Tess Thompson – River Valley series reviews

Riversong
River Valley – Book 1
Released: January 13, 2013

Description:

Author Tess Thompson assembles a colorful cast of endearing small-town characters and takes you on a journey that will make you believe in the possibilities of life – even in the face of overwhelming adversity and unimaginable grief.

Lee Tucker is the kind of woman you find yourself rooting for long after the last page is read. When her husband commits suicide, he leaves her pregnant and one million dollars in debt to a loan shark. Out of options, she escapes to her deceased mother’s dilapidated house located in a small Oregon town that, like her, is financially ruined, heartbroken and in desperate need of a fresh start. Lee’s resilience leads to a plan for a destination restaurant named Riversong, to new chances for passion and love, and to danger from her dead husband’s debt as her business blooms.

A surprising mix of romance, humor, friendship, intrigue and gourmet food, Riversong entertains while reminding you of life’s greatest gifts.

Links to order Riversong: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

Review:

Riversong by Tess Thompson is the first book in her The River Valley Collection series.  I was given a chance to read this book, before I reviewed her new release RIVERBEND

Lee had been kicked in the teeth by life, so many times,  if that had been me, I would have given up.

Her mother was a drunk, her father was not on the scene. Lea was a total loner. Her only friend  was the nearby neighbour, Mrs White. We get a look at Lee’s life before she gets her college life. And it is bleak.

Skipping ahead to the future ……. It’s not much better !!  Her husband kills himself after their latest game doesn’t go to plan, leaving Lee with a million dollar debt, and an unplanned pregnancy!  Being chased by a loan shark, Lee is reduced to running back home, and to all the sad memories stored there.

We meet a wide variety of characters in this book, and I am sure I have met a few of these people along the way.

Mrs White is still there, and still a strong woman. Her mother has now died.  Tommy is the singer in the bar that Lee first works in. He is an all round nice guy. He is there for everyone, and he has had his own set of heartbreaks.  The way they dance around their for each other (feelings (the slow way they moved together, he moved forward, she moved back, very much like a dance), especially Lee, was so sweet.

He was so patient with her, his movement reminded me of a cowboy and a spooked horse, he would move towards her, and she would shy away. But he never pushed too quick. She felt guilty of her feelings for Tommy, her husband hasn’t been dead long.

Lee has a hard time believing that she deserves to be happy, she also has a strong grip on her little world, she has to control EVERYTHING, or bad things could happen. When she was approached to start a restaurant, Lee is overwhelmed and terrified.

But with help from the people she meets along the way, Lee creates Riversong. She hasn’t stopped looking over her shoulder, she still expects the loan shark to find her, I think that is one of the reasons she won’t let Tommy and others close. She has to protect herself and others.

I loved how Tess wrote Lee’s story, the love and affection that Lee had for Tommy grew with time, the surprise of a relative, I so didn’t see that coming. Lee took people under her wing, without her even realising it. She faced her crisis one day at a time, she was only running away to the old home, to renovate and sell, not to run away, she had a debt to pay, and she was going to do it. Each character was well thought out, and everyone was a joy to discover. I totally loved this book, it was such a joy to meet these characters.

 

Riverbend
River Valley – Book 2
Released: May 19, 2013

Description:

“Tag. I found you.”

Just as Annie Bell’s reputation as one of the best chefs in the Pacific Northwest grows to new heights, she receives a threatening phone call from her abusive ex-boyfriend. Marco is out on parole and hungry for revenge, blaming her for his ten-year imprisonment. Fearing for her life and that of her young son, Annie reluctantly accepts help from Drake Webber, a cold and wealthy recluse hiding a dark history of his own. Supported by the gang of misfits from their restaurant Riversong, Annie forges ahead despite her growing terror that Marco will appear at any moment and make good on his threats.

Author Tess Thompson (formerly known as Tess Hardwick) reunites the colorful cast of endearing small-town characters from her bestselling novel Riversong and takes you on a journey that will renew your faith in love, friendship and the power of community – even in the face of seemingly insurmountable grief and fear. You’ll find yourself once again cheering for the residents of River Valley, especially the big-hearted and compassionate Annie Bell.

Escape with a blend of love, laughter, friendship, suspense and gourmet food while remembering it’s never too late for second chances.

Links to order Riverbend: Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  Kobo

Review:

Riverbend is the second book in Tess Thompson’s The River Valley Collection.  Wow !!!! I really would recommend that you read the first book in this series. River Song.

Annie was introduced in the last book, as a frump, dumpy, woman who gets verbally abused by her boyfriend. We get a brief glimpse of her life 10 years in the past, in the beginning of the book……

Annie loved to cook, and had aspirations of becoming a chef in a restaurant, it was all she wanted to do. She fell in love with food, and used it to hide behind, when her mothers boyfriend began to show an unhealthy interest in her. She found a job in a restaurant, and also a young man, who saw past the padding and the shyness. She joined a college course. And took lessons from the chef in the restaurant that she worked in.

She fell in love and moved in with Marco.  It felt like all was finally right in her world ……

As soon as Marco had Annie in his control, that was when she saw the REAL Marco. He would start with the little things, until as with most wife beaters, he graduated to his feet and fists.

The turning point for Annie. Realising she was pregnant. She knew she had to get away. So with the money she had hidden from Marco, Annie formed a plan.  I don’t want to spoil the plot, you will have to read that part.

We now skip 10 years into the future. And as we know from the first book, Lee asks Annie to cook for the restaurant, RiverSong. (Annie again is in a bad relationship) But with the love and support of her friends, Annie and Alder (her son) adjust to a life they deserve.  Two years after RiverSong, we join Annie, she loves the home she has for herself and her son. She loves her work, and adores her friends. But Annie never told anyone about Marco. She thought he was gone. She was wrong.

Drake is a new character (I had thought Tess was going to get Annie and Billy together, so glad she didn’t), who also has secrets. We meet Drake as a recluse, who hires Annie to cook for him, (but only to cook, he wants her beautiful recipes to be frozen weekly, and then shipped to him). He lives on the hill, gossips are curious about the man, as was I. He came across as a right A***ole!! Rude, arrogant, and not a nice man.  He thought he could throw money at people, and it would excuse his behaviour. Wrong !! I for one wanted to hit him several times.  He had Annie sign a nondisclosure form. And informed her of a strictly no touching policy!

He liked his privacy and would do all he could to preserve it.

The first day Annie is suppose to cook for Drake, she gets a call from Marco; she is totally freaked, he wants revenge and he knows where she is.

Drake isn’t happy that Alder is with Annie, but tolerates him, barely. Things change between Drake and Annie, when he hears about her violent past, and the abuser who is coming for her. (in fact a little too quick, sorry, but that’s just my opinion).  He insists on Alder and Annie moving into the house on the hill, with its electric fence and high gate. And so begins the slow romance of Annie and Drake. She is battling with her weight and trust demons. Drake is dealing with his. They truly are two ships that pass in the night, each growing closer to each other, but neither wanting to get their heart stomped on again.

The ending had all the drama that I was expecting, and a few that I wasn’t.

And the final chapter, get those hankies out, your gonna need it. The emotions were all spot on, and I blubbed like a big girl at all the sad parts, (and there are a few).  The additional characters in this book, only added to this story. And it was great to read about the old characters from the previous book.

Life hadn’t stopped for RiverSong, it just added another chapter.  And RiverBend is great addition.  I see there is another book planned, I am totally ready for another story, and I plan to read both these books again and again.  If you like your romance slow, but with plenty of emotions, then please give these one a try.  Off to find some chocolate, all that emotion was just too much 😉 lol x

Reviews by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher