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Harmony #1
Simple Secrets
Secrets Buried Alive Never Die
Graphic designer Gracie Temple wants it all: the big city lifestyle and a successful job in advertising. And it looks like her life is on the right track when she takes a job at a struggling, midsize firm in Wichita.
But when Gracie inherits a house from her unknown uncle in the mostly Mennonite town of Harmony, Kansas, she's not sure what God's trying to tell her. Especially once she discovers the house comes with a dark legacy and a cast of eccentric neighbors. Will Gracie shake off the dust of this town, or will its secret charms pull her in to stay?
All Sam Goodrich wants is to get married and start a family...and he thought he'd do it with his fiancée. But he can't bring himself to agree to a wedding date. When he meets Gracie Temple, Sam discovers she's everything he doesn't want. He loves his fruit farm, and he loves Harmony. So why does he feel so drawn to an outsider?
When someone tries to keep Gracie from discovering the truth behind the town's collection of secrets, will Sam and Gracie cling to their faith to help them decide what's most important -- before it's too late?
Graphic designer Gracie Temple wants it all: the big city lifestyle and a successful job in advertising. And it looks like her life is on the right track when she takes a job at a struggling, midsize firm in Wichita.
But when Gracie inherits a house from her unknown uncle in the mostly Mennonite town of Harmony, Kansas, she's not sure what God's trying to tell her. Especially once she discovers the house comes with a dark legacy and a cast of eccentric neighbors. Will Gracie shake off the dust of this town, or will its secret charms pull her in to stay?
All Sam Goodrich wants is to get married and start a family...and he thought he'd do it with his fiancée. But he can't bring himself to agree to a wedding date. When he meets Gracie Temple, Sam discovers she's everything he doesn't want. He loves his fruit farm, and he loves Harmony. So why does he feel so drawn to an outsider?
When someone tries to keep Gracie from discovering the truth behind the town's collection of secrets, will Sam and Gracie cling to their faith to help them decide what's most important -- before it's too late?
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2010
26 people are currently reading
728 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Mehl
61 books1,386 followersNancy Mehl is the bestselling author of over 50 books. She’s won the Daphne Du Maurier Award, as well as an ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award and a Carol award. She was also a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Her short story, Chasing Shadows, was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Learn more about her at www.nancymehl.com and on her blog, the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
June 14, 2010
I didn't have any expectations when I received this book, but just a few chapters in, I was hooked. Mehl crafts the perfect setting and mystery that did keep me guessing as I read. I thought it would be a light Christian romance, so the added twist was very intriguing.
What confused me a bit at the start was that the main character, Gracie Temple, didn't demonstrate any outward expressions of her Christianity until she arrived in Harmony. I felt like it was a bit strange that she didn't pray or mention her faith while living in the big city, but all of a sudden started talking about her spirituality and showed how she is led by the holy spirit in her prayers, in asking for God's will to be done. It just seemed like all of a sudden she showed up in Harmony and it was helpful for her to be a Christian so oh, yes, Jesus this and scripture that. I didn't feel the book was overly preachy, but just wished that her faith was integrated in the story earlier on.
I loved learning about the Mennonites as I read and growing in an understanding of their beliefs and desire to live simple lives focused on God. I also felt that the message of "relationship over religion" rang very true. I know too many people, myself included, who have been hurt by the church or a pastor who has lost sight of what is important and what the Bible says. Silly rules for the sake of control, power, greed, etc. Religion for the sake of religion and denominations being a source of divisiveness instead of pulling together in love of the same God and Christ. Mehl does a wonderful job of gently turning the negative thoughts of the church as a whole back towards what religion is supposed to be. That the thoughts of a congregation or the actions of a priest/pastor/church leader, do not necessarily reflect the message of Christ or the feelings of Christians as a whole.
What confused me a bit at the start was that the main character, Gracie Temple, didn't demonstrate any outward expressions of her Christianity until she arrived in Harmony. I felt like it was a bit strange that she didn't pray or mention her faith while living in the big city, but all of a sudden started talking about her spirituality and showed how she is led by the holy spirit in her prayers, in asking for God's will to be done. It just seemed like all of a sudden she showed up in Harmony and it was helpful for her to be a Christian so oh, yes, Jesus this and scripture that. I didn't feel the book was overly preachy, but just wished that her faith was integrated in the story earlier on.
I loved learning about the Mennonites as I read and growing in an understanding of their beliefs and desire to live simple lives focused on God. I also felt that the message of "relationship over religion" rang very true. I know too many people, myself included, who have been hurt by the church or a pastor who has lost sight of what is important and what the Bible says. Silly rules for the sake of control, power, greed, etc. Religion for the sake of religion and denominations being a source of divisiveness instead of pulling together in love of the same God and Christ. Mehl does a wonderful job of gently turning the negative thoughts of the church as a whole back towards what religion is supposed to be. That the thoughts of a congregation or the actions of a priest/pastor/church leader, do not necessarily reflect the message of Christ or the feelings of Christians as a whole.
July 6, 2010
I truly enjoyed Nancy Mehl's Simple Secrets, the first in her "Harmony" series. Her heroine was a believable, complex character. Her hero was a man any woman would fall for. The conflicts were real, not forced. The suspense thread was intriguing and compelling. I guess the theme is Sir Walter Scott's: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." I would recommend this for anyone 13 and older who enjoys a sweet romance and a good mystery.
June 13, 2010
I just completed reading the copy of Simple Secrets that I received in the goodreads giveaway. It was a great read that included both romance and mystery. The characters were well-developed, the conversation was believable and the setting was unique. Sam and Gracie both were great main characters and the supporting characters were interesting as well. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end! That's awesome because it makes the read so much more enjoyable. I will definitely be reading the second book in Mehl's Harmony Series. T
February 7, 2017
This was an interesting Christian mystery novel with a love story intertwined with it. I liked the characters and the overall story line. All of the twists and turns of the plot were exciting all while keeping the slower pace of a novel set mainly among the Mennonites. I liked it even more this second time reading it.
May 4, 2012
Gracie is happily working as a graphic designer when she gets a call that her uncle had died and left her his house. She soon finds out that her parents do not have fond memories of the area and she plants to visit get the house ready to sell and leave. But nothing goes as planned once she arrives in the small Mennonite community of Harmony Kansas. She soon meets the odd neighbors. One is an older lady who goes by the name Sweetie and the other is a very handsome man named Sam. Gracie has no intention of staying but she finds herself drawn to the town.
Another hiccup in her plan is a letter her uncle leaves for her telling her of a dark family secret. Gracie feels she needs to find the truth before she can sell the house and the adventures begin. She soon finds a friend in both the neighbors and maybe she will even find love.
When I first started to read this book I was not sure I was going to like it but I did. The author does a very good job of balancing the mystery/suspense with the romance between Gracie and Sam as well as adding some humor to the story which kept me smiling. She is also very descriptive. Telling many details of rooms that the characters are in etc. The only negative I have for this book is the fact that its only told through Gracie’s eyes. I really wanted to know more about Sam as I got to know him. A lot of times I have trouble finishing a book when only told by one character but this author is really good and it was not a deal breaker for me just a little bit of a disappointment. This is book one in the series and I am looking forward to reading the other two books as well.
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2011/0...
Another hiccup in her plan is a letter her uncle leaves for her telling her of a dark family secret. Gracie feels she needs to find the truth before she can sell the house and the adventures begin. She soon finds a friend in both the neighbors and maybe she will even find love.
When I first started to read this book I was not sure I was going to like it but I did. The author does a very good job of balancing the mystery/suspense with the romance between Gracie and Sam as well as adding some humor to the story which kept me smiling. She is also very descriptive. Telling many details of rooms that the characters are in etc. The only negative I have for this book is the fact that its only told through Gracie’s eyes. I really wanted to know more about Sam as I got to know him. A lot of times I have trouble finishing a book when only told by one character but this author is really good and it was not a deal breaker for me just a little bit of a disappointment. This is book one in the series and I am looking forward to reading the other two books as well.
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2011/0...
May 28, 2010
When Gracie Temple gets a phone call from her father saying that her Uncle Ben has passed away and has left his house and belongings to her, she sets out as soon as she can. Her Uncle lived in a small Mennonite community in Harmony, Kansas and Gracie has never even met him. She arrives with the intention to get things sorted rather quickly, but soon discovers there may be a greater plan at work. A letter addressed to her from her late Uncle causes her to stay and solve a decades old mystery. She meets the handsome Sam Goodrich, who instantly volunteers his assistance. Together they discover sinister things going on in Harmony, including a former corrupt Bishop, a thief, an evil man, and possibly an attraction to each other.
I liked that the way the mystery unfolded over the course of the plot. There were no slow points, and since there were clues in just about every chapter, the reveal wasn't left for a huge climax at the end. I thought Sam was quite the romantic guy! Gracie is a fish out of water for most of the book, a feeling that many readers will be able to identify with. I enjoyed being there with her as she saw the Mennonite people as something other than her back woods country assumptions. It seemed we met more modern Mennonites than the more conservative "old ways" ones. Nancy Mehl adds a ton of little details on their way of life - especially when it comes to the cooking - my mouth was watering the whole time! With a last shout out the beautiful cover, this series is sure to be a hit with the Amish and Mennonite readers.
I liked that the way the mystery unfolded over the course of the plot. There were no slow points, and since there were clues in just about every chapter, the reveal wasn't left for a huge climax at the end. I thought Sam was quite the romantic guy! Gracie is a fish out of water for most of the book, a feeling that many readers will be able to identify with. I enjoyed being there with her as she saw the Mennonite people as something other than her back woods country assumptions. It seemed we met more modern Mennonites than the more conservative "old ways" ones. Nancy Mehl adds a ton of little details on their way of life - especially when it comes to the cooking - my mouth was watering the whole time! With a last shout out the beautiful cover, this series is sure to be a hit with the Amish and Mennonite readers.
June 29, 2010
Simple Secrets by Nancy Mehl is the first book in the Harmony series about a mostly Mennonite community in Kansas. Gracie Temple grew up disliking her family's hometown because of the Ban on her parents for their marriage against the bishop's wishes. When her uncle Ben dies, whom she's never met, and leaves her his home, she's forced to go to Harmony to deal with the home. A letter from Ben tells her of a thirty year old murder and secret that she must get to the bottom of if she is ever to return to her life as a graphic designer in Wichita, but after meeting Sam Goodrich, Gracie isn't so sure that Wichita is where she wants to be. Mehl puts an interesting spin on the extremely popular Amish or bonnet fiction genre. Gracie is an outsider with a prejudice against Mennonites, and the community has plenty of secrets to hide. The reader comes to understand the differences between Mennonite groups as Gracie meets her neighbors and the townsfolk. There's a couple of strong messages: people are individuals regardless of the groups they belong to and sometimes the past must be dealt with before the future can be lived. I hope in future volumes Mehl finds companions for lonely Sarah and bitter Sweetie, but the town of Harmony will provide plenty of compelling romances for quite some time.
June 16, 2010
This was a sweepstakes win from Goodread for me. That is exactly what it was a good read. I found it to be one of the most interesting suspense, mystery, romance book I have read in a long time. It was a page turner for me, and I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to read how Gracie and Sam narrowed down the murderer, and to learn more about the town of Harmony, the people living there and their beliefs. With Gracie moving to Harmony from Wichita made her relationship with Sam all the more believable. Truly a very good story line.
July 9, 2010
If you enjoy Amish fiction, I'm sure you'll like Nancy Mehl's new book, SIMPLE SECRETS, out now from Barbour Books. SIMPLE SECRETS is the first of a series combining mystery, romance, and suspense, set in the fictional small Mennonite town of Harmony. The town itself becomes a character in the story, and you'll find yourself wanting to settle in for a visit...a place populated by nice, friendly people, one of whom happens to be a killer. SIMPLE SECRETS is a charming read with a likeable heroine who resolves a family secret, solves the mystery, and finds love.
August 4, 2010
Good read, I liked the story. Of course you knew all along that Grace was going to end up moving to Harmony but the story along the way was solid with a few interesting twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Even though Mehl is classifying this book as a romantic suspense I felt that it had all the trappings of a cozy mystery. Dead body (from 30 years ago), no blood & gore, protagonist and male companion searching for clues and trying to figure out who the killer was. It was a surprise to me to find out "who done it". I would recommend.
June 15, 2010
This was the perfect one day read....I was so drawn into the story immediately I just couldn't put it down. Well developed characters and story line....a bit of drama, romance, and mystery. The ending came together in a twist in the last few chapters (not an easy guess the end of the book).......and left just enough wondering to make you eager for the second book in this series.
hurry fall2010..I can't wait~!
hurry fall2010..I can't wait~!
June 17, 2010
This book was a warm friendly, family, loving type book. Taught you ways in which community's should work together, not only mennonites.
Was very surprised by the ending had you thinking a totally different person. But some very different leads and different descriptions that I had not known of mennonites.
Was very surprised by the ending had you thinking a totally different person. But some very different leads and different descriptions that I had not known of mennonites.
June 19, 2010
This book was so good...excellent story line...character development and enough drama to keep you turning the pages.
I can't wait for book 2
I can't wait for book 2
July 18, 2019
I've seen Mennonite community-based books floating around recently, but I've never actually bitten. However, this book seemed to promise good suspense and a Mennonite focus and I was intrigued enough to get a copy. It delivered on both fronts.
It was suspenseful enough to carry me to the end and also shed more light on the Mennonite way of life. There were times that it kind of came across as an apologetic resource for Mennonitism - strongly pleading the case for the movement/community and sounding almost defensive once in a while. But it kind of worked since the main figure was a non-Mennonite (it would've fallen flat with the over-explanations otherwise).
While the book has a pretty strong plot that progresses nicely, there were one or two sticking points for me. The major one being that it seems very unbelievable that a man (the hero in this book) would somehow get (and stay) engaged to be married against his wishes. His apparent lack of regard for his supposed fiancee also comes across as very cowardly and unappealing. And to be fair, the heroine does call him out on this.
The writing is very witty and well-done. I give this book 4 stars.
It was suspenseful enough to carry me to the end and also shed more light on the Mennonite way of life. There were times that it kind of came across as an apologetic resource for Mennonitism - strongly pleading the case for the movement/community and sounding almost defensive once in a while. But it kind of worked since the main figure was a non-Mennonite (it would've fallen flat with the over-explanations otherwise).
While the book has a pretty strong plot that progresses nicely, there were one or two sticking points for me. The major one being that it seems very unbelievable that a man (the hero in this book) would somehow get (and stay) engaged to be married against his wishes. His apparent lack of regard for his supposed fiancee also comes across as very cowardly and unappealing. And to be fair, the heroine does call him out on this.
The writing is very witty and well-done. I give this book 4 stars.
February 23, 2018
Simple secrets are not always so simple
I loved this book because of the secrets and mystery. The setting of a small town and all of the characters was great. The book held my attention from the very beginning. The descriptions of various people who seemed disagreeable and how they became that way was enlightening. I loved getting to know more about the Mennonite community.
I loved this book because of the secrets and mystery. The setting of a small town and all of the characters was great. The book held my attention from the very beginning. The descriptions of various people who seemed disagreeable and how they became that way was enlightening. I loved getting to know more about the Mennonite community.
March 22, 2020
An Uncle, estrange from his brother, leaves his house and belongs to her.
He seemed okay when her parents left the community, then something happen, and she hadn’t known him. To take two week vacation and get any heirlooms for her folks. The town was small and vibrant with activity., a different pastor for her to get information from.
He seemed okay when her parents left the community, then something happen, and she hadn’t known him. To take two week vacation and get any heirlooms for her folks. The town was small and vibrant with activity., a different pastor for her to get information from.
October 9, 2021
A very different kind of story that what I was used to with Nancy Mehl but it was wonderful. It’s the first book in the trilogy about life in Harmony, KS. The main character, Grace, has had to move out to a simpler Mennonite town and help figure out a dark secret that had held her uncle captive for most of his life - and finds love in the process.
October 6, 2023
I found this novel quite interesting and definitely full of suspense. I especially liked the 2 main characters. However, I felt that this book was too long and had a few too many other characters so I couldn't remember all of them and who was who. I enjoyed the ending of the story. I would recommend this book to readers of Christian suspense.
June 1, 2019
No one tells a story like Nancy!
Nancy is fast becoming my favorite author. This love story is so touching, but it isn't only a love story. There's mystery, a bunch of surprises, murder, and suspense. I absolutely recommend this book!
Nancy is fast becoming my favorite author. This love story is so touching, but it isn't only a love story. There's mystery, a bunch of surprises, murder, and suspense. I absolutely recommend this book!
August 21, 2019
I liked this book. It did remind me of past times. Can we recapture that today? I wish we could. Nice to read of people helping each other... for no reason other than they need help. If we just embraced 1 or 2 lessons from this book, our lives would be richer for it.
May 30, 2023
A Peaceful Interlude
After having a knee operation, I needed elevate my leg and rest. This book kept me happily to my bed!
It was sweet, exciting, a perfect mystery.
I would recommend it to everyone.
After having a knee operation, I needed elevate my leg and rest. This book kept me happily to my bed!
It was sweet, exciting, a perfect mystery.
I would recommend it to everyone.
May 14, 2019
This was okay, don't think I'll continue the series. I kept reading to figure out the mystery.
June 9, 2019
A real treat!
Great character development and a great story. Fresh and clean. Suspenseful and romantic. One of those books you are sorry to finish.
Great character development and a great story. Fresh and clean. Suspenseful and romantic. One of those books you are sorry to finish.
September 22, 2019
Lover this series ❤️❤️❤️.
February 20, 2020
What an amazing book! Very intriguing/heartbreaking story line. Wonderful/complex cast of characters. This book was truly a blessing to read! Highly recommend!
June 19, 2020
A good mystery!
February 23, 2021
Liked that same character was main character in all 3 books
July 30, 2021
Kansas
December 30, 2021
Not bad but I've read other books that I enjoy more
December 15, 2023
Good book with a good mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews