Liz Carlyle, Three Little Secrets

Three Little Secrets

Liz Carlyle

Pocket, Apr 2006, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0743496124

Merrick "Black" MacLachlan is a self-made wealthy individual who is cold and uncaring, except when it comes to attaining more money, and with his brother and granny. He shows one of the new houses he designs to a customer, but inside is a woman whom a stunned Merrick introduces as his wife Madeleine who has purchased the house. Madeleine and Merrick argue as he insists she is still his wife, and she claims her father annulled their marriage.

Merrick formally meets his twelve year old son Geoffrey, who has Madeleine very worried as he seems more depressed each day. They had met earlier at Merrick's construction site where the kid saved several lives. He also knows what "ails" the lad, which means Geoffrey is his offspring as he has the "Gift" of sight, and not the late Besset whom Madeleine married when she dumped him. He persuades Madeleine to take their son to his granny for her to teach him how to control his Gift. They both begin to learn what really happened in Gretna Green, but will the truth set each one free to grasp the love that still exists between them?

The fine lead couple's past led to tragedy and bitterness, and now makes for a wonderful historical romance with a touch of the paranormal as the "Gift of Sight" is deftly interwoven to enhance the tale. The return of characters, especially the male leads from previous tales (see TWO LITTLE LIES and ONE LITTLE SIN) add to the overall understanding of Merrick. Though Madeleine's late father was a cold hearted villain whose actions, including attempted murder, seem over the top for preventing a marriage, romance readers will appreciate this delightful second chance at love romance.