Audio Book Review: Redemption Bay by RaeAnne Thayne

This is an easy contemporary romance.

Redemption Bay
By RaeAnne Thayne
Narrated By: Celeste Ciulla

Series: Haven Point, Book 2
Duration: 10 h 16 min
Release date: 06-30-15
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 3.75.

Summary:
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point-a place made for second chances. McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her hometown of Haven Point. It may be small, but it's never let her down.unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family's factory, leaving the town's economy in shambles. Now his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point's sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice. What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie-its fiery young mayor-he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing.a place where love arrives when it's least expected.

Review:
McKenzie Shaw owns a flower and gift shop and is the 30(ish) year old Mayor of her beloved hometown Haven Point. Even though she had a childhood crush on handsome Ben Kilpatrick, she has no soft feelings for him since he closed his family’s factory five years ago. The closure took away many jobs and caused the town decline that they are still trying to find a way to revive.

McKenzie has to bite her tongue when Ben shows up in town to assess it as a branch location for the successful company he works for, Caide Tech. Haven Point is a beautiful setting, and the company owner now leaves just outside town. But the next community down the road appears to be a better fit with houses and infrastructure already in place.

Ben is renting the tourist cottage next to McKenzie’s property. McKenzie’s standard poodle, Rika, has made fast friends with Hondo, the German Shepard Ben is ‘sitting’. Between the proximity and dogs, McKenzie and Ben find themselves pushed together.

Both McKenzie and Ben had painful childhood memories and relationships in Haven Point. McKenzie needs to stuff her enmity in order to show Ben how friendly and worthwhile her community. Ben, who seems to have shut himself off, has to try to see beyond the pains from his childhood in this town.

I enjoyed the development of both characters as they learned more about each other and overcame inaccurate assumptions. The story isn’t particularly eventful, but it does show the danger of miscommunication in relationships and struggles in small town life. Ms. Thayne is a reliable author for nice, easy read romance. I can recommend this series to romance readers who enjoy clean, contemporary romance.

Audio Notes: Celeste Ciulla delivers a nice narration which is more a read than an enactment. Her narration matched the easy tone of the story. I am glad I had an audio version.

Source: 8/31/18 Audiobooks.com 2 for 1 credit deal. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022phabet goals.

Book Review: Coming Home for Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne

This is a nice, sweet romance/second chance story.

Coming Home for Christmas
(Haven Point #10)
by RaeAnne Thayne

Publisher : HQN; First Time Paperback edition (October 27, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1335147993
Genre: Christmas, Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Hearts are lighter and wishes burn a little brighter at Christmas…

Elizabeth Hamilton has been lost. Trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief, she couldn’t quite see the way back to her husband and their two beautiful kids…then a car accident stole away her memories. When she finally remembered the sound of little Cassie’s laugh, Bridger’s baby-powder smell and the feel of her husband’s hand in hers, Elizabeth reasoned that they’d moved on without her. That perhaps she wasn’t the right mother for her kids or wife for Luke, no matter how much she loved them.

But now, seven years later, Luke discovers her in a nearby town and brings Elizabeth back home to the family she loves, just in time for Christmas. Being reunited with Luke and her children is better than anything Elizabeth could have imagined. As they all make new holiday memories, Elizabeth and Luke are drawn ever closer. Can the hurt of the past seven years be healed over the course of one Christmas season and bring the Hamiltons the gift of a new beginning?

Review:
Elizabeth and Luke were madly in love. He came from a broken home and was enthralled by the love and acceptance that Elizabeth offered. But Elizabeth experiences debilitating grief after the death of her beloved parents. This is exacerbated with postpartem depression after the birth of her second child. One night she walks away from her husband and her two children and disappears.

Seven years later Luke, 12-year-old Cassie and 8-year-old Bridger are still suffering from the mysterious disappearance (and abandonment) of Elizabeth. Luke is about to be arrested and charged with murder and the children are subject to nasty comments. When Luke learns that Elizabeth is alive, he sets out to bring her back to prove his innocence. He is angry and she is surprised, saddened and shamed for having brought such trouble and sorrow to her husband and children.

Initially Luke doesn’t want to hear what happened to Elizabeth. Once he begins to listen, he is able to recognize the struggles that his wife has had to overcome after a serious accident that caused temporary loss of memory and damaged her face and body. Bridger never knew his mother and is willing to get to know her. But Cassie is resentful and unwilling to open her arms to this unfamiliar woman. Elizabeth longs to be reconciled with her family but she accepts responsibility for their fears and reluctance and even wonders if she is worthy to be part of their loving group. Can the tenderness of the Christmas spirit help them to find a new chance for love and family?

I have never had depression go beyond a day or so before I refocus. However, I have had family members who suffer from anxiety and depression and I recognize it as a dreadful illness that can require medication and/or counselling therapies. Even so, I had trouble relating to Elizabeth. I couldn’t understand why she would not contact Luke after her memory returned and she was released from rehabilitation. That is all part of the story and part of the issues the characters have to address.

As always, I enjoyed the character development by Ms.Thayne. She is a wonderful story teller sharing emotions and romance in real life situations. I recommend this author and this story as a warm romance featuring the best of Christmas and second chances.

Source: Won from Bookfan in 2019. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Alphabet goals.

Book Review: The Rancher's Christmas Song by RaeAnne Thayne

This is another charming Thayne Christmas romance.

The Rancher's Christmas Song 
(The Cowboys of Cold Creek)
by RaeAnne Thayne

File Size: 2274 KB
Print Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition (November 1, 2017)
ASIN: B06XZN6DLC
Genre: Clean, Holidays, Sweet Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Keep a song in your heart this holiday season…
Music teacher Ella Baker’s plate is already full. But when single dad Beckett McKinley’s wild twin boys need help preparing a Christmas song for their father, Ella agrees on one condition: they teach her to ride a horse. She’s hoping that’ll help mend her strained relationship with her rancher father; it certainly has nothing to do with the crush that’s lingered since her one and only date with Beck.
It isn’t disinterest spurring Beck to keep his distance—if anything, the spark is too strong, with Ella reminding him of his ex-wife. Soon what started as an innocent arrangement is beginning to feel a lot like family. But with the holidays approaching, Beck and Ella will have to overcome past hurts if they want to keep each other warm this Christmas…

Review:
Ella is a music teacher who spent summers on her father’s ranch before returning to the town as an adult to help care for him. She loved the ranch and would love the opportunity to learn and manage the business. Unfortunately, Ella had suffered a severe injury as a child on the ranch and her father can only view her as fragile and needing protection. He believes she will return to her mother’s big city environment as soon as she can. Meanwhile, the neighbors, particularly Beck, help run the ranch.

Beck and Ella are cautious of each other. Beck’s first wife was a city girl and could not manage ranch life, even leaving her twin boys behind when she left Beck. Beck isn’t ready to trust another city girl.

Beck’s twin seven-year-old boys are a handful as everyone, including Ella, knows. They ask to join the Christmas program and then ask a very special favor from Ella. As she directs the program and works closer with the boys, she begins to defend them and begins to warm up to their sometimes intimidating father.

I really liked the strong, sweet chemistry between Ella and Beck. Their growing attraction could certainly have benefitted from some open communication but that is part of the story conflict of course. This read quickly as, once again, Ms. Thayne delivers a heartwarming, clean romance that is a delight to read at holiday time or anytime. I do recommend Ms. Thayne’s books to romance readers who enjoy clean, wholesome and heartwarming stories.

This is another Christmas read from NetGalley. It qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point) by RaeAnne Thayne

This has fun characters and a fun romance.
Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point)
by RaeAnne Thayne

File Size: 3039 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (October 1, 2017)
ASIN: B071CJZ1H6
Genre: Clean, Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

An unlikely attraction brings comfort, joy and unforgettable romance this holiday season!
Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she's been living. She's made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn't one of them. Julia's looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker's latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia's care for the holidays, she'll take any help she can get—even Jamie's.
Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that's much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can't last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…

Review:
Julia appears to be a quiet and seemingly unexceptional young woman (by her own assessment). She is a caring and conscientious librarian and a good friend. She has agreed to help a friend by allowing her brother, Jamie, to rent an upstairs apartment in the big family home she has inherited.

Jamie is a sexy pilot who turns the heads of most women in town. Jamie tends to foster carefree relationships. He has a past experience that caused him to believe he doesn’t deserve to have a true relationship with any ‘good’ woman. Julia tries to be immune especially since she doesn’t want to be heartbroken as his next conquest.

Julia finds two young boys in the children’s section of the library. She sees them there several days and makes friends by sharing her lunch with them. One day she insists on taking them home in the cold weather and learns that they are living alone. Julia ends up fostering the two boys and is glad when Jamie steps in to help.

The boys, Julia and Jamie become close during the Thanksgiving and days leading up to Christmas. Jamie begins to see the beauty under Julia’s quiet exterior. When he accidently finds her ‘bucket list’ he decides to help her fulfill some of those dreams. Julia sees a caring, family side of Jamie and wonders if maybe there could be ‘kisses under the mistletoe’ like she put on her list.

Ms. Thayne has the ability to create real characters and carry them through warm, and sometimes obstacle ridden, scenarios. I enjoyed the push and pull between Julia and Jamie which was set off nicely with the addition of handling two young, frightened but adventurous boys. Both characters have a certain fragility to get beyond if they want to find a happy Christmas together.

I enjoy Ms. Thayne’s writing which makes for warm and easy reading. I recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet to sensual, small town romance.

I received this through NetGalley and it qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne

This is a really lovely reading experience.

Serenity Harbor: A Heartwarming Small Town Romance
(Haven Point)
by RaeAnne Thayne

File Size: 2078 KB
Print Length: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (July 1, 2017)
ASIN: B01MT0PANG
Genre: Small Town Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

In the town of Haven Point, love can be just a wish—and one magical kiss—away…
Computer-tech millionaire Bowie Callahan is about the last person that schoolteacher Katrina Bailey wants to work for. As far as she can see, he's arrogant, entitled and not up to the task of caring for his young half brother, Milo. But Kat is, especially if it brings her closer to her goal of adopting an orphaned little girl. And as her kindness and patience work wonders with Milo, she realizes there's more to sexy, wary Bo than she'd ever realized.
Bo never imagined he'd be tasked with caring for a sibling he didn't know existed. Then again, he never pictured himself impulsively kissing vibrant, compassionate Katrina in the moonlight. Now he's ready to make her dream of family come true…and hoping there's room in it for him, too…

Review:
RaeAnne Thayne has a wonderful writing style that creates realistic and likeable characters facing real life challenges. The reading is easy and warm making this move along at a quick pace.

Katrina struggled with illness that made her childhood difficult. She got better in her teenage years and discovered boys about the time they discovered her. She has made some poor choices in men and life since. But her last bad choice brought her to a life changing experience. Katrina discovered a special child in Columbia, Gabriela, whom she is determined to adopt and bring back to America.

Kat has returned from Columbia for three weeks to attend her sister’s wedding. Only Kat’s best friend, Samantha, supports her plan as even her mother doesn’t believe she has changed her flighty ways. Sam points out her latest interest, the newest, handsome bachelor in town, Bowie. Kat has no plans to look at any man while she is focused on adopting Gabi. But Kat realizes that Bowie is struggling with a young boy about to throw a tantrum. Kat manages to distract the boy and learns that Milo is Bo’s autistic, five-year-old half-brother.

Bo has struggled to overcome his own childhood being raised by a young, single mother who could barely care for herself. Now he has accepted guardianship of a half-brother he has just met. Bo knows nothing of handling children and being faced with one who has autism and doesn’t speak has really set his world spinning. Fortunately, Bo made a fortune as a computer tech genius so he can afford good care to help Milo. Since the specialist he has hired as a nanny won’t arrive for three more weeks, Bo offers Kat an outrageous sum to help take care of Milo during that time.

