BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 21 February 2023 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – BIG SECRETS LITTLE LIES by PAT NICHOLS
TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – BIG SECRETS LITTLE LIES by PAT NICHOLS
THE BLURB
An intriguing and powerful story about a mysterious disappearance, a career in jeopardy, and a family confronting the truth about the past.
Daisy Butler, junior attorney in a prestigious New York law firm, is living the dream. But, beneath the surface a troubling question lingers. Was she hired based on merit or her connection to Curtis Butler, the wealthy grandfather she’s never met? When she learns Curtis is the reason for her promotion to senior associate, she is forced to choose. Will Daisy side with her father who is estranged from Curtis for reasons he keeps buried, or will she protect her job and risk breaking her father’s heart?
Poppy Butler lives a quiet life away from strangers’ stares and ridicule until investigative journalist, David Lambert, seeks to solve her mother’s thirty-five-year-old disappearance. To help solve the cold case, Poppy is compelled to reveal clues hidden in her private retreat—the same clapboard shack where she and her sister, Pansy, hid when their mother entertained men to earn a living.
While mother and daughter struggle to unravel secrets threatening their family’s legacy, Daisy’s infatuation with David complicates her romantic relationship with Michael Warner, the wealthy law firm partner who holds sway over her career and reputation.
THE AUTHOR
Pat Nichols began her writing journey after retiring from the corporate world. Now as an award-winning author, she’s proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. She writes emotional southern women’s fiction and contemporary romance. Pat and her high-school-sweetheart husband of fifty-plus years live in an Atlanta suburb. She enjoys jigsaw puzzles, watching movies, riding in her hubby’s corvette, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite indulgence, dark chocolate.
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MY REVIEW
How many threads and layers can one story have? ‘Cause this one has more than its fair share! Ms. Nichols weaves them all together, teasing the reader page after page. She digs into the depths of the human soul and extracts loathing and depravity and avarice. But she also reveals kindness and love and forgiveness.
Caught in the crosshairs, Daisy navigates the highwire of her rising career and family bonds. With her brother, then with her dad, she faces [SPOILER].
From a corporate tightwire to a missing person mystery, Ms. Nichols takes her reader on a wild ride, into the depths of the heart and the shadows of secrets long kept. I appreciated the way the author balances the delicate character, Pansy, and gives her a vital spotlight.
The author takes the deep wounds from Danny’s past and casts shadows over his life and marriage; I read eagerly to find out what his secrets were. Page after page, she keeps the reader wondering, hoping, waiting to discover what happened to Poppy and Pansy’s mother.
Ms. Nichols takes her readers deep into the human psyche, peering at the truth of who we are, and what we can become.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
FOUR FEATHERS
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
Award-winning novelist Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing mysteries and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather’s realistic characters–no matter what century–feel like best friends. When she’s not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!
I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I’ve been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write–except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager.
Normandie had the best of several worlds: a Southern heritage, access to schooling in the DC area (which meant lots of cultural adventures), and several years of sculpture studies in Italy. It might have been better for her if she’d used all these opportunities more wisely, but it’s possible that the imperfect and the unwise also add fodder for the artist and the writer.
ALL | THE | FEATHERS! ALL | THE | FEATHERS!
Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours, and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
Since the time I could read Nancy Drew, I have wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 I attended a book signing at my local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, is history. There I met Colleen Coble. With prompting from my husband, I shared my dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, I’ve been writing award-winning books with the count currently at 35 published and more in the works.
FOUR FEATHERS
Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast and proud military (retired) wife. By day she works for an international sports ministry, and by night she mutters to imaginary friends, performs sketchy Google searches, and procrastinates (like any good writer!). When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand, of course!) for wedding ideas for her characters.
Rachelle stumbled into the world of romance novels in college; as a way to help speed up her reading to make it through Art History textbooks. After years in the professional world writing very dry grant proposals and auction descriptions, she started writing the contemporary romance stories she wanted to read. Setting her books in some of her favorite destinations was her inspired way to require plenty of research trips every year with her family.
THREE FEATHERS
My writing journey began nine years after I retired from a corporate career with Avon Products. Now I’m proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. I’m married to my high-school-sweetheart, am the mother of two and grandmother of four. One precious granddaughter lives with the angels. I was born in Illinois, grew up in Orlando, and have called the Atlanta area home since the eighties. Most days you’d find me in my favorite recliner writing on my laptop. When I’m not writing I enjoy reading, tackling jigsaw puzzles or sudoku, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Although we love dogs, especially black labs, our pets now consist of squirrels scampering across our deck, deer traipsing through their back yard, and an occasional rabbit peeking out from the shrubbery.
Award-winning novelist Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing mysteries and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather’s realistic characters–no matter what century–feel like best friends. When she’s not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.
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