The Smith Family Secret: Book 1 is just the beginning of a new chapter book series the whole family can enjoy... Anything Cardiff Smith draws comes to life, at a terrible cost. Everyone who has ever had the gift disappears, including Cardiff's mother. But what good is having an amazing gift if you can never use it? Cardiff starts with a pink bicycle for his little sister Paris, draws an electric guitar for his big brother Zurich, and secretly leaves gifts for everyone at school. When he decides to draw a park over the old lot in town Cardiff might be taking it a step too far. The Smith family secret is a secret after all. Book 1 of The Smith Family Secret is a 12,000-word chapter book, with a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 2.9, perfect for your young reader who is excited about magic and art.
What you don't know can hurt you— but it can also lead to self-acceptance and healing. Family Secrets gives you the tools you need to understand your family—and yourself—in an entirely new way. In his bestselling books and compelling PBS specials, John Bradshaw has transformed our understanding of how we are shaped by our families. Now join him on this fascinating journey of discovery, which starts with your life today and takes you back through the conflicts, the strengths, and the weaknesses of your parents’ generation—and even your grandparents’. Using a powerful technique for exploring your “family tree,” you’ll trace the visible and invisible patterns that have influenced you. You’ll learn about family secrets that are healthy and necessary, and also about the secrets that can limit your wholeness and freedom—even if you don’t know they exist. This work is sometimes painful, but it is always enlightening—filled with the kind of “aha” moments and realizations that make everything fall into place. With John Bradshaw’s guidance, you will come to a new appreciation and acceptance of yourself. You will also be able to build more open, honest, and loving relationships with the people who matter most.
What did families hide in the past and why? By delving into the familial dynamics of shame and guilt, Family Secrets investigates the part that families, so often regarded as the agents of repression, have played in the transformation of social mores from the Victorian era to the present day.
Sir Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride. He knows he can't be too picky, but when he sees Iris Smythe-Smith hiding behind her cello at her family's infamous musicale, he thinks he might have struck gold. She's the type of girl you don't notice until the second—or third—look, but there's something about her, something simmering under the surface, and he knows she's the one. Iris Smythe–Smith is used to being underestimated. With her pale hair and quiet, sly wit she tends to blend into the background, and she likes it that way. So when Richard Kenworthy demands an introduction, she is suspicious. He flirts, he charms, he gives every impression of a man falling in love, but she can't quite believe it's all true. When his proposal of marriage turns into a compromising position that forces the issue, she can't help thinking that he's hiding something . . . even as her heart tells her to say yes.
In 'The Girls of Hillcrest Farm; Or, The Secret of the Rocks' by Amy Bell Marlowe, the reader is transported to a quaint rural setting filled with mystery and intrigue. The book follows the adventures of a group of young girls as they navigate through secrets hidden within the rocks of Hillcrest Farm. Marlowe's writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions and a strong sense of place, immersing the reader in the beauty of the countryside. The book is reminiscent of other classic coming-of-age novels but with a unique twist of uncovering hidden secrets. The literary context of the book draws on themes of friendship, discovery, and the importance of preserving the natural world. Amy Bell Marlowe, a well-known author in the early 20th century, had a passion for storytelling and had a fascination with showcasing the simplicity and beauty of rural life. Her personal experiences growing up in a rural community likely influenced her writing, infusing her works with authenticity and charm. Marlowe's ability to capture the essence of childhood adventures shines through in 'The Girls of Hillcrest Farm'. I highly recommend 'The Girls of Hillcrest Farm; Or, The Secret of the Rocks' to readers who enjoy charming coming-of-age stories with a touch of mystery. Marlowe's captivating narrative and strong sense of place make this book a delightful read for those looking to escape into the idyllic world of Hillcrest Farm.
Meet Sadie Sinclair, an ordinary fifteen year old girl with an ordinary life. She goes to school, has friends, and loves her family. The only thing that makes Sadie different from those around her is the fact that she was found on her familys doorstep fifteen years ago; abandoned by her birthparents. Sadie soon discovers she has an extraordinary secret. Her exploration of this secret takes her down a fascinating and emotional path that forces her to leave her hometown of Cheyenne and everything she has ever known. As Sadie embarks on her quest, readers will travel with her between worlds to find that one thing every person desires-acceptance of their true self.
Draws on the author's experience as a courtroom and television reporter to analyze some of recent history's most sensational trials and cases, including those of O.J. Simpson, JonBenet Ramsey, and Robert Blake, to reveal how the darkest secrets of killers, as well as the vulnerabilities of high-profile victims, are shared by everyday people. Reprint. 35,000 first printing.
Twenty years ago, Harry Stoner killed the Smith family with his axe. On Halloween night, after he was caught by the police, and killed himself in jail. Everyone do believe that his ghost haunts the house, until when a man who did not believe that it was haunted. Who let a family, who was brave enough to live in the house to see if it was haunted or not.
In this mystery novel, Tess, a hopeless romantic with a string of bad relationships, stumbles upon a secret society of wealthy individuals who pay for companionship. She joins the society and forms a close bond with her clients, particularly Jack, whom she falls in love with. However, Jack disappears, and Tess discovers that several of her former clients have also vanished. Determined to uncover the truth, Tess investigates and finds herself in danger. With Jack's help, they try to escape the society and its enforcers. They are offered a deal to retrieve a valuable file in exchange for new identities and a fresh start. Tess and Jack agree, but their mission is not without challenges. They face security guards and must use their skills to evade capture. Ultimately, they hand over the file and hope to receive their promised rewards. In this thrilling story, Tess and Jack, two individuals who had just completed a dangerous job for a secret society, find themselves being followed by mysterious men in suits. With the help of their contact, c. Bb, they try to evade their pursuers and seek refuge in a safe house. However, they soon realize that they need to break into a facility to uncover the truth about their situation. After a daring escape, they are captured once again, but are saved by c. Bb. With the acquired file, they plan to take down the secret organization. They find temporary peace in a new home, but little do they know that their past is about to catch up with them, putting everything they have built at risk. Tess, Jack, and c. Bb have been living off the grid, hiding from a dangerous organization they took down. They receive a message from the man who offered them the job, wanting to meet and apologize. They meet him on a secluded beach and he gives them a flash drive with evidence. They discover connections to powerful individuals and decide to gather more evidence before going public. They receive a warning and realize they are being watched. They meet a journalist named Marcus who has evidence and they plan to take down the organization together. They receive a message from a contact who is in danger and find out that Jack's presumed-dead wife is alive and working against the organization. They continue gathering evidence and receive a warning from a client. They meet the client in the park and he warns them about the society's power. They know they are in danger but are determined to expose the truth. Tess finds something unexpected in the evidence, leading them closer to the truth. In this thrilling story, Tess, a companion for hire, stumbles upon a mysterious figure known as "The Benefactor" who is the driving force behind a secret society. With the help of her team, Tess uncovers that The Benefactor is not who they seem to be and is actually the mastermind behind the society's illegal activities. As they dig deeper, they discover shocking truths and are hunted by The Benefactor's men. With the help of Jack, Tess's love interest, they go on the run, gathering evidence and evading capture. Eventually, they join forces with the police to bring down The Benefactor and his associates. The story ends with Tess and Jack preparing for a final showdown, determined to put an end to the society's corruption. Tess and Jack, determined to expose the secret society they had become entangled with, find themselves in a dangerous situation when they are ambushed by masked men. They manage to fight back, but their encounter with the Benefactor's men leaves them shaken. They continue their fight, teaming up with a mysterious figure named Sarah who reveals the dark secrets of the society. As they gather evidence and build a case against the Benefactor, they face threats and attacks. Eventually, they succeed in bringing down the society and exposing its corruption. However, their victory is short-lived as they realize they are being followed. They confront the Benefactor and are captured, finding themselves in his luxurious penthouse. Despite his attempts to justify his actions, Tess and Jack stand firm in their belief that they did the right thing by exposing the society's exploitation. Tess and Jack, along with their ally c. Bb, have successfully taken down the secret society that had been causing havoc in their lives. They take a moment to relax and enjoy each other's company, grateful for the weight that has been lifted off their shoulders. However, their respite is short-lived as they discover rumors of the society's revival. Determined to prevent this, they continue their investigation, following leads and gathering evidence. They encounter a high-ranking member of the society who tries to recruit them, but they refuse and press on. They eventually uncover a dark ritual involving the sacrifice of a young woman and manage to intervene with the help of c. Bb. They escape, but realize that their fight is not over as they discover a list of society members who had evaded capture. They vow to continue their investigation and bring all those responsible to justice. In this thrilling conclusion, Tess and her team attend the secret meeting of the society in an attempt to expose the Benefactor. Chaos erupts as the lights go out and gunfire ensues. They manage to escape the building, but the Benefactor escapes. With the police on their way, Tess and her team are determined to continue their mission and bring down the society once and for all. Tess and her team are determined to catch the elusive Benefactor and bring down the secret society. As Tess chases after the figure, she is stopped by armed guards, leaving her alone in pursuit. She trips and falls, allowing the Benefactor to reveal themselves. The Benefactor takes Tess captive and leads her to a room filled with incriminating evidence. Tess vows to stop the Benefactor and seek justice. With the help of her team, they decipher coordinates and uncover a hidden warehouse. They are confronted by the Benefactor and engage in a fierce battle. The warehouse is destroyed by a bomb, but Tess and her team survive. They find a locked safe containing love letters from Jack, who had been secretly helping them. Tess is filled with renewed determination and continues her fight against the secret society. They discover a key that leads them to a secret underground tunnel, bringing them closer to ending the society's reign. Tess and Jack find themselves in a new location under witness protection, but their sense of safety is short-lived as they receive threatening messages and suspicious packages. They meet with Leo, who reveals that there are rumors of other secret societies and that Tess possesses something they want. They are relocated to a seaside town, where they find peace and a new kind of love. One day, they stumble upon a group of people in the woods, led by c. Bb, who claims to have been watching them and knows about their involvement with the secret society. Tess and Jack are taken aback when c. Bb reveals that she knows who the Benefactor is. They are given disguises and wigs to blend in at the Grand Masquerade, where they learn that the secret society plans to sell a valuable artifact. However, their plan goes awry when Leo, who they had been working with, threatens to destroy the artifact. Tess and Jack make a deal with Leo to help him escape in exchange for the artifact. They successfully retrieve the artifact and escape, but soon realize they are being followed. C. Bb warns them that they need to leave town immediately, as their actions have been discovered. They are given cash, passports, and taken to a safehouse. Tess and Jack reflect on the uncertain future but remain determined to face it together. Tess, Jack, and Logan continue their investigation into the secret society, determined to bring them down. They discover a beaten man named Tom, who was unknowingly involved in the society's illegal activities. Tom reveals that the society is planning to expand their human trafficking operations into a new city. With this new information, Tess, Jack, and Logan know they must act quickly to stop the society and save innocent lives. The stakes are higher than ever as they face the dangerous and powerful secret society head-on. Tess, Jack, and Logan successfully infiltrate the secret society's headquarters and gather evidence of their illegal activities. However, they are captured and held captive by the society. With the help of Jack, they manage to escape and continue their investigation. They uncover evidence linking Tess's own father to the society's crimes. Determined to bring justice, they reach out to a hacker for assistance. They confront Tess's father and convince him to help them take down the society. With a solid plan in place, they take a moment to rest and prepare for the final showdown. Tess, Jack, and c. Bb continue their investigation into the secret society, uncovering more evidence against its members. They find a list of names, including prominent figures, and realize that Tess's father has been funding the society. They confront him, but their safe house is attacked, and they lose their evidence. They regroup and find an ex-member who provides them with valuable information. However, their safe house is burned down, and they know they must keep fighting. They take a break and enjoy a picnic, but are confronted by two high-ranking members of the society. With the help of c. Bb, they defeat them. They take a break from the investigation and find a kitten, bringing them a sense of peace. They discover that the secret society is controlled by the Smith family and make plans to take them down. They gather information and prepare for the final showdown. Tess receives a mysterious call and meets a stranger who claims to have information about the Smiths. She agrees to his terms and receives a file, but their contact is found dead. Determined to bring down the Smith family, Tess, Jack, and C. Bb uncover a cover-up involving Jack's long-lost sister's death. They continue their investigation, aware that they are being watched. They gather evidence and plan to expose the Smith family's illegal activities. Richard, their pursuer, informs them that Jack is alive but in bad shape. They rescue Jack from the Smith family's mansion and engage in a gunfight, ultimately bringing down the secret society. Tess and Jack walk away, stronger together.
