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Walker Family #1
From the Start
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2015
272 people are currently reading
3025 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Tagg
25 books1,664 followersMelissa Tagg is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and Carol Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 408 reviews
February 4, 2016
In general, I can’t say that I am a wholehearted fan of contemporary romance. I tend to stick with a few authors in the genre, the one’s I have confidence in, and that’s about it. While I may eventually branch out, I know for sure that I will never be disappointed with a book by Melissa Tagg. I was so happy to see that From the Start is the beginning of a new series because that means guaranteed new novels coming from Melissa. It seems that she just gets better and better with each book. Her writing is sparkly and fresh in each story. Her characters come to life, the dialogue sparkles and the events of the story are poignant, humorous and uplifting.
The Walker family has really found a place in my heart. After meeting several of them in Three Little Words, the novella prequel to this novel, the story and its characters truly felt like home to me while I was reading. I could tell that Melissa put her heart into these characters; there was such a great ring of truth to everything within the story. They are involved in each other’s lives in a realistic way. Their interactions are nuanced and detailed in ways that made this reader smile.
The small town setting of Maple Valley is so endearing, and embodies the feeling of “home” that I felt throughout the story. Kate and Colton are such believable characters; they felt like friends I had met before. Though both Kate and Colton have that “all-American” feel, they have unique qualities that make them stand out. Kate isn’t perfectly perfect at all times like some characters I was completely charmed by them – their strengths were admirable and their weaknesses made them realistic. Though there is romance in the story, the plot doesn’t revolve around that. Don’t get me wrong though – the romantic element is strong and lovely. There is some serious chemistry going on here and a lot of sweet, sigh-worthy moments – but they have to come full circle as individuals. There are no cure-alls to the issues and challenges they face.
I loved the theme of life not turning out the way you plan, that sometimes it’s best you don’t get too attached to your plans and trust that God has it under control. That’s easier said than done both in life and fiction. After she has hit a standstill in her career as a romance screenplay writer, Kate has grand dreams of working overseas for her mother’s foundation, pinning her worth on achieving that dream. Colton has to shed the spotlight-driven life he has lived as a pro-football player, and realize his worth outside of the sport. Though the journey to these realizations is not easy for them, I appreciated the honesty of their story and the courage that it must have taken Melissa to bring these emotions to the page.
You can bet my heart gave a little leap when I saw that the second book featuring the Walker clan appeared on Goodreads – no cover, no synopsis, but the title alone is enough to keep me going until it releases. I know that it will feel like coming home again when I do get to visit Maple Valley and the Walker's again.
The Walker family has really found a place in my heart. After meeting several of them in Three Little Words, the novella prequel to this novel, the story and its characters truly felt like home to me while I was reading. I could tell that Melissa put her heart into these characters; there was such a great ring of truth to everything within the story. They are involved in each other’s lives in a realistic way. Their interactions are nuanced and detailed in ways that made this reader smile.
The small town setting of Maple Valley is so endearing, and embodies the feeling of “home” that I felt throughout the story. Kate and Colton are such believable characters; they felt like friends I had met before. Though both Kate and Colton have that “all-American” feel, they have unique qualities that make them stand out. Kate isn’t perfectly perfect at all times like some characters I was completely charmed by them – their strengths were admirable and their weaknesses made them realistic. Though there is romance in the story, the plot doesn’t revolve around that. Don’t get me wrong though – the romantic element is strong and lovely. There is some serious chemistry going on here and a lot of sweet, sigh-worthy moments – but they have to come full circle as individuals. There are no cure-alls to the issues and challenges they face.
I loved the theme of life not turning out the way you plan, that sometimes it’s best you don’t get too attached to your plans and trust that God has it under control. That’s easier said than done both in life and fiction. After she has hit a standstill in her career as a romance screenplay writer, Kate has grand dreams of working overseas for her mother’s foundation, pinning her worth on achieving that dream. Colton has to shed the spotlight-driven life he has lived as a pro-football player, and realize his worth outside of the sport. Though the journey to these realizations is not easy for them, I appreciated the honesty of their story and the courage that it must have taken Melissa to bring these emotions to the page.
You can bet my heart gave a little leap when I saw that the second book featuring the Walker clan appeared on Goodreads – no cover, no synopsis, but the title alone is enough to keep me going until it releases. I know that it will feel like coming home again when I do get to visit Maple Valley and the Walker's again.
March 25, 2015
First of all, I just have to say that I LOVE this cover! And the great part is that the story inside the book is every bit as wonderful as the cover.
The two main characters, Kate Walker and Colton Greene, were individuals that I liked immediately and ones that I could cheer for throughout the entire book. Does that mean that I liked every decision they made? No! I found myself frustrated with Colton for a portion of the book and wanted to shake some sense into the man! But, the flaws that characters possess in books are one of the things that make them seem like real people, and the hang ups that Kate and Colton dealt with endeared them to me.
Colton endured unspeakable tragedy in his life before his success with the NFL brought fame and fortune. Yet, he carried the scars from his former life and allowed them to weigh him down. I really appreciated what a complex character Colton was. And not to be outdone, Kate had her own set of insecurities and hurts that impacted the way she viewed success and relationships. I enjoyed the breakthroughs that she made in her personal and professional life in the story.
From the Start is a fun story that has a charming “feel-good” quality while also delving into some deep issues and the impact that the past can have on our present and future. A very enjoyable story and I look forward to returning to Maple Valley in the future!
I received a complimentary copy of From the Start from the author in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
The two main characters, Kate Walker and Colton Greene, were individuals that I liked immediately and ones that I could cheer for throughout the entire book. Does that mean that I liked every decision they made? No! I found myself frustrated with Colton for a portion of the book and wanted to shake some sense into the man! But, the flaws that characters possess in books are one of the things that make them seem like real people, and the hang ups that Kate and Colton dealt with endeared them to me.
Colton endured unspeakable tragedy in his life before his success with the NFL brought fame and fortune. Yet, he carried the scars from his former life and allowed them to weigh him down. I really appreciated what a complex character Colton was. And not to be outdone, Kate had her own set of insecurities and hurts that impacted the way she viewed success and relationships. I enjoyed the breakthroughs that she made in her personal and professional life in the story.
From the Start is a fun story that has a charming “feel-good” quality while also delving into some deep issues and the impact that the past can have on our present and future. A very enjoyable story and I look forward to returning to Maple Valley in the future!
I received a complimentary copy of From the Start from the author in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
April 15, 2015
About this book:
“Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Walker Family” series. {This series can be connected to the “Where Love Begins” series, if you read the novella “Three Little Words”.}
Spiritual Content- Talking to God & Prayers; Talks about God & Him being in our lives; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; A couple Scriptures are mentioned; Mentions of Church going.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘buck up’, a ‘holy cow’, a ‘oh my word’, a form of ‘screw’, a ‘sheesh’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘stinkin’’, a ‘wimpy’, a unfinished ‘what the—‘, two ‘idiot’s, six forms of ‘dumb’, nine ‘shoots’, and 14 ‘stupid’s; Curses are said but not written; Sarcasm; Colton goes to a bar, drinks and wakes up with a hangover (we only see the hangover part, everything else is mentioned); Mentions of fighting; Mentions of drugs; Blood & Bones (barely-above-not-detailed).
*Note: a “busting my butt”, a “butt in”, a “butt out” and two “butt in line”.
Sexual Content- a cheek kiss, a not-detailed kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss and two semi-detailed; Mentions of kisses; Noticing; Touches and Warmth (barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘hot’ in referring to how someone looks; Kate writes romance for a living; Kate accidentally climbs into her bed not knowing the Colton is sleeping in it (mentions of it); Kate’s ex-boyfriend was a married man and 10 years her senior; A young woman is pregnant out of wedlock; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Kate Walker
-Colton Greene
P.O.V. switches between them.
347 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’m so not a football fan so all that stuff was lost on me, but this was a really cute novel! Plus only four kisses—and none of those detailed—is pretty good for a Contemporary/Modern book! I think this was my favorite book by this author and I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series as they come out! (I want Raegan’s story next!)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
“Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Walker Family” series. {This series can be connected to the “Where Love Begins” series, if you read the novella “Three Little Words”.}
Spiritual Content- Talking to God & Prayers; Talks about God & Him being in our lives; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; A couple Scriptures are mentioned; Mentions of Church going.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘buck up’, a ‘holy cow’, a ‘oh my word’, a form of ‘screw’, a ‘sheesh’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘stinkin’’, a ‘wimpy’, a unfinished ‘what the—‘, two ‘idiot’s, six forms of ‘dumb’, nine ‘shoots’, and 14 ‘stupid’s; Curses are said but not written; Sarcasm; Colton goes to a bar, drinks and wakes up with a hangover (we only see the hangover part, everything else is mentioned); Mentions of fighting; Mentions of drugs; Blood & Bones (barely-above-not-detailed).
*Note: a “busting my butt”, a “butt in”, a “butt out” and two “butt in line”.
Sexual Content- a cheek kiss, a not-detailed kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss and two semi-detailed; Mentions of kisses; Noticing; Touches and Warmth (barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘hot’ in referring to how someone looks; Kate writes romance for a living; Kate accidentally climbs into her bed not knowing the Colton is sleeping in it (mentions of it); Kate’s ex-boyfriend was a married man and 10 years her senior; A young woman is pregnant out of wedlock; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Kate Walker
-Colton Greene
P.O.V. switches between them.
347 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’m so not a football fan so all that stuff was lost on me, but this was a really cute novel! Plus only four kisses—and none of those detailed—is pretty good for a Contemporary/Modern book! I think this was my favorite book by this author and I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series as they come out! (I want Raegan’s story next!)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
May 20, 2018
Sweet story about Kate Walker and Colton Greene. Neither is looking for romance and both are searching for what to do with their lives.
I loved how Kate got involved with Megan's life and Colton in Webster's life. That showed how caring they both are about others.
While the cover is incredibly cute, the male model on the cover doesn't at all look like what Colton does in my mind.
I'm glad there are four books in the series. I can already tell it's going to be a good one!
I loved how Kate got involved with Megan's life and Colton in Webster's life. That showed how caring they both are about others.
While the cover is incredibly cute, the male model on the cover doesn't at all look like what Colton does in my mind.
I'm glad there are four books in the series. I can already tell it's going to be a good one!
August 12, 2015
What a great read! I wish Melissa wasn't a "new" author so that I could go get several of her books to read now instead of having to wait for the next one to come out... I love her writing style and her characters. The storyline drew me right in and kept my attention from start to finish, making it very hard for me to put the book down for any reason.
April 25, 2018
After reading and enjoying
, "From the Start" was on my TBR wish-list since 2015, but I never made it a priority, because I thought it would be more a kind of love story which I don't generally enjoy (boy meets girl, they fall in love, there is a misunderstanding, they break up etc.)
This book exceeded my expectations. Yes, there was romance, but not in your face romance, and far more than a love story, was a story of two broken people, who had to find their own path and healing and realise the plan/path God has for them.
Throw in some fun characters, some adventurous events, humor (I loved the part in Chicago at Kate's apartment) and a supportive loving family and you have a winner.
Even the supporting characters were written with depth and the author did a great job of introducing the other Walker family members and other characters which I'm sure we will read more about in future books. This was a great start to a series I'm hoping will top my favourites with the Baxters, the Christianssens and the O'Malleys.
If you enjoyed Karen Kingsbury's Baxter family and Susan May Warren's Christianssen Family, you will enjoy this Walker family series as well.
, "From the Start" was on my TBR wish-list since 2015, but I never made it a priority, because I thought it would be more a kind of love story which I don't generally enjoy (boy meets girl, they fall in love, there is a misunderstanding, they break up etc.)This book exceeded my expectations. Yes, there was romance, but not in your face romance, and far more than a love story, was a story of two broken people, who had to find their own path and healing and realise the plan/path God has for them.
Throw in some fun characters, some adventurous events, humor (I loved the part in Chicago at Kate's apartment) and a supportive loving family and you have a winner.
Even the supporting characters were written with depth and the author did a great job of introducing the other Walker family members and other characters which I'm sure we will read more about in future books. This was a great start to a series I'm hoping will top my favourites with the Baxters, the Christianssens and the O'Malleys.
If you enjoyed Karen Kingsbury's Baxter family and Susan May Warren's Christianssen Family, you will enjoy this Walker family series as well.
December 27, 2015
4.5 stars.
This book is the type that just makes you want to lean back and enjoy. I have a weakness for family stories, and this hits all the right buttons in that respect, making me eager for the stories of the other family members.
I loved the aspect of Kate's writing career. I always love writer-heroes/heroines in books and pleasant, good-humored Kate was no exception. And for all his flaws, Colton doesn't hesitate to get right down and help out others, a quality I always admire in a hero and in real life.
Great pleasure read! Definitely will be looking for a good deal on my own copy.
This book is the type that just makes you want to lean back and enjoy. I have a weakness for family stories, and this hits all the right buttons in that respect, making me eager for the stories of the other family members.
I loved the aspect of Kate's writing career. I always love writer-heroes/heroines in books and pleasant, good-humored Kate was no exception. And for all his flaws, Colton doesn't hesitate to get right down and help out others, a quality I always admire in a hero and in real life.
Great pleasure read! Definitely will be looking for a good deal on my own copy.
April 13, 2015
Kate Walker is a romantic screenplay writer. Yet her scripts are falling flat. When a tornado draws her back to her hometown of Maple Valley, she sees this as a chance to figure out what she needs to do with her life. She wants to do something meaningful. Colton Greene is an NFL quarterback who saw his career end with an injury. Temporarily hiding out in his best friend's hometown of Maple Valley, Colton hopes to avoid the media and be normal. There's one problem. He doesn't know normal. Maple Valley is a small place, so it's only natural that Kate and Colton will see a lot of each other, especially since he is staying at her father's house. As the pair find themselves forming a friendship while working a project together, they soon realize that they both ave new dreams and just possibly a future together.
I don't know how Melissa does it. but each book just keeps getting better. I loved it! While her author's note at the end of the book tells the reader that this was her hardest book to write, I found I appreciated that even more.
The characters are well developed. There is the author's trademark style of humor and classic film/literature throughout the book. I loved the interactions with the Walker Family. I loved the way that the community stood together to make things happen.
The cover itself is also true of Melissa's other books. It's bright and fun and just begs the reader to pick it up. I was delighted to be captivated by the cover and into the book's rich story.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out. Melissa's books have become, for me, a fun way to escape the reality of life.
Fans of romance will love this book.
I received the book for free from the author to help in promoting it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, Debbie Maccomber, contemporary fiction, chick flicks
Rating - 5 stars
I don't know how Melissa does it. but each book just keeps getting better. I loved it! While her author's note at the end of the book tells the reader that this was her hardest book to write, I found I appreciated that even more.
The characters are well developed. There is the author's trademark style of humor and classic film/literature throughout the book. I loved the interactions with the Walker Family. I loved the way that the community stood together to make things happen.
The cover itself is also true of Melissa's other books. It's bright and fun and just begs the reader to pick it up. I was delighted to be captivated by the cover and into the book's rich story.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out. Melissa's books have become, for me, a fun way to escape the reality of life.
Fans of romance will love this book.
I received the book for free from the author to help in promoting it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, Debbie Maccomber, contemporary fiction, chick flicks
Rating - 5 stars
September 8, 2016
I LOVED this book. Where to start... I loved the sweet town that it took place in. Maple Valley made me want to live there except for the natural disasters part of it. But how the town came together and everyone looks out for each other, and the slower pace... So sweet. Then there is the Walker family. A close knit, say the right thing, be there for you family. *Sigh* And as far as the storyline, awesome, I loved how you got a look at what was going on with the main characters thoughts and feelings. So you knew where they were coming from. They both had issues to deal with and l loved how they had to put some of those to bed so that they could heal and move on. And you wanted them to move on, trust me! So the romantic in me wanted it to end a little bit differently but I understand why it didn't end the way I wanted. I think the next book in the series hopefully will have what I want for them lol. At least I am hoping! I have found a new author to enjoy and will be definitely reading more of her!
August 14, 2017
I like Melissa Tagg's books. She isn't one of those authors that has the characters have a passionate kissing session toward the beginning and then have the characters try to decide for the rest of the book if it meant anything. No, she has characters that come to care for each other on a deeper level, adds a good dose of humor, and then they fall in love.
This story was sweet and I so enjoyed it. I am going to read this series straight through! Love the Walkers so much!
This story was sweet and I so enjoyed it. I am going to read this series straight through! Love the Walkers so much!
May 7, 2018
A cute, touching romance, and a fabulous start to the series.
February 15, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
“What was a girl supposed to do after her heart dried up and took her creative spark with it?” Kate Walker wonders if she’ll ever write something meaningful or even find another dose of passion for her career.
Colton Greene’s NFL career ended abruptly due to an on-the-field injury. Now his agent is pushing him to rejuvenate his career by looking at new options.
When Colton and Kate both head to Maple Valley, Iowa to help clean up in the aftermath of a natural disaster, they decide to help each other with their individual problems. But they sure didn’t bargain on a whole new set of issues cropping up! What will they do when they don’t see eye to eye?
From the Start is a delightful romantic comedy with that small-town charm I love reading about. The characters that call Maple Valley HOME are quirky and fun and make me want to spend a lot more time in the fictional town. The depths Melissa Tagg must have gone to in order to create such a rich, multifaceted story truly blows me away. Such courage it must have taken to dig so deep and deliver the sweet tale of two characters who have both lost their way and don’t have a clue how to sort out their dreams from tangled realities.
How long must I wait for Melissa’s next novel? Way too long! I don’t know the exact date of her next release, but I know it will seem like forever. If you haven’t yet discovered her enjoyable rom-coms, I hope you’ll give her a try sometime soon. If you’re anything like me, you’ll swiftly add her to your must-read list.
“What was a girl supposed to do after her heart dried up and took her creative spark with it?” Kate Walker wonders if she’ll ever write something meaningful or even find another dose of passion for her career.
Colton Greene’s NFL career ended abruptly due to an on-the-field injury. Now his agent is pushing him to rejuvenate his career by looking at new options.
When Colton and Kate both head to Maple Valley, Iowa to help clean up in the aftermath of a natural disaster, they decide to help each other with their individual problems. But they sure didn’t bargain on a whole new set of issues cropping up! What will they do when they don’t see eye to eye?
From the Start is a delightful romantic comedy with that small-town charm I love reading about. The characters that call Maple Valley HOME are quirky and fun and make me want to spend a lot more time in the fictional town. The depths Melissa Tagg must have gone to in order to create such a rich, multifaceted story truly blows me away. Such courage it must have taken to dig so deep and deliver the sweet tale of two characters who have both lost their way and don’t have a clue how to sort out their dreams from tangled realities.
How long must I wait for Melissa’s next novel? Way too long! I don’t know the exact date of her next release, but I know it will seem like forever. If you haven’t yet discovered her enjoyable rom-coms, I hope you’ll give her a try sometime soon. If you’re anything like me, you’ll swiftly add her to your must-read list.
July 3, 2021
I ended up skimming most of it. The writing and the characters just didn’t hold my attention. There were some really cute romantic moments between the characters but not enough for me to like the whole book better. Probably won’t keep reading in this series 😕
May 28, 2017
4.60 stars - mild pg13
Another book to absolutely love! Well, naturally! It's by Melissa Tagg. (She's my bff, you know. Well, technically, not bff's quite yet. But I'm sure we could be, rest assured!)
Two things. (Or maybe three? Or four?)
~~ I wish there was a town map in the front of the book, kind of like in Jan Karon's Mitford books. (Maybe there is a map in the actual book?? I was reading the kindle version.)
~~ I just have to say: Oh no, no, no, Melissa T., you didn't!! "...he smelled like ... soap and pinewood and flannel." WHAT does flannel smell like???!!
~~ Why do book heroines always make me feel like such a floundering failure, highlighting what a mess I am?!? These chickadees are always plucky(hah!) and strong-willed; determined, yet feminine. They always have a dream career they've been secretly harboring, and miraculously they get fired or something and bounce back living that dream they never thought could come true. They're always down to their last $20 in the bank and their last tank of gas as they hit the road and try to find their dream. And yet, somehow, just as their clunker car finally sputters to death in the most adorable, quaint, small town, they manage to find the perfect job at a cute, quirky diner/coffee shop/flower shop that just happens to have a free apartment waiting for them above the shop or the garage. And the shop owner is this perfectly wonderful person who showers them with friendship and nuggets of wisdom, and then decides to retire and leave the business to our heroine. Or instead of a kindly shop owner, the heroine has a great Aunt Susie, who dies and leaves her an old house to turn into a B&B, etc. etc. And, of course, the contractor/handyman is a hunky man of God, who just happens to secretly be a humble, gazillionaire from his former life as a stock broker/IT genius, etc. etc. ----- So how do I become one of these heroines???? Do you think if I ditch my house and jump in the car and start driving until I run out of gas, maybe one of these Hallmark moments will happen to me, as well??
~~ Well I just went off on a tangent, didn't I??!! One would think I have nothing better to do with my time!
Another book to absolutely love! Well, naturally! It's by Melissa Tagg. (She's my bff, you know. Well, technically, not bff's quite yet. But I'm sure we could be, rest assured!)
Two things. (Or maybe three? Or four?)
~~ I wish there was a town map in the front of the book, kind of like in Jan Karon's Mitford books. (Maybe there is a map in the actual book?? I was reading the kindle version.)
~~ I just have to say: Oh no, no, no, Melissa T., you didn't!! "...he smelled like ... soap and pinewood and flannel." WHAT does flannel smell like???!!
