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The Smokey Blues #3
Evergreen
Tennessee bluegrass player Bradley Barstow holds not just the key to the cure for ukulele-player Leilani Mahuiki’s sick daughter, but to Leilani’s heart.
TWO NOTES, DISCORDANT
Thirty-year-old musician Leilani Mahuiki is in Tennessee to find Joe Barstow, the birth father whose bone marrow might save her daughter’s life. She finds Bradley, too, Joe’s adopted son. Against all odds, she and Bradley make wonderful music together, she on the ukulele, he on the banjo. And Bradley is everything else she’s ever wanted in a man.
Bradley wants her, too. But is that enough? He needs a family of his own. Having grown up an outsider, he’s always dreamt of something simple and old-fashioned. No entanglements. No complications. Just mom, dad, and the kids. Not something Leilani can ever offer. She already has the very complications and entanglements that he so desperately wants to avoid, and that are not going away any time soon. And yet, as he and Leilani pull out all the stops to save her daughter’s life, he knows Leilani is the only woman for him. The most beautiful music in the world can sometimes happen when disharmony resolves—and a lonely Tennessee winter can become a tropical paradise.
TWO NOTES, DISCORDANT
Thirty-year-old musician Leilani Mahuiki is in Tennessee to find Joe Barstow, the birth father whose bone marrow might save her daughter’s life. She finds Bradley, too, Joe’s adopted son. Against all odds, she and Bradley make wonderful music together, she on the ukulele, he on the banjo. And Bradley is everything else she’s ever wanted in a man.
Bradley wants her, too. But is that enough? He needs a family of his own. Having grown up an outsider, he’s always dreamt of something simple and old-fashioned. No entanglements. No complications. Just mom, dad, and the kids. Not something Leilani can ever offer. She already has the very complications and entanglements that he so desperately wants to avoid, and that are not going away any time soon. And yet, as he and Leilani pull out all the stops to save her daughter’s life, he knows Leilani is the only woman for him. The most beautiful music in the world can sometimes happen when disharmony resolves—and a lonely Tennessee winter can become a tropical paradise.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2016
49 people want to read
About the author
Emily W Mims
37 books193 followersAuthor of over forty romance novels, Emily Mims combined her writing career with a career in public education until leaving the classroom to write full time. In addition to eighteen Candlelight Ecstasy Romances under the pen name 'Emily Elliott', she has written two series under her own name, the Texas Hill Country series and the Smoky Blue series, and has completed four books in the Durango Street Theatre series. The mother of two sons and grandmother to six, she and her husband Charles split their time between San Antonio and their lake home in the Texas Hill Country, and make frequent trips to Tennessee to see grandchildren. When not busy at the word processor, she plays the piano, organ and dulcimer. She plays her ukulele with two singing groups and has even been known to sing a song or two at the mic. She says, "I love to write romances because I believe in them. Romance happened to me and it can happen to any woman-if she'll just let it."
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 22, 2017
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This book absolutely blew me away! I needed a really good romance read. One with sweetness, fire, some fight, and some serious love. I think this book had all those and a good dose of them all too. I appreciated the author's writing and her diving into a deep love story that is anything but traditional. What is traditional love, anyway?
This book has an incredible cast of characters, male, female, adults and kids. They are all great and all play such an integral part of the story. I really don't think you'd get the full story without them. Some are bitter, some are loving, and some are full of piss and vinegar. Either way, they love hard and are fierce protectors. They are a great bunch of characters to read about, from one story to the next.
If you've followed my reviews at all, you know that it is a really big pet peeve of mine when a story is labeled to be part of a series but is mainly labeled a stand alone, but in reality, the story doesn't fit into that stand alone classification. Well, this book falls into the idea it's part of a series but is a stand alone. Oh my heavens did this author knock this one out of the park. The first two stories were not necessary to understand this story or to dive right in. They truly are stand alone books. Now, I feel I must note that you're going to want to read them all. I haven't read the first two, but if they are anything like book 3, or anything like book 4 sounds to be like, you'll want to read them. I feel like it really was necessary to give credit where credit was due regarding the way that the author chose to write the story.
