Giveaway and Review: Secrets by Dawn Kirby

Title: Secrets

Author: Dawn Kirby

Series: Serenity Series (#1)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Twisted Core Press L.L.C

Release Date: April 2013

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

Leah has locked away secrets her entire life; secrets from her friends, secrets from her mother. To Leah they were simply quirks. Little things she couldn't explain...phenomenal senses, light sensitivity, the ability to read people using their unique scents.

The darkest secret of all was hidden inside Leah. A secret her mother, Mia was determined to keep silent. Trusting an old friend with her daughter's safety, Mia kept Leah's secret well-guarded. A vow made long ago never to let the monster that took Leah's father step foot in their daughter's life again.

In a fit of revenge fueled by years of jealousy, Mia's secret is revealed, throwing Leah's life into a free fall. A trail of blood and bodies soon follow Leah wherever she goes.

Leah is suddenly thrust into a world she never knew existed; A world as fascinating as it is deadly. Beings foreign to her step in to protect her. As Raine takes his place beside her, he is forced to face a few secrets of his own.

Will they uncover the secrets that bind them? Will they succumb to the devil himself?

Book Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads

Author Information

Dawn Kirby lives in Odessa, Texas, with her husband, and three children. When she is not busy being a mom, Dawn draws her inspiration from the night to create memorable characters in wonderful worlds. Secrets is her first novel in the Serenity Series. Her short stories have been published in several 7DS Anthologies and 13 Tales of the Paranormal. For more information on Dawn Kirby, please visit her website http://www.dawnmkirby.com/

Author Links

Blog ~ Facebook Author Page ~ G+ ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Website

Excerpt

   “You look fabulous,” I sighed. “It’s a shame you’re only going to a business dinner.”

           “That’s all I need, Leah,” Mom said firmly. She cupped my chin in her hand and kissed my forehead.

           “No, it’s not,” I said pushing her hand away. She smiled and went to sit back down at her desk. “I’m twenty-two years old. I hate seeing you alone all the time. Mom, you deserve to have a life away from the store and me. I promise I won’t fall apart if you find somebody.”

           “It doesn’t matter how old you are, baby. I know you would love for me to find a man who could love me, but my heart belongs to your dad. No other man will ever be able to change that.”

           “You can’t even try? I’m sure he never expected you to be alone forever.” I may not have known him, but if he had loved her the way she does him, it’s a safe bet I was right. “What would he say if he knew you’ve been hiding behind him all these years?”

           Silence prevailed for a minute. I even thought I might have finally made my point. Then she looked back up at me. I knew then I’d gone too far. Upsetting her was the last thing I wanted to do. Tears flooded her deep blue eyes even as a soft, patient smile formed over her perfect porcelain face.

           “I don’t know what he’d say,” she said quietly. “But, baby, I think he’d understand. The last night I saw him I found out how cruel and unpredictable this world can be. There are things, people in this world that can change your life in an instant, Leah. Most times you don’t even know who or what to look for until it’s too late. I lived through the pain once; I refuse to go through it again.”

           “You think he’s dead don’t you?” Finally, the one question I’d never had the nerve to ask was out there.

           “I know he is, honey,” she answered, turning in her chair to face me. “Death is the only thing that would keep him away,” she said, sitting down at her desk. “If only I had listened.”

           “What do you mean by that?”

           “Nothing, sweetie. I just wish he could have been here for you,” she said quietly. She turned back to her mirror, tears rolling down her cheeks. “He would have been such a good father.”

           “You know one of these days you’re gonna have to tell me about him,” I said softly. For years I’ve wondered about him. What did he look like? Did he have bright green eyes and dark brown hair like me? Did he have the same rich olive skin tone I do? Was he strong? Kind? What did his laugh sound like? Did he even have a sense of humor? Would he be proud of me now?

“I know it hurts, but I don’t even know what my own father looks like.”

           “And one day I will,” she said, wiping away the tears. “But right now it’s still too hard.”

           “Maybe if you actually talked about him it wouldn’t be so hard.”

           “With talk comes questions, Leah,” she said looking up at me through the reflection in mirror. “With those questions come answers I can’t give. Not on my own.”

           “I’m willing to listen if you’re willing to try.”

           “I know you are,” she said softly. “But I can’t.”

           “Then who?” I asked desperately. “It’s not like we have family I can go to.” An only child, my mom’s parents had been killed in a horrible automobile accident weeks before she found out she was pregnant. Then my dad disappeared. Shortly after I was born, his parents passed away as they slept when their house caught fire. He’d had a sister, but nobody had heard from her after she’d run away from home. “Like it or not, you’re it.”

           “Leah, not now. Not tonight.”

           “When then? When I’m forty? When you’re ninety and need to clear your conscious?”

           “I don’t know,” she sighed. “But when the day comes you’ll be the first to know.”

GIVEAWAY!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Review:
This was a killer read!!  If you like paranormal, romance, suspense, and yummy sex scenes then this is the book for you!  Leah has earned 2 degrees in college and is spending time with her mom trying to decide what to do next.  He mom owns a shop where she helps out.  Leah has incredibly enhanced abilities, such as hearing, sight, speed, stealth, and a few other things.  What Leah doesn't know is that her mother and others have kept many secrets from her and her world is about to explode.  The adventure that ensues is one that changes her life forever.
The concepts and story line were amazing.  It was a bit violent...not that it bothers me...I just put that in there as a warning.  It does have a lot of sadness, but I thought it was balanced well with love and the hope of new beginnings.  It was a page turner and I must say....Raine was a total babe....I would LOVE to have one of those.  This was a fabulous read and I would recommend this to all paranormal lovers.

1/2!!!!!!