A family drama that asks the question - what happened to . . .

Do you know your family's history, with all the secrets no one says out loud? Is there something you want or need to know? Where do you start, and who is left to ask?

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Open this story and discover . . .

They never knew the details of their grandparents unspeakable loss . . .

They never fully understood their difficult father . . .

They never grasped the real reasons behind their mother's untimely death . . .

And they never knew what really happened to baby #7 . . .

They Only Thought They Knew

About Shirley Kaine

Shirley Kaine resides in Connecticut and is a retired business analyst. Having a background in technical writing, she never considered fiction, until she discovered the hidden details behind a family tragedy. This inspired her to write a story that reflects the impact tragedies can have on a family and the generations that follow. She hopes this story will open the door for others to gain a deeper understanding of their own parents and grandparents and the challenges they faced.

Bio

About Heidy Lanzl Kaine

Heidy Lanzl Kaine grew up in Plainville, Connecticut, where she met and married her husband, Jim. After many years in the insurance industry, where she held both technical and administrative roles, Heidy retired to focus more fully on her family, advocate for individuals with special needs, and nurture her passion for wildlife art. When Shirley invited her to coauthor a novel, Heidy embraced the opportunity to explore a new creative path in fiction writing. She now lives in Southington, Connecticut, with Jim and their beloved daughter, Elisa.

What Our Readers Are Saying!

I was impressed with the character and dialogue driven storytelling. It was very powerful!

. . . Thomas

This novel beautifully illustrates how one generations unspoken trauma became the next generations burdensome inheritance. I found it to be an interesting and relatable story.

. . . Nancy

I thought the writing was fantastic. The conversations were very natural and I could actually see the characters expressions and gestures in my mind.

. . . Joanne

It's amazing how little we really know about our parents and siblings. This is a well written story that shows us how many of the memories we shared were never spoken of.

. . . Carol

What a great read! This family drama weaves in tragedy, complicated family relationships and forgiveness. Any reader can walk away with a personal connection to this novel!

. . . Celia

Below the surface of this entertaining story, important themes bubbled up, touching you on so many levels.

. . . Renee

This family dram captures the reality of the times when men like me were coming of age. It highlighted the post WWII era when men were tough and silent, and women were being overstretched caring for their children. I found the trajectory of the story to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming. In the end, love prevailed.

. . . Jim

My sister-in-law gave me the book as a gift. This is an unbelievably intense family story. All I can say is WOW!

. . . Kathleen

Book Club Questions

Which character(s) speak to you and why?

Why do you think Brian is so difficult to deal with and not willing to change? Do you have a family member that 'stirs the pot' every chance they get? Is there a good way to address that without making things worse?

Should Brenda have told her siblings about the missing money? Was her decision to let it go a wise one?

What obstacles does Carl face as a father? During frustrating times, will he fall back to the ways of his own father?

Did the news that Alice shared matter to anyone besides her?

Can you imagine the house itself as an important character in the story? In other words, did being inside the house bring up feelings and memories for the siblings that were unexpected or even buried?

With the siblings so concerned about information that was kept from them, how many things are they themselves keeping from their family and why?

What were the traumas Evelyn was carrying that weaved their way into her marriage and family? Was there anything she could have done to turn things in a better direction?

Have you ever known anyone who has struggled with the effects of prescription medications? Were they able to get help?

Had George openly shared his burdens with Evelyn and the children, do you believe their story could have been a happier one?

Is George responsible for the death of his sister? Did he die still believing it was all his fault?

What if George's sister had not died? Would George have been a different father?

The parenting style of the 50's was much different than today. Was it better?

Have you had conversations with your parents and/or siblings about the specifics of your childhood? Does it feel helpful or frustrating? Is everyone on the same page with their recollections?

Are you wondering about a secret in your own family, or has a secret been revealed that made things clearer for you and your family members?