SECRETS OF THE PAST - The Wild Rose Press - TBA
Woman on the run from the law falls for a recluse with sinister past...
After a financial disaster, boutique owner Antonia Henderson flees to
Lonely and frightened, Antonia falls in love with Kyle, but dark rumors of his past shatter their growing closeness. Most of the locals believe that Kyle killed his parents while still a child and buried the bodies in the woods.
Antonia sets out to discover the truth. Kyle withdraws from her, refusing to help with her inquiries. At the same time, her own troubles catch up with her, threatening a criminal prosecution for fraud.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On writing Secrets of the past
The theme of Secrets of the Past is isolation and the choices we have to make. I wrote this book while I was working abroad, away from my family, spending much time alone. I thrive on solitude, but many others don’t, and all of us need the support of friends and loved ones.
I envisaged a hero who was totally alone, cast into a bleak and lonely existence by some past disaster that he couldn’t overcome. Then I imagined the emotional upheaval of falling in love. I wanted to explore the process of a hermit resuming contact with the outside world in order to pursue a chance of happiness.
Kyle McShane’s mother and father disappeared when he was twelve years old. Those in positions on power thought they were protecting him by preventing an investigation. Instead, they doomed him. Kyle has withdrawn from life, haunted by the rumors that he murdered his parents and hid the bodies in the woods.
Antonia Henderson led a privileged life, until a financial misjudgment rendered her a fugitive from the law. She has never faced hardship or poverty before, but now she is alone and frightened, lacking even the most basic everyday comforts. When Kyle takes an interest in her, Antonia is drawn to him. In addition to the physical attraction, she leans on his strength, finding comfort in the protection he offers her.
As their relationship develops, Antonia discovers the rumors about Kyle’s past. She has to decide if ignorance is better than a harsh truth. Kyle in turn has to decide between clinging to a false hope and accepting the painful facts. I wanted to examine a situation where happiness is within grasp, but the need to uncover the hidden facts and learn the truth, or the need to deny an unbearable loss by nurturing a foolish dream is so strong that it will drive a wedge between a couple, even when the alternative is to be cast back to a stark loneliness.
Despite all the sinister undercurrents, I promise you a scorching romance and a happy ending. I hope you enjoy Secrets of the Past.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------