House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson

Hello All,

This is the third book I have read by Tracie Peterson, though there are plenty of good books by her out there to read. This book was simply poignant. Few writers that I have read have tackled this topic, this way, in Christian Fiction.

House of Secrets is about three sisters, and the crime they witnessed their Dad commit. Or did he? They were young, but they have spent 15 year or more not talking about "it" or speaking the truth, nor getting anything cleared up or dealt with.

The oldest sister Bailee has been jammed into the position of feeling responsible for her sisters no matter what, and her nightmares just don't stop. Not even with a therapist. Geena, the middle daughter, just tries to survive and work, and takes most things in stride. Her getting her law degree is helping, but in her spirit things are as calm as she would like them to be. Piper, the youngest, isn't in good health mentally or emanational, and the physical isn't far behind.

Now after all this time their Dad wants them all together to share news. The girls decide it is time to sort out the disaster that has become their lives. It is time for the silence and secrets to end, and the truth, no matter how bad, to come out. Thus begins an incredible week with wave after wave of revelations, pain, and cold hard facts for the girls and their Dad to work through. And then there is confusion among certain people about what God's role in all this is, or if He even has one. Mark is there for Bailee, but she isn't sure she wants him to be in a "relationship" of any kind with her because of how much emotional pain she is in.

All that alone would be a good book, an easy read, and just fine. But this book has a dimension that people shy and run away from. A term called Paranoid Schizophrenia. At the back of the book Tracie asked a question. Given that a mental illness can effect 1 out of 5 people, has anyone in your life been effected. As recent as 10 years ago I would have been able to say no, but not anymore. Now there is someone I know, someone I have been close to, and one of their children who may well be effected as well. I have to say that in House of Secrets Tracie Peterson did a wonderful job of explaining so very many things about Schizophrenia and mental issues. And should she get to read this review, I really wish to tell you that there are some major things that made me stop and cry, and should I get a chance to e-mail her in person I would share with her about the page that has helped and moved me so much.

A recommend read to anyone dealing with people with mental illnesses, or even just super odd personality disorders that could be leading up to mental issues.

Carol

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing House of Secrets Bethany House (October 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When her father orchestrates a surprise trip to the summer house of her childhood, Bailee Cooper is unprepared for what follows. What is intended to be a happy reunion for Bailee and her sisters, Geena and Piper, quickly becomes shrouded by memories from the past.

Together again, the three sisters sift through their recollections of fifteen years ago...of an ill mother, and of their father making a desperate choice. They vowed, as children, to be silent--but one sister believes the truth must now be revealed. Yet can they trust their memories?

Mark Delahunt arrives in the wake of this emotional turmoil. Determined to win Bailee's affection, Mark becomes the strong fortress for her in this time of confusion, and what was once a tentative promise begins to take root and grow. Caught between the past and an uncertain future, can Bailee let God guide her to heal the past and ultimately to embrace love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of House of Secrets, go HERE.

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764206184