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Rocky Mountain Romance #1
Always Remember
Get in, get out. Never look back.
A midnight summons from rancher Nate Coltrane brings singer Jessie Adams back to the heart of the Rocky Mountains — not to see him again, but to say goodbye to her dying mother. Seventeen years ago, Jessie gave up Nate’s child for adoption and she hasn’t been home since. How can she sit by her mother’s side, surrounded by constant reminders of all she loved and lost? How can she face Nate without telling him the truth about the child he never knew existed?
Nate doesn't think Jessie has the guts to return home and face him, but when she does, he’s afraid of losing everything he loves…for the second time in his life. But he’s made a promise to her mother. Bring Jessie home. Give the dying woman one last opportunity to heal the rift with her daughter. Nate will do anything for Jessie’s mother because if not for her, he might never have known the love of his child.
But sometimes the truth turns out to be a lie…
A midnight summons from rancher Nate Coltrane brings singer Jessie Adams back to the heart of the Rocky Mountains — not to see him again, but to say goodbye to her dying mother. Seventeen years ago, Jessie gave up Nate’s child for adoption and she hasn’t been home since. How can she sit by her mother’s side, surrounded by constant reminders of all she loved and lost? How can she face Nate without telling him the truth about the child he never knew existed?
Nate doesn't think Jessie has the guts to return home and face him, but when she does, he’s afraid of losing everything he loves…for the second time in his life. But he’s made a promise to her mother. Bring Jessie home. Give the dying woman one last opportunity to heal the rift with her daughter. Nate will do anything for Jessie’s mother because if not for her, he might never have known the love of his child.
But sometimes the truth turns out to be a lie…
236 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2013
324 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Seabrook
12 books32 followersSheila Seabrook writes love stories with heart and humor from her home on the beautiful Canadian prairies. Her romantic books are filled with smart, sassy women, hot men who love them, and a wild assortment of family members guaranteed to try to steal the show.
When Sheila's not writing, she can usually be found in her favorite chair doing research (code for reading romance books) or devising multiple excuses to avoid cooking, laundry, housework, and shoveling the snow. She does, however, love to shop for flowers in the spring, and spends copious hours digging in the dirt to plant them…although her marriage contract clearly stipulates that the man of the house must pull the weeds.
Her mission in life is to give readers emotional romantic stories and unforgettable characters, a relaxing treat for the end of the day. And if she can help them escape the laundry pile, she's totally on board.
Find out more about Sheila at sheilaseabrook.com and make sure to join her monthly newsletter to receive exclusive updates, free short stories, and more!
Chat with Sheila on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/sheilaseabrook and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SheilaSeabro.... Or drop her an email at sheilaATsheilaseabrook.com.
When Sheila's not writing, she can usually be found in her favorite chair doing research (code for reading romance books) or devising multiple excuses to avoid cooking, laundry, housework, and shoveling the snow. She does, however, love to shop for flowers in the spring, and spends copious hours digging in the dirt to plant them…although her marriage contract clearly stipulates that the man of the house must pull the weeds.
Her mission in life is to give readers emotional romantic stories and unforgettable characters, a relaxing treat for the end of the day. And if she can help them escape the laundry pile, she's totally on board.
Find out more about Sheila at sheilaseabrook.com and make sure to join her monthly newsletter to receive exclusive updates, free short stories, and more!
Chat with Sheila on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/sheilaseabrook and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SheilaSeabro.... Or drop her an email at sheilaATsheilaseabrook.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 10, 2013
Always Remember is the story of Jessie and Nate. Jessie left home 17 years ago to follow her dreams. She made a life for herself and stayed away, knowing she could never have what she really wanted – to change the past and erase her mistakes. Nate is afraid of losing Jessie again – along with the rest of his heart and everything else that is good in his life.
I loved all of the characters in this story. They showed a lot of emotion and were fun to read about. I loved Nate and Jessie's playfulness when they were together. You could feel the strain of their relationship coming through the pages, but they were so good for each other. Both had made mistakes and were living with the guilt of their choices, which constantly threatened to drag them down and apart. The overall theme of the story seemed to be love and redemption. Each of the major characters had to learn how to face their mistakes and take responsibility for them. They had to learn to stand up for themselves and what they wanted/needed, better late than never.
The author's writing was clean and simple, but so descriptive she was able to bring the story to life. From the background scenery to the smells and sounds described, each page drew me in and made everything just a bit more real.
My only complaint is that I would have liked to have more resolution with the ending. But wanting more is a good thing, right? I felt the ending really did not bring closure to the story like I would have wanted and I was left with too many unanswered questions. First is what happened to Jessie's mother? While she did not play a huge role in the story that we read, she had played a huge role in Jessie and Nate's lives before we met them, and her influence was everywhere. Second is what happened with Sara and Hale? I kind of felt left hanging with that relationship. Overall, though, it was a great story and a lot of fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved all of the characters in this story. They showed a lot of emotion and were fun to read about. I loved Nate and Jessie's playfulness when they were together. You could feel the strain of their relationship coming through the pages, but they were so good for each other. Both had made mistakes and were living with the guilt of their choices, which constantly threatened to drag them down and apart. The overall theme of the story seemed to be love and redemption. Each of the major characters had to learn how to face their mistakes and take responsibility for them. They had to learn to stand up for themselves and what they wanted/needed, better late than never.
The author's writing was clean and simple, but so descriptive she was able to bring the story to life. From the background scenery to the smells and sounds described, each page drew me in and made everything just a bit more real.
My only complaint is that I would have liked to have more resolution with the ending. But wanting more is a good thing, right? I felt the ending really did not bring closure to the story like I would have wanted and I was left with too many unanswered questions. First is what happened to Jessie's mother? While she did not play a huge role in the story that we read, she had played a huge role in Jessie and Nate's lives before we met them, and her influence was everywhere. Second is what happened with Sara and Hale? I kind of felt left hanging with that relationship. Overall, though, it was a great story and a lot of fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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February 10, 2018
This is one of the easiest rate I've ever given. I originally planned of giving this one a four-star, but what the heck, it was a good, heartwarming story that really surprised me, reminding me of a realistic love story should be.
Jane and Mike , aside from having the most common name, the blurb made me think they were also just another couple who have pasts and upon meeting would change and try to move on for the sake of each other. You know the cliche. But that's not exactly what happened with Jane and Mike. Though they've changed and moved on and the change start when they met but no, they didn't do it for each other but for themselves and because of that, the building of the Romance turned so amazing and realistic. It wasn't slow nor was it instant. It was just the right pace which is very realistic. I actually suddenly realized that it's been a long time since I read a clean romance. You know, most of the romance in my shelf now were those who have almost naked dudes or base on the cover. hehe.
Anyway, the story opens with both of them clearly carrying burdens (regret and losses) from their pasts and both seemed no plan of moving on. But then, sometimes you only have to get out of the room to realize you need the change. Darn it, if it didn't toss me home. :) :)
Two sad people trying not to make each other sadder. That's our couple here. They were just helping each other, or at least Jane was helping him while she won't even tell him a thing but she was honest enough to tell him she just don't want to talk about it. Throughout the story, the reader was informed what happened to Mike while Jane's ghosts weren't really explained. And it was okay. I think the author did amazing on balancing the points she would keep and reveal before the ending, making the tension even better between Jane and Mike.
I love the characters. I actually missed living in a small town where everyone knows everyone and people care about each other. The family vibe of the characters though they were just neighbours was amazing.
Overall, I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a fluffy, heartwarming and realistic love story, This will surely crawl right into the reader's heart. This can be heartbreaking too, not as a love story but Jane and Mike's individual stories were heartbreaking for me.
Happy Reading Guys.
Jane and Mike , aside from having the most common name, the blurb made me think they were also just another couple who have pasts and upon meeting would change and try to move on for the sake of each other. You know the cliche. But that's not exactly what happened with Jane and Mike. Though they've changed and moved on and the change start when they met but no, they didn't do it for each other but for themselves and because of that, the building of the Romance turned so amazing and realistic. It wasn't slow nor was it instant. It was just the right pace which is very realistic. I actually suddenly realized that it's been a long time since I read a clean romance. You know, most of the romance in my shelf now were those who have almost naked dudes or base on the cover. hehe.
Anyway, the story opens with both of them clearly carrying burdens (regret and losses) from their pasts and both seemed no plan of moving on. But then, sometimes you only have to get out of the room to realize you need the change. Darn it, if it didn't toss me home. :) :)
Two sad people trying not to make each other sadder. That's our couple here. They were just helping each other, or at least Jane was helping him while she won't even tell him a thing but she was honest enough to tell him she just don't want to talk about it. Throughout the story, the reader was informed what happened to Mike while Jane's ghosts weren't really explained. And it was okay. I think the author did amazing on balancing the points she would keep and reveal before the ending, making the tension even better between Jane and Mike.
I love the characters. I actually missed living in a small town where everyone knows everyone and people care about each other. The family vibe of the characters though they were just neighbours was amazing.
Overall, I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a fluffy, heartwarming and realistic love story, This will surely crawl right into the reader's heart. This can be heartbreaking too, not as a love story but Jane and Mike's individual stories were heartbreaking for me.
Happy Reading Guys.
January 8, 2014
Peopled with extraordinarily well developed characters, this romance from Sheila Seabrook is a gem. It's a second chance at love story and the resolution is quite satisfying. The lead couple is flawed, but growing throughout the book. I appreciated the author's ability to write a well plotted story that was evenly paced with beautifully detailed and described settings and quirky secondary characters that were as carefully drawn as the leads. The ending left me wanting more, and I suppose that bodes well for the series this book kicks off.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2014
Great read! This is a story about love and redemption…about second chances.
I absolutely loved all these characters(:
I loved the romance between Nate & Jessie.
This book is very simple and I loved that!
I absolutely loved all these characters(:
I loved the romance between Nate & Jessie.
This book is very simple and I loved that!
September 2, 2013
ALWAYS REMEMBER is a story about love and redemption, family and duty, trust and second chances. Sheila Seabrook got so many things right in this book. The cast of characters is well developed and the romantic highs and lows are emotionally engaging. I loved the Alberta foothills setting and the intimate details of ranch life. From the difficult midnight birth of a foal to the rustic squeak-and-slam of the front porch door - I was there. This was an involving and thoroughly satisfying read and I'm glad to know there's another Rocky Mountain Romance coming soon.
January 9, 2014
It was so refreshing to read a romance novel that was just that - a contempory romance. A realistic, down-to-earth story, filled with characters that could easily live right next door. Erotica is the big thing in romance these days, and while I have nothing against erotica, I find it a lot more interesting to be given a character like cowboy Nate Coltrane and let my imagination do the rest. And the author allows us to do just that!!! No erotica here folks. Nate makes me wish I'd spent more time in Alberta... Anyway...
Country singing star Jessie Adams returns home to her sick mother after an absence of seventeen years. The reason she has stayed away so long is because of the secret she has carried with her - and coming home means facing the consequences of that secret. But little does she know that both her mother, and the man she left behind (Nate coltrane) have been living with secrets of their own.
It's really not difficult for the reader to put the pieces together and figure things out. All the while we witness the angst and the longing between the two main characters. As a reader, I wanted to reach in a shake them and yell, "Talk to each other already - would ya!!!!" You know an author has done a good job when you're getting frustrated and mad at the characters you're reading about!
The writing is clean and flows well, and is filled with wonderful descriptions. Although this book had no great surprises or major plot twists, I completely enjoyed it. It was simple and nice, and the realistic storyline warmed my heart. The only thing I wasn't fond of was the cover, but who cares - it's what inside that counts, right? Definitely recommend it. :)
Country singing star Jessie Adams returns home to her sick mother after an absence of seventeen years. The reason she has stayed away so long is because of the secret she has carried with her - and coming home means facing the consequences of that secret. But little does she know that both her mother, and the man she left behind (Nate coltrane) have been living with secrets of their own.
It's really not difficult for the reader to put the pieces together and figure things out. All the while we witness the angst and the longing between the two main characters. As a reader, I wanted to reach in a shake them and yell, "Talk to each other already - would ya!!!!" You know an author has done a good job when you're getting frustrated and mad at the characters you're reading about!
The writing is clean and flows well, and is filled with wonderful descriptions. Although this book had no great surprises or major plot twists, I completely enjoyed it. It was simple and nice, and the realistic storyline warmed my heart. The only thing I wasn't fond of was the cover, but who cares - it's what inside that counts, right? Definitely recommend it. :)
September 13, 2016
4.5 stars!!
Wow is all I can say about Nate. He's one cowboy that just blew me away and I quickly fell in love with him. He's tough, tender, and so sexy.
If you believe in first love, then this is one you want to pick up. When his first love Jessie has to come back into town, Nate has so many mixed feelings about her. When she left town so many years ago, she broke his heart and he really fights with his emotions in this book.
Jessie has secrets and feels that if Nate finds out, he will hate her. Little does she know, he has a secret of his own and when they are revealed, it really binds them together and makes for such a different kind of book. It's so heartwarming and I just love Nate's tough ways but yet he is such a sweetheart.
This book really worked for me and you can really feel the love they share and how much they try to deny those feelings. It is a well written book and I love the connection they still shared after all of the years they had been apart. I think that is what makes this so different. You can feel the attraction they still have for one another, but yet they are both scared to feel anything at all.
As their secret is revealed, it makes for a really good conclusion and I was pulling for them to be together. True love should always win!
Wow is all I can say about Nate. He's one cowboy that just blew me away and I quickly fell in love with him. He's tough, tender, and so sexy.
If you believe in first love, then this is one you want to pick up. When his first love Jessie has to come back into town, Nate has so many mixed feelings about her. When she left town so many years ago, she broke his heart and he really fights with his emotions in this book.
Jessie has secrets and feels that if Nate finds out, he will hate her. Little does she know, he has a secret of his own and when they are revealed, it really binds them together and makes for such a different kind of book. It's so heartwarming and I just love Nate's tough ways but yet he is such a sweetheart.
This book really worked for me and you can really feel the love they share and how much they try to deny those feelings. It is a well written book and I love the connection they still shared after all of the years they had been apart. I think that is what makes this so different. You can feel the attraction they still have for one another, but yet they are both scared to feel anything at all.
As their secret is revealed, it makes for a really good conclusion and I was pulling for them to be together. True love should always win!
December 13, 2013
I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review, so here it is. This is a great story. Jessie is the Queen of country music. Nate was the love of her life until she left him 17 years ago and became famous. So when Nate calls her telling her about her mother being rushed to the hospital, Jessie wants to hide from him but he threatens to come after her and bring her home. Now Jessie is back at the ranch and both her and Nate are having a hard time being around each other. The old feelings are still there and getting stronger the longer she stays. Jessie finds that Nate has a daughter, Sara and wonders where the mother is. Can Jessie tell Nate why she left him all those years ago? Will Nate lose her when he tells his secret? Even Maude (Jessie's mother) and Sara have a secrets. This story is about lost love, second chances, following your dreams, family, trust and lies that could tear them apart. This is the first for me by Sheila Seabrook and I loved it. Can't wait to read more from her.
December 11, 2013
What a wonderful Read. Sheila Seabrook weaves a good story.
I enjoyed this deep, detailed book with strong emotions. How could you not enjoy these characters!
I look forward to finding out more of these characters in a cont. story.
I enjoyed the fact that with life's painful choices the outcome can be more than one could have hoped!
I love how this booked wrapped up and ended. The past few reads have me with more frustrations by not having a true ending, giving the reader a choice and want to cont.
Thank you for the opportunity I would look forward to reading more of Sheila Seabrook's works!
I enjoyed this deep, detailed book with strong emotions. How could you not enjoy these characters!
I look forward to finding out more of these characters in a cont. story.
I enjoyed the fact that with life's painful choices the outcome can be more than one could have hoped!
I love how this booked wrapped up and ended. The past few reads have me with more frustrations by not having a true ending, giving the reader a choice and want to cont.
Thank you for the opportunity I would look forward to reading more of Sheila Seabrook's works!
December 7, 2013
it was a very good book. the writing was very to the point and direct. i loved Jessie's character and how here feelings were being expressed. the story was very different and ii liked the way the writer used Sara as a way of unrevealing the real story.
the book all in all was very good and sweet and i had a great time read it.
the book all in all was very good and sweet and i had a great time read it.
August 4, 2017
So this is how a heart breaks. A Time to be Tender is a chance to start over for two brokenhearted people. Through unspeakable tragedies and broken spirits, Ms. Seabrook shows that despite the painful heartaches and overwhelming losses, life can be a blessed experience. Mike and Jane bring hope and wisdom to a highly emotional windstorm. Tissues are a must.
November 13, 2013
I loved this story. It was easy to follow and was hard to put down. Actually I stayed up all night to finish it. Your heart just went out to all the characters involved. I could just see the ranch and both houses so clearly. You could feel their sadness and pain. Beautiful story.
June 26, 2014
I loved this book. I kept reading to see what was going to happen next but I wanted to scream at Nate and Jessie for being stubborn. That is why I was hooked. I can't wait to read the next book in series.
Thank you Sheila Seabrook and NetGalley for ARC.
Thank you Sheila Seabrook and NetGalley for ARC.
February 15, 2019
Secrets in a family can help and they can hurt. In this story both of these are true, both have consequences and sometimes they both hurt. A baby born to a young teenage mother and given up for adoption was not a decision made by this young mother but by her mother, so the girls could pursue a singing career, which is the mothers dream. She has become a successful entertainer, but has always been lonely for what could have been with her teenage boyfriend and their baby. The teenage father, on the other hand, has raised and adopted his own daughter when the girls mother brought the baby to him, yet kept the secret of who was the baby's mother. Now fast forward seventeen years and the entertainer returns home to the ranch, only to find her teenage boyfriend, whom she still loves and his daughter. She does not know that the girl is really her own daughter. The girl and the entertainer become friends and she tells her she is pregnant by her teenage boyfriend, and once again another secret comes about. After the dad's explosive behavior, almost killing the boy involved, and then finding out who her mother is, she takes off and is involved in a serious car accident. The hospital time is filled with the need to sift through all the lies and learn to deal with them and accept whatever the future brings. the story ends with the original couple deciding to get married and be a family with their daughter and unborn grandchild, A great read!!!
July 15, 2017
I loved this story, the characters were well defined and came to life on the page. I could visualize the scene. The heartache and the tension between the characters was well portrayed. I got a little frustrated with the main characters at times which is to be expected.. There was a lot of issues they had to overcome. My only criticism would be that Jessie was a little slow on picking up the clues (age, timing extra) relating to Sara and how she ended up at the ranch. The final conflict I believe would have been more believable if it had all come to a head at once instead of two separate incidents. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed the story and will be visiting Sheila's bookshelves for another taste of what she has to offer.
July 30, 2017
Forced into a decision she wasn't sure about and years later still suffered from the effects of that decision and it's impact, Jess returns home. The reason she returns home may not be the same as the reason she stayed away but now everything is blurring together in a haze of chaos. Secrets and lies have kept them apart but this author unravels levels of lies and deceit and wrong doings and blame. The heart wants what the heart remembers. My first read by this author and I loved her way and style and the refreshingly clean read. It's refreshing because this author still gave us the passion and beauty of love. I most definitely want to know more about the complicated lives in this beautiful mountain town.
January 12, 2024
Heartbreaking but beautiful story
I truly love this story. It was very heartbreaking for 17 years not knowing where your baby was. That was a decision I had to also make and I'm glad I kept my baby who is now my sweet son. So I could relate to the story very well except the ending of course I didn't get the happy like she did. Jesse was a sweet woman whose mother took advantage of her abilities and took her baby from her as she became a country music star. She knew that she could not be a mother and a star. Unfortunately for Jesse she was unable to let her mother know that she was more interested in her baby than she was her stardom. Nate had taken the daughter and raised her on his own. All this time he had her and Jesse did not know. The ending was beautiful.
I truly love this story. It was very heartbreaking for 17 years not knowing where your baby was. That was a decision I had to also make and I'm glad I kept my baby who is now my sweet son. So I could relate to the story very well except the ending of course I didn't get the happy like she did. Jesse was a sweet woman whose mother took advantage of her abilities and took her baby from her as she became a country music star. She knew that she could not be a mother and a star. Unfortunately for Jesse she was unable to let her mother know that she was more interested in her baby than she was her stardom. Nate had taken the daughter and raised her on his own. All this time he had her and Jesse did not know. The ending was beautiful.
December 27, 2017
It's a good story, in some ways a unique premise but my issue is dealing with the aftermath of the revelation of the secrets.
I think the problem is the secret from the Hero and the heroine, as they both are hiding something, is it all comes out too soon near the end. This means forgiveness and reconciliation with the truth and each other is too fast and unrealistic.
They accept things after a few heated words and an apology. The depth of the lies and the result is almost 18 years lost for everyone, that's a lot of time to get over so quickly.
I think the problem is the secret from the Hero and the heroine, as they both are hiding something, is it all comes out too soon near the end. This means forgiveness and reconciliation with the truth and each other is too fast and unrealistic.
They accept things after a few heated words and an apology. The depth of the lies and the result is almost 18 years lost for everyone, that's a lot of time to get over so quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2018
Sweet romance
Great story with well developed characters, heartbreaking story of best friends growing to love each other, getting pregnant unexpectedly, her boyfriend staying behind to care for her parents who helped raise him, instead of pursuing the love of his life. Secrets, secrets that hurt years later, hope for a happier ending
Great story with well developed characters, heartbreaking story of best friends growing to love each other, getting pregnant unexpectedly, her boyfriend staying behind to care for her parents who helped raise him, instead of pursuing the love of his life. Secrets, secrets that hurt years later, hope for a happier ending
April 5, 2019
Fell short
I had hoped I would enjoy the start of this series but the first book took too long to get to the heart of the matter and continued to dance around the reason for the girls departure and what happened to cause it. The reasoning for the whole situation just didn’t make sense to me.
I had hoped I would enjoy the start of this series but the first book took too long to get to the heart of the matter and continued to dance around the reason for the girls departure and what happened to cause it. The reasoning for the whole situation just didn’t make sense to me.
May 11, 2018
3.5
Wish we could give half stars. Nice read. Not too heavy on the sex scenes. Heart wrenching decisions concerning unexpected pregnancy. Took forever to end.
Wish we could give half stars. Nice read. Not too heavy on the sex scenes. Heart wrenching decisions concerning unexpected pregnancy. Took forever to end.
January 29, 2019
Enjoyed this read.
March 1, 2018
I wanted to like this book so much - there’s nothing more heartwarming than a man who loses the love of his life but gets a second chance at happiness when he falls in love again. Unfortunately, not much about this book worked for me.
Jane has endured a terrible ordeal (although we never know exactly what it was - we only get a vague description at the end of the book) and has spent the past five months holed up in her parents’ home. Mike has also endured a terrible ordeal - having lost his beloved wife to cancer, and then losing custody of his twin girls because of something that happened while he was drunk.
Jane’s parents have decided that enough is enough, and kill two birds with one stone: Jane needs to get out of the house and feel useful, and Mike needs someone to help him get his act back together. So Jane’s mother takes Jane over to stage an intervention with Mike. As Mike and Jane spend more time together over the course of several weeks, they grow closer and fall in love.
There were two main things I didn’t appreciate about this story. First, holding out on the big secret/mystery about what happened to the heroine for a majority of the book (we finally get somewhat of an idea at 92%). It doesn’t keep me interested to find out what happened, it just irritates me that it keeps being referenced without telling me what happened. If you tell me the heroine has so much guilt about what she had to do to survive - to the point that she thinks no one will want anything to do with her if they find out - then I need be given more information about what happened. And second, this is clearly a sequel, which I didn’t know going into it. That’s not a problem. The problem is that no background or context was given for either any of the characters (or their story) or what happened to the hero for this book. I don’t need a total retelling of what happened, but a brief synopsis would have been appreciated.
Another thing: this book does a terrible disservice to social workers. First off, even if there is only one social worker in a town, you would think she’d recuse herself from this situation because of the close ties she has to the family. But having the social worker have such an obvious bias against the hero puts social workers in a bad light. Also, asking a couple of five year olds what they want - and in front of their dad - isn’t something that would happen. Five year olds aren’t capable of making a decision about what’s best for them, and doing so makes them think they have that power. Any author who is interested in writing a book that is as factual as possible would do some research first. Unless you’re really trying to make a person a villain, you don’t malign an otherwise honorable profession.
Also, I’m a fan of the grand gesture, but this one had me rolling my eyes. I just couldn’t feel that the hero and heroine had such strong feelings for each other - or that emotionally either of them were ready to make such a big step. Mike had only been a widower for about six months, is recently sober (like DAYS...not weeks or months), and was still getting reconnected with his children, and Jane had a lot of healing to do after the ordeal she had endured. I am able to suspend a certain amount of disbelief in my romance stories, but there has to be at least a little bit of realism in the story, and I just didn’t believe that either Mike or Jane would move into a relationship as quickly as they did. None of their relationship rang true for me.
This book could have really been touching and heartwarming, but it never went deep enough to accomplish that. Instead, I never felt a connection to the characters or their story, and was left wanting more.
* thank you to NetGalley and SMS Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Jane has endured a terrible ordeal (although we never know exactly what it was - we only get a vague description at the end of the book) and has spent the past five months holed up in her parents’ home. Mike has also endured a terrible ordeal - having lost his beloved wife to cancer, and then losing custody of his twin girls because of something that happened while he was drunk.
Jane’s parents have decided that enough is enough, and kill two birds with one stone: Jane needs to get out of the house and feel useful, and Mike needs someone to help him get his act back together. So Jane’s mother takes Jane over to stage an intervention with Mike. As Mike and Jane spend more time together over the course of several weeks, they grow closer and fall in love.
There were two main things I didn’t appreciate about this story. First, holding out on the big secret/mystery about what happened to the heroine for a majority of the book (we finally get somewhat of an idea at 92%). It doesn’t keep me interested to find out what happened, it just irritates me that it keeps being referenced without telling me what happened. If you tell me the heroine has so much guilt about what she had to do to survive - to the point that she thinks no one will want anything to do with her if they find out - then I need be given more information about what happened. And second, this is clearly a sequel, which I didn’t know going into it. That’s not a problem. The problem is that no background or context was given for either any of the characters (or their story) or what happened to the hero for this book. I don’t need a total retelling of what happened, but a brief synopsis would have been appreciated.
Another thing: this book does a terrible disservice to social workers. First off, even if there is only one social worker in a town, you would think she’d recuse herself from this situation because of the close ties she has to the family. But having the social worker have such an obvious bias against the hero puts social workers in a bad light. Also, asking a couple of five year olds what they want - and in front of their dad - isn’t something that would happen. Five year olds aren’t capable of making a decision about what’s best for them, and doing so makes them think they have that power. Any author who is interested in writing a book that is as factual as possible would do some research first. Unless you’re really trying to make a person a villain, you don’t malign an otherwise honorable profession.
Also, I’m a fan of the grand gesture, but this one had me rolling my eyes. I just couldn’t feel that the hero and heroine had such strong feelings for each other - or that emotionally either of them were ready to make such a big step. Mike had only been a widower for about six months, is recently sober (like DAYS...not weeks or months), and was still getting reconnected with his children, and Jane had a lot of healing to do after the ordeal she had endured. I am able to suspend a certain amount of disbelief in my romance stories, but there has to be at least a little bit of realism in the story, and I just didn’t believe that either Mike or Jane would move into a relationship as quickly as they did. None of their relationship rang true for me.
This book could have really been touching and heartwarming, but it never went deep enough to accomplish that. Instead, I never felt a connection to the characters or their story, and was left wanting more.
* thank you to NetGalley and SMS Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
December 31, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Everyone makes choices in life. Some are everyday average, what to wear to work, where to have lunch, coffee or tea – those simple choices. Then there are the tough choices – the ones that will forever change a life, or two or three. Seventeen years ago Jessie made one of those tough choices, or maybe it’s more honest to say that she had that choice forced upon her in some ways by an outside influence. But still, she made the final decision – and it was one that would haunt her for years.
Jessie had everything her mother ever wanted for her. She was the queen of country music with the awards, the hits, the fans, the media and everything that went with that kind of fame. What she didn’t have was the love of one man or the family she wanted with him and him alone. Jessie had been railroaded into coming home, this was not her choice at all. If she had her way she’d never set foot in this town again. But her mother was dying and Nate had insisted that she return.
Nate. The man of her dreams, the man she had lied to for years. But she intended to fix that on this trip. He deserved to know the truth. And maybe it was time to forgive her mother for her part in all of this mess.
Jessie. Sitting right here beside him in the cab of his truck, just as she had so many times, so many years ago. He hadn’t wanted her to come back, but dammit her mom was dying and they needed to mend fences between them. Just so long as she kept her distance from Sara, just as long as the lie he’d held on to for all these years didn’t blow up in his face. And as long as he didn’t fall in love with her all over again.
Always Remember is a stunningly emotion trip with two people who never stopped loving each other – and the consequences of decisions, choices they both had made years ago. Yes, it’s a second chance romance but it is also a heart wrenching novel that highlights the romance as well as the heartbreak a woman goes through when she makes one of the most difficult choices of her life. And how sometimes we get back the past we lost.
One of the things I love most about books is that it matters not one bit when we read them – but that we do eventually take their story to heart. This is my first time reading a novel by Ms. Seabrook and it certainly will not be the last. Thank goodness for the digital age, when just about any novel from any year is available to us at the touch of a button for download. I was able to “borrow” this with my Kindle Unlimited plan – and it just sent me shopping for the next book in this series.
I would easily recommend Always Remember for any reader who believes in second chances and enjoy a truly emotional, feel good story. If you have a heart, then this one is for you.
Everyone makes choices in life. Some are everyday average, what to wear to work, where to have lunch, coffee or tea – those simple choices. Then there are the tough choices – the ones that will forever change a life, or two or three. Seventeen years ago Jessie made one of those tough choices, or maybe it’s more honest to say that she had that choice forced upon her in some ways by an outside influence. But still, she made the final decision – and it was one that would haunt her for years.
Jessie had everything her mother ever wanted for her. She was the queen of country music with the awards, the hits, the fans, the media and everything that went with that kind of fame. What she didn’t have was the love of one man or the family she wanted with him and him alone. Jessie had been railroaded into coming home, this was not her choice at all. If she had her way she’d never set foot in this town again. But her mother was dying and Nate had insisted that she return.
Nate. The man of her dreams, the man she had lied to for years. But she intended to fix that on this trip. He deserved to know the truth. And maybe it was time to forgive her mother for her part in all of this mess.
Jessie. Sitting right here beside him in the cab of his truck, just as she had so many times, so many years ago. He hadn’t wanted her to come back, but dammit her mom was dying and they needed to mend fences between them. Just so long as she kept her distance from Sara, just as long as the lie he’d held on to for all these years didn’t blow up in his face. And as long as he didn’t fall in love with her all over again.
Always Remember is a stunningly emotion trip with two people who never stopped loving each other – and the consequences of decisions, choices they both had made years ago. Yes, it’s a second chance romance but it is also a heart wrenching novel that highlights the romance as well as the heartbreak a woman goes through when she makes one of the most difficult choices of her life. And how sometimes we get back the past we lost.
One of the things I love most about books is that it matters not one bit when we read them – but that we do eventually take their story to heart. This is my first time reading a novel by Ms. Seabrook and it certainly will not be the last. Thank goodness for the digital age, when just about any novel from any year is available to us at the touch of a button for download. I was able to “borrow” this with my Kindle Unlimited plan – and it just sent me shopping for the next book in this series.
I would easily recommend Always Remember for any reader who believes in second chances and enjoy a truly emotional, feel good story. If you have a heart, then this one is for you.
February 28, 2014
At First Sight: The last place where Jessie Adams wants to be is back at Nate Coltrane's ranch. She broke his heart at seventeen, when she left their small town to pursue her music career, and secretly gave his baby up for adoption all those years ago. But now her mother is dying and so Jessie goes back.
From the start, things heat up between Jessie and Nate, even as he is determined to keep his distance. He has a lot to lose if Jessie finds out that he has known about his child all along - all those years ago, Jessie's mom gave him his daughter, Sarah, in exchange for him not seeking out Jessie as she made her way in the country music scene.
But now they are all together, and in some ways the past seems to be repeating itself, threatening to shake things up pretty bad.
Second Glance: Well, Always Remember is a bit of a mess. I hoped I would like it a lot more as the Secret Baby (or teenager) plot is one of my favorites, but I didn't quite click with this book.
Nate and Jessie are pleasant enough, even if they do have a tendency to act like teenagers still and to beat around the bush a lot. And that is one of my main problems with the story, they never really sit to talk and deal with things, they sort of just yell at each other a bit, keep secrets, the secrets blow up in their faces and then they just decide to be together without ever really fixing things.
And Nate does something rather insensitive toward his daughter toward the end, which made me raise my eyebrows a bit.
Bottom Line: I think this book had lots of potential but it lacked depth, it is a quick read but somehow I kept expecting Nate and Rachel to grow up and face their problems but didn't feel like they quite did.
From the start, things heat up between Jessie and Nate, even as he is determined to keep his distance. He has a lot to lose if Jessie finds out that he has known about his child all along - all those years ago, Jessie's mom gave him his daughter, Sarah, in exchange for him not seeking out Jessie as she made her way in the country music scene.
But now they are all together, and in some ways the past seems to be repeating itself, threatening to shake things up pretty bad.
Second Glance: Well, Always Remember is a bit of a mess. I hoped I would like it a lot more as the Secret Baby (or teenager) plot is one of my favorites, but I didn't quite click with this book.
Nate and Jessie are pleasant enough, even if they do have a tendency to act like teenagers still and to beat around the bush a lot. And that is one of my main problems with the story, they never really sit to talk and deal with things, they sort of just yell at each other a bit, keep secrets, the secrets blow up in their faces and then they just decide to be together without ever really fixing things.
And Nate does something rather insensitive toward his daughter toward the end, which made me raise my eyebrows a bit.
Bottom Line: I think this book had lots of potential but it lacked depth, it is a quick read but somehow I kept expecting Nate and Rachel to grow up and face their problems but didn't feel like they quite did.
January 1, 2018
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Sometimes life hits us hard with inconceivable pain and suffering, both physically and emotionally. There is nothing to do except get through it, somehow. Yet these events change us from what we might have been to what we are now… and just maybe to who we can be in the future with the right people at our sides.
A Time to be Tender is a powerful story, one that on one hand will completely rip your heart out. Then it will slowly, surely begin the healing process, often painful but necessary to come out the other side whole once again. The details for Jane’s story aren’t necessary for us to feel her anguish, what is important is to see her go beyond what was done to her to accept that she is worth the love of a good man. Mike has chosen a path through his grief that is hurting him even more, and until he stops and changes direction he will not begin to heal, to live again. Jane and Mike are believable characters. People that you might pass on the street never knowing the pain that is deep within them. They work together, they each have that “something” that the other needs to make that journey back to wholeness again.
This is a story that will remind you that with deep hurt also comes deep healing. It really is up to each of us individually to make the decision to survive a horrible, painful experience or loss Even when we cannot see how, most of us will find a way. It was an emotional journey as Mike and Jane found their way out of darkness, one that I’m very glad I got the chance to share with them.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Sometimes life hits us hard with inconceivable pain and suffering, both physically and emotionally. There is nothing to do except get through it, somehow. Yet these events change us from what we might have been to what we are now… and just maybe to who we can be in the future with the right people at our sides.
A Time to be Tender is a powerful story, one that on one hand will completely rip your heart out. Then it will slowly, surely begin the healing process, often painful but necessary to come out the other side whole once again. The details for Jane’s story aren’t necessary for us to feel her anguish, what is important is to see her go beyond what was done to her to accept that she is worth the love of a good man. Mike has chosen a path through his grief that is hurting him even more, and until he stops and changes direction he will not begin to heal, to live again. Jane and Mike are believable characters. People that you might pass on the street never knowing the pain that is deep within them. They work together, they each have that “something” that the other needs to make that journey back to wholeness again.
This is a story that will remind you that with deep hurt also comes deep healing. It really is up to each of us individually to make the decision to survive a horrible, painful experience or loss Even when we cannot see how, most of us will find a way. It was an emotional journey as Mike and Jane found their way out of darkness, one that I’m very glad I got the chance to share with them.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
August 8, 2017
This is an interesting story about two wounded souls. Mike, who is on a drinking binge after he lost his beloved wife to cancer. His life has spiraled out of control and he has lost custody of his five year old twin girls. They are living with his brother and his wife who happens to be the twin of Mike's wife. The girls are even calling her Mom.
The other wounded soul belongs to Jane Watt. She is the only survivor of a serial killer who kidnapped her and kept her in a cage. She is tormented knowing she should never have gotten into a car with a stranger but her car had broken down and she could not get a signal on her cell phone.
In order to survive she did what she had to do so now she believes she is dirty and unworthy of love. She spends most of her days hiding out in her bedroom.
I enjoyed the story of Mike and Jane. I would not have enjoyed it if the author had gone into great details of Jane's ordeal. Mike and Jane's characters seem to complement each other in the story. They help each other through some hard times and eventually fall in love. The circumstances surrounding Mike and his girls were very realistic and I enjoyed the main characters a lot.
I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
The other wounded soul belongs to Jane Watt. She is the only survivor of a serial killer who kidnapped her and kept her in a cage. She is tormented knowing she should never have gotten into a car with a stranger but her car had broken down and she could not get a signal on her cell phone.
In order to survive she did what she had to do so now she believes she is dirty and unworthy of love. She spends most of her days hiding out in her bedroom.
I enjoyed the story of Mike and Jane. I would not have enjoyed it if the author had gone into great details of Jane's ordeal. Mike and Jane's characters seem to complement each other in the story. They help each other through some hard times and eventually fall in love. The circumstances surrounding Mike and his girls were very realistic and I enjoyed the main characters a lot.
I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
July 26, 2017
This is the first book I read by this talented author, and trust me, it will not be the last one. I loved it.
The story centers around Mike Toryn and Jane Watts. Both seemingly unable to overcome devastating circumstances in their lives. One due to the fact that he lost his young wife to cancer and in the process , his twin girls, and the other one, hasn’t been able to recover from an experience that could have easily destroyed any of us. Somehow these two end up surviving, healing and helping each other.
It’s a story about family support. About how with love and finding something to live for, we can overcome even the worse of circumstances. That life has tons of ups and downs, but if you have someone beside you that supports you, you can all move on. But especially , that love helps heal and overcome our biggest fears.
The only downside was that even though it’s a stand alone, there were references about the two couples of the previous books that were not totally clarified. But it certainly did not take away from the story.
I was gifted this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
The story centers around Mike Toryn and Jane Watts. Both seemingly unable to overcome devastating circumstances in their lives. One due to the fact that he lost his young wife to cancer and in the process , his twin girls, and the other one, hasn’t been able to recover from an experience that could have easily destroyed any of us. Somehow these two end up surviving, healing and helping each other.
It’s a story about family support. About how with love and finding something to live for, we can overcome even the worse of circumstances. That life has tons of ups and downs, but if you have someone beside you that supports you, you can all move on. But especially , that love helps heal and overcome our biggest fears.
The only downside was that even though it’s a stand alone, there were references about the two couples of the previous books that were not totally clarified. But it certainly did not take away from the story.
I was gifted this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
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