Midnight Secrets: The Wildefire Series (edition 2013)

What a great start to a fantastic new series. It takes place in a small town in Alabama where a murder-suicide took place eighteen years ago. The daughters of that couple all grew up and left town ending up in different cities working in some type of law enforcement capacity.

After a big case in Nashville, Savannah comes back to get the old homestead packed up and sold. While doing that she runs into her first love from her teenage years, Zach, who has himself moved away for awhile and came back to become the chief of police. While dealing with a case Zach and Savannah are once again together and are fighting their feelings for each other. But due to past hurts it isn't a smooth courtship this time around.

I thought Zach and Savannah were perfect for each other and was rooting for their HEA right from the start. The story was full of twist and turns and a few creepy people that had me unable to put the book down (I read it one day). The secondary characters were pretty interesting too. I look forward to reading the stories of Samantha and Sabrina to see what kind of men makes those two women happy. ( )

Midnight Secrets is the first book in Ella Grace’s new Wildefire Series. This debut novel is well-developed, combining mystery, suspense, and romance that covers a time span of eighteen years. Through flashbacks and ample exposition, the author immerses readers into the fictitious lives of the prominent Wilde family and prepares them for the rest of the series.

The setting for this series is Midnight, Alabama, a small, overall, peaceful southern town, until Beckett Wilde apparently kills his wife Maggie, and then commits suicide. Left behind and forever emotionally scarred are ten-year-old triplets: Savannah, Samantha, and Sabrina who are raised by their grandfather, Daniel Wilde.

The suspense-filled prologue takes readers back eighteen years ago to the night of the alleged murder-suicide, describing the event as it actually occurred and establishing the mystery behind the couple’s deaths that serves as one of the main conflicts explored throughout the remainder of the book.

Midnight Secrets is Savannah’s story and starts with a flashback to the Wilde sisters’ teenage years, where Savannah is depicted as quiet and reserved. Unlike her sisters, Savannah doesn’t have much experience with boys until Zach Tanner enters her life by rescuing her from a dangerous situation. Their immediate attraction to each other leads to a sweet, tender romance between this unlikely couple. Zach’s lower socio-economic background and his reputation as a town troublemaker make him feel unworthy of being with someone like Savannah. However, she is wise enough to look beyond the gossip and see the goodness in Zach.

When Zach leaves for a stint in the U.S. Army, Savannah is crushed when he leaves without saying goodbye or staying in contact with her. The flashback ends with Savannah questioning why Zach would behave in this unexpected manner. Although, the beginning of the book starts off slowly with this back story, it is needed to transition to the present where Savannah and Zach will meet again, thus establishing a second major conflict in the book.

Savannah, now an assistant district attorney in Nashville, is forced to take time off from her job and she reluctantly returns home to Midnight to settle the Wilde estate, since her grandfather has died. She dreads going home because of the sadness from her childhood that still haunts her and because she knows she will inevitably run into Zach Turner, Midnight’s new police chief.

Their initial meeting is awkward and tense. However, alternating between Savannah’s and Zach’s point-of-views, the author makes it evident that both characters still care deeply about each other and deep down wish there could be a second chance. Zach seeks redemption for abandoning Savannah, but her wounds are deep. Both have kept surprising secrets from the other that must be revealed before their relationship can truly move forward.

Circumstances are presented that lead Savannah and Zach to work together, first to solve a series of break-ins and vandalism around town, and then to uncover the truth behind the death of Savannah’s parents. As they spend more time together, the sexual tension between them leads to the rekindling of a more mature, sexier, and steamier romance.

The pace of the story picks up after Savannah begins investigating how her parents really died. Samantha and Sabrina are brought back into the story, along with some of Zach’s former Army buddies as they all work together to unravel the mystery. Unexpected twists and turns keep readers engrossed in the story and guessing about the outcome. Although the resolution of the parents’ deaths is somewhat predictable, the author did keep me on my toes by trying to figure out who was involved. I was disappointed, however, by the underlying motivation for killing, which I thought to be petty and shallow.

Overall, this was a satisfying read because of the in-depth plot and well-rounded characters that bring the story to life. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. ( )

I was fortunate enough to win an advanced copy of Ella Grace's Midnight Secrets.I have been reading romantic suspense for years and I can only think of one other book that I had no inkling of who did it.In Midnight Secrets there are constant twists and surprises from the beginning to the end. Reading the prologue had me hooked. I loved that I really got to know the main characters. In most books you don't have that luxury. And the differences between Savannah, Samantha and Sabrina are so realistic. I don't know triplets, but I do know some twins and I could see each of them in one of the girls, especially Savannah and Sabrina. If you have never read romantic suspense this is a perfect one to start with and if you do read romantic suspense, you are going to LOVE this one.
Ella Grace knows how to grab your attention and keeps you riveted until the very end. Lots of wonderful dialogue and quotes but this one really stuck with me and is not only true in this book but in life also.
Zach speaking, "I think a lot of people are all too willing to believe the worst of someone rather than form an opinion for themselves. Don't believe everything you hear. Even if all evidence points to one answer, be brave enough to learn the truth for yourself." ( )

First of all, I have to say I really liked the characters in this book. Zach is the Chief of Police in Midnight, and had a difficult childhood, getting out of town by escaping to the military. Things that happened ten years ago before he left still haunt his memories. He served his country bravely, and is now home to try and live his life in peace.
Savannah Wilde is one of three sisters, triplets, Sabrina and Samantha are her siblings. They were raised by their grandfather after a tragedy when they were ten . They loved him, and were very grateful for his care and guidance. Each sister's career circles law enforcement. Savannah is an assistant district attorney, Brianna is a private detective
and Sabrina is a police officer. I'm sure each sister will have their own story.

I found this novel a very slow read. There is a LOT of background history covered in the first several chapters. A little background would be nice, I don't think it needed seventy pages. There are the usual small town characters, most are likable and typical. I personally felt there was too many directions this novel tried to go. The basic premise seemed to be Savannah in danger for putting a gang member in jail. But on her return to Midnight, it seemed tossed in the background. I enjoyed the very careful attempts by Zachary and Savannah to heal their old wounds, and admit they still loved each other.

I will definitely take a look at the next Wilde sister story, it seems to have potential. I just hope for a little faster pace.

I received this novel from Edelweiss for an honest review. ( )

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from Library Thing.

Midnight Secrets was an OK read; a bathtub read; a beach read; a waiting room read. I enjoyed the characters well enough and the story was decent

My main problem was that the resolution of the mystery seemed forced and wound up in a few pages just to end the book, and to me, didn't read true.

All the same, this book is a promising beginning to a trilogy. ( )