Deep River Promise by Jackie Ashenden

 

DEEP RIVER PROMISE – Jackie Ashenden

Alaska Homecoming, Book 2

Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 978-1-7282-1689-8

March 30, 2021

Contemporary Romance

 

Deep River, Alaska – Present Day

 

Damon Fitzgerald, along with his two best friends, have the responsibility of ensuring the legacy of their late friend, Caleb, who was killed in an accident. That legacy includes owning the town of Deep River. But Damon has the added responsibility of making sure that Caleb’s son—the child no one knew about—is taken care of. It helps that the child, Connor, and his mother, Astrid James, also live in Deep River. Now, how to approach her to let her know that he will be there for them? Using the ruse that he’s interested in tourism, he contacts Astrid, who happens to be the mayor. There’s a hitch, though, in Damon’s plans. Connor is protective of his mother and isn’t happy to have Damon around his mother.

 

Astrid has been raising Connor, now fifteen, on her own all these years and doesn’t need anyone’s help, especially Damon’s. After getting in a bind five years ago, she did allow Caleb to move her to Deep River, where she settled in and no one was aware of who Connor’s father is. The knowledge that Damon is in on the secret and was designated by Caleb to take care of her and Connor has her putting up a shield. Astrid has learned that the only people she can trust are herself and Connor.  But Damon is persistent, though he can only be in town a couple of days. His mother has early onset of Alzheimer’s, and he needs to return to California to care for her. But in the few days that Damon is there, an attraction develops between him and Astrid. How will Connor react? Both Astrid and Damon feel there can’t be a relationship between them, yet there is this burning passion.

 

Damon is in Deep River reluctantly in DEEP RIVER PROMISE by Jackie Ashenden, the second book in her Alaska Homecoming series. Years ago, Caleb told Damon about the child he fathered and swore him to secrecy. Why? Because he felt embarrassed at literally abandoning Astrid and Connor. Yet, when she turned to him for help, he was there. But again, she couldn’t reveal Connor’s paternity, even though he looks a lot like Caleb. Damon just wants to make sure Astrid knows that he is there for her and Connor. Of course, being the independent person that she is, Astrid immediately brushes off the help. Torn between his responsibilities in Deep River and Los Angeles, Damon will have to work quickly. But the attraction that sparks between him and Astrid has him wondering if he could stay an extra day or two.

 

Keeping a secret is hard to do in Deep River, but it’s what Astrid and Damon will have to do. Caleb’s sister also lives there, yet she hasn’t figured out Connor’s paternity. The main focus Astrid has right now is bringing income to the town. That is why Damon is researching for potential sources. Of course, the time spent together only brings them closer…and more attracted to each other. How long will it be until Astrid and Damon are locking lips…and making love? Not that secret trysts can be kept under wraps in this small town. Will Damon leave town for good, or will he make plans to return? Can he make any kind of future in Deep River?

 

A sweet and sensual romance that is both funny and heartwarming, don’t miss DEEP RIVER PROMISE.

 

Patti Fischer

Anywhere for You by Abbie Greaves

 

ANYWHERE FOR YOU – Abbie Greaves

William Morrow

ISBN: 978-0-06-293387-4

April 6, 2021

Contemporary Fiction

 

London, England

 

For the past seven years, Mary O’Connor has haunted the Ealing Broadway station each night as she stands on the platform holding a sign. The sign says simply, “Come Home Jim.” Jim is Mary’s former partner and he disappeared suddenly seven years ago. Mary hopes that he or someone will see the sign and he will indeed come back to her. Most everyone shuffles past Mary, not wanting to meet her eye or acknowledge her. One night, Alice, a reporter at the Ealing Bugle, spots Mary. Alice wants to know Mary’s story about Jim. But she must be careful how she approaches Mary. Alice decides to volunteer at the same crisis center where Mary volunteers when she’s not working or standing on the platform holding the sign.

 

ANYWHERE FOR YOU shifts between the present day of 2018 and back to thirteen years ago when Mary and Jim first met. They felt connected to each other and were soon living together in London. While their life appeared good, deep down, Jim had issues with depression and drinking. Mary tries to be his savior, but does he want to be saved? The years move along as we learn more about the relationship between Mary and Jim. Seven years ago he walked out. Why did he leave? What happened to him? Meanwhile, Alice decides that she wants to find Jim. With the help of Kit, a man she also met at the crisis center, they take off in search of the missing man—but without Mary knowing what they’re doing.

 

ANYWHERE FOR YOU is a haunting tale that will pull readers in. Mary is a sympathetic character that readers will grow to care for. She doesn’t know Alice is a reporter. If she had, she probably wouldn’t have talked so freely to Alice. We learn that Jim loves Mary, but he is slowly drifting away from her, and Mary doesn’t see it because she is bent on saving him from his demons. Will Alice find Jim, and if so, will she bring him back to Mary? As for Alice, the road trip in the enclosed confines of the car has her and Kit growing closer. Will there be a romance blooming between them by the end?

 

If you love a well-written and emotional tale that has you wanting to find out the answers to the questions surrounding Mary and Jim, plus Alice’s pursuit, then you will enjoy ANYWHERE FOR YOU. Be sure to grab this when it goes on sale in April 2021.

 

Patti Fischer

Romance Reviews Today

Love of a Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan

 LOVE OF A COWBOY – Jennifer Ryan

A McGrath Novel, Book 2

Avon Books

ISBN: 978-0-06-285198-7

April 2021

Romantic Suspense

 

Montana – Present Day

 

Skye Kennedy was raised in a self-supporting commune, but things have changed since their leader passed away two years ago. His son, Gabriel, has secretly expanded the commune’s businesses to include things that are not legal. Skye has been keeping their farming and garden parts alive with her skillful management and abhors what Gabriel is doing. One night, she witnesses him killing another woman of the commune and decides now is the time to run. She tries to help the other young women in the commune, but Skye knows too much and realizes that Gabriel will order her killed if she’s caught. She escapes and winds up in Montana, where she ends up with her car broken down and needing a job.

 

Declan McGrath is busy running the family ranch, so he needs to hire some ranch hands. One day, a woman who can barely stand shows up on his doorstep desperate for work. The job is hard even for a man, but Skye convinces him that she can do the work. He hires her, and even agrees to let her stay in his spare bedroom since it appears that she has no place to live. Soon, Skye impressively shows him how much of a hard worker she is, and the two settle in nicely even as he grows attracted to her. Yet, Declan suspects she is hiding—or running—from something. Turns out that he is right because she is wanted for a murder she didn’t commit, and she has evidence that Gabriel was assisting some dangerous anti-government terrorists about to commit a violent act. Can Declan help Skye prove her innocence and protect her?

 

Things soon turn dangerous for Skye and Declan in Jennifer Ryan’s LOVE OF A COWBOY. Bad people are after her and they will do whatever it takes to silence her. Skye isn’t sure who to trust, but Declan is a decent man who soon wins her trust. How will he react when she tells him her story? Will he believe her—or turn her in? Skye has proven to be resilient, and it helps her on the ranch because no job is too small for her. She can work in the fields and in the house. Declan’s family—his brothers and sister—soon see what he can’t: that he’s falling for Skye. But they will need to “free her” of the trouble that is hanging over her head. She can’t go to the police because Gabriel is shrewd, and he also has the local police in his pocket.

 

In LOVE OF A COWBOY, the plot has as many curves as a winding road. Just when Skye thinks she is headed to clearing her name and getting everyone arrested for their crimes, things change, and she and Declan are back in danger. Meanwhile, their friendship turns sexual, and daily they grow fonder of each other. But once everything is over, Skye will probably return to the commune because her family and friends are there. They need her. But does she need Declan more? Do they have any chance for a future together?

 

LOVE OF A COWBOY is an entertaining and suspenseful tale right from the first chapter and all the way to the end. Readers will love Skye’s spunk and determination, while Declan’s dedication to the woman he’s fallen for will be endearing. Don’t miss the adventure, drama, and romance in LOVE OF A COWBOY.

 

Patti Fischer