The Art of Secrets
by Vicky Adin
Genre: Women’s Fiction
58,600 words
Emma Wade’s life has fallen apart and her career is rapidly going downhill. In a last-ditch effort to keep her job, she reluctantly agrees to write an exposé on the aged and reclusive author Charlotte Day.
Charlotte, who has lost the passion to write, is suspicious and distrustful of people and doesn’t want anyone digging into a past she considers shameful. However, she recognises her need to leave a legacy of some kind, and hesitantly accepts the project.
Wrestling with her own secrets, Emma worms her way into Charlotte’s past. But some memories are too precious or too painful to share – especially the causes of her descent into isolation. As they struggle forward, the two women are surprised to find much to like about each other. Their unusual relationship deepens; will they learn to trust again… Or will reliving the past be too much for either of them to handle?
The Art of Secrets is available at Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
Vicky, how did you come up with the title for your book? Does it have any special meaning?
The word Art is significant because art means skill. It takes skill to be an artist, but it also takes skill to keep secrets, to lie. The women in the story do both. They are writers who hide their past, so the art of writing and the art of keeping secrets seemed to fit.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Charlotte – most of the time. I like older women who have so many stories to share. Their lives are full of history, but Charlotte made it hard to know her sometimes.
Does your book have any underlying theme, message, or moral?
That mental illness is not something to be ashamed of. Life dishes up some terrible things and we have to be kind to ourselves when that happens. It is not our fault. We shouldn’t have to put on a brave face and pretend. Love and compassion does help the healing.
What would/could a reader or reviewer say about this book that shows they “get” you as an author?
They felt emotional somewhere in the book. Tearful, angry, sad, happy, it doesn’t matter, as long as they felt something.
Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:
“This is the author’s best book so far! Well scripted, totally captivating with lots of twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it – in fact I was wanting more!”
Where can people learn more about your writing?
www.vickyadin.co.nz
