When I sat down to read THE HOUSE OF SECRETS by Elizabeth
Blackwell I was confident I would be reading something I
would totally enjoy. What was unexpected was to find a
book that had a nice blend of contemporary romance and
historical flashbacks.
Alissa Franklin is in a dying relationship with Brad, but
when she falls in love with a dilapidated historical home
it finally finishes off the relationship for good. Alissa
knows people will think she is nuts for buying the ancient
home, quitting her job, and giving up basically everything
she knows to restore the home to its former grandeur, but
to Alissa it's a project full of love, and she hopes a new
beginning.
It's not long before Alissa is in need of a handyman to
help bring her dreams to fruition. The realtor from whom
she bought the house recommends Danny Price, and how Alissa
envisions her future handyman is not how he turns out to
be. As they restore the home not only does their business
relationship grow, but so does their personal one.
There are a few stumbling blocks for them though, because
as we know is true love ever a smooth road? Alissa is
nearly obsessed with finding out the history of the
Brewsters, the first couple who owned the home, then there
is the idea of whether or not she is truly over her
relationship with Brad, and finally can she put aside her
ideas of not mixing work with pleasure?
Here is the meat of the story, and Ms. Blackwell does a
superb job of mixing the past with the present and in
making one feel for Evelyn Brewster the young woman who
born on the wrong side of the tracks finds herself in a
marriage beyond her understanding.
I don't recall reading Ms. Blackwell before, but I know I
will be looking for her future works. I hope you enjoy The
House of Secrets as much as I did.
The house is special. Alissa Franklin knows this from the
moment she walks into the run-down structure. Aided by
carpenter Danny Pierce, she launches a restoration project
to turn this place into her home. As each layer of
decoration is stripped away, they grow closer. They also
uncover the century-old mystery surrounding the original
owners and a private love affair.
The secrets aren't
restricted to the past, however. And the ones between Alissa
and Danny could jeopardize their relationship. Now she must
choose to either walk away or find the courage to embrace a
future with him.