A New Beginning

Song of the Smokies #3

by Carol J. Post

Sometimes tragedies are blessings in disguise…

Golden girl Holly Gunderson has always lived a charmed life, but when a rape results in pregnancy, her dreams come crashing down around her. She returns home to Murphy, North Carolina, where her parents surprise her with an ultimatum she can’t live with.

Since his beloved boss committed suicide, construction worker Alex Shepherd has spent the past eight months living on his savings while finishing projects for his boss’s widow. He arrives in Murphy almost broke, ready to remodel the fixer-upper his aunt just bought. He’s hoping his stay in Murphy will bring him some peace and also help to replenish his bank account. He isn't prepared for his aunt’s involvement with the local crisis pregnancy center or her beautiful houseguest’s struggles. Both hit too close to home.

Though Alex and Holly are from opposite ends of the social spectrum, a friendship develops between them, and they find they have more in common than they realize, until deep-seated insecurities drive them apart. But maybe this unplanned stay in the mountains holds healing for both of them, with prospects of a bright future…a new beginning.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 2024

About the author

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, my resume reads as if I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is my love for writing. I currently pen fun and fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. My books have won several awards and been nominated for two RITA® awards and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award.

After spending most of my life in Florida, a few years ago, I moved to the mountains of North Carolina, where I write my stories outside on the back deck in the summertime and inside in front of the fireplace in the wintertime. When I’m not writing or doing writerly things, I enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking—almost anything outdoors. My two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for my liking, so I now pour all that nurturing into taking care of two sassy black cats.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of contemporary Christian romance that delves into some tough subjects in a God honoring way, A New Beginning is a book I recommend. Actually, all of the books in the Song of the Smokies series are good choices for those who enjoy contemporary romance where the main characters have to face difficult things and make decisions that aren’t always easy.

I liked that the author showed the struggle that Holly faced as she recovered from an assault that left her pregnant. She was under such intense pressure and doubted herself at times. I loved the clear difference in the way Alex treated Holly as compared to the way her parents and her former fiancé did. Alex also had some unsettled burdens from his past that he had to work through in the story. But, through it all, I appreciated the hope filled message in this book.

Even though it is the third book in the Song of the Smokies series, A New Beginning can be enjoyed as a stand alone novel, too.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Beginning is a beautiful story about two people fighting different battles, but finding they are not so different.

Holly, a victim of a lifetime of bad circumstances seeks understanding and support when her fiance calls off their wedding due to a disagreement that can't be resolved. I loved the strength of Holly to stand by her decisions even though she suffered because of it.

It's a heartwarming and inspirational story of healing, forgiveness, and love. The story shows how God takes bad circumstances and turns them into something good. Loved the ending!

I received an ARC from the author and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has written a beautiful story about a difficult topic. As Holly’s mother told her, she was born with a gold spoon in her mouth. One tragic event has placed her in a horrible situation with everything at stake. Her mother and her fiancé are trying to force her to take the “easy way” out. But, she is totally opposed to their solution. The fiancé has threatened to call off the wedding. Her mother has told her to leave and then takes her car keys away from her, as well as all her clothes, except what she is wearing. Holly has suddenly gone from golden spoon to nothing. I cringed when her mother told her that she was practicing tough love. Holly is smart enough to know that her mother is determined to control her, that it has nothing at all to do with any kind of love for Holly. With no transportation to leave, Holly calls one of her closest friends. As the story progresses, she finds that she has a number of friends, old and new, who are there to give the support she needs in a loving Christian way. Alex, the nephew of her former piano teacher, is one of those new friends. As it turns out, he has some things from the past that he has never dealt with, but that he comes to realize he needs to as he attempts to help and support Holly. I had fun following the ongoing shenanigans of Bernie and Hank. They are known around town for always sniping at each other when they are in the same place. Bernie has earned the title of matchmaker. Jami and Samantha, Holly’s two closest friends, have been trying to match Bernie and Hank throughout the series. All efforts seem to be in vain. One thing is certain, and that is that Bernie is a strong supporter of Holly. I enjoyed the flow of the story as Holly struggles to hold firm with her decision while her mother and fiancé continue applying pressure. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series very much. What to do when you have lived a golden life and suddenly, in one day, everything changes? This is what happens to Holly. She has grown up in a wealthy home, had everything she wanted from her parents, breezed through high school & college and is engaged to a man who will be a doctor. However, in one day, her life has become a nightmare, and she has to make some difficult decisions. Her family doesn't support her, but she can always count on her best friends. Thankfully, she meets Alex, a handyman, who also becomes a wonderful support to her. Alex also has a past to deal with, but he is making strides to become a new man. I really loved his character and found that he was my favorite in this book! He was remodeling his aunt's house and I liked how helpful he was to many people in the community. He was kind, understanding and thoughtful. I enjoyed having the two previous women from the other books in the series so we could catch up with them! This story was a good lesson in acceptance, forgiveness and love.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christian series, is about three friends who through the years have supported each others in times of joy and in times of sorrow. The last one single is Holly Gunderson. One born with a silver spoon, who is engaged to a future doctor, and is about to start a new job. But everything changes one day in a blink of an eye. The violent act leaves her a shadow of whom she was.
What to do when your own family turns their backs to you? Can the Alex, the quiet handyman, and his perceptive aunt be what Holly needs not only to heal but also to guide her so she may not only survive but thrive.
This is a touching and at times heartbreaking story and definitely, not for the faint of heart. Especially since it deals with rape, pregnancy, abortion, panic attacks, and lack of family support.
But is also a story about hope, faith, self growth and a second chance at love and life.
A well written thought provoking story and the perfect ending to the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own,

