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Secrets of Seacliff House
A Contemporary Gothic Suspense/Romance For the past twenty-seven years, Kayla Grayson’s mother has refused to discuss Kayla’s absent father or explain why the two of them have been alone in the world without relatives. A mysterious email sends Kayla to a Maryland beach town and her grandmother’s home, Seacliff House. There, Kayla hopes to discover who she is and why her past has been shrouded in mystery. When Tanner Bishop discovers an old diary among his grandfather’s possessions, his interest is piqued. Some of the entries speak of Pearl, a young woman who abandoned her son and fled Maine for Maryland in 1958. The journalist in Tanner wants to know what became of Pearl once she found her way to Seacliff House. But as the woman’s great-grandson, he needs to know. Kayla quickly learns the whereabouts of her father and meets her formidable grandmother, while Tanner investigates his own connection to Seacliff House.Through a mutual interest in searching out their roots, romance blossoms. But events that cannot be stopped are quickly set in motion—including murder—to reveal secrets of the past that threaten the couple’s hopeful future. AUTHOR'S You might also enjoy my other Gothic books available on Secrets of Cray Scar Castle Sinister A World of Gothic-Maine Secrets of Wolf Island
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2012
48 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Stacey Coverstone
50 books56 followersStacey Coverstone wrote her first novel in 2006 after an inspiring week at Cowgirl Camp in New Mexico, a gift from her husband for earning her master’s degree. When that western romance was quickly accepted for publication, there was no looking back. She now writes in a variety of genres, including Gothic suspense, ghost stories, historical and contemporary western romance, humorous fiction, lighthouse stories, and more. She is also a freelance fiction editor.
Please visit Stacey’s website to view all her books and blurbs. Visit the Editing Services page for information on editing and testimonials.
Stacey and her husband call the charming lakeside town of Mount Dora, Florida home, where she is HR Manager and Special Events Manager at the historic (and some say haunted) 1883 Lakeside Inn. She enjoys the beach, bicycle riding, camping, traveling, reading, photography, and spending time with her family.
Please visit her website at: http://www.staceycoverstone.com
Please visit Stacey’s website to view all her books and blurbs. Visit the Editing Services page for information on editing and testimonials.
Stacey and her husband call the charming lakeside town of Mount Dora, Florida home, where she is HR Manager and Special Events Manager at the historic (and some say haunted) 1883 Lakeside Inn. She enjoys the beach, bicycle riding, camping, traveling, reading, photography, and spending time with her family.
Please visit her website at: http://www.staceycoverstone.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 20, 2018
A young woman returns to her family's mansion by the sea in search of a father she thought was deceased and relatives from whom her mother's been estranged since she was a small child. The location, sinister characters and paranormal elements lend themselves well to a good Gothic mystery. The plot is somewhat predictable but there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader entertained.
December 7, 2012
Book and Review Courtesy of Romance Junkies, also posted at TBR Mountain Range.
A contemporary rendition of the classic Gothic romance style, this novel is filled with intrigue. Amongst the mysteries, love is blossoming between Kayla and Tanner. Will the murderous past of Seacliff House allow a happy-ever-after in the present?
Kayla Grayson lives with her agoraphobic mother, Suzanne, who has always been secretive about her past. Kayla begins to doubt everything her mother has led her to believe when Suzanne shows her an email from a cousin in Maryland, one that Kayla never knew existed. Kayla decides to drive to Maryland to meet her cousin, and find out if the man this cousin mentioned in her email is actually Kayla's long-assumed-dead father, now alive.
Before Kayla has a chance to explore the Bed and Breakfast owned by her cousin, she meets Tanner Bishop. Tanner is a journalist, who has his own goals, but also becomes a much needed, knowledgeable friend for Kayla, whether she wants one or not. Realizing that they're both staying at the same B&B is an unexpected coincidence, but ends up being the perfect opportunity for both of them.
Driven by the clues found in a family journal regarding the disappearance of his great-grandmother in the 1950s, Tanner came to Maryland to find out what happened to her. The last anyone remembers, his great-grandmother worked at Seacliff House, so he can't believe his luck when Kayla turns out to be the owner's long-lost granddaughter.
