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Secret Of The Stone

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Secret Of The Stone by Barbara Delinsky released on Dec 25, 1998 is available now for purchase.

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1985

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304 people want to read

About the author

Barbara Delinsky

307 books4,356 followers
I was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.

Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.

I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.

My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.

My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013.  Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015.  Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.

2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky

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5 stars
166 (34%)
4 stars
138 (28%)
3 stars
125 (25%)
2 stars
35 (7%)
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24 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Kendra.
Author 9 books20 followers
February 5, 2014
Okay, I read Barbara Delinsky purely as a guilty pleasure. I read her to forget myself for a while. And normally, I finish a Delinsky book feeling refreshed and content. But Secret of the Stone really threw me for a loop about three-fourths of the way through the book.

Paige Mattheson is a fiercely independent sculptor who enjoys her quiet life on Marblehead. She doesn't miss having a man around and doesn't hear her biological clock ticking. Jesse Dallas is a playboy film editor severely damaged by his prostitute mother and absentee father. He doesn't want anyone or need anyone so when he meets Paige, they're the perfect couple.

They have an instant connection and agree that Jesse can vacation at her place and whenever he's ready to bail, he can bail no questions asked. I was fine with the story up to this part. I was even fine when Paige realized that she'd fallen for Jesse but she still intended to let him go; however she gets pregnant on purpose because she wants Jesse's child, if Jesse doesn't hang around.

Jesse leaves and four months roll by. Paige doesn't contact Jesse and for all purposes, resumes her life as she had before Jesse. What I like is that she stuck to her guns and didn't brood. She misses him but accepts that this is just the way her life will be.

Then Jesse returns and this is where the story fell apart for me. Jesse, realizing that Paige is pregnant, becomes almost scary. He forces her to marry him and then treats her like crap most of the time. The stress is so bad that Paige can barely eat or sleep. She barely gains any weight and it only makes Jesse that much more controlling.

Delinsky tries to push off Jesse's behavior as caring but he just comes across as domineering. I found myself going from liking him to instantly hating him. Unfortunately, the book ends so abruptly that he doesn't really have time to redeem himself. Paige almost dies in an accident--which brings Jesse around to realizing what an idiot he is--and then the baby is born...all in a matter of just a few pages.

As far as Delinsky's books go, this was one of my least favorites and I closed it relieved to be done and feeling nothing but disappointed.
Profile Image for Vannessa Anderson.
Author 0 books225 followers
October 10, 2011

Paige, a successful sculpture who was raised in a loving two parent home meets Jesse Dallas, a successful film editor who was raised fatherless and by a prostitute mother who resented him. Jesse made it known when they meet that their relationship was only about sex.

Paige falls in love but respects Jesse’s fear of relationship and family. Willing to accept his leaving when he grows tired of the sex, she stops using birth control; Paige was perfectly happy to raise their child without him.

After spending months of trying to get Paige out of his system and failing to, Jesse walks back into Paige’s life. He becomes enraged when he learns she’s pregnant. Jesse treats Paige badly. Fed up, Paige walks out on Jesse. Jesse goes frantic in fear that he’ll never see Paige again looks for her. When he doesn’t find her he returns to her home. He is about to call her parents when the police tells him that Paige has been in an automobile accident.

Secret of The Stone is a very good read.

Profile Image for Elgyn.
3,082 reviews38 followers
March 20, 2023
Paige je 29 let. V podstatě je nepolíbená, za ruku nevzítá. Ale řidič ji tak okouzlí, že spolu po pár hodinách skončí v pelíšku a všechno dožene.
Pak ji překvapí, že se řidič znovu ukáže.
V pětatřicetiletém hrdinovi se probudí svědomí. No svědomí, chtěl ji zranit, bo v něm vzbuzovala city. To úplně nechápu, protože kdyby řekl, že voda teče nahoru, ona by se připitoměle usmála a řekla by: „Teče, táto, teče.“
Takže jí sdělí, že se vsadil, že ji dostane do postele.
Paige se chvilku třásla, pak se houpala dopředu a dozadu a několikrát se zhluboka nadechla.
Zatímco hrdina na verandě „trpí“, přinese mu košili, aby se v horku nenachladil. Sice si připadala jako děvka, ale zas tak to neprožívá. I když on vycítí, že je citlivější. (s. 74-76)

Ano, hrdinka byla vskutku „vyrovnanou a nenáročnou ženou“. Až to budilo podezření, že je úplně blbá.
Dobře ví, že hrdina je citlivý, bo postřehla, že má slzy v očích, když četl něco obzvlášť dojemného. (s. 106)

s. 107 „Tys nikdy neuměla dlouho zahálet. Že ještě hraješ dvakrát týdně bridž?“
No jo, pilná jako včela.

