Secrets can be lots of fun or they can be bad news. When the secret is related to a gift or a special surprise, I find that I have such a hard time keeping quiet about it. I get so excited about how the person is going to react I can hardly stand it.

There are secrets that are kept for fear of shame or judgment. The kind that could cause others to look at you differently if revealed. The kind that gossips delight in. Then there are secrets that are simply things that weren’t spoken of beforehand, and now the telling of them would be awkward and could cause misunderstandings.

Buried Secrets has a few of each kind of secret…

Buried Secrets
by Barbara Cameron

Series: Harvest of Hope #2
Published by Gilead Publishing
Publication Date May 22, 2018
Genres: Amish Fiction
Setting: Pennsylvania Contemporary
Main Character Ages: 25-34
Written for: Adults
Pages: 272

Synopsis:

Family secrets could get in the way of a second chance at love

After her husband dies, Rose longs to be near her family—especially her twin sister, Lillian—so she packs up her young son and leaves their life in Ohio to move back to Paradise, Pennsylvania.

Luke Miller is ready to settle down in Paradise. He soon forms a partnership with Rose to help farm her land. He finds that he’s enjoying the company of the quiet, modest widow and she may be just the woman he’s been waiting for. But is Rose hiding a secret beneath her reserved exterior—one that could keep her from having a future with Luke?

And Rose isn’t the only one concealing something. Luke has a secret of his own, and it could threaten their partnership—and their chance at love.

I would like to thank Gilead Publishing for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

Various Amish communities have different restrictions and it is always interesting to read stories that highlight differences. One of the things that stood out to me in Buried Secrets was the use of pre-packaged foods – macaroni and cheese, weenies, hot chocolate mix, marshmallows. For a culture known for doing so much by hand, it made me smile to think of the characters using these items.

It was easy to get caught up in Rose’s grief and worries. Her fears over harm coming to her adorable son, Daniel, seemed so natural after having lost her husband, even though his death was due to leukemia, not an accident. Knowing how mothers can worry over their children, this just seemed so normal, despite the fact that worry doesn’t fix anything.

I loved the way that Luke so quickly became enamored with Daniel (after all, how could he help it!) and especially the way he fell in love with Rose. His kind and gentle nature came through so clearly and his patience was commendable.

I was uncomfortable with the hinting that the presence of the cardinal somehow represented Sam’s spirit watching over his family. This literary device isn’t unique to this author; I have heard of such an idea in the past and even remember using it in a story I wrote in 7th grade. Before I was a Christian. There is a part of me which thinks it sounds sweet and almost romantic. Regardless, it is wrong and I wish it hadn’t been used in the story.

Seeds of Hope, the first book of the series, is alluded to here, but knowledge of the story is not necessary for the understanding or enjoyment of this one.

Preview of Buried Secrets

Giveaway

Barbara Cameron is giving away the first two Harvest of Hope books, an Amish Friendship Bread Jar Candle and Mama Wood’s Amish Bread Kit

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