Sapphire Secrets

Seattle Trilogy #1

by Dawn V. Cahill

Twins Livy and DeeDee McCreary open a dance studio in honor of their late mother, whom they lost when they were six. Problem is, Livy remembers nothing of the day her mother died. The more she questions her family about that awful day, the more she suspects she's been lied to all her life. While she's seeking answers to what really happened, she keeps crossing paths with handsome engineer Scott Lorenzo, who compels her to question the New Age philosophy she was raised on. What if there is a personal God out there who cares about her? Before Livy can discover answers, a brutal accident interrupts her search. Her life flips upside down as she faces a future she is not prepared for. Yet the unanswered questions continue to haunt her. Can she find the strength to keep on with her quest, even if it means losing the two people most dear to her--her twin, and the man she loves?

340 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2016

About the author

Author Dawn V. Cahill writes “Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century,” nearly always with a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or dark chocolate nearby. “The characters in my stories face situations that would have been unthinkable even 20 years ago. We live in a vastly different world than our parents did, and that's the world I write about.”
Seeing an unfilled niche in the Christian market for edgier fiction, Ms Cahill created Hot Topic Fiction at an intensive four-day writers conference. HTF isn’t afraid to explore the question, how does God want us to live out our faith in this not-so-brave new world? Without insulting the reader by offering pat or easy answers–because there aren’t any–HTF tells stories of ordinary Christians following hard after Christ in an upside-down world.
Authors note: Email me at dawn@dawnvcahill.com, or find me on Facebook and at dawnvcahill.com.

Reviews

[Pamela Harstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sapphire Secrets is fresh and intriguing. With an unusual beginning, the author continues to keep reader interest with a piece of the heroine's memory missing, for a good reason. Well done, with a Christian theme that grows throughout the book.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Crystal Caudill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphire Secrets was a real world story that compels you to keep reading. I simply couldn’t put it down! I rarely read contemporary fiction as I tend to get enough of my own reality. However, Sapphire Secrets really lured me in and kept me hooked.

The main character, Livy, is the daughter of a rock star daddy and twin to DeeDee. Their mother was the victim of a heroin overdose preceded by an event that left Livy without memory of what really happened. I won’t give it away, but it is definitely worth the read. That plot alone would have been enough to keep my interest, but Livy’s journey wasn’t just about finding her lost memories.

I really enjoyed Livy’s journey to Christ and the realities that come with it. Yes, you gain Christ and eternal life, but it does come at a cost. Miss Cahill did a fantastic job of illustrating this without the sugar coating so common to Christian fiction.

Miss Cahill’s world was real, filled with real characters many of us encounter every day. Whether they are same-sex couples, divorcees, those affected by drugs, manipulators, or just characters dealing with life changing events, this story dealt with them all masterfully.

Sapphire Secrets filled a hunger I didn’t know I had: a Christian novel that deals with real world elements without preaching and leaves you thinking. I cannot wait to continue following Livy’s story.

*I was given a free copy of this book to review for my honest review, and I honestly believe you should get your own copy to enjoy!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphire Secrets by Dawn V Cahill is a Christian romantic novel and the first book in the Seattle trilogy. I absolutely loved it.
Sapphire Secrets is set around a mystery - twins Livy and DeeDee found their mother dead but twenty years later Livy still cannot remember exactly what happened. Though only six years old at the time, Livy suffered from PTSD. The novel shows how sufferers can continue to struggle until they get professional help. PTSD affects every area of your life including your sleeping.
The novel centres on Jesus. There is a debate between Jesus being Who He said He was or just a good man. This extends further into the religion versus relationship argument. Many people claim to be Christians but know nothing of Jesus. "Jesus Christ is a person, not a creed."
Religion will never change a person's life. "Religion isn't enough." Many bad things have been done in the name of religion. Christianity is all about knowing Jesus and having a relationship with Him. "Being a Christian in name only won't get a person into heaven." Knowing Jesus and doing life in tandem with Him is what it's all about.
The novel also places emphasis on the Bible. "Do you believe the message of the book...what will you do with it?" It is not enough to read the words. One needs to live out one's faith and obey the Biblical teaching.
There are the twin themes of forgiveness and grace in Sapphire Secrets. Forgiveness can be difficult to give to others. We may feel they need to suffer and do not deserve forgiveness. However we all need forgiveness and by God's grace we receive it. We too, need to extend grace and forgiveness.
Within the novel there is the search for the truth. Knowing the truth will bring freedom. Freedom from the haunting nightmares. Freedom from the pain of not knowing. Freedom from the past.
Names are important. Twins Livy and DeeDee used to be known by other names. Their change of name signifies a change in their circumstances. Likewise we receive new names when we say 'yes' to Jesus - we are called 'forgiven' and 'loved.'
There are uncomfortable themes of drugs and new age religion within the novel. These are both sensitively presented by Dawn V Cahill.
There is also the theme of money within the novel. "We have a million piggy banks worth of money by now." Money in itself is not bad. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. Those who love money and are driven by it will never prosper. Money can be used for good but to be motivated by it is wrong.
Sapphire Secrets was my first novel by Dawn V Cahill and I absolutely loved it. I love it when I 'discover' a new author. I cannot wait for the subsequent books in the trilogy.
Remember the name - Dawn V Cahill - I think she could be an author we shall all be reading. Give Sapphire Secrets a read today.
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.

[Bhriv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sapphire Secrets, written by Dawn V. Cahill, is an intense read. The book shows a background of a family that has raised their children in a godless world with totally ungodly standards of life, but through those godless acts God was able to be introduced.
Twins, Livy and DeeDee are dance instructors. Their father is an older rock star. Livy has issues from the death of her mother and through that finds that the only way she can find peace is through Christ. It shows so many bad and sinful acts throughout the story...some that might not be good for teen readers in my opinion, but the redemption shown in the story by salvation through Christ alone can wash away all those sinful things from pasts. I think the plot line was awesome as I truly wasn't sure what was going to happen at times. The carry through to the end was eventful. Although I'm being selfish, I do hope this author will consider taking the ending and creating another story from that line...I just want to know...This is the first book I've read by Cahill, but hope to read more!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

DeeDee and Livy are the the twin daughters of a famous rock star. Raised in an unconventional manner, the girls follow New Age philosophies. They open a dance studio in their home town of Seattle. A bit of mystery (Livy can't remember what happened the day her mother died) and a touch of romance combine to make this an entertaining read.

Initially I had trouble relating to DeeDee and Livy - probably because they are so different from me - much younger, rich, and non-Christian. I also didn't like them very much in the beginning, but as I began to see them through the eyes of character Scott Lorenzo, I became sympathetic to them. Scott is a Christian and begins to witness to the girls. During their search for God the girls ask the same hard questions most people do when investigating Christianity. Several "touchy" topics are covered in a sensitive and realistic way. I will look for other books by this author.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Carrie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This contemporary Christian novel started out slow, but once it picked up I couldn't put it down. The plot is very realistic with some predictable moments, but also a few surprises and twists along the way. I found the characters to be very diverse in beliefs and personalities which added to the greatness of the story. Christian themes are very present yet do not become preachy which I think gives it a charm that readers of drama and realistic fiction should be drawn to read. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys clean romance, suspense, and stories about lives changing. I look forward to reading a sequel in the future!

[Marsha Bernabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivated me from the start!

This story of twin sisters opening a dance studio dance studio grabbed my attention immediately. A rock star's family living with the reminders of a tragic death,one person struggles to remember what she saw that fateful day.

As Livy gets closer to the truth God draws near, letting her see His truth in unmistakable clarity.

Very powerful, fabulous read.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tom Show · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

Compelling, thought provoking, tugging at your heart reading. The end is worth the trip to it. Makes you realize life's tragedies are Gods way of k reading us through life.

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book! The characters are great. The message of forgiveness in the story is great.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sapphire Secrets” is a novel that some might describe as edgy Christian fiction. As the story begins, Livy and her twin sister DeeDee are quite happy with their modern life and their New Age beliefs. The twins run a dance studio where they teach. Dancing is particularly important to Livy and she cannot imagine her life without it. When she decides to find out for herself what happened the day her mother died when Livy was only six, some mysterious events begin to transpire and Livy even suffers a devastating injury that could change her life forever.

The first of two books about the McCreary twins, “Sapphire Secrets” is a captivating story filled with mystery, suspense, danger, and romance. It is enlightening to watch Livy’s journey to faith and her relationship with Scott grow as the story progresses. It was also interesting to see how Livy’s new beliefs threatened her relationship with her sister DeeDee. Strong characters and a compelling plot kept me reading well into the night and made me want to also read DeeDee’s story.

I recommend both “Sapphire Secrets” and “Moonstone Secrets” to those who enjoy romantic suspense with a bit of an edge.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery Intriguing Novel

This is a n intriguing novel about God' redemption and love.
I love the interesting storyline and the colorful cast of characters, together with suspense with twists and turns.
This book novel is recommended for those who love Christian romantic suspense.

[Sherry Ledet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sapphire Secrets was a gift from the author Dawn V. Cahill to read and review. I was really pleased to review this book for her. It is set in an area I am not very familiar with, the Seattle area, and so I enjoyed the difference in the culture as well as Ms.Cahill's way of expressing that culture in her story telling. The story begins as Livy and DeeDee, the twin daughters of a well known rock star, are visiting the grave of the girl's mother on the anniversary of her drug overdose. Livy, her sister and Dad have been doing this for 20 years. Their dad's sense of theater has them following him through the cemetery at night as he recites Edger Allen Poe's The Raven. Livy dreads this ritual every year but goes along to please her dad. DeeDee doesn't seem bothered at all even seeming to enjoy the experience. Livy has always felt a different sense of loss then the rest of her family because she can not remember her mother's death even tho' she has been told that she and her sister were together when they found their mother's body lying on the floor of her bedroom dead of an over dose of heroin. Livy is told that she fainted and when she came to she couldn't remember anything that happened. Twenty years later she is still disturbed about the event and can't seem to stop asking her family what really happened.
The cemetery keeper who unlocked the gates that night told her he knew her distress and she should seek the truth, that the truth would set her free. That expression, the truth would set her free continued to run through Livy's mind as she and her sister began their dream of opening a dance studio where she meets the father of a student, Scott, one of those strange Christian people she has been taught to stay away from. Livy is drawn to Scott even as she is reminded by her family not to get involved with crazy religious people.
This was a good story about life among people who live outside of faith. Scott's way of witnessing and reaching out to people of alternative lifestyles made this book one I would recommend.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphire Secrets is wonderful Christian fiction. The book is well written with a great plot. The characters are well developed and believable. I had some difficulty getting into the book but once I did I

Sapphire Secrets is a wonderful Christian fiction . It is well written with a great plot. The characters are well developed and believable. I had a little difficulty starting the book but once I did I couldn't put it down. I received a complimentary ARC of the book for this honest review

[Joyful · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphire Secrets, by Dawn V. Cahill, is an intense, powerful, intriguing read. The twin daughters of an older rock star were raised in a godless world and an ungodly standard of life, but God is introduced. Livy can't remember the death of her mother and finds that peace is through Christ. It shows that redemption through Christ can wash away the sinful things from our pasts. The plot line was awesome and unpredictable. I was given a copy for an honest review.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read from the start. It keeps you reading to find out what happened to Livy the day her mother died when she was six. I love the example of how God woos us even when we have been raised in a Godless home environment. Perfect example of Jeremiah 29:11 and God's plan for our life. I look forward to book two in this series.