Po sedmi týdnech známosti už to nebylo ono, takže nastal čas jít o domeček dál. A v tu chvíli se hrdinka rozhodla, že chce aspoň jeho dítě. A po muchlování už věděla, že ho čeká.
Pak se hrdina čtyři měsíce neukáže. A když se vrátí, hrdinka mu padne kolem krku. On se teda vrátil hlavně proto, že nebyl schopný milovat jinou ženu. I když to zkoušel.
Nezajímalo ji, že se stýkal s jinými ženami. Hlavně, že teď byl zase s ní.
OMG.
Pak zjistí, že je těhotná. Dítě nechtěl, ona ho podvedla, ale když už, tak se se prostě vezmou.
Ale on ji „trestá“ tím, že s ní nespí.
A ona to tak nechala být a snažila se ho obloudit – tu úsměvem, tu jídlem, tichým souhlasem, pochopením...


Autorka neměla úplně jasno v tom, jak hrdinka vlastně jí.
s. 16 potom by na pár hodin zmizela do ateliéru a teprve pak by se nasnídala. Dnes ji taková vítaná dopolední přestávka rozhodně nečeká.
s. 17 Bude muset počkat do oběda.
s. 79 „Já to tak dělám vždycky. Svačinu si dám v deset a večeři až v šest. Jen dvě jídla.“
s. 127 že od snídaně vůbec nic nejedla

s. 168 loni v létě
Teda jako letos, protože je pořád prosinec.

Další nevkusná obálka, navíc hrdina má pískové vlasy.

s. 25 - nejspíš od smíchu --
s. 39 neodvážovala se
s. 151 sobě..._!

uvozovky - s. 11, 12, 82, 108, 169
ji/jí - s. 56
špatné dělení slov - s. 15, 165

[české vydání, Tajemství kamene, 1994]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ANGELIA.
1,372 reviews12 followers
January 3, 2026
That title can be misleading, as it sounds like one of those gothic/supernatural books, but the title refers to the h's sculpting career and could also stand for both the H and h being reluctant to get serious about anyone, remaining heart whole (heart of stone??) or so to speak.

After a disastrous relationship with a fellow artist, the h prefers to be a loner and concentrate on her creativity and making a name for herself as a sculptor. The H (a free spirit film maker) had a crummy upbringing with a less-than=perfect mother (to say the least) and an absent father, so he only wants casual relationships with women, plenty of sex, but no emotional involvement.

When he accepts a challenge made to him while(reluctantly) attending a gallery showing of the h's work, that all changes, but it's an uphill battle for him to admit to his feelings.

Meanwhile the h changes her mind about not wanting to be tied down but doesn't want to pressure him and when he leaves for a time, she doesn't know if he'll be back and, despite her love for him, determines to accept a life without him.

But Mother Nature has other ideas!

It's a pretty good story, about how two people with a lot of relationship doubts overcome them (though it sure takes the H a while and at times you'd like to punch him) and how a near crisis brings them their HEA.

Profile Image for Lynne.
352 reviews14 followers
December 31, 2020
Paige is a sculptor and is known in the industry as being cool and self-assured. Dallas is a loner and has had a hard, loveless childhood. They feel instant attraction to each other, and agree to keep their relationship light. Paige likes her single life, and Dallas has made it all too clear that one day he will be gone. Things seem ideal for a while for the two, then Paige goes and does a crazy thing that really pisses Dallas off and things spiral out of control after that. This was a short, easy read and my first by Delinsky. Her writing style was good. Much adult content. The part when Dallas acts as her chauffeur was my favorite part.
Profile Image for Katie.
286 reviews
June 10, 2017
2011. Read by Nell Geisslinger. Paige Matteson is a beautiful but stand offish sculptress. At a showing of her works, Jesse Dallas and friends are taking in the people watching activities. Jesse boasts that he can find the passionate person within and the bet is on. He poses as Paige's chauffeur the following day and the passionate, but impersonal committed relationship storm ensues. Who needs whom? Who can set aside their preconceived ideas of true love to try for forever after?
730 reviews6 followers
October 31, 2025
A Sweet Love Story

A confirmed bachelor and an independent sculptor meet and find deep connection. Neither want a relationship but one develops. Although a sweet story, there is some foul language and steamy sex scenes which take away from the story.
222 reviews
July 22, 2025
Secret of the Stone

This was an interesting story. I have not read this author in a while but it was a goid story with s happy ending. Two people who meet by chance.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,207 reviews205 followers
November 5, 2012
Secret of the Stone by Barbara Delinsky
Paige Matheson, Ice maiden is the stone artist that others want to penetrate her hard shell.
Jessie Dallas and his friend Ben have a bet he can break her, in a weeks time. A set of Knicks final game is on the line.
She's not a city girl and loves the ocean and her house right on the shore. It's calming and it's where she can do her work.
She's in the city visiting the galleries that carry her work.
Her agents think she should have a fling while in the city. Her regular limo driver, Felix is on another case and she has Dallas for the day. He's to take her around to all the galleries.
He drives her to hidden places to spend lunch time with as none of the gallery owners has thought she needed to eat. She studies his features and likes what she sees and touches.
He uses his coat on the ground so she can sit on it. He's got a quality of good foods for them to sample while talking about one anothers' lifes.
After her grueling day in the city, they spend a heated sensual night, her last night in the city.
She opens up to her about her sex life when he drives her back from the city to her home in Marblehead, MA.
She finds just the perfect stone on the beach. He's driven her back home and left to return to the city. He's not content there and drives back to her house, arriving on her back porch where they take up where their bodies have left off.
He tells her the truth as to why he is there and hates himself as he's not good enough and they hadn't used protection.
He is a documentary film editor and he just needed a break from it all.
She talks him into being a handyman while he's on vacation and she can go back to her wood and sculpting.
Love detailed descriptions of her tools. She had seen the vision of his hand and put it into the stone she had found along with other corresponding images.
After he must leave she struggles and uses her work to get her through the emptiness. She travels home to attend family obligations. She shares with her mother about her pregnancy.
When Jessie learns of her pregnancy he's very angry. He wants to give the child everything he's never had in his life.
Love multiple meanings of the 'secret of the stone'.


Profile Image for Kari.
4,024 reviews95 followers
August 11, 2011
I have always enjoyed a book by Barbara Delinsky. This earlier work by her is no exception. Secret of the Stone was interesting because the woman is the stronger of the two. Paige has had a great life growing up and is very comfortable in her skin. Jesse doesn't believe in love or happy ever after. I enjoyed watching Jesse learn how to come to terms with his love for Paige. Their story is very sweet. I was really rooting for them in the end.

The only thing that I didn't agree with was the decision Paige made on the night before Jesse leaves. I thought it was selfish and I didn't blame him for being angry when he find out. Despite all that, I liked how it all worked out in the end. A great early work by Ms. Delinsky!
Profile Image for Tara.
1,232 reviews
August 12, 2016
This was a 4 star book almost until the end. I loved the character of Paige and I even liked the Dallas, but towards the end Dallas became abusive in my opinion. The way Paige and even her parents stood by as he emotionally abused her was not okay. I liked how the book began and ended, but it was the emotional abuse taken by such a strong woman that led me to give it just the three stars although I thought about giving it two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jessica Wirth.
390 reviews11 followers
March 6, 2012
This wasn't bad... it just wasn't anything special for me. I didn't get too attached to any of the characters and thought that most of the time Jessie Dallas was a bit of an ass. The story was just okay, not bad but not original by any stretch and entirely predictable. It wasn't painful to get through, but it wasn't great.
1,263 reviews27 followers
January 22, 2014
This book touched my heart. It had great love to it, desire, and tugged at the heart strings. Thank you for sharing this story with the rest of us. There are so many emotions that we may go through in our lives and this brought some of them to light that may be overlooked.
Profile Image for Pooch.
730 reviews4 followers
April 15, 2013
If you enjoy soap opera, you will probably enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Nancy Nieslawski.
147 reviews18 followers
Read
March 21, 2016
Finished today, car audio book, crying in my driveway, good thing the neighbors weren't outside. Awesome book.
Profile Image for Candy.
202 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2016
So you want me to believe that an emotional abusive relationship is romantic and sweet? I think not.
1 review
August 1, 2015
Great love story! I would read it again. A really great feel good book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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