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The Secret Trilogy #1
The Secret Keeping
What do you get if you mix three beautiful women and their deepest secrets with too many lawyers, corporate executives and overzealous reporters?
THE SECRET KEEPING: Dr. Helaine Kristenson is the leading authority in the field of psychosexual relations and the bestselling author of the how-to bible, "Keeping Mr. Right." Professionally, she deals with secrets of the heart everyday. Privately, she even has a few of her own to keep her busy. What's so Top Secret? Her seven-year relationship with notorious super-model, Sharon Chambers--a once very hot union that lately has become something less than perfect. Wandering unwittingly into the middle of their tangled web is disillusioned investment strategist, Lydia Beaumont, a sleeping beauty who's just about to wake up. Add to the resulting fray a dozen lawyers, a handful of corporate executives and a gaggle of overzealous reporters, and you've got one highly public love triangle. And the more private a woman is, the more exposed she becomes...
THE SECRET KEEPING: Dr. Helaine Kristenson is the leading authority in the field of psychosexual relations and the bestselling author of the how-to bible, "Keeping Mr. Right." Professionally, she deals with secrets of the heart everyday. Privately, she even has a few of her own to keep her busy. What's so Top Secret? Her seven-year relationship with notorious super-model, Sharon Chambers--a once very hot union that lately has become something less than perfect. Wandering unwittingly into the middle of their tangled web is disillusioned investment strategist, Lydia Beaumont, a sleeping beauty who's just about to wake up. Add to the resulting fray a dozen lawyers, a handful of corporate executives and a gaggle of overzealous reporters, and you've got one highly public love triangle. And the more private a woman is, the more exposed she becomes...
310 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2006
5 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Francine Saint Marie
16 books7 followersPublished in 2006 by the renowned women's press Spinsters Ink, Francine Saint Marie's debut novel "The Secret Keeping" was a LAMBDA Notable Book, a Goldie Award finalist, a semi-finalist for the Independent Publishers Award and an IPPY Bronze medalist. Her popular three-novel LGBT series "The Secret Trilogy" containing her acclaimed debut was nominated for the prestigious Ferro/Grumley literary prize in fiction. She is also the recent recipient of the Green Book Award which honors works of literature that bring greater public awareness to issues concerning the environment. A writer and artist living in New York, Saint Marie's newest novel for young adults "Persuasion" is now available in digital editions at Barnes and Noble and elsewhere. Contact: FifthColumnPress[at]gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 5, 2018
Phew! What to write about The Secret Keeping… that’s a tough one.
First off, Dr. Helaine Kristenson and Lydia Beaumont have loads of chemistry together. That carries the book for a large part. It has to, because it is very slow burn (I mean, they ogle each other from across the restaurant for close to two years(!) without ever speaking a word). Don’t choose this book for an easy read, you have to dive in and take your time to adjust to the poetic tone and slow pace. Be prepared for lots of internal dialogue.
I found myself frustrated with Helaine’s passiveness in dealing with super brat and main baddie/ex-lover Sharon Chambers sometimes but kept reading because the author never dips into the ridiculous. Francine Saint Marie can write an intelligent and often humorous plot and manages to weave a fascinating emotional roller coaster.
f/f there may be some triggers for sexual abuse (male and female).
Themes: the love doctor, Sharon Chambers is one twisted fuck, hell hath no fury… , a blond bimbo cannot fix a good martini, who is Jane Doe, hounded by the press, The waiter at Frank’s Place is the unsung hero of this story, the beer is in the crisper.
4.4 stars
First off, Dr. Helaine Kristenson and Lydia Beaumont have loads of chemistry together. That carries the book for a large part. It has to, because it is very slow burn (I mean, they ogle each other from across the restaurant for close to two years(!) without ever speaking a word). Don’t choose this book for an easy read, you have to dive in and take your time to adjust to the poetic tone and slow pace. Be prepared for lots of internal dialogue.
I found myself frustrated with Helaine’s passiveness in dealing with super brat and main baddie/ex-lover Sharon Chambers sometimes but kept reading because the author never dips into the ridiculous. Francine Saint Marie can write an intelligent and often humorous plot and manages to weave a fascinating emotional roller coaster.
f/f there may be some triggers for sexual abuse (male and female).
Themes: the love doctor, Sharon Chambers is one twisted fuck, hell hath no fury… , a blond bimbo cannot fix a good martini, who is Jane Doe, hounded by the press, The waiter at Frank’s Place is the unsung hero of this story, the beer is in the crisper.
4.4 stars
August 10, 2016
Fascinating, interesting, poetic, romantic, psychological, dramatic.. ==> simply splendid!!! One of the best f/f romance I read in a long time. The writing style is highly unique in this genre...I was intrigued by author's reference to Sinatra & Shakespeare. There is nothing new about the story however, the way it was described made it highly interesting.
July 18, 2012
This is indeed a love story. The author is an artist who draws scenes with her words like painting a canvas with emotions. It isn't so much graphical description of the places or people, but an intense display of emotions and understanding of feelings and situations and life. It is intense and you will be seduced.
I can't come close to describing the layers of this author as some of the other reviewers do, so i'll just try to help you decide if you should buy it. First of, mind that this is not so much fluff writing, easy reading, mindless entertainment. You will have to apply yourself to the task, sometimes stopping to think about the layers of the last sentence or paragraph, sometimes backtracking to catch new meanings. This book, as are her others, is like a fancy layered cocktail, as opposed to the kool-aid romance novels that rely on tactile descriptions instead of cerebral ones. It is poetic and intelligent. Emotionally and psychologically deep. And surprisingly, quite funny at times. Very enjoyable!
I recommend you check out Girl Trouble, by this author. A short story that will give you a view into her writing style. If you can handle it, you will LOVE this book and the others. I do understand that some people are looking for fluff and will not appreciate this author, so make sure you do. She is the best i've read.
The Secret Trilogy... should you buy it, or this book alone?
Buy the trilogy. If you like this author enough to read this book, you will end up buying the others of the trilogy, may as well buy them for a discounted price all-together. because you WILL end up buying them all in the end, you will be under her charms to do so. And the other books are as good, if not better.
I can't come close to describing the layers of this author as some of the other reviewers do, so i'll just try to help you decide if you should buy it. First of, mind that this is not so much fluff writing, easy reading, mindless entertainment. You will have to apply yourself to the task, sometimes stopping to think about the layers of the last sentence or paragraph, sometimes backtracking to catch new meanings. This book, as are her others, is like a fancy layered cocktail, as opposed to the kool-aid romance novels that rely on tactile descriptions instead of cerebral ones. It is poetic and intelligent. Emotionally and psychologically deep. And surprisingly, quite funny at times. Very enjoyable!
I recommend you check out Girl Trouble, by this author. A short story that will give you a view into her writing style. If you can handle it, you will LOVE this book and the others. I do understand that some people are looking for fluff and will not appreciate this author, so make sure you do. She is the best i've read.
The Secret Trilogy... should you buy it, or this book alone?
Buy the trilogy. If you like this author enough to read this book, you will end up buying the others of the trilogy, may as well buy them for a discounted price all-together. because you WILL end up buying them all in the end, you will be under her charms to do so. And the other books are as good, if not better.
July 6, 2011
Not quite sure why there are so many positive reviews... I don't have much good to say. Super confusing, long winded, clearly lacking a good editor, and utterly unrealistic. What kind of relationship therapist would get into a relationship based on... absolutely nothing? Please. It went from bad to worse, but I soldiered through the entire (lengthy) thing mostly because I was stuck on an international flight -- and after I'd read about half of it, waiting for the two characters to actually TALK, I didn't want to quit without finishing it. I wish I had though!
July 27, 2011
This novel is one of the best I've ever read. Simply amazing!
November 18, 2018
😄 😄 😄
I didn't anticipate I was going to enjoy this book so much because of some reviews I read prior to purchasing it. This was funny, surprisingly scintillating and quite fulfilling to the very last page.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I didn't anticipate I was going to enjoy this book so much because of some reviews I read prior to purchasing it. This was funny, surprisingly scintillating and quite fulfilling to the very last page.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 15, 2021
"Love, loved, loving.... to thrive in."
I'm love sick after reading this again.
If every love story was written like this it would end me.
These women ruin me.
This poetic fairy tale told in ancient dreaming, lost in time, makes my heart ache.
Lydia Beaumont sends me out in to the streets aching and longing.
This book is put away. Hidden on a shelf to stop me falling again and again.
Sometimes I stupidly return to it.
Destroyed.
I'm love sick after reading this again.
If every love story was written like this it would end me.
These women ruin me.
This poetic fairy tale told in ancient dreaming, lost in time, makes my heart ache.
Lydia Beaumont sends me out in to the streets aching and longing.
This book is put away. Hidden on a shelf to stop me falling again and again.
Sometimes I stupidly return to it.
Destroyed.
October 28, 2010
Cute...at first super confusing (imho). The first part I was just somewhat lost and uninterested. However, as it continued I was able to get into the story. It was cute. The change of scenary was sometimes confusing. On to book two...
June 5, 2013
This might be one of the best books I've ever read. The longing, back and fourth-ness, confusion, emotions and lust are realistic. This is a beautifully written novel.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews