Secret Sins Reviews From The Romantic Times October 1997 The only blessing present through the aching childhoods of Kiran Whitley and Steven Dorn was their time spent in Texas with Uncle Caleb. Now Uncle Caleb has died, lonely and unforgiven for his failure to protect his beloved wife from being harassed for her African heritage. The secrets that shattered his peace continue to shadow the present. Kiran and Steven need to resolve Uncle Caleb's legacy of love to them by doing what he would want. They aren't really cousins, and can't recover the carefree friendship they shared as children. Kiran teaches and Steve races cars so neither seem suited to Uncle Caleb's dried-up farm. Both know, however, that Uncle Caleb was the best part of their lives and they decide to work together to keep their miscreant parents from snatching the farm. Tina Leonard brings her clear structure and psychological vision together and gently weaves the past across the lives of her characters until love heals unresolved sins and opens promises of a better future. A great read! 4 Stars (Excellent) - Gerry Benninger From Rendezvous October 1997 Each summer, when Kiran Whitley and Steve Dorn were children, her step-mother and his father sent them to stay with their Uncle Caleb. Now the old man has passed and left them his Texas property. But as they decide what to do about their inheritance, family secrets start crawling out of the woodwork. As they work their way through the maze of deceptions, Kiran and Steve find themselves growing closer. An interesting tale of family skeletons with sharp dialogue and loads of sexual tension. - MB From Affaire de Coeur August 1997 Secret Sins tells the tale of two damaged lives held together by love for a crotchety old man. Old Caleb was more of a father to Kiran and Steve than their own parents had ever been. And for both of them, Kiran, the outcast, unloved by the only mother she's ever known, and Steve, a boy afraid of his angry, brutal father, the only time they were happy was at "Uncle" Caleb's house. So when they return one last time to bury him, Steve and Kiran rediscover the happiest times of their lives, and each of them finds out just how much the other endured just to be there together with "Uncle" Caleb each summer. Tina Leonard has explored the depths of despair and the height of passion in Secret Sins. Ms. Leonard delivers sizzling emotions sauteed up with deep secrets, and the sexual tension between Steve and Kiran is hotter than a Texas summer day. 4 1/2 Stars-Excellent! - Rickey R. Mallory