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy touching and thoughtful romances that deal with real life trials, A New Beginning should be the perfect choice for you. Holly and Alex are very likeable and well-developed characters that have had to endure some hard and difficult circumstances. The writing talents of author Carol J. Post had me eager to continue reading until I reached the end of the story. She is able to transport the reader to the small town in North Carolina and into the lives of the characters. I felt right along with them, everything from fear to discouragement to the headiness of romance to hope. One of my favorite quotes from the book, "If God has forgiven you and you're still holding onto the guilt, you're setting yourself above God." I highly recommend this story to readers of clean romance, to Christian romance readers, and to those who enjoy music. I would definitely read more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of the third book in the Song of the Smokies series.

[Carlien Peens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to confess the theme of the story is a difficult one for myself, but Carol J Post did a brilliant job! She handled it with sympathy and emphaty. This story will tug your heartstrings and your emotions will deffinitely be all over the place. After what Holly went through Alex had an uphill battle to convince her about his love and so much deeper, God's love. This is not a fluff book but a book that will speak to your heart and I deffinitely recommend it.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has "all the feels". Can you imagine being the "golden girl" of a town and having it all - wealth, status, and engaged to a doctor - and suddenly it is all taken away by a vicious attack. This story shows what faith, good friends, kindness and a strong character can accomplish when everything is bleak. The characters seem so real and even the "quirky" ones add to this heart-warming story of loss and rebirth. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Holly goes home after her traumatic experience she expects comfort and support but what she gets is thrown out of her parents home with nothing. She finds help in unexpected places that gives her a chance to grow up and appreciate what she has. This faith filled romance has interesting characters and a few matchmakers.

[Cecelia Crews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a ten star book!

Wow the subject of this story is one that should help a lot of people our world. I hope everyone reads this story. Your eyes will be open and it might even help you to help someone coming through this problem. If nothing else have them read this book. A big thanks goes out to the author ford doing a fantastic job.

[Anne Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

I enjoyed this book. The characters are easy to love and empathize with, the storyline is interesting and kept my attention. A clean romance with a riches to rags type twist.

[Zanese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Gunderson, pregnant due to a brutal attack from a stranger, has returned to Murphy, NC after her fiancé rejects her, also resulting in a rift with her parents.

Alex Shepherd is back in the Murphy area after unexpected financial hardship in his construction business, and to help his aunt refurbish her house.

Holly and Alex, both temporarily living with his Aunt Jeanne, are drawn together by their mutual musical talents and other connections that outweigh their very different upbringings socially, and they connect on an even deeper level through the pregnancy resource center where Jeanne volunteers.

This book is a delightful closure to the happily-ever-after stories of three longtime friends, Jami (and Grant), Samantha (and Kyle), and Holly (and Alex), with a backdrop of life in a small Southern town. A wonderful read and series!