Details and descriptions were perfect. In fact, after I finished the story, I sent my husband a text message and told him he needed to take me to Hawaii without our kids. The descriptions are just absolutely beautiful. They make you feel like you're sitting in the sand watching the waves. They really provided me some comfort.
This is a pretty emotional book. The characters are flawed to the core, they aren't perfect, they have skeletons, and they have worked to be where they are. They have broken relationships and families. I think they are just like me and you. There is no such thing as a "perfect by the book family" but there is such a thing as your own perfect loving family. What makes something perfect to you might not be perfect to me. This alone makes this story worth reading. It's anything but cookie cutter but is absolutely beautiful.
I hope I've made you want to read this story. It's such a great read and has such astounding characters. I definitely applaud the author for the work she put into this story. Absolutely marvelous job!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merged review:
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibraian – I Dig Good Books
This book absolutely blew me away! I needed a really good romance read. One with sweetness, fire, some fight, and some serious love. I think this book had all those and a good dose of them all too. I appreciated the author's writing and her diving into a deep love story that is anything but traditional. What is traditional love, anyway?
This book has an incredible cast of characters, male, female, adults and kids. They are all great and all play such an integral part of the story. I really don't think you'd get the full story without them. Some are bitter, some are loving, and some are full of piss and vinegar. Either way, they love hard and are fierce protectors. They are a great bunch of characters to read about, from one story to the next.
If you've followed my reviews at all, you know that it is a really big pet peeve of mine when a story is labeled to be part of a series but is mainly labeled a stand alone, but in reality, the story doesn't fit into that stand alone classification. Well, this book falls into the idea it's part of a series but is a stand alone. Oh my heavens did this author knock this one out of the park. The first two stories were not necessary to understand this story or to dive right in. They truly are stand alone books. Now, I feel I must note that you're going to want to read them all. I haven't read the first two, but if they are anything like book 3, or anything like book 4 sounds to be like, you'll want to read them. I feel like it really was necessary to give credit where credit was due regarding the way that the author chose to write the story.
Details and descriptions were perfect. In fact, after I finished the story, I sent my husband a text message and told him he needed to take me to Hawaii without our kids. The descriptions are just absolutely beautiful. They make you feel like you're sitting in the sand watching the waves. They really provided me some comfort.
This is a pretty emotional book. The characters are flawed to the core, they aren't perfect, they have skeletons, and they have worked to be where they are. They have broken relationships and families. I think they are just like me and you. There is no such thing as a "perfect by the book family" but there is such a thing as your own perfect loving family. What makes something perfect to you might not be perfect to me. This alone makes this story worth reading. It's anything but cookie cutter but is absolutely beautiful.
I hope I've made you want to read this story. It's such a great read and has such astounding characters. I definitely applaud the author for the work she put into this story. Absolutely marvelous job!
*A Copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
This book absolutely blew me away! I needed a really good romance read. One with sweetness, fire, some fight, and some serious love. I think this book had all those and a good dose of them all too. I appreciated the author's writing and her diving into a deep love story that is anything but traditional. What is traditional love, anyway?
This book has an incredible cast of characters, male, female, adults and kids. They are all great and all play such an integral part of the story. I really don't think you'd get the full story without them. Some are bitter, some are loving, and some are full of piss and vinegar. Either way, they love hard and are fierce protectors. They are a great bunch of characters to read about, from one story to the next.
If you've followed my reviews at all, you know that it is a really big pet peeve of mine when a story is labeled to be part of a series but is mainly labeled a stand alone, but in reality, the story doesn't fit into that stand alone classification. Well, this book falls into the idea it's part of a series but is a stand alone. Oh my heavens did this author knock this one out of the park. The first two stories were not necessary to understand this story or to dive right in. They truly are stand alone books. Now, I feel I must note that you're going to want to read them all. I haven't read the first two, but if they are anything like book 3, or anything like book 4 sounds to be like, you'll want to read them. I feel like it really was necessary to give credit where credit was due regarding the way that the author chose to write the story.
