Fall in love in the heart of the Smoky Mountains with three full-length novels from the uplifting, emotional River Falls series. Join the large and loving Calvano family as they discover second chances, new beginnings, and God’s unconditional love. The moment you step into the pages, you’ll feel like one of the family!
Pieces of Eight years ago, Ava and Joseph had the perfect future planned—until a terrible accident changed everything. Unwilling to believe they could still have a future, Ava made Joseph promise to leave and live out their dreams without her. Joseph has never broken a promise to Ava. Until now. Because before he made that stupid promise to leave, they’d made each other another promise—one of forever. And he’s determined to return to River Falls and show her that his promise still stands…
Songs of In the wake of a very public breakup, country music star Lydia St. Peter finds herself in need of a place of refuge. She doesn’t know why she thinks she’ll find it with the family she never knew she had in River Falls, Tennessee, but at least the small town will offer her the privacy she so desperately craves. She never expects it to offer more—in the form of her new landlord, Liam, and his troubled teenage daughter. But when Lydia is presented with an opportunity that could rocket her to household-name status, she has to decide whether she’s willing to give up everything she’s gained in River Falls to chase her dreams—or if her heart has finally found its home.
Memories of the As a Christian counselor, Simeon knows he should be able to help his wife cope with the losses they’ve suffered. And it’s killing him that he can’t. It seems like the more he tries, the harder Abigail pushes him away. He’s determined to save their marriage... but what if it’s already too late? When an accident leaves Abigail with amnesia, stealing her memories of their life together, will it be the end of their marriage? Or is God giving them a second chance to build a love even stronger than they remember?
The River Falls A family you’ll love. Faith you’ll cherish. Stories you’ll remember. Perfect for fans of Karen Kingsbury, Denise Hunter, and Francine Rivers.
Praise for the River Falls “I fell in love with River Falls and the Calvano family!” “This family was like walking into a big hug.” “These books always make me feel like I'm sitting there watching and listening, more than just reading!” “The characters all are real to me, I almost wanted to call them family.”
I have three great loves: Jesus, my family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). I write fast-paced, emotional Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. My characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but I promise I'll always give them a happy ending.
These stories are so well written with such real and heartwarming characters you feel you know them. I particularly loved Simeon whose love for Abigail never wavers. The messages in these stories are full of hope and forgiveness. I highly recommend this author!
Sweet Heartfelt, Heart Wrenching Stories of Faith ... so often it's all about choices
✒︎ Pieces of Forever is a sweet romance about overcoming deep, deep insecurities and pain within …. both emotional and physical. Joseph never gave up, even though he basically was shoved out the door.
Tragedy strikes and Ava’s life takes a 180 turnaround … all hope is lost, her dreams burned away and that career she had all planned out? Well, forget about that. And love? Let’s just say, it is no more. All that was lost that one fateful day.
But Joseph is not one to easily give up. It's been eight years but he still loves Ava and she loves him too; however, her fears overrule her heart. Is it possible to rekindle that love? Joseph thinks so but he’s going to have to jump through hoops if it is to happen.
Can a person so broken, so scarred inside and out, finally see the light after eight long years of convincing herself there is no hope? Can a love so strong give up or stand the test of time? The answer is ... it all depends.
Sometimes you just have to let go and let God.
✒︎ Songs of Home: Betrayal always tends to sneak up when least expected. Couple that with loss of mom and dad, loss of best friend, loss of the man you ‘thought’ was going to ask for your hand in marriage and last, but not least, loss of your musical career …. well its easy to feel dejected and defeated.
Lydia was at the height of her musical career with too many adoring fans to count. It was her birthday and she just ‘knew’ Dallas was going to propose. But, she lost it all right before going on stage to a packed crowd in Nashville … when she walked in on Dallas and her best friend, Cheyenne, in very loving embrace… the only two people she had left in the world, the two people she loved and trusted the most, betrayed her. And the saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from an enemy.
✒︎ Memories of the Heart: Heartfelt, Heart Wrenching … faith, love, choices... If you want all consuming, this is your book…. It gives hope while it breaks your heart. Abigail has a past, one that haunts her, mentally and emotionally. She’s not who everyone thinks she is. She almost convinces herself that the lies that protect is her true self… and in a way they are…. at least now they are. But the past has a way of reveling itself. Choices have to be made. Abigail can face her past, allow her ‘family’ to know who she was but is no longer…. or she can run. Choices, choices…. it’s all about choices. Not only for Abagail but for her new ‘family’, especially Simeon, the one who holds her heart. They ‘lived’ their faith, didn’t just talk it.
✒︎ After reading Ava’s and Jordan’s story in ‘Pieces of Forever’, I thought no way the next book could top it. But then I got Lydia’s heart wrenching story in ‘Songs of Home’ and it was every bit as good. (I still want to ‘see’ Lydia’s backstabbing betrayers get booed off stage and forced to face what they did.) Now after reading ‘Memories of the Heart’, I’m all in with this River Falls series, I’m sold. I don’t know how the author keeps it up, how she keeps putting out these sweet, heartfelt books of faith, love and real life hurts and pains.
I read all three of these books previously and loved them all. Now I'm thinking about going back and rereading them. Yes,they were that good.
In the first book, Pieces of Forever, we meet Joseph and Ava. Joseph has loved Ava for years. He grew up thinking they would marry. Until the fire eight years ago, when Ava sent him away. He kept loving her, though, and thought when he moved home, they'd be able to start their relationship again. Ava has other plans, though. She thinks she's not good enough for Joseph, hasn't been since the fire eight years ago. Slowly, though, Joseph starts breaking down her walls. Finally, Ava learns the truth about who she is, who she thought she was, and learns how very wrong she's been for the last 8 years. Now, if she can just trust God and Joseph enough to grab hold of her dreams!!
In Songs of Home, we meet Lydia and Liam. Lydia knew she was adopted. She's always felt alone, and now feels abandoned by her adoptive parents after their deaths. She's been blindsided and humiliated by her now ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend. Her half-sister has found her, and when she goes to meet the rest of her half siblings, she runs into her mystery man who was there for her when she fell apart on her birthday ten months ago. The more time Liam and Lydia spend together, the more they fall for each other, and wonder if this can really work out. Lydia, though, is afraid Liam will be like the others in her life and abandon her. Liam doesn't want to make the same mistake with Lydia that he made with his wife, having her choose between him and her career. Will their love for each other and their mutual belief in God help these two to see that God can be trusted with their love and their lives?
In Memories of the Heart, we meet Abigail and Simeon. Abigail and Simeon have been married for years. After three miscarriages, Abigail is sure that this is God's punishment for her sins, which are the secrets she's kept from Simeon since the day they met. She's sure that once Simeon knows the truth, he'll leave her. She decides she's got to leave first. When some unforeseen things happen, will they be able to over come the trouble, or will the trouble push them even further apart?? I love the way Abigail falls in love with Simeon all over again, and that she finally realizes that both God and Simeon love her, just the way she is, broken past and all.
I received a complimentary copy of this set, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
Pieces of Forever I had an Advance Readers Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Valerie Bodden explores facial disfiguration from a fire in this book. Ava had promised forever to Joseph, but that was before the fire. Eight years have passed and Joseph is now back in town and still loves her. Can she overcome her insecurities and feelings of inadequacy enough to love him back? I would highly recommend reading this book. Songs of Home I had an ARC copy of this book, but this is my honest and voluntary opinion. After a public breakdown, Country singer Lydia St Peter ends up in River Falls with step family she had not known about. She rents an apartment from Liam who lost his wife to cancer and is raising his teenage daughter. The plot includes themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and growing closer to God. A great read. Memories of the Heart I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Abigail married Simeon after a relatively short time knowing him. She thought it was her chance to start over, but after an accident leaves her with amnesia, she doesn’t remember him or anything about her past. As she gets to know him again she falls in love all over. She also doesn’t remember her past sins or the miscarriages she suffered. Simeon is a Christian counselor, but is not able to help his wife and he sets them up with a friend for counseling. A great book about relationships, dealing with past sin, and forgiveness.
Pieces of Forever - Ava suffered in a horrible way that she is still recovering from eight years later. Joseph is back and wants to win her heart again. Loved seeing how his love and the Lord's brought comfort to her. Why do we let the world and the chief of Liars get in our heads and distort the Truth? Watching them come back together was sweet as well as freeing for her and a dream realized for both of them. It was an added bonus to see Aunt Lori and Michael get their hea as well. Loved the ending.
Songs of Home - Life can change quickly. Lydia goes through so many new experiences some quite heartbreaking and some heart mending. Loved see her and Liam heal separately as well as together. I often felt like I was right there with the characters. The Calvano family is one I really enjoyed getting to see again and look forward to the next book in the series.
Memories of the Heart - Loved the title and it so fits this story. I really like books about married couples who work through their problems. Simeon and Abigail have a few. My heart broke for both of them but in different ways. The author did a great job of showing Abigail that in Christ our past is forgiven. When Abigail suffers from amnesia the story got even better. Simeon was such an amazing husband. Great ending.
Abigail has a troubled past and has suffered three miscarriages. She longs to have children. Abigail feels that God cannot forgive her past. While driving her sister-in-law to a dress store, she gets into a terrible car accident and develops amnesia. Her sister-in-law passes away.
Simeon is a compassionate counselor who enjoys helping people with their relationships. He loves Abigail very much and wants to help her with her depression. Simeon also wants children and suggests adoption. After the car accident, he works with Abigail to help her remember their life together. After a colleague counsels them, Simeon decides that he and Abigail should get to know each other again to start fresh. At certain times under Simeon's tender care, Abigail experiences a memory of the heart, and they develop a more loving relationship. Then something comes up that may hurt the loving relationship that they have been working towards.
I enjoyed this moving, tenderhearted story of love and forgiveness. This story touched my heart!
Songs of Home A beautiful story of overcoming fear, reuniting with family and realizing that opening ourselves to love can heal broken hearts.
This River Falls set contains Christian, emotonal , uplifting small town romances. Ms. Bodden writes beautiful stories with great endings. I loves these books!
In Pieces of Forever Joseph and Ava have great chemistry but Ava has built high walls around her heart since being severely injured in a fire. I loved watching Joseph, and some amazing dogs, help Ava to discover she was more than her appearance.
In Songs of Home Lydia and Liam both have issues they need to resolve. Most of the story takes place ten months after that fateful night when Lydia's world exploded and Liam came to her rescue. You will not want to miss Lydia's journey as she connects with her half sister and six half brothers and their father while staying in Liam's mother's carriage house.
In Memories of the Heart Simeon struggles on several fronts and Abigail is hiding several secrets.Honest communication plus God's love, forgiveness and help manage to get these characters on a path to an HEA.
Book 1: Ave has a big obstacle to overcome for Joseph to win her back after a bad accident. This is an inspiring story of overcoming a tragedy & finding life with the "love of your life" once again. I very much enjoyed this story. Book 2: I enjoyed this story about a singing star, Lydia, who attempts to hide from the press. Liam is the widower with a troubled, rebellious teenager. There is God's healing of all their hearts. Book 3: The beginning made me think Abigail & Simeon’s marriage is doomed to not survive because Abigail is so depressed and in despair . When she has an accident and amnesia, they get a chance to change history. It is a beautiful story of their love developing without her past and guilt interfering. Abigail learns she can have forgiveness, God is not punishing her for her past and she can experience great love & enjoy.
have read all of Valerie Borden's books and a find a new favorite with each new release. The 3 books in this boxset are all excellent examples of faith, redemption and forgiveness. I learn something new with each story through the depictions of Bible scripture. This is a truly uplifting boxset.
I just love the stories that this author weaves, filled with love, romance, real life, and Christ at the center. River Falls is a favorite place to dive into and spend time with characters you fall in love with. Don't miss her other reads, either!
Stories of people working through real-life problems and learning to lean on each other and their faith. These are sweet stories that will have you laughing and crying with the characters and wanting the series to never end
I read these books as ARCs when they came out individually and was so impressed. It might be more accurate to say I devoured them. Ms. Bodden’s work is always uplifting while entertaining but truly, the sermons within each story inspire and convict. I highly recommend this series.
I read each of these books individually as they came out, and have really enjoyed this series. The characters are relatable, and the plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat. Definitely good reading.
The detail and emotion in the river falls books captured my attention and heart In a unique way. Even keeping in mind there’d be a “happy ending “ I could never fathom how to get there!