Book review: When Love Comes Knocking by Sarah J. McNeal

 

Blurb:

Penelope Witherspoon was charmed into marriage by Evan Thoroughgood only to learn she loved a philanderer, who gambled away his inheritance and drank too heavily. It came as no surprise that four months after their marriage, Evan was shot dead for cheating at cards. Since his death, Penelope has come to depend on his older brother, Gil. In fact, she has come to love and respect him. No two men could be further apart in character. But, if Gil learns of her secret indiscretion, he will want nothing further to do with her. What is Penelope to do?

My review:

When Love Comes Knocking is a short and sweet story that delivers quite a bit of feels, and I'm not talking the winter's chill on a hot August afternoon.

Emotions are high and rolling as Penelope and Gil finally decide it's time to own up to their desires - even as fear and jealousy grip tight. I just felt bad that it took as long as it did for both of them to find their bravery... all that time lost! However, with thoughts like this from Gil: He would love her until the stars burned out, the wait was obviously well worth it. I was smiling as things finally got sorted out.

One other fun nugget: The way to love a woman can be a mysterious undertaking. Isn't that the truth! lol 

Purchase link:

New Release -- THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS by Angela Raines -- Giveaway!

An Agate Gulch Story

When Nettie Hascall’s husband, Jacob, is killed, she knows she must move away in order to make a new life for herself and her two children, Ila and Albert. But tragedy seems to follow the little family to Agate Gulch, and Nettie feels more and more as if she’s running from Fate. The memories of the evil that had almost befallen now-thirteen-year-old Ila  resurface with cruel pranks…and then, the unthinkable happens—seven-year-old Albert is kidnapped. But why? And at what should be the most joyous time of the year, Christmas, the heartbreak is almost too much for Nettie to bear. She must find her son—no matter what.

John Flemming also is haunted by memories of things he did that he can never forget. Happiness will never be his, but he finds himself caring for Nettie and her children, and wanting to protect them all. When Albert goes missing, John knows he must break a vow to himself he made long ago—to lay down his guns forever. Now, he must take up his guns again to save Nettie’s young son—no matter the cost to himself. Going after Albert’s kidnappers spells the end of any relationship he might have hoped for with Nettie, but there is no other choice. Once he rescues the boy, he will move on…again.

Nettie and John have lost so much in their lives…can a Christmas miracle bring them the love they both hope for? Can THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS spell a new beginning for two lonely people?

EXCERPT

     "Jacob Hascall, I stood by you during the trial. I even went along when you made Ila leave out the real reason for the shooting, but that's no reason to just give up. You still have a family."

     Nettie had been so tired of doing everything while Jacob sat around just staring at the walls. Even to herself, she had sounded shrewish—but she could only take so much. Yes, Jacob was justified in what he'd done. The jury had found him innocent, but the thought of killing the young man, despite what he had tried to do, seemed to take everything out of Jacob.

     "Nettie, just leave me alone," Jacob had growled, slamming the door as he left the kitchen. Later that day, his wagon, with its load going to Leadville, had gone off the edge of the road and down an embankment. Jacob had fallen to his death, his neck broken.

     Months had gone by since that awful day, but tears flowed through her fingers today, just as they had almost two years ago. How many times had the scene played over and over in her head? Was there to be no end to it? Nettie remembered the last time she saw Jacob alive. Six months later, she, Ila, and Albert had moved to Agate Gulch. Slowly, she and the children were putting their lives back on track. Up here, they were far away from the notoriety of the trial, the threats and the stares of those who hadn't understood.

     Time to stop feeling sorry for myself and get something done. Nettie dried her tears.

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PRP New Release -- Christmas Stroll by Kirsten Lynn -- Giveaway

Please be sure to leave a comment along with your contact information to be entered in the drawing for a digital copy of Kirsten Lynn's novella, Christmas Stroll.

BLURB

After his wife’s betrayal and years on the Western Front in Europe, Will Connor has lost his faith in humanity and has no use for love.  He’s content in his bitterness. That is, until the holiday season brings him face to face with little Meggie Barrow. Meghan isn’t so little anymore, but she still looks at him like he lassoed the moon and set it in place.  But what can a broken man who has lost his soul offer a beautiful young woman with more heart than anyone he’s ever met?

Meghan Barrow has loved William Connor since she was ten years old. She’s endured years of watching him marry a woman who didn’t love him, and more years of worrying about him when he leaves Wyoming to fight another country’s war. Now that the handsome cowboy is back, Meghan is determined to fill Will’s life with joy, and prove he’s all the man she needs.

With the help of friends and a Christmas stroll, these hearts might learn to walk through life together.

EXCERPT

    Pa, Pa!

    Will raced toward his son’s cries, the pounding of his horse’s hooves rumbled like boulders bringing down part of the mountains. His blood roared through his brain until his eyes burned and narrowed in on a lake in the distance. A black shadow burst through the frozen surface holding a smaller shadow. The distant forms bobbed then disappeared as though sucked below by an underground twister.

    Without even a “whoa”, Will jumped from his mount, his feet clawing for purchase on the frozen earth even as he forced them forward.

    “Benjamin! Pa! Benjamin!”

    Neither his father nor son appeared above the ice. Will released his wool coat from his arms, tossing it aside and dived in…

    Will jack-knifed up in bed, his body frozen with terror and his heart ripped open with an old pain. He’d give anything to have a flashback of the battlefields of the Western Front compared to this ever-occurring nightmare. Always just a minute away…and a minute too late.

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