It was a comfort to return to whispering Pines. It was easy to slip back into seeing their various characters and how they respond to events going on in the village.and yet there was a hidden danger as usual that we as well as Jane have to ponder the discovery. Let us passed various other pathways in the village, and the ending was a surprise. I’m not gonna tell you you must read it for yourself. But I guarantee you’ll like it.
You know that bone deep sense of comfort you get when slipping on your favorite pair of jeans and cozy sweater? The immersion in a feeling of home you get at the first sip of homemade hot chocolate? The total relaxation of all your tired muscles and stressed brain when slipping into a bubble bath? That's how it felt from the first line of this book. I love the familiarity Whispering Pines brings me. The comfort, the relaxation, and the sense of being home I get when reading (and re-reading) this series. If you have not read the first book on the series, you really need to go back and start there, or you'll spoil so much of the story line and adventure by starting with this recent release. I cannot recommend this author or series highly enough.
All should be well now, Jayne O`Shea thinks. She’s devoted to her boyfriend Tripp, the Pine Time Bed & Breakfast is well booked, and the enemy who has been overshadowing the lovely Wicca villageliterally for decades is finally gone. But still…
...where are the countless crows coming from that suddenly terrorize the citizens and tourists? How to get rid of them? Why is the atmosphere in Whisperung Pines still gloomy? And will the first event Jayne’s sister Rosalyn is about to host really be the success she’s hoping for? Then the guests arrive, carrying some explosive conflicts in their luggage, and what should have been a joyful celebration ends with a lifeless man in the lake...
I admit I was more than happy to return to Shawn McGuire’s lovely village amd even lovelier world, I love diving headfirst into Jayne’s mysteries, and watching her grow into the role she’s destined for: a keeper and guardian of the people she loves. But Shawn would not be Shawn if she hadn’t some big surprise in store: first a solved murder, then a very satisfying Happy End… and then a bombshell that will leave you gasping for air, your head spinning.
Wow. Well done. And now I can’t wait for the next book!
I didn't realise how much I missed the dynamic of Jayne and Tripp until I started reading Returning Secrets. It was like meeting up with friends you haven't seen in a while.
I laughed.
I cried - tears of sadness and of joy.
I wanted to put some people in their place and others I just wanted to hug.
Sometimes the past needs to be revisited for closure or to tidy up loose ends. At other times it comes back and slaps us in the face.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys all things Wiccan; puzzling who-dunnits; village life, and a circus thrown in for good measure.
I received a free Advance Reader Copy of this book through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.
Your books keep me up at night because I absolutely MUST keep reading! I've read nearly all of Ms. Shawn’s books and this is definitely one of the best. As usual, a very cleverly done, well-written, engaging, easy read, with twists that make you wonder what happens after the book is over. Loved every moment of the story, and the smooth writing style makes the plot flow easily, which makes this a super pleasurable read. Best savored after the other books in this series, but nevertheless, a super enjoyable standalone on its own.
I received an advance copy from the author. These are my thoughts:
I’m SO happy to be back in Whispering Pines! The whole gang is here. The town is preparing for the October Samhain celebration; the usual crowd has arrived… However, they seem to be quite a bit rowdier than usual. And something else has arrived – a huge flock of crows (a murder of crows, if you will). They are also extra rowdy, diving at people, dropping many pinecones. What’s up with that? Jayne, Martin and Meeka are tasked to deal with them. Pine Time B&B is also busy, with Rosalyn’s first big event scheduled by several families, complete with secrets, including a spoiled Bridzilla! Other strange things – a couple of characters that just don’t seem to belong around the B&B and the town. And why does River Carr and Tripp need ‘man time’? Loved that Lily Grace came for a visit. While hugging Jayne, she “froze, and then gave her an extra tight hug” (and we all know what that means)! You’ll love/hate the ending surprises. Best quote: “Going for a walk isn’t shutting down. It’s processing,” Enjoy!
Good things are worth waiting for, and this latest novel from Shawn McGuire does not disappoint!
I received an ARC, and no spoilers in this review. Secrets from the past re-emerge for main characters.
Return to the village of Whispering Pines with your favorite characters and places: Jayne & Tripp, at their B&B Pine Time. All rooms are booked by family members staying for a Renewal of Vows. Jayne’s sister Rosalyn is making her debut as an Event Coordinator of the ceremony, making it the dream wedding that Sunny (the “bride”) never had. Animosity among the guests (from bickering to shouting) is not helped when Sunny’s husband is found unconscious with a severe head injury. Whodunit? To complicate matters for Jayne, we find out that all the guests are “returning people” from Tripp’s past, especially Sunny. Tripp does not tell Jayne what Sunny meant to him before – and avoids her questions, so of course Jayne’s brain goes into overtime. She even reluctantly had to put him on the suspect list along with several of the B&B guests.
Complicating matters, the village of Whispering Pines has a problem with the arrival of crows. The birds create havoc: leaving messes, destroying things, and also attacking people (by divebombing, or dropping pinecones on them). Turns out the arrival of the crows coincide with the return of a person from yet another villager’s past.
The ending not only solves the crime, but also has a couple of surprises – one joyful, the other a total shocker.
Returning Secrets, another mystery in Whispering Pines! I was so excited when Shawn announced that she was writing another Whispering Pines book. To read about Jayne, Tripp, and Rosalyn at Pine Time and the other villagers was exciting. I love how Shawn brings the characters alive for me, making me feel like I could go to Whispering Pines and be friends with the villagers. To be a sounding board for Jayne. To visit Briar, Morgan, River, and the twins. Go check out all the businesses and talk to those who work and run them. It would just be so fun to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. I often wish that this place were real.
Shawn's attention to detail, without drawing it out too much, makes it easy to read and easy to relate to the situations and people. This newest book definitely kept me intrigued and curious about all the unknowns happening at Pine Time and in the village. The village has a shroud of mystery, while Pine Time has its own drama going on. And the end! I really can't wait to see what happens next with our villagers. Until I can, I'll keep revisiting by reading the other books in the series, including the Hearth and Cauldron series. I highly recommend that you read this book (and all the previous books in this series).
So nice to be back in the village and visiting with the inhabitants the reside there. It’s been awhile but this book was well worth the wait. There is a lot going on in the village this time and most of the story centers around Pine Time and the guests over a long weekend. Certainly other villagers play a part in the mystery but a smaller one this time. There are a few surprises and twists in the story. Looking forward to the next book already!
Received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
Returning Secrets
By: Shawn McQuire
I received the ARC of Returning Secrets, I was so thrilled to receive it, I have missed Whispering Pines and now it is back.
The characters are the same as a couple of new ones; we still have Martin, Jayne, Tripp, and Meeka the Terrier. Plus, Roselyn, River, Morgan and the twins, Briar Barlow and Reeva and more. It is so good to catch up with what is going on.
There is a group coming to Pine time B&B, and Roselyn is setting it up with her new business. The family doesn’t get along so there are a lot of arguments between them. Plus, the family doesn’t know why they are in Whispering pines. It looks like there will be a wedding and no one is especially happy to be here.
On top of all these Whispering Pines seem to be off center, cows have shown up, and they are harassing the town and the tourists and all who have come for the Litha celebrations. The Maidens are out too, and that is never good; they like to cause trouble.
Let's top this off with an accident, maybe murder, Jayne and everyone are trying to figure out what happened. There is a lot going on, and the story line is a good one. You will have to read the story to see how it all turns out and if there are any other surprises to come.
In Returning Secrets, once again Shawn McGuire brings us back to one of my favorite places, Whispering Pines. Her storyline and characters make us feel like we are going home again and visiting with family! We are reconnected with Tripp and Jayne, and are introduced to Rosalyns new business as an event planner. But the wedding that she is planning is may not turn out as she had hoped. There seems to be a darkness around the village that is being invaded by crows. What do the crows mean? Can the Wiccan ways help with this? I am looking forward to the next book. Thanks again for a great story!
Such a joy to return to Whispering Pines! It was like reconnecting with old friends. As expected, lots of twists and turns as the villagers come together as only "Piners" can. A book that makes you feel as if you have returned home, is a book I want to read and reread.
Woo Hoo Whispering Pine enthusiasts, Shawn McGuire has written a terrific addition to the series with Returning Secrets. It is filled with mystery, suspense, tension, romance, the characters we know and love, and SECRETS!
Visitors to Jayne and Tripps Whispering Pines Inn bring hostility, bickering and secrets from the past. With the chaos rowdy tourists are creating while overrunning the village for the Litha weekend celebration, and crows flocking together harassing everyone, emotions are high and running hot.
The villagers are feeling overwhelmed, Jayne is experiencing strong doubts, her sister Rosalyn is stressed with her first planned event, and Tripp is not acting himself.
What is going on in Whispering Pines and what are all the secrets? That's for your reading pleasure to discover.
Well worth the wait for the next installment of Jayne & Tripp! As Jayne works to resolve the village's issues, Tripp has his own problems to work through. I'm sure you will love how this book ends! Can't wait for the next one.
So good! Can't wait for more! You always keep us guessing.
So many twists and turns, and unexpected outcomes!! It was great to catch up with all the characters in Whispering Pines.
Jayne,Tripp, the Barlows Reeva ,ect... it touches on them all. It definitely left me wanting more... Shawn McGuire!! Im hoping the Whispering Pines journey is not over ! It was a great book/mystery!! Read the series if you haven't already!! If you haven't read the series Now is a good time to start!!