Review: Dreamweaver Trail

Dreamweaver Trail: An Eternity Springs Novel

About the Book:

After another lonely Valentine’s Day, Gabi Romano trades mountain snowfall for sunshine and sand at a luxurious Caribbean getaway. There she finds not one but two thrilling new passions: creating art glass, and Flynn Brogan, the sexy caretaker next door who brings her fantasies to life. But when violence interrupts their romantic interlude, she learns that Flynn is living a lie. Heartsick, she decides to concentrate on her craft. Playing with fire is safer than loving a man like Flynn.

Flynn is determined to make things right with Gabi—until his enemies interfere. Now damaged and driven by a need he cannot define, he seeks out Gabi’s Colorado community as a mystery man searching for peace, though not expecting redemption. But he never imagined a place like Eternity Springs, where lives are changed, second chances are given, and the possibility exists for two wounded souls to find their way home . . . to each other. 

My Comments:

This is another one of those books that doesn't suffer from excessive realism.  The original premise isn't too far-fetched:  The dog-sitter for the rich folks meets the guy she thinks is the pool boy next door, only of course he isn't.  It turns out they are both running from their pasts to some degree.  I enjoyed watching them get to know each other, but somehow neither Flynn or Gabi really came alive for me.  In short, a basic formula romance with a couple of dreamy settings.  It is part of a series so there are some useless characters running around, but the back story isn't really significant to this story.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B-

Miracle Road: My Review

Miracle Road: An Eternity Springs Novel

About the Book:

After tragedy strikes his team, college basketball coach Lucca Romano arrives in the haven of Eternity Springs to reassess his life. Even a winning record and big offers can’t dent the wall of guilt that Lucca has built around himself. Nothing can—except maybe a vibrant new neighbor who won’t give up on him.

Schoolteacher Hope Montgomery believes in miracles. She has to believe—because giving up would mean crumbling under the greatest loss a parent can endure. Hope understands Lucca’s suffering; she lives it herself every day. However, the high school team needs his coaching expertise, so she sets out to draw him from his cold, solitary shell and into the warmth of life in their small Rocky Mountain town. But when a weak moment leads to consequences that shake Hope’s faith, it’s up to Lucca to put aside his heartache and show the teacher that here in Eternity Springs broken hearts can heal—just in time for Christmas.

My Comments:

I enjoyed this romance though I cringed at a couple of crude anatomical references that just weren't needed.  The basic story was sound--two people both suffering from a loss find healing through each other and in this place that seems to heal those who settle there.  While it stands on its own as a story, it is clearly part of a series as there are a lot of characters with little purpose in the story.  Of course it has a happily ever after and unfortunately, it's almost too happy to be realistic, but I won't say more.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B

Review: Nightingale Way

Nightingale Way: An Eternity Springs Novel

About the Book:

Dark, brooding Jack Davenport hides his secrets well, never telling his wife about the dangers of his job, never sharing his thoughts or worries . . . never sharing himself. After tragedy strikes, their marriage shatters. Now a threat to Catherine Blackburn’s life brings her back into his—and gives them a second chance.

A reporter whose most recent investigation has ignited a national controversy and put her in harm’s way, Cat thinks she can handle herself. So when Jack grabs her off the street and sweeps her to his home above Eternity Springs, she’s furious.

In the warm sanctuary of the Eternity Springs community, Jack and Cat face the heartache that drove them apart. But can they find the courage to pick up the pieces of a shattered love?

My Comments:

This is another one of those romance novels that does not suffer from excessive realism.  He is extremely independently wealthy, and works as some sort of secret agent who rescues people held by bad guys overseas.  Her mother is his boss.  She's an investigative reporter who, since she was laid off from the Washington DC paper, has been a blogger (and since he was generous in the divorce settlement, she doesn't need money either).  Each of them suffers from abandonment issues, and when a crisis comes in their marriage, neither is there for the other and they end up splitting, but never really getting over each other.  When Cat's life is threatened, her mother sends Jack after her and the two end up in his mansion in Eternity Springs Colorado.

