My rating:4 stars / I really liked it
Synopsis
Journey back to a time when neighbors knew each other's names, and a handshake meant a person's honor. The bestselling Eagle Harbor Series continues with Book 5, Love’s Winter Hope.
When Jessalyn Dowrick’s husband left her and their three daughters to head west five years earlier, she had no choice but to pick up the pieces of her broken life and continue without him, eventually supporting herself as Eagle Harbor’s seamstress, and secretly hoping her husband would return. But days soon slipped into months, and months into years, all without word of Thomas or a cent of the money he’d promised to send.
While working day and night to build a new life that his wife would be proud of, Thomas wrote Jessalyn every week, asking her to come to South Dakota. But she never arrived. In fact, she never answered a single one of his letters. When he returns to Eagle Harbor in search of answers, he finds a woman who thought him dead . . . and soon regrets he didn’t come after her earlier.
As winter closes in and storms trap Thomas in town until the harbor opens in the spring, will he be able to convince his wife he’s worth a second chance?
My Review
I've fallen in love with the Eagle Harbor series! I appreciate the strong characters that endure a harsh landscape and trying circumstances, turning to their faith and each other. Jessalyn is a good friend to the other women in the community and has built a successful business on her own while raising young children. She has a difficult time accepting Thomas when he returns, even though it was someone else's actions that prevented them from communicating. It takes a lot for Thomas to regain her acceptance and trust, and she worries constantly over the future. I admired that Thomas led his family with gentleness and relied on the Lord for guidance when he struggled with patience. There is an element of suspense with a series of robberies and shady men lurking around, and part of the story is told from Isaac's perspective as the sheriff, also providing a lead-in for his story in the next book. I'm really looking forward to reading more!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Don't miss the other books in the Eagle Harbor series!
Don't miss the other books in the Eagle Harbor series!
Synopsis
Tressa Danell is
finished with men—from the wastrel who left her a widow, to the smelly
trapper who keeps proposing, to the banker who wants to repossess her
bakery. Every hour is spent working to pay off her late husband’s debt
and keep a roof over her son’s head, though it’s doubtful she can do
both for very long. But one thing’s certain—she’ll never be beholden to a
man again.
Tired of living in a small town that blames him for actions his father committed ten years ago, Mac Oakton is scheduled to leave Eagle Harbor. So why does the pretty widow at the bakery keep tugging at his heart? He can’t get involved in her predicament when he’ll only be around for two more weeks.
But when Tressa’s burdens overwhelm her, they both face a decision. Can Mac set his own plans aside to help? And can Tressa accept his support if that means giving up her independence . . . and being obligated to a man again?
Tired of living in a small town that blames him for actions his father committed ten years ago, Mac Oakton is scheduled to leave Eagle Harbor. So why does the pretty widow at the bakery keep tugging at his heart? He can’t get involved in her predicament when he’ll only be around for two more weeks.
But when Tressa’s burdens overwhelm her, they both face a decision. Can Mac set his own plans aside to help? And can Tressa accept his support if that means giving up her independence . . . and being obligated to a man again?
Synopsis
Victoria Donnelly is, as
always, a failure. With five years of failed courtships behind her and
the calendar inching closer to another birthday, Victoria's determined
to redeem herself and snag a proposal from a wealthy childhood
acquaintance, Gilbert Sinclair. But returning to Eagle Harbor stirs up
long forgotten memories. And worse, old affection for her betrothed's
enemy.
Elijah Cummings has loved Victoria for fifteen years. But fishermen's sons don't marry shipping barons' daughters. He knows it. She knows it. The entire town knows it. Resolved to keep his distance from Victoria, Elijah focuses on establishing a much needed life-saving station, risking his own life by rescuing sailors stuck aboard shipwrecks.
He knows how to save drowning sailors, but how is he to save a woman from the biggest mistake of her life—without destroying both their hearts in the process?
Elijah Cummings has loved Victoria for fifteen years. But fishermen's sons don't marry shipping barons' daughters. He knows it. She knows it. The entire town knows it. Resolved to keep his distance from Victoria, Elijah focuses on establishing a much needed life-saving station, risking his own life by rescuing sailors stuck aboard shipwrecks.
He knows how to save drowning sailors, but how is he to save a woman from the biggest mistake of her life—without destroying both their hearts in the process?
Synopsis
No matter how hard she
tries to help, Rebekah Cummings always ends up causing more problems
than she solves. This time, though, things will be different. She'll
find a way to pay her family's debts, even if doing so requires leaving
Eagle Harbor. Maybe then they'll start treating her as a capable woman
who makes her own choices.
Gilbert Sinclair is going to marry an heiress. With his latest business venture sunk at the bottom of Lake Superior, he needs money to replace the steamship he lost, so he heads to Chicago where his father's business connections should land him a suitable wife. Like most things in his meticulously planned life, everything goes as expected—until he discovers Rebekah Cummings working as the new cook on his ship.
Rebekah well remembers the pain she endured the last time she tried trusting Gilbert, and Gilbert can't afford to pursue the love of a working class woman. But they can't stop the forgotten feelings swirling between them—or ignore the sacrifices they'd both have to make for a future together.
Gilbert Sinclair is going to marry an heiress. With his latest business venture sunk at the bottom of Lake Superior, he needs money to replace the steamship he lost, so he heads to Chicago where his father's business connections should land him a suitable wife. Like most things in his meticulously planned life, everything goes as expected—until he discovers Rebekah Cummings working as the new cook on his ship.
Rebekah well remembers the pain she endured the last time she tried trusting Gilbert, and Gilbert can't afford to pursue the love of a working class woman. But they can't stop the forgotten feelings swirling between them—or ignore the sacrifices they'd both have to make for a future together.
Synopsis
Lindy Marsden once
dreamed of having a husband, a house, some children, and maybe even a
sewing machine. But since she grew ill five years ago, those dreams have
become too much to hope for. Now she just wants to provide for herself
and help the abandoned children she found living in the woods until
their father returns… and avoid doctors for the rest of her life. Their
medicine never leads to any good, and she has the scars to prove it.
Seth Harrington loves being a doctor, but treating patients in the small town of Eagle Harbor is nothing like working at a prestigious Boston hospital, especially with the other doctor in town trying to steal Seth's patients. When he's called to treat a reluctant woman, Seth finds Lindy Marsden's fiery dislike for him rather insulting. He has the ability to help her, but she wants nothing to do with him. Until she shows up on his doorstep one night...
When the plight of a young abandoned boy brings Seth and Lindy irrevocably together, Seth finds himself in the most difficult situation of his career. His expertise can help him heal the sick, but will his love be enough to soothe Lindy's wounded soul?
Seth Harrington loves being a doctor, but treating patients in the small town of Eagle Harbor is nothing like working at a prestigious Boston hospital, especially with the other doctor in town trying to steal Seth's patients. When he's called to treat a reluctant woman, Seth finds Lindy Marsden's fiery dislike for him rather insulting. He has the ability to help her, but she wants nothing to do with him. Until she shows up on his doorstep one night...
When the plight of a young abandoned boy brings Seth and Lindy irrevocably together, Seth finds himself in the most difficult situation of his career. His expertise can help him heal the sick, but will his love be enough to soothe Lindy's wounded soul?
