Return to Whispering Pines

The Langtry Sisters #2

by Scarlett Dunn

Scarlett Dunn welcomes readers back to Whispering Pines, Colorado, where three sisters are beginning new lives rich in faith and love . . .   Adelaide Langtry may not be as beautiful as her sisters, but she has determination to spare. She’ll need it if she’s to succeed as a schoolteacher in her old hometown and care for the three abandoned siblings she brought from Boston. In Whispering Pines, Addie hopes to establish an orphanage, but she must also contend with her past, including her outlaw brother, Frank.   Orphaned as a boy, Sheriff Jack Roper understands the turmoil faced by Addie’s young charges. Though he tells himself he has all the responsibility he needs, the handsome lawman is quickly charmed by the children, and by the spirited, generous woman intent on helping them. Still, he has his own duty—to capture Frank Langtry and bring him to justice.   When the children’s safety is endangered, Addie and Jack realize how much they’ve come to care for them, and each other. Keeping their ready-made family together is the greatest challenge they’ve known—but it could also be the greatest blessing . . .     Praise for Christmas at Dove Creek   “This uplifting novel will keep readers warm all winter.” --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2018

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this the second book in the Langtry Sisters series we now see schoolteacher Adelaide Langtry returning to Whispering Pines,Colorado. I'll admit with the author's descriptions it does sound like a beautiful place, especially as it would have been back then without the pollution of today. She is determined to open an orphanage there with 3 sibling orphans she brought with her from Boston,2 sisters and their older brother. She does have her devious outlaw brother Frank to deal with as well.
Sheriff Jack Roper sets his hat for Miss Adeline and since he was orphaned as a young boy himself he knows how to deal with and has a heart full of compassion for the orphans. A bit of a jealous love triangle goes on here but it gets straightened out eventually. When the children's safety and well being become endangered the sheriff and Adelaide realize just how much they have to lose including each other if they don't pull together. Lot of Western action in this one. I look forward to reading the third book in the series about the last sister soon.
Pub Date 24 Apr 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews on my blog here
https://cnnamongirl.wixsite.com/website

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankly, I didn't think the first book of this series could have been improved upon; I was wrong. These three stories (see below) should be read in order; they are connected in very important ways. This story is a continuation of the Langtry sisters' lives. They all left five years ago and have individually returned to Whispering Pines and their grandmother.

Adelaide Langtry has returned home to Whispering Pines with three children in tow.  She plans to be the town's teacher and also start up an orphanage. She hopes to adopt the three siblings together, although Addie is devoted to them. However, adoption is only open to married couples, and Addie is single.  The youngest of the three children, Claire, hops out of the stagecoach in Whispering Pines and calls the sheriff (Jack Roper) "Papa." Oddly enough, Jack is not upset by the little charmer attaching herself to him because Jack grew up in an orphanage in the East.  He ran away early because of the horrible conditions and he understands the fears of the trio of children.

The outlaw brother from the first book, Frank Langtry, has his own story of a marriage. He convinces his new wife, Charlotte (a judge's daughter), that he's going to get the case of errors against himself cleared, and then they can move on together. Charlotte is wealthy and very attractive. She's young and believes his every word. Frank knows how to pour on the charm when he needs to, although he is still making plans with his outlaw gang.

Langtry Sisters Seeries  
1. Whispering Pines (2017)
** 2. Return to Whispering Pines (2018) 
3. Christmas in Whispering Pines (2018)

[Kirsty Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

After building up my expectations and then being severely disappointed by the third book in this trilogy, I was reluctant to read the other two. However, curiosity ultimately won out, and I decided to at least check out the sneak peek offered on Amazon. Low and behold, a few pages in I was blessed with the absolutely ADORABLE first meeting between Claire and her new Papa Sheriff Jack Roper, and from then on had a hard time putting it down. While I personally still found the writing to be a bit on the dodgy side, and really just skimmed the parts with Frank's side of the story, overall my emotional investment in these characters came a lot easier; not only did I feel the sparks between Addie and Jack, but the bonds they develop with the three children are wonderfully impacting and delightful. In fact, those kids and the connection they share with the other characters, but especially Jack, is really what made this story work so well for me.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return To Whispering Pines has love - a whole lot of love and law breaking a lot of law breaking - manipulation and deception by Addie's very own brother and that really stinks y'all. Addie comes back home to start an orphanage and she brings three with her. Guess what happens? You will not be able to guess. Along the way she gets involved with Jack the sheriff. Will they be able to get beyond what happens and make it work? I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.

if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to Christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I won this book as a giveaway on Facebook and I promised to do an honest review. This genre was kind of old time western romance, a genre I very rarely read because it is not my cup of tea. That being said, I was surprised that I really enjoyed this book. It moved quickly and it did have some surprises and action that I did not see coming. I found myself unable to put it down for long and it really touched my heartstrings, especially the three orphaned children. I have not read the first book in this series but I was able to figure things out pretty quickly and was not lost. If you want an entertaining romance, I would recommend this book.

[Janis Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so far out of my usual choice range that I honestly thought I’d just skim through it. I was very pleasantly surprised! I did read, but I did read and not skim, the whole book in one day. It was exceptionally well written with beautiful loving characters, as well as villains, and was a nice escape from reality. The story centers on Addie who returns to her home in the late 1800s with three orphans and a plan to open an orphanage.

[Alecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved returning to Whispering pines!! It was so fun meeting Adelaide and seeing how rose and Morgan were doing and i can't wait to meet there other sister!!!

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

https://booksnbaubles.com/return-to-w...

[Jan St Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and the series!

This is a very good book and the series is good too! If you enjoy historical fiction and romance this series you will want to read. These books need to be read in order.

[Toni Trainor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by Scarlett Dunn. I enjoyed the story as well as the little tidbits of inspiration.

[L.J. Dare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Patsy Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Such a good book. Suspense, danger, and a love story. Keeps one interested to the end. I recommend it to everyone.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally hooked the whole way.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one first, it made me want to read the entire series. This one was my favorite of the three.

[Kathy Nyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to Whispering Pines was a sweet story that brought back fond memories of tv shows like Bonanza,The Rifleman with a bit of Little House on the Prarie thrown into the mix.
The characters of Jack, Joseph, Granny and Addie were endearing.

[Sarah Burich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review and all reviews are my own. This was the first time reading from this author. I was very impressed! Even though this was the second book in the series and having not read the first book, I was still able to connect the dots. Addie returns home with plans to open an orphanage, along with three of her charges. She is immediately connected to sheriff Jack and so are 'her' kids. Along the way her outlaw brother, Frank, is leading a double life. This book does leave you with a cliff hanger to Frank's story, but this makes me excited for the next book in the series! I would recommend this book and will defiantly read other books by Scarlett Dunn.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Whispering Pines is a well written inspirational romance. I loved the plot and enjoyed the author’s writing style. I definitely will be reading more books by this author. I recommend to readers who enjoy a good historical romance.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return To Whispering Pines has love - a whole lot of love and law breaking a lot of law breaking - manipulation and deception by Addie's very own brother and that really stinks y'all. Addie comes back home to start an orphanage and she brings three with her. Guess what happens? You will not be able to guess. Along the way she gets involved with Jack the sheriff. Will they be able to get beyond what happens and make it work?

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to Whispering Pines by Scarlett Dunn

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Scarlett Dunn continues her Colorado saga with the second installment of her Whispering Pines series that will take readers along on a couple’s journey to find acceptance just they way they are and a family to call their own.