I've read two other books in this series and I think the connecting theme of the book is a second chance at first love.  In each book the primary couple loved each other once, had something get in the way, and in the book, finds their way back together.  A major catalyst in all three books is the owner of a resort in Eternity Falls who befriends the characters and helps them come to the decisions they need to make.  In this book she tells Jack not to consider the person he is today or was yesterday but who he really wants to be in the future.  Of course, once he makes that decision, ...

There are intimate scenes but they aren't very graphic. As with other series books, this one has a lot of characters who have little to do with the main plot.  It also contains references to backstory that don't really make sense unless you have read the backstory.  Even though I've read two of the earlier books, I found it hard to keep track of everybody and all the story lines.

I enjoyed this book, which I got via Edelweiss, and look forward to others in the series.  Grade:  B.

Other reviews of Emily March Books:
Lover's Leap
Heartache Falls

Other books by Emily March

Review: Lover's Leap

Lover's Leap (Eternity Springs #4)

About the Book:

Twenty years ago the town bad boy, Cam Murphy, left Eternity Springs in handcuffs, riding in the back of a sheriff’s van . . . and breaking young Sarah Reese’s heart. The defiant teenager vowed never to return.

In Australia, Cam makes a new beginning. He builds a successful business and suffers few regrets until Sarah—and their daughter—walk into his life, and then immediately run away. Realizing it’s time to right yesterday’s wrongs, he follows Sarah home to Colorado—and turns her world upside down.

Cam wants to know his daughter. He needs to prove to Sarah, the town, and himself that he’s changed. Will the residents of Eternity Springs offer forgiveness—and will Sarah have the courage to trust this man who is asking for a second chance?

My Comments:

This is no literary classic but was a fun romantic read.  As the fourth book set in this small Colorado town, it contains a lot of characters who seem to have little use in this book, but who were main characters in prior or future books.  While I have read one of the earlier books, at first I had a hard time keeping track of all the  peripheral characters.  However Cam and Sarah's story stands on its own.  It has pretty much the expected bumps in the road as well as the expected happy ending.  

The main sub-plot dealt with Sarah's mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease and Sarah's efforts to care for her at home for as long as possible.  

I purchased this book with a bookstore gift card.  Grade:  B. 

Heartache Falls: My Review

Heartache Falls: An Eternity Springs Novel

About the Book:

Married for more than twenty years, and with her children out of the nest, Ali Timberlake has come to Eternity Springs alone. She’s looking for answers to heartbreaking questions and searching for something that’s missing deep within herself. Taking a lease on the Bristlecone Café in pursuit of a lifelong dream, Ali feels revitalized as she becomes part of this charming mountain town. But a big piece of her is still back in Denver with her husband, Mac, a successful judge—and a man who isn’t going to let the woman he loves leave without a fight.

When Mac shows up in Eternity Springs—sexy, seductive, and determined to win his wife back—he experiences the wonder of the place that has given Ali such feelings of happiness and belonging. He wants that for her, but even more, he wants that with her. Ali has found a special place for her heart. But is there still enough room left in that heart for him?

My Comments:
I think Amazon recommended either this book or another in the series, so I requested it from my library.  It is a sweet re-romance--a story about a middle-aged married couple who find that life post-kids isn't what they had thought it would be.  She got pregnant in college and has spent her life as a stay at home mom.  He is an attorney who just became a federal judge.  She is the first to admit she is unhappy and to try to do something about it.  At first, he doesn't understand why she is unhappy.  By the end of the book...

I liked the fact that she really didn't know what was wrong at first, it took a lot of time for her to figure out why she wasn't happy, and then he was able to accept that.  It would have been so easy to make her husband a bad guy, but she didn't.  I wonder how many mid-life divorces could be avoided if those involved took time to figure out how they could change to make life better, rather than expecting that leaving a spouse will do that.

This was a sweet read, but one that was obviously part of a series (and I haven't read the other books). There were a lot of useless characters and references to some back story.  There was also a set-up for the next one.

There are a couple of intimate scenes but if you are looking for an instruction manual, you'll be disappointed. However, we are definitely there, not outside the door.

While no literary masterpiece this book was a pleasant afternoon diversion.  Grade:  B.