Snowy Mountain Christmas by Sharon Sala – a Review

Snowy Mountain Christmas by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
Christmas is a great time to be snowed in with the woman who saved your life in this heartwarming, small town holiday romance from New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala.

One minute, Trey Austin is driving through torrential rain; the next, he’s being rescued from a car wreck by an angelic woman with the courage to brave the storm. Her face was the last thing he saw before he lost consciousness. No one got her name—but she lost one shoe stuck in the mud. It’s Trey’s only clue, so he takes to the internet, hoping against hope that he’ll find his angel.

Just when he’s almost given up, Trey gets a message from Marley Corbett, owner of a cozy bed and breakfast in Colorado, and he instantly knows he’s found her. Without hesitation, Trey heads to the mountains to meet Marley just in time to spend an unforgettable Christmas snowed in with his dream girl, who, when finally in front of him, is even more special than he remembers.

 

 

Review:

Snowy Mountain Christmas by Sharon Sala is another wonderful story that takes place in the Colorado mountains. Trey Austin, is doing research for a book he is writing, and makes a wrong turn leading him into a torrential storm, causing a devasting car crash.  Trey loses conscious, and opens his eyes as he is close to drowning, but he is being rescued by a woman with filled with courage to try and save him; her face was the last thing he saw.

Marley Corbett was also heading into the same storm, and discovers Trey’s car wreck. This tiny woman was determined to rescue Trey and eventually she manages to pull him out, and waits for the help to arrive.  Marley is exhausted and drained, and once the ambulance arrives, she continues to her home in Colorado.

Marley owns a B&B, having grown up in a family with lots of love, enough money and hard work in her business.   Trey grew up in a house with nannies, tons of money and no parental love or attention. Where Marley is happy, with lots of friends, who also help run the B&B; Trey is bitter about his parents with no love.

When Trey begins to heal, he is determined to find his savior, with no clues who or where she is.  He decides to use social media in getting help to find his “Cinderella”.  When time has passed a bit, Marley will see an interview showing Trey looking for his Cinderella girl; she calls the number and introduces herself as the woman who saved his life.  Trey is thrilled and heads to the mountains to meet Marley.

Trey arrives and meets Marley, and with a major snow storm, they spend lots of time together.  Trey finds himself falling for his dream girl; Marley also falls hard for Trey, as they made a great couple.  She also learns about Trey’s parent’s not being around him during his childhood years; as well as him being a well-known anonymous author. In time, Trey will get his agent to reveal his real name, since his books will be become a series.  Trey and Marley open themselves up to the public, since she was indeed the Cinderella girl.  I really liked a number of secondary characters, which included Marley’s Inn friends, and of course Meridith (Trey’s agent).

Snowy Mountain Christmas was a delightful, heartwarming fun, and wonderful Christmas story.  I really loved Trey and Marley together.  There was so much fun throughout, with moments of emotions, love, laughter and heartfelt times in this modern Cinderella story. Snowy Mountain Christmas was so very well written by Sharon Sala.  I wholly suggest you read this book, as you can never go wrong reading anything by Sharon Sala.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

Left Behind by Sharon Sala – a Review

Left Behind by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
Everything that was lost will be found again.

Jubilee PD Officer Wiley Pope thinks he’s ruined things with Linette Elgin. He hasn’t seen or heard from the local nurse since their date gone wrong. But when Wiley’s trip to the bank turns into a robbery with Linette as one of the hostages, his training and protective instincts kick into full gear. A heroic bullet to his armor-protected chest is enough for Linette to forgive Wiley’s past mistakes and begin anew.

While his love for Linette grows daily, Wiley finds himself in over his head when a murder investigation is linked to Pope Mountain. If that wasn’t enough, a woman from Wiley’s father’s past abandons her seven-year-old daughter at the police station in an attempted money scheme. But the minute the woman signs over her parental rights, Wiley and Linette welcome the wary little girl into their family and show her what real love looks like.

 

 

Review:

Left Behind by Sharon Sala is the 4th book in her wonderful Jubilee, Kentucky series.  The story focuses on Wiley Pope, who loves his job as a Jubilee police officer.  Wiley has a crush on Linette Elgin, who is a local hospital nurse, but after a date that ended up wrong, due to two ladies who ruined the date; Linette wanted nothing to do with Wiley.   When a robbery at the local bank occurs, Linette finds herself as one of the hostages; with Wiley one of the cops coming to the rescue. Linette sees how he protected the hostages, and sees all that he does, she relents and decides to give him a second chance.

A murder investigation begins in Pop Mountain, with a woman shot in the back. Turns out that the woman’s brother was murdered, and she was found in the mountains with a serious injury. Wiley is assigned to guard her at the hospital; and learning more about the attempt on her life.  There are bad people, who have tried to kill the women, who they fear would identify them; but friends and police are on top of things, with the woman safe.

A woman, Corina, from Wiley’s father’s past, brings her 7-year-old daughter, to the police station, in an attempt abandoned the child in a money scheme; Wiley finds himself adoring the little girl, Ava.  He makes a deal with Corina, that he will adopt her, and free Corina to her move on with her own life.  Ava, was a cute and adorable child that everyone, including all the Pope family, as well as Linette loved. Ava did have a rough life in her 7 years, and as she meets all of the Pope family, Linette, she is beside herself as now having a family that she will love.

Left Behind was an emotional, wonderful, sweet story, with all the members of the Pope family playing a big part in this story.  Wiley and Linette made a great couple.  Everyone love young Ava, and Wiley was so happy to have Linette and Ava as his family.  There were a couple of suspense mysteries that played a large part of this book.  Left Behind was very well written by Sharon Sala

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

Heartbeat by Sharon Sala – a Review

Heartbeat by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
Sean Pope already lost Amalie Lincoln once. This time, he will risk everything to never have to say goodbye to her again. Amalie Lincoln moved to Jubilee, Kentucky, to start fresh, build her business, and heal the scars of her past. Little did she know she’d run into Sean Pope, a beloved childhood friend she hasn’t seen in decades. But on the day she moves to town, a helicopter explodes under suspicious circumstances, wreaking havoc on the families of Pope Mountain. As the Jubilee PD dives into their investigation of the incident, Sean and Amalie find comfort and a budding romance with each other. Life in Jubilee becomes exactly what Amalie hoped for. But as the investigators uncover the truth and the crooks behind the attack set Amalie in their sights, Sean must face the danger or risk losing Amalie forever.

 

 

Review:

Heartbeat by Sharon Sala is the 3rd book in her wonderful Jubilee, Kentucky series. We meet our heroine, Amalie Lincoln, who grew up in foster care, with no true happiness; especially as a baby being found in the woods.  She was able to go to college and became a CPA, but at the age of 25, Amalie suffered a horrific car wreck caused by a drunk driver, and was badly burned, which took at least two years to recover. Her neighbor helped her sue for damages, which she won, leaving her well-off financially. She took a trip to Jubilee, Kentucky for a vacation, and decided this is where she wants to live.

Amalie relocated to Jubilee, and opened her own shop as a CPA, and needed help to set up her computer, as well as security; she calls Sean Pope to help set her up.  Upon seeing each other, both look very familiar, which they will learn that they knew each other at school at the age of 7, as he stopped her being bullied.

Amalie’s first day in town, a helicopter explodes close to the elementary school, with terrible debris landing on the ground; Sean and his two brothers, were heroes, as well as police making sure the children and teachers were all safe.  In a short time, Sean and Amalie knew they had a bond, and were totally attracted to each other; with Sean not caring about some of the noticeable scars on Amalie.  Love was in the bloom with this wonderful couple, as the Pope family opened their hearts to Amalie, welcoming her into their big family.

