The Rebel: the heartbreaking, yet hopeful final book in the Emerson Pass Historical series

The Rebel is the eighth and final book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. After four years at a university, Delphia Barnes returns home to Emerson Pass; however, no one is at the station to welcome her home. When she sees Jack Depaul, she wonders why her family isn’t there, he tells her the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Jack is a proud second generation horse breeder in Emerson Pass. Only his love for Delphia equals his love of horses. As America prepares for war, Jack and Delphia finally confess their feelings for each other and marry before Jack ships off to fight overseas. He doesn’t want to leave her now that they have come together; but the desire to serve is too strong. Jack promises her he will return, alive and well. She prays that it is a promise he can keep. Will Jack survive the war? If he comes home, will Delphia recognize and love the man who returns?

I have loved this series and the Barnes family’s adventures and it is exciting and yet sad to finish the final book. It was hard to say goodbye and yet I could not tear myself away from the pages as the Barnes family deals with the horrors and sacrifice of war. My heart broke for Delphia and Jack as they fall in love and marry in innocence even as war looms. And they fall in love again as they deal with the aftermath and pain of war. I loved how Delphia refused to give up on Jack and I cheered as others around Jack refused to let him give up and with tough love to show him that life can still be lived fully and love is deeper than skin deep. As the historical series ends, I look forward to jumping back into and finishing the contemporary Emerson Pass series. I highly recommend the Historical Emerson Pass series if you haven’t started it. I highly recommend The Rebel. 

The Rebel is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Promise in Poppies: the story of Poppy Creek has come full circle

The Promise in Poppies is the eighth book in the Poppy Creek series by Rachael Bloome. Cassie Davis has built a wonderful life in Poppy Creek. With a surprise pregnancy, Cassie faces her fears of motherhood while trying to rebuild her relationship with her own mom. Donna Hayward has devoted the last two years maintaining her sobriety as well as making amends. She returns to Poppy Creek to help Cassie, determined to be the mother she needs now, while guarding a secret, the one piece of information that Cassie has been asking for: the identity of her father. The last thing Donna expected was to fall in love with Rhett Douglas, the ex-con who, burdened by his own past mistakes, helps her see that there may be a second chance for love. As the town bands together to save the beloved library from a land developer, shocking secrets emerge. Will the tight knit community of found families be able to handle these revelations? 

I love the community of Poppy Creek! The cast of characters and the beautiful setting makes for a great series of love, laughter and even a few tears as life lessons are learned. I love the author’s use of faith-based concepts and Scriptures without being preachy or heavy handed. The struggles of the characters are real without easy or simple solutions and there wasn’t  a character I didn’t love or not cheer for. The Promise in Poppies is an uplifting read that warms your heart with its hope, healing and happily ever afters. The books in this series can be read out of order, however, if you haven’t started the Poppy Creek series, I highly recommend starting in order with book 1, The Clause in Christmas which introduces Cassie to this beloved small town. The Promise in Poppies brings the series full circle. I hope there will be more books in this wonderful series. I highly, highly recommend The Promise in Poppies. 

The Promise in Poppies is available in paperback and eBook

Southern Sunshine: when coming home is life changing

Southern Sunshine is the eighth book in the Southern series by Natasha Madison. Reed Barnes never wanted to be a cowboy. He saw the military as a way out. He enlisted and never looked back until he was injured in the battlefield. Now he is heading back home. Hazel discovered she was pregnant the night before she was supposed to leave for college. While her plans were altered, she was able to keep her baby and built a life for them both. She vowed never to return to her hometown as there are too many memories and too many watchful eyes. However, when she learns about the sudden death of her grandfather, she is forced to return home in order to settle his estate. The plan was to stay for two weeks. In and out before anyone asked questions. She didn’t account for Reed being in town as well. 

When I started Southern Sunshine, I was not aware it was the eighth book in the series. As I read, there are numerous supporting characters that came in and out and their interactions with Reed and Hazel had me confused as to the relationships and history. It wasn’t until I started to write this review that I refigured out why. That being said, the main story of Reed and Hazel was still readable as they are both back in town after six years away. Unfortunately, I could not stand Reed as he desired to leave town as he was sick of living in the shadows of his father and older brother. Ok, understandable. However, when Hazel tries to get in touch with him, he ignores her message. Overall, I did not enjoy Southern Sunshine and I have no desire to go back and read the previous books in the series. 

Southern Sunshine is available in paperback and eBook

Starting Over: the Gray family and the citizens of Hart's Ridge must find hope and strength in the darkness

Starting Over is the eighth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. In the aftermath of the events of Hello Goodbye, the Gray family bands together in unwavering strength and resilience as a crisis appears to threaten to tear them apart once again. As a new case hits the small town of Hart’s Ridge a little too close to home, the Gray family and the rest of Hart’s Ridge must come together and find the courage and hope to keep going and start fresh. A local woman is taken while shopping and it becomes a race against time to find her and bring her home safe and sound. With every picture and facade being questioned and bonds tested by secrets, they can ever feel secure again. Will the Gray family and the citizens of Hart’s Ridge find strength and hope in the darkness of tragedy? Can they move forward as a family with love and forgiveness? 

When Kay Bratt first announced her new series, she originally planned for eight books. The overwhelming support and response for the Gray family and this series, she announced that she is continuing the series. And I am so happy! I can see how Starting Over was supposed to be a send off for the Gray family; but, there are still so many stories to be told in this tiny little hamlet. The main case of the story took my breath away as I awaited their resolution with every twist and turn. I wish I could talk about my reaction to the resolution but no spoilers! I will definitely be waiting for book nine and future books in this heart pounding series. If you have not started the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend starting with book one, Hart’s Ridge, which is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook. If you have read the Hart’s Ridge series, you will not be disappointed with Starting Over! 

Starting Over is available in eBook

Assailants, Asphalt, and Alibis: a tall tale, a treasure hunt and murder

Assailants, Asphalt, and Alibis is the eighth book in the Campers and Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. During a night of telling stories around the campfire, one storyteller tells the tall tales of John Swift and his hidden treasure. Every year groups of people follow maps in the hopes of finding the long lost treasures. Mae and some of the ladies from the Laundry Club join the annual John Swift Excursion. Hank thinks the legend is gibberish and mentions the treasure hunts are cursed. Not deterred, the ladies set out and are enjoying themselves until not one but two bodies are discovered! Is there a murderer among them or has the curse struck again? 

I love tall tales, local legends and the people who get behind them whether they believe it or just like the fun of it. That’s the two groups in this story. One group wholeheartedly believes in the legend and search every year and others enjoy the hoopla around it. This year, one who wholeheartedly believes in the legend is found dead and there is no shortage of suspects. When another body is found, fear follows as Mae wonders is it a murderer or the curse? The twist revealed at the end was a complete surprise, one I thoroughly enjoyed! This series is a fun read, easy for an afternoon or two of reading. I highly recommend Assailants, Asphalts and Alibis. 

Assailants, Asphalt and Alibis is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Gone Wishing: second chances and truly finding home

Gone Wishing is by Jesse Newton and is the eighth book in The Wishing Tree series. Loretta Thompson is a people person. She loves meeting new people and has a special gift that everyone feels as she is their best friend. As she helps clean the rooms at the Wishing Tree Inn, she is fascinated by the items people leave behind. Her fascination leads her across the country as she returns the lost items to their rightful owners. Now she is returning to Linden Falls but this time she has company. Sally Redwood was a genealogy center coordinator before she had her hip replacement. With no family to help her while she heals, she joins Loretta back to Linden Falls to recover. Lois Bryant lost her husband a year ago and still reeling from his sudden loss, she needs a fresh start. Despite her children’s protests, Lois packs up and heads to Linden Falls with Loretta and Sally. Back in Linden Falls, all three women tie a wish to the famous tree. 

Gone Wishing is a sweet story of second chances. Second chances at a fulfilling life and maybe even love. Readers first learn about Loretta in an earlier book as she has packed up and left, leaving Neva in a lurch. Now she’s back and we learn more about the reasons behind her wayward travels and her lack of faith in the Wishing Tree. Sally was a hard character to like as she constantly complained about the lack of good barbeque. Or at least what she would consider good barbeque. However, by the end of the book, Sally’s story is one readers will cheer for as she finds new life in her new home. Lois’s story is the one that I clung to the most. Lois takes the most risk as her children are against her move. I enjoyed that she stuck up for herself and demanded that she needs to find a new purpose. Overall, I enjoyed Gone Wishing and highly recommend it and the rest of the Wishing Tree series. 

Gone Wishing is available in paperback and eBook