It doesn't take Kayla and Tanner long to realize that the ghosts of the past have a lot more to say than either of them imagined. Working together on their common goals to discover their individual family history, they can't deny their attraction to each other. Is it safe to hope for a future when the past wants to repeat itself? Seacliff House holds the secrets, but do they really want to know them?
Kayla is a likeable heroine who craves family—so much so that she's willing to overlook a few oddities to give even the most cantankerous relative a chance, including the grandmother who chased her daughter away twenty-four years ago. I'm not sure I'd have as much patience with the mean old lady, but Kayla looks for the good in everyone. Tanner helps Kayla by offering his strength when she needs it. Their romance is sweet and slowly builds amidst the danger of snooping where the truth wants to stay buried. I generally like a more sensual love story, but the subtleness of the characters' attraction was appropriate for the plot.
This self-published novel is an adventurous read, with some evil characters who push the envelope in their cruelty and disrespect towards others. Even though I felt the story could use some tightening, there wasn't a lag in my interest. I could tell that the author had this book edited—that in itself makes this eBook a great value for those who want something different. I had a good time trying to outwit each revelation because there sure were enough of them to keep the pacing engaging. For those who miss the time-honored Gothic romance of the past, I think you'll enjoy this contemporary rendition, which has a more complicated plot than most.
Author Stacey Coverstone has taken the traditional Gothic romance idea and updated it with a modern couple, each successful in their career. No governess hoping to marry the dark hero in this one, just two intelligent people looking for family connections together. The unassuming small coastal town suits the spooky appeal, complete with stormy nights to increase the eerie feeling that the house already exudes, while getting to know some creepy residents. SECRETS OF SEACLIFF HOUSE juggles twists and turns within a mystery combined with ghosts and family secrets. In classic Gothic romance style, the house is alive with stories waiting to be told and if you're like me, you'll race along to hear them. Can a house full of secrets continue to harbor the evil it has always known? If you've often wondered about Gothic romance, or love it as much as I do, this novel is a fun way to explore it.
A contemporary rendition of the classic Gothic romance style, this novel is filled with intrigue. Amongst the mysteries, love is blossoming between Kayla and Tanner. Will the murderous past of Seacliff House allow a happy-ever-after in the present?
Kayla Grayson lives with her agoraphobic mother, Suzanne, who has always been secretive about her past. Kayla begins to doubt everything her mother has led her to believe when Suzanne shows her an email from a cousin in Maryland, one that Kayla never knew existed. Kayla decides to drive to Maryland to meet her cousin, and find out if the man this cousin mentioned in her email is actually Kayla's long-assumed-dead father, now alive.
Before Kayla has a chance to explore the Bed and Breakfast owned by her cousin, she meets Tanner Bishop. Tanner is a journalist, who has his own goals, but also becomes a much needed, knowledgeable friend for Kayla, whether she wants one or not. Realizing that they're both staying at the same B&B is an unexpected coincidence, but ends up being the perfect opportunity for both of them.
Driven by the clues found in a family journal regarding the disappearance of his great-grandmother in the 1950s, Tanner came to Maryland to find out what happened to her. The last anyone remembers, his great-grandmother worked at Seacliff House, so he can't believe his luck when Kayla turns out to be the owner's long-lost granddaughter.
It doesn't take Kayla and Tanner long to realize that the ghosts of the past have a lot more to say than either of them imagined. Working together on their common goals to discover their individual family history, they can't deny their attraction to each other. Is it safe to hope for a future when the past wants to repeat itself? Seacliff House holds the secrets, but do they really want to know them?
Kayla is a likeable heroine who craves family—so much so that she's willing to overlook a few oddities to give even the most cantankerous relative a chance, including the grandmother who chased her daughter away twenty-four years ago. I'm not sure I'd have as much patience with the mean old lady, but Kayla looks for the good in everyone. Tanner helps Kayla by offering his strength when she needs it. Their romance is sweet and slowly builds amidst the danger of snooping where the truth wants to stay buried. I generally like a more sensual love story, but the subtleness of the characters' attraction was appropriate for the plot.
