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The Return by Sharon Sala
THE DAUGHTER OF A FORBIDDEN LOVE COMES HOME...
As a legacy of hatred erupts in a shattering moment of violence, a dying mother entrusts her newborn daughter to a caring stranger... Now, twenty-five years later, Katherine Fane has come home to Camarune, Kentucky, to bury the woman who raised her, bringing a blood feud to its searing conclusion.
At the cabin in the woods where she was born, Katherine is drawn to the ravaged town and its violent past. But her arrival has not gone unnoticed. A stranger is watching from the woods, a shattered old man is witnessing the impossible, and Sheriff Luke DePriest's only thoughts are to keep Katherine safe from the sleeping past she has unwittingly awoken...
As a legacy of hatred erupts in a shattering moment of violence, a dying mother entrusts her newborn daughter to a caring stranger... Now, twenty-five years later, Katherine Fane has come home to Camarune, Kentucky, to bury the woman who raised her, bringing a blood feud to its searing conclusion.
At the cabin in the woods where she was born, Katherine is drawn to the ravaged town and its violent past. But her arrival has not gone unnoticed. A stranger is watching from the woods, a shattered old man is witnessing the impossible, and Sheriff Luke DePriest's only thoughts are to keep Katherine safe from the sleeping past she has unwittingly awoken...
Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2000
276 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Sala
280 books2,306 followersBiography
Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.
Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
September 9, 2018
Rating 2.5 Stars
The Return is about a murder mystery that has gone unsolved for more than two decades, a family fued, secrets and betrayal. To fulfill her grandmother's last wish, Katherine is back to bury her at the cabin she left behind more than twenty years ago. But this visit is more than just a last goodbye to the woman who loved and cared for her as her own, before dying, Annie confesses to Katherine the story of the night she came into the world. The pain and fear, the injustice of a crime gone on punished. Catherine goes back to where it all began to get answers and come to grips with the truth of her parentage.
Overall I liked The Return, it was a nice change of pace from my normal romance reads. This was more focused on the mystery than the romance between Catherine and the town sheriff, Luke but the story was still engaging. I don't see myself reading this one again any time soon since I ended up feeling more sad than happy in the end.
The story of Fancy and Turner was sad.
Annie's past life in her home town was also sad.
Then there was Turner's father, Jubal and Lovie.
Luke and Catherine were pretty cute if a bit rushed. Their romance was on the fast side but the connection was there. Luke is a natural protector and once meeting Catherine was instantly drawn to her. Catherine was stubborn, brave and loyal. I liked her sass and her courage when she confronted the townspeople and later on, Jubal. She never wavered when it came to standing up for her grandmother or the memory of her parents and I loved that about her.
Would I recommend? Great for those who like suspense/murder with just the right about of romance thrown in.
SAFETY INFO:
The Return is about a murder mystery that has gone unsolved for more than two decades, a family fued, secrets and betrayal. To fulfill her grandmother's last wish, Katherine is back to bury her at the cabin she left behind more than twenty years ago. But this visit is more than just a last goodbye to the woman who loved and cared for her as her own, before dying, Annie confesses to Katherine the story of the night she came into the world. The pain and fear, the injustice of a crime gone on punished. Catherine goes back to where it all began to get answers and come to grips with the truth of her parentage.
Overall I liked The Return, it was a nice change of pace from my normal romance reads. This was more focused on the mystery than the romance between Catherine and the town sheriff, Luke but the story was still engaging. I don't see myself reading this one again any time soon since I ended up feeling more sad than happy in the end.
The story of Fancy and Turner was sad.
Annie's past life in her home town was also sad.
Then there was Turner's father, Jubal and Lovie.
Luke and Catherine were pretty cute if a bit rushed. Their romance was on the fast side but the connection was there. Luke is a natural protector and once meeting Catherine was instantly drawn to her. Catherine was stubborn, brave and loyal. I liked her sass and her courage when she confronted the townspeople and later on, Jubal. She never wavered when it came to standing up for her grandmother or the memory of her parents and I loved that about her.
Would I recommend? Great for those who like suspense/murder with just the right about of romance thrown in.
SAFETY INFO:
July 15, 2018
I LOVE a book that makes me smile, then laugh, then get pissed, and then cry.... OMG! This story is beautiful and sad and wonderful and I am so happy I found it and that I read it. I wish there were more like it.
I am going to go in search of all of Dinah McCall/Sharon Sala's books I can find because she writes exactly what I want to read.
I am going to go in search of all of Dinah McCall/Sharon Sala's books I can find because she writes exactly what I want to read.
December 28, 2020
I always feel weird when I'm left with a feeling of envy after reading a romantic suspense. Like... people are trying to kill this woman, but I still want to be her. That can't be normal.
April 17, 2018
A good romantic suspense with an exciting beginning showing the damage hate can do. The action moved right along although parts I suspected early on. I particularly liked the hero and his ability to handle things. Katherine brings her gran to bury beside her husband and finds the towns people very unfriendly then sheriff Luke offers to help her.
November 23, 2009
This book had me from Chapter One, I had a really hard time putting it down for work and school =) I found it engaging yet not really suspenseful (I had the man in the woods pegged from the beginning). The author has a way of telling a story that kept me intrigued and wanting more, the details were unbelievable and I felt like I was actually there. Althought not my typical read, this was my first book by this author, but certainly won't be my last. The characters were amazing, and I wish there would be a sequel following Catherine and Luke.
June 5, 2022
3.5 stars
The first part of this really grabbed me. It’s written very well. As it went on though it became a victim of the time it was written in and the classic, predictable love at first sight trope that I always struggle to get behind.
With more justification from the author or more development of the relationship it would have been great.
I did love the side characters and found the small
minded persecution of the heroine very interesting
The first part of this really grabbed me. It’s written very well. As it went on though it became a victim of the time it was written in and the classic, predictable love at first sight trope that I always struggle to get behind.
With more justification from the author or more development of the relationship it would have been great.
I did love the side characters and found the small
minded persecution of the heroine very interesting
April 26, 2021
What a story!
It keeps you reading wondering what will happen next.
Very well written and amazing characters that draw you into the story.
It keeps you reading wondering what will happen next.
Very well written and amazing characters that draw you into the story.
September 30, 2009
Rating: 3.5 / 5
I didn't realize until after I bought this book and started to read it that it was a reissue of an older Dinah McCall book (now put out in the author's real name, Sharon Sala). I had thought it was a new release from Sala, but luckily, it was a McCall book I didn't have yet so I didn't mind. It was a fairly good book, but not one of my Sala/McCall favorites.
Summary:
Years ago, a feud between families led to a terrible bloodbath near Pulpit Rock in Camarune, Kentucky. Young lovers Turner Blair and Fancy Joslin had planned to run away together, get married and raise the baby she was carrying. But by the end of the night, most of the members of the Blair family were dead or missing, and in her last dying breath, Fancy pleaded with local widow/suspected-witch, Annie Fane, to take her baby and get her as far away as possible. Annie complied and left town that night with baby Catherine, never to return again.
Years have passed and now Catherine Fane is returning to Camarune with her "grandmother's" remains, to bury her beside her late husband. Catherine is reeling not only from her grannie's death, but also from the story she was told by Annie on her deathbed, the story of what happened at Pulpit Rock. Catherine can't believe the truth of her beginnings.
And she can't believe how badly she's treated once arriving in Camarune. The locals think she must be a witch since they all believed her grannie was one. She's heckled, shunned, and attacked. But she has the support of local sheriff Luke DePriest, who is instantly smitten with Catherine. He offers his support and manages to win her heart. But there are secrets in Camarune. Secrets that are determined to come out.
Review:
My main comment about this book is that I wish it had been longer. It's only 312 pages and I thought it could have been about 100 pages longer. I wanted there to be more done with the revelations of what happened in the past, more about Turner, more with the reunion at the end. The story just felt a little incomplete to me.
