Black Ice: Love and Loss Series, Book 1

by Claudia Whitsitt

Identical twins, Brea and Beth, get mistaken for each other all the time. But this is the first time it's happened at the scene of a fatal car accident.At first, Brea tries to tell the truth—that she's not Beth—but her jaw's wired shut after the crash, and no one will listen.Long dissatisfied with her life, Brea assumes Beth's identity. It's a crazy idea, but if you're flawed enough, you can justify almost anything. Sure, Brea promised to take care of her sister's kids if something like this ever happened—after all, it's what Beth would want—but would she want Brea to "take care" of her cardiologist husband, too?Soon the lies Brea is forced to tell others to maintain the facade are nothing compared to the lies she's telling the mirror. When an old flame confides in "Beth" that Brea was the one who got away and she discovers the depth of her sister's betrayal, the world flips on its axis.Tangled in a web of duplicity, Brea is faced with an impossible decision—reclaim her life, or live out her days in a cloud of deception.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

I’m the oldest of six children and the only girl. Northwest Detroit, at that time a thriving metropolis and desirable address, was my childhood home. I attended parochial schools and loved learning from the very start. A voracious reader, one of my fondest memories is keeping the hall light burning in hopes of stealing a few extra minutes of reading time each night. When my mom got wise to my tricks and closed my bedroom door, I snuck a flashlight from my dad’s toolbox, kept it hidden under my bed and replaced the batteries more than once. That single beam came in handy on many late nights with Nancy Drew.

Graduating from St. Mary of Redford high school in 1970, I attended Eastern Michigan University. After receiving my degree, I became a Special Education teacher. Early on I realized that teaching was my new “school." I learned so very much from my students and their families about hope in the face of despair, about the hidden talents each of us possess, and about how simple acts of humanity can touch and enrich lives.

I have always loved writing whether composing an educational report, a letter to one of my children, or a simple poem. My initial inspiration to write a novel came while I worked as a Special Education teacher and became involved in a mystery surrounding one of my students. As all writers do, I began playing “what if” and started putting ideas down on paper.

Since penning my first novel, Identity Issues, I am consumed with learning more about my newly discovered passion. A newbie at my first writer’s conference a few years back, I asked the question, “How do I become a better writer?” The editor, my newly adopted fairy godmother, spoke wisely. “Write some more.”

Since that time, I have written two more installments in The Samantha Series, Intimacy Issues and Internal Issues.

I've also recently released The Wrong Guy, a new adult romantic mystery loosely based on the Co-Ed killings of the late '60s.

Later in 2014, I will be releasing a stand alone work of contemporary fiction, Two of Me, and a middle grades historical fiction novel, Between the Lines.

Reviews

[Liz Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This first book in a series by Claudia Whitsitt has me eager for book 2. It's a domestic thriller with an identical twins twist that is original and entertaining and set in a familiar-to-me college town in Michigan.
I don't have the time to devour books in a few days like I used to do, but this one was an exception. When I thought I wasn't on board with one character's transformation from mean guy to nice guy, I was reminded that a truly talented author like Ms. Whitsitt know how to remind me that I should never really assume anything about any character in a book like this one.
Told in a way that allows the reader to really go deep into the main character's psyche as well as into the minds and motivations of several other characters, Black Ice is a total page-turner that I highly recommend.

[Jason Hook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claudia Whitsitt has crafted a fast-paced novel that delves deep into the human condition. Through the eyes of some significantly flawed characters, she exposes the fear, anger, resentment, and inherent courage that can bring us together, even while tearing us apart. Brea is a woman with years of baggage, going back to the death of her parents. Her twin sister was her greatest (and only true, really) link to the world, and she has masked this by helping others in therapy even as her own vices threaten to derail her life. With Beth's sudden death, Brea has a chance to right some wrongs, take care of her sister's family, or does she...? That's one of the many questions this story asks, even as it asks you, the reader, to suspend your judgements toward the behavior of others. After all, we all have our vices. You may be asking yourself at the end of this story if you might have done the same.

[Jeanie Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Ice was an exceptional book.The story made me think about what I would do if I were pressed into the same situation. I knew immediately I would have done what Brea did. Children and family are the most important things in life.

Whitsitt kept me wondering how and if Brea’s secret would be found out.Brea discovered that she didn’t know her sister, Beth, as well as she thought she did. Also, Brea’s impression of Jeffrey was proven wrong. It just proves there are three sides to every story, and even the “perfect” families have flaws and secrets.

I couldn’t put it down, waiting to see what would happen next. I am a big fan of Claudia Whitsitt’s books, and looking forward to her next one.

[Pamela A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked right away into the nightmare Brea experiences as she makes life altering decisions for the people she loves! The author leads you on a journey of truths, half truths, and perceptions of the characters as they struggle to make sense of the changes in their lives. The plot twists were so unexpected and kept me guessing. I wanted to reach out and hold Brea's hand and heart as she made the most important decisions of her life. I hope there is a sequel so we can know more about what happened in the lives of these characters. This was a compelling read and I ended up reading it into the night because I just had to know how this twisted story ended. A must read!

[Diane Martin- Donar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and romance set in a college town. Intriguing characters and an amazing plot that will not let you put the book down. Highly recommended if you like stories that entertain and keep you wondering, and provide a slow burning love interest between a detective and a woman who has taken over her twin sister’s identity.

[James Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story with many twists and turns!

Wonderful story and very well written. A challenge to keep up with the many different characters and the psychological analysis of their personalities. A great read ... Well done!!!

[Angelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of identical twins, a fatal car crash, and mistaken identity.
When Brea is mistaken for her sister Beth, she makes a decision to honor a promise she made in a way she never imagined. Brea finds herself tangled in a web of secrets, lies, and murder. Can she untangle the web before anyone else gets hurt?
I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

[Laurie Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read about reinventing yourself when your twin dies. The twists and turns of discovering that you really didn't know your own sister. Ultimately about finding yourself and finding love.

[Verlyn Nachtrieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was immersed immediately. The female twins seemed to be so in touch with each other. As the ending approached I caught myself gasping with surprise several times! I was baffled how the author kept the ending so secretive. I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing book.