Secrets

The Michelli Family Series, Book 1

By: Kristen Heitzmann

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 18 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Adored for her sweeping Rocky Mountain Legacy series, Kristen Heitzmann inspires countless fans with her tales of Christian faith and romance. The search for a family secret drives Lance Michelli to the old villa once owned by his grandparents. But its present owner, Rese Barrett, is independent enough, and beautiful enough, to derail his efforts, distract his heart and stir his faith.

©2007 Kristen Heitzmann (P)1992 Recorded Books, LLC

good listen

started a little slow but by the middle picked up speed and ended good. I would recommend.

Good book

The only thing that bothered me was the sound of the Narrator swallowing. That needed to be taken out. Otherwise good

Loved it.

Enjoyed narrator's. I have read and listened to this book many time. I enjoy story line and characters every time.

Loved this!

I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were very real. Not perfect. They both had flaws, but were lovable anyway.
The story is about a man, Lance,trying to find answers to long ago secrets about his ailing New York Italian grandmothers past.
His journey takes him 1st to Italy, then to Napa Valley to an old villa that is being painstakingly brought back to life by a young lady named Reese that has secrets of her own.
He convinces her to let him stay on in return for his cooking, maid service & refurbishing the carriage house in return for free room & board for her planned bed & breakfast.
I love how the writer weaves in Lance’s personal walk with the Lord & how he is trying to make things right for his Nona. The Lord speaks to Reese as well, and helps her to deal with tragedy & pain from her past.
Note: Audible did a great job on the narration!

Are people really this stupid?

Overall, I liked the story, I liked the world that was built, I even like the writer's narrative style.

What I didn't like was how completely stupid the characters were - especially Lance. Really? Guy who attends church every day somehow doesn't realize that keeping secrets isn't a good idea? And, we had to wait 3/4 of the way through the book for his friend to drop the pearl of wisdom on him that anyone remotely acquainted with scripture probably had drumming in their head when they read the book title?

Rese? Ok, I get more of her journey (though she is obviously as thick as a brick). Star? She's probably the most authentic of all the characters.

Nonetheless, I still enjoyed aspects of the story, it gave me something to listen to that wasn't all garbage and it even had a few redeeming moments.

The performance? One of KK's best - seems that when she has to read with an American accent she doesn't get overly strident, and her variations were quite acceptable.

Too many Secrets

Struggled to continue reading. Took much too long to reveal one tiny tidbit of the secret at a time throughout the book.

My favorite book

I obtained a free copy of this book about 3 years ago, and it's just a go to favorite. The audio version is really nice to listen to as well.

I really look forward to the mystery as well as scripture references.

Beautiful testament to Family, friends, and God bringing peace

I enjoyed the story full of secrets emerging through God's plan and the growth of friendship and love. I would have liked for a little more completion of Reese's plans for the future....an epilogue or something to tie up things better. But the story was great.

Wonderful With Words

Heitzmann always speaks the souls of her characters. I appreciate that she tells the inner stories of emotional trauma and mental illness as far as it was understood at the time of publication. As a victim of domestic abuse however, I wish for more stories that updated the truth about those relationships. Star would not represent the typical victim. Abusers choose those they target as opposed to victims choosing abusers. I would love it if Heitzmann were to write a new book based on new information about the dynamics of domestic abuse relationships.

Teepee

Would you listen to Secrets again? Why?

Yes, I love this series, suspense and yet Christian theme makes it a good clean listen.

What did you like best about this story?

The Biblical prospective

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She gives each character a voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me want to keep reading, couldn't put it down. Cooked Thanksgiving dinner listening to book two.