It's also probably more than a little implausible. A lot of weird events happening together, things falling to perfectly, etc. The story was just a bit to perfectly manipulated to seem logical and possible. But that didn't bother me that much. It's fiction, after all, and anything is possible.
On the romance front, it was a pretty sweet story, but I can't say I was overly attached to it, or to Luke or Catherine. They were just nice to read about, and gave some fluffy-bunny feelings, but overall came off as unremarkable to me.
The book, for me, was pretty average, a little above average. Definitely not bad, but I've read McCall/Sala books that I liked much more. However, if you want a nice romance to read, or are a McCall/Sala fan, then this one is probably worth reading.
I didn't realize until after I bought this book and started to read it that it was a reissue of an older Dinah McCall book (now put out in the author's real name, Sharon Sala). I had thought it was a new release from Sala, but luckily, it was a McCall book I didn't have yet so I didn't mind. It was a fairly good book, but not one of my Sala/McCall favorites.
Summary:
Years ago, a feud between families led to a terrible bloodbath near Pulpit Rock in Camarune, Kentucky. Young lovers Turner Blair and Fancy Joslin had planned to run away together, get married and raise the baby she was carrying. But by the end of the night, most of the members of the Blair family were dead or missing, and in her last dying breath, Fancy pleaded with local widow/suspected-witch, Annie Fane, to take her baby and get her as far away as possible. Annie complied and left town that night with baby Catherine, never to return again.
Years have passed and now Catherine Fane is returning to Camarune with her "grandmother's" remains, to bury her beside her late husband. Catherine is reeling not only from her grannie's death, but also from the story she was told by Annie on her deathbed, the story of what happened at Pulpit Rock. Catherine can't believe the truth of her beginnings.
And she can't believe how badly she's treated once arriving in Camarune. The locals think she must be a witch since they all believed her grannie was one. She's heckled, shunned, and attacked. But she has the support of local sheriff Luke DePriest, who is instantly smitten with Catherine. He offers his support and manages to win her heart. But there are secrets in Camarune. Secrets that are determined to come out.
Review:
My main comment about this book is that I wish it had been longer. It's only 312 pages and I thought it could have been about 100 pages longer. I wanted there to be more done with the revelations of what happened in the past, more about Turner, more with the reunion at the end. The story just felt a little incomplete to me.
It's also probably more than a little implausible. A lot of weird events happening together, things falling to perfectly, etc. The story was just a bit to perfectly manipulated to seem logical and possible. But that didn't bother me that much. It's fiction, after all, and anything is possible.
On the romance front, it was a pretty sweet story, but I can't say I was overly attached to it, or to Luke or Catherine. They were just nice to read about, and gave some fluffy-bunny feelings, but overall came off as unremarkable to me.
The book, for me, was pretty average, a little above average. Definitely not bad, but I've read McCall/Sala books that I liked much more. However, if you want a nice romance to read, or are a McCall/Sala fan, then this one is probably worth reading.
May 12, 2013
Nothing destroys people like mindless hate. The Blairs and the Joslins have hated each other for generations. Jubel Blair has decided to finish it by ending the Joslins forever - every last one of them.
Fancy Joslin and Turner Blair are star crossed lovers caught up in all this meaningless hate. They plan to escape but fate is not kind to them. Fancy gives birth in the cave she has been hiding in. She hears Jubel's dogs in the distance and runs. To late. Annie finds her, but the dogs are almost on them and Fancy is bleeding badly. Fancy gives Catherine to Annie and makes her promise to take her away from all this hate.
Fast forward 27 years. Catherine returns to bury Annie next to her husband and the town goes nuts. It was rumored that Annie was a witch and the hate is now focused on Catherine. Luke is having none of this. He sees a young woman who has just lost her grandmother and he steps up to help and protect her. And love her.
Fancy Joslin and Turner Blair are star crossed lovers caught up in all this meaningless hate. They plan to escape but fate is not kind to them. Fancy gives birth in the cave she has been hiding in. She hears Jubel's dogs in the distance and runs. To late. Annie finds her, but the dogs are almost on them and Fancy is bleeding badly. Fancy gives Catherine to Annie and makes her promise to take her away from all this hate.
Fast forward 27 years. Catherine returns to bury Annie next to her husband and the town goes nuts. It was rumored that Annie was a witch and the hate is now focused on Catherine. Luke is having none of this. He sees a young woman who has just lost her grandmother and he steps up to help and protect her. And love her.
December 23, 2011
Parts of this story reminds me of what I've heard about the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys but then there is another story that is woven in to give it real substance. There is a little bit of mystique, romance, and intrigue skillfully interspersed throughout to have kept me on the proverbial "edge of my seat."
April 5, 2020
I think this one ranks very close to my favorite Sharon Sala read, to-date. It started off good, and was consistently a solid read to the end. It reminded me of another one of my favorites of hers - "A Field Of Poppies". Having said that, the stories are totally different. I have latched onto Ms. Sala's books, and for now, cannot let go. Enjoying her style of writing.
August 9, 2013
I really liked the way the author developed the plot of this book. Although I had to classify it as contemporary fiction, I felt as if I were wandering through an earlier time in history. Perhaps, I felt that way because of the setting: a secluded community in the mountains of Kentucky. The people of this community were influenced by suspicion of strangers, superstitions, feuds, gossip, and narrow-minded church goers. I felt as if I had moved backwards in time as I read.
Another plot detail that probably contributed to that feeling was a tragic event that had happened over a quarter of a century before I met the main characters--an event involving unsolved murders that had never been put to rest.
This was a good read that provided me with a few hours of escape.
Another plot detail that probably contributed to that feeling was a tragic event that had happened over a quarter of a century before I met the main characters--an event involving unsolved murders that had never been put to rest.
This was a good read that provided me with a few hours of escape.
February 7, 2011
I find it funny that the back cover description names the main character Katherine when in the book itself her name is spelled Catherine. An odd error in the re-publishing going from Dinah McCall to Sharon Sala. A much shorter story than most of her others that I've read. Still was very engaging and obviously a quick read as I finished it in one day. Always have enjoyed her characters.
November 22, 2009
Loved it, once I got over the first 30 odd pages. It turned into a page turner. I had a really hard time putting it down. She did an excellent job on the book and how it flowed. Even thought I had the Man in the Woods figured out within the first 100pages. I just got better and better..smiles.
February 24, 2017
Wow
Sharon Salas really knows how to make you laugh and cry.Yet still has you coming back for more.And you can bet I will.
Sharon Salas really knows how to make you laugh and cry.Yet still has you coming back for more.And you can bet I will.
March 5, 2017
Wonderful Read
This book was amazing!!! Loved the story. Sharon Sala does it as usual. Loved the reference to scripture and having faith
This book was amazing!!! Loved the story. Sharon Sala does it as usual. Loved the reference to scripture and having faith
December 13, 2017
As a legacy of hatred erupts in a shattering moment of violence, a dying mother entrusts her newborn daughter to a caring stranger…. Now, twenty-five years later, Katherine Fane has come home to Camarune, Kentucky, to bury the woman who raised her, bringing a blood feud to its searing conclusion. At the cabin in the woods where she was born, Katherine is drawn to the ravaged town and its violent past. But her arrival has not gone unnoticed. A stranger is watching from the woods, a shattered old man is witnessing the impossible, and Sheriff Luke DePriest's only thoughts are to keep Katherine safe from the sleeping past she has unwittingly awoken.
It's not what I really was expecting but I wasn't disappointed or sorry that I kept reading. It was smoothly written with the main characters being likable and believable. Even the towns people had their moments in the sun. All of the characters aroused emotions from pity, to exasperation mixed with shades of the Hatfield's and McCoy's. Overall an excellent read producing it's own kind of suspense.
It's not what I really was expecting but I wasn't disappointed or sorry that I kept reading. It was smoothly written with the main characters being likable and believable. Even the towns people had their moments in the sun. All of the characters aroused emotions from pity, to exasperation mixed with shades of the Hatfield's and McCoy's. Overall an excellent read producing it's own kind of suspense.
October 12, 2023
If i could give this bigger then 5 stars it would be 100. This story had every thing you could want in the story/ Love.hate.murder, mystery, and more. it is two different families in the mountains that hate each other. but one woman in one family and other in the other who have found love and decide to run away. he hides her in a cave till he could gather his belongs. but days go by and the woman is pregnant and has her baby. she leaves the cave in bad condition just as his family decides to go kill off the other family. she runs bleeding so badly and can hear the dogs howling after her. she goes to someone they call the Blair witch and begs her to take her baby and run away as fast as she can, then she dies just as the dogs find her. her lover shots all of his family and is shot also and every one says the are all dead. the story then begins. i got caught up in this story so much that i couldn't put the book down . all day and into the night 3 a.m before i got to the last page. if you are a woman you will love this book. and what a great movie this would make
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2025
4/5 stars
While Catherine gets answers about the murder mystery, there's no real redemption arc for the people who caused the tragedy. Jubal remains bitter and destructive. He doesn't evolve into something more complex or seek forgiveness. Also Lovie's confession comes too late to matter; after 20+ years of silence, her guilt dump feels like too little, too late. The wrongs aren't made right; they're just acknowledged. It's devastatingly honest.
And Turner? Turner. This man spent over 20 years searching for his baby, haunted by the sound of her cry in the darkness, living as a recluse on the mountain. I would've loved more scenes between Turner and Katherine discovering their father-daughter relationship. The emotional potential there is massive, and honestly, I shed a few tears just thinking about what that reunion could've been. McCall gives you enough to break your heart, but not quite enough to fully heal it.
While Catherine gets answers about the murder mystery, there's no real redemption arc for the people who caused the tragedy. Jubal remains bitter and destructive. He doesn't evolve into something more complex or seek forgiveness. Also Lovie's confession comes too late to matter; after 20+ years of silence, her guilt dump feels like too little, too late. The wrongs aren't made right; they're just acknowledged. It's devastatingly honest.
And Turner? Turner. This man spent over 20 years searching for his baby, haunted by the sound of her cry in the darkness, living as a recluse on the mountain. I would've loved more scenes between Turner and Katherine discovering their father-daughter relationship. The emotional potential there is massive, and honestly, I shed a few tears just thinking about what that reunion could've been. McCall gives you enough to break your heart, but not quite enough to fully heal it.
December 1, 2024
This was a nice quick read, I wasn't overly impressed but it did the trick since I was in the mood for a love story with some familial melodrama.
The writing is straightforward and simple, the characters have just about enough to make them believable but not so much to make them memorable. And while the story has a bit of mystery, sadly it was easy to figure out way ahead of the reveal.
However, I'm not one to hinge my enjoyment for romance books on their authors' ability to take me by surprise. So yeah, all in all it was a good read.
The writing is straightforward and simple, the characters have just about enough to make them believable but not so much to make them memorable. And while the story has a bit of mystery, sadly it was easy to figure out way ahead of the reveal.
However, I'm not one to hinge my enjoyment for romance books on their authors' ability to take me by surprise. So yeah, all in all it was a good read.
March 10, 2019
Annie Fane took the baby the dying young woman handed her and cried.
Thirty years later that baby grown, brought Annie’s body home to be buried on the mountain she had loved.
Catherine had been warned about the townsfolk, their hatred of her, thinking her a witch because she grew herbs that helped people heal, asking for not a penny in return.
I am addicted to Ms. Sala’s books, you will too!
Thirty years later that baby grown, brought Annie’s body home to be buried on the mountain she had loved.
Catherine had been warned about the townsfolk, their hatred of her, thinking her a witch because she grew herbs that helped people heal, asking for not a penny in return.
I am addicted to Ms. Sala’s books, you will too!
August 2, 2017
Amazing! The first impression from the cover and the blurb wasn't convincing me to read it. But it started to drawn me in to the story when it started talking about Catherine's parents. It's cool how author was able to turn gossip into a good story. And how it is uneasy to take back what it had spread.
May 3, 2020
Beautiful
Beautifully written . Sharon Sala never ceases to amaze me. Her writing is so touching I constantly look for her novels. I do recommend them not only for the enjoyment I derive from reading them,sometimes more than once and the price is reasonable. Thank you Sharon Sala for a job well done.
Beautifully written . Sharon Sala never ceases to amaze me. Her writing is so touching I constantly look for her novels. I do recommend them not only for the enjoyment I derive from reading them,sometimes more than once and the price is reasonable. Thank you Sharon Sala for a job well done.
March 29, 2021
Great story but be prepared to cry!
This gets my three hankies award! A lie caused so much hate and destruction and the loss of so many people. It is hard to imagine. But trust me, Sharon Sala can weave a wonderful story with love and forgiveness. This is one to re-read again. Be sure you have your hankies available.
This gets my three hankies award! A lie caused so much hate and destruction and the loss of so many people. It is hard to imagine. But trust me, Sharon Sala can weave a wonderful story with love and forgiveness. This is one to re-read again. Be sure you have your hankies available.
June 30, 2023
So good
I am a reader,always looking for something to enjoy. I was having a hard time finding the next great book. I found it and enjoyed it so much. If you don't have a soft heart, you may want to not read this book,or maybe you will be surprised to realize you do have that heart.
I am a reader,always looking for something to enjoy. I was having a hard time finding the next great book. I found it and enjoyed it so much. If you don't have a soft heart, you may want to not read this book,or maybe you will be surprised to realize you do have that heart.
December 29, 2024
Can you really return?
Catherine was raised by a woman that helped her mother. Catherine brought her Grannies Annie home to be buried next to her husband I. The backyard of a cabin she lived in. Thus was a
excellent story and not what I anticipated at all. If you want to read a book that you don't want to out down, thus is one of thiae!
Catherine was raised by a woman that helped her mother. Catherine brought her Grannies Annie home to be buried next to her husband I. The backyard of a cabin she lived in. Thus was a
excellent story and not what I anticipated at all. If you want to read a book that you don't want to out down, thus is one of thiae!
September 20, 2025
Lots of surprises
The book captivated me from start to finish, with each page revealing more intrigue and depth than the last. The narrative's momentum was so compelling that I found myself completely immersed, eagerly anticipating the resolution and unable to put the book down until I discovered how the story would ultimately unfold.
The book captivated me from start to finish, with each page revealing more intrigue and depth than the last. The narrative's momentum was so compelling that I found myself completely immersed, eagerly anticipating the resolution and unable to put the book down until I discovered how the story would ultimately unfold.
January 23, 2021
The RETURN
I chose this rating because it was a wonderful book. I believe hard work deserves praise. And Sharon Sala has become a excellent writer. There are writer conventions and after I write this rating I am going to see if I can afford to go to it. Kathleen Ryan
I chose this rating because it was a wonderful book. I believe hard work deserves praise. And Sharon Sala has become a excellent writer. There are writer conventions and after I write this rating I am going to see if I can afford to go to it. Kathleen Ryan
September 27, 2021
Hmmmm ...just different
A bit different in scope than most of Sala's writing.....interesting and well thought out with believable characters ( mostly) and an acceptable theme.....well worth reading. All's well that ends well.........
A bit different in scope than most of Sala's writing.....interesting and well thought out with believable characters ( mostly) and an acceptable theme.....well worth reading. All's well that ends well.........
January 3, 2022
Very touching . I was very moved by this book. I would like to read more books by Dina McCall.
I have read most of Sharon Sala's books and keep watching for more. I have now read three of Dinah McCall's. and will also be watching for more .
I have read most of Sharon Sala's books and keep watching for more. I have now read three of Dinah McCall's. and will also be watching for more .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews