You know you’re dead, right?” Ashley knew it was a blunt question, but she had unfortunately met spirits who had not accepted the fact that their bodies had passed on. Some referred to the spirits that were stuck in a state of limbo as ghosts. She had the feeling that Sara was well aware of her passing, but it didn’t hurt to ask.
“Yes, but he’s not dead. He is alive.”
“Who is he?” Sara slowly faded. “No, don’t go,” Ashley said quickly as she tossed the pillow to the floor and kicked her feet from the sheets. As her foot dangled from the side of the bed, she realized just how silly she was being. It wasn’t as if she could stop Sara from leaving. “I don’t even know where the house is. Please tell me more. I can’t help you unless you give me more information.”
“Ashley,” she said in a soft, calming voice. “You’ll know what to do. Please don’t forget—he needs you.”
Sara was gone.
Professional Reviews
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.
Suspense, romance, and a touch of paranormal
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.
Hauntingly Good
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.