Scarlett Dunn is a relatively new author I have been following since I was offered her first Whispering Pines book last year. She is very good at creating a story that you really can become a part of and must know the end of before you put it down. This second story in the series focuses on the ideas of knowing that you have worth because God made you just the way you need to be to do what He has called you to do and that family is not limited to those with whom you share last names. Ms. Dunn begins her story right where she last left off – with the arrival of Adelaide Langtry and three orphaned siblings in her care. Addie has come home to Whispering Pines to become the town school teacher and possibly start a much needed orphanage for the area. She has brought three siblings with her who have long held her heart’s love in the hopes they will find someone to take in all three and give them the home they’ve been longing for. Addie has long understood she is not the beauty her sisters are and has resigned herself to being the best caregiver and school teacher to those under her care. But God has other ideas for Addie and she will soon come to see that with her reintroduction to Sheriff Jack Roper. Jack Roper has prayed for a wife for many years, knowing he would like to have a home and family he didn’t have growing up. When Addie Langtry steps off the stage, he is immediately struck by both her quiet beauty and kind treatment of her charges. The youngest of the orphans, Claire, becomes instantly attached to Jack, calling him “Papa”, which is most telling to him about how much these children need a family to love them. As Addie and the children begin to settle in and find their place in Whispering Pines, Jack can’t help but find reasons to visit, whether teaching the children a skill for their new lives or just to have a conversation with Addie. But all will not remain peaceful for long. Addie and Rose’s brother Frank is still on the run and holding a serious grudge against Jack and Morgan LeMasters, Rose’s husband. Frank is determined to destroy Morgan’s life as completely as he believes Morgan has destroyed his, and he will use any means necessary to accomplish that end – even pretending to love the daughter of a circuit judge. But as much as Frank tries to make things go his own way, he simply cannot understand that God will not allow evil to prevail over His children. And with so many willing to give witness to the truth of Morgan’s dealings with Frank, it will make Frank’s version of the truth show forth in all its vengeful untruthfulness. In the midst of all this trouble, Addie’s former beau, Prescott Adler makes an appearance to convince her to leave everything and return to Boston to become his wife. Reeling from the suddenness of Prescott’s declaration and unsure of his real motives, Addie turn to her grandmother for advice. Granny tells her to examine her heart and see what or whom she finds there, and whether what Prescott offers will make her happy and fulfill the calling of God she has been following. Finding herself unable to see a life with Prescott, Addie refuses his offer, only to find herself in a quandary as Prescott has threatened to shut down any idea of an orphanage in Whispering Pines and take the children back to the Boston Orphanage. What follows is an ending that will have everyone getting what they deserve but with enough of a cliff-hanger to carry the story into the next book. I so enjoy the honest way in which Ms. Dunn looks at finding acceptance in the eyes of others. She made it very clear that while we may see ourselves as in need of change – and while that change may truly be necessary if its something that is not of God – God made us just exactly the way He intended and has much for us to do if we will let Him work through us. Addie had to learn this truth with her appearance; she had always seen herself as the industrious one who was least likely to find love given she is “too curvy” and lacks the beauty of her sisters. But her caring heart and her unwillingness to give up on a cause will be what brings her hearts desire to pass – the love she always hoped for. Jack also needed this truth in his life. He had grown up without a family and never really believed anyone would want him as a husband and father. Jack prayed for those very things but hadn’t ever felt like God would bless him in such a way. But God will use him to show young Davey that God has plans for everyone – even those who don’t think He has time or cares for them. And with Addie’s love Jack will finally find the family he has always wanted to have, complete with three children who captured his heart. While this book was not the most daring adventure story, it had much to teach that I found to be convicting. I often find myself asking if how I look, talk or dress will be acceptable to others when I should be ensuring that all I do is to honor God. And while I have a wonderfully loving family, it is always a good reminder to me that God has placed others in my life that have become the extended family I need to keep me grounded and surrounded by faith. I am hopeful Ms. Dunn will bring out the next book of the series soon and will be excited to see if I am offered it for review. If not, I will still be purchasing it for myself as I just have to find out what will happen with the third Langtry sister, Emma. I will be recommending both this book and the series to others as I fully believe they will find it as enjoyable as I have.

I received this E-book free of charge from Zebra/Kensington Books via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of a series by Scarlett Dunn, telling the story of Addie Langtry and Sheriff Jack Roper and a trio of orphans.


The first moment when the stage stopped in Whispering Pines, the youngest orphan jumped into the sheriff's hands and called him "Papa." That dropped the first clue on how the book would end. There are a lot of highs and lows in between the beginning and the end of the book. It has a degree of predictability, but just when the readers think they have a grasp on how the story is going, it takes a left turn and causes the reader to back up and regroup.

In an ongoing theme from the first book is Addie's and her sister, Rose's, brother, Frank--the token outlaw. Frank's story parallels Addie's and Jack's story. Frank outwits the law and still roams free after kidnapping Rose.

This is truly a five star book, two thumbs up, and a trio of orphans to keep you busy.

My thanks to Zebra Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful sometimes sad sometimes funny read i realy enjoyed reading this book snd cant eait to read more ibrecommend if