title: The Secret Grave: A Hauntings Novel
author:  Lois Ruby 
description: Gr 46Twelve-year-old Hannah Eileen Flynn is irritatingly referred to as Hannah-in-the-Middle by her loud, boisterous family, made up of seven memberseight if you include their new creaky house, named Nightshade. Distraught over being abandoned by her two best friends, Luisa and Sara, who leave for spectacular summer trips, Hannah seeks solace in the peaceful forest behind her new home. Her dad has warned her not to go past the first row of pine trees, but she ignores this advice and is shocked to discover a hidden world in the quiet respite. She encounters a new friend, 12-year-old Cady. Hannah slips into the habit of escaping frequently to visit this forbidden area of the forest and is surprised every time how all signs of the outside world seem to vanish. Hannah can't quite put her finger on it, but there is something "off" about Cady, who wears oddly outdated shoes and clothing. Soon Hannah's new friend begins to appear in more modern clothes, which are almost exact copies of what Hannah is wearing. Cady also has an affinity for taming wild forest creatures, and she can eat the deadly berries from the belladonna plant. Meanwhile, Hannah is preoccupied with the fear that a ghost inhabits the attic of her new home. The Georgia setting is steamy yet chilling and lends the novel an eerie Southern gothic vibe. Suspense builds slowly but satisfyingly. Goose bumps will definitely be raised, but there's nothing too graphic. Tween readers are likely to enjoy the friendship dynamic in the plot as much as the horror. Hannah's heartfelt love of her family will also ring true. VERDICT An engaging Southern horror tale with plenty of friendship and family drama. For fans of lightly frightening fare.Julie Shatterly, W. A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  BETRAYED
  
  
  Ruby’s Story
  
  
  
  
  
  Destined Series, Book 4
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  KAYLIN LEE
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  BETRAYED: RUBY’S STORY
  
  
  Copyright © 2018 by Kaylin Lee
  
  
  First Edition
  
  
  All rights reserved.
  
  
  
  
  
  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
  without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
  critical articles or reviews.
  
  
  
  
  
  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations,
  places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s
  imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons,
  living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For information contact:
  
  
  Kaylin Lee
  
  
  [http://www.kaylinleewrites.com](http://www.kaylinleewrites.com)
  
  
  
  
  
  Editing by Kathrese McKee of Word Marker Edits
  
  
  Cover design by Victoria Cooper Designs
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Contents
  
  
  [Prologue](part0000_split_005.html#_Toc528665596)
  
  
  [Chapter