Open Secret

Open Secret is more of an exploration of the adoption experience than it is a romance, but as usual, Janice Kay Johnson skillfully explores the emotional upheaval inherent in human relationships. Suzanne, Lucien, and Linette were siblings until a car crash sent them spiraling into different directions. Now as an adult, Suzanne, the oldest sibling, would like nothing more than to see her brother and sister again. But she doesn't know the upheaval her decision to go looking will bring. This is the first book in a new series by Johnson, and Linette, or Carrie St. John, as she is now known is at its heart. When Mark Kinkaid, a PI specializing in adoption searches, comes looking to tell her about her sister, she is astounded. She's not adopted! Her parents would surely have mentioned it if she were. Fortunately in the chaos that results, Mark proves to be a strong shoulder to lean on. As an adoptive parent and a PI he knows these situations can be disruptive and emotionally wrenching. But it's too bad he finds his client's sister so darned attractive. Once again Johnson takes a difficult situation and, by making it about families and love, works it into a compelling read.