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Morning Lake #1
Devin's Second Chance
Cowboy Devin Trent can't believe his matchmaking mom is trying to set him up with Claire Best, the photographer at the local art gallery. She should know better than anyone why he doesn't deserve a second chance at love. What surprises him even more is that he is drawn to Claire and she seems interested in him, too. Their mutual attraction grows every time they see one another, but when he suspects Claire is keeping a secret he becomes wary. After all, his first marriage was ruined by secrets and lies.
Can Devin earn Claire's trust? Or, will her secret end their relationship before it begins?
Can Devin earn Claire's trust? Or, will her secret end their relationship before it begins?
- GenresRomance
234 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
About the author
Lorraine Paton
8 books21 followersMy romance series Morning Lake holds a special place in my heart because it is set in small town Alberta.
I hope you enjoy them.
I hope you enjoy them.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 25, 2013
This novel is about a man who wakes up every morning, doing the work that needs to be done, but not really living his life. This man is Devin Trent, former rodeo star, now running his ranch with the weight of guilt and loss on his shoulders. His wife Olivia passed away three years ago from breast cancer. She was a stained glass artist, and her work remains in her studio in his home. He has not entered her studio nor looked at her work since the day she died.
Claire Best is living in Morning Lake working at a gallery, and is a photographer. She moved here to take care of her grandmother, who has since passed away. She left Claire her sprawling old house, which Claire loves, but can't afford to keep up. She now lives in rooms built above the garage, and rents the house to summer boarders.
Claire and Devin's first meeting is not a pleasant one. He escorts Shirley, Olivia's mother, to the gallery to discuss showing some of Olivia's work, which he has no intention of allowing to happen. It doesn't matter that the showing is to benefit Cancer Research. Devin is immediately confronted by a stunning portrait of Olivia in the window of the gallery. He is livid. Claire had taken the photo of Olivia on a visit to her studio not long after Olivia's diagnosis . Devin wants it removed, now.
The attraction is immediate, but Claire and Devin have secrets they do not want to share.
Claire is also dealing with the teenage son of her boarders, left alone, and looking for trouble. Devin witnesses some of this boy's destruction, and steps in. It's not so much about Olivia's work anymore, it's about Devin and Claire's emotions, and their reluctance to let go of their fears and insecurities.
I enjoyed this novel, finished it in one sitting. I recommend this novel for readers looking for wonderful characters, cowboys, a sweet love story, and people who believe in second chances.
I received this novel for an honest review.
Claire Best is living in Morning Lake working at a gallery, and is a photographer. She moved here to take care of her grandmother, who has since passed away. She left Claire her sprawling old house, which Claire loves, but can't afford to keep up. She now lives in rooms built above the garage, and rents the house to summer boarders.
Claire and Devin's first meeting is not a pleasant one. He escorts Shirley, Olivia's mother, to the gallery to discuss showing some of Olivia's work, which he has no intention of allowing to happen. It doesn't matter that the showing is to benefit Cancer Research. Devin is immediately confronted by a stunning portrait of Olivia in the window of the gallery. He is livid. Claire had taken the photo of Olivia on a visit to her studio not long after Olivia's diagnosis . Devin wants it removed, now.
The attraction is immediate, but Claire and Devin have secrets they do not want to share.
Claire is also dealing with the teenage son of her boarders, left alone, and looking for trouble. Devin witnesses some of this boy's destruction, and steps in. It's not so much about Olivia's work anymore, it's about Devin and Claire's emotions, and their reluctance to let go of their fears and insecurities.
I enjoyed this novel, finished it in one sitting. I recommend this novel for readers looking for wonderful characters, cowboys, a sweet love story, and people who believe in second chances.
I received this novel for an honest review.
June 27, 2013
I enjoy stories that give someone a second chance for happiness, so it’s no surprise that I fell in love with the characters in this book almost immediately. Devin Trent is trying to rebuild his life after losing his wife to cancer and stepping down from a successful career on the rodeo circuit. He’s a salt-of-the earth kind of guy but he’s also conflicted about mistakes he’s made in the past, especially those he perceives are related to his deceased wife.
Claire Best has walked away from a lucrative job as an engineer to pursue her dream of working as a professional photographer. She has her hands full between organizing a gala event that showcases the work of local artists (including that of Devin’s late wife), a troublesome summer renter in a house she owns and – most frightening of all – a health scare that has left her in knots.
It’s easy to see that Claire and Devin belong together, but the road to happiness is paved with obstacles, not the least of which is their hesitation in admitting mutual attraction. Both are likable characters with emotional scars. From the start, the reader becomes invested in their lives. The romance is both steamy and sweet with roller coaster ups and downs that keep you glued and reading.
I enjoyed the small town setting the author used and the sense of community developed through secondary plot threads and characters. I really liked the one involving the son of Claire’s summer renters and how his life intertwines with hers and Devin’s. Given this is the first of a series, I hope I get to see many of these likable and colorful characters again, including Claire and Devin who stole my heart. Looking forward to book two in this promising series!
Claire Best has walked away from a lucrative job as an engineer to pursue her dream of working as a professional photographer. She has her hands full between organizing a gala event that showcases the work of local artists (including that of Devin’s late wife), a troublesome summer renter in a house she owns and – most frightening of all – a health scare that has left her in knots.
It’s easy to see that Claire and Devin belong together, but the road to happiness is paved with obstacles, not the least of which is their hesitation in admitting mutual attraction. Both are likable characters with emotional scars. From the start, the reader becomes invested in their lives. The romance is both steamy and sweet with roller coaster ups and downs that keep you glued and reading.
I enjoyed the small town setting the author used and the sense of community developed through secondary plot threads and characters. I really liked the one involving the son of Claire’s summer renters and how his life intertwines with hers and Devin’s. Given this is the first of a series, I hope I get to see many of these likable and colorful characters again, including Claire and Devin who stole my heart. Looking forward to book two in this promising series!
October 5, 2013
This is a real romance, for true romantics and those who love them. Both Devin and Claire are just beginning new lives. Devin’s late wife died of breast cancer, and he is not over her death. Claire has left a successful engineer career to pursue her passion as a photographer. Initially, they have a not so great encounter, as Devin finds a photograph of his late wife on a poster in the window of a local gallery. Claire had taken the picture of Devin’s wife not long after his wife’s diagnosis. Claire has her own problems. Her grandmother left her a huge house that she loves but cannot afford, and is dealing with the son of her boarders, who has been left behind by his parents and who is just looking for trouble. How these two overcome these and other obstacles is a fascinating and wonderful story. The author has done a wonderful job bringing out the characters with their strengths and weaknesses, the attraction and magnetism between them, the people around them who both help and hinder their growing attraction. As I said, this is a story for a true romantic, for one who revels in a good, old-fashioned romance, and who loves to see how love can grow. However, I also think anyone who just enjoys a good story, without all the violence, killing and such so many modern novels have today will find this story enjoyable. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.
August 28, 2013
Having won Devin’s Second Chance as a giveaway E-book, I was quickly drawn into this romance novel about a handsome, brawny cowboy, Devin, whose wife had passed away from cancer. Devin becomes attracted to a lovely, petite young woman, Claire, who works for a local art gallery sponsoring a gala fundraising event. The story evolves around the development of their relationship and the misguided turns that they both take toward finding happiness with each other. Although for most of the novel, I was quite pleasantly entertained, I must admit that toward the end of the story, I became just a little disgusted with their continued lack of communication and absence of trust in each other.
Not having read many romance novels, I thought that this story was an enjoyable, quick read, but the vocabulary at times was slightly simplistic. However, as a diversion from the stresses and doldrums of one’s life, this book provides a desirable escape into the lives of two very likable characters in a small town.
Not having read many romance novels, I thought that this story was an enjoyable, quick read, but the vocabulary at times was slightly simplistic. However, as a diversion from the stresses and doldrums of one’s life, this book provides a desirable escape into the lives of two very likable characters in a small town.
August 26, 2013
I received this book for free in exchange for providing an honest review.
When Devin ,a retired rodeo cowboy sees his late wife's photograph on a poster in the window of the local art gallery, he is not impressed. He storms into the gallery with a full head of steam looking for answers.
Throw in a former mother in law with a drinking problem, a mother who wants what is best for her son, the person responsible for the poster's placement, a gallery owner who hates Devin and an unexpected, unsupervised and rebellious house guest you have the recipe for a great story. And the author doesn't disappoint.
The book was entertaining, amusing and held a few surprises. All in all, a good read. Only one question remained unanswered, what's up the cinnamon gum.
When Devin ,a retired rodeo cowboy sees his late wife's photograph on a poster in the window of the local art gallery, he is not impressed. He storms into the gallery with a full head of steam looking for answers.
Throw in a former mother in law with a drinking problem, a mother who wants what is best for her son, the person responsible for the poster's placement, a gallery owner who hates Devin and an unexpected, unsupervised and rebellious house guest you have the recipe for a great story. And the author doesn't disappoint.
The book was entertaining, amusing and held a few surprises. All in all, a good read. Only one question remained unanswered, what's up the cinnamon gum.
September 4, 2013
This author exceeded my expectations by embedding copious amount of sentiment into this great contemporary romance. She took it to the next level by creating a LOVE story full of realistic life events (i.e. love, heartbreak, betrayal, illness, and even death). This read pulled me into the lives of folks of Morning Lake and made me a part of their community. I am not sure what Ms. Paton has planned for these small-town folks but I’ll be there supporting her.
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
August 9, 2013
I loved this story! I fell hard for Devin, the sexy rodeo cowboy, and not just because he knows his way around a blanket in an open field. I wanted to steal him away from Claire, except I loved her too. This was such a sweet and yet very sexy story, with wonderful flashes of humor that had me grinning throughout. It was also very emotional (which explains why I'm wiping mistiness out of my eyes as I type this.) I adored all of the residents of Morning Lake, and can't wait to read the next book in the series -- hopefully soon!
February 23, 2016
I'm not a big romance reader but I really enjoyed this one. The characters are realistic and extremely likable, there's nothing quite like a sexy cowboy, and the heroine is sufficiently flawed to be interesting. I've put down a number of books lately that I just couldn't get interested in, this one kept me reading.
December 11, 2013
If you love romance and cowboys, realistic complications and flowing writing - this book is for you. Devin and Claire struggle wtih old wounds and new attraction complicated by well-meaning and not so well-meaning family and friends.
September 25, 2013
Loved it!!! Couldn't put it down! Unexpected, great lesson to learn. Hope there is a second book! Thanks to Lorraire Paton for giving me the chance to read it.
September 8, 2016
Wonderful read. Can't wait for the rest of the series.
November 6, 2016
2.5 stars
my-read-books
April 30, 2015Good book. Looking. Forward to book 2
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews