Top Ten Tuesday: Halloween Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

The topic for this week is Halloween Freebie, so I thought I'd share some books that would be great to read on or around Halloween. I've broken them down into five different categories, so, hopefully, there will be something for everyone.

Classics

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Children's

Goosebumps: One Day at Horrorland by R.L. Stine

Message in the Haunted Mansion by Carolyn Keene

Young Adult

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Edgar Allan Poe Retellings

The Fall by Bethany Griffin

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Cozy Mysteries

Ghost of a Potion by Heather Blake

Spell Booked by Joyce and Jim Lavene

What's your favorite Halloween read?

Review: Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh

About the Book

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Courtney Walsh returns with a hopeful and emotional new book about seizing second chances, finding yourself, and forging your own path.

Beth Whitaker isn’t supposed to be a small-town girl. She’s always dreamed of leaving Willow Grove, Illinois, for the big city, but she feels trapped, struggling to make up for a mistake that’s haunted her for years. Just when Beth is finally ready to break free, her sister impulsively buys a beloved but run-down farm on the outskirts of town, and she begs Beth to help with the restoration. Reluctantly, Beth agrees to help—and puts her own dreams on hold once again.

Drew Barlow hasn’t been back to Fairwind Farm since he was a boy, and he’s spent all these years trying to outrun the pain of a past he thought he buried long ago. When he learns that the owner has passed away, his heart knows it’s finally time to do the right thing. Returning to Willow Grove, Drew revisits the old farm, where he attempts to piece together his memories and the puzzle of the crime he witnessed so long ago.

Both on a journey to find peace, Beth and Drew are surprised when they begin to experience a restoration of their own. But when long-buried secrets break through the soil and the truth unfurls, will it threaten their budding relationship—and the very future of the farm?

Amazon / Goodreads

My Review

Four Stars

I love books that feature small towns. I also love books that showcase life on the farm. So when you combine the two, it's sure to be a winner for me and Hometown Girl was just that. It was a charming and heartwarming romance that I really enjoyed.

Beth Whitaker's life hasn't gone the way she'd hoped it would. She had a series of major disappointments that shattered her confidence and left her with somewhat of a defeatist attitude. She's a pragmatic perfectionist who's constantly trying to prove herself and feels like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Drew Barlow has a lot of guilt over something that happened twenty years ago. He's back at Fairwind Farm hoping to find closure. I really liked both of these characters. I could relate to Beth in a lot of ways. Drew intrigued me and I really felt for him. The constant pressure that was put on him as a little kid was so wrong. It was great watching them grow and learn to trust each other.

The element of faith was strong and woven seamlessly throughout. There was also a mystery aspect that I didn't expect, but really enjoyed. I did get a bit frustrated with all the secret keeping. There were times I wanted to scream at the characters to just tell each other the truth and stop hiding things from each other.

All in all, this story was a joy to read. I'm really hoping this is the start of a series because I'd love to visit Willow Grove again and read more about Beth's siblings. This was my first time reading anything by Courtney Walsh, but it definitely won't be the last!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Favorite Quotes

“I feel like I'm living with a bird in a cage. You've got wings, my darling daughter. Use them.”

“I'm saying if you do what you were made to do, then you'll find the peace you've been looking for. You can't work for it, you know. You just have to rest in it.”

You can find author Courtney Walsh online at her website, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh. I just finished this small-town contemporary romance and really enjoyed it. I'll have my review up for it on Monday, so be sure to come back and check it out. 

Book Beginning

Beth Whitaker hated flowers.

Friday 56 (56% on my Kindle)

She'd been striving to prove that she was more than Jed Whitaker's daughter since the day she'd graduated from college. She'd known she'd never accomplish everything she was meant to if she wasn't able to make these people take her seriously.

About the Book

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Courtney Walsh returns with a hopeful and emotional new book about seizing second chances, finding yourself, and forging your own path.

Beth Whitaker isn’t supposed to be a small-town girl. She’s always dreamed of leaving Willow Grove, Illinois, for the big city, but she feels trapped, struggling to make up for a mistake that’s haunted her for years. Just when Beth is finally ready to break free, her sister impulsively buys a beloved but run-down farm on the outskirts of town, and she begs Beth to help with the restoration. Reluctantly, Beth agrees to help—and puts her own dreams on hold once again.

Drew Barlow hasn’t been back to Fairwind Farm since he was a boy, and he’s spent all these years trying to outrun the pain of a past he thought he buried long ago. When he learns that the owner has passed away, his heart knows it’s finally time to do the right thing. Returning to Willow Grove, Drew revisits the old farm, where he attempts to piece together his memories and the puzzle of the crime he witnessed so long ago.

Both on a journey to find peace, Beth and Drew are surprised when they begin to experience a restoration of their own. But when long-buried secrets break through the soil and the truth unfurls, will it threaten their budding relationship—and the very future of the farm? 

What have you been reading lately? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Book Spotlight: Winter's Kiss: 6 Christian Christmas Romances

About the Book

Winter’s Kiss

Six new Christmas romances from bestselling Christian authors.

And You Came Along – Elaine Stock
Five days before Christmas, single parent Jacey Tucker thought the broken pieces of her life were falling into place until an eviction notice and termination at her job sends her and her little boy scrambling out of town.

Zander Paxton, a detective recovering from an injury and loss of faith, needs to start the next season of his life but he isn’t sure how or where. As Jacey heads south and Zander heads north, they get caught in a blizzard...and trapped together in a remote cabin.

A Different Kind of Christmas – Carole Towriss
Robinson Taylor Mitchell, unwelcome at home, wants a special someone of his own to celebrate with—someone like Juli, who’s just moved to town but won’t give him the time of day.

Juliana Hellisch won’t be home for Christmas for the first time ever. She’s stuck in Brandon Beach working off school debt as a nanny to an adorable three-year-old. She meets Rob, but there’s no way she’s getting involved with another rich snob, not after what happened last time.

To Gain a Bodyguard – Tanya Eavenson
Undercover ICE agent Madi Reynolds has spent years infiltrating a human-trafficking ring, but when her life is threatened, she is forced to walk away and advised to leave the country.

War Veteran and ICE agent Brice Johnson faces the biggest assignment of his life—protect the woman he loves.

Tropical Kiss and Tell – Liwen Y. Ho
Micah Chan has loved Lucy Choi ever since they were kids, but life—and some regretful decisions—stopped him from pursuing her. Now he has a choice to make: Let her marry another man or break up her engagement to make this Christmas the most memorable one of their lives.

Carousel Christmas – Laura V. Hilton
Romance sparks for Noelle and Nick as they work together to decorate the carousel barn and relationships begin to be healed.

Christmas Reflections – Ginger Solomon
Marisol Jones never expects to marry. Most men can’t see past her scars, but Garth Simmons isn’t most men. He doesn’t seem to notice her imperfections and neither does his daughter.

Cover design by Cindy Flores Martinez

Preorder for 99 cents

Amazon / iBooks / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Google Play

About the Authors

In addition to the novella And You Came Along, Elaine Stock is the author of Always With You, which released in January 2016 and has won the 2017 Christian Small Publishers Association Book of the Year Award in fiction. Her novels fuse romance, family drama and faith in a clean fiction style. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and contributes to the international “Happy Sis Magazine” and “InD’tale Magazine.” In addition to Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, she hangs out on her active six-year-old blog, Everyone’s Story, dedicated to uplifting and encouraging all readers through the power of story and hope.

Look for her next novel, Her Good Girl, to release January 22, 2018.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Elaine has now been living in upstate, rural New York with her husband for more years than her stint as a NYC gal. She enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and of course, a good book. You can find her at her website, on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon.

An unapologetic Californian, Carole Towriss now lives just north of Washington, DC. She loves her husband, her four children, the beach, and tacos, though not always in that order. In addition to writing, she binge-watches British crime dramas and does the dishes for the fourth time in one day. You can find her at her website, on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Amazon.

Tanya Eavenson is a bestselling and award-winning inspirational romance author. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. You can find her at her website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/ on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google, or on Amazon.

Liwen Y. Ho writes sweet and inspirational romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots). She lives in California with her techie hubby and their two children, and blogs about her life as a recovering perfectionist. You can find Liwen Y. Ho at her blog, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she's not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor's wife, and homeschools her two you youngest children.

When she is not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

You can find her on Amazon, her blogs http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ and http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/, on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre, and if she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, it’s on her mind. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com. You can find her at her website, on the Inspy Romance Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and on Amazon.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter releasing November 7.

About the Book

Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe—a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love, Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love.

Why I Need It

Denise Hunter is one of my favorite authors, so I'm always excited when she has a new book out.

What book are you eagerly anticipating? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Top Ten Tuesday: Clever Cozy Titles

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

The topic for this week is Top Ten Unique Book Titles. A lot of cozy mysteries have fun and punny titles, so I thought I'd share ten of my favorite Clever Cozy Mystery Titles. (I've read some of these, while others are on my TBR list.)

Safety in Blunders

Pies and Prejudice

Bearly Departed

Gluten for Punishment

Murder, She Barked

Here Today, Gone Tamale

Paint the Town Dead

Dead and Breakfast

Night of the Living Dandelion

Gone with the Witch

What are some of your favorite unique or clever book titles?

Review: The Change (Unbounded #1) by Teyla Branton

About the Book

There are only two ways to kill Unbounded, and fire isn’t one of them—as law school dropout Erin Radkey learns the hard way. By fluke of a recessive gene, she has become Unbounded, a nearly immortal being with paranormal abilities.

Erin’s Change separates her from her loved ones and alters everything she believes to be true. A week earlier she was considering a marriage proposal; now she contemplates the best way to stay alive. Caught in a battle between two Unbounded groups, she is also hunted by a secret mortal society sworn to eradicate the Unbounded gene. Worse, a new identification software could mean death for all Unbounded—or enslavement for the entire mortal world.

As Erin plunges into this dangerous new life, she must carve out her own place in the madness, protect her mortal family, and decide which group she should join. Her powerful attraction to Ritter Langton, whose family was massacred by opposing Unbounded two hundred and forty years ago, complicates her choices. There are no second chances. Death, life, or love—Unbounded always play for keeps.

Non-stop action, terrifying consequences, and powerful romance make this an exciting addition to the world of urban fantasy.

Amazon / Goodreads / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Google Play / iBooks

(Free on all retailers at time of posting.)

My Review

4.5 Stars

Things start changing fast for Erin when she survives an unsurvivable accident. It's not long before she's dragged into the hidden world of the Unbounded where she's caught between two warring Unbounded factions and becomes a target for Hunters (a group dead set on destroying all Unbounded), all while trying to get used to the idea of her new (nearly) immortal life.

It's really hard to find good urban fantasy or paranormal books without tons of bad language or steamy scenes, so I was thrilled to find The Change. No bad language or steamy scenes-YAY! I've had this book on my Kindle for awhile and can't believe it took me so long to try it. It was awesome! I was hooked from the first sentence and it held my complete attention to the very end.

The concept of the Unbounded was unique and super interesting. The world building was great. I enjoyed learning the ins and outs of the Unbounded right alongside Erin. There were a few times when Erin acted a bit immature and I'd forget she was actually in her thirties and not a teenager. She was thoroughly likable, though. Plus, all of the secondary characters were fully-fleshed out and I loved getting to know them.

There was a ton of action and shocking twists and reveals. I never knew what would happen next! This book just kept getting better and better the further along I read. I can't wait to read book two, The Cure!

To learn more about Teyla Branton, visit her website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+.

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: A Dangerous Engagement by Melanie Dickerson

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring A Dangerous Engagement (The Regency Spies of London #3) by Melanie Dickerson.

Book Beginning

Spring 1815, London, England

Felicity took the young gentleman's arm as they moved away from the dance floor. He was quite handsome, with brown hair and a gentle manner.

Friday 56

Felicity watched them leave, then clutched at her throat, leaning forward. "What have I done, what have I done?" she mumbled, rocking forward and back.

About the Book

Just as merchant’s daughter Felicity Mayson is spurned once again because of her meager dowry, she receives an unexpected invitation to Lady Blackstone’s country home. Being introduced to the wealthy Oliver Ratley is an admitted delight, as is his rather heedless yet inviting proposal of marriage. Only when another of Lady Blackstone’s handsome guests catches Felicity’s attention does she realize that nothing is what it seems at Doverton Hall.

Government agent Philip McDowell is infiltrating a group of cutthroat revolutionaries led by none other than Lady Blackstone and Ratley. Their devious plot is to overthrow the monarchy, and their unwitting pawn is Felicity. Now Philip needs Felicity’s help in discovering the rebels’ secrets—by asking her to maintain cover as Ratley’s innocent bride-to-be.

Philip is duty bound. Felicity is game. Together they’re risking their lives—and gambling their hearts—to undo a traitorous conspiracy before their dangerous masquerade is exposed.

What have you been reading lately? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Review: Crossfire (Montana Rescue #4.5) by Susan May Warren

About the Book

The woman he loves is caught in the crossfire of revenge…but he’ll have to face his crimes to save her.

A Montana Rescue novella by acclaimed, RITA award-winning, USA Today best-selling author Susan May Warren

Seven years have passed since ranch foreman Kade Logan walked away from small town Dawson, Montana and the woman he loved, Haddie Brown. He had his reasons, including a dark secret that made him swear never to return to eastern Montana oil country. Since then, he’s thrown himself into his job as foreman of billionaire rancher Ian Shaw’s spread in western Montana. He’s built a new life far from the mistakes—and broken heart—he left behind.

Trauma nurse Haddie Brown has fought to forget Kade and her broken dreams. Sure, she’s back in Dawson, but not for long—she’s on her way to Minneapolis to start a new chapter of her life.

When family problems bring Kade back to Dawson, his past comes due—and Haddie is caught in the crossfire. Kade must face his mistakes to rescue the woman he loves. And Haddie must trust the man who broke her heart if she hopes save them all.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Review

Four Stars

Susan May Warren is one of my favorite authors, so I was really excited for Crossfire. It was great! There was lots of intrigue, suspense, and danger. There were also appearances from some favorites from the Montana Rescue Series. (Loved that!) It did take me a chapter or two to get into, but it wasn't long before I couldn't read it fast enough. All in all, another great one from Susan May Warren. (I read this novella as part of the Targeted for Danger Collection)

To learn more about Susan May Warren, visit her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Murder on Moon Trek 1: A Sylvia Stryker Mystery (Outer Space Mysteries) by Diane Vallere

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Murder on Moon Trek 1: A Sylvia Stryker Mystery (Outer Space Mysteries) by Diane Vallere releasing December 17, 2017.

About the Book

When space academy dropout Sylvia Stryker hacks her way into the position of Uniform Inventory Manager aboard the Moon Unit 5, she jumps at the chance to leave her small planet behind. But when the ship's second navigation officer is found dead in the uniform closet shortly after departing the space station, Sylvia's problems become bigger than falsified test results. And when her supervisor places her on probation for her own uniform infraction, she's at risk of being dropped off at the nearest substation. Juggling red shirts, white lies, and an army of little green men, Sylvia has to expose a killer before the Moon Unit 5 becomes space dust.

Why I Need It

This book sounds awesome! I'm not usually a big science fiction fan, but I can't pass up a cozy mystery set in space. I can't wait to dive into this book!

What book are you eagerly anticipating? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Top Ten Tuesday: Yummy Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

The topic for this week is Top Ten Yummy Foods Mentioned In Books. I thought I'd share some books that have characters who work in the food industry or have food related jobs.

1. Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

This sweet historical romance features main characters who work for rival candy companies.

2. While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad

This was a super fun historical with a main character, Charlotte, who is very passionate about becoming a chef and bringing healthy food options into hospitals. There was also an exciting cooking competition.

3. Love's Unfading Light by Naomi Rawlings

Set during the 1880s, single mom Tressa Danell owns her own bakery in the small town of Eagle Harbor, Michigan. Her treats sounded delectable... especially the strawberry pie.

4. The Marshall's Lady by Patty Smith Hall

A delightful historical novella featuring a young lady attempting to turn the town bar into a tea room.

5. Buying Love by Toni Shiloh

Dwight Williams' family restaurant, The Maple Pit, served up some mouth-watering dishes.

6. A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge

Juliette is a food writer and the youngest heir to a French-Italian restaurant dynasty. This book made me so hungry.

7. Blueberry Cupcake Mystery by Naomi Miller

This is a short novella featuring a young Amish girl who works at The Sweet Shop and solves mysteries.

8. All Fudged Up by Nancy Coco
Allie McMurphy runs her family's historic hotel and fudge shop--yes--FUDGE SHOP!!!

9. Killer Jam by Karen MacInerney
Reporter Lucy Resnick cashes in her retirement and buys her grandmother's farm to become a homesteader. She makes some Killer Dewberry Jam.

10. Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower
Bailey King is an assistant chocolatier in New York City, but returns home to Harvest, Ohio to help out at her grandparent's Amish candy shop when her grandpa becomes ill.

What are some of your favorite books that feature yummy food or characters who work in the food industry?

Review: Love's Winter Hope (Eagle Harbor #5) by Naomi Rawlings

About the Book

Journey back to a time when neighbors knew each other's names, and a handshake meant a person's honor. The bestselling Eagle Harbor Series continues with Book 5, Love’s Winter Hope.

When Jessalyn Dowrick’s husband left her and their three daughters to head west five years earlier, she had no choice but to pick up the pieces of her broken life and continue without him, eventually supporting herself as Eagle Harbor’s seamstress, and secretly hoping her husband would return. But days soon slipped into months, and months into years, all without word of Thomas or a cent of the money he’d promised to send.

While working day and night to build a new life that his wife would be proud of, Thomas wrote Jessalyn every week, asking her to come to South Dakota. But she never arrived. In fact, she never answered a single one of his letters. When he returns to Eagle Harbor in search of answers, he finds a woman who thought him dead . . . and soon regrets he didn’t come after her earlier.

As winter closes in and storms trap Thomas in town until the harbor opens in the spring, will he be able to convince his wife he’s worth a second chance?

Amazon / Goodreads / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Google Play

My Review

Five Stars

I've been very interested in reading this story since the first time I met Jessalynn in Love's Unfading Light, book one, and learned of her situation. Let me tell ya', it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved it!

There's a lot of misunderstanding, miscommunication, and many years of hurt for Jessalynn and her recently returned husband, Thomas, to try and overcome. I didn't know what to expect from Thomas. I couldn't imagine what kind of guy would leave his wife and kids and not send any word for five years. It took a little bit for him to grow on me, but, as they say, there's two sides to every story, and it wasn't long before I came to really like him. I really felt for both of them. Forgiveness isn't easy, but sometimes trusting again is even harder. I was rooting for them and enjoyed watching them work through some tough issues.

I was so happy to be back in Eagle Harbor and to catch up with 'old friends'. I've loved every single one of the books in this series. If you're a fan of historical romance, don't miss out on this wonderful series! I can't wait to read Isaac and Aileen's story in book six, Love's Bright Tomorrow.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and comments are my own opinion.

To learn more about Naomi Rawlings, visit her website and Facebook page.

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: All this Time (Walker Family #4) by Melissa Tagg

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring All This Time (Walker Family #4) by Melissa Tagg. This is the final book in the series about the Walker family. Set in the fictional Iowa town of Maple Valley, these books can be read as standalones.

Book Beginning

A single, strained scan of the church's hollowed interior was all it took for the whispers of Bear McKinley's past to turn to bellows.

Friday 56 (56% on my Kindle)

Bear stood over a stump of a tree, a thick log standing upright and an ax in his hand. That tattoo around one arm peeked out from under a damp shirt that stretched over taut muscle. He lifted the ax high and brought it down again.

Raegan turned to Kate with her jaw gaping, her voice low, "He's like a mountain man."

About the Book

Bear McKinley’s past refuses to let go.

Ten years ago, Bear gave up everything—his freedom and his reputation—for his mess of a family. But after years of distance and too many attempts at starting over, he finally has a new life doing noble work in Brazil . . . until his past catches up to him once again. Suddenly he finds himself back in Maple Valley, charged with the care of his missing brother’s children, convinced he’s out of second chances to make his life count. And yet, with every day that passes, these kids, this quirky town and the woman he never stopped missing help patch the holes in his heart. Maybe this is the fresh start he’s been longing for all along. But as his newfound hope grows, so does the mystery surrounding his brother’s activities—and when the threat reaches into the lives of those he loves, it’s clear he can’t run away this time.

Fear holds Raegan’s future captive.

Raegan Walker is fine. She’s happy working a slew of part-time jobs, still living in her childhood bedroom and rarely venturing from her hometown. At least, that’s what she tells everyone . . . and herself. But she can’t help wondering what might’ve happened if she hadn’t abandoned her art so many years ago—and if Bear McKinley had never left. When Bear returns and she’s commissioned for a painting that just might revive her artistic ambition all in one week, it’s time to finally reach for more than fine. But doing so means facing the fears that have held her back all this time, including admitting the secret she’s kept from Bear and her family. With her dream and her heart on the line, how much will Raegan have to risk to finally chase her happy ending?

What have you been reading lately? Leave a comment below and let me know.