My review of Secrets Under the Midnight Sun by Elisa Maria Crites.

About the book:

Twelve-year-old Fredricka O'Reilly has a dark secret. It's 1967 in the last frontier-Alaska, and the truth keeps the normal happy life she longs for just beyond her reach. Her brother's four-year stint in the Air Force ends, and Fredricka believes his return will change her life for the better, until he reveals a secret of his own. As her life crumbles around her, the only one left to turn to is her mother. Can Fredricka risk telling her secret even if it could tear her family apart?

My review:

Secrets Under the Midnight Sun packed a powerful emotional punch for me. The writing was stellar and the characterization superb. I seriously read this book nearly straight through. The tension kept building and the mystery unraveled at just the right pace. Then when you find out why Freddie is so upset and torn about her problem, it increases the tension even more. I have come across many families who handled things the same way that Freddie's parents did. I can't really say much without giving a spoiler, so I will just say that this response is very common (sad, I know) but because it was written realistically instead of pie-in-the-sky like much of the fiction on the market today tends to be…well, this author got mega bonus points for telling it like it is rather than how it should be. The spiritual thread was inspiring and strong, but not overbearing. I totally loved this story and would recommend it to anyone. The fact that it was published by the author just proves that quality fiction does exist among people who self-publish. Now bury that stereotype and don't dig it up again. I have read some truly stellar books lately that were with small presses or self-published. This book had better writing and editing than a lot of the fiction I've read from large publishing houses.

Secrets Under the Midnight Sun was published by WestBow Press, A Division of Thomas Nelson and was released in October 2010.  This novel was provided for review by the author as part of the Grace Awards. Highly recommended.