Where We Belong: the power of friendship and the courage to pursue one's dreams

Where We Belong is the first book in Kellie Coates Gilbert’s new Teton Mountain series. Charlie Grace Rivers is a divorced mother who works hard on the family ranch and juggles with small town life in Thunder Mountain, Wyoming. In a gusty movie, she decides to create the Teton Trails Guest Ranch where tourists come and see a working ranch and the beauty of Wyoming. Only her grouchy father seems to question every decision and oversteps when he hires her cheating ex-husband, Gibbs, to work on the ranch. With the support of her three best friends, Charlie Grace takes each challenge head on. When Nick Thatcher, one of her first guests, catches her eye, she can’t help but think there is a chance for love again. However, there is a problem. Nick is a part of the production team for a television show being filmed nearby and won’t be staying. 

A heartwarming journey of the courage to start over, with the power of friendship and the dreams of something more, Where We Belong is an incredible story of one woman’s journey to buck all expectations and follow her heart. Charlie Grace is a woman who is not afraid of hard work and is determined to make her new dream a financial reality, regardless of the opposition she gets. Relatable and inspiring, Charlie Grace is a character worthy to root for. I loved her friends. Capri, Reva and Lila, all who have their own issues and struggles and yet are there at the drop of a hat for each other. There is plenty of drama as a community member throws her weight around and I loved the scene where she gets shot down. The romance between Charlie Grace and Nick is sweet. If you love stories of community, friendship and pursuing one’s dreams, I highly recommend Where We Belong. 

Where We Belong is available in paperback and eBook

Mother of Pearl: how far would a mother go for her child?

Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert asks the questions how far would a mother go for her child? Barrie Graeber has a great life. Two wonderful kids, a loving husband and a job as a respected high school counselor in their tight knit community. Suddenly, her teenage daughter, Pearl, seems to unravel before her eyes. Barrie is at a loss how to help Pearl. Nothing prepared her for this helplessness as her attempts to help her daughter fail and Pearl pulls farther and farther away. When the unthinkable happens, Barrie is at a loss how to move forward. Until she discovers a terrible secret about her nemesis, Michael Warren, the football coach. When Barrie decides to go up against the coach, she finds herself without support. Fueled by love for her daughter, she learns to trust in something bigger than herself and fight back. 

Going into this story, I knew it was described as “emotionally riveting and profoundly moving,” so I was expecting emotions. However, this story was more of a roller coaster of emotions. Without giving up plot points, which spoils the emotional impact, it truly was a roller coaster. It is a powerful story of one mother’s determination to do right by her daughter and protect other daughters from the same situation. I loved the Christian faith aspect. It wasn’t overdone. It was a great and honest portrayal of faith and even the resistance to such a faith. I enjoyed all the characters especially Jackie who becomes a source of comfort for Barrie. I also enjoyed the double meaning of the title which is fairly subtle if you aren’t looking for it. I enjoyed this book so much! I highly, highly recommend Mother of Pearl. 

Mother of Pearl is available in paperback and eBook

Chances Are: an enjoyable second chance romance

Chances Are by Kellie Coates Gilbert is the first book in the Pacific Bay series. Allie Barrett keeps her mom’s words of wisdom close to her heart. Especially “Chances are, you never know what story might be in the very next chapter.” So after her divorce and receiving a letter that she has inherited her uncle’s home and fishing charter business,. she packs up her son and everything they own and makes the trek from Texas to the Oregon coast. Her high hopes for a fresh start are dashed when the cottage and boat need more work than she expected. But never afraid of hard work, Allie and Ryan set out to make the home livable and the boat seaworthy. As a friendship with Cam, a local widower, grows, her good-for-nothing ex-husband shows up. Will she be able to meet the challenges ahead of her? 

Many of the reviews complained that Chances Are was taken from the 1985 movie, Murphy's Romance. While I am aware of the movie, I have never seen the movie, so I can’t say whether this is true or not. A single mother starting over in a new town, meets with challenges and a new love is a common trope. Either way, I enjoyed this story. It’s a good, clean romance with a sweet ending. It was a nice break from the heavier stories I read recently. I enjoyed the small town friendly feel even with the common small town “enemies.” Although I must admit the “villains” of the story could have been more developed. However, I still enjoyed the story for Allie and Cam’s relationship. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy second chances with life and love, I recommend Chances Are. 

Chances Are is available in paperback and eBook

Sisters: the realizations that life always leads in unexpected ways

Sisters is the first book in the Sun Valley series by Kellie Coates Gilbert. It is the story of three women, their choices and their realization that life doesn’t always lead where they expect. Karyn Macadam is struggling to start over after the tragic death of her husband in a skiing accident. She looks for a new beginning, but can she let go of the past? Leigh Ann Blackburn is the perfect wife but hides a struggle. Her husband has become distant and she believes the worst case scenario. She jumps into a plan to save her marriage. Joie Abbott is the youngest sister who always seems to find a way to mess up her life. She desperately hides a secret from her family until a betrayal forces her to come clean. One thing these women learn is that life is better with your sisters. 

Set in the picturesque setting of Sun Valley, Idaho, Karyn, Leigh Ann and Joie have known heartbreak. From losing their mother at a young age to their own relationship, these sisters have stuck together. Despite their differences, they can count on each other. I enjoyed reading a story set in Sun Valley. I'm familiar with the famous ski resort town; however, I don’t think I’ve ever read a story set there. Overall, I enjoyed each of the women’s storylines. However, I was interested in Joie’s secret and the pain she was trying to hide in her bravado and the bottom of the bottle. I cheered when she finally stood up and said enough! I loved their spunk, determination and their loyalty to each other despite their differences. I enjoyed Sisters and look forward to the rest of the series. I recommend Sisters. 

Sisters is available in paperback and eBook

Under the Maui Sky: one secret, one betrayal threatens to tear apart a family

Under the Maui Sky is the first book in the Maui Island series by Kellie Coates Gilbert. It is the story of Ava Briscoe and her four children as they deal with the loss of a loved one and a betrayal that will shake them to the core. Ava Briscoe’s strength and resilience will be put to the test. Christel is the oldest Briscoe child and the foundation that she trusted to stand firm will be shaken. Katie is a wife, mother and businesswoman, she yearns for a chance to shine. Aiden makes a living rescuing people in trouble but can he rescue his family when they need him the most? Lastly, Shane, the baby, has been tagged as the ne'er-do-well. He does what he can to live up to it but deep down he wishes for the chance to prove his worth. Will they find a way to come together, stronger than ever? Or will this secret break them beyond repair?

With the beautiful tropical island atmosphere, Under the Maui Sky is an emotional ride of grief, heartache, and devastation. It is a story that will have readers quickly turning the pages to the end. It is a story that takes hold and will not let go. A dark secret is revealed that will turn their grief and heartache to anger. Ms. Coates Gilbert has an amazing ability to capture families and their dynamics. The reactions of each character were very authentic. The interactions between the siblings were realistic. I could easily imagine myself and my siblings bickering and bantering the same way. There were moments of tears and moments of laughter. There were moments of shock and despair. I closed the book with tears in my eyes and my heart filled with hope. I look forward to the rest of the series as the Briscoe family continues to deal with their issues. I highly recommend Under the Maui Sky! 

Under the Maui Sky is available in paperback and eBook

A Woman of Fortune: one woman's journey from the ashes to the life she always wanted

A Woman of Fortune is the first book in the Texas Gold series by Kellie Coates Gilbert. Texas socialite Claire Massey was on top of the world, living the dream. Designer clothes, luxury cars, stunning homes and a life most people would envy. There was very little room for complaints in her book. Until it comes crashing down when Tuck, her charming, savvy cattle broker husband, is arrested for fraud and other charges. She suddenly finds herself facing lawyers, the media, and a trail of angry people with broken hearts and broken dreams. Feeling betrayed, humiliated and devastated, Claire must find a way to rise from the ashes and create a new life, a life she didn’t know she truly wanted, and pursue a dream she didn’t know she had. 

A Woman of Fortune is an emotional roller coaster for Claire as she goes from the envy of Texas society to vilified and mocked from the very people she thought were friends. The reactions, responses and personal crises and turmoil are very realistic. However, the story left me conflicted. Would I respond like Claire did if my husband had done what Tuck did? Would I stay by my man if he lied, cheated and essentially stole from hard working people? Would I trust him again? I loved that she finds herself strength and fights for what she wants despite the “image” that she has been raised to portray. And the constant mentions of food made it hard to read because it was making me hungry! The mention of BBQ brisket alone made my mouth water! Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend a Woman of Fortune. 

A Woman of Fortune is available in paperback and eBook.