by: Kelly Cain
Series: Secret Ties
Genre: Contemporary Multicultural/Interracial Romance
Release Date: April 20, 2023
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Everything she thought she knew about herself is a lie.
Nichelle Sampson is living the life she always dreamed of. She’s a political science professor like her father, is in her sorority’s leadership like her mother, and has wonderful friends. The only thing missing is romance. But when a letter and mysterious ring arrive, Nichelle’s perfect life is shattered. She’s shocked to learn that she’s adopted, bi-racial, and her origin story isn’t what her parents claimed. Looking for the truth, Nichelle sets out to unlock the secrets behind her birth family through the heirloom ring.
Geochemist Clark Lin-Lee prefers spending time alone in his lab, but when a beautiful professor visits his family jewelry store intent to solve a mystery, he agrees to accompany her. Clark should say no—he has his own unresolved family history and is secretly scheduled to testify against Nichelle’s mother’s company in his latest conservation case. But Nichelle is as persuasive as she is sexy, and for the first time in his life, Clark is ready for an adventure.
Can Nichelle and Clark wade through the increasing questions together or will secrets drive them apart?
Nichelle Sampson is living her best life, if you disregard she’s still single and not in a relationship at the age of thirty-two. She’s a Political Science professor at the same school where she went to college and works for her father, who is the head of her department. She’s an active member of a sorority, of which her mother is the graduate chapter president. Yes, Nichelle’s life is good, and family is important to her.
Clark Lin-Lee loves rocks. He’s a geochemist who at the moment finds himself running his family’s jewelry store. If truth be told, he would prefer to spend all his working hours locked away in the lab he’s built instead of the store.
Nichelle’s world gets shaken to its foundation when she receives a letter and a beautiful ring from a woman who has recently passed away, informing her that she is her grandmother. Not believing the letter, Nichelle confronts her parents who reluctantly admit that she was in fact adopted as an infant and no one knew but them. Determined to find out about her birth family, Nichelle is introduced to Clark, who has a contact that can help with the mystery of the ring. In order to do so, the duo must travel from the Bay Area of CA to Dallas, TX. For Nichelle the trip isn’t ideal, but it is doable. That is until Clark insists that they drive instead of fly. This demand is only the first of many conflicts to arise between these two.
I loved, LOVED Clark. He’s sweet and difficult. He’s anti-social and has a little OCD. A lifetime of being an outcast has made him rely almost solely on himself, thus making him comfortable in his own skin. Nichelle is stubborn, passionate, and brave. These two are opposites in so many ways. But their differences work. Clark brings a whole new perspective to Nichelle and her life. He helps her to see things in different ways. Clark has a lot of idiosyncrasies and is a by-the-book rule follower. Nichelle has to work hard to understand him and I loved that she was willing to try.
There is so much going on with A Kiss from the Past. And I mean that as a compliment. This story is so much more than a love story. It’s so much more than an adoption discovery journey. You can’t have one without the other. They say when you write a review you shouldn't discuss the book cover. Unfortunately, I have to talk about it. This cover says so much about the story. It's honestly the perfect cover. Every element found is about the story. Even the title makes perfect sense. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“A lie by omission was still a lie.”
“Parents aren’t always perfect.”
“You’re allowed your feelings.”
“You have no idea how truly amazing you are.”
**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.**
Rating: 5
Purchase A Kiss from the Past from:
The Secret Ties Series:
Two Sides of a Secret releasees July 18, 2023
The Key to Forever releases September 18, 2023
Kelly writes Black, Blewish, and multicultural romance with determined women directing their own fates, and the swoon-worthy men who adore them. She loves reading most genres but please don’t ask her to pick just one. However, she can pick her favorite book boyfriend – Will Herondale.
When she isn’t reading or writing, Kelly is most likely using a genealogy site to research her extended family, both old and new. Or cooking/baking something delightful. She has two adult daughters, and a granddaughter.
She is represented by Amy Brewer at Metamorphosis Literary Agency.
She has collaborated with a group of wonderful authors (and great friends), and their short story collection, Déjà You, is available.
Places to find Kelly Cain:
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