Every family has secrets -- some more then others. It becomes rather obvious that Julia DeMarco's entire life has been submerged in secrecy. At the start it appears rather innocuous. While shopping for the perfect wedding site Julia comes upon a photo that is part of an exhibit of the photographic works of a Charles Manning. She is drawn to this one particular shot because the subject of the photo appears to be her as a young child. But it was taken outside a Russian orphanage. As far as Julia knows she has never been in Russia and she is definitely not an orphan. Fatherless, yes, but she has lived with her mother Sarah all her life. And once Sarah married Gino DeMarco, Julia became part of a huge loving Italian family. The only thing setting her apart from this gregarious group is that she is blonde and blue eyed but she probably takes after her biological father. The DeMarco's are still recovering from Sarah's recent death and the discovery of this photo seems to put it on a further tailspin. Her interest in the photo and her desire to research the subject are questioned by her fiancé Michael and her sister Liz who just can't understand why it seems so important to her. Her research in the photo brings her to the photographer's son, Alex. And this is where the fun begins. The photo opens up the proverbial can of worms and once opened it leads to a web of secrecy that started over 25 years ago. As Alex and Julia uncover answers to one question they discover another even more ominous secret that seems to offer leads they are uneasy to follow.

Run, don't walk and get this book. I am purposely being rather secretive in my summary of this book because it would be a crime to give away any important facts. Freethy has done a masterful job with this suspense novel. The reader is immediately drawn into the lives of the DeMarco and Manning families which are inexplicably and seemingly innocently connected. As you join Julia and Alex on their quest for the truth you realize that this is a very complex story with a myriad of twists and turns. Each new truth will leave you breathless and wanting for more. You will not be able to put this book down once you start reading it. Kudos to Barbara Freethy on a realistic and hauntingly well done suspense, intrigue and romance novel all rolled up in one. When you suggest this book to a friend, and you will, just remember -- don't say a word -- about the ending.

Book Summary

While preparing for her wedding, Julia DeMarco comes across a famous photograph of a little girl in front of a Russian orphanage-and sees her own eyes staring back at her. But Julia is not an orphan, nor was she adopted. She knows where she comes from-or does she? Suddenly, the people she has loved and trusted are tainted by suspicion. The one person who is willing to help her is reckless photographer Alex Manning, who will journey with her toward the dangerous truth-while trying to hide a secret of his own.