Secrets and Lies by Christine Amsden Book Review

Cassie Scot,still stinging from her parents’ betrayal, wants out of the magical world. But it isn’t letting her go. Her family is falling apart and despite everything, it looks like she may be the only one who can save them. To complicate matters, Cassie owes Evan her life, making it difficult for her to deny him anything he really wants. And he wants her. Sparks fly when they team up to find two girls missing from summer camp, but long-buried secrets may ruin their hopes for happiness. 

About the author:

Christine Amsden has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone. At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a condition that effects the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams. (You can learn more here.) In addition to writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing at Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance editing work. Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children, Drake and Celeste. 

Find Christine on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, or her Website.

Secrets and Lies may be purchased on Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

My review:

The first thing I did after reading this novel was take a visit to Christine's website to make sure there was going to be a third installment. Was so happy there was, and thankful she wasn't going to leave me hanging like that. Then I verbally let out a very audible 'yes' of anticipation to see there was a fourth to be expected. I loved it, the storyline, the characters, everything. I was given both the first novel, Cassie Scot: Normal Detective, and Secrets and Lies to read, and it didn't take me long to get through either. 

Cassie Scot is a young women who is struggling to make her own name for herself, she has always been in the shadow of her parent's name, two very powerful sorcerers, but is the only child of seven to not hold any magical power of her own. She has been disowned by her parent's. She no longer has the shelter of their roof to call home, and has no idea the value of money, but she is strong and proud (and stubborn). She continues to do the thing that she does best, investigate. She is a private detective and although her desire was to stay away from the 'paranormal' cases, she is well known in the community as the best for the job. Her newest investigation is to find two young girls who disappear from their summer camp, both her and Evan have a family link to each girl that is missing, so it's personal for both them and their families. 

Cassie finds it difficult to resume her best friend loyalty to Evan when she owes him quite literally, her life. In the magical community a life debt is the most powerful of all, and Evan has made it clear to the other suitors he owns Cassie. He's in love with her, but thinks that telling her will only push her away from him further. He wants her to find her love for him on her own, but must also maintain the powerful sorcerer he has always been known as. Cassie was always able to see through him but this new debt has made it hard for her to know if it's the Evan she's known since preschool, or the man who the town knows can have whatever he wants, including her. 

I strongly suggest reading the first book before beginning the second, they are definitely made to be read in order. The relationship between Evan and Cassie is one i loved following, and i had my hopes, but it turns out we will just have to wait. The story has such a perfect amount of climax, and even with a teething 6 month old i continued through my lack of sleep to find out more. I have to be honest i may have judged this book by it's cover, but don't be fooled, you will love the story, i am sure of it! 

Great Job Christine, you get my two thumbs up!

Posted by Cheryl.



  ~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Cheryl. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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