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Journey's End #0.5
A Journey's End
Deep in upstate New York, in the heart of the Hudson River Valley, lies a small town where five brothers, all world-weary and battered by life, are about to find the loves of their lives … at Journey’s End.
Widower James Harper is a loner who spends his time running his outdoor gear shop and avoiding emotional entanglements of any kind. Until the day beautiful Miranda Lowe moves to Journey’s End, opens the coffee house down the street, and knocks his safe world right off its axis. Sexy, smart, warm and funny, Miranda is the answer to prayers James didn’t know he had, which is exactly why she terrifies him so much.
Now, on a stormy New Year’s Eve, James will find himself snowbound in front of a crackling fire with the intriguing woman he’s tried to avoid — the only person who can help him overcome his fear and unlock the secrets of his heart.
Journey’s End Series:
Book 1: A Journey’s End (Novella)
Book 2: Let’s Do It
Book 3: On Fire
Widower James Harper is a loner who spends his time running his outdoor gear shop and avoiding emotional entanglements of any kind. Until the day beautiful Miranda Lowe moves to Journey’s End, opens the coffee house down the street, and knocks his safe world right off its axis. Sexy, smart, warm and funny, Miranda is the answer to prayers James didn’t know he had, which is exactly why she terrifies him so much.
Now, on a stormy New Year’s Eve, James will find himself snowbound in front of a crackling fire with the intriguing woman he’s tried to avoid — the only person who can help him overcome his fear and unlock the secrets of his heart.
Journey’s End Series:
Book 1: A Journey’s End (Novella)
Book 2: Let’s Do It
Book 3: On Fire
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2014
493 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Ann Christopher
61 books248 followersA recovering lawyer, Ann Christopher has been published since 2006 and writes steamy contemporary romance.
When she’s not writing, Ann likes to do the following, in no particular order: read; cook; eat; hang out at Target looking for new stuff she doesn’t need; play with her 2 rescue dogs
and 2 rescue cats; and travel the world with her family. She lives in Ohio.
If you’d like to recommend a great new TV show or share a recipe for homemade cake of any kind, Ann would love to hear from you!
Stay in touch with Ann!
AnnChristopher.com
ann@annchristopher.co
When she’s not writing, Ann likes to do the following, in no particular order: read; cook; eat; hang out at Target looking for new stuff she doesn’t need; play with her 2 rescue dogs
and 2 rescue cats; and travel the world with her family. She lives in Ohio.
If you’d like to recommend a great new TV show or share a recipe for homemade cake of any kind, Ann would love to hear from you!
Stay in touch with Ann!
AnnChristopher.com
ann@annchristopher.co
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
August 11, 2019
What a sweet and funny at times second chance story!
I enjoyed reading about James and Miranda's push/pull story and James' dog, Frank (Sinatra) was a joy and at times smarter than the humans!
Looking forward to reading all the brothers story in the Journey's End series.
4.5 syrupy sweet second chance stars!
January 30, 2016
Sweet and satisfying! Perfect length, no overly drawn out angst. When the story begins Miranda and James already have history. I usually like build-up but sometimes straight to the punch is good too. She’s a divorcee with twins, he’s a widower and both have baggage. Christopher seamlessly drops in bits of the past with the present so it works.
It’s a small town story that drops in hints to future installments. James has 4 other brothers and they will come to wive it as well in Journey’s End, make no mistake. Miranda’s best friend tenses up at the sound of James’ brother name and the reader learns that they too have history. I will definitely be reading and hoping that the trajectory of the romance isn’t a mirror image of this one even though I quite liked it.
Favorite character? Frank! I usually don’t like pets in my romance, or in my RL now that I think about it, but Frank is my dream dog. Just the best.
Frank, tags jingling, started to trot over to say hello to Zoya, but froze when James frowned down at him.
“Did you wipe your paws, man? Go wipe your paws.” He snapped his fingers and pointed to the mat just inside the door. “Go.”
Frank, muttering, dropped his head, went back to the mat, and wiped his four paws.
or
"She's still here." James pointed to the coffeehouse.
Frank, following the path of James' finger, whined.
"Look." James smacked the hood of Miranda's car..."Can you believe this?"
Frank barked, a clear I can't believe it either.
Cute. Things got weird when he watched James and Miranda have sex, though. But dude. When James finally lets go it was this perfect blend of GIMME and tender lovin’, yep yep I’ll have what she’s having, I'll be in my bunk, etc.
So yeah, loved it, dipping into Christopher's entire backlist byeeeeee
P.S. Dislike: Blushing has always irritated me in romance because it’s used far too often and is a lazy shortcut but my eyes damn near roll out of my head when brown skinned people do it constantly.
P.P.S Things that I linger on: Miranda takes a shower at James' house and she wets her hair and all I could think about was if James had some curly girl products stashed in his bathroom...
It’s a small town story that drops in hints to future installments. James has 4 other brothers and they will come to wive it as well in Journey’s End, make no mistake. Miranda’s best friend tenses up at the sound of James’ brother name and the reader learns that they too have history. I will definitely be reading and hoping that the trajectory of the romance isn’t a mirror image of this one even though I quite liked it.
Favorite character? Frank! I usually don’t like pets in my romance, or in my RL now that I think about it, but Frank is my dream dog. Just the best.
Frank, tags jingling, started to trot over to say hello to Zoya, but froze when James frowned down at him.
“Did you wipe your paws, man? Go wipe your paws.” He snapped his fingers and pointed to the mat just inside the door. “Go.”
Frank, muttering, dropped his head, went back to the mat, and wiped his four paws.
or
"She's still here." James pointed to the coffeehouse.
Frank, following the path of James' finger, whined.
"Look." James smacked the hood of Miranda's car..."Can you believe this?"
Frank barked, a clear I can't believe it either.
Cute. Things got weird when he watched James and Miranda have sex, though. But dude. When James finally lets go it was this perfect blend of GIMME and tender lovin’, yep yep I’ll have what she’s having, I'll be in my bunk, etc.
So yeah, loved it, dipping into Christopher's entire backlist byeeeeee
P.S. Dislike: Blushing has always irritated me in romance because it’s used far too often and is a lazy shortcut but my eyes damn near roll out of my head when brown skinned people do it constantly.
P.P.S Things that I linger on: Miranda takes a shower at James' house and she wets her hair and all I could think about was if James had some curly girl products stashed in his bathroom...
December 24, 2016
Fear stops here.
Miranda owns a coffee shop. James has a sports and outdoor gear store. James Mom introduced them. They have eyed for each other. James former wife was killed in a car crash. James has an unreasonable fear if he falls in love something bad will happen to his next love.
Miranda owns a coffee shop. James has a sports and outdoor gear store. James Mom introduced them. They have eyed for each other. James former wife was killed in a car crash. James has an unreasonable fear if he falls in love something bad will happen to his next love.
July 3, 2018
Short, but enjoyable.🔥🔥🔥🔥
Want to read
July 27, 2019Free on amazon 27th July 2019
December 30, 2018
After waiting excitedly for this book to come out, I'm really sad to say that it was just okay. I just couldn't connect to these characters or the story, and found myself skipping ahead several times. I think the disconnect for me was that we learned about how the characters met and fell in love mostly through flashbacks, so it didn't feel like we were experiencing the emotions with them - we were just kind of looking back on what happened. Also, we also didn't get any idea of what the characters looked like until we were well into the book; and the descriptions were pretty generic, at best (he had brown hair, brown eyes; she had a big, butt and long wavy hair). This author typically writes about African Americans, but we were never given any idea about the races of tany characters, which I found a little off-putting. The tags listed for the book (Look for Similar Items in Other Categories) didn't even include any reference to this being an African American romance. I'm a little (okay, a lot) disappointed in this, as I've always loved that Ann Christopher has always created smart, strong, African American men who meet these smart, strong, African American women and then lose their natural minds. If she's going in a different direction, I'd love to know.
I usually get this author's books as soon as they hit Amazon, but for the first time ever, I'm going to wait to read the reviews on the rest of the series before I buy. Ann Christopher (the real one, that is), wherever you've been hiding, please come back! I miss you!
I usually get this author's books as soon as they hit Amazon, but for the first time ever, I'm going to wait to read the reviews on the rest of the series before I buy. Ann Christopher (the real one, that is), wherever you've been hiding, please come back! I miss you!
March 9, 2021
Oh Wow, I love, truly love this story...I cried, laugh, smile, wanted to hug someone, (and alot of other happy emotions)....
I found this novella, so sweet and relatable. It was easy to read and it had such a nice flow of creative and highly develop characters, even Frank, the lovable dog, he was a charmer, practically a human!
I honestly was able to full comprended both point of view of the main characters, Miranda Lowes and James Harper. She is newly divorce Mom, and starting a new business, The Java Nector, a coffee house. She was raising two very energetic identical twin boys, Noah and Jonah. James on the other hand, was having a difficult time coping with the death of his wife, Joy, who died in a tragic car accident! He couldn't even take off his wedding ring. Frank was his only companion.
Eventually, when Miranda was stuck in a horrific snow storm, on her way home from work, she almost died. James and Frank found her and took care of her. They instantly connected. I highly recommend this book and will, happily, continue to read other books by Ms. Ann Christopher. Thank you.😍
I found this novella, so sweet and relatable. It was easy to read and it had such a nice flow of creative and highly develop characters, even Frank, the lovable dog, he was a charmer, practically a human!
I honestly was able to full comprended both point of view of the main characters, Miranda Lowes and James Harper. She is newly divorce Mom, and starting a new business, The Java Nector, a coffee house. She was raising two very energetic identical twin boys, Noah and Jonah. James on the other hand, was having a difficult time coping with the death of his wife, Joy, who died in a tragic car accident! He couldn't even take off his wedding ring. Frank was his only companion.
Eventually, when Miranda was stuck in a horrific snow storm, on her way home from work, she almost died. James and Frank found her and took care of her. They instantly connected. I highly recommend this book and will, happily, continue to read other books by Ms. Ann Christopher. Thank you.😍
January 17, 2016
Ann Christopher is probably the first writer I read on Kindle--years ago. So she always holds a special place in my heart. Since that first read (Trouble, I think it was) I've kept up with her stories. The problem is so many other writers have emerged with more topical stories, dynamic characters, and sexier heat levels, that Ann's books end up taking a backseat on my Kindle. At one point, her books ran toe to toe with these other ones.
But now, like this one, her books a short and sweet. A nice read while you're hanging out at a cabin in the winter.
Now I want to go to a cabin.
But now, like this one, her books a short and sweet. A nice read while you're hanging out at a cabin in the winter.
Now I want to go to a cabin.
November 30, 2016
Good story
It's a good story for my first time reading anything from this author. I would most likely read another book.
It's a good story for my first time reading anything from this author. I would most likely read another book.
December 27, 2018
What an appropriate title!
Although the name of the town for this tome` is Journey's End it also fits perfectly the story of James and Miranda our hero and heroine and how they found their way into each other's hearts. Add two rambunctious twin boys to the divorced Miranda, the matchmaking of her future mother-in-law and as a grieving widower James too bottled up in grief to allow himself to love the woman he wants and you have the makings of a very enjoyable read. I love how Miranda pushed the envelope with James forcing him to come to terms with his feelings for her and her sons. I enjoyed their story and look forward to reading the other stories of how couples found love in this small tight knit community. Thank you Ms Christopher for an absolutely great Novella.
Although the name of the town for this tome` is Journey's End it also fits perfectly the story of James and Miranda our hero and heroine and how they found their way into each other's hearts. Add two rambunctious twin boys to the divorced Miranda, the matchmaking of her future mother-in-law and as a grieving widower James too bottled up in grief to allow himself to love the woman he wants and you have the makings of a very enjoyable read. I love how Miranda pushed the envelope with James forcing him to come to terms with his feelings for her and her sons. I enjoyed their story and look forward to reading the other stories of how couples found love in this small tight knit community. Thank you Ms Christopher for an absolutely great Novella.
August 7, 2020
Demand Your Happiness
Can I just say how refreshing it was to meet Miranda, a heroine who knew her worth and did not hide her feelings but was honest and open enough to cut through all the BS and say love me or let me go. I mean there was the dancing around the subject for a minute when she would not accept the ride home from James, but she was open from the beginning right at their meet cute to give him a chance. Not everyone is that ooen to trying love again after surviving infidelity in their previous relationship but Miranda was a strong character and I absolutely loved this story. Yoy can honor your past and still have a bright future. Anyone who loved yoy and whose memory you honor would want thst for you.
Can I just say how refreshing it was to meet Miranda, a heroine who knew her worth and did not hide her feelings but was honest and open enough to cut through all the BS and say love me or let me go. I mean there was the dancing around the subject for a minute when she would not accept the ride home from James, but she was open from the beginning right at their meet cute to give him a chance. Not everyone is that ooen to trying love again after surviving infidelity in their previous relationship but Miranda was a strong character and I absolutely loved this story. Yoy can honor your past and still have a bright future. Anyone who loved yoy and whose memory you honor would want thst for you.
February 6, 2019
The characters were underdeveloped. I didn't care about any of them.
POSSIBLE SPOILER !!
At the end of the story I found it annoying when either of the main characters were talking about their baby they kept saying "the baby". They would say the boys and the baby. The baby doesn't have a gender nor a name ? The boys were in the whole story so you knew their names Jonah and Noah. I also didn't like the introduction of new characters in the epilogue to set up for more books the series. It would've been different if they were in the story, but they were only mentioned in conversation. Overall it was an okay read.
POSSIBLE SPOILER !!
At the end of the story I found it annoying when either of the main characters were talking about their baby they kept saying "the baby". They would say the boys and the baby. The baby doesn't have a gender nor a name ? The boys were in the whole story so you knew their names Jonah and Noah. I also didn't like the introduction of new characters in the epilogue to set up for more books the series. It would've been different if they were in the story, but they were only mentioned in conversation. Overall it was an okay read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
I'm hooked again!
This writer throws a crumb and has me reaching for the whole loaf like it is homemade garlic wheat bread. Just as I was enticed by the compelling story and themes of , "Tender Secrets" of (The Warner Family).
I'm anticipating another lazy weekend Saturday or Sunday reading, "Let's Do It" but, I think "Let's Stay Together" will be first.
The author brings her characters to life. I was pleasantly surprised when "Miranda" poured her heart to James then gave him an ultimatum. I thought that I was going to have to prepare a spaghetti to go with that garlic bread.🤔
This writer throws a crumb and has me reaching for the whole loaf like it is homemade garlic wheat bread. Just as I was enticed by the compelling story and themes of , "Tender Secrets" of (The Warner Family).
I'm anticipating another lazy weekend Saturday or Sunday reading, "Let's Do It" but, I think "Let's Stay Together" will be first.
The author brings her characters to life. I was pleasantly surprised when "Miranda" poured her heart to James then gave him an ultimatum. I thought that I was going to have to prepare a spaghetti to go with that garlic bread.🤔
April 15, 2022
I liked the start of the book, there was potential here but them falling in love seemed to happen really fast. Even though it was mentioned that they had known each other for a while, there wasn’t enough backstory; the transition from figuring out their relationship to love declarations felt sudden.
I also wish authors found a way to handle the dead spouse story line without the new love interest feeling like a second choice/second best. It felt like James wasn’t fully over Joy and was pushed into starting a relationship with Miranda because she confronted him. I would’ve preferred if he came to that decision on his own much earlier.
I also wish authors found a way to handle the dead spouse story line without the new love interest feeling like a second choice/second best. It felt like James wasn’t fully over Joy and was pushed into starting a relationship with Miranda because she confronted him. I would’ve preferred if he came to that decision on his own much earlier.
June 13, 2019
Good short story
Really enjoyed this story of two mature adults, no jumping in bed in the first chapter. James had lost his wife in an accident, Miranda's husband left her for a younger woman. After knowing each other for over a year or more Miranda decided to give James an ultimatum step up to the plate or let her go. They had deep feelings for each other, James in his own way loved Miranda and her twin boys but couldn't seem to pull himself out of the pit of losing his wife. Wonderful love story.
Really enjoyed this story of two mature adults, no jumping in bed in the first chapter. James had lost his wife in an accident, Miranda's husband left her for a younger woman. After knowing each other for over a year or more Miranda decided to give James an ultimatum step up to the plate or let her go. They had deep feelings for each other, James in his own way loved Miranda and her twin boys but couldn't seem to pull himself out of the pit of losing his wife. Wonderful love story.
September 20, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Suspenseful, realistic from the heart. Sometimes we know love when we see love. However baggage, grief, past loves May get in the way. James Harper lonely widower sets his path ( collision) on Single parent Miranda Lowe who works next door in this small towns coffee shop. They were quietly chasing each other into love. Great romance. Miranda doesn’t take heed into Upstate New York weather an gets stranded an sidelined into a wicked snow storm. Near death experience binds them together. Storyline was too short for me but enjoyed the read.
December 15, 2023
Miranda and James. I liked the jump right in approach of this story, I think the sad history for James was done well but I wasn't convinced by the I'm in love with you even though we've spoken one sentence a day for years and been on one date. But it's a novella so I'll get over it. Frank, the dog, was my favourite character by far and the cause of all my LOLs, albeit he's also the hero too.
It's a good scene setter for what's to come in the series and I liked it.
It's a good scene setter for what's to come in the series and I liked it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2017
Awwwww...😒
Another saccharine sweet bit that I swear can send you to the Dentist.😁
But I loved it regardless. Mirandas' honesty and courage was just what James needed to find his way back to the land of the living. Throw in some precocious twins and Super-mutt and well you're in "The Sugar Bowl"! Enjoy!!😆
Another saccharine sweet bit that I swear can send you to the Dentist.😁
But I loved it regardless. Mirandas' honesty and courage was just what James needed to find his way back to the land of the living. Throw in some precocious twins and Super-mutt and well you're in "The Sugar Bowl"! Enjoy!!😆
June 22, 2018
Wonderfully romantic
Hurt divorced woman with twin boys who meets a widowed man who is afraid to trust in love in fear he will lose another person and he couldn't deal with the pain. Their love is so magnetic and thrilling.
A quick read that is so enjoyable and leaves you wanting more.
Hurt divorced woman with twin boys who meets a widowed man who is afraid to trust in love in fear he will lose another person and he couldn't deal with the pain. Their love is so magnetic and thrilling.
A quick read that is so enjoyable and leaves you wanting more.
November 22, 2018
The story started off with lots of promise, but it never really delivered. Being intimately familiar with hypothermia and frostbite, I found that part of the story very unbelievable. I thought the characters needed more work and the passion level never really got hot enough to start a fire. If it had been any longer, I might not have finished it.
December 25, 2018
Enjoyed A Journey's End.
Didn't know if James and Miranda were going to make it.
Miranda was a true romantic and never gave up on James.
James was battling some demons of his own glad to know that Miranda stepped up gave James a ultimatum and going out and chopping fire wood which according to Miranda was not needed James finally made the right choice.
Didn't know if James and Miranda were going to make it.
Miranda was a true romantic and never gave up on James.
James was battling some demons of his own glad to know that Miranda stepped up gave James a ultimatum and going out and chopping fire wood which according to Miranda was not needed James finally made the right choice.
April 7, 2019
This was another freebie on Amazon. A sweet little novella about a James, widower, and Miranda, a divorced single mom. They went on one date before James said he wasn’t ready to move on after his wife’s death but they clearly have feelings for each other. This has the snowed in trope (he rescues her when she gets stranded).
March 30, 2024
This fast-moving story revealed Miranda's frustration with widower, James Harper. After their first date and without an explanation, James has reverted to his cool, aloof behavior whenever he's around her. It takes a major weather event to bring them together for a second chance. Find out if they take it. Good Read!!!!
June 1, 2024
2.5 stars. James's about-face happened too quickly. If he was that hung up about the past, one interlude outside wouldn't completely change his mind. And then their relationship progressed too quickly from that point. If the pacing of the book was more even, this could have been a 4-star read. I did enjoy the rest of it.
August 13, 2017
Heart-wrenching gut spilling by the heroine made this very emotional. The sense of insta-love didn't really fly and could have been more credible with a bit more backstory. However, a sweet, quick read. Looking forward to reading the series.
October 22, 2017
James and Miranda
Second Chances at love. After a near death experience, what propels James into action to overcome his fear of loss was exactly what Miranda brought forth. This story is sweet and innocence. It tugs at your heart at second chances.
Second Chances at love. After a near death experience, what propels James into action to overcome his fear of loss was exactly what Miranda brought forth. This story is sweet and innocence. It tugs at your heart at second chances.
February 25, 2018
Sweet story.
Such a sweet story. There was actually a plot and reasoning behind the characters getting together before the smexy times. Refreshing. No editing issues. I liked the kids.
Such a sweet story. There was actually a plot and reasoning behind the characters getting together before the smexy times. Refreshing. No editing issues. I liked the kids.
February 26, 2018
Surprised how much ii enjoyed it
For this to be probably the shortest novella I h ave ever read, she crammed a lot of detail in . Steam factor was low but the process of them getting together was very . Will read more by this Author.
For this to be probably the shortest novella I h ave ever read, she crammed a lot of detail in . Steam factor was low but the process of them getting together was very . Will read more by this Author.
August 15, 2018
Love
I enjoyed everything about this book. It gives you hope! Despite our past relationship(s), we can all find the strength to love again. Keep an open heart and mind... love always wins!
I enjoyed everything about this book. It gives you hope! Despite our past relationship(s), we can all find the strength to love again. Keep an open heart and mind... love always wins!
September 25, 2018
Good Read
This was cute short read about two people James and Miranda who has been hurt and get a second chance at love. This is my first time reading this author and will look for more of her books.
This was cute short read about two people James and Miranda who has been hurt and get a second chance at love. This is my first time reading this author and will look for more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews