The Secret Diary

Lockets and Lace, Book 13

By: Barbara Goss

Narrated by: Lili Dubuque

Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Secrets are told, so that with time, they may be discovered.

Were Betsy Wheeler’s father and brother criminals? The sheriff, Noah Sommers, intends to find out and arrest them.

Betsy finds her mother’s diary, and is confused by the entries because they didn’t make sense at first. When she finds the key to the entries, she discovers more than she’d ever imagined. Things were far from what appeared on the surface.

At first meeting, sparks flew between Noah and Betsy. They didn’t like each other. Would the shootings, and murders bring them closer or further apart?

©2019 Barbara Goss (P)2019 Barbara Goss

Drama-filled story & multi-faceted characters

This book slowly reveals the multi-dimensional storyline and the secrets from generations past and present. When you meet each character they seem to have a rigid personality, but with meeting other characters and situations they show more in-depth parts of their true personalities. The story starts off a bit uneventful, but as each person opens up the more intriguing, feisty and truly inspirational. The faith in the Almighty to get them through the most worrisome times comes to life. That's one major component of this story that I loved and found refreshing is that religion, prayer, and faith that things will turn out how they're supposed to be the highlight of the book. GREAT READ and FANTASTIC BOOK FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS!!!!! Check out the authors other fantastic, inspirational books. They open skeptical readers minds up to the power of faith, prayer and unconditional love!!!!!!!

Betsy and Noah

Another enjoyable clean romance from Barbara Goss. Betsy was an orphan with no family when she became a companion for Wilma, an elderly lady. Wilma's grandson Noah lived nearby and was skeptical of Betsy at first, but was quickly persuaded of Betsy's good intentions. Noah's position as sheriff of Muddy Creek collides with Betsy's search for a family she never knew.

I thought the plot moved a little quickly in some places and I had to back up to listen for the plot twist that I missed.
The narrator did an excellent job and was very easy to listen to.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

An exciting story

I thought this story was really good . Betsy grew up in an orphanage. She went knowing nothing about her parents to learning about secrets. Will she find the family that she's always wanted? This story is fast paced and entertaining.

Look Inside

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator was good. Betsy thought she was getting married, but things changed. So she needs to find a job and a place to live. When she is offered a job as a companion, she takes the job. What will she find at the end of the trip. Well she finds Noah, the town's sheriff and her companions grandson. They certainly don't hit it off. Betsy just wants a family, but when she finds her Father, she also finds her Mother's diary. What will she discover by reading it.
I was given a copy of the book by the author for an honest review.

Lovely Romantic Mystery!

A very good combination of talented author, Barbara Goss and narrator, Lili Dubuque for this audiobook which I enjoyed thoroughly.
The story was good, the characters strong, the villains believable and not nice people, the elderly relations absolutely delightful, the mystery was solved and the romancing and happily ever after was very sweet.
In a nutshell, very readable or 'listenable' to and I definitely recommend it.
I listened to the audiobook version and my unbiased review above is given voluntarily.

Very Good

I got this ARC via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. Ms. Goss has made another great addition to her stories. I am not used to her main characters disliking each other from the beginning so this was a surprise. I am not fond of the enemies to lovers stories but this one lead me on a merry chase and the main characters sought to find HEA, I love the narrator. She brought the story to life. So glad that her brother turned out to be good. She has thought she was alone in this world and then to find family and lose them would have been tragic. I am glad that these stories don't go down that rabbit hole. It is also good to have a clean romance suspense story that has God as the center.

Something good comes out of something bad

Betsy Wheeler believes that life couldn’t get worse...she grew up in an orphanage and then her fiancé runs off with another woman days before their wedding. Then she gets evicted from her apartment! However, Betsy has her faith and she goes to church and asks her pastor to pray with her. Wouldn’t you know, the pastor’s mother-in-law is traveling back to her home and needs a companion. When Betsy and Wilma arrive at home, Wilma’s grandson, Noah, is suspicious of Betsy’s motives and isn’t very nice. Over time, Noah is proven wrong and he and Betsy become friends but there are some bad guys who are out to get revenge on Noah. Will Noah survive to have an HEA with Betsy? Sweet story of faith and trust with a beautiful ending.
I voluntarily accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Diary

I have !listened to a couple other books by Barbara Goes and I really enjoy her historic clean romance style of writing. This one is about a young woman who is an orphan and is looking for lost family while in the service of an old woman as her companion. She's a spirited and a bit hot tempered red-head. It's a fun old west adventure and romance. The only thing that fell a bit flat was the narrator. Overall she did pretty good, but there were some places where the voices and acting was just a bit off. It a great story and a fun read so I do recommend it for those that like a clean historical romance.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Sweet and wholesome romance with lots of action!

First, let me say that if you enjoy sweet romance then you need to check out this series. The stories in it have all been fantastic. Though this one has a few gaps in time I found disappointing, the characters are memorable and the plot is so engaging that I stayed up way to late because I had to finish it.
The narrator has great enthusiasm as she reads and adds drama. This isn't the first book by her I've listened too. That said, I really didn't enjoy her attempt at a German accent. Otherwise, her interpretation was excellent and kept me listening.
I did receive the audio book from the author and am leaving an honest and voluntary review.

Diaries only lead to more questions

I received this audiobook free for an honest review. Barbara Goss does it again. Great story. The fiery green-eyed, redhead is hot tempered and impetuous. Noah is a level-headed lawman. However, sparks fly. Betsy finds her mother's diary that only gives her more questions about her childhood and her family. This is a solidly written story. This sweet Christian romance is heartwarming and uplifting. The narrator did a good job with the characters and their personalities.