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Paranormal Series I #3
El secreto
Él se llama Chance McLain. Apuesto y seguro de sí mismo, es exactamente lo que Kate Rollins no quiere cuando decide afincarse en la casa que le legara su abuela, en el pequeño pueblo de Lost Peak, Montana. Ella ha llegado con el propósito de empezar una nueva vida, de curar a su hijo y de encontrarse a sí misma. Lo que menos desea es conocer a otro hombre de sonrisa seductora y corazón de piedra. Tiene un hijo que criar, un negocio que administrar... y un asesinato que resolver. Sin embargo, Chance no puede sustraerse a la atracción que siente por Kate, y al mismo tiempo a la sospecha de que alguien quiere que ella se marche de Lost Peak.
Ante ellos se abre la posibilidad de compartir un futuro, pero antes deberán enfrentarse a los fantasmas del pasado de Kate. Y para hacerlo no bastará el amor, sino que deberán confiar plenamente el uno en el otro.
“La muy talentosa Kat Martin sigue ganando fama y renombre con sus irresistibles novelas, que combinan lo misterioso y lo inexplicable con un estilo singular, sensual y excitante.”
Ante ellos se abre la posibilidad de compartir un futuro, pero antes deberán enfrentarse a los fantasmas del pasado de Kate. Y para hacerlo no bastará el amor, sino que deberán confiar plenamente el uno en el otro.
“La muy talentosa Kat Martin sigue ganando fama y renombre con sus irresistibles novelas, que combinan lo misterioso y lo inexplicable con un estilo singular, sensual y excitante.”
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2001
334 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
188 books3,171 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 14, 2025
Great early Kat Martin. I enjoyed this story. Even though the baddie was not known till the end, he was my top suspect from the beginning. Chance was morally challenged, and I was not a fan of his engaged to be engaged with another woman and not telling Kate anything about the situation.
Kate Rollins needed to leave Los Angeles and when she inherits her grandmother's property in Lost Peak, Montana, she has the perfect opportunity to restart her life. Chance McClain is a handsome cowboy, owner of a large ranch and "no" is not what women usually say to him - until Kate.
Kate Rollins needed to leave Los Angeles and when she inherits her grandmother's property in Lost Peak, Montana, she has the perfect opportunity to restart her life. Chance McClain is a handsome cowboy, owner of a large ranch and "no" is not what women usually say to him - until Kate.
July 29, 2018
When he's basically engaged to another woman but sleeps with the heroine. When he and his future wife have an open relationship and intend to probably continue so after the wedding. When he doesn't bother to tell the heroine and she finds out at his engagement party. When the sex is so hot she is willing to forgive him anything.
There's an interesting story in here but I dislike the hero's morals and the lack of backbone of the heroine.
There's an interesting story in here but I dislike the hero's morals and the lack of backbone of the heroine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2020
I started this book on the premise of a supernatural mystery but I have to say I was quite disappointed on that front. Only slight mentioned of visions and supernatural but it took up only 10% of the book. Of course there was a mystery surrounding the death of Kate’s grandmother, Nell and some corporate threats surrounding a mining ground and environmental issues but I am very put off by the romance between Chance and Kate.
The way Kat Martin describes Chance’s views of Kate irks me. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the romance genre but Chance’s obsession of Kate’s “big Breasts” and her in general borders on harassment and in this book, he is a lying, manipulative cheat! I know there’s a back story but it’s not an excuse! Not my ideal male lead. I wonder if her other male characters are the same or because this was published in 2001. I have another book of hers in the pipeline.
The way Kat Martin describes Chance’s views of Kate irks me. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the romance genre but Chance’s obsession of Kate’s “big Breasts” and her in general borders on harassment and in this book, he is a lying, manipulative cheat! I know there’s a back story but it’s not an excuse! Not my ideal male lead. I wonder if her other male characters are the same or because this was published in 2001. I have another book of hers in the pipeline.
May 13, 2017
(2.5)
Pues no se... me esperaba más del librocon respecto al personaje principal, se me hizo por momentos bueno y luego sin mucha fuerza de voluntad a pesar de que entendí su dilema pero que tampoco exagerada.
El misterio... no fue ni muy misterioso pero entretuvo.
En general fue un libro normal del que esperé más pero se quedó en una historia sin mucha trama.
Pues no se... me esperaba más del librocon respecto al personaje principal, se me hizo por momentos bueno y luego sin mucha fuerza de voluntad a pesar de que entendí su dilema pero que tampoco exagerada.
El misterio... no fue ni muy misterioso pero entretuvo.
En general fue un libro normal del que esperé más pero se quedó en una historia sin mucha trama.
June 11, 2022
Thought the story was predictable. A little boring!
March 19, 2022
This is a very poor book on so many levels. Firstly, you have the fact that BOTH the main characters are cheating liars. They really do both deserve each other and it's not possible to like either of them.
Then there's the misogyny, dear Lord, it never ends! Example, Chance "Both of them were unattached adults." No. They weren't. He had agreed to marry someone and she was still officially married! His thoughts continue along the lines of his obsession to have sex with her (particularly focussing on her breasts, constantly), and that it would be fine because he wasn't marrying his fiancee for a while yet. You can't get a more repulsive character.
And on it goes. There is other offensive stuff like someone behaves like 'someone who has escaped from the nut ward' (really, this happens more than once!). Kate is also supposed to be 'spending as much time' with her 12-year-old son as possible, but neglects him all the time, working (she claims) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the cafe, then sending him off doing other things with other people to allow her to spend time with cheating Chase. She's a VERY BAD MOTHER.
There are many other issues, but another one just made me laugh out loud. Kate shoots someone, but is allowed to go directly from the crime scene 'to a motel for a couple of days'. No chance. She would be taken straight into custody and only released after 24 hours and much forensic examination during that 24 hours.
I have no idea how Kat Martin sells books like this, but I certainly won't be reading any more of them. This was trite, offensive and nonsensical. Sorry, not sorry.
Then there's the misogyny, dear Lord, it never ends! Example, Chance "Both of them were unattached adults." No. They weren't. He had agreed to marry someone and she was still officially married! His thoughts continue along the lines of his obsession to have sex with her (particularly focussing on her breasts, constantly), and that it would be fine because he wasn't marrying his fiancee for a while yet. You can't get a more repulsive character.
And on it goes. There is other offensive stuff like someone behaves like 'someone who has escaped from the nut ward' (really, this happens more than once!). Kate is also supposed to be 'spending as much time' with her 12-year-old son as possible, but neglects him all the time, working (she claims) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the cafe, then sending him off doing other things with other people to allow her to spend time with cheating Chase. She's a VERY BAD MOTHER.
There are many other issues, but another one just made me laugh out loud. Kate shoots someone, but is allowed to go directly from the crime scene 'to a motel for a couple of days'. No chance. She would be taken straight into custody and only released after 24 hours and much forensic examination during that 24 hours.
I have no idea how Kat Martin sells books like this, but I certainly won't be reading any more of them. This was trite, offensive and nonsensical. Sorry, not sorry.
August 23, 2024
Ahh how I’ve missed staying up till 2am to finish a good book! To me this book was such a good, easy read. I finished it all in one day because I couldn’t put it down. For this book being written 23 years ago I was surprised by how modern the whole book still felt, which is a great compliment when it comes to reading vintage books. I do wish I could hug the main character in the first several chapters, because the main character, Kate, has a near death experience that causes her to die on the operating table and get brought back to life. During that time she has an out of body experience which she sees several of her past relatives. If this happened today her experience wouldn’t be so isolated. There has been thousands of occurrences across the globe that would match hers, but I know out of body experiences were not something that was talked about till a more modern age. I’ve read a few reviews of this book saying it wasn’t paranormal, and I would agree, but to me this book was not categorized as such. On the spine it outlines suspense and romance which it was both to me. One thing I loved about this book was the main male character, Chance, was a mixed cowboy. Half Native American and Half white, which I loved. I don’t feel like with the books I’ve read anyway (I read mainly vintage books) that the main character is Native American, so I loved to see the representation there. Overall the book was a great read. It does get a little predictable, but the author does a great job of keeping you hooked, so you don’t want to put it down. If you like the series Virgin River on Netflix you will really love this book. 🏔️
May 31, 2018
I originally checked out all 3 of this series, but only read this one. The other 2 just did not seem to interest me after looking through them. I liked The Secret from the start. The H was one step away from a good kick in the butt from me but he redeemed himself. The h was a strong and determined single mother. Lots of action, suspense, romance & sex, and nature at its best.
February 12, 2010
I read this years ago and enjoyed it, but when I pulled it off my bookshelf this week, not so much. As I get older, I have less patience with the idea that a man should control a woman's actions just because they had sex. This book is going in the donate to the library pile.
June 27, 2023
This is my 159th romance novel. It is a really good story for those who love modern day cowboys! The Hero, Chance, and the heroine, Kate, were really cute together. I shipped them so hard! :)
I liked it that Chance was a very honourable guy. So he felt honour bound to marry Ed's daughter, Rachael, whom Chance always cared for but never really was in love with. I didn't quite like it that Chance wasn't honest with Kate about his open relationship with Rachael. I didn't like it that he pursued Kate like crazy without telling her that he always knew he'd have to marry Rachael one day. I knew it would hurt Kate. But because this is a romance novel, of course he explained himself and apologised to Kate and everything eventually worked out.
I liked it that Kate wasn't an annoying b*tch and kept on hating Chance for a long time after she found out about his engagement to Rachael. She was actually super understanding and forgiving. I don't know if I could ever be as forgiving as her because after listening to Chance's explanation, Kate actually fell deeper in love with Chance for being so honourable. Don't think I could ever be that sweet! But then Kate really is an amazingly strong woman who practically raised her son all by herself while juggling a successful career. She was such a motivation for me.
I felt Chance and Kate had a strong chemistry from the beginning. I also loved how Chance was so physically attracted to Kate even though she was the exact opposite of Rachael. Being a busty gal myself, I enjoyed reading about how Chance just adored Kate's "magnificent breasts". I've always wished that some day I'd marry a guy who'd appreciate my breasts like that.
The mystery/paranormal subplot was also intriguing. I was hooked to learn the motivation and the identity of the Nell's killer, almost as much as Kate. But I still thought the confrontation scene was exciting and scary.
I loved how the story ended
I liked it that Chance was a very honourable guy. So he felt honour bound to marry Ed's daughter, Rachael, whom Chance always cared for but never really was in love with. I didn't quite like it that Chance wasn't honest with Kate about his open relationship with Rachael. I didn't like it that he pursued Kate like crazy without telling her that he always knew he'd have to marry Rachael one day. I knew it would hurt Kate. But because this is a romance novel, of course he explained himself and apologised to Kate and everything eventually worked out.
I liked it that Kate wasn't an annoying b*tch and kept on hating Chance for a long time after she found out about his engagement to Rachael. She was actually super understanding and forgiving. I don't know if I could ever be as forgiving as her because after listening to Chance's explanation, Kate actually fell deeper in love with Chance for being so honourable. Don't think I could ever be that sweet! But then Kate really is an amazingly strong woman who practically raised her son all by herself while juggling a successful career. She was such a motivation for me.
I felt Chance and Kate had a strong chemistry from the beginning. I also loved how Chance was so physically attracted to Kate even though she was the exact opposite of Rachael. Being a busty gal myself, I enjoyed reading about how Chance just adored Kate's "magnificent breasts". I've always wished that some day I'd marry a guy who'd appreciate my breasts like that.
The mystery/paranormal subplot was also intriguing. I was hooked to learn the motivation and the identity of the Nell's killer, almost as much as Kate. But I still thought the confrontation scene was exciting and scary.
I loved how the story ended
Read
September 8, 2019Wow!! This book was intense! But that is how Kat Martin writes. Her characters are passionate, involved people who find themselves in all kinds of different situations. Kate and Chance are no different. Kate leaves her high paying job and no good husband and brings her 12 year old son to Lost Peaks, Montana after surviving a drive by shooting and a near death experience. she wants to find out more about the grandmother she never knew, who left her a cafe and property there. She attracts the eye of Chance, a cowboy rancher who is her neighbor. He is drawn to her in a way he has never been drawn to anyone before, even the woman he has an "understanding" with. She doesn't want to fall in love, but she may have no choice, as she works with Chance to stop a new mine from destroying the creek that their properties share. He seems to come to her rescue a whole lot of times, and he has to deal with a fiance he really doesn't want to marry, but it's all worth it in the end. I loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2020
3 stars. This book was pretty decent. It dragged in several spots but if you don’t mind sticking it out it, the lows we overshadowed by the highs. I liked Chance & Kate. I felt like her transitioning from city to country girl were cathartic. This book was packed with emotional spots for me, the turmoil between mother & daughter as well as David trying to find his place.
I was disappointed that there honestly wasn’t really a deeper “supernatural” vein. This was absolutely a who-dunnit storyline.
Overall: yeah, it was a good read and the romance held just enough spark & smolder for me.
I was disappointed that there honestly wasn’t really a deeper “supernatural” vein. This was absolutely a who-dunnit storyline.
Overall: yeah, it was a good read and the romance held just enough spark & smolder for me.
December 31, 2020
THE SECRET, book three of the paranormal series, Kat Martin starts with a drive-by shooting, leading into a nail-biting romantic thriller of scorching chemistry between her protagonists against the backdrop of nature versus man’s greed and murder. The plot takes readers on a wild ride into a tale of suspense and secret with a startling conclusion.
August 12, 2020
You can’t go wrong with Kat Martin!! I loved the characters Chance & Kate, story. I didn’t understand Chance’s obligation to marry a woman he didn’t love even if he felt responsible for a past event. Chance & Kate got the HEA they deserved. I highly recommend this book!!
September 3, 2020
This book involves the other side of life as they call it in the book. A dead grandmother is trying to get her granddaughter to prove that she was murdered. Unexpectedly the granddaughter meets Mr. right.
September 22, 2020
Didn’t even know this was supposed to be “supernatural.” Definitely a suspenseful read! But thought it a little annoying there was so much focus on Kate’s breasts by so many characters. Why is this even a thing? Why was it even mentioned? Just thought it was a little weird.
February 17, 2021
I thought this book was okay. The romance was good, but I wasn’t blown away by the book. The book itself had multiple typos. I don’t know if it was just the copy I have, but I noticed it throughout the book. Overall, not bad but nothing spectacular.
June 28, 2019
It's my first time reading a Kat Martin book. It was surprisingly good, I'd definitely recommend it.
February 23, 2020
really enjoyed this read. I won this book and the plot was a mystery all the way. it was a great love story and great mystery.
December 27, 2020
I really liked this book, kept you on your toes ; what would happen next.
February 21, 2021
No es lo mejor que he leído de la autora. No está mal, pero el misterio fue muy predecible y la pareja no terminó de convencerme. Digamos qué hay alguna que otra infidelidad por ahí y mmmm, no.
June 15, 2021
Once again Kat Martin does not disappoint!! I could not put this book down! I will be looking for the rest of this series!
December 23, 2022
Great book. Loved the story of Kate and Chance.
May 16, 2023
Tenía tiempo que no leía una historia de Kat Martin. Siempre las disfruto, son amenas y ligeras de leer. Sospeché de un par, nada que ver con el culpable.
April 30, 2024
No me enganchó, así que no lo voy a terminar
Pensé que sería más de misterio. Los personajes los siento super vacíos e incluso sin un objetivo claro.
Pensé que sería más de misterio. Los personajes los siento super vacíos e incluso sin un objetivo claro.
July 10, 2024
Blechhhh - another horny cowboy lived happily ever after story. Glorified Harlequin Romance.
September 12, 2024
Enjoyable
I thought this book was about murder and mystery. Turns out to be a romance story with a twist, very entertaining.
I thought this book was about murder and mystery. Turns out to be a romance story with a twist, very entertaining.
December 15, 2024
Uno de mis libros favoritos del año💛
January 27, 2025
3,5 esta buena pero medio complicada de leer porque me aburría de a ratos
es más de romance que de misterio que no los engañe la sinopsis!!
es más de romance que de misterio que no los engañe la sinopsis!!
March 4, 2017
Kate is a divorcee with a 12-year-old son who had a near-death experience in which her grandmother, whom she'd never met, tries to tell her something. Seeking some understanding of that experience and tryign to keep her son out of trouble, Kate moves to Lone Peak, Montana. There she meets the very handsome Chance McLain and despite her reservations about starting a relationship with him, does so anyway. She also begins to discover the possibility that her grandmother's death wasn't an accident and she joins in the battle against an evil business polluting the environment.
As a suspense, it's pretty decent. It follows a standard formula with the mystery being developed and red herrings being offered and it wasn't awful. As a romance, I enjoyed it up to a certain point (probably about the 65% mark) - then I strongly disliked it. Chance, the hero, turns out not to be such a great guy after all IMHO. It strikes me, that no matter what his reasons or his feelings for either woman, he should have been honest from the get go that he was committed to marry another woman, even if he did feel like he had plenty of time. An honorable guy would have bee honest about the fact that any relationship would have no long-term future. Instead, he pretty much breaks Kate's heart over it. And I couldn't understand why she would suddenly forgive him after hearing his explanation - I think she should have been pretty damned angry that she hadn't been informed of this from the start, no matter what his reasons for marrying Rachel. Also, a bit of warning - there is some implied infidelity here.
Another issue I had, aside from the above, was that I just didn't feel engaged with the story - at least until the romance angst began and I started getting angry with Chance. I kept setting this book down and picking it up later, which isn't something I typically do.
As a suspense, it's pretty decent. It follows a standard formula with the mystery being developed and red herrings being offered and it wasn't awful. As a romance, I enjoyed it up to a certain point (probably about the 65% mark) - then I strongly disliked it. Chance, the hero, turns out not to be such a great guy after all IMHO. It strikes me, that no matter what his reasons or his feelings for either woman, he should have been honest from the get go that he was committed to marry another woman, even if he did feel like he had plenty of time. An honorable guy would have bee honest about the fact that any relationship would have no long-term future. Instead, he pretty much breaks Kate's heart over it. And I couldn't understand why she would suddenly forgive him after hearing his explanation - I think she should have been pretty damned angry that she hadn't been informed of this from the start, no matter what his reasons for marrying Rachel. Also, a bit of warning - there is some implied infidelity here.
Another issue I had, aside from the above, was that I just didn't feel engaged with the story - at least until the romance angst began and I started getting angry with Chance. I kept setting this book down and picking it up later, which isn't something I typically do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews