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The Secret of Lies

by Barbara Forte Abate (Goodreads Author)

3.53 of 5 stars 3.53 · rating details · 291 ratings · 90 reviews

Named a Finalist in the Indie Excellence Book Awards, 2nd place for Newbie Fiction-Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, Honorable Mention Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Finalist Global eBook Awards Propelled by an insurmountable sense of desperation, Stevie Burke is recklessly abandoning home, husband, and outwardly contented life under cover of night; at last resigned to defeat in her...more

Paperback, 2nd, 330 pages

Published March 2nd 2012 by Halcyon Moon Books (first published April 21st 2010)

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Sep 30, 2010 Barbara Abate rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

This is my debut novel, and of course I love it.

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Sep 02, 2012 Patricia Kemp Blackmon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-s-request-review

Stephanie and her sister Eleanor leaves their families farm for the summer to vacation at their Aunt and Uncle's beach house. This is something they look forward to every year. But recently the visits have become a little tense because of an under current between her Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Cal. Stevie just tries to overlook the tension and enjoy the summer. As the girls get into their teens they become more interested in boys than finding sea shells and swimming. Eleanor is the oldest so she woul...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

In America, today is Thanksgiving. A holiday that has come to be a time to spend with family and friends. In The Secret of Lies, a family is torn apart by a scandalous secret. Stevie and her sister spent their summers with their aunt and uncle and everything was idyllic. Until there were undertones that Stevie, being the younger sister, struggled to figure out. She also had her own life going on and while observant, she didn't start worrying until it was, perhaps, too late for things to change....more

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Mar 21, 2012 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I can't stop thinking about this story and it's characters. The writing was beautiful. This was Stevie's story and you really get to know her, first at the beach during summer vacations. I loved the scenery and was envious of the summers the two sisters shared with sunburns, salty skin, lazy days walking on the surf, and building of memories. I loved the sisters friendship and realistic griping. I adored Jake. And Jake and Stevie. So when the "dark" event happened, I felt such compassion for Ste...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Books-treasureortrash rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: drama, reviewed

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes

A horrendous event occurred in Stevie’s life when she was sixteen which continues to haunt her. The story starts when she abandons her loving husband, Ash, when she is in her late twenties. Her past won’t leave her alone. This is a tale of love, betrayal and secrets which continually tears at Stevie’s heart.

The Secret of Lies is Barbara Forte Abate's debut novel. This drama is told to us with a first person narrative using the voice and thoughts of the main protagoni...more

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Nov 21, 2011 Karen Fowler rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've been reading a lot of genre fiction lately and it was nice to nibble on a novel with literary flavorings for a change. I couldn't have picked a better book than The Secret Of Lies to satisfy my craving for lyrical writing, finely-crafted prose and a compelling, intricate plot.

I'll spare you the plotting, because in my opinion that is what blurbs are for. I will say that the tale spans several years- from the innocence of adolescence to the reality of adulthood. The natural progression of t...more

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Sep 29, 2011 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was immediately drawn to this book. It is an emotionally dark and intense novel about coming of age, lies, betrayal, guilt, and hopefully acceptance. The characters pull at your heartstrings. The writing is so rich you feel as if you personally know these people. Some you will love, some you will pity, and some you will abhor. The main character is Stephanie Burke. She is an incredible person. She has a story that must be told. Ms Forte Abate does a masterful job telling Stevie's tale.

It was...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Annette Bagley-martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

A novel by Barbara Forte Abate

The Secret of Lies is a powerful novel set on the Atlantic coast in 1957. Stevie Burke, a young teenage girl, is faced with the ugly truth that people are not always who they seem to be, even though you may have spent your entire life around them.

The memories of the summer of ’57, the year her life changed forever, dog Stevie’s heels like a shadow. Years later, in an attempt to outrun them, she finds herself miles from home and at a loss for words when the urge to c...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Tima rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book begins with a young girl named Stephanie. She and her sister spend every summer with their aunt and uncle at a beach house. But one summer everything goes wrong and they never return. Stephanie feels guilty for what she feels is her part in the wrong that happened. The story ends with her as an adult and how she resolves the issues of guilt and the memories of the past.

I really enjoyed this book. It actually surprised me. This book would probably be considered an indy book, so I'm sorr...more

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May 25, 2012 Jeannie rated it 5 of 5 stars

It was very hard to put down. I love a book that just grabs you. It was only when the back story began that I felt it really began. I'm not one to be patient with desperate agony right off. I upgraded it to five stars because it is probably a book I will read again. I don't think one can absorb it all the first time around.

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I was very uncomfortable with the side story of Stevie and Ash. I don't like how the relationship developed. I felt like telling Stevie to...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fiction, historical-fiction

This is a story of how family secrets can change everything. Hiding those secrets can make things so much worse. This is exactly what happens to Stevie is this book. As a young teenager, she watches her sister, Eleanor, and the adults in her life make decisions that will change everything and hurt people. We see all of this through Stevie's eyes. She's still not an adult but understands enough that she knows the implications of everything that's going on.

I liked this book. The story is good and...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Suzy Cooksey rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was caught up in this book immediately. The author pulls you in with a beautiful setting and likeable and realistic characters. We know from the start that something terrible is happening...just not quite the extent. Even through the entire book you aren't quite sure that all of the secrets have been revealed to us the readers. I expected the "secret" to come at the end of the book...it doesn't, it comes toward the middle of the book, the rest is showing how Stevie (and the rest of the family)...more

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Dec 26, 2011 Jamie Kline rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-for-review

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I was very intrigued by the synopsis and I thought it would definitely be worth my time to read it. The story starts out with Stevie, the main character, deciding to leave her husband. It's immediately apparent that she's dealing with some very personal demons, but they are not revealed right away. Instead, we are taken back 12 years to when the troubles began, which give a very clear (and at times disturbing) picture of some pivotal moments in St...more I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I was very intrigued by the synopsis and I thought it would definitely be worth my time to read it. The story starts out with Stevie, the main character, deciding to leave her husband. It's immediately apparent that she's dealing with some very personal demons, but they are not revealed right away. Instead, we are taken back 12 years to when the troubles began, which give a very clear (and at times disturbing) picture of some pivotal moments in Stevie's life. We are then able to follow her through the years to see what ultimately leads her down the path that she chooses.

I really liked Stevie. She was incredibly easy to connect with and relate to; at times she was a bit naive, but her heart was always in the right place. I would also say she is incredibly strong, because she ends up going through a lot in that time period, yet somehow she perseveres, although she certainly could have benefited from some therapy.

Stevie has an older sister, Eleanor, who tries to act more worldly and sophisticated than she really is. The first part of the book follows the girls as they spend their summers at their aunt and uncle's house by the beach; even though they fight a lot, as I'm sure most teenage sisters do, it's obvious that they care a lot for each other. Eleanor was exasperating at times, but when she dropped her "I'm more mature than you" attitude she was actually very likable.

There are two boys/men that come into Stevie's life. First is Jake, with whom both Stevie and Eleanor become mildly obsessed with during their summer vacations. It's Stevie and her warm, open personality that win Jake over, and as the years pass they begin to have more serious feelings for each other. Then there's Ash, who she ends up meeting several years down the road; she claims to hate him at first, although it's a case of "she doth protest too much" since there is obvious chemistry between them. I really liked both guys, but they were each a part of a different part of Stevie's life. By the time she met Ash, she was a much different person. I didn't even brush the surface of the events that changed her life, but I don't want to give any major plot points so you will have to read it for yourself to find out what happens!

The only negative I could say about this book is that there are times when the story skips forward months or years, and it's confusing as to how much time has passed. I wouldn't say it's very distracting, but it did make me pause and wonder how much time was passing between major events.

I truly enjoyed this book, from the well written characters to the intriguing story line. Some of main plot events were obvious and expected; others caught me completely off guard. I had trouble putting it down, anxious to find out what was going to happen next in Stevie's life. I'm glad I got the chance to read this one; I think there's a good balance of drama, romance, humor, and secrets to please almost every reader.
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Mar 20, 2011 The Pen & Muse added it

The Secret of Lies will pull you in like no other book will ever, so be prepared to sit for the next 24 hours trying to find out what happens next. Abate wields her pen well as you get involved with well with a well written book, characters, and an emotional roller coaster. Abate also has a way with words that allows us as readers to fall deeply into the spell of this story of Stevie Burke. Stevie Burke has left everything behind her in hopes of finding herself, but will she? A song leads her ba...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

I am in awe of anyone who can come out of the starting gate with such an enjoyable and entertaining read.

I was pulled in from the beginning by the vivid opening scene: a desperate protagonist Stevie Burke is terrified and running away, into a dark, stormy night from unnamed dangers which seem to involve memories. The author's description of each building, light, and sign makes for a riveting escape that has you holding your breath.

The story unfolds as Stevie takes the reader back with her to t...more

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Jul 28, 2010 JC Andrew added it · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone who likes to read

The Secret of Lies is a character driven novel, which gave the reader insight into the internal struggle of the main character. Stephanie Burke, was trying to regain some happiness in her life after being dragged through the lies of her family. This young woman, who had been forced to grow up in a web of lies, was attempting to make a life for herself.

The novel began with a prologue before the first chapter. The reader is drawn into the feelings of the main character. You realize her state of m...more The Secret of Lies is a character driven novel, which gave the reader insight into the internal struggle of the main character. Stephanie Burke, was trying to regain some happiness in her life after being dragged through the lies of her family. This young woman, who had been forced to grow up in a web of lies, was attempting to make a life for herself.

The novel began with a prologue before the first chapter. The reader is drawn into the feelings of the main character. You realize her state of mind, the turmoil she has endured and the emotional struggle that has her torn apart by what has happened in her life. Within the first chapter, the reader is brought to the beginning of how it all happened.

Conflict lies throughout the book with the main character. Stephanie having to grow up with the guilt surrounding her sister, the ties that she had with her Aunt Smyrna, the deception she held from her mother were all issues battling at Stephanie’s psyche. Struggling to overcome her personal demons, she tried to cope and go on with life.

Barbara Forte Abate resolves the conflict and does not leave the readers hanging. She brought us through an exciting story through the efforts of her main character. To the detriment of Stephanie’s own relationship, she tries to solve her problems alone.

The author brought everything to life and made you feel you were a part of the family. You felt empathy when the relationship between Uncle Cal and Aunt Smyrna slowly started to unravel. You saw through the façade of what began to happen with Eleanor and her coming of age. You are drawn into the story and feel sorry for the chain of events that occured in the story.

The characters jump out at you. They are animated and relatable. Barbara does an amazing job in describing the characters; the setting, Stephanie’s hometown, the people she interacts with, her own family and making it all come together in one satisfying story.

The dialogue was enjoyable and true to life. The words were descriptive and continued to propel the story forward. The Secret of Lies was written in Stephanie’s point of view and the story did not sway from her outlook but continued to flow.

Barbara Forte Abate has written a creative, entertaining story in The Secret of Lies, which makes any reader understand the hidden secrets in any family. Your heart goes out to lovable characters and an appreciation for what is important. (less)

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Oct 31, 2012 Dierdra Byrd rated it 2 of 5 stars

The author really could have done this whole story in about half the pages. she used every adverb and adjective in the dictionary and for me it felt like she was trying much to hard and at times it made it boring and hard to read.
The book was so slow in parts and made me want to fall asleep instead of reading more the first half of the book for me would have been better if it was shorter and you did not have to read 100 pages for something to finally happen and when it did you already knew what...more

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Nov 09, 2011 Books for Me - Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, free-publisher-review-copy

Stevie Burke had the summer everyone dreams of; at least, it started off that way and then everything changed. An adult now, she runs away from her husband to a hotel room where she tries to piece together her past and remembers the first boy she loved, sister she felt she disappointed and family she watched crumble all by the end of that "perfect" summer. Now, grown and married she must figure out how to overcome the past and look to the future before it destroys her present.

The Secret of Lies...more

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Dec 15, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-library, first-reads

This is one of those coming-of-age books that brings you back to your teenage years and fills you with hope and sorrow at the same time. The setting of the story sounds perfect; 1950's summers spent in Long Island away from their family at their Pennsylvania farm. Stevie meets and falls for a boy at the beach and it seems her teenage days are to be spent like any other girl's; until a shocking discovery leads to tragedy and the beginning of her changed life.

You never expect the twist when it co...more

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Apr 16, 2012 Tracy Walters rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book got to me right from the beginning.....the way the words flowed on the pages.....the imagery of the words.....Barbara Forte Abate writes in a beautiful...fluid language that makes the story seem like you are actually watching it happen instead of reading it. You can smell and hear the ocean and all the happenings going on around it......you can feel the heartbreak from death and despair......you can feel the passion from the lovers' first kiss....the stagnate air in the home causes you...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Annette M Guerriero Nishimoto rated it 5 of 5 stars

Today's Review is on The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate

The Secret of Lies is an absolutely fantastic book! An impressive and detailed story of love, loss, and betrayal. From the very beginning I felt my heart reach out to Stephanie, and it stayed there wrapped in her life story even hours after I had finished reading.

Every summer Stephanie "Stevie" Burke and her sister Eleanor travel to Long Island and the summer home of their Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Cal. Nothing is out of the ordinary unti...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Kristin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Originally reviewed on These Pretty Words.

This review is a really tough one for me. I should warn you readers in advance – my feelings about this book run the gamut, so you'll need to grant me a bit of leeway here.

The Secret of Lies starts out with the main character, Stevie, leaving her husband in an emotional mess. The summary is clear on this; she leaves and ends up in a hotel remembering a summer from her youth. That much I got through and enjoyed.

As soon as we readers were brought back in t...more

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Nov 28, 2011 Chapter by Chapter rated it 4 of 5 stars

I laughed, I cried, I loved this book...
The Secret Of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate is a beautiful story that you won't soon forget, the story of Stevie is one that is filled with innocence, lies, personal growth, and finding the strength to live her life
Barbara Forte Abate treats us with a story that simply takes your breath away. She has the ability to grab the readers attention from the beginning in such a way that you can't do anything but continue reading and see what happens in Stevie's jo...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Courtney (Fuzzy.Coffee.Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Secret of Lies is a bit outside my wheelhouse when it comes to the genres that I read. But I decided to read it because the plot sounded interesting, and I thought the writing style was lovely.

What I Liked: 1) I really loved the writing style. Because I spend so much of my reading time in paranormal words with modern teenagers as the main characters, it seems like I get my fair share of teenspeak. But this one was written with an air of elegance that I really enjoyed. 2) Stevie (Stephanie)....more
The Secret of Lies is a bit outside my wheelhouse when it comes to the genres that I read. But I decided to read it because the plot sounded interesting, and I thought the writing style was lovely.

What I Liked: 1) I really loved the writing style. Because I spend so much of my reading time in paranormal words with modern teenagers as the main characters, it seems like I get my fair share of teenspeak. But this one was written with an air of elegance that I really enjoyed. 2) Stevie (Stephanie). As the main character, Stevie was one of the most relateable characters I've read in a long time. I don't know if that's because she and I had some things in common, or what, but I understood her emotions so clearly, that she became a very real person. 3) The setting. The story begins in the Summer of 1957 (pauses to sing 'Summer of '69'). I loved reading a story set in that time period. It really made the story unique. 4) The descriptions. This is part of the reason I enjoyed the setting so much. There were such vivid descriptions that I was able to sink into the story completely.

What I Didn't Like: 1) The beginning was a little off for me. I had a hard time getting involved with it. It wasn't until page 50 or so that I really just lost myself in what was happening. What was different about the first 50 pages? I think that Stevie was so young in the beginning that it threw me off a little. Once she aged up a bit, it was easier for me to understand her thinking. 2) Some of the events, or people that are a big part of Stevie's life, seem to disappear and then we never hear from them again. I was curious about those people (particularly Jake) when the book finished. What purpose did he serve in her life? (not really a dislike, more like a general pondering)

Overall thoughts: This was a good coming of age novel with a unique setting, a main character that is easy to relate to, and an interesting plot line. Sinking into this story is like wrapping a fuzzy blanket around yourself. Miz Abate has done an excellent job with The Secret of Lies, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.(less)

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Nov 23, 2011 Jencey/ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I am excited to read and share this book with you all.

Synopsis:

Eleanor and Stephanie spend every summer at their Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Cal’s beach house in New York. The girls are from Callicoon Wisconsin so the beach is the ultimate vacation away from the parents. The summers are great and Stephanie and Eleanor look forward to going every year. The year of 1957 changes everything for both Stephanie and Eleanor. A tragedy occurs that Aunt Smyrna and Stephanie attempt to cover up. Will Stephanie...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Julie Montgomery rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a super-compelling book. I stayed up late reading two nights and plowed through it. It's not a "happy story" but a dark and romantic one. The characters are super vivid and I really cared about our heroine, Stevie.

Another reviewer mentioned that the writer used too many adjectives and adverbs. I am usually the person who complains about wordiness and don't feel that way at all. Her writing is beautiful.

Sometimes I would skim a couple of paragraphs looking for the next dialogue. Not bec...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Kristi (Books N Beans) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family, free, friendship, historical-fiction, true-to-life, requested-review

From the first glance The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate Forte demands attention. The title alone implies so many things. If a person has a secret then they will lie to protect it, if a person is lying then they have a secret, and ultimately the secret of any lie is the truth itself.

Then there's all the famous quotes that spring to mind when considering secrets and lies. There's Walter Scott's "Oh what a tangled web we weave..." or the ever famous "The truth shall set you free." Both of...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Vanessa Booke rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate is a dark, captivating read. I found my self easily drawn into the story. The author definitely wrote strong and memorable characters like Stevie who I couldn't help but feel drawn to. I did feel a little torn about the ending but really that's my only complaint about this book. The writing is carefully crafted and beautiful, almost lyrical. The struggle that goes on within Stevie is deep and real. Get ready for a roller coaster of emotions. This book is...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Tracey rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Secret of Lies opens with Stevie (Stephanie) running from her home on the farm and her new husband; believing it's too late to turn back. Stevie's on the road and staying at a motel, when she begins to think about the past.

The dreary surrounds of the motel fades away and the reader is transported to Stevie's teenage years in the mid '50s with her older sister Eleanor. Each summer Eleanor and Stevie stayed with their Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Calvin in their beach house on the coast.

I enjoyed rea...more The Secret of Lies opens with Stevie (Stephanie) running from her home on the farm and her new husband; believing it's too late to turn back. Stevie's on the road and staying at a motel, when she begins to think about the past.

The dreary surrounds of the motel fades away and the reader is transported to Stevie's teenage years in the mid '50s with her older sister Eleanor. Each summer Eleanor and Stevie stayed with their Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Calvin in their beach house on the coast.

I enjoyed reading about Stevie's summers at the beach, particularly about the friendship developing over the years with fellow summer visitor and deaf neighbour Jake.

These early chapters are carefree and take on a coming-of-age tone as Stevie and Eleanor live out what appears to be a 'normal' sisterly relationship. However; their relationship begins to drift away one summer when Eleanor is 17, and what occurs in that summer will haunt Stevie and her family for years to come.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Secret of Lies, and towards the end, had completely forgotten that Stevie had run away and that this was a flashback; so immersed was I in the story. The circumstances of the 'event' (no spoilers here) and the lies that resulted - from which the novel takes it's title - were well written.

There was a small mystery going on in the novel, and although I did figure it out (this never happens to me, so I was pretty pleased) there is a slightly ambiguous ending, which is appropriate. My only criticism of the writing was the author's misuse of the word 'then' in place of 'than'. It occurred on almost every page and should have been corrected at the edit stage.

Although Stevie's mother was a minor character, she was a strong and hard-working woman and I admired her fortitude and resilience. Aunt Smyrna was a significant character in the novel and her gradual decline in the first half of the book was difficult. When juxtaposed with Eleanor's character - youthful, beautiful, falling in love - it made for quite a clash and interesting reading. I certainly admire the author's ability to write strong, individual characters; each with their own complexities.

This was the story of a family torn apart by lies in a time where secrets were better kept hidden. But it is also the story of how Stevie navigates her way through the grief to find love and forgiveness. I thoroughly recommend it!(less)

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Nov 12, 2011 Kimba (Caffeinated Book Reviewer) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate has to be one of the best novels I have ever had the pleasure to read. I was shocked to learn this is Abate’s first published work. Her writing style brings to mind such authors as Harper Lee and John Steinbeck. She writes with such detail, bringing images to life with the stroke of her pen. In her debut novel, she delivers a touching tale about, love, innocence, betrayal, loss and lies.

Secret of Lies reflects back on events that occurred off the Atlant...more The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate has to be one of the best novels I have ever had the pleasure to read. I was shocked to learn this is Abate’s first published work. Her writing style brings to mind such authors as Harper Lee and John Steinbeck. She writes with such detail, bringing images to life with the stroke of her pen. In her debut novel, she delivers a touching tale about, love, innocence, betrayal, loss and lies.

Secret of Lies reflects back on events that occurred off the Atlantic coast during the summer of 1957. The story unfolds through the voice of protagonist Stevie Burke. When the tale begins, Stevie is sneaking out of her home and leaving her husband. She is driving aimlessly and ends up in a dark musty hotel room three days later. We can tell that she is deeply troubled by something. It is here, as an Elvis song plays on the radio, that she reflects back on the summers, she and her sister spent at the shore home of their Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Cal.

Abate writes with a paint brush, bringing the seaside, storms, and fields to life. I could feel the wind and smell the sea air. She has a gift for beautifully expressing the emotions and feelings of a first kiss, a betrayal and loss. She unfolds the tale allowing the reader to put the pieces together before Stevie, giving us a sense of foreboding. While the subject matter is dark, Abate also shows us the light. We experience the joy of first love, childhood, and innocence.

Abates creates characters that you will love, pity and loathe. The character of Stevie is beautifully portrayed and you cannot help but like her. The way in which Abate shows the interaction between Stevie and her sister Eleanor reminded me of my own childhood. After the tragedy of 1957, we see firsthand how this affects Stevie. She struggles with the secrets and her memories. Years later,she meets Ash Waterman; through him she may finally find peace and happiness. I found myself rooting for this young man as he struggles to understand Stevie. The romance that develops between them is sweet, witty and romantic.

The story, the circumstances, and the impact it has on the characters is believable and touching. The events that occurred in the summer of '57 could have happened to any family. The ending is not wrapped up in a pretty little bow, but instead allows the reader to determine the outcome. While some may not like it, I feel it was appropriate. After all, life and family drama, do not come in neat little boxes.

I highly recommend this novel to everyone, but particularly those who enjoy books based on family, tragedy and human emotion. This would make a wonderful book club read. I have added Barbara Forte Abate to my list of must read authors and look forward to her next book.

I want to thank the author for providing this ARC, in exchange for my unbiased review.
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About Barbara Forte Abate

I grew up in a small town in Dutchess County, New York, the third of five children. Although I started my first novel in 4th grade, I didn't recognize what would eventually become a lifelong passion until several years later as I found my thoughts routinely wandering off to inhabit imagined places -- spinning elaborate tales curiously populated by ever-changing collections of strange and unique ch...more

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