Another part of this story revolves around the helicopter explosion, which turns into murder.  Amalie joined Ancestry.com to look for any DNA that might enable her finding her true family. Finally, after some time, she gets a result of a connection.  Wolf Outen, is a very successful and wealthy man, and learns that the helicopter crash was planned by someone close to him, and he suspects it was his wife; working with the police, they find evidence that eventually will identify her as the culprit.   But before this, Wolf receives an email from Amalie, claiming he is her father.  To his shock, he realizes that his in-laws lied to him 27 years ago, saying his child was stillborn and deformed, and his wife died the next day. Wolf and Amalie meet and both are thrilled to have found each other so many years later.  Wolf also is worried about the wife, who tried to kill him, and decides to send some of his trusted bodyguards to protect Amalie and Sean. 

What follows is an wonderful romance that was exciting, drama, love, fantastic family with a terrific group of characters we meet along the way, as well as suspenseful.  Heartbreak was so very well written by Sharon Sala Heartbeat was a fabulous romance suspense novel that kept us glued to our seats, as it was a thrilling ride.  I wholly suggest you read Heartbeat.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

Last Rites by Sharon Sala – a Review

Last Rites by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
There’s nothing a community won’t do to protect its own…

Shirley Wallace and her four sons return to her childhood home on Pope Mountain in Jubilee, Kentucky, with a lifetime of hardship behind them, hoping to find peace and begin their lives anew. Eldest brother Aaron Pope returns to his life as a police officer, and is settling in just fine. Then Aaron’s investigation into an attempted murder leads him right to Dani Owens. She may hold the key to a long-lost part of the Pope family’s past, and more importantly, she may hold the key to Aaron’s heart.

 

Review:

Last Rites by Sharon Sala is the 2nd book in her romance suspense series, Jubilee, Kentucky. I am a fan of Sharon Sala, having read and loved her previous series; and I looked forward to reading this series, as the first book was great.  The story starts off with the Wallace family, after her abusive husband is convicted of murdering two store employees, and everyone treats them badly in their Arkansas town. After her divorce, all of them lost their jobs due to her husband’s terrible actions.  Shirley and her four sons decide to officially change their names to her maiden name, Pope; and they move to her childhood home in Jubilee, Kentucky. When they arrive in Pope Mountain, they are welcomed with open arms, moving into the house she had inherited from her deceased mother.

The oldest son, Aaron was a police officer in Arkansas, and now in Jubilee, he is offered a job, especially with his overall experience and record.  When a child is shot, Aaron becomes involved the investigation, and a young woman comes to the police station to drop off a journal she found on the street. Aaron meets Dani Owens, a new resident in town, who is an elementary school teacher; she tells him she saw the man drop something while in a hurry, and gets her to help get a sketch of the man. The journal plays an important part in the story, as it relates back almost 150 years (Civil war), when a member of the Pope family disappeared and was never found; as well as the possibility of buried treasure (gold).

Dani just recently moved to Jubilee, as she was terrorized by a former boyfriend and his brother, and their attempt to kill her. She lived in fear, until she was able to trick her attacker, and save her own life; with the attacker in prison. When Aaron learns more about her past, he realizes she is very much in danger, by the other brother, and he makes sure he sets himself to protect her, and manages to stop the attempt on her life. In a short time, Dani and Aaron will fall in love, as they go from being friends to lovers. 

What follows is an exciting, tense story that held my breath throughout; with two attempts to murder innocent people. It was great to see Cameron Pope and Rusty (book One), as well as their wonderful dog, Ghost.  Cameron was determined to discover the secrets of the journal and past history of Pope Mountain. I really loved Shirley, and her wonderful 4 boys (including Aaron), and how they became so happy returning to Jubilee. I also loved Aaron and Dani together.

Last Rites was so very well written by Sharon Sala.  I loved the characters, the town, and especially our couple.   I can’t wait to see what Sala has next.  If you like exciting suspense, and romance, I suggest you read Last Rites.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala – a Review

Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Army veteran Cameron Pope arrives back in Jubilee, Kentucky, for the first time in years. He barely has time to catch his breath when he becomes embroiled in a race of life or death for his little niece and a deadly hunt for the human traffickers who are destroying the peace of his mountain town. When he’s reunited with Rusty Caldwell—a woman from his past who he’s never stopped thinking about—he wants to believe they can finally be together. But Cameron is shocked to find out that Rusty belongs to one of the rich families in Jubilee—the same rich folks who scorn the rural families living on the surrounding mountainside, in spite of knowing nothing about them. With their community in the crosshairs, Cameron and Rusty will have to find a way to end the feuding and take down the human trafficking ring if they’re to have a chance at happiness.

 

 

Review:

Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala is the first book in her new romance suspense series, Jubilee, Kentucky.  I am a fan of Sharon Sala, having read and loved her previous series; and this first book was great.  The story started 5 years ago, when our heroine/hero met at a bar, and had a night of passion, as he was shipping out to Afghanistan. Both of them still dream about that night, sorry they didn’t give out their names.

We jump to 5 years later, Cameron Pope, has returned to Jubilee, Kentucky after completing two tours, and is happy to be home near his family.  One night he gets a desperation call from his sister, Rachel, about her daughter being kidnapped.  Cameron, with his service dog, Ghost, become embroiled to find his niece.  Ghost, who spent years in Afghanistan with Cameron, managed to find her, and Cameron rescues little Lily. 

Rusty Caldwell, our heroine, is a top-rated FBI agent, who solves a crime, and is currently recovering from injuries.  She is approached by Agents who have been trying to stop human traffickers, and since she has family in Jubilee, she agrees to visit family members she has not seen in many years; using the guise of visiting while on leave to recover.  When the FBI learns that Cameron is a Military Veteran, whose credentials were top notch, and they inform Rusty to work with him. 

Cameron is shocked when he meets Rusty, as she was the woman he constantly dreamed of.  Rusty, doing research, recognizes Cameron, and couldn’t wait to meet him again and work together. They both worked closely together, investigating a number of people in Jubiliee that were involved, but most of all to find the head honcho who was behind the human trafficking.  Rusty, Cameron and Ghost made a fantastic team.

What follows is an exciting, tense story that held my breath throughout; with many people part of the human trafficking. Just when they think they have discovered the Boss, things change rapidly.  Though this was an exciting mystery, I oved the romance between Cameron and Rusty; they made such a great couple, and the chemistry between them became ultra-steamy.  Their romance throughout was a major part of this story.  I loved Ghost, who was a fantastic dog, and a major part of the rescue/investigation. 

Don’t Back Down was so very well written by Sharon Sala.  I loved the characters, the town, and especially our couple, and dog.  I can’t wait to see what Sala has next.  If you like exciting suspense, and romance, I suggest you read Don’t Back Down.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

The Next Best Day by Sharon Sala – a Review

The Next Best Day by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
A fresh start for a young teacher to build the life she’s dreamt of
A second chance at romance for a single dad
The warm and uplifting small-town community cheering them on

After two back-to-back life-changing events, first grade teacher Katie McGrath left Albuquerque for a fresh start in Borden’s Gap, Tennessee. She is finally back in the classroom where she belongs, but it will take a little while for her to heal and feel truly like herself. She’ll need to dig deep to find the courage it takes to try again—in life and in love—but with some help from her neighbor Sam Youngblood and his adorable daughters who bring her out of her shell, her future is looking brighter than she dared imagine.

 

 

Review:

The Next Best Day by Sharon Sala is a wonderful heartwarming & heartbreaking story. Katie McGrath, our heroine, is devastated when her fiancée leaves her at the altar, marrying someone else. Katie is strong, independent, as she manages to pull herself together, since she was raised in foster homes as a child.  She is a first-grade teacher in Albuquerque, and not long after her fiancée abandoned her, a school shooting brings chaos, as many people have been shot, and Katie runs down the hall to cover up two of her students; when it is all over, she is badly injured, but in time she will recover, with the town honoring her for her bravery.  Though Katie is a fighter and survivor, she begins to suffer from PTSD, and decides she needs to leave her job and the town, to find a quiet small town.

After some research, Katie accepts a teaching job at Borden’s Gap, Tennessee, in hopes of a fresh start.  She rents a cottage, and in a short time, she makes friends with the local people; helping a neighbor walk her dog, and meets two cute young girls across the street.   Sam Youngblood, is the local police chief in town, and is also the father of the two 6-year-old adorable twin girls, Beth and Evie.  Sam, who is a gorgeous hunk, finds himself attracted to Katie, but it seems almost every man in town tries to befriend, Katie; though in a short time, her and Sam become friends, and a slow build romance begins. 

When school starts, Katie is amazed at the kindness from many people in town, with some keeping the school shooting private.  Sam sees signs that Katie is having issues with her PSTD, and tries to help her begin to heal, as he is patient and caring, slowly watching over her nightmares, and stabilizing her emotions.  I loved Sam and Katie together, not to mention Evie and Beth. Sam is a perfect hero who brings Katie out of her shell while he waits for her emotions to stabilize.

Katie was a great teacher, and even in this new school, she deals with parental abuse and child abuse.  I loved when Katie used her skills to protect a child from an abusive father.  It was cool. The Next Best Day was a wonderful story, filled with hope, love, happiness, fun and strength to move on.  The Next Best Day was so very well written by Sharon Sala.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share

The Best of Me by Sharon Sala – a Review

The Best of Me by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Take a trip to Blessings, Georgia, where bestselling author Sharon Sala welcomes you with a touching small-town romance:
An orphaned little girl who desperately needs a new home
A couple ready to welcome her with open arms
Friendly neighbors who are always there for each other
A Southern small town where great things happen to good people

Ruby Butterman and her husband, Peanut, cannot have children, but they’re given a second chance at a family when eight-year-old orphan Carlie is left in their care. It’s a challenge for Carlie to adapt to a new town, a new school, and a new family, and when she gets bullied at school, Ruby and Peanut discover how to step up as parents, and how to make a forever family for their beloved little girl.

 

 

Review:

The Best of Me by Sharon Sala is the 13th and final book in her wonderful Blessings, Georgia series. As I have noted many times, I am a big fan of this series, as it is always wonderful to return to Blessings, Georgia and the fabulous townsfolk we get to spend time with.  The Best of Me is a different kind of story, which was an emotional and wonderful read; especially since this was the finale.  Ruby and Peanut are the main characters in this book (they had their own story early on), and it was so fitting for them to have their unexpected wish to complete this series.

The story starts with a woman and her 8-year-old daughter getting off of a Greyhound bus and walk into the Blessings Police station. The mother tells the officer to call Ruby Dye, and when Lon (the police chief) calls Peanut to bring Ruby, the mother’s heart gives out before they come; the daughter, Carlie was very aware that her mom was dying, as she had been trying to take care of her during the last few months. When Ruby arrives and reads the letter the woman left, she learns that the mother was an old friend, and she wanted Ruby to become Carlie’s legal guardian.

Ruby and Peanut have been happily married, even though she can not have children of her own. They are the perfect people to take care of Carlie, who fulfill their wish; making this such a heartwarming story.  Ruby and Peanut have so much love to give, knowing how hard it was for Carlie, but their devotion to her was amazing, as in time she flourished.

As is her normal, Sala also gives us a second story revolving around Ladd and Deborah, who were childhood friends, with both meeting again. Ladd ran his cattle ranch, after the death of his mother; and to his surprise, Deborah returns home to help her mom, after the death of her father.  It is Deborah, who will rescue Ladd, after being seriously hurt by a bull attack.  It was a nice sweet romance, as they both realized they still had feelings for each other, and together they would find a way to combine both ranches.  This was a fun addition to the overall story.

It is always a joy to meet up with many others we have met before.  I did enjoy the friendship between Carlie and Melvin Lee, who took it upon himself to protect her and be her first friend.  Cute. The added addition of Carlie being bullied by another girl, was very well done, and ended nicely.

What follows is wonderful heartwarming, emotional and uplifting story, with a couple we have loved from the start, wonderful secondary characters, and a wish come true with the addition of Carlie.  I love returning to Blessings, which is a wonderful community who takes care of their own. Sharon Sala writes another delightful story in this wonderful small town, with great couples that we care about with each and every book.  Blessings, Georgia always gives the vibe of a perfect place you would love to live in. 

The Best of Me was a fantastic ending to this series, and I will miss all the wonderful characters that were recurring throughout.  If you enjoy a pure romance, wonderful characters, great couples, and a small-town atmosphere, then you should be reading this series. Thank you, Sharon Sala for giving us so many wonderful stories.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

The Christmas Wish by Sharon Sala – a Review

The Christmas Wish by Sharon Sala – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
It’s been years since Wade Montgomery stepped foot in Blessings, Georgia, but the Blessings Christmas spirit is just like he remembers it. The whole town has come together to help his uncle after a disaster nearly destroyed the family business. Being back in Blessings reminds Wade of everything he’s been missing, especially when he runs into his old flame, Birdie Knox.

Bridgette “Birdie” Knox isn’t so eager to jump into the holiday season. Every year, she’s reminded of the secrets that tore her family apart. But with Wade Montgomery back in town, Birdie is starting to believe in Christmas magic. There’s no guarantee Wade will stick around, but if Birdie had her wish, she’d never have to say goodbye to him again.

 

Review:

The Christmas Wish by Sharon Sala is the 12th book in her sweet fun Blessings, Georgia series; though this is her first holiday romance taking place in Blessings.  As I have said in previous reviews of this series, I always enjoy coming back to Blessings, Georgia and the fabulous townsfolk we get to spend time with. Once again, Sharon Sala gives us another wonderful feel-good romance, with a holiday feel.  

We meet our hero, Wade Montgomery, who has returned to Blessings to help manage his Uncle’s feed store.  Wade has always had a crush on Bridgette Knox (Birdie – our heroine) since he was a kid, and now being in Blessings for 6 months, he decides to approach her why she ignores him.  Birdie, is the bookkeeper, for the feed store, and well-liked by everyone. When Wade tells her his feelings, he is surprised that she feels the same way as him, and a sweet wonderful romance begins.

This is the first time in this series that Sala has made this about the Christmas season, which shows second chances and miracles in our wonderful Blessings.  Though Wade and Birdie were fantastic lead characters, which was beautiful to watch them fall deeper in love, there are a number of other characters who play a part in this book.

A young man, returns to Blessings, 10 years later, when he discovers his father was accused of stealing expensive jewelry, and sent to prison.  Duff, the young man, who did not know why his father was sent to prison, realizes that he was the one responsible.  He was 6 years old, and loved to play as a pirate, with treasure; unbeknownst to everyone, he buried the treasure playing a game, and totally forgot. Though he is only 16 years old, he leaves his mother and brother to go to Blessings.  This was a fun and heartwarming story, as he tells the lawyer and police about the treasure, and together they will right a terrible wrong.   Very well done.

One family falls apart, when the husband steals from his workplace to pay off gambling debts, and his family leaves him.  We get to see Elliot (older man who always helps) come to the rescue, paying off the debts, giving him a new job and eventually bringing his family back.

What follows is wonderful heartwarming & emotional story, with a great couple, wonderful characters that we keep meeting in all our visits to Blessings.  I love returning to Blessings, which is a wonderful community who takes care of their own. We should all be blessed with living in Blessings.  I will add that I thought the constant going back and forth between the characters was a bit much, and a little confusing.  But overall, still a wonderful story.  I loved Wade and Birdie, who were so great together and very sweet and sexy.

Sharon Sala writes another delightful story in this wonderful small town, and great couples that we care about with each and every book.  Blessings, Georgia always gives the vibe of a perfect place you would love to live in.  If you enjoy a pure romance, wonderful characters, great couples, and a small-town atmosphere, then you should be reading this series. The Christmas Wish was a wonderful read, written so very well by Sharon Sala.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share