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Northstar Angels #2
Summer Angel
Five years ago, Ben Conner killed a man. If that were the worst of it, he could have swallowed the guilt, but the man had a son—an eleven-year-old boy who was now no one’s son. When he returns home to Northstar in a last-ditch effort to flee his guilt and nightmares, he prays he can reconnect with his best friend June Montana, because he knows her friendship is the only thing that can help him find peace. Instead of the escape he hoped for, Ben is reunited with the boy he orphaned. He will have to face the consequences of that fateful night or risk destroying his friendship with June. Before he can begin to forgive himself, an entirely new and disturbing problem arises. Someone from June’s past wants revenge for a broken heart… and he’s willing to kill to get it.
Unknown Binding
First published September 27, 2012
185 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Suzie O'Connell
43 books133 followersSuzie O'Connell grew up in a small town on the Kitsap Peninsula in Western Washington, but has called the mountains and valleys of Western Montana home for well over a decade. She has been writing stories since she was old enough to know how (the first she can recall was penciled in the second grade, about the mouse who went to the sea) and completed her first novel, Summer Angel, before she graduated from high school. After high school, tired of the endless rain, she attended college at the University of Montana-Western and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing. She is currently working on a Masters of Education and teaches high school English.
Suzie considers herself to be a rather quirky individual with ecclectic tastes in music, movies and books. She listens to just about anything, including pop, rock, country and techno and her favorite movies range from Grumpy Old Men to Lord of the Rings to Moulin Rouge to Pirates of the Caribbean. When it comes to reading, she prefers fantasy, science fiction, romance and literary fiction.
She firmly believes it's healthy to laugh at yourself, that best friends are worth far more than their weight in gold, and that home truly is where the heart is.
When she isn't writing, teaching or studying, Suzie enjoys playing in the mountains with her husband Mark, their daughter Maddie and their energetic golden retriever Reilly. She is also a hobby photographer, specializing in landscapes.
Suzie considers herself to be a rather quirky individual with ecclectic tastes in music, movies and books. She listens to just about anything, including pop, rock, country and techno and her favorite movies range from Grumpy Old Men to Lord of the Rings to Moulin Rouge to Pirates of the Caribbean. When it comes to reading, she prefers fantasy, science fiction, romance and literary fiction.
She firmly believes it's healthy to laugh at yourself, that best friends are worth far more than their weight in gold, and that home truly is where the heart is.
When she isn't writing, teaching or studying, Suzie enjoys playing in the mountains with her husband Mark, their daughter Maddie and their energetic golden retriever Reilly. She is also a hobby photographer, specializing in landscapes.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 17, 2014
Summer Angel is by Suzie O’Connell and is the second book in the Northstar series. As with her first book, her characterization is wonderful. The characters seem to come alive and perform on the pages for you. Set against the stunningly beautiful Montana mountains, the plot winds its way through the book like the winding mountain roads. It is not just another romance; it is also a suspense and a murder mystery. All combine to make this a book worth reading.
Ben Connor is returning to Northstar hoping that will make a difference in his life. He has had a rough time this last year. He was a police officer but when he was called to a disturbance one evening, he was forced to shoot a man. As he shot, the man moved and Ben ended up killing him. Bill Granger, his boss, investigated the incident and concluded that Ben had been following protocol and was to be put back on duty. With Bill in his office was an eleven year old boy with blond hair and blue eyes who looked very sad. Bill told him this was John McKindel’s son. Ben was face to face with the consequence of his shooting, Ben was now an orphan. It was this more than killing John which forced Ben to give up his career and dive into a deep depression. He stayed away from his family and everyone who knew him. He missed them dearly but wouldn’t face them. He felt he was not good enough for them. Now he has come to Northstar hoping his friends Aelissm and June could help him. They have been friends since school days.
June Montana had loved Northstar after visiting with her friend Aelissm as a young girl during the summer. When she was grown, she moved to Northstar and built her own cabin on land Aelissm’s parents owned. It was within walking distance of Aelissm’s family home. It was now occupied by Aelissm and her husband Pat O’Neil and their two children. They ran the Bedspring Inn for her grandparents. June was a science teacher at the local school and also worked at Ramshorn as a cook and waitress. She was raising her adopted son Luke. She had agreed to foster Luke for Aelissm’s Uncle Bill. Within eight months she knew she wanted to adopt him. Five years later, she and Luke, now sixteen and over 6 ft tall, lived in her cabin and were doing well.
Luke, as the son of a murdered drunken man, was actually relieved at his father’s death. However, he could never in his sixteen years tell June much about his former life for fear she would change her mind and get rid of him. He was a caring and sensitive young man who was also very outgoing and a great football player. He loved Northstar and when something bothered him, he would take his dirt bike into the mountains and just think, then he would return home and generally talk to his mom. He was dating Carol Lambert, the niece of Pete and Jake Phillips. Her father had killed himself. She looked up to them for advice, especially Unkie Jake.
When Ben returns to Northstar, June insists he stay with Luke and her until he feels like going to see his sister, Jane Epperson and her daughter Becky. As they renew their friendship, another attraction begins to bud. Will it last? Will this attraction prove to bring the two of them together or tear them apart?
Jake Phillips is a ranch hand on a nearby ranch. He has taken a definite dislike to Luke. He was attracted to June and felt Luke was in the way. At every opportunity possible, to harass Luke and make him look bad. His brother Pete is usually the one to calm Bill down and reduce the time the other tw spend together.
JP is a mysterious stalker. He also has a crush on June and believes if he gets her to see through Luke’s act that she will throw him out and leave room for him. Due to the details he knows, he must be someone from town. Is it Jake Phillips or Pete (Joshua) Phillips or someone else? Can Ben and Pat use their detective skills to find the stalker?
There are many subplots involving the characters and others. Luke interacts with Carol, Becky, Mike Thompson, and Stanley as well as other minor schoolmates. What is it with Sweetwater lake that makes romances sprout?
Ben Connor is returning to Northstar hoping that will make a difference in his life. He has had a rough time this last year. He was a police officer but when he was called to a disturbance one evening, he was forced to shoot a man. As he shot, the man moved and Ben ended up killing him. Bill Granger, his boss, investigated the incident and concluded that Ben had been following protocol and was to be put back on duty. With Bill in his office was an eleven year old boy with blond hair and blue eyes who looked very sad. Bill told him this was John McKindel’s son. Ben was face to face with the consequence of his shooting, Ben was now an orphan. It was this more than killing John which forced Ben to give up his career and dive into a deep depression. He stayed away from his family and everyone who knew him. He missed them dearly but wouldn’t face them. He felt he was not good enough for them. Now he has come to Northstar hoping his friends Aelissm and June could help him. They have been friends since school days.
June Montana had loved Northstar after visiting with her friend Aelissm as a young girl during the summer. When she was grown, she moved to Northstar and built her own cabin on land Aelissm’s parents owned. It was within walking distance of Aelissm’s family home. It was now occupied by Aelissm and her husband Pat O’Neil and their two children. They ran the Bedspring Inn for her grandparents. June was a science teacher at the local school and also worked at Ramshorn as a cook and waitress. She was raising her adopted son Luke. She had agreed to foster Luke for Aelissm’s Uncle Bill. Within eight months she knew she wanted to adopt him. Five years later, she and Luke, now sixteen and over 6 ft tall, lived in her cabin and were doing well.
Luke, as the son of a murdered drunken man, was actually relieved at his father’s death. However, he could never in his sixteen years tell June much about his former life for fear she would change her mind and get rid of him. He was a caring and sensitive young man who was also very outgoing and a great football player. He loved Northstar and when something bothered him, he would take his dirt bike into the mountains and just think, then he would return home and generally talk to his mom. He was dating Carol Lambert, the niece of Pete and Jake Phillips. Her father had killed himself. She looked up to them for advice, especially Unkie Jake.
When Ben returns to Northstar, June insists he stay with Luke and her until he feels like going to see his sister, Jane Epperson and her daughter Becky. As they renew their friendship, another attraction begins to bud. Will it last? Will this attraction prove to bring the two of them together or tear them apart?
Jake Phillips is a ranch hand on a nearby ranch. He has taken a definite dislike to Luke. He was attracted to June and felt Luke was in the way. At every opportunity possible, to harass Luke and make him look bad. His brother Pete is usually the one to calm Bill down and reduce the time the other tw spend together.
JP is a mysterious stalker. He also has a crush on June and believes if he gets her to see through Luke’s act that she will throw him out and leave room for him. Due to the details he knows, he must be someone from town. Is it Jake Phillips or Pete (Joshua) Phillips or someone else? Can Ben and Pat use their detective skills to find the stalker?
There are many subplots involving the characters and others. Luke interacts with Carol, Becky, Mike Thompson, and Stanley as well as other minor schoolmates. What is it with Sweetwater lake that makes romances sprout?
August 10, 2014
Thank you for this wonderful book I could and would kiss the ground you work on (but I think that it is a bit far:-))
Summer Angel plays four years after Aeli and Pat's story (you have to read the first in the series to understand the beauty of these books) Ben Connor still lives in the Washington area but he is trying to get his life back on track and the guilt that I felt after killing a man in self defense (and he is not doing a good job) besides the fact that he orphaned a child is not helping. He decides that he needs to visit his close friend June Montana and packs his stuff up and moves to Northstar. They have been friends for along time and have always had a strong connection. Ben arrives in Northstar and surprise the world is small and finds out that June has adoapted Luke the child he orphaned at the age of eleven. It was nice to see how Aeli and Pat had developed and how they got on to be a family. June appealed more to me in this book then in the first one (as she showed more signs of being vulnerable) JP in the first book is out to revenge Luke (for some crazy reason) it was very well written and I loved Luke. I can't wait for Wild Angel and Forgotten Angel to come out.
P.S Suzie I would love to give you an honest review again on Luke's book;-)
Summer Angel plays four years after Aeli and Pat's story (you have to read the first in the series to understand the beauty of these books) Ben Connor still lives in the Washington area but he is trying to get his life back on track and the guilt that I felt after killing a man in self defense (and he is not doing a good job) besides the fact that he orphaned a child is not helping. He decides that he needs to visit his close friend June Montana and packs his stuff up and moves to Northstar. They have been friends for along time and have always had a strong connection. Ben arrives in Northstar and surprise the world is small and finds out that June has adoapted Luke the child he orphaned at the age of eleven. It was nice to see how Aeli and Pat had developed and how they got on to be a family. June appealed more to me in this book then in the first one (as she showed more signs of being vulnerable) JP in the first book is out to revenge Luke (for some crazy reason) it was very well written and I loved Luke. I can't wait for Wild Angel and Forgotten Angel to come out.
P.S Suzie I would love to give you an honest review again on Luke's book;-)
January 29, 2013
I think I like this book even more than Mountain Angel. Luke, Ben and June are wonderful characters, very well developed, and I love how they work together to help each other overcome their traumas. What I really enjoy about this series is that it is a classic romance series with happy ever afters. I am very excited for the next book.
November 4, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were very good and the way they were healed both by their beautiful surroundings and the love and understanding of each other and the mental / emotional journeys they travelled.
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January 30, 2014Summer Angel
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was looking for a new author to start reading. I found an amazing one in Suzie O'Connell. Can't wait to read another book by her. I would recommend her books to anyone wanting to read an amazing book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was looking for a new author to start reading. I found an amazing one in Suzie O'Connell. Can't wait to read another book by her. I would recommend her books to anyone wanting to read an amazing book.
April 27, 2014
Good story, can't wait to read the next book.
Good story, can't wait to read the next book.
Good story, keeps you wondering what is next. Really do enjoy reading about the beautiful scenery. Nice that it is not all about sex.
Good story, can't wait to read the next book.
Good story, keeps you wondering what is next. Really do enjoy reading about the beautiful scenery. Nice that it is not all about sex.
July 16, 2017
Problems
Book would not advance .
I will say to much fluffy talk. Too much time spent on scenery. I get the picture but it was overdone and I can't even get to chapter 9. Book stuck!!!
Book would not advance .
I will say to much fluffy talk. Too much time spent on scenery. I get the picture but it was overdone and I can't even get to chapter 9. Book stuck!!!
February 20, 2020
Ben has been haunted about killing a man. He was a cop and defending himself. But the man had a son and Ben has always thought about the boy and what happened to him. June has been his friend for many years. So he decides to come home and see if he can get some peace of mind. Only he doesn’t expect to find June with a teenage son and to find out that Luke is the boy he made an orphan. They get to know each other and things start to work out. But someone is threatening Luke. Ben and June do their best to protect Luke. Together they become a nice little family.
September 12, 2017
Good read
Our hero is still hurting after killing a perp, but it's time to go home and heal. He wants to see old friends, but the son of the man he killed is the adopted son of his best friend from childhood. She convinces him to stay with them and get to know her son. Highly recommend.
Our hero is still hurting after killing a perp, but it's time to go home and heal. He wants to see old friends, but the son of the man he killed is the adopted son of his best friend from childhood. She convinces him to stay with them and get to know her son. Highly recommend.
December 26, 2020
Exceptional Author
I enjoy this Author. The twists and sudden turns in her books have resulted in many late nights of reading. Her stories hold your heart strings then send you on a roller coaster ride. She is not a typical romance novelist because he has the ability to build a strong story and adds a few surprises.
I enjoy this Author. The twists and sudden turns in her books have resulted in many late nights of reading. Her stories hold your heart strings then send you on a roller coaster ride. She is not a typical romance novelist because he has the ability to build a strong story and adds a few surprises.
August 11, 2017
Good story in this series of redemption and love.
August 13, 2017
Don,t like murder stories
August 30, 2017
Once I had read Mountain Angel there was no stopping me - I had to read Summer Angel. Again an exquisite rendition of Northstar, the characters were so real.
September 20, 2018
The story was alright. I liked Aelissm and Pat. There was humor but something was missing. Also liked the camaraderie between June, Luke and Aeli.
December 10, 2019
good characters, good plot, great setting.
July 16, 2024
Not my favorite of the series.
September 14, 2025
Spectacular read
Many twists and turns keep you in suspense from start to finish. Heart breaking unforeseen Tragedy and the warmth of true love. Fantastic read!
Many twists and turns keep you in suspense from start to finish. Heart breaking unforeseen Tragedy and the warmth of true love. Fantastic read!
January 1, 2016
Another Good Book by Suzie O'Connell
Loved the characters and story line. Internal struggles with the added conflict of a crazed stalker (who turned out to quite a surprise) made this book one you didn't want to put down. It was a joy watching each character struggle through their issues, heal old wounds, overcoming their past and present problems to become a loving family. I laughed and cried!! Loved this book and look forward to reading Suzie O'Connell's next book. The only negative -- - editing mistakes, which I find common these days, but not enough to distract from the story.
Loved the characters and story line. Internal struggles with the added conflict of a crazed stalker (who turned out to quite a surprise) made this book one you didn't want to put down. It was a joy watching each character struggle through their issues, heal old wounds, overcoming their past and present problems to become a loving family. I laughed and cried!! Loved this book and look forward to reading Suzie O'Connell's next book. The only negative -- - editing mistakes, which I find common these days, but not enough to distract from the story.
May 17, 2014
After reading Mountain Angel, I couldn't wait to read this book and I was not disappointed. June and Ben needed each other and I was glad that they re-connected. I was even happier that Luke accepted Ben. In my opinion, the story-line of the crazy obsessed killer was not necessary because the three main characters were enough to make an interesting story line. Not sure I wan't to move there anymore but loved the story.
April 19, 2015
Good story that continues in the same town, but focuses on new people. June, Ben and Luke's story. Interesting turn of events bring old friends together again and old wounds healed by new events.
This book is full of surprises and will keep you reading. Looking forward to the next one in this series, Wild Angel.
This book is full of surprises and will keep you reading. Looking forward to the next one in this series, Wild Angel.
October 16, 2012
great book it makes me feel like im there ... i know suz so i feel all the love she put in to the book i read it 2 times in 2 days ..keep up the great work
April 18, 2015
Another good story
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there were a lot of grammatical errors that were distracting.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there were a lot of grammatical errors that were distracting.
April 22, 2015
I'm surprised by how this series has hooked me. Recommending it to all my girlfriends.
April 26, 2017
Smashing
Kept me on the edge. I could not put it down. Thank you so much Suzie. I can always place myself in your books!!
Kept me on the edge. I could not put it down. Thank you so much Suzie. I can always place myself in your books!!
February 18, 2019
Again, LOVE this series, really do! Suzie just has a nice unique writing style in a genre that can very quickly become old and monotonous, not only is it about romance, her characters also face their demons. It's lovely.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews