Her Other Secret: A Novel

4.25 stars--HER OTHER SECRET by HelenKay Dimon is a contemporary, adult story of romantic suspense focusing on manual and twenty-six year old, guide creator Tessa Jenkins, and handyman Hansen Rye. Told from dual third person perspectives (Tessa and Hansen) HER OTHER SECRET follows in the wake of a murder on Whitaker Island. The residents of Whitaker Island all have secrets: from political scandals to murders, blackmail to affairs, Whitaker Island is the island of misfit toys. When a well-dressed man mysteriously walks out of the water, only to be found murdered the very next day, all suspicions fall onto our leading hero when he reveals his connection to the people involved. From a badly beaten woman to the murder of the town’s most likable old man, Whitaker Island’s secrets are about to be revealed. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Tessa and Hansen, and the fall-out as our couple find themselves on the receiving end of more attention and accusations than they could have imagined. Like most of the residents, Hansen Rye moved to Whitaker Island to get away from his past, a past that has now drawn the attention of law enforcement and the political elite. Tessa Jenkins knows what it is like to keep her own dark and dangerous secrets but with the continuing drama, our couple’s individual pasts are about to be exposed. The relationship between Tessa and Hansen is one of immediate attraction but neither one is in a place for romance or love. When the local ‘law enforcement’ has eyes for our heroine, Hansen steps up to claim Tessa as his own. As one another’s alibis for the on-going investigation, our couple find themselves the target of island gossip, innuendo and talk. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including many local island residents. We are introduced to the island’s lawman, thirty-four year old, former military MP Ben Clifford; council member and island ‘queen’ Ruthie Totttenridge, and her son Doug; lodge owner Sylvia Sussex; vacationers and busy bodies Ellis and Arianna Wells; old man Cliff; brother/sister duo Allen Bernard and Kerrie Ross; as well as Tessa’s father senator Charles Michaelson. I am hoping the author has plans for future stories involving the island residents. HER OTHER SECRET is a story of power, betrayal, greed and murder; a story of secrets and lies; of romance and love. The premise is entertaining and intriguing; the romance is steamy and hot; the characters are eclectic, charismatic and energetic. HER OTHER SECRET is a thrilling and edgy ride into the world of romantic suspense.

The island of misfits and lots of secrets. Tessa has arrived on Whitaker Island fleeing a scandal with her birth dad and soon meets newcomer, Hansen Rye the handyman. He also has arrived with many secrets. There is a murder on the island, Judson, whom Hansen knows from his past. Hansen and Tessa will join forces to try and solve this murder, before Hansen is accused of the murder. They can not deny the sexual chemistry between them, hot!! I must say the beginning was a little slow and getting to know the cast of misfits, but once I got into the story I could not put it down. There is plenty of mystery of who done it, had me guessing until the end. Great sexual chemistry between Tessa and Hansen. I would love more from this island, it seems everyone has a secret in their back round.