Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko

A Stranger's Secret by Laurie Eakes
A Stranger’s Secret by Laurie Eakes

About the Book: (From publisher site)

As a grieving widow, Morwenna only wants to make a life for herself and her young son at her murdered husband’s estate. Until an unconscious man washes up on her shore, entangling her in a web of mysteries that threatens everything she holds dear.

Still grieving the loss of her husband, Morwenna Penvenan fills her days preserving her son’s heritage: the dilapidated estate his father left them. But all attempts at restoration are thwarted when she is accused of deliberately causing ships to crash on her shore in order to steal their cargo. While seeking clues to the true culprits, she finds an unconscious man wearing a medallion with the Penvenan crest enameled upon it.

Upon learning of his father’s death, David pursues answers to the many questions left in his father’s wake: Why was his father in Cornwall when he said he would be in Scotland? Why did he die in possession of a medallion belonging to a prominent Cornwall family? Why did his father take money from the family’s ship-building business? And why did someone kill him? Only after waking up at the Penvenan estate under Morwenna’s care do the pieces start falling together.

My Review:

Located on a beach, I found the story seemed to be haunted with ghosts of the past to begin with. Morwenna, devoted to her child, still allows pride to keep her from accepting her grandparents offers of help.  There is a slight mystery in this story, but it is mostly a battle between the inner self of Morwenna mostly. Romance does come into the picture, but mostly the story I enjoyed was Morwenna seeking to forgive herself, her dead husband and even her parents. If I was to say what the theme of the story was, I would say that it was forgiveness in the face of wrongdoing.

If you are looking for a book with a slightly brooding romantic heroine, this will be one you will want to pick up.

This book was given to me for review by NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions contained herein are my own.

martyomenko@yahoo.com

Martha Artyomenko is an unpublished fiction author who has published some nonfiction magazine articles and reviews over the years. An avid reader and mother of four sons, she brings her many years of expertise to play when writing realistic fiction about topics of mothering, domestic violence, and childbirth. In her free time, if she is not reading, you will find her walking while musing about her next story to write or traveling to learn history for another story. Martha Artyomenko supports authors by running an active social media group (Avid Readers of Christian Fiction) and newsletter promoting niche fiction authors that would otherwise be unknown. Join me by leaving a comment or signing up for the newsletter.

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