Behind his beautiful eyesLay a thousand secrets and lies.But my own secrets are all laid bareThe twisted reality of a disgraceful affair.I once deciphered the mysteries hidden in art¿Then mistakes and desire tore me apart.Now I’m shipwrecked at the end of the earth¿Desperate again to prove my worth.The lighthouse keeper is a stranger to me¿Yet one night with him sets me free.We find ourselves … ourselves united by the stars above¿Both of us needing the salvation of love.Until our secrets and shame continue to build¿And what was flourishing will soon be killed.
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I’ve always wondered why it’s so difficult for adults to continue to believe in fairy tales when they get older…why they can’t hold onto their childhood innocence and imagination…why happily ever afters don’t seem possible when they’re hit with the reality and the stresses of ‘adult living.’
In Nina Lane’s newest release, Secret Thief, she creates her heroine, Eve Perrin,
in order to illustrate why it’s so easy to stop believing in fairy tales after Eve’s life and career implode, not necessarily due to a torrid affair, but due to the lies that seem to outlive the truth and how that fractures every single part of her heart and her soul.
But as Eve flees to Castille, Maine, to lick her wounds and to restore her career, looking for a fresh start, what she finds in this small town is so much more than she ever could have imagined and despite the complicated journey that she takes, what she realizes by the end of the book is that fairy tales don’t have to have happily ever afters, they just have to offer beginnings that allow their characters a way to ‘escape complicated mazes, reach the other side of an impenetrable forest, defeat monsters and ogres,’ and if, as adults, we can remember we have the power to accomplish those things, we can confront any obstacle and be our own heroes.
Secret Thief is so much more than I anticipated it to be from the synopsis. In some ways, it’s a fairy tale in its own right…perhaps even a historical romance that enlightens readers through stories and pieces of art. And as the fairy tales Eve is cataloguing as well as the artwork she’s examining tell their own stories, Eve’s story develops as well and it quickly proves that she is most definitely not the evil woman she has been casted as through the media…she’s more a heartbroken and fractured heroine who doesn’t necessarily need a prince to save her but she most definitely deserves one who can love her and give her, her ‘happily beginning.’
Secret Thief is about two flawed characters who have lost their voice…lost their fight and seem to be hiding behind their secrets and hidden truths, and it’s also about the fact that nothing stays unknown forever, which means, like it or not, when those details are uncovered, they will have to be faced and hopefully endured, but there’s no guarantee because people don’t live in fairy tales, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t rewrite their stories, making themselves the heroes and heroines instead of the antagonists, which is exactly what Eve and her reclusive lighthouse worker attempt to do and Nina Lane does an amazing job of allowing readers to experience the beauty and the brutality that entails, and it’s beyond an enchanting and heartwarming journey.
4.5 Poison Apples
The Secret Thief is sensational. Nina Lane proves once again just how prolific a writer she continues to be, stepping into the world of romantic suspense like a veteran. The way she combines the most beautiful of love stories with an underlying mystery is beyond perfect. It wasn’t hard to be swept away by the unlikely tale of the art historian and the lighthouse keeper. In fact much like the sea that surrounds the small town of Castille, Maine flows in and out, I was able to take a little piece of Eve and Flynn with me each time I finished a chapter, completely fulfilled by each and every word.
This is a grand love story filled with salvation. One that is completely unexpected yet is wildly sexy and very tender. Eve Perrin’s life is in shambles and the very last thing on her mind is starting yet another risky and failed relationship with the mysterious Flynn Alverton. But as consequences sprinkled with a bit of coincidence pave the way for these two to meet and become boss and employee, it’s hard not to notice the sparks flying between them. Both dubious enough to question that chemistry, I found it charming to see each of them deny what might be happening between them, while pushing each other’s buttons in the most subtle of ways.
Eve, despite her recent failings, is no wallflower. I loved her tenacity and her drive to live her life the way she wanted to, ignoring her God awful Mother’s warnings and the rumblings about her past transgressions through her newly-adopted town. She is brilliant and funny and fierce. She’s not afraid to tackle a century-old toilet nor a sometimes scary stray dog. Thrown into a life she never saw coming, I couldn’t help but root for her to find the strength to be the woman she lost along the way.
And Flynn. Oh my. The brooding, sexy, man of few words. I couldn’t blame Eve for wanting him to be the star of many a night’s fantasy. Despite their simple and guarded meetings each morning, Flynn said more with his eyes to Eve than she ever thought possible. Like her beloved crossword puzzles, he was one riddle she was hellbent on solving. And I couldn’t blame her one bit!
There is so much to absorb in this book beyond the burgeoning love between Eve and Flynn. There are numerous secrets plus the less than savory characters who threaten Castille’s charm and somehow Nina Lane weaves it all together seamlessly. Her love of fairy tales is a constant thread throughout this story and it’s those kind of fine details that makes her books a step above the rest. I find myself learning something new with each book she writes and I’m forever grateful.
I can’t recommend The Secret Thief highly enough. It is superb from start to finish.
As those last words are read, the warmth, the special feeling of love that only Nina Lane can deliver will simply make you smile. And honestly I can’t think of anything better than that. This book is why I read.
A huge 5++ stars!
When Eve moves to a small Maine town where she’s inherited a home from her beloved uncle, she ends up finding the love of her life in Flynn, the small town’s resident recluse. Eve’s life has fallen apart and this inheritance has come at the perfect time. Here she can start over. But when she can’t find a job because her most recent mistake has followed her, Flynn extends the kindness and friendship she needs. Slowly these two morph from friends to more, but it’s hard going because Flynn has got secrets, secrets so buried and mysterious that they just may be the end of Flynn and Eve.
Wow, The Secret Thief was so much more than I was expecting. It’s so moody and mysterious, and Flynn and Eve are such wonderful characters. Slowly as the mystery wound its way down, I was on the edge of my seat because I wanted answers, now! And as much as I love Flynn and Eve together, honestly, the mystery and Flynn’s secrets were what made the story for me, what drove me to keep reading.
If you like mysteries entwined with your friends to lovers romance, I highly recommend you put The Secret Thief on your TBR list, today.
4.5 Stars!
Yay, for another broody, broken, and secretive hero. This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed this twisty, romantic, and slightly suspenseful plot. While the writing was beautiful and unique in its prose, the story as a whole was amazingly creative. I can see why some reader friends have raved about her back list. I’ll definitely be seeking out more of her work and digging in with fervor. Overall, I was impressed and wholly entertained by this compulsively readable story.
This is the first book I have read by Nina Lane and hand on my heart I can say it definitely won’t be the last either. As always with a new to me author I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, however I had no need to worry because I was instantly hooked after only one chapter.
When Art Professor Eve Perrin is ousted from her job at UCLA she is heartbroken, not just because of the job but because the incident that caused it all was all turned on her as if it was her fault, Eve was belittled and her name dragged through the mud leaving her devastated and her reputation totally in tatters. Eve heads of to the small town of Castille in Maine where she has inherited her late Uncles house, which in reality is really run down and needs a lot of work. Eve gets stuck in but needs to find a job but it proves difficult as her tattered reputation has travelled around the town fast. Eventually she is hired to catalogue and organise boxes of books by the mysterious but extremely alluring man she saw on first arrival in the lighthouse, but keeping her fantasy thoughts about Flynn to herself is proving difficult.
Flynn Alverton is a mystery to everyone else in the town as well as to Eve, keeping himself to himself and he guards his secrets with his life. Rule number one for Eve is don’t ask him questions and rule number 2 is don’t go anywhere other than the room she is working in and the bathroom. Flynn is destined to be in his own world alone for the rest of his life but Eve is determined to break that from him as well as enticing him to spill his secrets but what they don’t anticipate is that danger could be just around the corner.
This book was such a breath of fresh air and I couldn’t help but fall in love with these characters. Their story was both harrowing but touching leaving sadness in my heart. Flynn and Eves story was written with compassion and imagination as the plot is original and beautifully written. I am sure many readers will soak up the words in this book and love it just like I have. I for one will definitely be looking up more books from this author.
Eve Perrin is looking to escape her past and make a new start for herself. When a twisted affair with a colleague ruins her career and leave her disgraced with no job and a reputation in ruins, she flees to the only place she can . . . Castille, Maine to the old and ramshackle home her beloved uncle left her when he passed away. She’s hoping it is far enough away from the gossip surrounding her affair that she can begin rebuilding her life in the quaint coastal town. Unfortunately, it’s not.
When the only person willing to give her a chance in town is the incredibly handsome, yet mysterious recluse that lives at the local lighthouse, she can’t say no.
Flynn Alverton knows he should stay far away from Eve, yet he can’t. From the moment he sees her placing her secret in the wall in front of the lighthouse, he is captivated with her. He offers her a job he knows she won’t be able to walk away from and makes her sign a contract that doesn’t allow her to reveal her job to anyone or to pry into his personal life in any way. It’s not enough, though as their attraction is palpable and it becomes harder and harder for them both to deny the feelings growing between them.
Eve isn’t the only one with a past, however. Once Flynn’s is revealed, will it drive them apart forever or draw them closer together?
I have to say that the Secret Thief captivated me from the first page and drew me further and further into the complex love story that was Eve and Flynn. Nina Lane’s writing has such gorgeous imagery that I felt as if I was right alongside the couple in the coastal town of Castille. Her characters contain such depth that they begin to feel real to the reader and I found myself to be completely invested in finding out the secrets Flynn was keeping so that he and Eve had a true chance at happiness which they so thoroughly deserved.
Eve, a bit naive to start, has that innocence thrown back in her face in such a manner that she’s forced to flee and start again. She knows Flynn is a bad idea, but for the first time in a long time, she feels desired and appreciated and cared for by a man. She doesn’t let his uncertainty about them or his secrets keep them apart, nor does she give in to the unfriendliness of the townspeople or the disdain of her mother. Instead, she begins to thrive, making repairs to the old house she inherited and finding her way back to academia on her own terms . . . all while falling in love.
Flynn’s character is extremely complex. He is hiding some major secrets that rule his life. He is afraid of letting anyone know who he truly is, including Eve, but he’s so drawn to her that he keeps letting her further and further in to his heart. She becomes his lover, his muse and his friend when he needs it most. Together, they are the perfect couple if they can wade through all the secrets that surround them.
I don’t want to give too much away about the plot, but it’s so much more than a love story and kept me completely engaged from start to finish. It’s truly a spectacular story with amazing and in depth characters and enough magic to remind you to keep believing in fairy tales. 5 stars for the Secret Thief!
There aren’t enough words for me to describe how passionately I love this book! It has been my absolute favorite of the year and one I would read over and over again!!!!
I’ve read a few books by Nina Lane before, but none prepared me for this one. The Secret Thief was in a world of its own and the best of this author’s that I’ve had the privilege to read. It’s just so beautifully written and full of emotions, romance, thrills and passion and of course- secrets.
I felt connected to Flynn and Eve from the first page, they were so engaging and the story kept me on my toes wondering what was going to happen next.
This book is incredible and well worth reading, so One-Click now, you won’t be sorry.
I have been a huge fan of Nina Lane’s books but The Secret Thief in all honesty is the best book she has written to date!! I was consumed. It was so beautifully written and felt like a fairytale in itself: whimsical, ethereal and poetic. This story was filled to the brim with secrets, romance, heartfelt passion and heartstopping thrills that kept you on your toes. I became obsessed with the characters and honestly felt their love and passion come off the pages. This book hit it out of the park for me and left me shaking with emotion!
The minute you start The Secret Thief you already feel connected to the characters. For me it became an obsession trying to figure out all of the secrets and more importantly trying to figure out what was going on. Lane does a fantastic job seamlessly weaving all the story’s threads together but still providing that suspense element that kept me on the edge of my seat. Furthermore, I felt the inexplicable and visceral connection between our main characters which kept me connected to not only their connection but the overall story and its powerful conclusion.
All in all, this novel was absolute perfection. It was so unique and special and I loved that Flynn and Eve were each other’s second chance. It solidified the idea that true love can triumph after trials and tragedies and can be the escape we all need to heal and emerge out of the darkness! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
THE SECRET THIEF by Nina Lane is a contemporary, adult, stand alone romance focusing on art history professor Dr. Eve Perrin, and lighthouse keeper / recluse Flynn Alverton.
Told from first person point of view (Eve) and third person (Flynn) THE SECRET THIEF follows Dr. Eve Perrin as she embarks on a new journey in life. Exiled from the art world for sins of the past Eve goes in search of peace and anonymity in the small seaside town of Castille, Maine where she finds comfort in the small cottage she inherited from her Uncle Max. With limited money and no job on the horizon our heroine is offered a position, sorting and cataloguing a library of books, from the town recluse. Enter Flynn Alverton, and the man with whom Eve will fall in love. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Flynn and Eve; the potential fall out as Eve’s past comes to the surface, and a local threat from an unlikely source.
The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic-from business owners to the town political elite wherein Eve’s history will become town gossip, and Flynn’s past will come to bear in his growing love for our story line heroine.
Nina Lane has the ability to seduce the reader into her story lines. We become one with the characters as the author slowly awakens our senses and arouses the possibilities of a happily ever after. There are several familiar scenarios reminiscent of the author’s Spiral of Bliss series-a series that will seduce the romance lover in every one.
The attraction between Eve and Flynn is palpable but Flynn keeps secret his past-a past mired in guilt and grief. The fairy-tale romance is a reflection of Beauty and the Beast with all of the townspeople who struggle to accept the stranger in the woods. Vengeance will pursue our couple threatening the safety and quiet they have both been seeking.
THE SECRET THIEF is a poetic and beautiful love story; a magical ride where Hans Christian Anderson and the Grimm Fairy-tales are woven into a tale of healing, second chances, romance, heartbreak and love. The premise is breath taking and heart warming; the romance is sensual and captivating; the characters are broken, edgy and flawed. Nina Lane’s imagination is inspiring, enchanting and wondrous.
As a poet, I am a lover of words. The Secret Thief fed into my love of prose using lyrical delivery and imaginative dialogue. Nina Lane used beautiful words and captivating emotion to unite two broken people. Flynn and Eve are in need of a second chance. Ms. Lane gave them the courage to find one. With each other. A surreal love song, that needs to be experienced.
The story or should I say fariy tale of Eve and Flynn.
This is a story that starts with unhappiness for both.
Eve having had an affair with a married man, loses her job, her life and friends. No one will believe she didn’t know David was married.
With her life spiraling, she retreats to a house left to her by an uncle.
There the fairy tales come to life.
She meets Flynn. He has secrets of his own.
Can they get their own happy ever after, will Eve find herself again?
A brilliantly written story. Reminding us that fairy tales are important, they give hope, love and a sense of history within the pages.
Nina Lane I loved it.