This self-published novel is an adventurous read, with some evil characters who push the envelope in their cruelty and disrespect towards others. Even though I felt the story could use some tightening, there wasn't a lag in my interest. I could tell that the author had this book edited—that in itself makes this eBook a great value for those who want something different. I had a good time trying to outwit each revelation because there sure were enough of them to keep the pacing engaging. For those who miss the time-honored Gothic romance of the past, I think you'll enjoy this contemporary rendition, which has a more complicated plot than most.
Author Stacey Coverstone has taken the traditional Gothic romance idea and updated it with a modern couple, each successful in their career. No governess hoping to marry the dark hero in this one, just two intelligent people looking for family connections together. The unassuming small coastal town suits the spooky appeal, complete with stormy nights to increase the eerie feeling that the house already exudes, while getting to know some creepy residents. SECRETS OF SEACLIFF HOUSE juggles twists and turns within a mystery combined with ghosts and family secrets. In classic Gothic romance style, the house is alive with stories waiting to be told and if you're like me, you'll race along to hear them. Can a house full of secrets continue to harbor the evil it has always known? If you've often wondered about Gothic romance, or love it as much as I do, this novel is a fun way to explore it.
December 26, 2012
This story is filled with romance and secrets, lots of secrets, but not just any kind of secrets but family secrets. Kayla, feels like her mother has so many secrets and the need to know more about them increase when her mother get an unexpected email. The email opens a new world for Kayla when she learns the father she never knew may be alive.
Kayla decides its time to uncover some of her mother's family secrets except what she doesn't know might kill her....
It's a good read that is suspenseful in all the right places. I enjoyed the story and found the characters intriguing.
Kayla decides its time to uncover some of her mother's family secrets except what she doesn't know might kill her....
It's a good read that is suspenseful in all the right places. I enjoyed the story and found the characters intriguing.
December 31, 2012
This has been one of my favorite books read in 2012. I was drawn into the book right from the very first chapter. The characters are so easy to fall in love with that you just wanted to keep going to see what happens......I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery story
November 13, 2012
While this isn't my normal type of mystery, I did enjoy the twists and turns and the shocking ending. If it were a series, I could see myself reading it.
March 24, 2020
Surprising connection
This book became especially important to me within the first pages. Living near Staunton Virginia, I couldn't put this book down if my life depended on it. Also a lover of the beach, I could easily envision the setting of the Maryland location, which is so close to my home.
This book became especially important to me within the first pages. Living near Staunton Virginia, I couldn't put this book down if my life depended on it. Also a lover of the beach, I could easily envision the setting of the Maryland location, which is so close to my home.
January 21, 2021
What Secrets are inside
I really liked this book. It was a well written story about Layman's family secrets. In an unexpected email Kayla learns she has family other than her mother. Follow her as she travels to Sea cliff House to learn about her family and its well kept secrets.
I really liked this book. It was a well written story about Layman's family secrets. In an unexpected email Kayla learns she has family other than her mother. Follow her as she travels to Sea cliff House to learn about her family and its well kept secrets.
June 21, 2017
Awesome read!!!!!
I would recommend this book to family and friends of all ages! Loved it to the end!! It ended as it should have ended!
I would recommend this book to family and friends of all ages! Loved it to the end!! It ended as it should have ended!
February 3, 2018
Trite, contrived and predictable
It had a few good, scary scenes, but the overall story was boring. I had it figured out before I was half done.
It had a few good, scary scenes, but the overall story was boring. I had it figured out before I was half done.
February 26, 2023
Love Gothics and Spooky Places? Grab a Stacey Coverstone novel!
I love a mystery where the cast members learn and grow past their issues. Try this one, you'll like it!
I love a mystery where the cast members learn and grow past their issues. Try this one, you'll like it!
February 2, 2014
This was a nice Gothic mystery but with a modern-day, contemporary setting. Seacliff House embodied the perfect creepy, spooky mansion often found in these types of mysteries. And the story was rife with secrets, lies, danger, murder, evil and even a touch of the supernatural.
Kayla was a likeable character--strong, feisty, stubborn and determined to find out about her family, even if it meant revealing sordid, heart-breaking secrets from the past that might shatter her world as she knew it. Tanner was gorgeous, sexy, considerate and compassionate, and I really liked how the romance between him and Kayla built slowly and sweetly. Sonora Chandler was another kettle of fish altogether--a truly cruel, evil woman with no compassion, kindness or empathy for anyone but herself and the Chandler reputation, and the servants, Martine and David, were almost as bad.
The story was well written, but I do have to say I found the revelations and secrets revealed to be fairly predictable and not exactly earth-shattering.
The climax near the end of the book was exciting and well-done, but the final revelation unfortunately seemed to me to be far too convenient and contrived--it wrapped things up maybe a little too nicely.
All in all, though, I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely read more of Ms. Coverstone's novels in the future.
Kayla was a likeable character--strong, feisty, stubborn and determined to find out about her family, even if it meant revealing sordid, heart-breaking secrets from the past that might shatter her world as she knew it. Tanner was gorgeous, sexy, considerate and compassionate, and I really liked how the romance between him and Kayla built slowly and sweetly. Sonora Chandler was another kettle of fish altogether--a truly cruel, evil woman with no compassion, kindness or empathy for anyone but herself and the Chandler reputation, and the servants, Martine and David, were almost as bad.
The story was well written, but I do have to say I found the revelations and secrets revealed to be fairly predictable and not exactly earth-shattering.
The climax near the end of the book was exciting and well-done, but the final revelation unfortunately seemed to me to be far too convenient and contrived--it wrapped things up maybe a little too nicely.
All in all, though, I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely read more of Ms. Coverstone's novels in the future.
July 24, 2013
Kayla Grayson, is surprised to learn after twenty four years, she has family in a small beach community in Maryland. When she travels there, she befriends a man named Tanner, who is researching the disappearance of his great grand mother, Pearl. Together Tanner and Kayla uncover the truth about her grandmother Sonora and the death of her father. It is a slow paced story, that you can figure out what Sonora has been up to since the fifties. You need patience reading this story, but it is worthwhile.
March 17, 2014
What a disappointment!! I was hoping a beach mystery while on the beach would be the perfect vacation read; well it wasn't. Took a while to figure out what the mystery really was and the characters were so underdeveloped that I really didn't care what their motivations were as implausible as they were. I should have put it down but it's like a train wreck, you have this morbid need to see how truly awful it will wind up being.
May 31, 2015
Delightful
This story was a fun read. The characters were well drawn and the old house was a perfect backdrop for the mystery. I gave it four stars because of a few editing errors. Excellent book though, I look forward to reading more of Stacey Coverstone's work.
This story was a fun read. The characters were well drawn and the old house was a perfect backdrop for the mystery. I gave it four stars because of a few editing errors. Excellent book though, I look forward to reading more of Stacey Coverstone's work.
August 13, 2016
Haunted
There are many of her book that I have read. This book was very interesting and is not what u think would happen. With ghost's around what do u think would happen. This book is a rec amending a very good read.
There are many of her book that I have read. This book was very interesting and is not what u think would happen. With ghost's around what do u think would happen. This book is a rec amending a very good read.
September 21, 2013
Omg!!! Fantastic story!! I flew thru this book!! Loved it!!
August 10, 2016
Loved the twists and turns.
February 6, 2016
Wasn't really as exiting as I had hoped. Felt the story was draggy & not much "ghost activity". Might try another one of her books and see if I like it better.
Want to read
February 15, 2016romantic mystery
April 11, 2016
Twisty
Great story full of surprises It had everything in it to keep you reading, long lost father secrets about your mother, ghost and love at the end
Great story full of surprises It had everything in it to keep you reading, long lost father secrets about your mother, ghost and love at the end
May 16, 2016
Ju
Just the kind of book I was looking for. With its twist and turns, fast read and the mansion with a secret room. What can be better.
Just the kind of book I was looking for. With its twist and turns, fast read and the mansion with a secret room. What can be better.
February 27, 2017
Secrets cause problems
I love this book. Story of love and deception and hate. A person can do anyting when hate rules. Love is so much better; love gives a calming effect usually?
I love this book. Story of love and deception and hate. A person can do anyting when hate rules. Love is so much better; love gives a calming effect usually?
May 10, 2014
Great reading!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews