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Secrets #1
Web of Secrets
Brilliant surgeon Nathan Kirkfield comes face-to-face with his childhood demons when his parents’ deaths force him back home to settle the family estate. Sent to oversee the sale of the house and contents is former FBI Agent Kelly MacNiel, now of the MacNiel Auction House. Kelly couldn’t possibly have imagined he’d find the young man from an encounter gone horribly wrong grown into a devastatingly attractive man. The two of them discover a connection built in the ruins from that tragedy.
Now Nathan must decide if he can accept the changes in his life that this relationship will bring while struggling with his boss’s harassment and her threats to destroy his work. To complicate matters, unexplained break-ins lead to an attempt upon Nathan’s life. If Kelly doesn’t conquer the monsters that besiege him, the life of the man he’s come to love will be at stake.
Now Nathan must decide if he can accept the changes in his life that this relationship will bring while struggling with his boss’s harassment and her threats to destroy his work. To complicate matters, unexplained break-ins lead to an attempt upon Nathan’s life. If Kelly doesn’t conquer the monsters that besiege him, the life of the man he’s come to love will be at stake.
- GenresM M RomanceRomance
ebook
First published October 20, 2015
1 person is currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Terry Poole
12 books24 followersTerry makes her home between the two massive lakes that bisect Manitoba in central Canada. She’s always written in one form or another. Her very first book, at age five, consisted of stick figures drawn upon a roll of adding machine paper. When Terry isn't writing (which isn’t often), she can be found crocheting, making handmade soap or hanging out on Facebook.
Her mind has been compared to a train station filled with runaway trains. The trick is to catch one and hang on. So many stories, so little time.
Her mind has been compared to a train station filled with runaway trains. The trick is to catch one and hang on. So many stories, so little time.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 1, 2017
I don't like it when a character's physical appearance is described in full in the beginning. It feels too much like telling.
Of course the mom and the sisters do the office work and are called assistants and when the father had a heart attack, the brother kept running company. Kelly, a man, goes out and gets the info and appraisals and does the intellectual work. The woman are called "the girls" of course. The female doctor is evil. Nathan's mom does all the cooking. At least Nathan's sister is also a doctor but there aren't any likable females who aren't family.
Talk about making assumptions. Why doesn't he even talk to Kelly about the issue when Kelly expresses his confusion?
Unfortunately here parents are rarely arrested for child abuse from my experience. Sexual abuse yes but it's amazing what parents get away with and are excused is they "get the help they need" by going to rehab or whatever. Parents have to do something really egregious like locking children in cages and not feeding them. Just beating them up doesn't seem to matter. Then the state works as hard as possible to return the children home.
I read about one case where
I don't think it's instinctual to reach for each other's left hands. Your arms would be crossing the table. They're done eating so they don't need to use their dominant hands for anything other than lifting a cup.
God the sexual tension was hot!
Cool that Keely made Nathan put gloves on before touching a bloody man.
He's a gorgeous surgeon with decent social skills who's never even had a quickie?
I thought he was taking his nieces to a concert Saturday.
I appreciate a man who's willing to take pain medication. It drives me nuts when they brag about not needing them. So kudos to the author.
I think an orgasm with a bruised chest and cracked ribs would be very painful. Your muscles clench. At least mine do. He can't even do his own hair.
Still the sex is hot. Too much of it but very hot.
LOVE the old lady.
So cool to recognize that men suffer from abuse at the hands of their partners, too.
Of course their families are perfect.
I love how in love they are.
Hospital scene! Bedside vigil. Danger danger danger! Oh this was written just for me, wasn't it?
I've never seen a chart hanging off a bed despite it being in books and movies all the time. Here in the US I am positive it violates HIPAA. Seriously, when the patient is asleep anyone could take a look at his chart without his permission. Here everything is entered into computers in the room or a tablet carried around.
I enjoyed this so much, I'm even going to overlook the sexism in rating it.
Of course the mom and the sisters do the office work and are called assistants and when the father had a heart attack, the brother kept running company. Kelly, a man, goes out and gets the info and appraisals and does the intellectual work. The woman are called "the girls" of course. The female doctor is evil. Nathan's mom does all the cooking. At least Nathan's sister is also a doctor but there aren't any likable females who aren't family.
Talk about making assumptions. Why doesn't he even talk to Kelly about the issue when Kelly expresses his confusion?
Unfortunately here parents are rarely arrested for child abuse from my experience. Sexual abuse yes but it's amazing what parents get away with and are excused is they "get the help they need" by going to rehab or whatever. Parents have to do something really egregious like locking children in cages and not feeding them. Just beating them up doesn't seem to matter. Then the state works as hard as possible to return the children home.
I read about one case where
I don't think it's instinctual to reach for each other's left hands. Your arms would be crossing the table. They're done eating so they don't need to use their dominant hands for anything other than lifting a cup.
God the sexual tension was hot!
Cool that Keely made Nathan put gloves on before touching a bloody man.
He's a gorgeous surgeon with decent social skills who's never even had a quickie?
I thought he was taking his nieces to a concert Saturday.
I appreciate a man who's willing to take pain medication. It drives me nuts when they brag about not needing them. So kudos to the author.
I think an orgasm with a bruised chest and cracked ribs would be very painful. Your muscles clench. At least mine do. He can't even do his own hair.
Still the sex is hot. Too much of it but very hot.
LOVE the old lady.
So cool to recognize that men suffer from abuse at the hands of their partners, too.
Of course their families are perfect.
I love how in love they are.
Hospital scene! Bedside vigil. Danger danger danger! Oh this was written just for me, wasn't it?
I've never seen a chart hanging off a bed despite it being in books and movies all the time. Here in the US I am positive it violates HIPAA. Seriously, when the patient is asleep anyone could take a look at his chart without his permission. Here everything is entered into computers in the room or a tablet carried around.
I enjoyed this so much, I'm even going to overlook the sexism in rating it.
back-burner-for-now
October 25, 2015Anyone gonna guniea pig this one? It looks good, but it is from a first time author so I'm hesitant...
September 30, 2019
2.5 stars
Gave it another try, not sure why but skimmed a lot. Readable, writing is technically good but purple prose and so much absurdity!
DNF there might be potential but too many problems in just the first third.
Gave it another try, not sure why but skimmed a lot. Readable, writing is technically good but purple prose and so much absurdity!
DNF there might be potential but too many problems in just the first third.
March 22, 2016
This was just "okay" for me ... it kind of lost me along the way. I'll mull over what I want to say and will definitely be updating.
July 7, 2019
I enjoyed this one. Poor Nathan, the abuse he went through as a child tore me up. I’m glad his parents were dead. Okay there was something that Kelly finds that makes me wonder about Nathan’s adopted dad. You will have to read the book to figure that one out. Nathan has come back to his bio parents home to get it ready to sell as they died in an accident. Kelly is part of the auction house and is there to appraise the home and contents. When Kelly sees Nathan, he remembers him from when they met as teens. It takes Nathan a long time to remember Kelly. They grow to care for each other while getting the house and contents ready to sell. While they grow to love each other, Nathan has some issues he has to deal with with a coworker. There are some things that were left opened and I can’t wait to jump into the next book. This is a new to me author and I can’t wait to read more from her.
May 8, 2018
Overall it just an ok story. But what really annoyed me was how Kelly as an ex FBI agent never acted like he ever had law enforcement training. Not once, but twice the house was broken into, and they never once called the police. In the middle of one a break in, he decided to have a makeout session with Nathan than finish the scoping out for the intruder. Then, later in the book Nathan enters a code to turn off house security. Where was this alarm system during the break ins? Annoying.
May 12, 2018
Hot read.
The story was okay.
You really need to suspend belief and move on to enjoy.
I always have a hard time with any virgin over 25. These days 13 losing virginity isn't shocking....but late 20's...yeah, that's not common in real life. Yet it's very common in books.
You would think after the break in they'd at least try to figure out what the theif was looking for or 2 report the break in or even 3 put an alarm in place
Still, it had some steamy scenes.
It was alright.
The story was okay.
You really need to suspend belief and move on to enjoy.
I always have a hard time with any virgin over 25. These days 13 losing virginity isn't shocking....but late 20's...yeah, that's not common in real life. Yet it's very common in books.
You would think after the break in they'd at least try to figure out what the theif was looking for or 2 report the break in or even 3 put an alarm in place
Still, it had some steamy scenes.
It was alright.
May 20, 2018
Nothing startling. Had the standard "bad guy" who could have been easily stopped long ago if people had only spoken out. Also, thought the main plot itself ie the blackmail, pretty implausible and impossible to pull off among one's peers. Other side plots weren't finished and was hard to understand how they fit overall. My rating was generous as a new author to me. Not sure if I'll read anymore though the next in the series looks interesting.
November 10, 2015
This was a book I really wanted to love. The blurb and cover made me think it would romantic and exciting. Instead it was just sort of blah without much substance.
The novel features Dr. Nathan Kirkfield and Kelly MacNiel, a former FBI agent. Following the death of his parents, Nathan returns to his family home to deal with selling all the belongings. He isn’t thrilled to be there considering he was not only abused but kicked out when he announced he was gay. Kelly works for the auction house handling the house so the two men end up spending a lot of time together. They also share a secret connection from their past.
Nathan and Kelly are attracted to each other right away and they are starting to move toward something when the big misunderstanding comes into play. I realize every novel needs conflict but sometimes there are ones that just don’t make sense and that’s what happened here.
The misunderstanding occurs when Nathan overhears Kelly talking on the phone to his sister. Nathan assumes Kelly is married with children and instantly backs off. It all could’ve been handled with a quick “Oh, you’re married?” and Kelly could’ve cleared everything up. That’s what most people would’ve done anyway and the fact that Nathan didn’t is just one of several things in this novel that didn’t ring true.
There were several lines of dialogue that pulled me out of the story. Here are a couple examples:
“It’s all right if you wish to summon else to finish the sale.”
And
“See you later, doctor mine,” Kelly said…”
Summon? Doctor mine? Who talks like that in real life?
The fact that Nathan turns out to be a virgin is another plot point that didn’t ring true. His claims as to why just didn’t seem real. Kelly’s case of PTSD also came out of nowhere more than halfway through the novel.
The issues Nathan were dealing with at work were ones not seen often in M/M even if his boss was another ultra-bitch. However, that part of a rather generic mystery that was never all that exciting.
3.25 stars
Review originally posted at Prism Book Alliance.
The novel features Dr. Nathan Kirkfield and Kelly MacNiel, a former FBI agent. Following the death of his parents, Nathan returns to his family home to deal with selling all the belongings. He isn’t thrilled to be there considering he was not only abused but kicked out when he announced he was gay. Kelly works for the auction house handling the house so the two men end up spending a lot of time together. They also share a secret connection from their past.
Nathan and Kelly are attracted to each other right away and they are starting to move toward something when the big misunderstanding comes into play. I realize every novel needs conflict but sometimes there are ones that just don’t make sense and that’s what happened here.
The misunderstanding occurs when Nathan overhears Kelly talking on the phone to his sister. Nathan assumes Kelly is married with children and instantly backs off. It all could’ve been handled with a quick “Oh, you’re married?” and Kelly could’ve cleared everything up. That’s what most people would’ve done anyway and the fact that Nathan didn’t is just one of several things in this novel that didn’t ring true.
There were several lines of dialogue that pulled me out of the story. Here are a couple examples:
“It’s all right if you wish to summon else to finish the sale.”
And
“See you later, doctor mine,” Kelly said…”
Summon? Doctor mine? Who talks like that in real life?
The fact that Nathan turns out to be a virgin is another plot point that didn’t ring true. His claims as to why just didn’t seem real. Kelly’s case of PTSD also came out of nowhere more than halfway through the novel.
The issues Nathan were dealing with at work were ones not seen often in M/M even if his boss was another ultra-bitch. However, that part of a rather generic mystery that was never all that exciting.
3.25 stars
Review originally posted at Prism Book Alliance.
November 14, 2015
What I think is ... I will never get back the time I spent reading this book. The preview made promises that were not delivered. Lots of angst, lots of pain created by not communicating. Nathan and Kelly are written as fools, keeping their thoughts to themselves, suffering in their delusions rather than asking one or two well timed questions of the other. Lots of posturing by the characters, but little this reader would identify as typical male behavior.
January 17, 2017
3.5 Stars ~ Dr. Nathan Kirkfield and his sister inherited their biological parents’ home and its possessions. Nathan’s there to take care of the estate auction in his sister’s absence, and not feeling comfortable at all. As a child, he was disowned by his abusive parents and was adopted by his Uncle Matt and Aunt Victoria. There are some very bad memories in this house for Nathan, but it also gives him some relief from the stressful situation at the hospital. Nathan is a prominent heart surgeon, and Dr. Amanda Russell, head of the Department of Cardiology, has her claws in Nathan and won’t let go.
