Tattered Stars: when coming home could be dangerous and yet healing

Tattered Stars is the first book in the Tattered and Torn series by Catherine Cowles. At 11 years old, Everly Kemper took a great risk to get important information to the authorities. It caused her world to come crashing down and she left the town. Now, 16 years later, she’s back to take claim of her inheritance and to rebuild her home and make peace with her family’s past in town. It would be facing him, the boy with the dark eyes, who has haunted her dreams since that night. Hayes Easton is now sheriff and is not happy when he learns that Everly is back in town, fearing what her presence would mean for the town. But when threats are made against her, he steps in to help keep her safe. What they both don’t expect is sparks to fly, they also don’t know that someone is watching and doesn’t like what they see. 

I love Catherine Cowles stories as they are filled with characters with wounds, living with harsh realities and yet find love in even the darkest times. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug those who were hurting and hurt those who were caused to the hurting. Despite her past, Everly is a strong, independent woman who is determined to stand on her own two feet and is ready to knock down anyone who stands in her way. Hayes is the protector of not just the town but his family as well. He is drawn to Everly despite his best efforts to stay away. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and before I even finished the book, I was looking into the rest of the books of the series and adding them to my wish list. I highly, highly recommend Tattered Stars. 

Tattered Stars is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

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

Greetings from Lavender Valley: a wonderful new series!

Greetings from Lavender Valley by Tammy L Grace is the first book in the new Sisters of the Heart series. Jewel Austin has been a foster mother to dozens of children; but five girls hold an extra special place in her heart. Through the years, she kept in touch with these girls as they grew into women and found their place in the world. Now in her eighties, Jewel knows her time is short and she has an unusual request. Her last wish is for them to return to the Lavender Valley Farm and find the sanctuary they once had there. Jewel has a feeling these women will need each other as they navigate life’s difficulties and the loss of the only parental figure they have known. 

Told through Jewel’s letters and journal entries, readers learn about the five little girls who grew into women under her care. From different circumstances and hurts, they came to Jewel’s farm and found a mother’s love. While it was not the story I was expecting; however, it was Jewel’s unconditional love and devotion to these women through their lives as they came to her home, stayed and then went out into the world, that pulled me in. I am looking forward to reading the rest of their series and seeing how these five women respond to Jewel’s final request. I recommend Greetings from Lavender Valley. 

Greetings from Lavender Valley is available in paperback and eBook