Instant Karma: strength, resilience and secrets

Instant Karma is the fifth book in Hart’s Ridge by Kay Bratt. Faire Tinsley is a long time resident of Hart’s Ridge. A sort of recluse, she realizes she needs extra income in order to keep her beloved home. She decides to take on a tenant. An easy arrangement quickly turns into a nightmare as her new tenant begins to act odd and erratic. Faire reluctantly turns to Deputy Taylor Gray who discovers this stranger is not who he says he is. Meanwhile, two men from Jo’s high school past come back into town. Jo convinces herself she doesn’t need or want a relationship. But their presence in town forces Jo to confront the past. Will Faire be able to recover her home from a sinister tenant? Will Jo hold on to her secret or will she be forced to reveal it?

WOW! was the one word I uttered as I turned the final page of Instant Karma.  The Hart’s Ridge series keeps getting better and better. Instant Karma is a great addition to the series. The themes of strength and resilience run throughout the story. The situation with Faire and her tenant kept me on my seat. I enjoyed seeing Della Ray again and her unwavering support for Faire. Jo has kept the identity of Levi’s father a secret. Some in town have their speculation but she has been able to stay mum. When she reveals her secret to one particular person, it was a shocker to say the least. It was not a reveal I was expecting! Taylor is also hiding a secret which I hope that story comes to fruition in a future story. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Instant Karma and I can’t wait to finish out this series! I highly recommend Instant Karma. 

Hart’s Ridge is available now in paperback and in eBook on May 26

Books 1-4 are currently available in paperback and eBook

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.