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Haunting Secrets
Victoria Fawson desperately needs answers about her father’s death. When she visits the Maitland Manor to discover those answers, she finds only secrets…haunting secrets that leave her wondering who she can trust. Should she trust her feelings for the one man who hides from the world—the man who might put her in danger?Justin Maitland hasn’t been human for over a year. He knows things about his family—things that could destroy Victoria. The only way to help her is to send her back home without learning anything. Yet, how can he let her go when he’s given her his heart?
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2014
71 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Marie Higgins
241 books449 followersMarie Higgins is an award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 29, 2014
Don't judge a book by its cover!
Higgins writes a very attention grabbing romancE. I was pleasantly surprised by the length of the book because of it being free at the time I downloaded it. She adds a fun mixture of historical timelines, romance, and a combination of different paranormal categories. For a free, non-Christian romance, I am very impressed with the content lacking "smut". I like regular romance books (the reason I read this genre), but get very bored with sex scene after sex scene. I feel like it's understandable SOMETIMES, but I get tired of most romance novels that should be categorized as "erotica". I don't believe that I should be embarrassed to tell my husband what I'm reading. Thank you for this refreshingly clean read.
Higgins writes a very attention grabbing romancE. I was pleasantly surprised by the length of the book because of it being free at the time I downloaded it. She adds a fun mixture of historical timelines, romance, and a combination of different paranormal categories. For a free, non-Christian romance, I am very impressed with the content lacking "smut". I like regular romance books (the reason I read this genre), but get very bored with sex scene after sex scene. I feel like it's understandable SOMETIMES, but I get tired of most romance novels that should be categorized as "erotica". I don't believe that I should be embarrassed to tell my husband what I'm reading. Thank you for this refreshingly clean read.
December 17, 2014
I started reading this, excited about a Kindle freebie by Marie Higgins, only to feel like the story was very familiar. Twenty minutes later, I knew that I'd already read this book. It was previously published under the title Secrets after Dark. Some character names changed, which I usually don't remember anyway, but the plot stayed the same. A good read, a regency kind of retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
February 21, 2018
Witchy
This story started well but soon became scattered. It took awhile for me to unravel it. Not my favorite mystery/romance.
This story started well but soon became scattered. It took awhile for me to unravel it. Not my favorite mystery/romance.
July 16, 2016
Also posted on Eva Lucias blog
Where to begin? Do you know the feeling when you open a book, read the first pages and quickly realize that the book will haunt you, both awake and asleep, of wanting to know more about its characters and its plot?
This is feeling that I felt while reading “Haunted Secrets”. It is one of the best books that I have read for a very long time. I didn’t know of the author, Marie Higgins, but luckily, I downloaded it as a coincidence as a Kindle version and started reading one sleepless night. Once I started to read, I was intrigued from the beginning and I really didn’t want to finish it, so I forced myself to take breaks once in a while and put it away – just to safe it for a bit longer.
I have always been extremely fascinated and intrigued when an author mixes historical and socio-cultural facts with fiction, and that’s what Marie Higgins achieves. The story is set in mid-1900th Century in Cornwall, England; a time when high status and marriage were some of the most important factors. The story is filled with family traditions, relations, secrets and intrigues. I love the idea of old myths and traditions influencing the plot and the characters of it. The story was well-written and the clear descriptions of the characters made it so easy to get under their skin.
The main character, Victoria Fawson, comes to Maitland Manor to solve the riddle about her father’s death and along the way, you learn more and more about the Maitland family and what they really are capable of. “Haunting Secrets” is a mix of Victorian history, romance, fantasy and there’s a riddle to solve.
Already from the beginning, when Victoria comes to Maitland Manor, you know as a reader that there are things left untold and when Victoria walks around in the big house with the many corridors, it’s easy to get the feeling that you are there yourself – and this is because to Marie Higgins’ interesting visual writing.
“Northanger Abbey”-vibe
While reading the book, I got a feeling of mystery and gothic elements. The atmosphere of the book was brilliant and I can easily imagine myself walking around in Maitland Manor, opening every closet to find secrets left behind. It is never possible to compare literature, but personally, I thought a bit of “Northanger Abbey” by Jane Austen while reading this. Especially concerning the gothic elements, but also the fact that the female heroin wishes to be independent and only marry for love, not social status. I have always liked when authors have shown women as independent and strong, like Jane Austen, even though it would have been criticized during the time it was written.
Another thing that intrigued me was the classic love story; the theme of star-crossed lovers (known from Shakespeare), but it indeed works in this story. But I will not reveal everything about the story because as a reader it was fantastic to slowly sink deep into the world of Maitland Manor, and everyone should have that experience with this book.
My opinion on the book:
As told earlier, it is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I was lucky that I found this book because I felt that with the use of different genres, it was made for me. Of course, it is very subjective depending what people like, but as for me, it was definitely a great book and hopefully I will get the chance to purchase it for my book shelf one day (sadly, it can only be bought as an Ebook right now). Marie Higgins is a very talented author and I’m so happy that I by accident found her book. Now I can’t imagine the fact of never reading it!
This book truly haunted me and in the end, it finally revealed its secrets to me…
Blog ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Youtube ~ Spotify ~
Where to begin? Do you know the feeling when you open a book, read the first pages and quickly realize that the book will haunt you, both awake and asleep, of wanting to know more about its characters and its plot?
This is feeling that I felt while reading “Haunted Secrets”. It is one of the best books that I have read for a very long time. I didn’t know of the author, Marie Higgins, but luckily, I downloaded it as a coincidence as a Kindle version and started reading one sleepless night. Once I started to read, I was intrigued from the beginning and I really didn’t want to finish it, so I forced myself to take breaks once in a while and put it away – just to safe it for a bit longer.
I have always been extremely fascinated and intrigued when an author mixes historical and socio-cultural facts with fiction, and that’s what Marie Higgins achieves. The story is set in mid-1900th Century in Cornwall, England; a time when high status and marriage were some of the most important factors. The story is filled with family traditions, relations, secrets and intrigues. I love the idea of old myths and traditions influencing the plot and the characters of it. The story was well-written and the clear descriptions of the characters made it so easy to get under their skin.
The main character, Victoria Fawson, comes to Maitland Manor to solve the riddle about her father’s death and along the way, you learn more and more about the Maitland family and what they really are capable of. “Haunting Secrets” is a mix of Victorian history, romance, fantasy and there’s a riddle to solve.
Already from the beginning, when Victoria comes to Maitland Manor, you know as a reader that there are things left untold and when Victoria walks around in the big house with the many corridors, it’s easy to get the feeling that you are there yourself – and this is because to Marie Higgins’ interesting visual writing.
“Northanger Abbey”-vibe
While reading the book, I got a feeling of mystery and gothic elements. The atmosphere of the book was brilliant and I can easily imagine myself walking around in Maitland Manor, opening every closet to find secrets left behind. It is never possible to compare literature, but personally, I thought a bit of “Northanger Abbey” by Jane Austen while reading this. Especially concerning the gothic elements, but also the fact that the female heroin wishes to be independent and only marry for love, not social status. I have always liked when authors have shown women as independent and strong, like Jane Austen, even though it would have been criticized during the time it was written.
Another thing that intrigued me was the classic love story; the theme of star-crossed lovers (known from Shakespeare), but it indeed works in this story. But I will not reveal everything about the story because as a reader it was fantastic to slowly sink deep into the world of Maitland Manor, and everyone should have that experience with this book.
My opinion on the book:
As told earlier, it is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I was lucky that I found this book because I felt that with the use of different genres, it was made for me. Of course, it is very subjective depending what people like, but as for me, it was definitely a great book and hopefully I will get the chance to purchase it for my book shelf one day (sadly, it can only be bought as an Ebook right now). Marie Higgins is a very talented author and I’m so happy that I by accident found her book. Now I can’t imagine the fact of never reading it!
This book truly haunted me and in the end, it finally revealed its secrets to me…
Blog ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Youtube ~ Spotify ~
June 3, 2018
This was a story filled with twists and turns but it didn't make it confusing merely made it intriguing, it was well read and so easy to read and the flow was so fluid you barely realised how many pages you were eating up or how much time had passed. The witches, curses, witchcraft, magic and myths all made this story so mysterious.
