What the Heart Carries: One Secret, Two Lives
by Susan Appel
GENRE: FICTION / Family Life, FICTION / Women, FICTION / Religious
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2026
DESCRIPTION:
One secret. Two lives forever changed.
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 together in an instant, altering everything. What the Heart Carries traces their breathtaking discovery and the devastating tragedy that followed.
At once a story of grief and redemption, this book 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.
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.
COMPARATIVE FILM/BOOK:
"This Is Us" meets "Lion"
CASTING:
Cecilia: Monica Barbaro, Stephanie: Nina Dobrev, Carmine: Dave Franco
PRIMARY VENUES/LOCATIONS WITHIN THE BOOK:
Brooklyn, NY & Fort Lauderdale, FL
BOOK EXCERPT:
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