Heartsong Cottage
By Emily March
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: November 3, 2015
Shannon O’Toole is beginning to feel at home in Eternity
Springs, Colorado. Between flipping houses, teaching yoga, and operating the
only pub in town, she stays busy, a good thing since it leaves her less time to
think. Even so, she has made some good friends and grown comfortable in the
small, friendly town. But Shannon is a woman with secrets, a woman who must
live her life poised on ready. The wrong phone call or peace-destroying message
can send her running for her life once again. For Shannon, safety is an
illusion, even in Eternity Springs.
Daniel Garrett is one of the walking wounded. Ten years ago,
his young son was kidnapped and killed, and a few months later, his wife,
broken by the loss of her child, committed suicide. Leaving his job as a Boston
cop, Daniel became a private investigator, specializing in searching for
missing children. He is very good at his job, but too often it is bodies he
finds rather than a living child. And each time that happens, the experience
carves another hole in Daniel’s heart. He first came to Eternity Springs after
his friend Hope Montgomery, now Hope Romano, moved there (Miracle Road, Eternity Springs 7). Since then, he has been a
frequent visitor, finding at least a measure of peace and healing during his
visits.
Most of the population of Eternity Springs gathers for the
much-anticipated wedding of Gabi Romano and Flynn Brogan (Dreamweaver Trail, Eternity Springs 8). It is there that Shannon
and Daniel meet, drawn together by a spark of attraction that flames into one
memorable night together. However, it is more than passion that these two
survivors share, and they are soon more involved than either of them expected.
But the past casts long shadows. Can they move past their fears to find a family
and a future together in the place where they began to heal separately?
Heartsong Cottage,
the tenth book in March’s popular Eternity Springs series, is both
heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Shannon and Daniel both have suffered
devastating losses, but they found the strength not only to keep going but also
to contribute to life. They are likeable and inspiring characters. As always,
Eternity Springs is a wonderful place to visit. It is a place filled with
warmth and hope and romance—continuing, beginning, and promising to ignite at
some future date. Celeste Blessing is again a beneficent spirit whose
prescience and power suggest that the wings she bestows on those who win their
battles are not the only ones in her possession.
Clearly readers who have followed the series will recognize
beloved characters and enjoy attending Gabi and Flynn’s wedding and celebrating
a new baby with Sage and Colt Rafferty in a way that new readers will not. As a
long-time reader of Emily March, aka Geralyn Dawson, I also loved the way the
Callahans—not just Eternity Springs resident Gabe--are integrated into this
book. Nevertheless, the book can be read as a standalone or as a gate into the
series.
Readers should take note that, despite the presence of
Celeste and the conclusion that stays true to the expectations of most readers
of romance fiction, this tenth book is perhaps the darkest of the series. Some
of the plot points—kidnapping, murder of children, twisted stalkers, etc.-- may
be triggers for some readers. There is a bit of the thriller mixed with
conventional small-town romance here. It is well-done, and some readers may
like the higher intensity. I confess, wimp that I am, I prefer a little less
action and a little more talk (with apologies to Toby Keith). The five stars
reflect my objective admiration for Ms. March’s skills, but my personal
preference would place this one behind some of the earlier, less angsty books.
However, I loved these characters, and I never miss an Eternity Springs book. I’m
already primed for Lori and Chase’s reunion story (my favorite trope). It is appropriately
entitled Reunion Pass and scheduled
for release April 5, 2016.
~Janga
Readers, do you enjoy some darkness in your books or, like Janga, do you prefer more talk, less action?
Are you a fan of the Eternity Springs books? Do you have a favorite?
I like reunion romances and am looking forward to Lori and Chase's book. Do you enjoy reunion stories?
Five randomly chosen people who leave a comment before 11:59 pm (EST), Thursday, November 5th will receive a print copy of Heartsong Cottage. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the donation of the books. (U.S. / Canada only)
Readers, be sure to check out the other 6th Anniversary posts and Giveaways while you're here!