The characters were well developed some of them more so than others, Justin and Victoria especially, you felt kind of attached to them both and saw things quite easily from their perspective. The way they searched the secrets of the house together was like throwing you back in time to when you were a child and looking for the treasure you so desperately wanted to find, it gave you a comforting warmth and you just wanted them to succeed. The strength of Victoria's character as a lady was endearing and commending because around the time the story was based women were merely treated as trophies on a man's arm, Victoria never gave the impression that she'd be a trophy on someone's arm or tame herself so a man could love her, she just seemed strong enough to be alone on her adventures and it was great to see the author write her almost as a heroine in this story.
Although I liked this story, I'd say it was more for easy reading than a real story you could throw yourself into. Hence my rating for this.
Re-read June 2018
I re-read this book because I'd actually forgotten the story but I really enjoyed reading it all over again, discovering the characters, the plot and the mystery too.
Victoria was an unusual kind of woman in her time I think, she was very unlike the other ladies surrounding her, she was strong determined and smart. Whereas most females of this time were feeble and looking to be courted Victoria wasn't she was determined to find out how her father died and the mystery he left behind.
Justin was a strong masculine figure from the beginning I got the idea he was a ladies man someone who flirted and the admiration of females before everything changed from him. After everything changed for him, he became a recluse, he hid he didn't socialise and he looked upon himself in fear and disgust until he met Victoria.
Victoria and Justin immediately had an instant connection even if Justin tried to frighten who he thought was a weak female and found out something quite different.
Overall I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read which had love, mystery, murder, death, change and witchcraft involved.
The characters were well developed some of them more so than others, Justin and Victoria especially, you felt kind of attached to them both and saw things quite easily from their perspective. The way they searched the secrets of the house together was like throwing you back in time to when you were a child and looking for the treasure you so desperately wanted to find, it gave you a comforting warmth and you just wanted them to succeed. The strength of Victoria's character as a lady was endearing and commending because around the time the story was based women were merely treated as trophies on a man's arm, Victoria never gave the impression that she'd be a trophy on someone's arm or tame herself so a man could love her, she just seemed strong enough to be alone on her adventures and it was great to see the author write her almost as a heroine in this story.
Although I liked this story, I'd say it was more for easy reading than a real story you could throw yourself into. Hence my rating for this.
Re-read June 2018
I re-read this book because I'd actually forgotten the story but I really enjoyed reading it all over again, discovering the characters, the plot and the mystery too.
Victoria was an unusual kind of woman in her time I think, she was very unlike the other ladies surrounding her, she was strong determined and smart. Whereas most females of this time were feeble and looking to be courted Victoria wasn't she was determined to find out how her father died and the mystery he left behind.
Justin was a strong masculine figure from the beginning I got the idea he was a ladies man someone who flirted and the admiration of females before everything changed from him. After everything changed for him, he became a recluse, he hid he didn't socialise and he looked upon himself in fear and disgust until he met Victoria.
Victoria and Justin immediately had an instant connection even if Justin tried to frighten who he thought was a weak female and found out something quite different.
Overall I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read which had love, mystery, murder, death, change and witchcraft involved.
January 10, 2015
Ooh, this was not at all what I thought it was going to be - but in a good way. It certainly was insta-love, but being together? Not so instant. Justin has an issue...he and his family are faking his death because he was turned into a werewolf by some nasty witch who is bitter, because she will not accept that he is NOT in love with her. Victoria also has an issue....her dad was murdered and she was brought to be a potential bride to Justin's brother, Johnathon. Eek. Also...there is something fishy going on in the house. Roddy and Bethany seem TOO eager for Victoria to wed Johnathon. Hmmm.
Even tho I thought it was silly how quickly Victoria fell for Justin (ridiculous name for a British Lord), I still loved the journey. They certainly had a HUGE mystery on their hands (like how to remove a curse) and what the hell is going on in the house. Nasty witches and their nasty selfish magic. Tsk.
Gah, I do feel super bad for Johnathon though...he actually likes Victoria and he is being used JUST as much as Justin and Victoria for a certain baddie's schemes (I shall not spoil who the baddie/baddies are - ok...there are more then one running around). I was totally hooked with this story, because I wanted - NO - needed to know what was going to happen next. Especially how they were going to remove that nasty curse from Justin. He turns into a wolf whenever he feels desire - it certainly helped that he actually fell in love with Victoria, so they didn't need to worry anymore about him eating her face (in a bad way).
I found this randomly on Amazon's freebie. I'm not sure if it is still free, but give a go and check it out! I totally recommend this to those that like historical fiction mixed with romance and mystery and paranormal stuff. ^.^ The insta-love made me roll my eyes, but the rest of it was a lot of fun. I certainly want to check out this author's other works. Out of five stars, I stamp this with....4 stars.
PS - What the hell is the girl wearing on the cover? Is that a see-through bodice. Sighs.
Favorite Character(s): Justin, Johnathon, and Mrs White (hehe)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Bethany (gr) and Roddy (*shakes my head* Man-whore)
Even tho I thought it was silly how quickly Victoria fell for Justin (ridiculous name for a British Lord), I still loved the journey. They certainly had a HUGE mystery on their hands (like how to remove a curse) and what the hell is going on in the house. Nasty witches and their nasty selfish magic. Tsk.
Gah, I do feel super bad for Johnathon though...he actually likes Victoria and he is being used JUST as much as Justin and Victoria for a certain baddie's schemes (I shall not spoil who the baddie/baddies are - ok...there are more then one running around). I was totally hooked with this story, because I wanted - NO - needed to know what was going to happen next. Especially how they were going to remove that nasty curse from Justin. He turns into a wolf whenever he feels desire - it certainly helped that he actually fell in love with Victoria, so they didn't need to worry anymore about him eating her face (in a bad way).
I found this randomly on Amazon's freebie. I'm not sure if it is still free, but give a go and check it out! I totally recommend this to those that like historical fiction mixed with romance and mystery and paranormal stuff. ^.^ The insta-love made me roll my eyes, but the rest of it was a lot of fun. I certainly want to check out this author's other works. Out of five stars, I stamp this with....4 stars.
PS - What the hell is the girl wearing on the cover? Is that a see-through bodice. Sighs.
Favorite Character(s): Justin, Johnathon, and Mrs White (hehe)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Bethany (gr) and Roddy (*shakes my head* Man-whore)
February 21, 2015
Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?
Haunting Secrets by Marie Higgins is another re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. I don't know what my deal is these days, but I can't get enough of theses fairy tale retellings.. Beauty and the Beast in particular.
The story is told from Victoria and Justin's point of view. I thought their relationship was cute. There were twists and turns within the plot that kept me wondering. I really liked the mystery surrounding the whole thing. You knew something was not quite right with certain characters, but until it's all out in the open you never quite know what that something is.
December 26, 2014
Just by looking at a book I can tell if it is going to be a good book (without reading what the book is about or knowing anything about it)... with this book I knew somewhere inside me it would be a good book but I was still on the fence about reading a book that was not on my to-read list (I am always wanting to read the books from that list then read books not on the list) but as soon as I saw the first review I knew I had to have this book and I am not regretting one second after reading what I read.
January 4, 2015
This book was free as part of a Kindle deal, so I was a bit worried that it may not be very good. That was soon proved wrong. This book was riveting from the beginning, and as the story grew I found I was unable to put it down. About halfway through my kindle broke, and I had to download the Kindle app in order to carry on reading it! The whole plot is original, simple yet somehow complex. I loved this book, and will think twice before I question a book solely based on the fact it was free.
December 23, 2014
Overall, I thought this book was a fantastic read. I couldn't wait to read this and then I couldn't wait to finish it. It is the best book by far and I hope other readers will be interested in reading this book. The book picks up after a few chapters, but it's a great read. I would definitely read this again some day. Read, love and enjoy. It is a must read book.
December 13, 2014
I recommend reading this book.
I enjoyed reading this book. There was romance, intrigue, friendship, rivalry, anticipation, and storyline. I had a hard time putting it down. I read before bed and in the morning when I could. I read it t lunch and looked forward to finding out what would happen next.
I enjoyed reading this book. There was romance, intrigue, friendship, rivalry, anticipation, and storyline. I had a hard time putting it down. I read before bed and in the morning when I could. I read it t lunch and looked forward to finding out what would happen next.
January 1, 2015
Needs some work...but good read.
This book seriously needs editing. They're are some major spelling and grammar issues that should have been addressed before this was published.
The book overall was enjoyable. As a free read it was better than expected. If the author will address the spelling and grammar errors she might have a good hit :)
This book seriously needs editing. They're are some major spelling and grammar issues that should have been addressed before this was published.
The book overall was enjoyable. As a free read it was better than expected. If the author will address the spelling and grammar errors she might have a good hit :)
December 4, 2014
An Intriguing Story
There were twists and turns in the plot, which made the story very enjoyable. The characters were well thought out and easy to understand. A nice quick read that is full of surprises.
There were twists and turns in the plot, which made the story very enjoyable. The characters were well thought out and easy to understand. A nice quick read that is full of surprises.
December 16, 2014
Loved it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was literally spell binding and I caught myself on the edge of my seat while reading. I love the characters and the twist !! I will recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, spell binding page turner!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was literally spell binding and I caught myself on the edge of my seat while reading. I love the characters and the twist !! I will recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, spell binding page turner!
January 7, 2015
Quite a good read with some original story points. There were a few mistakes where characters changed names for a paragraph such as Francine became Francesca and Roddy turned into Ronny. On the whole a pleasant afternoon read.
January 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much! it had a unique plot
Marie Higgins did a super job of placing her readers in a suspenseful unrest until they finished this book! It was very well written.
Marie Higgins did a super job of placing her readers in a suspenseful unrest until they finished this book! It was very well written.
March 10, 2015
this is a very good book if you like mysteries I couldn't put it down trying to figure everything out and you don't figure it out until the end of the book which I like cause it keeps you in suspense
February 25, 2015
Mysterious fun
First book I've read in awhile that I haven't had completely figured out long before the end. I really enjoyed it and will be reading more by this author. Also, appropriate for younger readers since its not vulgar.
First book I've read in awhile that I haven't had completely figured out long before the end. I really enjoyed it and will be reading more by this author. Also, appropriate for younger readers since its not vulgar.
March 22, 2015
A good read. Starts out slowly but after the first few chapters it gains speed & by around 40% is impossible to put down. If you believe in scary fairytales with a happy ever after then this is the book for you.
December 21, 2014
This book was a mix of gothic, paranormal, and historical novels all mashed together. It was not done in a good way.
June 29, 2017
Is a great book to read forever and ever since the heart of a great book to read
February 22, 2015
Excellent!!!!!
I absolutely loved this book! The best book that I have read by far. Magnificent writer! Definitely recommend this book!!
I absolutely loved this book! The best book that I have read by far. Magnificent writer! Definitely recommend this book!!
December 27, 2014
I liked it
It was different than regular paranormal stories and kept me entertained. It was an easy relaxing read for rainy day.
It was different than regular paranormal stories and kept me entertained. It was an easy relaxing read for rainy day.
December 30, 2014
Pretty good
January 2, 2015
Very good
This book was great. I read it in a day or two. The secrets kept coming and I kept reading
This book was great. I read it in a day or two. The secrets kept coming and I kept reading
April 17, 2015
I found this one free on Amazon. It was probably closer to 3.5 stars. I love the slight twist on the werewolf theme. That was fun, but some of the story was fairly predictable. I did enjoy it though.
September 22, 2015
I enjoyed this story from the first chapter. It was different in that it involved witchcraft and mystery along with the romance. I enjoy this author's descriptive writing.
January 3, 2015
Quaint, haunted mystery
This is a great weekend read with suspense, mystery and romance. I wasn't aware of the ending til I read it!
This is a great weekend read with suspense, mystery and romance. I wasn't aware of the ending til I read it!
January 11, 2015
Not bad for a story I got free for my Kindle.
Interesting enough to keep my interest all the way to the end and I couldn't wait to see how it all ended up.
Interesting enough to keep my interest all the way to the end and I couldn't wait to see how it all ended up.
January 17, 2015
Marie Higgins writes a wonderful story. Who can resist a love mystery as exciting as this story! I can't wait to explore more of her books. Enjoyed much! A must read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews