The third in a trilogy and not as good as the previous two. The overall aura of the story was really gloomy, characters didn't develop and the hero was really bitter. ( )

Three Little Secrets was probably my 2nd favorite of the series. This is Merrick's story. He and Madeline were married 13 years ago. Madeline's father, Jessup, who was politically ambious found them in Gretna Green, Scotland. He convinced Madeline that Merrick had marrried her for her money and did not love her. In fact, Merrick had agreed to an annulment for the sum of 30,000 pounds. Madeline believed him and left Merrick to head home for England. Meanwhile, Jessup's thugs were beating Merrick nearly to his death. It took him 5 weeks to recover from his physical injuries; however, he carries his emotional injuries with him for the rest of his life.

Madeline and Merrrick meet again 13 years later. Time has not changed their passion for one another. There are so many hurtles to get through: pride, secrets, distrust, and love. It is a wonderful story about two people who shouldn't be able to get past their own history together, but love conquers all. The book also has a slightly paranormal element. ( )

Good book, characters strong, plot interesting. ( )

When last they met Merrick and Madeleine were in Gretna Green after being wed. Now they're thirteen years older and have had a lot of experience of life since. There were a lot of lies told to both of them to break them up but will they survive a rematch?

It's a harmless read but there were times when I felt it was losing pace and I was losing interest. Not a bad read but I enjoyed the first in the series the best. ( )

At last, something that held my interest. After a Gretna Green marriage, Maddie and Merrick are separated for over a decade until a chance encounter in London. Both have led an unhappy existence in the intervening years, both blame the other for the failure of their marriage, and neither is willing to forgive easily.

The romantic aspects are really quite understated, even to the point of realism. It's the dramatic tension that kept me reading, wondering when Maddie and Merrick would bury the hatchett. The period detail was good, and Merrick has a plausible level of engagement with his business as an architect and house builder. Maddie is rather more sketchy but her son is implicated in a well-handled hint of the supernatural. ( )