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Texas Heart & Soul #1
Wildflower Redemption
You can’t have it all. At least, not forever. Luz Wilkinson learned the hard way that balancing a career, marriage, and motherhood can end in absolute destruction of heart and soul. When the biological mother of her daughter tears the child away and ruins her reputation, Luz goes home to tiny Rose Creek to rethink life and ambition. She surrounds herself with discarded animals and plans never to care again.
Widower Aaron Estes lives for his daughter, Chloe. Fleeing from the horror of losing his wife in a school shooting, Aaron stops in Rose Creek on a whim and a random act of kindness from a gas station clerk--not a lot to build a life on, but a momentary redemption from his sorrow and fears for his daughter. Prompted by counselor Esmeralda Salinas, he takes Chloe to the Wilkinson place for therapeutic riding lessons, and finds Luz everything he wants in a mother for his daughter--but Esmeralda’s open pursuit is a problem. Burned by her divorce, Luz refuses any relationship involving another woman or a man with another woman’s child.
Unlimited love for their children comes easily--but will they ever be able to conquer past pain and love each other?
Widower Aaron Estes lives for his daughter, Chloe. Fleeing from the horror of losing his wife in a school shooting, Aaron stops in Rose Creek on a whim and a random act of kindness from a gas station clerk--not a lot to build a life on, but a momentary redemption from his sorrow and fears for his daughter. Prompted by counselor Esmeralda Salinas, he takes Chloe to the Wilkinson place for therapeutic riding lessons, and finds Luz everything he wants in a mother for his daughter--but Esmeralda’s open pursuit is a problem. Burned by her divorce, Luz refuses any relationship involving another woman or a man with another woman’s child.
Unlimited love for their children comes easily--but will they ever be able to conquer past pain and love each other?
254 pages, ebook
First published December 9, 2013
3 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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April 4, 2021DNF! DNF! DNF!
Too many dead dogs!!!!!
Animal brutality.
Rape.
Honestly, too many characters should have just been shot on sight or eaten by the chained and tortured pit bull.
Too many dead dogs!!!!!
Animal brutality.
Rape.
Honestly, too many characters should have just been shot on sight or eaten by the chained and tortured pit bull.
June 2, 2014
In Wildflower Redemption by Leslie P. Garcia, Luz Wilkinson is trying to rebuild her life in a safe way. She did her best to love her husband and accept his newborn daughter he brought home a week after they married and balance her career as a teacher as well. She loved that little girl like she was her own, but when the biological mother took away her child and ruined her reputation, she also ruined her marriage and her career.
Now Luz wants no attachments and doesn’t want to care about anyone again. It just hurt too much. So she spends her time on her ranch taking care of the horses she boards and the discarded animals people just mistreat or abandon. Read More...
Now Luz wants no attachments and doesn’t want to care about anyone again. It just hurt too much. So she spends her time on her ranch taking care of the horses she boards and the discarded animals people just mistreat or abandon. Read More...
March 17, 2014
Ms. Garcia takes readers through some highs and lows with this dramatic romance.
Read full review in the 2014 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.
May 26, 2014
3.5 Stars! Wildflower Redemption was an easy read with romance and a bit of danger and suspense. Ms. Garcia really grabbed my attention with the story of a second chance for two heartbroken people with painful pasts.
Summary:
Luz Wilkinson knows how life can be turned upside down in a second, dashing dreams, hopes, and faith. Having her daughter ripped away, learning of her husband's infidelity, and enduring her good reputation being maligned has taught Luz that one person can't have it all. Now, back in her hometown of Rose Creek, Texas, Luz is having difficulty finding the ambition or energy she used to have for life and the career she used to love. She spends her time doting on discarded animals and plans never to get involved again, especially if a child is in the mix. Luz never anticipated meeting her match, and finding what she thought she lost in another person. Aaron Estes is fleeing from tragedy and scandal. Settling for the time being in Rose Creek is as good an idea as any when you don't know where you're headed. All he does know is that he'll do anything and everything for his six year old daughter, Chloe, and ditto to keep her safe. Acting on the referral of the counselor he takes Chloe to, Aaron begins taking Chloe to Luz's house for therapeutic riding lessons. Aaron is a man broken and afraid, but he sees so much in Luz, and can't imagine a better woman for his daughter or himself. Unfortunately, Luz is still gun-shy from her failed divorce. With sparks flying and sweet childhood innocence playing its role, Aaron and Luz find themselves getting closer and really getting to know each other. But all is not right in the idyllic, small town of Rose Creek. Aaron and Luz will find their journey to happiness and a second chance at love hindered by catty manipulation, past fears and memories, and an unknown, but malevolent evil intent on causing harm. Will they both be able to look past their heartbreak and betrayals to see that their both worth fighting for?
I really liked Luz. She was sweet, loyal, hard working, and broken. I loved her love for animals as it mirrors my own (I found myself bawling for the animals in the book, same as her), and I adored her generosity. My only complaint was her lack of returning love and ambition for the job she so clearly adored before. I was hoping she'd be reminded of why she became a teacher in the first place and it'd bring back her joy for it. Aaron was a little different. I liked him alright, but almost wished he was a bit more alpha. I hated that we didn't get to see his interactions with Esme after her manipulations. But...He definitely made up for it with his love for his daughter. It was beautiful. The premise of the book was intriguing as well. It took a turn I wasn't expecting, at all, but really made me buckle down to get to the ending. I do wish we had gotten a little more development with Brian and Lily. Their scene was horrific, but swept away fast. Also, the conclusion to Luz's predicament was a bit of a let-down in that it resolved too easily for me. I absolutely hated Esme. I don't even know if I can stomach to read her book next because I really can't stand her. To me, she used Chloe in an unprofessional manner and wasn't properly dressed down for it. Overall, the story was a good one. It kept me engaged in the story, and I was rooting for Aaron and Luz the whole time, but some of the dialogue threw me off. Sometimes it jumped unexpectedly, and I'd have to go back and reread just to realize we had moved on to another thought. It was a bit strange, but I still liked the story. Although I may not read the next book (as it is Esme's), I still look forward to reading more from this author. <3
Summary:
Luz Wilkinson knows how life can be turned upside down in a second, dashing dreams, hopes, and faith. Having her daughter ripped away, learning of her husband's infidelity, and enduring her good reputation being maligned has taught Luz that one person can't have it all. Now, back in her hometown of Rose Creek, Texas, Luz is having difficulty finding the ambition or energy she used to have for life and the career she used to love. She spends her time doting on discarded animals and plans never to get involved again, especially if a child is in the mix. Luz never anticipated meeting her match, and finding what she thought she lost in another person. Aaron Estes is fleeing from tragedy and scandal. Settling for the time being in Rose Creek is as good an idea as any when you don't know where you're headed. All he does know is that he'll do anything and everything for his six year old daughter, Chloe, and ditto to keep her safe. Acting on the referral of the counselor he takes Chloe to, Aaron begins taking Chloe to Luz's house for therapeutic riding lessons. Aaron is a man broken and afraid, but he sees so much in Luz, and can't imagine a better woman for his daughter or himself. Unfortunately, Luz is still gun-shy from her failed divorce. With sparks flying and sweet childhood innocence playing its role, Aaron and Luz find themselves getting closer and really getting to know each other. But all is not right in the idyllic, small town of Rose Creek. Aaron and Luz will find their journey to happiness and a second chance at love hindered by catty manipulation, past fears and memories, and an unknown, but malevolent evil intent on causing harm. Will they both be able to look past their heartbreak and betrayals to see that their both worth fighting for?
I really liked Luz. She was sweet, loyal, hard working, and broken. I loved her love for animals as it mirrors my own (I found myself bawling for the animals in the book, same as her), and I adored her generosity. My only complaint was her lack of returning love and ambition for the job she so clearly adored before. I was hoping she'd be reminded of why she became a teacher in the first place and it'd bring back her joy for it. Aaron was a little different. I liked him alright, but almost wished he was a bit more alpha. I hated that we didn't get to see his interactions with Esme after her manipulations. But...He definitely made up for it with his love for his daughter. It was beautiful. The premise of the book was intriguing as well. It took a turn I wasn't expecting, at all, but really made me buckle down to get to the ending. I do wish we had gotten a little more development with Brian and Lily. Their scene was horrific, but swept away fast. Also, the conclusion to Luz's predicament was a bit of a let-down in that it resolved too easily for me. I absolutely hated Esme. I don't even know if I can stomach to read her book next because I really can't stand her. To me, she used Chloe in an unprofessional manner and wasn't properly dressed down for it. Overall, the story was a good one. It kept me engaged in the story, and I was rooting for Aaron and Luz the whole time, but some of the dialogue threw me off. Sometimes it jumped unexpectedly, and I'd have to go back and reread just to realize we had moved on to another thought. It was a bit strange, but I still liked the story. Although I may not read the next book (as it is Esme's), I still look forward to reading more from this author. <3
December 28, 2013
A wonderful romance with a strong heroine (LOVED Luz and her determination to save animals!) and a sexy single-dad hero. There were parts I had to hide my eyes, though! Made it hard to read, lol! I hope the author intends to revisit the town--great characters there!
February 22, 2014
I finished Wildflower Redemption sitting in a hospital waiting room, while my husband had surgery (successful, I might add). Thanks to author Leslie Garcia for filling those hours with her wonderful and fast-paced tale of Luz and Aaron and their lives in Rose Creek, Texas. There was an old advertisement campaign that said, "Calgon, take me away!" Well, I'll say, "Leslie Garcia DID take me away." And I thank her for that, from my heart.
I loved the fact Ms. Garcia created characterizations of richness and poignancy, from the deep love felt by her heroine and hero for the children and animals in their lives, to the harrowing evil of her antagonists (thanks to Ms. Garcia for not holding back on that - I appreciated the gripping encounters). I also enjoyed all of the small and unique details which brought the secondary characters to life. The ending was perfect, a true "happily ever after." I will save this novel on my Kindle and re-read it at some point. It's a keeper.
I loved the fact Ms. Garcia created characterizations of richness and poignancy, from the deep love felt by her heroine and hero for the children and animals in their lives, to the harrowing evil of her antagonists (thanks to Ms. Garcia for not holding back on that - I appreciated the gripping encounters). I also enjoyed all of the small and unique details which brought the secondary characters to life. The ending was perfect, a true "happily ever after." I will save this novel on my Kindle and re-read it at some point. It's a keeper.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews