Book Tour & Book Review: What the Heart Carries by Susan Appel #bookreview #womensfiction #religion #christian #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

One Secret, Two Lives

 

Women's Fiction / Family Life / Religious

Date Published: April 21st, 2026

Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing

 

Stephanie grew up cherished yet haunted by questions no one would answer. Carmine’s life, in contrast, was marked by tumult, loss, and an unrelenting search for belonging. They lived as strangers, unaware of each other’s existence—until fate, and a single phone call brought the truth crashing in. Their discovery binds them in an instant—and alters everything.

What the Heart Carries traces their breathtaking discovery and the devastating tragedy that followed. At nce a story of grief and of redemption, it asks: How do we begin to heal when everything we know is torn apart?

Spanning from Brooklyn’s tight-knit neighborhoods to the sun-soaked streets of Florida, this is a powerful novel of family secrets, faith, and the unbreakable ties of blood. Inspired by true events, it is a story that will linger in your heart long after the final page.

 

Review

This was a beautifully written story about family, faith, healing, and the emotions we hold onto throughout life.

Susan Appel has created characters that feel authentic and relatable as they navigate relationships and themes of love and forgiveness.

Appel captures the quiet struggles and deep connections that shape families.

Overall, this was a heartfelt read that reminds us of the strength found in faith and the bonds that carry us through difficult seasons.

 

About the Author

 

 Susan Appel is the author of What the Heart Carries: One Secret, Two Lives, a debut novel inspired by her own family’s story of loss, faith, and restoration. She writes with honesty and heart, exploring themes of identity, grief, and the enduring bonds of family. Susan believes deeply in the power of words to heal, to connect, and to remind us that even in life’s darkest seasons, hope can be found. She cherishes quiet moments and laughter-filled days at the Jersey Shore with her husband and two children. Susan finds joy in simple traditions, lasting friendships, and the spiritual journey that continues to guide her steps.

Contact Links

Facebook: Susan Appel – Author

Instagram: @susanappel.author

Purchase Links

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