~~ Why do book heroines always make me feel like such a floundering failure, highlighting what a mess I am?!? These chickadees are always plucky(hah!) and strong-willed; determined, yet feminine. They always have a dream career they've been secretly harboring, and miraculously they get fired or something and bounce back living that dream they never thought could come true. They're always down to their last $20 in the bank and their last tank of gas as they hit the road and try to find their dream. And yet, somehow, just as their clunker car finally sputters to death in the most adorable, quaint, small town, they manage to find the perfect job at a cute, quirky diner/coffee shop/flower shop that just happens to have a free apartment waiting for them above the shop or the garage. And the shop owner is this perfectly wonderful person who showers them with friendship and nuggets of wisdom, and then decides to retire and leave the business to our heroine. Or instead of a kindly shop owner, the heroine has a great Aunt Susie, who dies and leaves her an old house to turn into a B&B, etc. etc. And, of course, the contractor/handyman is a hunky man of God, who just happens to secretly be a humble, gazillionaire from his former life as a stock broker/IT genius, etc. etc. ----- So how do I become one of these heroines???? Do you think if I ditch my house and jump in the car and start driving until I run out of gas, maybe one of these Hallmark moments will happen to me, as well??
~~ Well I just went off on a tangent, didn't I??!! One would think I have nothing better to do with my time!
July 5, 2015
SUMMARY; Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?
REVIEW: I am not a huge fan of contemporary romance novels as they so often lack depth of both character and storyline. But Melissa Tagg definitely will be a contemporary romance author I'll read again. Both Kate and Colton were characters I could identify with who were beset by their past history and current situations. I particularly liked the story line with its twists, turns, and complications. Overall, an inspiring read that kept my attention from start to finish as well as a book that makes me hope there might be a sequel along the way since I especially loved the Walker family.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "There's something God's been teaching me over the past decade or so--this idea of letting go. Not good at it, never have been....More and more I'm seeing the value in stepping back and waiting. Discerning when it's right to hold on and when it's right to loosen up and let go."
"Don't assume saying yes to one dream automatically means saying no to another."
"So if you can believe that--that there's a God who created a world out of nothing--then it's not such a leap to believe He's present in the here and now. And that He can pick up the pieces of your life--even when it feels like a flood-ravaged mess--and turn it into something brand new.
"But I think a lot of times, it's when the stuff we think we want is stripped away, we finally see what we need....It's knowing that you were created by a God who loves you. Finding your purpose in that and that alone."
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?
REVIEW: I am not a huge fan of contemporary romance novels as they so often lack depth of both character and storyline. But Melissa Tagg definitely will be a contemporary romance author I'll read again. Both Kate and Colton were characters I could identify with who were beset by their past history and current situations. I particularly liked the story line with its twists, turns, and complications. Overall, an inspiring read that kept my attention from start to finish as well as a book that makes me hope there might be a sequel along the way since I especially loved the Walker family.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "There's something God's been teaching me over the past decade or so--this idea of letting go. Not good at it, never have been....More and more I'm seeing the value in stepping back and waiting. Discerning when it's right to hold on and when it's right to loosen up and let go."
"Don't assume saying yes to one dream automatically means saying no to another."
"So if you can believe that--that there's a God who created a world out of nothing--then it's not such a leap to believe He's present in the here and now. And that He can pick up the pieces of your life--even when it feels like a flood-ravaged mess--and turn it into something brand new.
"But I think a lot of times, it's when the stuff we think we want is stripped away, we finally see what we need....It's knowing that you were created by a God who loves you. Finding your purpose in that and that alone."
March 18, 2019
After having this book on my mental want to read list for months, I finally picked it up and read it.
I wanted to head over to Maple Valley for a visit before I had finished reading the book which says something about the wonderful setting.
The characters were living and full of interest. Not perfect, but each struggle was real. There was one scene that really felt out of place to me and seemed only added for drama. I didn’t really see any need for it and wish it had been cut out. But the rest of it was fun. I enjoyed the serious moments, the ones that made me chuckle, and the growth of the characters. I did find it a bit odd when scenes were ended abruptly and you only got to find out what happened next as a character looked back at the events. That was a little disappointing to me and pulled me from the story several times.
I enjoyed seeing Seth and Ava again, and am now eager to read more about the rest of the Walker family.
While this is not secular book, there really wasn’t a lot of “Christianity” either. A few mentions of going to church, some prayers, and there might have been a little bit of Bible reading mentioned. It’s not that I think those things need to be on every-other page, but I was hoping for a little stronger message.
Overall, I did enjoy the book and am now looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I wanted to head over to Maple Valley for a visit before I had finished reading the book which says something about the wonderful setting.
The characters were living and full of interest. Not perfect, but each struggle was real. There was one scene that really felt out of place to me and seemed only added for drama. I didn’t really see any need for it and wish it had been cut out. But the rest of it was fun. I enjoyed the serious moments, the ones that made me chuckle, and the growth of the characters. I did find it a bit odd when scenes were ended abruptly and you only got to find out what happened next as a character looked back at the events. That was a little disappointing to me and pulled me from the story several times.
I enjoyed seeing Seth and Ava again, and am now eager to read more about the rest of the Walker family.
While this is not secular book, there really wasn’t a lot of “Christianity” either. A few mentions of going to church, some prayers, and there might have been a little bit of Bible reading mentioned. It’s not that I think those things need to be on every-other page, but I was hoping for a little stronger message.
Overall, I did enjoy the book and am now looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
April 18, 2016
I enjoyed getting to know the family we were introduced to in the free prequel novella to start off the Walker Family series, Three Little Words. The strong family theme in a contemporary setting is one of my favorite trends in a series. The small town community is easy to envision and provides a great secondary cast of characters. Each member of the family plays a role in subtly influencing Colton and Kate while they are temporarily staying in Maple Valley to help in the wake of a natural disaster. The circumstances that they find themselves in and their opportunity to re-imagine their futures are the focus of the novel, and I was disappointed to find that while reading I always felt aloof from the romantic emotions of the characters- it was more observing rather than feeling along with them. The light-hearted nature of the writing might have played a part in that, it made the story fun but didn't delve deeper. Kate and Colton did friendship so well and I loved their banter, but missed the romantic tension and chemistry. Overall this was a pleasant reading experience and I look forward to reading more of the series.
(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
May 9, 2016
*Sighs* From the Start was such a great book! I absolutely loved reading it and getting to know these characters.
I loved the setting -- it was great to get back to this small town, which we got to know a little bit from the novella, Three Little Words.
The romance was sweet, story superb, and writing great. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy contemporary romance.
All in all, I loved From the Start from the start on. ;) I can't wait to read Melissa Tagg's latest book, Like Never Before!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I loved the setting -- it was great to get back to this small town, which we got to know a little bit from the novella, Three Little Words.
The romance was sweet, story superb, and writing great. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy contemporary romance.
All in all, I loved From the Start from the start on. ;) I can't wait to read Melissa Tagg's latest book, Like Never Before!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
March 25, 2015
I adored this story of two people who are both trapped by their past relationships and a future that is uncertain. Kate Walker wants to do something that matters with her life. Colton Greene doesn't know where his life is going. Then they both arrive in Kate's hometown and spend the next weeks working together on bringing the town back to life after a tornado tore through. At the same time they're working on Colton's memoir and finding there's much to like about the other.
This story is about finding love, but more than that it's about taking risks. It's about stepping into an unknown future and really seeking God and His plan for you. The story doesn't suggest that the plan will be crystal clear, but it does show that in the uncertainty, there's the ability to find peace and something that makes your passions sing.
This book is one I will read again. I can't wait for the next book. And if you haven't read Three Little Words yet, be sure to do so. It's the perfect introduction to the town and the Walker family.
This story is about finding love, but more than that it's about taking risks. It's about stepping into an unknown future and really seeking God and His plan for you. The story doesn't suggest that the plan will be crystal clear, but it does show that in the uncertainty, there's the ability to find peace and something that makes your passions sing.
This book is one I will read again. I can't wait for the next book. And if you haven't read Three Little Words yet, be sure to do so. It's the perfect introduction to the town and the Walker family.
September 30, 2016
I usually don't read contemporary romance but I've been following the author on social media and such for awhile and really enjoyed how much she loved her characters. So I bought book 1. And loved it.
Seriously. The characters are all great, and I loved Maple Valley and its close knit community. The romance is killer. I loved the interactions between Kate and Colton. They're seriously adorable. And I loved getting to meet the Walker family. Safe to say that Ms Tagg has sufficiently enticed me to continue the series.
Great messages mixed in but never too heavy with the faith element. I really enjoyed how effortlessly it was mixed in.
Highly recommended. I read this book in one day and then went after the prequel novella. :)
Also, thanks, Ms Tagg, for raising my already ridiculously high expectations for men. :P
Seriously. The characters are all great, and I loved Maple Valley and its close knit community. The romance is killer. I loved the interactions between Kate and Colton. They're seriously adorable. And I loved getting to meet the Walker family. Safe to say that Ms Tagg has sufficiently enticed me to continue the series.
Great messages mixed in but never too heavy with the faith element. I really enjoyed how effortlessly it was mixed in.
Highly recommended. I read this book in one day and then went after the prequel novella. :)
Also, thanks, Ms Tagg, for raising my already ridiculously high expectations for men. :P
December 7, 2018
3.5 stars! Mostly because I love these characters so much.
March 25, 2015
___________________________________________________
*Summary*
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jump-start their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore.
Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?
__________________________________________________
*I loved*
The second I saw this book on goodreads, I knew I had to read it. So naturally, I did what every good reviewer/reader would do. I figured out how to get it ten seconds after reading the description. Luckily for me, I found Melissa's website and found out I could get a paperback reviewer copy right from her. *Happy Dance* I LOVE reviewers that do this!! After talking with Melissa and reading her free Novella, Three Little Words, I knew it'd be a fantastic read and love story and I was not disappointed.
I read this book in one night. ONE. I recommended it to my Church library that I'm on the committee for. I raved about it to my sister. I shared things on facebook. I probably am considered a stalker for From the Start. It was SO worth the loss of sleep and I'll read it again in a heartbeat!
Melissa's writing is some of the best I've ever read. The scenes flow smoothly, perfect grammar, and it just felt natural. I loved the descriptions of the characters but felt that it wasn't overused but in perfect balance with the rest of the story which I love.
I have a flaw. (Many, actually but this is just one) I tend to consistently take the characters from my favorite book and bring them into my "real life". I'm pretty sure I saw Colton at walmart in fact. *swoon* My parents are actually beginning to worry about me. ;) I connected to both Colton and Kate so strongly, especially Kate, not knowing if what you're doing is really worth it, if something better is out there for you, waiting for you.
I understood Colton's frustrations and sympathized with him feeling as though he's lost everything. I've been there. I understand and I think that's what really makes a book besides a "hunky" guy and a sweet romance. I was SO excited to see Chris and Ali made it back into the story!! No, you don't even understand, can't comprehend, how excited I was!! That alone gave Melissa a star!! I love it when we see "old" characters in new books...and know places as well.
Speaking of places,one of the best decisions Melissa made was making it take place in a fictional town. I LOVE Maple Valley. It reminds me of my little town of Appomattox and I love where I love so there's another star. The charm of the town is unmistakable!! Seriously, the town suffers a natural disaster and they hold a parade. What?! I was in love and The Red Door is officially my favorite place on earth. (Pathetic I know!) I really felt like this story was the perfect setting!!
It didn't go too slow or too fast and I NEVER wanted it to end. I loved seeing glimpses of Colton's past life and I truly hurt for him. The ending didn't make me throw the book so that means Melissa has truly succeeded in her writing career! LOL
Throughout the story you can see the change happening within both Colton and Kate. It wasn't like "Oh they have problems" and that's that, end of story. No. Melissa did a fantastic job of not only writing a romantic novel but also writing a redemptive one that makes me beg for more.
Oh. My. Word. Romance? You want Romance? Melissa Tagg!! Colton and Kate's interactions were literally to die for. They were swoon worthy, endearing, amusing, edge of your seat amazing with perfect touches of romance and simple friendship. They helped each other in every way to overcome their personal hurdles and I think that's what made it so perfect!
Melissa isn't pushy with her beliefs but she does allow her faith to shine through her work and make it better. I think that's what every Christian Fiction should look for...true faith that doesn't push but shows that God is standing there waiting with open arms. This is really what gives Melissa that last fifth star that titles this book pretty close to perfect...and I believe God helped her get here!
There is nothing questionable about this book. No foul language, graphic descriptions, or those very unnecessary scenes.
From the start is pure, Romantic Christian Fiction and something I'd recommend to my grandmother or my 12 year old little sister. A feat not all authors are able to accomplish and I greatly admire that.
___________________________________________________
*Not my favorite*
One would think, that a blank space here would be a given after the almost literal novel I wrote in the "I loved" section. :D If you're like me and can't believe there's nothing wrong with this book, head to goodreads. From the Start is LOADED with 5 star reviews!!
__________________________________________________
*My Rating*
I give From the Start...
5 stars!!
____________________________________________________
*My overall thoughts*
From the Start by Melissa Tagg is an amazing Romance story on redemption, love, and God's plan for our life. A five star must read for sure!! Head to Amazon today!!
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts were my own and I was not compensated in any other way.
http://bookreviewsforchristians.blogs...
*Summary*
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jump-start their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore.
Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?
__________________________________________________
*I loved*
The second I saw this book on goodreads, I knew I had to read it. So naturally, I did what every good reviewer/reader would do. I figured out how to get it ten seconds after reading the description. Luckily for me, I found Melissa's website and found out I could get a paperback reviewer copy right from her. *Happy Dance* I LOVE reviewers that do this!! After talking with Melissa and reading her free Novella, Three Little Words, I knew it'd be a fantastic read and love story and I was not disappointed.
I read this book in one night. ONE. I recommended it to my Church library that I'm on the committee for. I raved about it to my sister. I shared things on facebook. I probably am considered a stalker for From the Start. It was SO worth the loss of sleep and I'll read it again in a heartbeat!
Melissa's writing is some of the best I've ever read. The scenes flow smoothly, perfect grammar, and it just felt natural. I loved the descriptions of the characters but felt that it wasn't overused but in perfect balance with the rest of the story which I love.
I have a flaw. (Many, actually but this is just one) I tend to consistently take the characters from my favorite book and bring them into my "real life". I'm pretty sure I saw Colton at walmart in fact. *swoon* My parents are actually beginning to worry about me. ;) I connected to both Colton and Kate so strongly, especially Kate, not knowing if what you're doing is really worth it, if something better is out there for you, waiting for you.
I understood Colton's frustrations and sympathized with him feeling as though he's lost everything. I've been there. I understand and I think that's what really makes a book besides a "hunky" guy and a sweet romance. I was SO excited to see Chris and Ali made it back into the story!! No, you don't even understand, can't comprehend, how excited I was!! That alone gave Melissa a star!! I love it when we see "old" characters in new books...and know places as well.
Speaking of places,one of the best decisions Melissa made was making it take place in a fictional town. I LOVE Maple Valley. It reminds me of my little town of Appomattox and I love where I love so there's another star. The charm of the town is unmistakable!! Seriously, the town suffers a natural disaster and they hold a parade. What?! I was in love and The Red Door is officially my favorite place on earth. (Pathetic I know!) I really felt like this story was the perfect setting!!
It didn't go too slow or too fast and I NEVER wanted it to end. I loved seeing glimpses of Colton's past life and I truly hurt for him. The ending didn't make me throw the book so that means Melissa has truly succeeded in her writing career! LOL
Throughout the story you can see the change happening within both Colton and Kate. It wasn't like "Oh they have problems" and that's that, end of story. No. Melissa did a fantastic job of not only writing a romantic novel but also writing a redemptive one that makes me beg for more.
Oh. My. Word. Romance? You want Romance? Melissa Tagg!! Colton and Kate's interactions were literally to die for. They were swoon worthy, endearing, amusing, edge of your seat amazing with perfect touches of romance and simple friendship. They helped each other in every way to overcome their personal hurdles and I think that's what made it so perfect!
Melissa isn't pushy with her beliefs but she does allow her faith to shine through her work and make it better. I think that's what every Christian Fiction should look for...true faith that doesn't push but shows that God is standing there waiting with open arms. This is really what gives Melissa that last fifth star that titles this book pretty close to perfect...and I believe God helped her get here!
There is nothing questionable about this book. No foul language, graphic descriptions, or those very unnecessary scenes.
From the start is pure, Romantic Christian Fiction and something I'd recommend to my grandmother or my 12 year old little sister. A feat not all authors are able to accomplish and I greatly admire that.
___________________________________________________
*Not my favorite*
One would think, that a blank space here would be a given after the almost literal novel I wrote in the "I loved" section. :D If you're like me and can't believe there's nothing wrong with this book, head to goodreads. From the Start is LOADED with 5 star reviews!!
__________________________________________________
*My Rating*
I give From the Start...
5 stars!!
____________________________________________________
*My overall thoughts*
From the Start by Melissa Tagg is an amazing Romance story on redemption, love, and God's plan for our life. A five star must read for sure!! Head to Amazon today!!
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts were my own and I was not compensated in any other way.
http://bookreviewsforchristians.blogs...
June 12, 2015
From the Start is the second book I've read from this author and it did not disappoint. In fact, it pretty much blew my expectations. I think I literally fell in love with the hero, Colton Green, and ex-star football quarterback. If the heroine, Kate Walker, and author and screen-play writer, didn't do the same over the course of this story, I would have been deeply disappointed. Thank goodness for happily-ever-afters, especially when getting there feels so gratifying after wading through heartbreak, self-discovery, tension, and difficulty.
One of my favorite things about this story, besides the romance and main characters (we'll talk about them soon...) was the Walker family. I felt completely at home with them, comfortable, and connected. I loved how loyal they were in so many ways to each other, but that even though they are one fabulous family that they also aren't perfect. They struggle sometimes and they all react and process things differently. Because of all those differences and imperfections they felt real, like it would be great to just go hang at their house and join in the ribbing and love. To say that I'm anticipating future stories revolving around the members of this family would be a huge understatement. I think I've made my point.
Kate. Well, what can I say? She's so very talented and driven. She's also (or has very much been in the past) naive. She's still figuring things out and she has this dream that can finally, finally be realized. It's what she feels will give her life purpose and meaning and she pretty much is banking on it helping her know who she is. She's also laid-back, loyal, a lot bit of a worrier, and cares deeply for her family. She's also been deeply hurt romantically and that's a huge hurdle. Colton. *sigh* What gives that sigh meaning is that he might have started off pretty full of himself in many ways, but just like Kate he misunderstands himself and has been hiding behind hurt for a long time. He changes over the time he's in the small town of Maple Valley living with the Walker clan. He really finds himself and what he'll do and what's important to him. That's what made me fall for him. Well, and maybe the way he teases, adores, and overall treats Kate and her family, as well as a certain high school boy.
Then there were a few secondary stories... The beginning of the backstory to one of Kate's sisters (can't wait for book two, Like Never Before, coming in April 2016) and then the owner of the coffee shop. Gosh, I loved Megan! That tough shell and how Katie worms (maybe more like forces) her way in. There was also the story of Marcus and his family, particularly his son who struggled with a life-long illness. That really teared me up. These other characters just made me love this story even more! Plus the town and how people came together during two different catastrophes just yanked on my heart.
The story held my attention the whole way through. There were slower, more contemplative and inspiring parts mixed with more tension-filled desperate parts. The end... It was so tough to read what Kate and Colton had to go through. Seriously heartrending, but it was also one of the reasons why the ending was so joyous and sweet.
There are lots of parts I liked. Here are a few:
"You know, Marcus, I think . . . I think it's not wrong to ache or feel hopeless. Your beautiful, amazing son is in a hospital room fighting for his life. What parent wouldn't feel emptied of hope at a time like this?" She tasted the salt of her own tears. "But there are people who are hoping for you, holding you and Hailey up. Let us do that. Let us hope for Breydan's tomorrow and next week and next year. You just focus on him right now. On being his dad who loves him right here in this moment."
(p. 211)
"It's okay to admist what you want. When you do, you might finally get brave enough to go after it."
(p. 224)
"Don't assume saying yes to one dream automatically means saying not to another."
(p. 259)
If you love romance, women's fiction, inspirational fiction, and a story that pulls at your heart and makes you fall in love with its characters, then I'd highly recommend From the Start. It's definitely a story I plan on reading again.
Content: Clean
Source: I would like to express my gratitude to Bethany House for my complimentary copy, which did not affect my review in any way.
One of my favorite things about this story, besides the romance and main characters (we'll talk about them soon...) was the Walker family. I felt completely at home with them, comfortable, and connected. I loved how loyal they were in so many ways to each other, but that even though they are one fabulous family that they also aren't perfect. They struggle sometimes and they all react and process things differently. Because of all those differences and imperfections they felt real, like it would be great to just go hang at their house and join in the ribbing and love. To say that I'm anticipating future stories revolving around the members of this family would be a huge understatement. I think I've made my point.
Kate. Well, what can I say? She's so very talented and driven. She's also (or has very much been in the past) naive. She's still figuring things out and she has this dream that can finally, finally be realized. It's what she feels will give her life purpose and meaning and she pretty much is banking on it helping her know who she is. She's also laid-back, loyal, a lot bit of a worrier, and cares deeply for her family. She's also been deeply hurt romantically and that's a huge hurdle. Colton. *sigh* What gives that sigh meaning is that he might have started off pretty full of himself in many ways, but just like Kate he misunderstands himself and has been hiding behind hurt for a long time. He changes over the time he's in the small town of Maple Valley living with the Walker clan. He really finds himself and what he'll do and what's important to him. That's what made me fall for him. Well, and maybe the way he teases, adores, and overall treats Kate and her family, as well as a certain high school boy.
Then there were a few secondary stories... The beginning of the backstory to one of Kate's sisters (can't wait for book two, Like Never Before, coming in April 2016) and then the owner of the coffee shop. Gosh, I loved Megan! That tough shell and how Katie worms (maybe more like forces) her way in. There was also the story of Marcus and his family, particularly his son who struggled with a life-long illness. That really teared me up. These other characters just made me love this story even more! Plus the town and how people came together during two different catastrophes just yanked on my heart.
The story held my attention the whole way through. There were slower, more contemplative and inspiring parts mixed with more tension-filled desperate parts. The end... It was so tough to read what Kate and Colton had to go through. Seriously heartrending, but it was also one of the reasons why the ending was so joyous and sweet.
There are lots of parts I liked. Here are a few:
"You know, Marcus, I think . . . I think it's not wrong to ache or feel hopeless. Your beautiful, amazing son is in a hospital room fighting for his life. What parent wouldn't feel emptied of hope at a time like this?" She tasted the salt of her own tears. "But there are people who are hoping for you, holding you and Hailey up. Let us do that. Let us hope for Breydan's tomorrow and next week and next year. You just focus on him right now. On being his dad who loves him right here in this moment."
(p. 211)
"It's okay to admist what you want. When you do, you might finally get brave enough to go after it."
(p. 224)
"Don't assume saying yes to one dream automatically means saying not to another."
(p. 259)
If you love romance, women's fiction, inspirational fiction, and a story that pulls at your heart and makes you fall in love with its characters, then I'd highly recommend From the Start. It's definitely a story I plan on reading again.
Content: Clean
Source: I would like to express my gratitude to Bethany House for my complimentary copy, which did not affect my review in any way.
March 26, 2015
From the Start, the first in Melissa Tagg's new series called the Walker Family is a delightful read that I know that fans of her other books will definitely enjoy. This story takes place in small town Maple Valley in Iowa
where former Big time quarterback Colton Greene and struggling romance screenplay writer Kate Walker both wind up to help out after a tornado wrecks havoc on the town. For Kate, it's her home town and she's going home to help family, but for poor Colton it is helping out a college friend's family who he has great respect for and to help him get his mind of his now "very over"( because of a shoulder/knee injury) NFL career. During the course of their time together Colton realizes that Kate would be the perfect person to write his autobiography that his agent was nagging for him to get done and so they are thrown together and a friendship/relationship starts developing between the two.
What is lovely about Melissa Tagg's writing is that within the context of a romance novel, she manages to give you two characters that have their own issues and things they are going through and need to reconcile during the course of the story, sometimes they are things that are processed together, but sometimes they need to deal with their own "stuff" individually before they are able to come together. I like that. It isn't your classic 2 perfect people coming together and poof everything is...perfect. This makes for more multi-dimensional characters and interesting reading. (In fact I found myself looking for every possible opportunity to read this book as it was on my kindle app!)
Colton is a very likable character, especially as you see him transition out of his former" always in the spotlight" persona into a person who truly does find his purpose in life and how his very difficult past comes to play in that. It was definitely a stand up and cheer kind of moment at the end as he truly sees how the bad in his life could be used for good in other's lives. Kate had her own journey to take as well as she tries to live up to everything that her mother had done before her as well as heal her heart from a disastrous previous relationship . However, she learns along the way that God has a different plan for all of us...and it's ok if it looks a little different that what we originally thought.
I will say that it's hard not to fall in love with the little town of Maple Valley as well as all of it's inhabitants. Kate has 3 Walker siblings, so it will be fun to see where Melissa Tagg takes this series as we see other storylines unfold. I think she has set things up very well for future storylines and books. I know that I will definitely be visiting Maple Valley again to see what the Walker Family is up to.
4 stars
I was given a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
where former Big time quarterback Colton Greene and struggling romance screenplay writer Kate Walker both wind up to help out after a tornado wrecks havoc on the town. For Kate, it's her home town and she's going home to help family, but for poor Colton it is helping out a college friend's family who he has great respect for and to help him get his mind of his now "very over"( because of a shoulder/knee injury) NFL career. During the course of their time together Colton realizes that Kate would be the perfect person to write his autobiography that his agent was nagging for him to get done and so they are thrown together and a friendship/relationship starts developing between the two.
What is lovely about Melissa Tagg's writing is that within the context of a romance novel, she manages to give you two characters that have their own issues and things they are going through and need to reconcile during the course of the story, sometimes they are things that are processed together, but sometimes they need to deal with their own "stuff" individually before they are able to come together. I like that. It isn't your classic 2 perfect people coming together and poof everything is...perfect. This makes for more multi-dimensional characters and interesting reading. (In fact I found myself looking for every possible opportunity to read this book as it was on my kindle app!)
Colton is a very likable character, especially as you see him transition out of his former" always in the spotlight" persona into a person who truly does find his purpose in life and how his very difficult past comes to play in that. It was definitely a stand up and cheer kind of moment at the end as he truly sees how the bad in his life could be used for good in other's lives. Kate had her own journey to take as well as she tries to live up to everything that her mother had done before her as well as heal her heart from a disastrous previous relationship . However, she learns along the way that God has a different plan for all of us...and it's ok if it looks a little different that what we originally thought.
I will say that it's hard not to fall in love with the little town of Maple Valley as well as all of it's inhabitants. Kate has 3 Walker siblings, so it will be fun to see where Melissa Tagg takes this series as we see other storylines unfold. I think she has set things up very well for future storylines and books. I know that I will definitely be visiting Maple Valley again to see what the Walker Family is up to.
4 stars
I was given a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 24, 2015
Contemporary doesn’t usually appeal to me for some reason or another, but From the Start by Melissa Tagg was a very pleasant exception!
Following the lives of a thirty-year-old woman writing romance scripts for Hallmark but closed off to experiencing love herself, and an injured football player all out of options, this story takes us on an interesting and delightful ride. Colton and Kate both end up in a small, charming town of Iowa; temporarily…or so they think. But God has big plans in store. If only the two will open their eyes and take a leap of faith.
As I said before, modern romance stories…I most often leave them behind with a meh feeling. From the Start began engagingly and I enjoyed it for the most part. There was things about football, which I have a hard time getting into, and the like. I was liking this book…but yeah, not much more. However, as the story progressed, I just fell into it. There were intriguing characters, humorous happenings, traumatic times, and a gentle love story coming into bloom.
On that note, I really appreciated how this romance went! No heated scenes. Not so much focused on physical and whatnot. It was fresh. Beautiful. So fun and touching to watch come together! I really, really enjoyed it! Oh, and LOVE the nickname of Rosie!! :-)
There was a fair amount of action too. A sweet little boy with cancer; son of Kate’s friends. Tornados and floods. Accidents and traumatic flashbacks. Injuries and flawed relationships. A peak into the foster care system. I was just drawn into these peoples’ lives and intrigued with all that was going on. Concerned. Sorrowed. Hopeful. Elated.
From the Start had a meaningful message. It didn’t feel like some fluffy contemporary romance that focused on self and such. It told a beautiful story of broken people drawing closer to God and finding His will for their lives. Of healing from past emotional pain. Of seeing the needs around you and reaching out to meet them. It displayed a great love story. Not perfect; but amazing all the same! :-)
So really wonderful read!! I don’t believe I have any complaints… Yes, fantasy or historical would be my first choice; but From the Start by Melissa Tagg was definitely a contemporary that I loved! Looking forward to reading more about the Walker family! :-)
I received a copy of From the Start from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Following the lives of a thirty-year-old woman writing romance scripts for Hallmark but closed off to experiencing love herself, and an injured football player all out of options, this story takes us on an interesting and delightful ride. Colton and Kate both end up in a small, charming town of Iowa; temporarily…or so they think. But God has big plans in store. If only the two will open their eyes and take a leap of faith.
As I said before, modern romance stories…I most often leave them behind with a meh feeling. From the Start began engagingly and I enjoyed it for the most part. There was things about football, which I have a hard time getting into, and the like. I was liking this book…but yeah, not much more. However, as the story progressed, I just fell into it. There were intriguing characters, humorous happenings, traumatic times, and a gentle love story coming into bloom.
On that note, I really appreciated how this romance went! No heated scenes. Not so much focused on physical and whatnot. It was fresh. Beautiful. So fun and touching to watch come together! I really, really enjoyed it! Oh, and LOVE the nickname of Rosie!! :-)
There was a fair amount of action too. A sweet little boy with cancer; son of Kate’s friends. Tornados and floods. Accidents and traumatic flashbacks. Injuries and flawed relationships. A peak into the foster care system. I was just drawn into these peoples’ lives and intrigued with all that was going on. Concerned. Sorrowed. Hopeful. Elated.
From the Start had a meaningful message. It didn’t feel like some fluffy contemporary romance that focused on self and such. It told a beautiful story of broken people drawing closer to God and finding His will for their lives. Of healing from past emotional pain. Of seeing the needs around you and reaching out to meet them. It displayed a great love story. Not perfect; but amazing all the same! :-)
So really wonderful read!! I don’t believe I have any complaints… Yes, fantasy or historical would be my first choice; but From the Start by Melissa Tagg was definitely a contemporary that I loved! Looking forward to reading more about the Walker family! :-)
I received a copy of From the Start from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
April 23, 2015
WOW!! That is one word to describe my reaction to how good this book was.
I had never read anything by Ms. Melissa Tagg before this one. One of my good friends had been telling me that she was a very good author and that I should try out one of her books but since I'm not normally a large fan of contemporary fiction I choose to wait until some other time to try one out. Then upon seeing the description of "From The Start" I knew that I just had to read it. Let's just say that Ms. Tagg is now one of my new favorite authors!!
My point in telling everyone this is that you will know even if you aren't a huge fan of modern you REALLY need to read this book!! One thing I loved that was different from anything I had ever read was a former NFL football player as a hero, you didn't have to know anything about football to understand the book but since I am a football fanatic I probably loved
it even more because of that. Then the heroine being a writer, well it was one of the best combo of characters that I think I've ever read. Then there was the humor, at quite a few key parts I would bust out laughing
because it was so very amusing. Then it had it's serious parts too. I really appreciated the perfect balance the author brought to this book. Every character was extremely lovable and I didn't want the book to end. I also loved how the faith of each one in God was gently woven throughout the story. It was beautiful really. This book kept me up until all hours of the night, I found myself continuing to read at eleven and looking up only to discover that it's now two thirty in the morning. I just can't really say enough go about this book, it was just so great in my opinion. I really enjoyed this book from the start (no pun intended) and have no complaints! All in all I give this book five stars! I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who enjoys a wonderful,entertaining story. I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review, which I have given.
I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are mine.
I had never read anything by Ms. Melissa Tagg before this one. One of my good friends had been telling me that she was a very good author and that I should try out one of her books but since I'm not normally a large fan of contemporary fiction I choose to wait until some other time to try one out. Then upon seeing the description of "From The Start" I knew that I just had to read it. Let's just say that Ms. Tagg is now one of my new favorite authors!!
My point in telling everyone this is that you will know even if you aren't a huge fan of modern you REALLY need to read this book!! One thing I loved that was different from anything I had ever read was a former NFL football player as a hero, you didn't have to know anything about football to understand the book but since I am a football fanatic I probably loved
it even more because of that. Then the heroine being a writer, well it was one of the best combo of characters that I think I've ever read. Then there was the humor, at quite a few key parts I would bust out laughing
because it was so very amusing. Then it had it's serious parts too. I really appreciated the perfect balance the author brought to this book. Every character was extremely lovable and I didn't want the book to end. I also loved how the faith of each one in God was gently woven throughout the story. It was beautiful really. This book kept me up until all hours of the night, I found myself continuing to read at eleven and looking up only to discover that it's now two thirty in the morning. I just can't really say enough go about this book, it was just so great in my opinion. I really enjoyed this book from the start (no pun intended) and have no complaints! All in all I give this book five stars! I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who enjoys a wonderful,entertaining story. I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review, which I have given.
I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are mine.
April 7, 2015
From the Start by Melissa Tagg is an absolutely delightful Contemporary Fiction novel. It is both heartwarming and laugh out loud hilarious. I already adore the entire Walker family from small town Iowa. In this first book of the series, we are introduced to the entire Walker clan, but the focus is on Kate Walker and former NFL star, Colton Greene. The dialog throughout the book between these two characters is insanely witty and I loved it.
Kate Walker is the author of a mediocre novel and some successful screen plays. She resides in Chicago but heads back to Maple Valley, IA after a tornado rips through her hometown community and injures her father. She also needs to regroup and make decisions regarding her stagnant career. Colton Greene is Logan Walker’s (Kate’s brother) best friend and he makes the spontaneous decision to go home with Logan to Maple Valley, IA from CA for a few days in order to get his mind off of his recent NFL career ending injury.
From the Start accentuates the wonderful benefits of small town America. The small town community of Maple Valley works together to rebuild after the tornado and faces other catastrophes as a team. The story is fun and captivating. I read the entire novel in a couple of evenings. I highly recommend this book and it easily earns 5 stars from me. I can hardly wait to find out which Walker’s story will be next.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
Kate Walker is the author of a mediocre novel and some successful screen plays. She resides in Chicago but heads back to Maple Valley, IA after a tornado rips through her hometown community and injures her father. She also needs to regroup and make decisions regarding her stagnant career. Colton Greene is Logan Walker’s (Kate’s brother) best friend and he makes the spontaneous decision to go home with Logan to Maple Valley, IA from CA for a few days in order to get his mind off of his recent NFL career ending injury.
From the Start accentuates the wonderful benefits of small town America. The small town community of Maple Valley works together to rebuild after the tornado and faces other catastrophes as a team. The story is fun and captivating. I read the entire novel in a couple of evenings. I highly recommend this book and it easily earns 5 stars from me. I can hardly wait to find out which Walker’s story will be next.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
May 3, 2016
This was such an inspiring story. I absolutely loved it from start to finish. Being back in Maple Valley was refreshing. I loved catching up with Ava and Seth (if you haven't read Three Little Words, you need to. It's FREE!) and the rest of the Walker clan. The love and support of the community and their sense of togetherness reminded me a lot of my community. This story pulled me in "from the start" (pun intended) and didn't let me go until the end.This was a sweet story about a guy and girl learning to trust in themselves and the Lord for their futures. Read my full review: http://faithlovebooks.blogspot.com/20...
March 19, 2017
Grabbed this for a quick, going-out-of-town trip, and what a heartwarming read! Sweet characters, quaint setting, and a hint of mystery made for pleasant reading. Will definitely read more by this author!
June 11, 2015
Melissa killed it...again! Full review to come!
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