Initially Katrina wants to avoid the all too handsome man but she can really use the money to help with adoption expenses. She agrees to sit for Milo and a day or so later finds herself moving into Bo’s home so she can be there morning and evenings as Bo works late. This puts Bo and Katrina in close proximity trying to resist the chemical attraction that flares along with the growing respect for each other.

Bo has never known stability and love and he doesn’t know how to convince Katrina to stay with Milo … and him. Katrina doesn’t want to be distracted by a temporary fling when she must stay focused on her ‘daughter’. The tension expands as these two dance around their blooming feelings.

I really enjoyed the warmth and charm of this story. I was touched by Bo’s tenderness for Milo and Kat’s caring approach to Milo and Gabi. There is extra conflict added by the expectations and concerns of Kat’s mother, by Sam’s crush on Bowie and by the long-distance adoption efforts. This is part of a wonderful series but can be read as a standalone. It is delightful reading and I recommend it to readers who enjoy small town romance and the special children portrayed in this gem.

I received this through NetGalley for review as part of Little Bird Publicity Tour. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

AMAZON KINDLE $3.99!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne loves words. Her love affair started as soon as she learned to read, when she used to devour anything she could get her hands on: cereal boxes, encyclopedias, the phone book, you name it! She loves the way words sound, the way they look on the page and the amazing way they can be jumbled together in so many combinations to tell a story.

Her love of reading and writing those words led her to a fifteen-year career in journalism as a newspaper reporter and editor.

Through it all, she dreamed of writing the kind of stories she loved best. She sold her first book in 1995 and since then she’s published more than 40 titles. Her books have won many honors, including three RITA® Award nominations from the Romance Writers of America and a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews.

RaeAnne finds inspiration in the rugged northern Utah mountains where she lives with her hero of a husband and their children. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.

Book Review: Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne

I am pleased to recommend this as a delightful, character driven, sweet romance.

Snow Angel Cove
by RaeAnne Thayne

• File Size: 475 KB
• Print Length: 379 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0373779070
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN (October 28, 2014)
• ASIN: B00K9ZWH7K

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2014
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne welcomes you to Haven Point, a small town full of big surprises that are both merry and bright.
Nothing short of a miracle can restore Eliza Hayward's Christmas cheer. The job she pinned her dreams on has gone up in smoke—literally—and now she's stuck in an unfamiliar, if breathtaking, small town. Precariously close to being destitute, Eliza needs a hero, but she's not expecting one who almost runs her down with his car!
Rescuing Eliza is pure instinct for tech genius Aidan Caine. At first, putting the renovation of his lakeside guest lodge in Eliza's hands assuages his guilt—until he sees how quickly he could fall for her. Having focused solely on his business for years, he never knew what his life was missing before Eliza, but now he's willing to risk his heart on a yuletide romance that could lead to forever.

Review:
Eliza is a widow with an adorable 5 year old daughter, Maddie. Eliza closed her apartment in Boise to take a new job as manager of the Haven Point Inn in a small town. They arrive in town to discover the Inn burning down. Eliza is short on funds and has no place to go. To make a difficult day worse, Eliza is bumped in the cross walk by a car sliding off an ice patch. The driver of the car is the very handsome Aidan Caine who has recently purchased half of the town Eliza has a past reason to dislike the billionaire “Geek God” and some of the local merchants aren’t very happy with him either.

Aidan offers Eliza a temporary job as a housekeeper, organizer to prepare his new lakeside lodge for the Christmas visit of his family which consists of about 25 people: father, stepmother, siblings with spouses and children plus dogs. Eliza wouldn’t accept charity but this is a job offer too good to pass up for work she can do while sending resumes for new jobs.

Everyone loves Naddie even before they learn she has health issues. Maddie and Eliza manage to pull the intense, workaholic Aidan out of his office for some moments of fun. As Eliza and Aidan stay up late they share friendship and secrets. Aidan has his own reasons for taking time off from work and gathering his family together for a visit. When he discovers Eliza’s secret it sends him off to hide in his office working, even as his large, warm family arrives and begins their festivities.

Aidan has never slowed down enough to think about a wife and children. But now Eliza and Maddie have him seeing a side of life he has been missing. Aidan is struck by Eliza’s effectiveness, charm, devotion and patience. Although Eliza could easily fall for Aidan she is reluctant to lose her heart to another man who will put his work before family. Can these two recognize the gifts they could share before the holidays are over and Eliza leaves?

This is a character driven story set in a lovely small town setting. The primary characters, including Maddie, are well developed and their connection and growing friendship are delightful. The secondary characters, townsfolk and Aidan’s family, are fun too.

I have enjoyed other stories by Ms. Thayne and I like the easy flow and warm charm of her stories. I found this to be an easy, charming and engaging read. This may be presented as a small town romance but it is really bigger than that. This read very comfortably as a stand alone as I have not read any other stories in this series. And you wouldn't have to save this for Christmas as it could warm you anytime of the year. I highly recommend this as a very sweet, fun read to those who enjoy contemporary romance.

This is my last NetGalley selection from 2014. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge, TBR Double Dare, and winter COYER.

Book Review and Giveaway Two Copies: A Cold Creek Secret by RaeAnne Thayne

I find Harlequin romances to be reliably easy and engaging reading.  I’m happy to say that this one fits the rule.

A Cold Creek Secret

by RaeAnne Thayne

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mills & Boon (February 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0263888630
• ISBN-13: 978-0263888638

     Genre:  Contemporary Romance

     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Series: Cherish | Publication Date: February 2011
 Just back from a tour of duty, all Major Brant Western wanted was a hot meal and a warm bed. What he didn't need was the stunning socialite in disguise who'd just shown up at his family's Cold Creek ranch. Scandal trailed bad girl Mimi Van Hoyt--aka "Maura"--everywhere she went. But once Brant discovered her secret, how could he turn her away?

Being stranded in the middle of nowhere in a blizzard was not Mimi's idea of a fun time in the Tetons. Then why was she starting to think this sexy soldier could be more than her shelter from the storm? And the more determined Brant was to protect her and her unborn child, the more she believed that this honorable, irresistible military man was the only man for her.

Review:

Major Brant Western is a hardcore military doctor who is home from Afghanistan for a Christmas break. His home is a rustic cabin, ranch in Idaho where it gets really cold and they have sudden blizzards.  While Brant is out checking on his horses he spots car lights veering into the stream near his home.  Brant rescues a young woman and her fluffy little white dog from the car.

The woman identifies herself as Maura Howard and her bichon frise as Simone.  She was on her way for an unannounced visit to Gwen, Brant’s caretaker who lived in a smaller cabin on the property. Although Brant puzzles at the familiarity of the woman it doesn’t take long for him to recognize her as the wild socialite, Mimi Van Hoyt, whom he, and all of the world, have seen in the tabloids.

Mimi/Maura is reluctant to trust this handsome, quiet and intense looking man even though he did rescue her and he seems to be kind. She doesn’t have much choice about hanging around though since they are snowed in.  She decides to start cleaning and redecorating in order to relieve the boredom considering that Brant pretty much keeps to himself and avoids her.  Brant doesn’t know what Mimi/Maura is up to but it is clear she is hiding secrets.  And he’s having trouble understanding what a rich socialite is doing fussing around his place like a decorator.

Mimi is glad for a chance to be “a regular woman” for a change.  She is attracted to this strong man but he’ll be leaving town in a week to return to duty. Besides she believes he has a relationship with his neighbor friend and she isn’t going to repeat the mistake of getting involved with a man whose affections belong elsewhere.

Brandt is strongly drawn to ‘Maura’ but he knows he isn’t in 'Mimi’s' league. Besides he’ll be gone and she can keep her secrets. But then he learns her secret and he wants to protect her. It doesn’t seem likely that these two from opposite social ends could get together as they go their separate ways.

I enjoyed the conflict between the pair, the misunderstandings and the warm but denied passion. The ending is not completely surprising as it unfolds but it is very heartwarming. This is the second story I have read recently by Ms. Thayne and I appreciate her easy style and warm characters. If you want a quick, sweet romance this is a fine choice.

This book is set in Idaho for my Where Are You Reading challenge.

This book was provided as a free gift from Harlequin with an extra copy for Giveaway.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the print book - Two Winners:

1. Tell me if you have a favorite Harlequin book or category. If you haven't visited Harlequin recently, visit their site and tell me a category (genre) or book of interest you found there.  This is required for entry.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3.  For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 27, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on January 28. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and Giveaway(s): Blackberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne

I think this story would make a really nice Hallmark movie.

Blackberry Summer

by RaeAnne Thayne

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books; Original edition (May 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373775938
• ISBN-13: 978-0373775934

     Genre:  Contemporary Romance
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Series: Hqn | Publication Date: May 24, 2011

Claire Bradford needed a wake-up call.
What she didn't need was a tragic car accident. As a single mom and the owner of a successful bead shop, Claire leads a predictable life in Hope's Crossing, Colorado. So what if she has no time for romance? At least, that's what she tells herself, especially when her best friend's sexy younger brother comes back to town as the new chief of police.
But when the accident forces Claire to slow down and lean on others—especially Riley McKnight—she realizes, for the first time, that things need to change. And not just in her own life. The accident—and the string of robberies committed by teenagers that led up to it—is a wake-up call to the people of Hope's Crossing. The sense of community and togetherness had been lost during those tough years. But with a mysterious "Angel of Hope" working to inspire the town, Riley and Claire will find themselves opening up to love and other possibilities by the end of an extraordinary summer…

Review:  This is a very warm and engaging romance.

Claire is a divorced mother with two children. He ex-husband was her high school sweetheart but after 10 years of marriage he decided he had fallen out of love. Shortly after their divorce he married his young, beautiful secretary.  Claire keeps herself busy with the children and by operating a beading business.

Riley is the new Chief of Police. He has returned home after leaving LA where he served as an undercover cop and saw an unsavory side of society.  Riley is three years younger than Claire and the younger brother of Claire’s best friend. He has always had a secret crush on Claire but now he thinks that she is too good for someone with his disreputable reputation and his rough experiences. Yet he is drawn to her sweet, fresh and loving spirit.

Claire and Riley meet in her store after a break in. She is surprised to feel interest in him as a man but she figures he would not be interested in a divorced woman. His reputation says he is not one to settle down. There is some coming together and walking away between the pair and I was pulling for them to get over their fears and get together already.

Tragedy strikes the community when Chief Riley pursues teenage thieves.  There is an accident that results in the death of one teenage girl and leaves another teenage girl in a comatose state. Riley blames himself as the town council questions whether they should release him after his probationary time. Claire comes up with an event to pull the town together and give them hope. It is nice to see the neighbors pull together to help each other after the tragedy brings sadness and guilt to the community.

The characters are very likeable and could be real people. Even the unlikeable characters are developed appropriately with the circumstances explained. The writing style flows well, is natural and real to life. The dialog has some sass to it yet is very natural. The romance has just a little zing to make it interesting but not overtly sexual. 

There are one or two questions remaining at the end of the story - maybe there is a sequel? - but still this was entertaining.
This is an engaging story that I recommend for a light, easy read. I would be interested to read more by this author.

This book was sent to me by TellHarlequin to read for a survey. I am glad to have read it and hope it's okay that I pass it on to another eager reader to enjoy.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE PRINT COPY and TO ENTER for a ***BONUS giveaway to another commenter a Kindle ebook copy of the author's Christmas book:

Christmas in Cold Creek (Harlequin Special Edition)

Alternative win would be one of the author's other Christmas 

books for Nook from B&N.

***PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ENTERING ONLY FOR THE PRINT, ONLY FOR THE KINDLE/NOOK CHRISTMAS BOOK (Open Internationally) OR ENTERING FOR BOTH.
1.Mandatory entry: Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there. DON'T FORGET TO read the instructions in green at ***.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* The print portion of this contest is open to US and Canada only; but the Kindle or Nook copy is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 25, 2011.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 26. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.