Shattered Secrets by Karen Harper

Author: Karen Harper
Publisher: Harlequin (Mira)
Date of publication: August 2014

Returning to Cold Creek, Ohio, is an act of courage for Tess Lockwood. Abducted and held captive as a young girl, she is unable to remember anything about the crime that destroyed her childhood and tore her family apart. Now a grown woman with a bright future, she is certain she has put the past behind her. But when she inherits the family home, Tess must confront the demons that still haunt her and the town of Cold Creek. 

Gabe McCord has always blamed himself for what happened to Tess. He had been a teenager when she was snatched from the group of children he was responsible for watching. Now Gabe has taken on the role of sheriff and hopes to shed new light on the cold case, especially given his growing feelings for Tess. 
Tess isn't ready to recall what happened to her, and she has no intention of digging up any details that might remind her of the truth. But when another child in the town goes missing, she's certain it's related to her return to Cold Creek. Together,Tess and Gabe will have to work to unlock their painful memories in order to save another child and heal their damaged souls, for good…

Shattered Secrets is the first in a trilogy about the town of Cold Creek, Ohio.  It's a small town with a lot of secrets.  Tess has returned after years away to sell her mother's house.  When she was a child, she was the first of several abductions that span many years.  Tess is the only one that managed to escape captivity.  The problem is, she remembers nothing about her time away.  Now a new girl has been taken and Tess will do anything to remember in an attempt to find the missing child. 

It's been a while since I have read a book by this author.  I'm not sure what has made me stay away so long.  Shattered Secrets was a really god mystery with a very surprise ending.  I was totally taken aback when all was revealed.  There are many twists and red herrings in the story, so you have to pay good attention to figure it out.  I definitely didn't!

While I loved the mystery, I was just  OK on the romance part.  For me it was way too fast.  6 days and Tess is telling Gabe she loves him.  I know they new each other before, but Tess was like 7 the last time they saw each other.  So it just didn't ring true for me.  Regardless, if you are looking for a good mystery, check this one out.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book, Forbidden Ground.