Details and descriptions were perfect. In fact, after I finished the story, I sent my husband a text message and told him he needed to take me to Hawaii without our kids. The descriptions are just absolutely beautiful. They make you feel like you're sitting in the sand watching the waves. They really provided me some comfort.
This is a pretty emotional book. The characters are flawed to the core, they aren't perfect, they have skeletons, and they have worked to be where they are. They have broken relationships and families. I think they are just like me and you. There is no such thing as a "perfect by the book family" but there is such a thing as your own perfect loving family. What makes something perfect to you might not be perfect to me. This alone makes this story worth reading. It's anything but cookie cutter but is absolutely beautiful.
I hope I've made you want to read this story. It's such a great read and has such astounding characters. I definitely applaud the author for the work she put into this story. Absolutely marvelous job!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merged review:
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibraian – I Dig Good Books
This book absolutely blew me away! I needed a really good romance read. One with sweetness, fire, some fight, and some serious love. I think this book had all those and a good dose of them all too. I appreciated the author's writing and her diving into a deep love story that is anything but traditional. What is traditional love, anyway?
This book has an incredible cast of characters, male, female, adults and kids. They are all great and all play such an integral part of the story. I really don't think you'd get the full story without them. Some are bitter, some are loving, and some are full of piss and vinegar. Either way, they love hard and are fierce protectors. They are a great bunch of characters to read about, from one story to the next.
If you've followed my reviews at all, you know that it is a really big pet peeve of mine when a story is labeled to be part of a series but is mainly labeled a stand alone, but in reality, the story doesn't fit into that stand alone classification. Well, this book falls into the idea it's part of a series but is a stand alone. Oh my heavens did this author knock this one out of the park. The first two stories were not necessary to understand this story or to dive right in. They truly are stand alone books. Now, I feel I must note that you're going to want to read them all. I haven't read the first two, but if they are anything like book 3, or anything like book 4 sounds to be like, you'll want to read them. I feel like it really was necessary to give credit where credit was due regarding the way that the author chose to write the story.
Details and descriptions were perfect. In fact, after I finished the story, I sent my husband a text message and told him he needed to take me to Hawaii without our kids. The descriptions are just absolutely beautiful. They make you feel like you're sitting in the sand watching the waves. They really provided me some comfort.
This is a pretty emotional book. The characters are flawed to the core, they aren't perfect, they have skeletons, and they have worked to be where they are. They have broken relationships and families. I think they are just like me and you. There is no such thing as a "perfect by the book family" but there is such a thing as your own perfect loving family. What makes something perfect to you might not be perfect to me. This alone makes this story worth reading. It's anything but cookie cutter but is absolutely beautiful.
I hope I've made you want to read this story. It's such a great read and has such astounding characters. I definitely applaud the author for the work she put into this story. Absolutely marvelous job!
*A Copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
May 9, 2017
Exceptional book! I read it in one sitting…honestly couldn’t put it down. Leilani is a strong, courageous woman in search of a bone marrow match for her beautiful daughter, Nalani. That search takes her to Tennessee, more specifically a bluegrass nightclub, Acoustics, where she meets Bradley a banjo playing, carpenter. Leilani play ukulele and has signed two month contract with Acoustics while she tries to figure out how to approach a man she believes is her biological father. Leilani and Bradley blend beautifully together on and off the stage. Bradley thinks he’s found the woman of his dreams, the one involving mom, dad, and children where he wouldn’t be on the outside looking in. That is, until complications arise.
I enjoyed the entire book, from its bluegrass music to its heart wrenching scenes. I would definitely recommend Evergreen to anyone wanting a wonderful, heartwarming story. Just be warned schedule enough time to read the entire book because you won’t put it down.
I enjoyed the entire book, from its bluegrass music to its heart wrenching scenes. I would definitely recommend Evergreen to anyone wanting a wonderful, heartwarming story. Just be warned schedule enough time to read the entire book because you won’t put it down.
July 4, 2020
This is book 3 in the Smokey Blues series. I loved the first two books and I loved this one just as much. This one is a mom going to extreme measures to help her child who is terminally ill. She falls in love with a Barstow and things seem ok until he catches her pilfering the garbage. She tells her story they confront the one they need for bone marrow. It gets even more complicated when he finds out something about the family surrounding the little girl. It is just like a man to trip over his own expectations. But in the end they all end up with their happily ever after. I cant wait for more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 8, 2020
This is book three in The Smokey Blues Series and it is Leilani and Bradley's story and what a story it is full of pain, emotions and i could not put it down as i needed to know what would happen next between Leilani and Bradley and will it all work out for them or is there more heartache to come. This book takes you in right from the first page and will not let you go until you finish reading to the end. This book blew me away and even though i have read books one and two they just keep getting better and better. i recommend you read this book and others by Emily and you will not be disappointed as they are so well written and real page turners.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 16, 2020
What defines family?? How far will a parent go to save their child’s life? Can a dream be changed and still work?
Leilani doesn’t know her biological father and that’s ok, until her daughter becomes so sick and needs a bone marrow transplant. To find her father she travels to Tennessee to play music and see if her hunch is right, but she never planned on falling for Bradley.
Bradley has never felt part of a family’s inner circle, his dream is for his own family to love and be loved, can Leilani help achieve his dream? Or will her unconventional family life tear them apart?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Leilani doesn’t know her biological father and that’s ok, until her daughter becomes so sick and needs a bone marrow transplant. To find her father she travels to Tennessee to play music and see if her hunch is right, but she never planned on falling for Bradley.
Bradley has never felt part of a family’s inner circle, his dream is for his own family to love and be loved, can Leilani help achieve his dream? Or will her unconventional family life tear them apart?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2020
This is anything but your traditional love story. Ms. Mims has once again given us a unique and beautiful love story with all the emotions and feels. The characters of Leilani and Bradley are well-developed, with realistic and relatable qualities, flaws and all. Leilani is a strong woman, on a mission to save her daughter. Bradley thinks he has found the perfect woman in Leilani, only he doesn't want all the complications of her life. This is a beautifully written heartfelt story that is sure to pull at your heartstrings. I definitely recommend the book and the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 16, 2020
This is the story of Leilani and Bradley. Leilani is a musician and is in Tennessee to find the father of her daughter to see if his bone marrow is a match. There she meets Bradley who is her dream man. Bradley is also attracted to Leilani. Can they have a future together while they try to save her daughter’s life? I enjoyed this romance. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 3, 2020
The writing will draw you in after only a few pages and have you finishing the book in one sitting.
There is the perfect amount of angst and romance and grit to keep you hooked.
I loved how their relationship unfolded so we could see these amazing characters grow in ways you never expected.
I would suggest picking up a copy asap, you will not be disappointed.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
There is the perfect amount of angst and romance and grit to keep you hooked.
I loved how their relationship unfolded so we could see these amazing characters grow in ways you never expected.
I would suggest picking up a copy asap, you will not be disappointed.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
July 22, 2020
The third book in The Smokey Blues series a well written story with a great storyline. I will say read these books in order. Tennessee bluegrass player Bradley Barstow and ukulele-player Leilani Mahuiki’s story, I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2020
The book is a good romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 25, 2020
What a cute little read. Loved the characters, the storyline and how everything now fits together. Another awesome book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2020
Evergreen is the third book in the series and is filled with moments that will hit you square in the heart. Love, survival, expectations, and emotions will take you on a journey like no other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 30, 2020
This was such a wonderful love story. I enjoyed it very much. The storyline was spot on and was well executed. I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews