Review: It Began With a Lie - Michele Pariza Wacek

Title: It Began With a Lie
Series: Secrets of Redemption Book 1
Author: Michele Pariza Wacek
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery with some Paranormal and Romance
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Release Date: September 10, 2018
Pages: 363

A brand new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of "The Stolen Twin."
A fresh start. That was what Becca hoped the move from New York to Redemption, Wisconsin would be for her troubled family. A way to get her crumbling marriage back on track, and to bond with her difficult 16-year-old stepdaughter.

But instead of a new beginning, Becca is thrust into a mysterious past she barely remembers. A past that includes the complications of interacting with her old teenage crush, Daniel, as well as living in her aunt's old house (what the locals call "The Witch House.")

But is the house really haunted? Or is there something far more sinister out to destroy them?

Review by Sylvia A. Reddom

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

Form the moment you view the It Began With a Lie’s cover which features an antique photo pendant, you know there will be an historical note to this book. It takes you on a slow rollercoaster ride through time, from present day modern cities back to the country life of a teenage girl and her somewhat “strange” ancestral home and some pretty scary episodes!

Rebecca (aka Becca) now has a husband Stefan (her second) with a 16 year old tempestuous step-daughter Chrissy. They both are taking for her for quite the ride, Stefan by losing their wealth and business and home, and Chrissy being, well, a 16 year old step-daughter. There is something strange going on between them but you are never sure exactly what they are up to.

In the midst of her household turmoil Rebecca inherits her dear old Auntie Charlie’s house out of state. She soon she finds herself living there and thrown back in time. Her new “old” life includes her high school crush, numerous family friends, gossipy neighbours and small town which really has not changed much. Or has It?

That old crush Daniel is now the local police officer who shows up with lots of questions – and is especially interested in what may have happened years ago – in her Aunt’s home when her best friend Jessica disappeared after being with Rebecca.

Old friends Mia and Daphne show up to help fill in the blanks, as Rebecca is reveals she had been hospitalized, had a stay in a psych wing and her pals remind her that during a séance with them all, was the last person with Jessica!

This is not your typical “Girl-Goes-Home-to-Old-Beau” storyline. Not at all. When her jealous husband reappears from New York , policeman Daniel continues to search for the truth while Rebecca tries to hang on to her own sanity – by sleuthing for the whole truth about her crazy Aunt and that old house.

She stumbles upon the dark history of the house – a place where the Blackstone family life involved love and marriage – followed by adultery and then topped off with murder and suicide!

Becca takes your reader’s hand and leads us all down all the dark corners of her old Aunt Charlies house, hoping all along to not see any more “ghosts” or run into “Mad Martha”.

Like her, you will be wondering: Who is the old woman who keeps showing up in unexpected places, wrapped in shawls and scarves as to cloak herself from revealing her identity?

The ride on the roller coaster ride takes you right along through Rebecca (Becca’s) eyes, and all the thrills and scares and out right terror she feels… you feel.

You will want to keep reading right from the first few chapters. It draws you in – first to follow the big life change for “Rebecca”. Soon after, the memories of the younger teenage “Becca”, along with all her fears and family troubles rolling back on her, grab you and take you along!

I needed to know: What was really happening now? What had happened to that sweet young girl? Who was really behind all the mysterious happenings? Was she losing her mind again? Was her dear but dead Aunt Charlie really a monster haunting her or a friendly spirit trying to save her? From what or from who? Who were those Blackstone people anyway?

This book grabs your attention slowly and then ramps up the intensity until your spine tingles and your aren’t sure what to tell Becca – run or stay? Who can she trust?

And now I have a lot more questions about “Redemption” so can hardly wait for the next installment, This Happened to Jessica due out in November 2018 .

Let the book slowly introduce you to the characters, take notes on their personalities – it will lead you to better understand them as they reveal themselves. Be prepared for some surprises.

Oh, I do not recommend reading It Began With A Lie right before trying to fall asleep.

Enjoy!