The Secret Place, a Novel
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How far can love bend before it breaks?
Josie Norris became an instant mommy when her twin sister Nadine handed over her newborn son and vanished. What Josie saw as a temporary arrangement grew into a mother-son bond too deep to uproot. But with her irrational sister threatening to steal him back, Josie has been living the last few years with Kennedy in hiding, afraid to go home. When Aunt Libby—the only person who knows the truth about Kennedy—suffers a traumatic head injury, Josie rushes to her McKenzie River home to help Gram care for the woman who raised her. But not only is Libby’s injury causing family secrets to spill, it’s forcing Josie to see the women in her life in a new light. Will—a ranger who Kennedy adores and who Josie is determined not to—is desperate to help the woman who has stolen his affections. But can Josie ever truly be authentic with the man she loves? With her son’s fate hanging in the balance, she is faced with the choice to risk everything she loves in order to bridge the most impossible gulfs. In this special love story of mothers, daughters, and sisters, Josie must find the grace to forgive people for not being who she needed them to be…and the courage to surrender her fears to the God who has never once left her side. The Secret Place is a 2022 Cascades Award Finalist: Contemporary Fiction. |
The Secret Place is an inspirational love story about a young mom with a secret she's desperate to keep and a confidante suddenly
unable to keep it. It’s a story of mothers, daughters, and sisters, and the impossible gulfs that only Love can bridge.
unable to keep it. It’s a story of mothers, daughters, and sisters, and the impossible gulfs that only Love can bridge.
Praise for The Secret Place
"I just finished The Secret Place and tears are flowing. Happy tears, but also thoughtful ones. Life hasn't been easy for any of the memorable characters in this compelling novel, but each of them allows redemption to change lives and ultimately bring great joy. Never predictable, the story offered several surprises along the way and compelled me to keep turning pages---yet feel sorry when I reached the last one. Highly recommended." ~ Deborah Raney, author of Bridges and The Chandler Sisters Novels series
“This engaging novel lifts you right out of your own life and drops you into the lives of people you’ll be desperate to get to know. At its heart, The Secret Place is a love story. Camille Eide reveals layer after exquisite layer of all the complex things that create relationships between mothers and their children, siblings and their history, and broken people who seek God’s grace. A definite must read!” ~ Cindy Kelley, Co-author of The Silent Gift, Traces of Mercy & Finding Mercy
“In The Secret Place, the past collides with the present, revealing a messy tangle of family secrets. Author Camille Eide skillfully shows how we make choices with the best of intentions, never comprehending how our decisions affect both us and others for years to come. Eide’s characters may be imaginary, but her story is powerful because it is true to life.” ~ Beth K. Vogt, Christy Award-winning author of the Thatcher Sisters Series
“Josie Norris has a thespian grandmother who speaks Shakespeare, an Aunt Libby with decades-old secrets, a twin sister who is determined to take from her the most precious thing in her life, and a friend named William McKnight with whom she does not want to fall in love. With thoroughly lovable characters, a twist-and-turn plot, and subtle humor throughout, The Secret Place is a gripping story from beginning to end. But then, that’s what I’ve come to expect from a novel by Camille Eide. Well done!” ~ Ann Tatlock, award-winning novelist and children’s book author
“Camille Eide has already proven herself to be an incredible story-teller, but in The Secret Place, she has created a cast of unique characters that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Packed with mystery, romance, and the enduring power of a sister’s love, this compelling story journeys through deep waters.” ~ Karen Barnett, author of Ever Faithful: A Vintage National Parks Novel
“In The Secret Place, Camille Eide brings us a deeply moving story about the power of love and the strength of family ties. Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the characters are unique and intriguing. The story moves along at a good pace with some unexpected twists and turns. Readers who enjoy family-focused women’s fiction with meaningful romantic and faith threads are sure to enjoy The Secret Place. Well written and highly recommended!”
~ Carrie Turansky, award-winning author of No Ocean Too Wide and No Journey Too Far
“This engaging novel lifts you right out of your own life and drops you into the lives of people you’ll be desperate to get to know. At its heart, The Secret Place is a love story. Camille Eide reveals layer after exquisite layer of all the complex things that create relationships between mothers and their children, siblings and their history, and broken people who seek God’s grace. A definite must read!” ~ Cindy Kelley, Co-author of The Silent Gift, Traces of Mercy & Finding Mercy
“In The Secret Place, the past collides with the present, revealing a messy tangle of family secrets. Author Camille Eide skillfully shows how we make choices with the best of intentions, never comprehending how our decisions affect both us and others for years to come. Eide’s characters may be imaginary, but her story is powerful because it is true to life.” ~ Beth K. Vogt, Christy Award-winning author of the Thatcher Sisters Series
“Josie Norris has a thespian grandmother who speaks Shakespeare, an Aunt Libby with decades-old secrets, a twin sister who is determined to take from her the most precious thing in her life, and a friend named William McKnight with whom she does not want to fall in love. With thoroughly lovable characters, a twist-and-turn plot, and subtle humor throughout, The Secret Place is a gripping story from beginning to end. But then, that’s what I’ve come to expect from a novel by Camille Eide. Well done!” ~ Ann Tatlock, award-winning novelist and children’s book author
“Camille Eide has already proven herself to be an incredible story-teller, but in The Secret Place, she has created a cast of unique characters that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Packed with mystery, romance, and the enduring power of a sister’s love, this compelling story journeys through deep waters.” ~ Karen Barnett, author of Ever Faithful: A Vintage National Parks Novel
“In The Secret Place, Camille Eide brings us a deeply moving story about the power of love and the strength of family ties. Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the characters are unique and intriguing. The story moves along at a good pace with some unexpected twists and turns. Readers who enjoy family-focused women’s fiction with meaningful romantic and faith threads are sure to enjoy The Secret Place. Well written and highly recommended!”
~ Carrie Turansky, award-winning author of No Ocean Too Wide and No Journey Too Far