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

The Scavenger's Daughters: a story of family and bonds stronger than blood

The Scavenger’s Daughters is the first book in Kay Bratt’s Tales of the Scavenger’s Daughters series. After surviving torture and imprisonment during China’s Cultural Revolution (read all about it in the series’ prequel, The Palest Ink), Benfu finds love and a life with the compassionate and beautiful Calla Lily. Together they build a life around the most menial jobs, Benfu’s work as a scavenger or trash collector. As he sorts through the trash left behind by others, he regularly discovers abandoned children. With unwavering determination, Benfu and Calli create a family of these children. When a crisis threatens to tear their family apart, Benfu, Calli and their headstrong daughters must find a way to overcome their greatest hardship yet. 

The Scavenger’s Daughters was inspired by a true story and Ms. Bratt weaves a tale of triumph in the face of hardship and the unbreakable bonds of family against all odds. I fell in love with Benfu and Calli in The Palest Ink and looked forward to reading about the family they create together. From the very beginning, it is made clear that Benfu and Calli make it their life’s mission to “care for the castaways that fate brought into their lives.” Each daughter has her own past, strengths and struggles and Benfu and Calli find ways to help each girl focus on their strengths and overcome their struggles. It is a beautiful story and I highly recommend The Scavenger’s Daughters!

The Scavenger’s Daughters is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook