Colter Sons Series by Karen Baney // Just Read Spotlight and Excerpt

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the first three books of the Colter Sons series by Karen Baney, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Books

Title: The Reluctant Cattleman
Series: Colter Sons #1
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: August 19, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Love at First Sight Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Coming of age story set in Prescott, Arizona in 1887. 

As Sam Colter takes on more responsibilities at the family ranch, he believes he is a disappointment to his father. He feels like the misfit of the family. When a journalist shows up to interview his mother, secrets from the past threaten his fledging sense of security. Can he overcome his fear and doubts to accept his role as a cattleman and rancher? Will he allow himself to love the woman who turned his life upside down? 

Ellie Mae Thatcher moves to Prescott to start her career as a writer. When she misleads the Colters about her identity, she hurts the man she is falling in love with. Can she win back his trust and his heart?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Excerpt: “I should apologize in advance for the barbaric frenzy you are about to see,” Sam said.

I laughed. “I’ll be careful to not get in the way.”

“Not if you want to keep your limbs.”

I heard the noise long before we arrived at the porch. “I see what you mean about your brothers.”

As he held the door open, I braced myself for the aforementioned chaos. The noise was so loud I wanted to cover my ears. I glanced at Sam. His mouth turned downward, and he stepped around me to place my things in the parlor.

My jaw slackened as I watched the scene unfold. Boone had Preston in a headlock while Deacon tickled Preston’s side. Preston squirmed and flailed his arms, trying to get his older brothers to stop. Boone rubbed his knuckles on the top of Preston’s head, mussing his hair.

“Stop it!” Preston yelled between giggles.

“Boone!” Their mother’s voice held a hard edge, which Boone ignored.

“Morning, boys!” I hollered.

Deacon dropped his hands as Boone released Preston, who fell to the floor with a loud thud. He jumped to his feet and smoothed out his wrinkled shirt.

Boone stepped forward and ran a hand through his hair. “Morning, Ellie Mae.”

Then he held a chair out for me. Sam held out a different chair, and I suddenly felt awkward. I slid into it. One thing was certain: meals at the Colter’s house would be anything but boring.

Title: The Roaming Adventurer
Series: Colter Sons #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: October 21, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Shotgun Wedding, Main Character Disguise Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Set in Prescott, Arizona Territory in 1890 – 1891.

Boisterous Boone Colter settled into his career as a surveyor when his older brother approached him to survey a route for a new railroad. When Boone hires Jack Bennett, he never expected to be forced to choose between his desire for independence and protecting Jack. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he find a way to strike a balance? 

Jaclyn “Jack” Bennett spent the last six years apprenticing as an assistant surveyor under her father. When her father asks her to give up her dreams, settle down, and get married, Jaclyn disguises herself as a man and flees to Prescott, Arizona. Except she never thought through how her choice would destroy the lives of those around her. Will she find a way to reconcile broken relationships?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Excerpt: I could tell you my name, but growing up at my house, I thought it was almost a curse word. If Mama said my name, Boone, with her hands raised in the air and let them fall to her side, I knew I pressed her to the point of frustration that day.

If Mama said “Boone” with a low growl like a snarling dog going after a jackrabbit for its supper, the next words outta her mouth were something like: wait until my father gets home. It was an odd thing to say.

We lived on a ranch, and he was always within earshot of a rifle. If Mama said my name and wrung her hands at the same time as her eyebrows scrunched together, she just witnessed me do something highly risky that probably caused her heart to lodge up in her throat.

Like the time I jumped outta the hay loft hanging onto a rope that wasn’t properly secured to anything. I should have busted up something. I had more lives than a cat.

Title: The Railroad Magnate
Series: Colter Sons #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: December 2, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Love at First Sight Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Set in Prescott, Arizona Territory in 1891 – 1893.

James Colter was a successful entrepreneur and businessman in the railroad industry. As he watches his younger brothers marry and start their families, his loneliness deepens. He has everything, except the one thing he longs for the most:  a wife and family of his own. When he dances with the daughter of an older friend, was it love at first sight, or will he put his personal dream on hold again to pursue his professional aspirations? 

Keri Glassman wants to follow in her parents’ footsteps. She dreams of becoming a contract attorney. When a handsome suitor invites her on a train ride, the course of her life is rewritten. Like her mother, she wants it all, a career, a loving husband, and a family. Can she find her own way or will her desire to please her parents threaten to destroy her hope for a lasting love?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Excerpt: As I entered the ballroom, my eyes snagged on a heavenly creature and my pulse picked up pace. Her dark brown hair complimented her ivory skin. Her sapphire blue dress brought out the vibrancy of her blue eyes, which beckoned to me from across the room. Stunning.

I did not stop until I stood before her. The music started, so I extended my hand toward her.

“May I have this dance?” I asked.

Pink tinged her cheeks as she placed her delicate hand on mine and stood. My eyes locked with hers as I pulled her close. At that moment, there was no one else in the room. Just her.

My feet glided across the dance floor. As I led us in a waltz, she kept perfect pace with me. Then she smiled and my heart danced even faster than my feet. The first dance sped by without a word exchanged between us.

As the second dance started, I asked, “How have we not met before now?”

“Oh, but we may have.” Pink colored her cheeks. Her dark lashes fluttered as she looked down for a moment, stealing my breath away.

“I’m certain I would have remembered you.” One side of my mouth curved up.

“You are James Colter, are you not?”

“Indeed. And you are?”

“Keri Glassman.”

“And you believe we’ve met before?”

The sound of her soft laughter endeared her to me even more.

“I know it.”

I flashed her a saucy grin. “Really?”

“I am rarely wrong.”

Confident. Sure. And beautiful. I wondered where she had been all my life.

“Care to remind me where we met before?”

“You have a reputation, Mr. Colter, for being a very astute man. I am certain you will solve the mystery all on your own without my assistance.”

More Books in This Series

   

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About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona in the late 1990s, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona. 

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win all 6 books in the Colter Sons series (winner picks paperback or ebook)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 3, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 10, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Alaskan Mountain Search by Sarah Varland // Review

Lucie's Review: 

When her niece goes missing, with all signs pointing to the Echo Pass Hunter a local at large serial killer Bre must turn to the one person who left without explanation years ago. 

A suspenseful read that finds Bre and Griffin in a killer's crosshairs, I liked how it brought them back together to confront their fears and insecurities about their past. I admired Griffin's gift for training dogs, and how he is protective of Bre. Strong themes of faith throughout, as well as good character growth and interaction. 

It was an engaging read with great characters, action-packed, and even a little creepy. I especially liked Griffin's clever dog, Ember who is a wonderful character and huge help in their search. A wonderful stand alone read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Eleanor's Bench // Now Streaming on Pureflix // Review

Eleanor's Bench // Eleanor Thomas’s success as a Washington DC juvenile court judge is challenged when her inner-city past comes to court and demands more than judgment, prompting her to return to her impoverished neighborhood of youth. Will her renewed sense of purpose reinvigorate her faith?

New series “Eleanor’s Bench" is streaming exclusively on Pure Flix now!

https://www.pureflix.com/movie/eleanors-bench

Episode #3 Review:

Eleanor finds herself shaken by the aftermath of the previous episode, wanting to step up for a fractured family. Meanwhile, she is presiding over the case of a gifted young man who finds himself on at odds with the law and his bright future threatened. 

I like how this series does a good job of showing difficult situations, but also the hope through genuine friendships. Eleanor is a compassionate judge, and I liked that she wants to do more than what her job requires to help others in the long term. 

This is an emotional episode, dealing with what happened previously. Eleanor feels the need to reach out and do more yet is also understandably scared of taking that leap of faith. I also liked the themes of being a chain-breaker, and not doing what is always done simply because no else has done something different. 

A turning point episode to be sure in this inspiring and emotional series. It will be exciting to see what happens next in this 6-part series. 

#EleanorsBenchMIN #PureFlix #PureFlixVIPAmbassador #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Join Pure Flix now and watch Eleanor’s Bench!

Biggest Lessons We've Learned from Eleanor's Bench

Giveaway: 3-month subscription to Pure Flix 

(Note: This is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription  in the last 6 months).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green // Cover Reveal

The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green //  In World War II, worlds collide when performers across the United States unite to tour North Africa in a USO variety show.

Vibrant and scrappy Maggie McCleod tried not to get fired from her wartime orchestra, but she can't keep from speaking her mind, so an overseas adventure with the USO's camp show seems like the perfect fresh start. Wealthy and elegant Catherine Duquette signs with the USO to leave behind her restrictive life of privilege and to find out what happened to the handsome pilot whose letters mysteriously stopped arriving.

The two women are joined by an eclectic group of performers--a scheming blues singer, a veteran tap dancer, and a brooding magician--but the harmony among their troupe is shattered when their tour manager announces he will soon recommend one of them for a new job in the Hollywood spotlight. Each of the five members has a reason to want the contract, and they'll do whatever is necessary to get it. As their troupe travels closer to combat in Tunisia, personal crises and wartime dangers only intensify, until not only their careers but also their lives are on the line.

Preorder today for 40% off and free shipping : https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/542729

#amylynngreen #foxholevictorytour #bhpfiction #coverreveal #ww2fiction #bookstoread #tbr #christianfiction #historicalfiction

Sound of Freedom // Movie Review // Win Tickets to See the Film in Theaters!

Sound of Freedom is a powerful new film from Angel Studios (The Chosen, His Only Son) based on an incredible true story! 

Sound of Freedom, based on the incredible true story, shines a light on even the darkest of places. After rescuing a young boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent learns the boy’s sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death. 

Buy tickets today to see Sound of Freedom in theaters starting July 4th!

  Angel Studio’s goal for Sound of Freedom is for two million people to go see the film in theaters the week of July 4 to remember the two million children who are trafficked every year.

 #2MillionFor2Million 

 You can find showtimes at https://www.angel.com/tickets/sound-of-freedom. New theaters are added daily. 

 If the price of the ticket is keeping you from going, generous fans have Paid it Forward tens of thousands of free tickets for you to be able to see the film opening week. You can get a free ticket at angel.com/freetickets 

 You can help pay for other people's tickets to come to the film at angel.com/freedom this helps us reach our goal of #2MillionFor2Million to help end child trafficking. 

 My Review: 

A powerful film about the atrocities of the child sex trafficking industry, based the true story of Special Agent Tim Ballard. 

An amazing film, with captivating storytelling that gripped the heart while also feeling like an action film. The subject of this film is a difficult one to talk about, because if most of us are honest we don't want to acknowledge that such terrible things happen--but they do. But the filmmakers handled it all really well, we never seen anything explicit on the screen but things are staged and the dialog lets us know what happened. There were a few instances of cursing and crude language as well as times when Tim has to play along with the pedophiles and traffickers to lure them into his trap, so I think that it fit the story and packed the desired punch and shock value without going further. Definitely something to consider when thinking about if the film is suitable for your family. 

Tim Ballard is a Special Agent who is an expert at tracking down pedophiles, he is devoted to his job as well as to his family and instead of hardening him the things he has seen only ignites his passion to do more to save children. I admired his determination and how he found ways around the parameters he was given, calling in favors and the help of solid friends. 

A well done film, gripping, full of action, and clutches at your heart while telling of the heart wrenching reality faced by many children, and telling the story of a courageous man who fought back. Highly recommend taking your friends and family to see this powerful and inspiring film!

#SoundOfFreedomMIN #SoundofFreedomMovie #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Many thanks to Angel Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review.  Opinions are 100% my own.  

Giveaway: 2 free tickets to see Sound of Freedom! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Redemption by Traci Hunter Abramson // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Slow to start, this book ramped up the action quickly as I caught up with the character backstory and the members of the Saint Squad. This is my first adventure with this elite team of Navy Seals, so it might have taken me longer to get up to speed on everything that was going on that someone who has read this series before, but I did find that the beginning lingered a lot on the set up, though later it did pay off. 

An action packed romance, with opposites who attracted as Gabe tries to prove himself beyond his troubled past. Gabe has come a long way since his past, and I liked his determination and that he didn't give up doing what was right for what was easy. 

Overall, an entertaining and enjoyable read with great non-stop action after I got past the first bits. A wonderful action filled read with a redemptive theme. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Pursuit of Miss Parish by Grace Hitchcock // Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

 

Book: The Pursuit of Miss Parish

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: May 31, 2023

Love’s gentle promise becomes nothing more than a withered dream.

With dreams of love and a hope for belonging, shy Belle Parish leaves her position as a maid in Charleston to travel to New Mexico with her best friend to become mail-order brides. Colt Lawson’s letters hold great promise and while his devilishly handsome face matches his picture, something does not add up. Discovering his lie only moments before they wed, Belle flees the church and straight into the Castañeda Hotel Harvey House. Giving up the prospect on ever marrying, she dons her nun-like uniform and focuses on her role as a Harvey Girl waitress until a strong, former Texas Ranger rides into her life.

Colt Lawson didn’t want to send that letter to Belle Parish in the first place, but her first response had all but captured his heart. When he is left standing at the altar alone, he is left with two choices—either release his dream of a love marriage, or attempt to win her heart. Wooing her would be a lot easier if that Texas Ranger wasn’t back in town. Who wants a dusty rancher with a past when she could have a shining knight in a Stetson?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review: 

A charming and adventure filled romance, filled with faith and friendship. 

Belle Parish is ready to make a fresh start, answering the letter of a cowboy in search of a mail-order bride. But when she arrives things that Colt wrote to her about don't seem to match the man that he appears to be, so she calls the wedding off and signs on as a Harvey Girl. 

Belle is a likable and capable young woman, I liked that she holds herself to high standards and quickly proves herself a hard worker. I was glad that she found true friends in Angelique and Harriet who supported her throughout. Even though Colt isn't who he appears to be, I did like that he wants to do better and prove himself to Belle, fighting for her not knowing who she would choose. 

Engaging and well-paced, with a courageous heroine in this action filled western romance. Enjoyable from beginning to end, this book has a full cast of characters, with strong themes of second chances, faith and friendship. I loved the slight connection to the previous book in the series and returning characters, though this book could definitely be read as a standalone. I'm excited to read the next book in the series!

 I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter. Connect with her online at GraceHitchcock.com.

 

More from Grace

Questions from READERS for Grace Hitchcock

Q: As a mom, how/when do you find time to write?

Grace Hitchcock: I used to walk around the block to my favorite coffee shop in New Orleans, writing with a delicious latte and scone beside me, headphones in with the perfect soundtrack playing waiting for the muse. . . and now days, I write during Sofia the First episodes blaring in the background for my toddler while the baby sleeps and my Kindergartner is in half-day school.

On the days when I can’t get the word count down during those tiny moments, my husband takes the babies for an hour in the evenings and tells me to go write! When I’m on tight deadline with days left to go, the house usually isn’t the cleanest and Laundry Mountain, in all its splendor, may just fall on top of us. Sometimes while on deadline, I get the urge to pause and clean, but if I ignore the impulse long enough, the feeling generally passes. Once the book is in to my editor, it’s time to clean.

Q: What is your favorite source of inspiration for creating the characters in your stories?

Grace Hitchcock: For main characters, I use Names Through the Ages to figure out their names based on their background and once I know a character’s name, it’s as if the heroine/hero stroll into my writing room and I get to know their personality, the story closely following.

For the supporting characters, I have a need/plot point that they need to fill and I build their personality around that need. Not quite as exciting haha but they serve a purpose. But, I always remind myself to try to fill them out because they do not know they are not the main characters.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Grace Hitchcock: One of my earliest memories is writing stories in my little diary in my closet. (Remember the diaries with the locks on them that were super easy to pick, but still dreamy to have a book with a lock on it.)

I started taking my desire to write seriously when I was a senior in high school. I was homeschooled and my mom let me write a novel for my senior English project to test that theory if I wanted to write. It was so fun to write, I knew that’s what I wanted to do, so I got my Masters in Creative Writing and I’ve been typing away ever since 

Q: What is your writing process like?

Grace Hitchcock: I usually begin with a spark of an idea that I at once research to see if it would work with the eras I enjoy writing (Gilded Age and Regency England). From there, I do a deep dive into writing out a chapter by chapter plot, which generally takes about a week to ten days.

Once I have my plot down, I do about a week or two more of basic research and begin the first very, very rough draft that I usually finish at 50,000 words after 3 months of writing.

 

Then, I research any spots that needed improving in the first draft and go full editing mode, pausing throughout the book to research spots that need more description and historical accuracy, which is about two months and then, I do a third round of edits and research while doing a line edit, which takes a month.

 

By the time I get to the 6-month mark, I am more than ready to have a break haha and I send my 75,000/80,000 word novel off to my publisher/editor who does a content edit, sends it back to me for three weeks, another editor does a line edit, sends it back to me for three weeks, then another editor does a copy edit and sends it to galleys (where they format the book) and send it back to me to proof one last time for two weeks! Then, it goes to press at usually 75,000-100,000 depending on the novel. So long story short, 6 months to write and about 2 months to edit!

Q: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Grace Hitchcock: In this business, just about every author gets a rejection from a publisher . . . even by publishers who later accept them!

When I began sending out one of my first manuscripts, I thought it was pristine, but after about 15 rejections, I put it on the shelf and focused on a new manuscript with fresh eyes and new goals based on some of the industry professionals’ suggestions. Six months after I shelved that first manuscript, I went back and looked over it . . . the professionals were right. It wasn’t ready and it would require a lot more love (aka bleeding edits) before I attempted to send it out again. Sometimes, time is what you need to get a fresh perspective.

But it is also important to remember that when you get a rejection letter, they are not rejecting you. They are rejecting the work. And as much as you see it as a work of art, the publishers see it as a product. They are there to sell a product and if the product isn’t ready, it won’t sell well, so take heart and “hone your craft” and focus on any feedback you received that has merit.

That critique was very hard for me to hear haha but it helped push me to keep learning, attending writer conferences, and following my dreams. Over the years, I have had novels rejected by Barbour, Bethany, and Kregel, but I tried again and again and eventually signed with each publishing house! So keep it up! You can do it!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , June 16

Vicky Sluiter, June 16

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 17

She Lives To Read, June 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 18

Texas Book-aholic, June 19

Alena Mentink, June 19

All-of-a-kind Mom, June 20

Bigreadersite, June 20

Connie’s History Classroom, June 21

Books You Can Feel Good About, June 21

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 22

Betti Mace, June 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 24

Karen Baney Reviews, June 24

Blogging With Carol, June 25

For Him and My Family, June 25

Labor Not in Vain, June 26

Mary Hake, June 26

Cover Lover Book Review, June 27

Holly’s Book Corner, June 27

Splashes of Joy, June 28

Pause for Tales, June 28

Jodie Wolfe -Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 29

Lights in a Dark World, June 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of The Finding of Miss Fairfield AND The Pursuit of Miss Parish with bookmarks and book magnets, and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2658d/the-pursuit-of-miss-parish-celebration-tour-giveaway

Looking for Leroy by Melody Carlson // Review

My Review: 

A heartwarming story of second chances and new beginnings. 

Another school year comes to a close and teacher Brynna Phillips' life is in a tailspin, so she accepts the invitation of her co-worker Jan to accompany her on a RVing adventure to Sonoma. The trip brings up memories of a former flame, and they decide to see if they can find him. But finding Leroy is just the beginning. 

A heartwarming tale of second chances, faith and friendship. An enjoyable quick read filled with a full cast of colorful characters, great for fans of feel-good romantic films. I especially liked how Jan and Mike were supportive and just the right amount of pushy to encourage Brynna to do what she needed to. Jan was probably one of my favorite characters because of her straightforward manner and big heart. I also liked getting to know Leroy's family. 

Overall, this was a quick read, simple, but full of charm. There were times when I thought that things would get resolved faster if they would just talk to each other, but nonetheless a charming read. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner // Review

My Review: 

A character driven coming of age story of two sisters growing up in 1950's America chasing their dreams. 

A beautifully written book that pulled me into the lives of sisters Bertha and Flossie Harding. Bertha has a gift for playing ball, while Flossie is a bookworm with an impulsive nature, and a strong sense of justice. I loved how immersive the book was, bringing the fifties to life for me through their unique and individualized viewpoints. There were many times when Flossie made me laugh out out with her matter of fact take on life and her friendship with Lizzie was one of my favorite parts of her story. 

This author knows how to tell a thought provoking and engaging story with characters that feel as real as your best friend, and she continues her winning streak with this latest novel. This was the first book that I've read about the HUAC investigations, and I found it very intriguing and scary how neighbors turned on each other like that. 

Overall, a wonderfully written and engaging novel sure to linger long in your memories. I thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age tale of love, growing up, baseball, books, faith and all the things in between!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Windswept Way by Irene Hannon // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Ashley Scott needs a change of scenery so she moves across the country to Hope Harbor to take on the project of turning a historic cliffside mansion into a wedding venue. 

A compelling read with captivating characters that caught my attention from the start. I especially enjoyed Rose, who is a spirited, but reclusive, older woman and how she welcomes Ashley into her world as they work together on bringing their vision to life. They enlist the help of Jonathan Gray a war veteran who likes to keep to himself, with scars that are more than skin deep. 

A compelling read filled with a captivating cast of characters, as well as familiar faces from the previous books. I have enjoyed these hope harbor books so much and I can't believe this is the ninth installment to the series, though this book can also be read as a standalone. It was so fun seeing the three of them working together and opening their hearts over the course of the story. 

Overall, an engaging read with a compelling and heartwarming storyline set in a beautiful coastal town. I couldn't help but cheer for Rose, Ashley and Jonathan all the way through this compelling read. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.