I have been looking forward to this new book in the Sweetwater Crossing Series and I was not disappointed.   Louisa, the baby of the Vaughn sisters, has returned to her home town for the funeral of Doc Sheridan accompanying His widow.  She had left the town in quite a hissy fit vowing never to return again.  I was pleasantly surprised that her time away studying under a doctor in Cimarron Creek smoothed the rough edges.  Gone was the angry, fit-throwing girl and it her place was a mature gracious woman.  She hadn’t lost her spunk and determination however.  Though in a better attitude, she still did not plan to stay any longer than the widow needed.

Things didn’t quite work out that way though.  Almost to their destination she comes upon Josh Porter, unconscious and with a broken leg from his horse throwing him.  She brings him into town to care for him . . .taking longer than she had planned. 

Doc’s widow surprises Louisa by turning his office over to take his medical practice. This would be great as it is her dream, but in the 1800’s women doctors were ostracized and rejected.  In a small western town like Sweetwater Crossing, the opposition was even greater.  Though not a doctor, she was a highly trained healer and midwife. The population was so prejudice they didn’t even care that they didn’t have a doctor now! I was so moved by Louisa’s humble spirit toward those that were unkind toward her.  Plus her Christian grace to provide her skills for them in spite of their mistreatment of her.

Joshua’s plans were smitten derailed too.  He was from a wealthy family and heir to their expensive, aristocratic store in New York.  He intended to prove to his grandfather that was capable of running it.  He had been traveling across the country collecting local recipes that would put their elegant tearoom on the map; surely this would impress his grandfather.

The couple is forced to put their dreams on hold and work with the hand they have been dealt. They begin to see their lives and priorities from a different perspective, questioning what they truly wanted

Sweetwater definitely part of the Old West; lawlessness and danger are always brewing. The suspense and mystery will keep you turning the page! Anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!

I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions stated are my own.  

Cora Matthews’s childhood was difficult to say the least.  She never knew her father, her mother and she been alienated from her for many years.  Her happiest childhood memories were her grandparents and living at their lake lodge.  Then without warning when she was 7 years old her mother took her away and severed all ties with them. The rest of her youth was spent drifting from town to town with her mother, never staying in one place, never putting down roots. A lifestyle she had continued as a young woman.

The book opens with her standing at her mother’s grave unable to experience grief.  Cora didn’t even know her mother was ill.   The funeral and burial are at Moonberry Lake, where her grandparents had lived till their deaths. She wants answers to her decades old questions.  As if all this was not enough, she also is told that her mother has left her the lodge but she must live in it for a year if she did not she lost everything with no compensation. 

The lodge has not been lived in for years and was in sad condition, needing many costly repairs. Plus it would require her to stay in one place longer than she ever had.  Another challenge was being a loner; she now had to be a part of a small close-knit community.  She decides to take the challenge, finding there is way more involved than repairing the building.

I could totally envision the lodge. It reminded me of the ones we stayed at for family reunions.  I am sure I released some audible “sighs” thinking of those happy memories. I was relieved she wasn’t alone, as, Sam close friend of her grandparents was there to support and help navigate through this major adjustment.

All the characters were eccentric to say the least, but cared for each other and lived in harmony. I found it so fulfilling as I watched Cora being pushed out of her solitary life and opening herself up to others.  I laughed as her wonderfully peculiar neighbors gave her a crash course in embracing the differences of others.

With all the wonderful people my favorite is Widgy the handy woman.  She hilarious!!   Her uninhibited, unique way of thinking and expressing herself kept me in stiches.  In just a few pages I was totally immersed in the story and the characters! There is even a very surprise ending! I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one in the series!  

I received this book from Revell publishing in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions stated are my own.

Beckett Walsh is dealing with the loss of her Dad, her rock.  After her Mom’s disappearance when she was young he provided a secure and home for her.   Yet, she has never fully recovered.  The memories of their happy times together cling to her mind, continually creating more questions than answers.  They were a family.  Not only reeling from grief, she is now alone for the first time in her life.  She is determined to keep his bee farm running and his beloved bees alive. How can she make living and keep the farm going with no job and a paralyzing of leaving her farm that has kept her prisoner there for years.

Callie Pearson has faced a different loss her entire life: a stable and a loving home. Her mother’s alcoholism kept them constantly moving and in need of the basics of life. She is thrust into the role of adult and caregiver as a young child.   Each time she tries to make something of her life her mother appears in her life needing help in some way. She is trying to start a new business making naturally scented candles and soap.  If she helps her mother she will lose everything she has accomplished to date.  Yet how can she refuse her mother the help that might be a breakthrough to a normal life?

Each one is hurting and trying to heal from their traumatic past; both fragile and delicate in different ways.  Suddenly their lives are thrown together in the most unexpected way and they are forced to face their past and present pain and suffering, unable to avoid it any longer.

Beckett and Callie captured my heart and mind.  I felt their strong emotions and struggles, and even called to remembrance some of my own.  I was amazed at what they had in common but also their different strengths and coping mechanisms.  

My favorite character was the quirky, spunky little girl that shows up one day on the farm and introduces herself Katya Amadeus Cimmaron. from the planet Zirthwyth.  She was such fun.

The key thing I took away from this book is healing. Healing when you don’t know how, you don’t feel you have the strength, but you have no choice.  Beautifully written!

I received this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions stated are my own.