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Atmospheric: The Secrets We Inherit
Sometimes Lyllian could swear she is living someone else’s past.
Most days she is in her small cubicle pecking at her keyboard and doodling on her arm.
But sometimes she is in cold black woods in rags holding precious letters by flickering flame.
Sometimes she is walking the streets of a young city with a woman with flaming red hair.
And other times she is sitting in a house that is not hers with a man, who is not her husband,
cradling a child who is not her child.
Sometimes she is young, dressed in strange clothes, in a meadow of gold weaving ribbons with idle hands,
young and in love.
And still other times she is naked. In a white room. Afraid and imprisoned.
But most times Lyllian feels insignificant, frittering away her time, raising two willful daughters, watching too much television, forever trying to lose those extra pounds and dreaming about becoming a writer.
She cannot tell her husband Michael about her mind jaunts.
He already eyes her dubious choices with amusement-tinged worry.
So why does she sometimes awaken uncertain of who and where she is?
Imprints of a past not her own fading from her mind.
Lyllian’s future cannot rest until she unravels her past.
From the cold black forests of Volgograd Russia, the grit of young New York,
to present day Seattle Lyllian travels in search of answers.
With each new revelation she comes closer to a remarkable story of sacrifice, secrets, and forgiveness.
Most days she is in her small cubicle pecking at her keyboard and doodling on her arm.
But sometimes she is in cold black woods in rags holding precious letters by flickering flame.
Sometimes she is walking the streets of a young city with a woman with flaming red hair.
And other times she is sitting in a house that is not hers with a man, who is not her husband,
cradling a child who is not her child.
Sometimes she is young, dressed in strange clothes, in a meadow of gold weaving ribbons with idle hands,
young and in love.
And still other times she is naked. In a white room. Afraid and imprisoned.
But most times Lyllian feels insignificant, frittering away her time, raising two willful daughters, watching too much television, forever trying to lose those extra pounds and dreaming about becoming a writer.
She cannot tell her husband Michael about her mind jaunts.
He already eyes her dubious choices with amusement-tinged worry.
So why does she sometimes awaken uncertain of who and where she is?
Imprints of a past not her own fading from her mind.
Lyllian’s future cannot rest until she unravels her past.
From the cold black forests of Volgograd Russia, the grit of young New York,
to present day Seattle Lyllian travels in search of answers.
With each new revelation she comes closer to a remarkable story of sacrifice, secrets, and forgiveness.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2025
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 22, 2025
Immersive, atmospheric, and deep. Oh, and full of humor! Sucked me right in. I picked this up on a recommendation from a friend and have never been so glad I listened. If I had any advice I'd say be patient. It is definitely a slow burn but keep going. You will be so pleased you did.
I sped through parts 2 and 3, could not put it down. I felt like I knew Lyllian intimately and enjoyed seeing how her mind worked. The flashbacks were well organized and the historical details were spot on. Almost cried near the end which I do not normally do. Really enjoyed where this book took me. Its this author's first published work so I also love that I'm supporting a new artist. The youngest daughter is named Vivienne which was cool too. Lol....
I sped through parts 2 and 3, could not put it down. I felt like I knew Lyllian intimately and enjoyed seeing how her mind worked. The flashbacks were well organized and the historical details were spot on. Almost cried near the end which I do not normally do. Really enjoyed where this book took me. Its this author's first published work so I also love that I'm supporting a new artist. The youngest daughter is named Vivienne which was cool too. Lol....
January 19, 2026
It was interesting to learn about the character's journey and gain insight into her perspective. I enjoyed getting to know Lyllian and understanding her personality, motivations, and the challenges she faces. I was able to relate to a lot of her struggles and experiences. The writing is descriptive and does a good job of highlighting people’s experiences in a unique tale.
January 23, 2026
This book really stayed with me. The way Lyllian slips into memories that don’t feel like her own is eerie in the best way, and it keeps you turning pages to figure out what’s real and what it all means. I loved the atmosphere and the mix of mystery, family life, and emotional depth. If you enjoy stories about secrets, identity, and the past catching up to the present, this is a great read.
January 6, 2026
Atmospheric takes its time, and that patience pays off. Lyllian’s ordinary life is quietly disrupted by memories that feel чужe yet deeply personal. The story unfolds with care, creating an emotional connection that strengthens as the mystery deepens, making it a thoughtful and rewarding read.
January 11, 2026
A delightful story
A lovely romp across time and space. I love when a book weaves historical facts into the story. And then there's that little injection of the supernatural. The shuffling points of view keep the mystery pulling forward to the conclusion. A satisfying read.
A lovely romp across time and space. I love when a book weaves historical facts into the story. And then there's that little injection of the supernatural. The shuffling points of view keep the mystery pulling forward to the conclusion. A satisfying read.
January 12, 2026
Haunting Journey Through Lives Unlived
Pulls you into Lyllian’s mysterious mind jaunts, weaving past and present into a tapestry of secrets and longing. Vivid imagery and emotional depth, this story is an interesting exploration of identity, memory, and the sacrifices that potentially shape us.
Pulls you into Lyllian’s mysterious mind jaunts, weaving past and present into a tapestry of secrets and longing. Vivid imagery and emotional depth, this story is an interesting exploration of identity, memory, and the sacrifices that potentially shape us.
December 22, 2025
This story draws the reader in from the very first pages, following Lyllian, an ordinary woman whose life is interrupted by vivid and unsettling glimpses of other lives and other times. These moments pull her away from her everyday routine and into places, relationships, and memories that feel real, intimate, and deeply mysterious.
As the narrative moves between past and present and across different locations, Lyllian searches for the meaning behind these fragments. With each revelation, the story uncovers a remarkable history shaped by sacrifice, secrets, and forgiveness, gradually bringing the pieces together.
The writing is beautiful, lyrical, and immersive, with a high level of tension that carries the story forward. It’s an emotionally powerful and haunting novel that stays with the reader long after the final page.
As the narrative moves between past and present and across different locations, Lyllian searches for the meaning behind these fragments. With each revelation, the story uncovers a remarkable history shaped by sacrifice, secrets, and forgiveness, gradually bringing the pieces together.
The writing is beautiful, lyrical, and immersive, with a high level of tension that carries the story forward. It’s an emotionally powerful and haunting novel that stays with the reader long after the final page.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews