Bluegrass Dawn

Bluegrass Singles #2

by Kathleen Brooks

The dawning of the Davies family saga… It’s the late 1960’s in Keeneston and life is very tense for everyone. War consumes the news and young men prepare themselves for the draft. Jake Davies is fresh out of high school and head-over-heels in love. He’s known Marcy’s the one since she hit him in the head with a cheese ball, but then his world crashes around him when his number is drawn in the draft. Marcy Faulkner’s home life has caused her a lot of grief. Her sheltered life is quickly turned upside down after a night in a jail cell with the very handsome Jake Davies. The spark is immediate and undeniable. Everything is perfect until one fateful night. With Jake’s deployment looming and Marcy’s parents moving, the young couple must find a way to be together. Will their love endure the trials of war or will it be too much for them to bear?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Family, Audiobook, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Novella

117 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2014

About the author

Kathleen Brooks is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Kathleen's stories are romantic suspense featuring strong female heroines, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Her Bluegrass, Bluegrass Brothers®, Forever Bluegrass®, and Shadows Landing Series feature small-town charm with quirky characters while her Women of Power Series shows that behind every sexy billionaire is a man strong enough to love her! Then hang onto your seat for the wild and mysterious ride in the thrilling Web of Lies Series and a little magic in the Moonshine Hollow Series.

Kathleen is from Kentucky, where she graduated from Centre College and then later received her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Kathleen still resides in Kentucky with her family and houseful of animals.


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Book Order:
(Bluegrass Series-complete series)
Bluegrass State of Mind
Risky Shot
Dead Heat

(Bluegrass Brothers Series®-complete series)
Bluegrass Undercover
Rising Storm
Secret Santa, A Bluegrass Series Novella
Acquiring Trouble
Relentless Pursuit
Secrets Collide
Final Vow
All Hung Up, Novella
Bluegrass Dawn, Novella
The Perfect Gift, Novella
The Keeneston Roses

(Forever Bluegrass Series®-complete series)
Forever Entangled
Forever Hidden
Forever Betrayed
Forever Driven
Forever Secret
Forever Surprised, Novella
Forever Concealed
Forever Devoted
Forever Hunted
Forever Guarded
Forever Notorious
Forever Ventured
Forever Freed
Forever Saved
Forever Bold
Forever Thrown
Forever Lies
Forever Protected
Forever Paired
Forever Connected
Forever Covert
Forever Burning
Forever Lasting
Forever Country
Forever Remembered

(Bluegrass Fire Series-ongoing)
Spark

(Shadows Landing-complete series)
Saving Shadows
Sunken Shadows
Lasting Shadows
Fierce Shadows
Broken Shadows
Framed Shadows
Endless Shadows
Fading Shadows
Damaged Shadows
Escaping Shadows

(Shadows Landing: The Townsends- ongoing series)
Face-Off
Targeted
Rescued
Heated
Escaped
Fractured
Claimed

(Paige Turner Bookworm Series- complete)
Adventures of a Bookworm
Misadventures of a Bookworm
The Adventurous Bookworm

(Moonshine Hollow- complete series)
Moonshine and Murder
Moonshine and Malice
Moonshine and Mayhem
Moonshine and Mischief
Moonshine and Menace
Moonshine and Masquarades

(Web of Lies- complete)
Whispered Lies
Rogue Lies
Shattered Lies

(Women of Powe-complete)
Chosen for Power
Built for Power
Fashioned for Power
Destined for Power

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcy and Jake. What a delightful story and addition to the series. It does go back in time to the beginning of their romance, but it is exciting to learn about the first date, the relationship during war time, the towns closeness, and see so many of the main town characters as younger people. The ending is precious with a look to the future of how many kids their kids from their earlier books have. Marcy has been a delight this whole series, but now seeing her family background she is a treasure!

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Marcy's story has been a long time coming and was well worth the wait! It was wonderful to hear how the whole Davies family began. Kathleen Brooks has such an amazing writing style and an ability to keep her readers wanting more. I laughed, cried and couldn't wait to turn the page to see what happened next. Kathleen Brooks is definitely at the top of my favourite author list. She is simply amazing! Thank you for another wonderful story Ms Brooks...can't wait to read the next one!

[Mary Banik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the wait!

I love getting to read Marcy and Jake's story after reading all of the rest of the Bluegrass series. Was definitely worth waiting for.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Bluegrass Dawn is the second book in the Bluegrass Singles series (Bluegrass Book #12) by Kathleen Brooks. ‘Bluegrass’ combines romance and suspense, with a touch of Southern charm.
A few years ago a friend recommended this author, and her many series, to me - as she had devoured every book and absolutely loved them, singing the author’s praises from high from the hilltops. So, being an avid reader who loves discovering new authors and enticing reads, I took my friends recommendations seriously, and started amassing Ms. Brooks many books, with the plan to have a huge binge session/buddy read with my friend. But with so many books on my TBR, and new, exciting ones releasing every week, I always seemed to get pulled into other books- as these just kept piling up.
Since part of my yearly reading challenges for the past few years has been to dust off my TBR pile/s and read the books that have been languishing there the longest, I decided to finally dive in and get the series read. While I did ‘enjoy’ the books for the most part- I didn’t fall madly in love with them as my friend promised that I would. But that’s ok, I am really happy that she loves them as much as she does. But for me, they were just an ‘okay’ read.
With plenty of small-town drama, intrigue, angst, chemistry, humour, community, family, friendship, charm, mystery, tension, danger, emotion, and suspense- the stories are about finding love unexpectedly and love conquering all.
The books can all be read as standalones if you wanted, without feeling ‘lost’ or like you are missing big pieces of the picture. This is because each instalment introduces its own ‘couple’- providing plenty of romance, a dash of suspense, and some sweet development to make your heart flutter.
But I have to be honest, I found there were a few issues which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the stories/series. Such as the ‘wordiness’ which really slowed the flow of the storyline at times, as there was such an overwhelming amount of detail which didn’t really ‘add’ to or propel the story in any way, except to perhaps distract from the plot. I love details, normally- but not when there are pages of descriptions, as things tend to ‘bog’ down and the flow/pace/plot gets lost amongst the detritus- and also leads to some ‘wandering’ storylines. There were also many loose ends, for me- threads that were left hanging, or not fully woven into the storyline- which I found a bit frustrating.
I really wanted to love this series as much as my friend did…. but instead, I was left a little disappointed.
Happy reading! 📚💙

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*s Short origin novella about the first Davies couple who met in the 1960's. They are sweet and charming and fall in love after high school. Marcy the h's parents just want her gone so they can dote on her two brothers who are enlisted. She and Jake the H get married the day she turns 18 and he is drafted and ships out the next day. They are apart for 2 long years while she learns to run his farm, cook and helps his mother.
Jake's mom passes away leaving the farm in Marcy's hands meanwhile the whole town (well loved characters we know from other books in the series) help her. She lives with daily fear she will get "the visit" saying he has been killed in Vietnam like many other guys from this small town have been.
Jake is finally sent home after being shot in his last months on duty. They wonder will they be the same people as the young teens that married? This is so sweet and they find their connection as strong as ever.

There is a lovely HEA and epilogue that ties in all the characters (from the series) and lays out the generations of family that sprung forth from their love and marriage.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of Marcy and Jake's life together - the start of it all!

So much has changed in the past 50 years - how if you weren't married by the time you were 21 you were considered an 'old maid'. How the only thing that mattered in a woman's life was supposed to be the husband and the family. How back then, the wife was almost just the maid.

So much has changed since then, and it was so refreshing to see it from Marcy's eyes - the disbelief that that was all she had to look forward to - and Jake proving her wrong!

It is also weird to see the Rose sisters as younger adults. Still have a hard time wrapping my head around that.

Great read! Thanks for the end where through the Christmas dinner, you reiterate the family lineage.

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I LOVE THIS AUTHOR!!

Bluegrass Dawn takes readers back to the late 1960s, adding a nostalgic and emotional depth to the Bluegrass world. Jake Davies and Marcy Faulkner’s love story is beautifully poignant, set against the backdrop of a turbulent time in American history. Their youthful romance is filled with passion and innocence, but the looming draft threatens to rip them apart before their love can truly take root.
Brooks does a fantastic job of weaving historical elements into the story without overwhelming the romance. The themes of love, war, and resilience give the book a weight that makes it stand out. The characters are likable and well-developed, and their struggles feel real and heart-wrenching. The emotional highs and lows are perfectly balanced, making this a moving and satisfying read.

[Victoria Sturlini · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVELY STORY!!!

This is such a lovely story! Thank you Kathleen for giving the fans of the Bluegrass series this gem!!! It was so nice to read about Marcy and Jake and how it all began. It was perfect! Their love story was so romantic and sweet and hearing about all the grandchildren they ended up with was great!!! It is so nice to read this type of series that is not only sexy, romantic, warm and caring but filled with family and friends and a town that supports and loves one another.

[Amanda Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Amanda rating: A
Once again Kathleen didn't disappoint. This book was adorable. I liked knowing where all the different characters originated from... Here and Shadows landing. Marcy is the tie together.
Marcy: Strong, sweet, happy... all around the perfect little girl with horrible parents. She was not loved by her family at all.
Jake: My heart!! He mended my heart right along with hers!!
Super sweet tiny book! I really enjoyed this one too!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Loved reading about how the Jake and Marci met and how there love for one another shone through and onto the next generation, they certainly had a few ups and downs.
I found myself smiling a lot during this book.
Waw love the young sisters in this book even as young women they were feisty and new everything even back then lol.

[LeeAnn Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read! This book takes you back to the beginning to how Marcy and Jake got together. Marcy learned what it meant to be really loved by both Jake and his mother after her parents move to be with one of her brother's wife while he is away at war. From being just the two of them to 6 children and 17 grandchildren and all the love that surrounds them, this book is great!

[Hollie Deroche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, the story of the Davies family and how it all started. I absolutely loved Jake and Marcy’s story. It takes to Keeneston and basically tells the beginning of it all. Even how the famous Rose sisters tea was made. You could even read this book before reading the Bluegrass series. Can’t get enough of this little town and all the characters

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love catching up with characters in this series.

The love that is shown with each character is simply amazing. Threw some scary time they came together to over come. They show how staying by each others side and together can conquer even the worst of times. Please grab this book in the Kensington series your emotions will run wild. You will truly love these reads

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen does a great job of descriptive writing without so much detail that you get bored or start daydreaming. This book is a great work to explain how the Davies started. Well written and worth reading for sure. I would read this after the Bluegrass Series books.

[Jessica Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect!

Love this series!!! And this book is the best of all. So many times you have the kids stories but not the parents!!! Read the whole series it’s worth it! I would love to see this series of books as a tv show.

[Janci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too sugary-sweet for me.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome getting to know Jake and Marcy's story! Longer review to come.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of Kathleen Brooks books.

[Sondra Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts them all with Marcy and Jake...warning these series are addictive.

[Rhonda Bateman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a 'filling in details' sort of book and was very short.

[Jana Delli-Gatti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheers!

I love being able to catch up, in a prequel with all the Keeneston people. And finding out when the betting tree started.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Jake and Marcy

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shauna Stewart Hougham · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the late 1960's in Keeneston, Kentucky and life is uptight for everyone as the Vietnam War is full swing and everyone is volunteering at this stage. There is talk of a lottery to be soon drawn which will be by birth year so it has all the local upper teen boys on edge. Those in their Senior years and right out of High School will be affected. There are already some local boys over there, and some have already come home in coffins.

Jake Davis is in love with Marcy Faulkner and has been since she hit him in the head with a cheese ball, but then his world crashes when his number is drawn. They had dated for over a year so since her folks were going to move away to be closer to her brothers who at camp in NC, it was clear her mother's heart was with the boys and not her. They were leaving at mid term no less before she would even graduate from high school, so they decided to get married and she would live his Mother until graduation and then she wanted to work at the Blossom Cafe and live on her own or rather learn to live on her own. But she would still work the farm along with Helen while Jake was gone. They plan the wedding, her folks leave the very next day as does Jake.

Helen shortly after faces her own crisis as soon dies. So, Marcy gives up her apartment over the cafe, and moves into the homestead and works the farm on her own with the help of Mr. Tabby who gives her a watch PIG. LOL. She is a true farmer. Jake ends up getting a purple heart for his efforts of helping his unit and ends of coming home sooner. They both were uneasy at first since they were only married for 1 day, but they went right into the groove of the time before the wedding and found they were so much in love. Kathleen once and wrote a very moving love story. Jake and March grew older and we watch as their family grew, their grandchildren grew. The Rose sisters were in rare form as usual. Don't want to give away to much, but it does span several decades and all the characters we know and love are there in their youth as well, even the Rose sisters, and we watch them grow older as well. Kathleen hit another Home Run as usual..Bravo!!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where It All Began!

After having read all the Keeneston books, I was so happy to read about Jake and Marcy Davies' romance. Marcy (Faulkner) Davies didn't have a great childhood, what with a mother devoting all her love and attention on her two sons. She had nothing left over for her only daughter. Jake Davies head great parents. They came off age at the start of the Vietnam War. Jake had to go through the lottery and was drafted. During the registration phase, it was revealed that he had a very high IQ and was assigned for a 2 yr. tour advising his commanders on strategy. I imagine this is where his children got their brains! Marcy stayed behind while Jake went off to war; but, she had a lot of love and support from her surrogate mom, Helen--Jake's mom. Helen taught the young Marcy everything she knew from household chores (cooking, baking, etc.) to farm chores (planting, harvesting, etc.) to budgeting. Their time apart was a time for growing and becoming more mature and independent and set the tone for the rest of their lives as they came together and started their own family. This was a beautiful love story. Their children's stories make even more sense now that we have had parents story to reflect on. They had wonderful role models to learn from. I highly recommend all the Bluegrass books!

[SOMDReigel]

This book tells us about how Jake and Marcy Davies first met and married. Find out how everything from the Bluegrass series started including the Rose sisters, the Blossom Café, the B&B, the friendship of the Davies and Ashtons, the dreaded iron gift, John Wolfe, how the betting began, and how and why the Rose Sisters famous Sweet Tea first came to be. I fell more in love with the wonderful town and it’s residents. This novella really showcased how the Keeneston “family” pulls together and supports each other. I thought that the epilogue was just the prefect ending to this book. We get a check in on all our favorite family & friends. The grandchildren, I suspect, are really going to give their parents a run for their money keeping us entertained. I highly recommend this book, as well as this whole series. The series definitely shows how Jake & Marcy’s love has grown stronger and deeper.

This was a beautiful love story.

[Michele A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to read on Veteran's Day. Marcy and Jake began dating in high school and got married just before Jake was deployed to Vietnam. They were apart for many months in the beginning of their marriage while Jake served his country. It was nice to read about all of the support the townspeople gave Marcy and how they all rallied around their men serving. We also got a glimpse into how the Rose sister's were when they were younger, along with how they came up with the recipe for their special tea. We also got a glimpse at Marcy and Jake's first Christmas together and how terribly wrong Jake was at what he picked out as his first Christmas present to Marcy. Even Mr. Wyatt told him he needed a Christmas miracle to overcome that one. Overall very well done and nice glimpse as to how it all started.

[Mayas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Brooks has astounded me with the story of Marcy and Jake. To think Jake lost his family when he life got flipped upside down. Marcy might as well never had any family at all.

I myself was in awe of how the town formed a bond like now other during a time when the world was in devastating shambles. It doesn't amaze me how the Rose sister were just as motherly hen even then. I can't express enough how Kathleen nailed his beginning of the Davies clan and the town of family support but she outdone herself. I found myself in tears at some points but joyous at other.

I can't wait for the more that is to come. She did Vietnam vets proud.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kathleen Brooks takes us into another generation of the Keeneston families. This one was particularly of interest to me in that it was about a young couple who were married when the Vietnam draft was started. Jake Davies had the first number pulled in the draft, and he and Marcie Faulkner married just days before he shipped out to boot camp.

This is Marcie's story--of graduating as a married woman, being left behind and ignored by her own family who moved away and rarely contacted her, of her mother-in-law loving accepting and nurturing her. Marcie grew into a wonderful woman and then she received the visit from the army personnel and the town priest...and her life changed again.

[Lacey Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bluegrass Dawn is a novella (about 88 pages) and is the story of Jake and Marcy. Marcy was always one of my favorite characters in the Bluegrass series, and this novella just proves why. Bluegrass Dawn touches on the relationship, the love, and the struggles Marcy and Jake faced before we knew them in Kathleen's hit series. There were more LOL moments than I could count, and plenty of tears. I don't know why this one made the series seem so final. Finished. I know Kathleen is working on the next generation in 2015 and I can't wait to see where she takes it! Bring on the Bluegrass Kids!