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Secrets in San Remo
After twenty-four years of dedicating her life to her career, Maggie McCormick suddenly finds herself unemployed, compliments of her dead boss's lousy kids. She takes solace in the herbs and gardens her healer aunt left her, but with no job, no man, and nomadic parents, she turns to her best friend, Trisha, for consolation. However, Trisha has problems of her own. After converting her travel agency to a less mainstream enterprise, her work troubles are only eclipsed by an oddly behaving husband. Together, the women decide to put aside their collective worries by heading out on the town. Maggie, however, soon realizes her string of bad luck is not yet behind her when she runs - literally - into the handsome and unforgettable Jamie Williams. Will Maggie be able to turn her luck around and capture Jamie's heart? Or is she destined to continue her aunt's herbal legacy without love by her side?
162 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2013
104 people want to read
About the author
Susan Peterson Wisnewski
8 books109 followersSusan Peterson Wisnewski is an indie author from the east coast. She writes thrillers and mystery with a sprinkling of chick lit and horror.
From a cruncher of numbers to a stringer of words, she decided it was time to follow her dreams and put down on paper all of those stories that floated around in her head. Raised in New York City and Long Island, she is a consummate shopaholic. When not writing, she can be found shopping, visiting museums, gardening, or being walked by her oversized puppy.
Her books are a genre mix all neatly packaged together. Surprise and twists keep her readers guessing and she has been accused of writing books that can’t be put down. Pushing characters to challenges themselves is her trademark as is a creating strong female characters – no damsels in distress here. Her inspiration comes from seeing a situation and then enhancing it to create an unusual story line. And yes, she does see ghosts, or spirits as they prefer to be called and has had her run ins with a fairy or two.
From a cruncher of numbers to a stringer of words, she decided it was time to follow her dreams and put down on paper all of those stories that floated around in her head. Raised in New York City and Long Island, she is a consummate shopaholic. When not writing, she can be found shopping, visiting museums, gardening, or being walked by her oversized puppy.
Her books are a genre mix all neatly packaged together. Surprise and twists keep her readers guessing and she has been accused of writing books that can’t be put down. Pushing characters to challenges themselves is her trademark as is a creating strong female characters – no damsels in distress here. Her inspiration comes from seeing a situation and then enhancing it to create an unusual story line. And yes, she does see ghosts, or spirits as they prefer to be called and has had her run ins with a fairy or two.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 14, 2015
Maggie has been a financial officer in a company and has devoted too much of her life to her job. Her boss dies, and shortly after that she is down sized by his children. The story opens with her feeling that her life has gotten out of control and control is what makes her feel safe.
Trisha is Maggie's best friend, and after hearing the news that Maggie is at loose ends, she determines that retail therapy will be what is needed. This is the point where Maggie's self image changes and her outlook gets some elevating.
Trisha has been leading a secret life and at the same time she believes her husband has lost interest in the marriage because he is having an affair.
Jamie is the son of a couple who own a truck farm in the neighborhood and he has sold his very successful business and come home to his roots. The high tech world and his ex-wife are being left behind so he can live a life that is closer to his heart.
Maggie is drawn into a world of healers by some friends of her late aunt. Her home with the extensive herb garden and meditation areas will become the focus of her world and the way to build a satisfying life. She is a strong woman who plans on finding a new path in life.
There is a mutual attraction between Maggie and Jamie and both hope for a beginning to romance.
There is a lot going on in this book. I believe that fewer descriptions of clothing and jewelry and cutting back a little bit on plot twists would be good things. There is a mystery, much discussion of healing that is almost paranormal, and many secondary characters thrown in for atmosphere
The book is very well written and the plot has a strong foundation. The characters are generally well developed and overall they are appealing. But, I believe if things had been simplified a little and some aspects given more depth the book would be even better. For instance, I think it would be good to get to know Maggie's parents a little more to get a handle on why they behave as they do. I think the attraction between Maggie and Jamie could have been given more development. I believe some of the secondary stories are distracting.
Ms Wisnewski is a talented writer and I hope that her next book will be as well done as this one but written a little more tightly.
Disclaimer: This book was a prize in a contest. All that was asked is that I give an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.
Trisha is Maggie's best friend, and after hearing the news that Maggie is at loose ends, she determines that retail therapy will be what is needed. This is the point where Maggie's self image changes and her outlook gets some elevating.
Trisha has been leading a secret life and at the same time she believes her husband has lost interest in the marriage because he is having an affair.
Jamie is the son of a couple who own a truck farm in the neighborhood and he has sold his very successful business and come home to his roots. The high tech world and his ex-wife are being left behind so he can live a life that is closer to his heart.
Maggie is drawn into a world of healers by some friends of her late aunt. Her home with the extensive herb garden and meditation areas will become the focus of her world and the way to build a satisfying life. She is a strong woman who plans on finding a new path in life.
There is a mutual attraction between Maggie and Jamie and both hope for a beginning to romance.
There is a lot going on in this book. I believe that fewer descriptions of clothing and jewelry and cutting back a little bit on plot twists would be good things. There is a mystery, much discussion of healing that is almost paranormal, and many secondary characters thrown in for atmosphere
The book is very well written and the plot has a strong foundation. The characters are generally well developed and overall they are appealing. But, I believe if things had been simplified a little and some aspects given more depth the book would be even better. For instance, I think it would be good to get to know Maggie's parents a little more to get a handle on why they behave as they do. I think the attraction between Maggie and Jamie could have been given more development. I believe some of the secondary stories are distracting.
Ms Wisnewski is a talented writer and I hope that her next book will be as well done as this one but written a little more tightly.
Disclaimer: This book was a prize in a contest. All that was asked is that I give an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.
November 7, 2013
Fun book, great author debut! If you live or have ever lived on the beautiful North Shore of Long island, the book is extra fun, Wonderful descriptions of persons and landscapes. i recommend this book if you are looking for an easygoing combination of romance with a mystery.
November 13, 2013
Absolutely a charming book. A quick read filled with romance, suspense and adventure. I highly recommend it.
December 16, 2013
An interesting style of writing- easy to read. Entertaining characters and plot. A little unbelievable however. I enjoyed reading it and wouldn't mind reading more about Maggie and her friends.
July 15, 2014
I won this book i found it's a easy to read, with a bit of romance and mystery. I think the plot was good and it's a light read
April 23, 2014
I loved this book! It was really a quick read because every page made me want to read the next! What a wild ride, very fun, I highly recommend.
February 28, 2014
I won this through Goodreads. Unfortunately sometimes the blurb we get to read is not enough to tell if it is my style of writing. That is what happened with this book that I did not like.
Tried three times to start reading this book but did not like the style of writing. I like some contemporary genre books but not this one. This evening I decided I started reading/browsing the beginning , middle and end. I found out the main character Maggie's best friend is a dominatrix with a closet full of leather outfits, chains, whips, etc. She dressed in different outfits for her clients. One character I did like was Jamie, relearning the farming industry, was in love with the main character Maggie. I think I mostly liked him because he took in a stray and I love dogs. At one point in the book there was a murder and Maggie was a suspect. The book was only 141 pages long and not enough character development.
Really wanted to like this book.....
Tried three times to start reading this book but did not like the style of writing. I like some contemporary genre books but not this one. This evening I decided I started reading/browsing the beginning , middle and end. I found out the main character Maggie's best friend is a dominatrix with a closet full of leather outfits, chains, whips, etc. She dressed in different outfits for her clients. One character I did like was Jamie, relearning the farming industry, was in love with the main character Maggie. I think I mostly liked him because he took in a stray and I love dogs. At one point in the book there was a murder and Maggie was a suspect. The book was only 141 pages long and not enough character development.
Really wanted to like this book.....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews