Silver Thaw by Catherine Anderson – Review & Giveaway

Silver Thaw
Mystic Creek #1
by Catherine Anderson
Genre: mystery, suspense, romance
Release Date: January 6, 2015

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
After years of living in fear of her husband, Amanda Banning has left him and moved to Mystic Creek, Oregon, for a fresh start. But she’s having a tough time providing for herself and her six-year-old daughter. Writing her secret yearnings on slips of paper and sending them into the wind helps her cling to the hope that things will get better…and that she can find happiness again.

Jeb Sterling has no idea that the handwritten messages he finds scattered across his land are the first hints that his life is about to change. Nor does he understand why he feels so compelled to help Amanda Banning and her daughter when a cold snap leaves them temporarily homeless. Maybe he’s inspired by Amanda’s courage or perhaps by her beautiful brown eyes. Either way, the man who once renounced love suddenly finds himself willing to do anything for the pair. Amanda seems to have given up on her dreams, but Jeb refuses to quit until he makes her every wish come true…

Review:

Silver Thaw by Catherine Anderson is the 1^st book in her new Mystic Creek series. After finishing this book, I am totally hooked and look forward to more from Anderson and Mystic Creek. Silver Thaw was such an awesome story, with a little bit of everything..danger, suspense, small town atmosphere, family, abuse, adorable child, animals, love and romance. I could not put this book down; the further I got, the more I needed to know what was going to happen.

We meet our heroine Amanda Banning and her cute 6 year old daughter Chloe, right at the start. Amanda has only lived in Mystic Creek for a few months, working a part time job, but she barely is able to provide for the both of them, living in an old broken down cabin. We learn quickly that she is in hiding from an abusive husband, whom she ran away from. Every night, when Chloe is asleep, Amanda writes little wishful notes on a pink piece of paper and lets it blow away into the wind.

Jeb Sterling is our hero, and he has lived in Mystic Creek all his life. Jeb has a big house, where he lives alone with his dog, Bozo, a mastiff. While feeding the farm animals, he begins to see pink notes on his land. As he reads them, Jeb senses a woman who is in dire need, and she is running away from something. But he has no idea who the woman is.

That is until a terrible ice storm hits Mystic Creek. Jeb and many residents go out to the homes of the local seniors to see if they need help. He comes across on his last stop, the small cabin, and meets Amanda and Chloe. The house has lost power, they are freezing, and it is too dangerous for them to stay there. Jeb insists they come to his house until the storm is over, and despite her misgivings, Amanda agrees for one night. It doesn’t take long for Jeb to realize that this woman is the one who was writing those notes.

All of this is early on, and what follows is wonderful story that will grab you from the start and never let go until you have read the very last page. This is a sweet romance, that builds slowly, so nicely done. Amanda in not in any shape, physically or mentally to trust any man. But Jeb is such a great hero, as he was so sweet and kind to both Amanda and Chloe. He begins to fall for Amanda, and Chloe, as does Bozo. Jeb understands what Amanda has gone through and is very careful with her. It not only is a great romance, as he slowly tries to help her, but the last third of the book is very exciting. Just when Amanda begins to let her guard down, her horrific past will rear its ugly head.

I loved Jeb and Amanda together, how she began to know what true love was all about. I loved Chloe, as she was adorable, and at the same time, sad as she saw too much of the past. I do not want to give spoilers, but this is a must read. I loved every moment of it. Thank you, Catherine Anderson for this wonderful story, and I can’t wait to return to Mystic Creek.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Catherine’s publisher is offering a paper copy of SILVER THAW to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE us on TSU.

7. Please LIKE  CATHERINE ANDERSON on FACEBOOK.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from January 5 to January 9, 2015