Secrets - A Novel - Book 1

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"Secrets: A Novel" by Jo Ann Lordahl is the first book in the Secrets Trilogy. This novel tells the captivating story of three strong and independent women, Rachel, Ahanna, and Maria, as they navigate their lives filled with secrets, challenges, and personal growth. Through their interconnected journeys, the book explores themes of love, friendship, self-discovery, and the power of forgiveness.

 

The story begins with Rachel, a successful and ambitious journalist who uncovers a long-held family secret that changes her perception of her own identity and prompts her to seek answers about her true heritage. As she digs deeper into her family history, Rachel's journey leads her to Ahanna, a compassionate and wise African woman living in Zimbabwe, who holds the key to unlocking the secrets of Rachel's past.

 

Ahanna's story is one of resilience and strength, as she faces numerous hardships in her life, including the loss of her parents, political turmoil, and the oppressive nature of society. Despite these challenges, Ahanna maintains her faith and demonstrates unwavering commitment to her community. The bond formed between

Rachel and Ahanna serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of friendship and the shared experiences that connect us all.

 

The third woman, Maria, is a successful lawyer who, on the surface, appears to have it all. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Maria is haunted by a secret she has kept buried deep within. Through her journey of self-discovery and healing, Maria learns the transformative power of opening up and embracing vulnerability.

 

Throughout the book, the author skillfully weaves together the stories of these three women, intertwining their lives and experiences to create a rich tapestry of love, resilience, and personal growth. Secrets from the past are gradually revealed, and the characters are forced to confront the pain, trauma, and emotional baggage they have carried with them.
 

Other books by Jo Ann Lordahl

About the author

Jo Ann Lordahl

Jo Ann Lordahl, PhD. lives in Florida and is a published author, poet, and retired speaker. Her psychology background, research and tenacity have produced a breadth of published work, including prize-winning poetry, historical fiction stories, inspirational, motivational books as well as some romance novels.

​​​​​​​She moved to Maui in 2000 and became entranced by the peace and serenity of Kauai in 2003, she was keenly focused on Hawaiian historical fiction, discovering the locals and their sacred connection to their land before statehood. Princess Ruth: Love & Tragedy in Hawaii and A Secret Kept in Hawaii (sequel, 2014) have been acclaimed by locals and critics for their engaging beauty, depth and accuracy. Delightfully combining facts, fiction and romance, Jo Ann uses her women’s stories to give the reader historic and modern insights about a present-day environmental threat that is not confined to Kauai.

Lordahl says, “From my perspective and from my total necessity, I’ve invented, at least I think I’m among the first, a new genre: Fiction-Fact. This type of writing makes me sensitive to how to both entertain and inform – while sometimes inciting readers to support active changes in our world… I quote from the Introduction to Princess Ruth:

 "At first my interest in Hawaii was purely personal and pragmatic, getting along in a new place. Slowly, as a writer becoming more engrossed, a sense of justice stirred to life and the desire to tell my Hawaiian story. Soon I was writing snippets of novel and Hawaiian history, a mishmash of fact and fiction. I love research and reading and taking notes. With a computer to indulge my extravagance, well you can imagine, I ended with reams of research that I could not bear to pitch. Or dumb down."

Jo Ann has been a keynote speaker in redesigning your life through spirituality, transformational thinking and writing at the National League of American PEN Women and money workshops at Smith College, and has coordinated Women’s Voices, a performance-based poetry group in Florida. Art fellowships include The Atlantic Center for the Arts, FL; Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, CA; Ucross, WY., an award-winning poet, has traveled widely: Europe, Middle East, Canada, Caribbean, Argentina, Australia.