Elizabeth: a woman of faith and extraordinary circumstances

 Elizabeth is best known as the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner for the Messiah. Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron and was described as a woman “upright in the sight of God” (Luke 1:6). She is praised for observing all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations without blame. She is also the first to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 1:43). Her greatest sorrow was she was childless and aging. She faced the stigma of childlessness within her community. However, her greatest strength is her deep faith. She kept her focus on God and his promises. What is her story? Why is there a stigma of childlessness? What lessons can we find from her life? 

Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah found contentment in their quiet home. As a descendant of Aaron, Zechariah travels to Jerusalem once a year to perform his priestly duties. This particular year, he was chosen for a high honor. A once in a lifetime privilege to burn incense before the Most Holy Place. As he is performing this duty, a figure appears and declares that Elizabeth will bear a son and he will be called John. Zechariah responds, as we probably would too, with skepticism. As a consequence, Zechariah is rendered mute. Six months later, Elizabeth is well into her pregnancy when Mary visits. As Mary approaches, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt, which causes Elizabeth to proclaim, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! (Luke 1:42-45). Elizabeth recognizes the amazing privilege Mary has been given and rejoices with her. When Elizabeth delivers her son, she proclaims his name is John as the family protests. Zechariah confirms the name by writing it down. When he does, his ability to speak returns and praises God. The people are filled with awe and wondered what this child would be (Luke 1:66). 

For many cultures, a woman’s value is largely measured by her ability to have children. To be aging and childless was a personal hardship and a public shame. Barrenness was viewed as a sign of disobedience and divine disfavor. Deuteronomy 7:12-14 directs the people to follow the laws and He will bless them with children and the crops of the land. Those who don’t follow the laws will not be blessed. However, despite Elizabeth and Zechariah’s piety and faithfulness, they are childless. There is a deep stigma attached to childlessness. When a couple gets married, the first question they are ultimately always asked is when are you going to have children? Having children is a deeply personal choice and emotional journey. For some, it is as saying “yes, we’re going to have a baby” and while others agonize over why it isn’t happening or why it is so difficult. For Elizabeth and Zechariah to be so devout and upright and remain childless must have been a debate among their community. A similar debate would be why a devout and faithful Christian is still struggling. Many people would simply state that there is some sin that needs confessing. But is it as simple as that? I think the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah shows us that it is not always the case. 

There are two lessons or themes we can take from the story of Elizabeth. First, God does not forget those who have been faithful to him. In the Parable of the Loaned Money, Jesus describes three servants who were given a task. One wasted the opportunity and the other two took the task and performed above and beyond. To this second servant, the master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21, 23). It is an illustration of how we serve God. Serving him with our time, our talents in order to do our work and tasks out of love for God. When we do, He will remember us and bless us in ways that are beyond our understanding. Second, God’s timetable and methods do not have to conform or follow our timetable, methods or our views on how something should be done. Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” We foolishly think we know how God will work within our lives. There’s a famous quote from a Yiddish adage that states, “Man plans, and God laughs.” It is foolish to put limitations on a God who is limitless. Matthew 19:26, Jesus tells us “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” A faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20-21). 

In conclusion, Elizabeth’s story is another example of God’s use of ordinary people for extraordinary events. God used her and her husband to be the parents of John the Baptist. Their faithfulness was rewarded by being the parents of the forerunner of the Messiah. Like with Hannah (1 Samuel 1:2-2:21), I relate to Elizabeth. As someone who struggled with infertility, it was hard to accept God’s timeline for my journey to motherhood. Accepting my journey came with peace and humility. I did not have the journey I thought I would; but I believe it serves a purpose that I may not see yet. Her story is also a reminder that God does not forget those who are faithful.  

Storming Meg: a disappointing second chance romance suspense mystery

Storming Meg by Pamela Burford is the first book in the Wild Ones series. Meg Wolf was planning on spending Thanksgiving with her quirky relatives on her uncle’s private island with her three daughters and her fiancé, Winston. The person she didn’t expect to be there was her ex-husband, Jack. When a violent nor’easter storm leaves them stranded, their only option is to wait it out. When the storm takes out the electricity, she finds herself fighting to resist her sexy ex. The situation gets more complicated when her uncle is found dead at the bottom of the stairs and one of them is a murderer. Everyone has a motive and fingers start pointing as accusations fly. Will they find the murderer? Can they survive the weekend? 

With a book blurb like this, you would expect a steamy suspense story, right? Maybe for some readers; but for me, it fell horribly flat. Right from the opening chapter, I did not care for Meg. Her relatives weren’t quirky, they were downright cruel and vindictive. The only person I liked and cheered for was Jack and even that was difficult at times. Advertised as “a witty romantic suspense novel about second chances,” I didn’t find any humor in the story at all. Many cringey moments and eye rolling dialogue, though. The sex scenes were quite explicit. I don’t mind steamy but geez louise! I did not like Storming Meg. It was essentially a game of Clue with a romance thrown in. I do not recommend Storming Meg. 

Storming Meg is available in eBook. 

His First Love: a second chance at a first love

His First Love by Liz Isaacson is the first book in the Ivory Peaks series. Hunter Hammond is back in town after completing his degree at MIT, ready to take his place as a part of the family company. On his first day back in town, he runs into Molly Benson, his childhood sweetheart. Molly had broken up with him in high school. Seeing her again, Hunter realizes the old flame still burns for Molly. She may have ended their relationship due to parental pressures but Molly never forgot him. Now divorced and carrying emotional scars and feelings of unworthiness, she feels she doesn't deserve Hunter now. As their paths cross in their small Colorado town, they can’t help being drawn to each other. Is this their second chance at their first love? Or will family pressures tear them apart again? 

A continuation of the Hammond brothers saga, readers are introduced to Gray’s son, Hunter. Readers do not need to read the original series to enjoy His First Love. There is so much wrapped up in this second chance romance. Mental health, family obligations, personal sacrifice, expectations of marriage and what it means to be truly happy. I enjoyed the honesty and openness of the characters’ conversations and conflicts. It felt realistic and not forced or oversimplified. I also enjoyed the depiction of prayer and the crisis of faith. Unfortunately, the image of a Christian and their families is perfect with no conflict. That is farthest from the truth. Christians are still humans with real shortcomings, real conflicts and real hurts. I enjoyed His First Love. I look forward to the rest of the series. I recommend His First Love. 

His First Love is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Body in the books: a fun, humorous cozy mystery

Body in the Books by Heather Huffman is the first book in the Nora Jones Mystery series. Nora Jones inherits her estranged uncle’s estate which includes a dusty old bookshop, a Greyhound named Margo, and a murder. She moves to St Augustine, Florida to settle the estate and meets a quirky group of people including a ghost hunter and a charming homicide detective. When her uncle’s death is determined to be a homicide, there is no shortage of suspects including a local mob boss, a hostile neighbor and a tenacious real estate developer. A group as quirky as the Scooby Doo gang, Nora and her new found friends band together to search for clues, could the killer be closer to home than she realizes? 

Body in the Books is a fun, humorous cozy mystery novella. A quick read to kill a lazy afternoon, reader will follow the clues with Nora and her new friends as they deem themselves the Scooby Doo gang on the hunt to solve the mystery. Who the killer was surprising and not at all on my radar. Overall, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Nora, her friends and their adventures. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I recommend Body in the Books. 

Body in the Books is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Brotherless Night: one woman's journey through civil war

Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshanathan is the story of one woman’s journey through a thirty year civil war. Jaffna, 1981, sixteen year old Sashi wants nothing but to become a doctor. She wants to follow the path of her grandfather and older brothers. She has come to believe the medical mantra of “do no harm,” she studies harder and longer than anyone else. As she is ready to enter university, a vicious civil war rages on the island of Sri Lanka. Her dreams take her on a different path than she ever imagined as she watches those she loves and cares for get swept up in the radical political ideologies and the consequences of those beliefs. When she realizes that both sides are willing to commit atrocities, she finds herself on a dangerous path. Sashi finds herself asking: does anyone go through life without doing harm to others? 

Brotherless Night is set in the early years of the Sri Lankan civil war. I was intrigued by this period of history that I was not aware of. Sri Lanka, an island off the coast of India, is home to diverse cultures, languages and ethnicities which have led to conflicts. Brotherless Night is a compelling read with the heartbreaking choices that many had to make for the life they felt they deserved. While the outside world may have seen them as unworthy and expendable, through Sashi’s eyes, readers see people trying to do what is right and others taking extreme measures to have a place in the world. The author writes sweeping, lyrical descriptions of the people as they fight this battle, as one quote stood out to me and stuck in my mind as I read: “Divided by colonial power, ancestral angers and bullheaded pride.” I recommend Brotherless Night. 

Brotherless Night is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. 

Change of Heart: love is found in the most unexpected places

Change of Heart is a Seashell Cottage book by Judith Keim. Emerson “Em” Jordan always dreamed of a Valentine’s Day wedding. She believed her boyfriend would be proposing soon and she couldn’t wait. But she is blindsided when he suddenly breaks up with her, leaving her wallowing in what could have been. At the suggestion of her sister, Em spends ten days at the Seashell Cottage with Davin Gerard, a family friend who has no interest in her or any other woman as he’d rather concentrate on building his pediatric medical practice. Em doesn’t mind as she is there to regroup and not get romantically involved. She is focusing on achieving other dreams and a friendship is all she accepts. But as their friendship grows, she realizes that Devin may be the one for her. With their lives seemingly going in different directions, would it be possible? Will a new dream take the place of another? 

Change of Heart is a very sweet romance with a theme that great loves always start as friends. It was a fast paced and engaging read as I finished it in one day. I was not able to put it down. I enjoyed Em and Devin and their cast of supporting characters. I loved that they weren’t looking for a romance despite their obvious attraction to each other. My favorite quote from the story is “It wasn’t the wedding that counted; it was the man you chose to marry.” So very true! One of the things I enjoy with Judith Keim’s Seashell Cottage series is that the books do not need to be read in order. The only thing really connecting the stories is a cottage on the Gulf of Florida. I like the idea that a rental, a temporary home, has so many lasting stories to tell of the people who have passed through its doors. I highly recommend Change of Heart. 

Change of Heart is available in eBook and audiobook

The Bandit Queens: did she or didn't she?

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff is a story of one woman’s determination to live life as she sees fit. Geeta’s no-good, abusive husband disappeared five years ago. Everyone in her village thinks she killed him. She didn’t but no matter how much she protests, the rumor still flows from people’s lips. Since her husband has left, she has built a life as a self-made “widow” that has a few perks. No one messes with her. No one threatens her and no one has tried to marry her. Freedom looked so good on Geeta that other women in the village started asking for her help to get rid of their own no-good, abusive husbands. Her reputation seems to be a double-edged sword and she must now protect the life she has built. How far will she go to protect herself and the life she has built? 

The Bandit Queens is filled with very dark humor and even darker depiction of the reality of life for women in India. The powerlessness they feel as they have nowhere to turn to for help. The acceptance of domestic violence where men could do no wrong and women are always at fault. It is no wonder that these women are looking for a way out, any way out. Throughout the book, Geeta looks to the story of Phoolan Devi, the real life Bandit Queen, who was convicted of killing 22 men, serving prison time before being elected to the Indian Parliament. Did Geeta follow her example? The women in her village seem to think so. Overall, The Bandit Queens was a mixture of mystery, thriller and a detailed social commentary on the very real circumstances for women in India. I recommend The Bandit Queens. 

The Bandit Queens is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Hacienda: a haunting thriller and supernatural mystery

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas is a supernatural suspense story set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821) in a remote village, a sinister haunted house and a young woman left to defend herself. After her father is executed and her home destroyed, Beatriz is left at the mercy of family. When Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, she immediately says yes. The promise of a home and security for her and her mother is too good to pass up despite the circulating rumors about his first wife’s death. However, Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she was hoping for and while Rodolfo works in the capital, she is plagued with visions and voices at night. Despite her concerns being brushed aside, she knows something is wrong with the house. Beatriz turns to a young priest, Padre Andres, who is familiar with the house and its history, for help. Together, can they fight the malevolent spirit and return peace to Hacienda San Isidro? 

Billed as Mexican Gothic (2020) meets Rebecca (1938), which I have not yet read either, The Hacienda is a haunting thriller which hooks the readers on a journey of a supernatural mystery that leaves them gasping for breath! As I read, I was reminded of Shirley Jackson’s The House on Haunted Hill (1959), as the house is a character in itself. After reading the author’s notes, I can see why I got that vibe as Ms.Cañas was paying homage to Shirley Jackson who was known for her horror and mystery stories. While I am not usually a fan of horror stories, The Hacienda is a mix of gothic horror with historical commentary of what people will be to gain and keep power. It is a story of resilience and resistance. I cheered for Beatriz and Andres as they battled this evil spirit and turned each page with anticipation. Ms. Cañas created such a mood and atmosphere that it was hard to put down! I highly recommend The Hacienda. 

The Hacienda is hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

Missing on Main Street: a Christian suspense mystery

Missing on Main Street by Sarah Hualde is the first book in the Honey Pot Mysteries series. Ivy Hooper is missing and Lydia Everett is the only person who seems to notice or even care. When no one else seems interested in searching for Ivy, Lydia takes matters into her own hands and begins asking questions. She fears the worst when Ivy’s stepfather denies even he has a stepdaughter and Ivy’s ex-boyfriend is acting shady. She recruits her friends, Kat and Flora, to help. In spite of the crazy holiday schedules and their own family dramas, the three friends hope to find Ivy before it is too late. 

Missing on Main Street is categorized as a Christian suspense mystery. While it is heavy on the Christian element, it was lacking in the mystery. The case of the missing Ivy seemed to take a long time before it caught Lydia’s attention and seemed to take a back street to the women’s family issues and dramas. There was way too much going on and it didn’t seem to know what it wanted to be. Was it a mystery or was it a simple Christian fiction novel? It would have worked either way but I think the author was trying to do too much in the first book. Overall, it was a fast read and I am curious about the rest of the series. Although, I am not sure I would recommend it.

Missing on Main Street is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

 

The Retreat: You can check in but you may never leave

The Retreat by Nicola Marsh is a “You can stay, but you may never leave” gothic thriller. Arcania is a wellness street in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Its guests enjoy a week of digital detox where all forms of technology are not permitted and relaxation is the goal. The gothic mansion is a welcome haven but for some it is a nightmare. When her mother dies suddenly, Lucy discovers a mysterious Viking tattoo on the bottom of her mother’s foot. The tattoo is linked to Arcania and impulsively Lucy books a week. The staff seems welcoming enough but soon the creepy house and some of its inhabitants are urging Lucy to leave. Cora Medville is the current owner, arrived at the house forty years ago. She falls in love with the house, Harlan, the dashing heir, and finds the sense of belonging she desperately craved. She stayed. There’s a terrifying truth to the house, how far will Lucy go to discover the truth? How far will Cora go to protect its secrets? 

I have known Nicola Marsh for her domestic psychological thrillers. Now she can add gothic thrillers to her repertoire. Wow! What a story! The Retreat is like a slow burn fire which builds into an inferno that makes it hard to pull away. A thriller that pulls readers into a story that can’t quite be trusted. At the beginning of the story, Lucy seemed too meek and mousey to take such a leap to visit Arcania with so little information. But is there more to Lucy than meets the eye? Is she playing everyone? Or is Lucy slowly going crazy? Could Arcania really be haunted? What are Cora's motives and secrets? There were plot points that were guessable; however, I think that could have been by design. Giving the readers a little tidbit before revealing the big shocker of the story. There were twists that I didn’t see coming and left me gasping in surprise as I turned the page. If you enjoy Nicola Marsh’s psychological thrillers or enjoy gothic thrillers, I highly recommend The Retreat. 

The Retreat is available in paperback and eBook

The Night Travelers: Four Women, Four Different Times in History, One Journey

The Night Travelers by Armando Lucas Correa is a historical fiction which features four generations of women and three time periods as they experience love, loss and hope. The story begins in Berlin, 1931 as the rise of Nazism sweeps through Germany, Ally Keller gives birth to a mixed-race daughter, Lilith and hides her from the world. When time runs out, Ally puts together a desperate plan to save her daughter’s life. Havana, 1958, Lilith is now an adult, finds herself excited for her future with her husband, Martin. As the fires of revolution grow, Lilith finds herself facing an impossible choice, as her own mother did, in order to save her own daughter, Nadine.  Berlin, 1989 as the Berlin Wall falls, Nadine is now a dedicated scientist who has spent her life avoiding the truth about her family. When her own daughter, Luna, begins to uncover the family history, it will be Luna faced with an uncomfortable truth in their family’s past and their place in history.  

The Night Travelers is my first book by Armando Lucas Correa. I can see why he has a reputation for sweeping historical fiction with depth of the human stories we often forget. It is a story about four women, separated by time but united by sacrifice. They each embark on journeys of self-discovery which is forged by the power of a mother’s love. It is a wonderful story of the interconnectedness of history and that history is more than just dates and events. It is the individuals who lived and sacrificed during troubling times. It is also a story that details the disgusting things people have inflicted on others and if we are not careful, we will repeat the same. Overall, I enjoyed The Night Travelers. It is the type of historical fiction which leads one to further research events in more depth than what is highlighted in the story. To me, that is a feature of great historical fiction. I highly recommend The Night Travelers. 

The Night Travelers is available in hardcover

Hart's Ridge: One small town, one missing mother and one woman's determination to discover the truth

Hart’s Ridge is the first book in a new series by Kay Bratt. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hart’s Ridge is a quaint, small town where Taylor Gray grew up. She clawed her way out of poverty, foster care and through the police academy to be a member of the town’s law enforcement. She is determined to protect and serve not just her town but her family as well. One day, five year old Molly walks into a gas station on the outskirts of town. Taylor is one deputy who is determined to discover where Molly came from and locate her missing mother. Time is of the essence in a missing person case and the sheriff brings in help. A familiar face that brings up old feelings for Taylor. As she works the case, her family’s past begins to reveal more secrets than answers. Can she focus on the case at hand? Can she find Molly’s mother before it’s too late? 

Hart’s Ridge is a new direction for Ms. Bratt who hasn’t done a police procedural before, although true crime stories have always intrigued her. There is a lot going on in this story. As the first book in the series, Hart’s Ridge is more than the case of Molly and her missing mother. There is Taylor's history and her family’s past. Issues within the department. Someone obviously doesn’t want her there. The characters are real to life and Taylor isn’t the typical heroine. She has some deep issues with even deeper scars. She works hard to be the best she could be. There is something familiar and real to life about this story with a lone female in an all-male police department. A sad truth that many women still face in stereotypically male occupations. Ms. Bratt knows how to write characters with deep hurts and challenges but has the determination to rise above them. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend Hart’s Ridge. 

Hart’s Ridge is available in eBook on January 10, 2023. 

My Husband's Daughter: when unexpected events alter one's life plans

My Husband’s Daughter by Emma Robinson is a story about how unexpected events can alter your life plans. On a cold Friday night, Rebecca and her husband, Jack, answer the door to a woman and a little girl. The woman is Cara, Jack’s ex-girlfriend and the little girl, his daughter. A daughter he didn’t know he had. They are shocked to learn Jack has a daughter as being parents is not a part of their plans. They like children but they also enjoy their ability to do whatever they wish at a moment’s notice. Cara comes to them in desperation. She has nowhere else to go. She has a secret, a secret she hasn’t told anyone. A secret with the power to change their lives forever. While Rebecca is suspicious of Cara’s motives, she can’t help but be drawn to the wide-eyed little girl. Will she be able to welcome Jack’s daughter into her home, her life and into her heart? 

My Husband’s Daughter is described as a heartbreaking, powerful, and emotional story about love, friendship and what it truly means to be a parent. As a woman who dreamed of having children of my own from a very young age and struggling with fertility issues, I can’t imagine life without my children. While I respect people’s decisions not to have children, it is hard to relate to them, especially those who look down at those with children. Rebecca is such a person. She was a character I wasn’t sure I would like because she had the attitude that most people who are childless by design have and it irks me greatly. However, as she gets to know the little girl, she is drawn to being a strong individual in her life. Overall, I enjoyed My Husband’s Daughter as an emotional story but not the tearjerker I was expecting, especially after Cara’s motives are revealed. I recommend My Husband’s Daughter. 

My Husband’s Daughter is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Hopeful Cowboy: a second chance at life and at love

Hopeful Cowboy by Elana Johnson is the first book in the Hope Eternal Ranch Romance series. Nathaniel Mulbury is paying for a major mistake as he is in prison for an embezzlement scheme. With his release date in sight, he just needs to stay on his best behavior. However, he finds himself in a new role as a single father when his brother is killed in an accident and his son is left in Nate’s care. He is given an early release to the Hope Eternal Ranch, a work parole ranch, run by Ginger Talbot. Ginger has dealt with men like Nate before but she’s been burned before. She’s determined to not risk losing the ranch or her heart. She notices there is something different about Nate but can she risk her heart again? 

Hopeful Cowboy is a sweet story of life, love and second chances. Nate is a man who owns up to his mistakes and doing what he can to make it right. When he gains custody of his nephew, he steps it up and makes sure he is the one to take that role. I loved Nate’s commitment to live up to the role he was entrusted with. I enjoyed Ginger as she tries to protect her heart but finds herself drawn to Nate. I also enjoyed the many supportive characters and look forward to their possible stories in the future. There was a sweet romance between Nate and Ginger. There was drama and forgiveness. Overall, I enjoyed Hopeful Cowboy and I look forward to the rest of the series. I recommend Hopeful Cowboy. 

Hopeful Cowboy is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

His First Wife's Secret: with a reason to hate her, would she help her?

His First Wife’s Secret by Emma Robinson is a story of two women who have every reason to hate each other but find themselves needing each other. Caroline had the ideal life until a tragedy ends it all. Her marriage to Pete ended but a secret keeps them bound together. Soon after the divorce, Pete married the much younger Emily after she discovers she’s pregnant. Life for Emily seems to be going well, until tragedy strikes again. Pete is killed in a car accident and the only person Emily can think of to turn to is Caroline. Caroline surprises herself and everyone else when she offers Emily support as she faces childhood and motherhood alone. Their tentative friendship develops, lives entwined and a bond that grows strong. What they don’t know is that each woman holds a secret, will their friendship survive when the secrets are revealed? 

His First Wife’s Secret is my first book by Ms. Robinson. This story is described as a powerful and utterly gripping emotional drama. While there is a lot of drama, it was not the emotional rollercoaster I expected. When the secrets were revealed, it was very underwhelming. Emily’s secret was almost a no-brainer and Caroline’s secret was heartbreaking but something was missing. I was missing the gripping emotional drama. I kept expecting a different side to Caroline and while she does react to Emily’s secret, she does return to the supportive friend that she was before, I’m not sure her characterization was real enough. I do appreciate Ms. Robinson’s accurate portrayal of postpartum depression and bringing a light to this very real situation for many new  moms. Overall, I enjoyed His First Wife’s Secret. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Robinson. I recommend His First Wife’s Secret. 

His First Wife’s Secret is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Heartwood Chef: a second chance romance

The Heartwood Chef is the fifth and final book in the Heartwood Sisters/Carter’s Cove series by Elana Johnson. Gwen Heartwood loves her job managing the dining services at her family’s inn unless she’s dealing with angry customers, deadlines and short staffing. Then she hates her job, she likes Teagan Hatch, the inn’s head chef. But he broke her heart without explanation and no apology. They continue to work side by side, a bit strained, but it’s working. Teagan is keeping many secrets. He’s a man who has been burned in the past and has a hard time trusting others with his deepest secrets. When he realized he wants Gwen back, he also realized he needs to reveal his secrets. After he reveals why he broke up with her and offers the apology Gwen has needed, they start dating again. Their new relationship seems to be on an edge when Gwen realizes that Teagan still hasn’t told her everything. Will he finally trust her completely or will this be the final end to their relationship? 

The Heartwood Chef is a nice close to the Heartwood sisters saga. The series has been filled with angst, relational issues, and growth for the couples. Gwen and Teagan’s story is filled with angst more so than the previous stories. Teagan has so much more history and much more relational issues. While he was attracted to Gwen, he had issues and concerns that stopped him from pursuing the desires of his heart. I enjoyed that Teagan allowed himself to be vulnerable and acknowledged that he needed help. He didn’t want to lose Gwen again and he wanted to do all he could to make sure he did right by Gwen. Gwen was confused about their sudden break up and she pined for him as they worked together side by side. As Teagan learns to open up, Gwen learns what it means to be a supportive partner. Overall, I enjoyed The Heartwood Chef. It was a nice wrap up as readers say goodbye to the Heartwoods. I recommend it and the entire Heartwood Sisters/Carter’s Cove series. 

The Heartwood Chef is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook