Charming! 'New Beginnings in Shady Springs' - Shady Springs 4 - by Sarah Anne Crouch

 

About the book:

When the storm passes, can two guarded hearts believe in love again?

After six years of widowhood, high school biology teacher Clara Lewis has settled into a quiet life in Shady Springs, Arkansas, pouring her heart into her students, her church, and her garden. Romance, she tells herself, belongs to another season.

Sam Sullivan understands the safety of a guarded heart. A painful childhood and a broken engagement have convinced him that love is meant for others, not for him. Yet his long-hidden feelings for Clara become harder to ignore as they work together to encourage a withdrawn teen who needs them both.

Then a devastating tornado tears through Shady Springs, drawing Clara and Sam together in the storm’s aftermath as they help rescue the hurting, shelter the displaced, and rebuild the community they love. Amid the wreckage, Clara begins to wonder whether the steady, compassionate man beside her might be part of the new life God is offering.

But opening their hearts means facing old fears, unexpected competition, and the scrutiny of a small town that notices everything.

Perfect for fans of heartwarming Christian romance, this tender small-town story weaves together friendship, faith, grief, and healing as two guarded hearts must decide whether love is worth trusting again.

My review:

This was a sweet story about a second chance at love and realizing that maybe your story isn't over after all.  I enjoyed the small town feel to the story and I liked that love grew while Clara and Sam were helping the community, from helping clean up after the storm to planting a garden to help people in need and reaching out to a troubled teen, they were offering practical help while showing God's love.  I appreciated that faith was an integral part of their lives and they prayed and had conversations reflecting that.  However, they weren't perfect and both still had hang-ups to deal with, such as a fear of rejection or not being enough.  There was some suspense when the tornado came and some sweet romance as Clara started to have feelings for Sam and he realized there may be hope for him yet.  I loved the feeling of hope that permeated the story.  It worked well as a stand-alone even though it's book four and I didn't feel lost at all not having read the first three yet.  I would recommend this book if you like uplifting, feel good romance!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I wasn't compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Enjoyable Debut! 'High Exposure' - Jagged Edges 1 - by Kelly Borjas

 

About the book:

The riveting start to an adventure-driven romantic suspense series from a debut author

Determined travel blogger Julia Stevens is on her final assignment in snowy Silverberg, Colorado. She's running from her past-and God-but the charm of small-town life brings little comfort when she's face-to-face with the winter sport that killed her sister, skiing. Upon her arrival in town, she discovers a dead body and is compelled to research the situation, give justice to the man's story, and kick off her new career in journalism.


Cade Haskins is back home after a failed mission and his subsequent retirement from the DEA. His father's declining health has pushed Cade to prioritize family, and he helps at the historic Silverberg Hotel on his dad's behalf. When Julia shows up at the hotel, Cade becomes her local contact. He quickly realizes she has a knack for sniffing around where she shouldn't, and he attaches himself to her side.


With the local death connected to a meth ring, Julia's investigation has unknowingly put a target on her back. As the danger increases and she begins to learn more about Cade and his family, she finds herself trusting the God she was running from. And Cade? He doesn't want to get dragged back into DEA work, but it seems like he may not have a choice if he wants to protect Julia . . . and his growing attraction to her.

My review:

I enjoyed this suspenseful start to a new series by a debut author!  The book starts almost right away with a mysterious death and dangerous incidents keep happening to Julia, ratcheting up the suspense.  I thought she was a little naive to write about the dead man when she didn't know what had happened to him and to keep writing about events; I also thought Cade could have warned her somehow without revealing too much or putting her in more danger but then again, she was trying to be a reporter so that could have made it worse.  She also had a stubborn streak and felt like she could take care of things on her own.  She and Cade had that in common.  While Cade was a strong believer, he struggled with letting go of control and felt like he had to handle everything himself.  Julia had turned away from God after her sister's death and, through talks with Cade and situations they found themselves in, had started to reach out to Him again.  I liked the moments of attraction and banter sprinkled in and that we got to read what they were both thinking.  The small town community felt cozy, especially nestled in the mountains and made me want to visit.  I liked that we got to know Cade's family and I look forward to reading about his sister more in the next book.  I recommend this story if you like romantic suspense!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I wasn't compensated for my review.  All opinions are my own.