Cloistered Secrets — Linda Hughes

For many, Ireland is a magical land full of simplicity and warmth. Its beautiful, green rolling hills and picturesque coastlines are extraordinary reminders of God's natural gifts. But for Kathleen, a native Bostonian, it is merely a distant country across the sea...until she finds adoption papers with her date of birth on them. Full of mystery and the turmoil of buried secrets, Linda Hughes's debut novel is a thought-provoking exploration of identity and the consequences of unconscionable acts. Following the trail to Ireland, Kathleen is met by silence and doors closed for generations to protect the past. Burrowing deeper into the mystery, she is confronted by a disheartening fact: few know the real truth-fewer still remain alive. Through her tenacity Kathleen locates the only person who knows the true story behind her identity. Unfortunately, the elderly nun has vowed to never disclose what happened. On her deathbed, however, she has a change of heart, concluding that some secrets are worth keeping while others need to be set free, revealing what becomes impossible to believe. Inspired by the cultural religious devotion of Ireland's people, Hughes expertly crafts the gradual fraying of a young woman's sense of self with confidence and crushing honesty. Tearing open and exposing the abuse and lies used to conceal the truth. Cloistered Secrets is an unforgettable raw nerve that will leave you forever changed.