Kelly MacNeil, former FBI agent, is now working for his brother, Finn, at their family owned MacNeil Auction House. He and Nathan first met when they were very young, and now, twelve years later, he finds himself at a familiar estate—and meets Nathan, whom he’s never forgotten. Nathan doesn’t seem to remember Kelly, though. Kelly really wants to get to know Nathan again, but there are threats and danger and secrets that they both have to deal with.
Web of Secrets is about family, whether biological or adoptive. Both families share in warmth, love and humor. Kelly also has a special understanding and connection with his Granda, and there’s a warm moment between them—which is also a little mystical.
This was my first time reading Terry Poole and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s suspense, danger and humor in the story that works well with the mystery, adding a little bit of twist. This is a fun read.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
Kelly MacNeil, former FBI agent, is now working for his brother, Finn, at their family owned MacNeil Auction House. He and Nathan first met when they were very young, and now, twelve years later, he finds himself at a familiar estate—and meets Nathan, whom he’s never forgotten. Nathan doesn’t seem to remember Kelly, though. Kelly really wants to get to know Nathan again, but there are threats and danger and secrets that they both have to deal with.
Web of Secrets is about family, whether biological or adoptive. Both families share in warmth, love and humor. Kelly also has a special understanding and connection with his Granda, and there’s a warm moment between them—which is also a little mystical.
This was my first time reading Terry Poole and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s suspense, danger and humor in the story that works well with the mystery, adding a little bit of twist. This is a fun read.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
December 7, 2017
3.5 ⭐️
Liked the characters, I know they had a brief history but it was still instalove which can be great but just not this time. The sexual harassment felt a bit off to me, but the little side plot with the governor’s wife was good, albeit a bit random and we never did find out what that paper was.
Liked the characters, I know they had a brief history but it was still instalove which can be great but just not this time. The sexual harassment felt a bit off to me, but the little side plot with the governor’s wife was good, albeit a bit random and we never did find out what that paper was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2018
It was okay but was a little predictable. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether or not the papers' significance was explained. Also, two break-ins and still no house alarm? In a house full of "treasures" worth a lot of money? I'd have hired a whole security team.
December 9, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
There is nothing that annoys me, as a reader, more than having a blurb that doesn’t match the storyline. If you read the blurb on the back of this book, one would assume that this would be an entirely different story than what you actually get. We are led to believe Kelly was an FBI agent in charge of Nathan’s case – which would suggest Kelly was somewhat older than Nathan and that there was something significant that happened in Nathan’s past that would have required the FBI to get involved. Instead, the actual story is significantly different with both main characters being of the same age and with both main characters suffering from PTSD. With that said, let’s move on to my review!
Nathan grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but the price he paid was a high one as both his parents were cold and unfeeling. When he is caught kissing the boy who accompanied the deliverymen, his father beat him while his mother stood by. Kicked out of the house, his uncle took him in and later adopted him. Now, with his parents dead, it falls on him to be there to oversee the selling of the estate as his sister and her husband are out of the country performing charity work.
Kelly grew up with a granda who was larger than life. Though an auctioneer by trade, his granda would up and leave for days and weeks at a time, off doing something secretive that always resulted in him coming home with aches and pains but claiming he had made a difference. Growing up, Kelly dreamed of being like granda and joined the FBI. When a case goes horribly wrong, Kelly is shot on the job and forced into leaving the bureau when he is no longer capable of performing. Suffering from PTSD over the incident, he recognizes the demons he sees in Nathan’s eyes.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
There is nothing that annoys me, as a reader, more than having a blurb that doesn’t match the storyline. If you read the blurb on the back of this book, one would assume that this would be an entirely different story than what you actually get. We are led to believe Kelly was an FBI agent in charge of Nathan’s case – which would suggest Kelly was somewhat older than Nathan and that there was something significant that happened in Nathan’s past that would have required the FBI to get involved. Instead, the actual story is significantly different with both main characters being of the same age and with both main characters suffering from PTSD. With that said, let’s move on to my review!
Nathan grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but the price he paid was a high one as both his parents were cold and unfeeling. When he is caught kissing the boy who accompanied the deliverymen, his father beat him while his mother stood by. Kicked out of the house, his uncle took him in and later adopted him. Now, with his parents dead, it falls on him to be there to oversee the selling of the estate as his sister and her husband are out of the country performing charity work.
Kelly grew up with a granda who was larger than life. Though an auctioneer by trade, his granda would up and leave for days and weeks at a time, off doing something secretive that always resulted in him coming home with aches and pains but claiming he had made a difference. Growing up, Kelly dreamed of being like granda and joined the FBI. When a case goes horribly wrong, Kelly is shot on the job and forced into leaving the bureau when he is no longer capable of performing. Suffering from PTSD over the incident, he recognizes the demons he sees in Nathan’s eyes.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
December 16, 2015
I had high hopes for the book, the blurb sounded so good. And it was okay, but I found several pieces throughout so unrealistic for both people and the professions they were supposed to be in and retired from, that really took away from the story.
Kelly, an ex-FBI agent, who was shot in the line of duty is recovering, in the mean time working for the family business.
Nathan, a celebrated heart surgeon has come back to clear out the family home he was kicked out of at 16, when his parents found out he was gay.
What happens during the two weeks while the house is being cataloged and getting ready is a mess of self awaking, self discovery, family drama on both sides, with work drama and throw some B and E for good measure.
I did enjoy the Nathan and Kelly show, them two together, discovering the love they thought they had lost all those years ago. The side shows, well entertaining but less is sometimes more.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviews
Kelly, an ex-FBI agent, who was shot in the line of duty is recovering, in the mean time working for the family business.
Nathan, a celebrated heart surgeon has come back to clear out the family home he was kicked out of at 16, when his parents found out he was gay.
What happens during the two weeks while the house is being cataloged and getting ready is a mess of self awaking, self discovery, family drama on both sides, with work drama and throw some B and E for good measure.
I did enjoy the Nathan and Kelly show, them two together, discovering the love they thought they had lost all those years ago. The side shows, well entertaining but less is sometimes more.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviews
January 26, 2016
M/M mystery romance with lots of past flash backs mixed with death threats.
Brilliant surgeon Nathan Kirkfield has to finally go back to his parents' home where he was beaten and kicked out as a teenager. Lots of shadows from the past need to be confronted before Nathan can clean house (literally and figuratively). Retired FBI Agent turned family business appraiser, Kelly MacNiel is also at a cross roads in his life where he is going to find direction and a new love in this story.
I liked the story in general, but it bothered me that they never call the police when there are serious death threats and violence in the Kirkfield mansion. That was totally unrealistic, but otherwise a fun mystery.
267 pages and bought for $6.99
3 stars
Brilliant surgeon Nathan Kirkfield has to finally go back to his parents' home where he was beaten and kicked out as a teenager. Lots of shadows from the past need to be confronted before Nathan can clean house (literally and figuratively). Retired FBI Agent turned family business appraiser, Kelly MacNiel is also at a cross roads in his life where he is going to find direction and a new love in this story.
I liked the story in general, but it bothered me that they never call the police when there are serious death threats and violence in the Kirkfield mansion. That was totally unrealistic, but otherwise a fun mystery.
267 pages and bought for $6.99
3 stars
June 29, 2016
Not what I was hoping
I liked both the main and the supporting characters in this story but the plot itself feel a bit flat for me. I don't think that few hours of getting to know a stranger at 16 years old would create the longing feelings of "the one that got away" that we were presented with here. And whilst I liked the misdirection in the mystery, didn't find the mystery itself to be particularly compelling.
I liked both the main and the supporting characters in this story but the plot itself feel a bit flat for me. I don't think that few hours of getting to know a stranger at 16 years old would create the longing feelings of "the one that got away" that we were presented with here. And whilst I liked the misdirection in the mystery, didn't find the mystery itself to be particularly compelling.
March 22, 2016
The MCs were a couple of schoolgirls dressed as a doctor and an ex FBI agent, who spoke in a very weird way and had ridiculous thoughts about each other. The misunderstanding was silly as hell and completely avoidable. I did not like it.
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May 19, 2017ღ´¨)
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April 7, 2017
Wow.. 10 stars....A brilliant book that I couldn't put down.
This book about Nathan and Kelly after having met when they where teenagers. Now as fate would have bring them back together again. But Kelly has a problem which he has to deal with, all he has to do is ask for help.. The characters in the book are adorable together.. I can Highly recommend this book to everyone. This author is fast becoming one of my favorite authors..
This book about Nathan and Kelly after having met when they where teenagers. Now as fate would have bring them back together again. But Kelly has a problem which he has to deal with, all he has to do is ask for help.. The characters in the book are adorable together.. I can Highly recommend this book to everyone. This author is fast becoming one of my favorite authors..
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews