Lock Creek: One Year's Time

Lock Creek Time Capsule #1

by Laney Smith

Lock Creek: One Year’s Time is the first book in the Time Capsule series. This book is anything but your typical love story. This romantic mystery will keep you guessing with unexpected twists and turns, making this lively story fun and engaging. With realistic characters, a charming setting and an intriguing story, you will find yourself longing to escape with your “friends” in Lock Creek. This first book will introduce you to these characters and allow you to have a bond unlike any other. You will be excited, mystified and entertained as this story plays out in vivid color! And, remember, this is only the beginning! Welcome to Lock Creek!

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2014

About the author

Laney Smith, the mother of two sons, is an American author who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and raised in Texas. In her teen years, she and her family (including two younger brothers) moved to Colorado. Laney has also lived in Mississippi and currently resides in Southern California. Since a writing career seemed to persistently tug on her shirt tails, Laney eventually decided to try her hand at the art, writing news articles for a local newspaper. After numerous front page features, a new passion was born and the storyteller decided to try her hand at fiction. Her debut work, Lock Creek: One Year’s Time is still one of her most popular, frequently read works, proving that she managed to escape the “first is the worst” curse. In fact, Smith’s Lock Creek series won a “books-to-screen” contest and is currently being adapted for a television series, with other potential “books-to-screen” projects looming on the horizon. At the time of this publication, Laney currently has eight novels to her credit, as well as short stories in two anthology projects (no longer in print). She also released one novel under another pen name. Looking back, Smith’s only regret is that she did not start writing, sooner. When she is not submerging herself in her fictitious worlds, conjuring up riveting stories, Laney enjoys spending time with her family. Whether she is in the mountains, hanging out at tide pools, watching a sporting event, or enjoying some form of art, the writer’s mind is always dreaming up the next page-turning tale. Having accomplished so much in such a short time (Lock Creek: One Year’s Time, her first work, was published July 2014), Laney Smith has found her passion and her calling. The author, with her feet firmly planted, guarantees her readers that she is here to stay.

For all the latest updates, questions, or comments, you can reach Laney Smith at:

Website:
www.authorlaneysmith.com

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ONEYEARSTIME

Twitter:
@OYTLaneySmith

Instagram:
author.laney.smith

Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Laney-Smith/e/B00LOZDHLO

Email:
LaneySmith@authorlaneysmith.com

Laney Smith is also on Pinterest, MeWe, Book Bub, Author Wall, and LinkedIn

Reviews

[Alex Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am supposed to 'hate' romance novels, right? Well, I hated this one but for a different reason. It immediately drew me in. I loved this setting and it went perfectly with these characters. The 'green monster' visited my home during this read; my wife was so jealous of the way I loved the main character, Anne Howard. She is so sweet and possessed a lot of my characteristics. As my wife and I read this book together, we found that it reminded us of OUR beginnings. I thought it was kind of neat that she was jealous of my crush on a fictional character. Until the main male character entered the picture. Now it was my turn to be jealous. Sheriff Derek Decker made me look like a slob. I found myself straightening my posture and speaking like him. WARNING TO ALL MEN: Don't let your wives read this book, you may find it difficult to be as charming and likable as this character.
Plenty of twists and turns, but #ihatethisbook, this author had no right to do this to me!!!

P.S. If you tell my friends, I will deny it!

[Amy Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books
I was gifted this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book was a pretty good read. It had its good point, sad points, and angering points. It also has some pretty frustrating points as well. It has a good love story and some pretty hot and steamy bedroom scenes that are tactful but quite steamy.
The hardest part of this book for me was the “insta-love”. This is such a hard thing for me to accept in a story and when it happens, depending upon how the characters are written, it can ruin the entire story for me. I am pleased to say that I was able to get past the insta -ove for the sake of the characters and the story line. There were times when it seemed a little weird, but all in all, it seemed to work out.
This story has that moment when you start reading a chapter and you can picture exactly where it is going and you start yelling “No No No No” at your book or kindle or whatever you read it on. These moments are SO frustrating but you know that there has to be these moments in a story to make the relationship feel real, as no relationship is perfect. However, this moment was a pretty big moment, so I’m really interested to see where the author takes the story!
Another pet peeve of mine are cliff hangers, and boy howdy, does this book have one! I just HAVE to know what happens next, so naturally, the author has me suckered in to reading the next book. So, if you dislike cliffhangers as much as me, the great thing, is that the next book is already out, and you can prepare yourself by having both books ready to read back to back.
The romance part of the story, getting past the insta-love, was written so perfectly. I really adored the love between the characters. It was heartwarming and really took me back to the relationship I have with my husband. I loved it and had me saying “awe” several times out loud and got some weird looks by others! I think the story has the potential to offer the idea to single readers that love is out there and this is what love can be. I definitely think that this love and relationship can transfer to real life and apply to each and every one of us.
All in all, I really enjoyed the series and the characters. I’m heartbroken at the ending but hoping my heart gets mended in the next book!

[Renee Mihld · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Lock Creek: One Year’s Time and the ending hooked me into wanting to read the second book, Lock Creek: In Their Own Time. Laney Smith introduced us to the characters of Anne Howard and Derrick Decker. They live in a small town where Derrick is the local Sheriff and Anne works in the local diner where everybody hangs out to socialize and gossip.

Derrick shows his positive attitude when he finds Anne stuck in the middle of a snow storm, and she says she’s having a bad day, Derrick feels it’s about how you look at things and she’s actually having a good day, she’s still alive and it could’ve been a lot worse.

Anne and Derrick are instantly attracted to each other, but Derrick shows restraint and doesn’t want to pursue a relationship until the time is right. Anne is hiding from her past, and there must be something that has happened to her in a bad way. Anne is often times insecure in herself and her relationship with Derrick. She keeps doubting herself and Derrick.

One evening Anne has a little bit too much to drink and crosses some lines with Derrick. As the Sheriff, he must maintain a certain image, and Anne makes this very difficult. Anne’s cousin Chelsea gets involved and even goes so far as to call Derrick a rude name in public – once again Derrick shows maturity and restraint and lets her get away with it. Anne is very fortunate that Derrick doesn’t arrest her, and her embarrassment the next day is punishment enough. Derricks job and the citizens of Lock Creek are very important to him. Anne needs to decide if she can handle that.

As their relationship evolves, Anne continues to show doubt and insecurities. Derrick does his best to make Anne feel secure – until Anne takes it too far.

Lock Creek: One Years Time is a nice love story, and I’d like to see where Laney Smith takes these characters in the other books. Laney Smith has an easy to read writing style. There is no bad language, a few sex scenes, and no violence. If you are looking for a romance series, this is a good book to try. I try not to give away too much about the characters or the story line in my reviews, this is the job of the author – they are the expert. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to read the next one! Anne has arrived in Lock Creek to get away from it all and she gets to be close to her cousin Chelsea, but she is really happy to be there when she meets Derrick the town sheriff. Derrick is a bit of a mystery to the gossips in this town as he is never seen dating but he does come in the restaurant everyday just to be waited on by Anne. As time goes by and situations arise Anne and Derrick find each other together so they decide to start dating. Anne has managed to keep her former life a secret until a mysterious black jaguar car comes up and a man is asking for her, so the rumors start they she must be a prostitute and the man in the black car is a pimp. She is driving home lost in her thoughts and Derrick pulls her over for speeding until he gets a call that there is an accident involving a black jaguar so Anne follows Derrick and that is when her secret is reveled. Anne and Derrick seem so perfect for each other but could it possibly last? My heart was breaking for Anne a lot and even though I could see Derricks side, I didn't want to. Great story even if it left you hanging.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha

[L.A. Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that leaves you wondering about the characters. Laney Smith has a unique way of writing which can deceptively seem like meandering at moments, but it's smoke and mirrors, the moment you think nothing is going on - that is when she strikes and the unexpected happens. There were many unforeseen twists, such as Anne's former career and Derrick's confronting of his old love. The characters are also unpredictably quirky at times - particularly Anne. Derrick remains true to who he is and doesn't deviate. Anne's insecurities make her real, if a little frustrating at times. I kept hoping she would grow up, be strong and have faith in Derrick, but as in real life, Smith painted her as a real person whose demons are persistent. In the end, even with the events of their lives around them, it's about a relationship and the adventure - both the joy of discovery and the heartache of mistakes - of making it work. The ending leaves the reader hopeful and curious as to what happens to Anne and Derrick. Good job!

[CommonBookSense · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that I'm so obsessed with reading because it's a great way for me to relax, and escape the stress associated with playing the role of responsible adult. With that being said, I want to read the type of books that suck me in. The type of books that give enough information not only to be able to see the characters, but to also be able to see myself sitting in the background, watching the story unfold. Lock Creek: One Year's Time delivered.
I was hooked from the beginning. Just when I thought.....
You can find the rest of this review (along with many more) here.

[marilyn moore langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm ready to go to LOCK CREEK

I loved this book, I laughed, I cried, it was a really fun ride and I can't wait to get into the next one. It is written well and you think you know what's around the corner, but your going to get surprised. I will read this again and again.

[Twyla Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very Addictive series! I am so anxious for the next book to come out. I really can not put this series down. I am rereadign them all in anticipation of the newest one.

[Anna Salamatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Anne and Derrick’s Story. Or at least that’s what I hope it’s going to be. This is the first in the series. There is a cliffhanger.
Anne Howard moved to the little town of Lock Creek to find her own fresh start and also to be near her cousin Chelsea Rawlins. They were more like sisters, growing up each an only child they were inseparable. Anne is staying at Paulina’s Bed and Breakfast and got herself a job at Jimmy’s Café ( gossip hub)...
As a waitress she gets to know what’s going on and the feel of this new town that she hopes will be her new home.
Lock Creek is a little town in the heart of Rindle County. The Sheriff is Derrick Decker, former high school dream boat football star, turned peace officer. He’s lived here his whole life. He is liked and respected by his own men and the townspeople and maybe a little more by the single woman that seem to flock around him whenever he’s at the Café. Derrick is always polite about side stepping any and all advances. He’s a very private person and is never part of the gossip. Anne thinks the dashingly handsome blond haired, 6-foot Sheriff has to be hiding something. But hey, she’s running from her past and has her own secrets so it’s none of her business. That’s why she thought this small town was the perfect place.
Anne doesn’t know it yet but her effortless beauty has already made it onto the sheriff’s radar.
Derrick’s had his heart shattered before and as a result, he’s made it a point to stay single.... well, actually, he doesn’t date. period (until he saw Anne)... he’s married to the job he loves doing and cherishes his alone time spent where only family and a very few friends know about.... but the universe has other ideas for these two people, starting with a major snow storm.....(Derrick gets stuck while rescuing a dangerously stuck Anne)
Add an abandoned cabin in the woods for shelter and yep, you guessed it.... from here these two young lovers have found the other half of their hearts. The relationship they build over time is just as sweet as it is romantic, sizzling and romantic!
But hey, life still happens. There’s always some miserable trouble makers that are willing to scam and lie out of jealousy and greed....is this new found love strong enough to overcome the challenges that seek to destroy their bond....
(what is Anne running from?)
I am totally captivated by this whole story line, with this cast of well developed characters I’m looking forward to seeing them all again in the future....Anne came off as shy, but she can be a stubborn, sassy spit fire if need be.
Derrick, oh my goddess, Derrick. He’s just a hunk of gorgeous male flesh. I thought I felt my ovaries growing back.
I certainly do recommend this to 18+ due to adult content.

[J.M. Ralley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looked forward to reading this book but felt let down by it. The story is a good idea and well thought out, I was hooked by it at first. However, I lacked the connection between Anne and Derrick. With too many exclaimation marks, it seemed like there was one at the end of every other dialogue sentence, I felt like they were continually shouting at each other. To the degree that when they did argue,it was like their normal speech. I did wonder at one point if they were disabled at one point.
The character growth was acceptable but in the blurb it indicated a guilty past for Anne to why she moved to Lock Creek. Again,I was disappointed with the reason and thought the author could play that up more.
All in all I thought the book was too long and the ending weak. When Trevor turned up and Derrick knew what he was like, why did Derrick react to Anne the way he did? Was he feeling that insecure?
There was repetition and at one point I had to read a few pages again as I got confused on why Derrick had to show Anne the shower, when she’d already had one and knew where it was.
Also there were to many tell and not enough show traits. When flirting the author said they flirted and didn’t show how. I feel if it had been shown then I may have felt the chemistry more.
I may be being picky, but my brain couldn’t get past the faults I found. However, I feel that this story could have been completed in one book and with editing I feel this would be a better story.
I will read the second book as I want to know what happens, but I hope the author hasn’t used so many exclaimation marks, as that may make me put the book down.

[Linda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in two evenings; so captivating the characters, I just could not put it down. Ms. Smith is correct about small towns – they are inhabited by nosy, gossipy people who will come together to support one of their own. I was surprised quite frequently by the twists and turns in this story and while I wanted to strangle some of the characters, I was also rooting for the success of the relationship between Anne and Derrick. Did it happen? I have no idea; because it takes a lot of nerve and confidence in the next book to end the first in a series the way Ms. Smith did. Irritated at first when I reached the end, I quickly came to appreciate her cliff-hanger thought process. Now I can’t wait for the second in the Time Capsule series. Lock Creek: One Year’s Time would make a great beginning for a TV series.
~ Linda Thompson, Host of www.TheAuthorsShow.com