Brenda Novak - The Secret Sister

Did she once have a sister? Has her mother lied all these years? Why?

After a painful divorce, Maisey Lazarow returns to Fairham, the small island off the North Carolina coast where she grew up. She goes there to heal—and to help her brother, Keith, a deeply troubled man who’s asked her to come home. But she refuses to stay in the family house. The last person she wants to see is the wealthy, controlling mother she escaped years ago.

Instead, she finds herself living next door to someone else she’d prefer to avoid—Rafe Romero, the wild, reckless boy to whom she lost her virginity at sixteen. He’s back on the island, and to her surprise, he’s raising a young daughter alone. Maisey’s still attracted to him, but her heart’s too broken to risk…

Then something even more disturbing happens. She discovers a box of photographs that evoke distant memories of a little girl, a child Keith remembers, too. Maisey believes the girl must’ve been their sister, but their mother claims there was no sister.

Maisey’s convinced that child existed. So where is she now?

Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak Praise Also by Brenda Novak Title Page Dedication 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Epilogue Author’s Note Reader’s Guide Questions for Discussion Copyright

“[Home to Whiskey Creek] will grab you and not let go, even after the last page.”

—Examiner.com

“The past impacts the present with devastating but ultimately salutary results in this engrossing, character-rich story that takes a hard look at responsibility, loyalty, and the results of telling (or concealing) the truth.”

—Library Journal on Home to Whiskey Creek

“It’s steamy, it’s poignant, it’s perfectly paced—it’s When Lightning Strikes and you don’t want to miss it!”

—USATODAY.com’s Happy Ever After blog

“Realistic and gritty, this story grabs the reader by the throat on the first page and never lets go.”

—RT Book Reviews on Watch Me

“Gripping, frightening, and intense…a compelling romance as well as a riveting and suspenseful mystery… Novak delivers another winner.”

—Library Journal on The Perfect Liar

“Strong characters bring the escalating suspense to life, and the mystery is skillfully played out. Novak’s smooth plotting makes for a great read…”

—Publishers Weekly on Dead Right

“Well written, nicely paced, filled with appealing characters, and laced with a few surprises…”

—Library Journal on Dead Right

“Impressive! This is a sharp-edged, well-plotted story that showcases Novak’s superb storytelling skill.”

—RT Book Reviews on Dead Giveaway

Also by Brenda Novak: Also by Brenda Novak Title Page Dedication 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Epilogue Author’s Note Reader’s Guide Questions for Discussion Copyright

THIS HEART OF MINE*

THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS*

COME HOME TO ME*

TAKE ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS*

HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK*

WHEN SUMMER COMES*

WHEN SNOW FALLS*

WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES*

IN CLOSE

IN SECONDS

INSIDE

KILLER HEAT

BODY HEAT

WHITE HEAT

THE PERFECT MURDER

THE PERFECT LIAR

THE PERFECT COUPLE

WATCH ME

STOP ME

TRUST ME

DEAD RIGHT

DEAD GIVEAWAY

DEAD SILENCE

EVERY WAKING MOMENT

COLD FEET

TAKING THE HEAT

*Whiskey Creek Stories

Look for Brenda Novak’s next novel

A Winter Wedding

available soon from MIRA Books

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

The Secret Sister

Brenda Novak

www.mirabooks.co.uk

To my nephew, Travis. I loved having you come and stay with us so often as a boy.

Some of my very best memories are of you, which makes it even more of a joy

to see that you have grown into a man we can all be proud of.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Did she once have a sister? Has her mother lied all these years? Why? After a painful divorce, Maisey Lazarow returns to Fairham, the small island off the North Carolina coast where she grew up. She goes there to heal—and to help her brother, Keith, a deeply troubled man who’s asked her to come home. But she refuses to stay in the family house. The last person she wants to see is the wealthy, controlling mother she escaped years ago. Instead, she finds herself living next door to someone else she’d prefer to avoid—Rafe Romero, the wild, reckless boy to whom she lost her virginity at sixteen. He’s back on the island, and to her surprise, he’s raising a young daughter alone. Maisey’s still attracted to him, but her heart’s too broken to risk… Then something even more disturbing happens. She discovers a box of photographs that evoke distant memories of a little girl, a child Keith remembers, too. Maisey believes the girl must’ve been their sister, but their mother claims there was no sister. Maisey’s convinced that child existed. So where is she now?

Praise Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak Praise Also by Brenda Novak Title Page Dedication 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Epilogue Author’s Note Reader’s Guide Questions for Discussion Copyright “[Home to Whiskey Creek] will grab you and not let go, even after the last page.” —Examiner.com “The past impacts the present with devastating but ultimately salutary results in this engrossing, character-rich story that takes a hard look at responsibility, loyalty, and the results of telling (or concealing) the truth.” —Library Journal on Home to Whiskey Creek “It’s steamy, it’s poignant, it’s perfectly paced—it’s When Lightning Strikes and you don’t want to miss it!” —USATODAY.com’s Happy Ever After blog “Realistic and gritty, this story grabs the reader by the throat on the first page and never lets go.” —RT Book Reviews on Watch Me “Gripping, frightening, and intense…a compelling romance as well as a riveting and suspenseful mystery… Novak delivers another winner.” —Library Journal on The Perfect Liar “Strong characters bring the escalating suspense to life, and the mystery is skillfully played out. Novak’s smooth plotting makes for a great read…” —Publishers Weekly on Dead Right “Well written, nicely paced, filled with appealing characters, and laced with a few surprises…” —Library Journal on Dead Right “Impressive! This is a sharp-edged, well-plotted story that showcases Novak’s superb storytelling skill.” —RT Book Reviews on Dead Giveaway

Also by Brenda Novak Also by Brenda Novak: Also by Brenda Novak Title Page Dedication 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Epilogue Author’s Note Reader’s Guide Questions for Discussion Copyright THIS HEART OF MINE* THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS* COME HOME TO ME* TAKE ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS* HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK* WHEN SUMMER COMES* WHEN SNOW FALLS* WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES* IN CLOSE IN SECONDS INSIDE KILLER HEAT BODY HEAT WHITE HEAT THE PERFECT MURDER THE PERFECT LIAR THE PERFECT COUPLE WATCH ME STOP ME TRUST ME DEAD RIGHT DEAD GIVEAWAY DEAD SILENCE EVERY WAKING MOMENT COLD FEET TAKING THE HEAT *Whiskey Creek Stories Look for Brenda Novak’s next novel A Winter Wedding available soon from MIRA Books

Title Page NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR The Secret Sister Brenda Novak www.mirabooks.co.uk