Painted Secrets

by Maria Mitchell

As a child Zia Somerset feels alone and lost. All she wants is to be loved but knows there is some mysterious secret being kept from her. At the age of eighteen, her mother commits suicide and her friend Grandpa Murphy dies unexpectedly of a heart attack. She learns from his attorney that she was adopted and Grandpa Murphy was her maternal grandfather.


Attorney Watson has no other information to give Zia except that she has become heir to a sizable fortune from her grandfather. Zia knows there must be some powerful secrets to be uncovered.


Looking for new adventures in her life and eager to leave her sheltered life in Petaluma, CA, Zia pursues her long standing artistic talent in San Francisco where at her first Gallery exposition meets a colorful young artist named JP LaPierre. Attracted by his seductive personality and good looks, JP convinces her to join him on his train trip in Mexico. Zia can't refuse the call of adventure and leaves on the trip with him against the angry wishes of her boyfriend Henry Lanaway.


As JP and Zia travel through Mexico, her small world expands quickly and she boldly embraces the exciting experiences of a a new and colorful culture. Zia finds JP a lesson in himself as he becomes more possessive of her and difficult to deal with. She realizes that she truly could not judge this book by its cover and knows that JP has conned her with his silky words. Zia is determined to complete the trip not only because she is enjoying her newly found freedom but to prove to herself that she is independent and strong.


They encounter a memorable personal visit with the Tarahumara Indians and as they travel deeper into Mexico, the intrigue increases . They make many rare and exceptional friends along the way until they wind up their trip in Puerto Vallarta, where they meet Vera, a legend in PV who introduces them once again to the insider life of Mexico. Zia and Vera become close friends as Vera guides Zia to her temporary new found career of painting in the street in PV. After one very unforgivable act by JP, Zia finds the courage to tell him to stay away from her.


She realizes her deep love for Henry and calls him, inviting him to Puerto Vallarta. He comes running and brings with him the news of many secrets unfolding about Zia's history thanks to the help of Attorney Watson.


Can Zia deal with the shock as painted secrets come to life.

ebook

First published May 2, 2012

About the author

Maria Mitchell is an author, artist and paralegal. Her books range from childrens fantasy in CATS OF VELVET, to a documentary type collection of case histories in DIVORCE AN EMOTIONAL INTRUSION.Her latest release, a multi cultural fiction,MAGNOLIA CRISTIANA ST. CLAIRE is just the right blend of adventure, romance, drama and mystery. Start in New Orleans,experience the inside world of Flamenco in Spain, learn the Mexican and Mayan culture in Merida, Mexico and experience Ghosts, memoires, the Maya Caste War and the real world of Mexico.

Divorce an Emotional Intrusion and Magnolia Cristiana St. Claire are both available for sale on Goodreads.

Coming thia year: PAINTED SECRETS
Occasionally author profiles are mistaken and combine the profile of Maria Mitchell an Astrologist (who is dead) by listing my books with her books which are entirely different subjects.

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh, hard to know where to start with this one. The story was okay, although quite unrealistic. However, the dialogue was childish, and seemed a little "off" - perhaps English is not the author's first language? In addition, the story flitted from one place to another without ever fully developing any of the subplots or characters. It felt like I was reading a book written by a 12-year-old.

[Maria Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a great adventure romance. Very unique, exciting and different. A real page turner trip.

[Alison]

kindle - chick lit