Heartsong Cottage
Emily March
Published: St Martin’s Press
Date: November 3rd 2015
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 320
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Heartsong Cottage is # 10 in the Eternity Springs series by Emily March. Could you read it as a stand alone – of course, but why would you when there are just so many wonderfully heartwarming stories in the series.
This time its the turn of Daniel Garrett – he had a small part to play in a previous book when he found Holly the little girl that belongs to Hope from Miracle Road #7 in the series. His speciality is tracking down lost children. And it’s usually not a happy result so he has a special place in his heart for Holly. Usually he sees the evil side of life as he brings home dead bodies. He has a special reason for doing this difficult work, involving his son’s abduction and murder and his wife’s suicide. Hope says of Daniel “He has the heart of a warrior and the dedication of a knight in shining armor. But he’s also the loneliest man I’ve known.”
Shannon O’Toole runs the local pub in Eternity Springs and has just finished renovating the beautiful small home of Heartsong Cottage. However she has secrets hidden in her past, secrets that keep her on edge and in fear. She is a strong loving woman but even she can only cope with so much.
Daniel and Shannon connect and as they do so in many ways their healing begins, hope begins to replace fear and evil. Darkness recedes somewhat as the warmth of love and friendship blossoms. In Eternity Springs there is a strong community of friendship that bonds the town folk, and when trouble comes visiting they’re a formidable team. Add in some of the Callahans from Brazos Bend and strength is added to strength. And on top of that there is the angel/woman Celeste who is always there at the right time with her support, encouragement and healing presence.
The story moves along at a good pace, with plenty of action, there are times of conflict and strong feelings on the part of the characters, that has them acting out before thinking things through. There is much sadness and heartache alongside healing and hope.
If you like books about friendship, strong community bonds and books that are about second chances, healing and hope then this is one for you. And one that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end.
This story does take place around Christmas but it’s not really a Christmas story as such, this is the perfect time of the year to read this book!