SARANAC LAKE, N.Y., Oct. 14, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Kristen Jamison spends much of her childhood alone with just a violin to keep her company. When her parents are killed, she is sent to live with a new family that changes her destiny in Pam Laplante's new novel of love, dreams and rock 'n roll: Secrets (now available through AuthorHouse).
At 11, Kristen moves in with John and Ellen Cameron after her parents, both successful scientists, die in a plane crash. The Camerons are retired and have three sons, Paul, Jay and Ryan. Paul and Jay are more than a decade older than her and studying to be doctors. Ryan, who is 14, shares her love of music and the two become fast friends. The family welcomes Kristen with open arms, except for Jay who receives her with disdain.
Two years pass and Kristen, who is tall, thin and very shy, settles into her new life. Then, Ebony Rose Jamison enters into the picture. Rose is her Australian half sister and the result of an affair their father had with a nurse during an expedition in the Outback. From the moment they are introduced, Kristen knows she has nothing in common with the gorgeous "Cleopatra" except for their dream of attaining a singing career. Rose and Jay are immediately attracted to each other, but their future career paths drive a wedge between them and give Kristen a reason to speak her mind about Jay's bad attitude.
When Rose wins "Star Search," she convinces Ryan to join her band. However, a few days before they are set to perform at its first "career make or break" event, she disappears. Left stranded, Ryan suggests Kristen pretend to be Rose. She is equally, if not more, talented, has copied her sister for years and looks enough like her that the deception is easy. They are a hit, get signed to a record label and become one of the biggest bands of the decade. Ryan and Kristen keep the deception a secret from the family, however, and Jay is convinced Kristen spends so much time with the band because she is in love with Ryan. Lately, he has found himself attracted to the girl he used to torment but cannot see the truth that stands in front of him.
Secrets are revealed with an angry outcome that sets off a chain of events in this inspiring romance novel spanning 15 years in the life of one girl and her struggle to attain her dreams.
An accountant by trade, Laplante says she is a writer at heart who has dreamed of becoming a romance novelist since she was a young girl. She believes there is nothing more important than love and romance. Secrets is her sophomore novel. Her debut, Second Chances (also available through AuthorHouse), was released in 2002.
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