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Colorado High Country #5
Close to Heaven
She has nothing…
Rain Minear has fantasized about finding herself in Joe Moffat’s arms for years. It’s just her luck that the night it finally happens, he’s carrying her into the emergency room. It’s Joe who steps up to help her when a tragedy brings her life crashing down. He gives her a place to stay, helps her get back on her feet, and even tries to save her Christmas, though he’s never cared for the holiday. But he’s far too ethical to sleep with a member of his staff, holding her at arms length despite the long-simmering attraction between them.
He has everything…
Haunted by ghosts from the past, Joe Moffat moved to Scarlet Springs to repay a debt. He’s struggled for years to keep his hands off Rain. She’s the general manager of his brewpub, and he is not that kind of boss. But, oh, she turns him on. More than that, she has the biggest heart of any woman he’s ever known. He’d do anything to see her smile again, even put up a Christmas tree and listen to carols, things he normally never does.
A season that changes two lives forever…
When a Rocky Mountain blizzard leaves them snowbound and alone together for days, they can no longer ignore their feelings for one another. As their passion turns to something deeper, it becomes clear to them both that this will be the most important Christmas of their lives.
Rain Minear has fantasized about finding herself in Joe Moffat’s arms for years. It’s just her luck that the night it finally happens, he’s carrying her into the emergency room. It’s Joe who steps up to help her when a tragedy brings her life crashing down. He gives her a place to stay, helps her get back on her feet, and even tries to save her Christmas, though he’s never cared for the holiday. But he’s far too ethical to sleep with a member of his staff, holding her at arms length despite the long-simmering attraction between them.
He has everything…
Haunted by ghosts from the past, Joe Moffat moved to Scarlet Springs to repay a debt. He’s struggled for years to keep his hands off Rain. She’s the general manager of his brewpub, and he is not that kind of boss. But, oh, she turns him on. More than that, she has the biggest heart of any woman he’s ever known. He’d do anything to see her smile again, even put up a Christmas tree and listen to carols, things he normally never does.
A season that changes two lives forever…
When a Rocky Mountain blizzard leaves them snowbound and alone together for days, they can no longer ignore their feelings for one another. As their passion turns to something deeper, it becomes clear to them both that this will be the most important Christmas of their lives.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2017
184 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Clare
56 books4,313 followersUSA Today best-selling author Pamela Clare began her writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor-in-chief of two different newspapers. Along the way, she and her team won numerous state and national honors, including the First Amendment Award and the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, she was honored by the Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists with their Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for her work. A single mother with two grown sons and two cats, she writes historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense within view of Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains. She is a two-time RITA finalist (Surrender, Defiant) and a three-time Daphne du Maurier finalist (I-Team series). She loves history, having studied archaeology in college, and has traveled extensively, living for almost three years in Denmark, which feels like home to her. She attributes her love of historical romance with the years she spent visiting ruins and castles in Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
November 30, 2017
4 It's about time stars
Mild Spoilers
Close to Heaven was a cute little read. I love Pamela Clare and I love The Colorado High Country Series. There is such a sense of community and friendship in these books. The whole town feels real and as a reader I have grown to love them all like I live in that town. So I was super excited to get a book on Joe and Rain. Joe and Rain who give so much to the community in every single book. Joe owns the bar and grill where everyone meets after a long day to eat and hang with friends, and Rain is his manager. They are always helping people who are down and out by raising money . In every book you could feel the lust between them. They kinda remind me of Sam and Diane from the show Cheers. Anyways I was always asking myself why are they not together already and today I got my answer and I got their HEA.
I will say that as much as I enjoyed this book I couldn't give it 5 stars, because it bugged me so much that Joe waited so long to be with Rain. I know the book gives reasons but I felt they weren't good enough reasons..... at least not for a 20 year wait. It drove me crazy that they wasted 20 years that they could have been together. That's like a whole lifetime. All that said it was still a solid 4 star read for me. I did love Joe. I felt at times he was a bit clueless. I got that he felt bad because of the past but he let it rule him to the point that I wanted to reach into my kindle and shake some sense into him. Joe does have a big heart and I could feel his love and respect for Rain. Rain I loved. She was so sweet, and caring. I loved what a good mother she was to her daughter. How hard she worked to give Lark a good life. Pamela Clare did a great job working a lifetime of happiness into one book. She gave me everything I crave in a cute Christmas time love story. It was a happy, sweet read. I also really enjoyed the little side story given as Rain reads Joe's great, great, great, grand asshole's I mean Grandfather's journal. The bit of town history was interesting. I was glad that Pamela Clare didn't paint a happy brush over the past. Didn't give the past a happy ending but instead showed that sometimes bad guys don't pay. I truly hated Joe's great, great........many more greats grandpa he was a worthless pos and reading about the disgusting things he did and never paid for added a layer of emotion to a read that would have been too happy go lucky if it didn't have sadness/anger to balance it out. I am glad Joe and Rain finally got their HEA and all I can say is it's about time lol.
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
Mild Spoilers
Close to Heaven was a cute little read. I love Pamela Clare and I love The Colorado High Country Series. There is such a sense of community and friendship in these books. The whole town feels real and as a reader I have grown to love them all like I live in that town. So I was super excited to get a book on Joe and Rain. Joe and Rain who give so much to the community in every single book. Joe owns the bar and grill where everyone meets after a long day to eat and hang with friends, and Rain is his manager. They are always helping people who are down and out by raising money . In every book you could feel the lust between them. They kinda remind me of Sam and Diane from the show Cheers. Anyways I was always asking myself why are they not together already and today I got my answer and I got their HEA.
I will say that as much as I enjoyed this book I couldn't give it 5 stars, because it bugged me so much that Joe waited so long to be with Rain. I know the book gives reasons but I felt they weren't good enough reasons..... at least not for a 20 year wait. It drove me crazy that they wasted 20 years that they could have been together. That's like a whole lifetime. All that said it was still a solid 4 star read for me. I did love Joe. I felt at times he was a bit clueless. I got that he felt bad because of the past but he let it rule him to the point that I wanted to reach into my kindle and shake some sense into him. Joe does have a big heart and I could feel his love and respect for Rain. Rain I loved. She was so sweet, and caring. I loved what a good mother she was to her daughter. How hard she worked to give Lark a good life. Pamela Clare did a great job working a lifetime of happiness into one book. She gave me everything I crave in a cute Christmas time love story. It was a happy, sweet read. I also really enjoyed the little side story given as Rain reads Joe's great, great, great, grand asshole's I mean Grandfather's journal. The bit of town history was interesting. I was glad that Pamela Clare didn't paint a happy brush over the past. Didn't give the past a happy ending but instead showed that sometimes bad guys don't pay. I truly hated Joe's great, great........many more greats grandpa he was a worthless pos and reading about the disgusting things he did and never paid for added a layer of emotion to a read that would have been too happy go lucky if it didn't have sadness/anger to balance it out. I am glad Joe and Rain finally got their HEA and all I can say is it's about time lol.
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
December 24, 2017
This was a sweet and beautiful story. I enjoyed reading it. I liked both main characters just fine. And I loved that the author kept the story moving at a nice pace.
Sounded like a winner, right?
Unfortunately, there were some niggling issues that by the end, I was in two minds whether I should give this book a 3-star or 4-star rating.
**Some spoilers ahead!
Actually, the plot line where the heroine gets pregnant because of a broken condom is not one of my biggest pet peeves, but it is absolutely not what I love to read either.
I have to say that I was quite taken aback by Joe’s expired condom which led to Rain’s unintended pregnancy. There are some tropes that occasionally leave me irritated or disappointed, and one of those is the surprise pregnancy trope. Let me put it this way, I just wasn’t expecting that. I wanted something else, something more original if you ask me.
Besides, Joe and Rain had had romantic feelings towards each other for twenty years but neither of them had made any move. I think it took them way too long to finally have their HEA. Twenty years! I can’t believe Joe could be so darn clueless! To be honest, I got frustrated with him every time he tried to push Rain away. Of course, he was a good man at heart and I admired him for that. I also understood where he was coming from. BUT I’m just not a fan of pushing away!! And this kind of thing always puts me off!
However, despite those above-mentioned problems, this was a decent read and enjoyable overall. If you want to read this book, then go for it. And as you know, I’m a picky reader so please don’t let my review discourage you. Everyone has different tastes and you might love it more than I did.
Sounded like a winner, right?
Unfortunately, there were some niggling issues that by the end, I was in two minds whether I should give this book a 3-star or 4-star rating.
**Some spoilers ahead!
Actually, the plot line where the heroine gets pregnant because of a broken condom is not one of my biggest pet peeves, but it is absolutely not what I love to read either.
I have to say that I was quite taken aback by Joe’s expired condom which led to Rain’s unintended pregnancy. There are some tropes that occasionally leave me irritated or disappointed, and one of those is the surprise pregnancy trope. Let me put it this way, I just wasn’t expecting that. I wanted something else, something more original if you ask me.
Besides, Joe and Rain had had romantic feelings towards each other for twenty years but neither of them had made any move. I think it took them way too long to finally have their HEA. Twenty years! I can’t believe Joe could be so darn clueless! To be honest, I got frustrated with him every time he tried to push Rain away. Of course, he was a good man at heart and I admired him for that. I also understood where he was coming from. BUT I’m just not a fan of pushing away!! And this kind of thing always puts me off!
However, despite those above-mentioned problems, this was a decent read and enjoyable overall. If you want to read this book, then go for it. And as you know, I’m a picky reader so please don’t let my review discourage you. Everyone has different tastes and you might love it more than I did.
November 7, 2017
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
✮✮✮ 4 STARS ✮✮✮
I have had Pamela Clare on my future reading list for years. I saw an opening in my schedule this month and after all the recommendations and stellar reviews about Close to Heaven I jumped at the chance to read this Christmas-themed contemporary romance. So happy I did.
Close to Heaven is a pretty straight-forward friends-to-lovers story with grown-up characters. And when I say grown-ups I mean characters with a no-BS attitude, people who know what they want and express it in clear, simple words.
Rain has been in love with Joe for twenty years. How she has been able to contain her feelings without going out of her mind is a miracle. Finally she and lays her cards on the table. And let me tell you, that takes some serious guts. I loved and admired Rain for it. I loved that she still could see Joe's side in this situation although she wasn't happy with it. This heroine sneaked into my heart because of her refreshing maturity, the kindness she showed people, her consideration for everyone who touched her life and also her courage to risk everything.
Joe is obstinately holding on to his honor. He thinks it's in everyone's best interest to ignore his deep feelings for Rain. But he has a plethora of friends and employees who tell him insistently how clueless he is when all of them are facing the possibility of a life without this hardworking and kind woman in their small town - that's how popular she is. Their annoyance with him was funny.
Joe knew the moment the staff got word that Rain had quit. Marcia quit speaking to him. Cheyenne openly glared at him. Libby told him she was too busy to talk when he came in to discuss art options for the labels of the new brew.
I wanted to slap Joe a little, not hard, just so to wake him up and see what was right in front of him. His honor is commendable and he is a good man through and through though so I am not complaining that it took him twenty years and half of the town for him to realize that it wasn't just attraction both of them felt. Because once he does he goes all out and shows Rain what a special woman she is and how deep his feelings run.
Joe had come from a long line of assholes, and he was trying desperately not to become one himself.
I love stories with a small-town setting. Everything feels cozy, charming and familiar. Everybody is in everybody's business and has an opinion about everything that is going on and has compunctions voicing it. It can be testing but also sweet because it's usually with the best of intentions. Add to that the holiday factor and I'm all in. I adored this story. For some readers this might be a leeeettle bit too sweet, for me it was the perfect book at the perfect time.
I saw a lot of characters I want to read about, many of their stories already released. Project Pamela Clare is a resounding success and I can't wait to read more of this series.
October 31, 2017
5 "Santa came early..." Stars!
We return to Scarlet Springs and the Colorado High Country series, with Joe and Rain’s story; Close to Heaven.
I was so excited for this couple’s book, partly because the hints as to their feelings towards each other in the previous books have been plentiful, what with Joe owning the Brew Pub & Bar; Knockers and Rain being it’s manager a lot of time has been spent in their company already, but only as secondary characters, and also because Pamela Clare gave them their HEA around my favorite season, Christmas!
She’d loved him for so long…
And boy what a book, I took Close to Heaven to bed with me, saying the famous last words 'Just one Chapter…' and I hit the 25% mark before I had even noticed it. I pretty much didn’t move from the sofa the following day until it was finished. Another huge plus is that this is a couple who have some life experience, Rain in her late 30’s Joe in his late 40’s there was none of your usual angst and drama that I would generally associate with a younger couple coming together under extreme circumstances. And extreme they were what with Rain pretty much losing her house in the early stages of the book, something which facilitates their coming together in that Joe offers her a place to stay.
Just love me…
Joe is a man of principle, and having worked together for twenty odd years, struggles to mask his deep feelings for Rain, with her in such close proximity, especially without the bar, the staff, and its patrons between them. Doesn’t help that Rain has decided enough is enough, and is making it pretty clear she feels the same way too.
I loved the secondary story the author told through Joe’s ancestor; Silas Moffat. The guy was an absolute monster, and it gave gravitas to Joe’s motivation and actions in the book (as well as the previous ones) and also gave you an understanding as to why he is extremely reluctant to take their relationship to the next level.
Our First Christmas Together.
Loved it, love this series, and I cannot wait to see who the author decides to give their HEA to next. Perfect Christmas reading, and although book five of the series, can absolutely be read as a standalone, but take my advice and read them all, you will not be disappointed.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
We return to Scarlet Springs and the Colorado High Country series, with Joe and Rain’s story; Close to Heaven.
I was so excited for this couple’s book, partly because the hints as to their feelings towards each other in the previous books have been plentiful, what with Joe owning the Brew Pub & Bar; Knockers and Rain being it’s manager a lot of time has been spent in their company already, but only as secondary characters, and also because Pamela Clare gave them their HEA around my favorite season, Christmas!
She’d loved him for so long…
And boy what a book, I took Close to Heaven to bed with me, saying the famous last words 'Just one Chapter…' and I hit the 25% mark before I had even noticed it. I pretty much didn’t move from the sofa the following day until it was finished. Another huge plus is that this is a couple who have some life experience, Rain in her late 30’s Joe in his late 40’s there was none of your usual angst and drama that I would generally associate with a younger couple coming together under extreme circumstances. And extreme they were what with Rain pretty much losing her house in the early stages of the book, something which facilitates their coming together in that Joe offers her a place to stay.
Just love me…
Joe is a man of principle, and having worked together for twenty odd years, struggles to mask his deep feelings for Rain, with her in such close proximity, especially without the bar, the staff, and its patrons between them. Doesn’t help that Rain has decided enough is enough, and is making it pretty clear she feels the same way too.
I loved the secondary story the author told through Joe’s ancestor; Silas Moffat. The guy was an absolute monster, and it gave gravitas to Joe’s motivation and actions in the book (as well as the previous ones) and also gave you an understanding as to why he is extremely reluctant to take their relationship to the next level.
Our First Christmas Together.
Loved it, love this series, and I cannot wait to see who the author decides to give their HEA to next. Perfect Christmas reading, and although book five of the series, can absolutely be read as a standalone, but take my advice and read them all, you will not be disappointed.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
November 1, 2017
4 First Christmas Stars
Rain Minear has a bit of a problem. She’s been in love with her boss, brew pub owner Joe Moffat, for over twenty years. While her feelings have developed and grown stronger throughout the years, Joe has made it known he doesn’t date his employees. No exceptions. Besides, if he wanted her, wouldn’t he have made a move already?
As for her love life, well, Joe would never break the rules and date a member of his staff. If he hadn’t tried to sleep with her when she was in her twenties and hot, he wasn’t going to do it now. She needed to get over him and move on.
Add to that a daughter almost ready to graduate college, leaving Rain with an empty nest and wondering what to do with the rest of her life. How long should she keep hoping for something that may never happen?
Joe has been in love with Rain almost as long as she’s been working for him. Their ten year age gap and the fact she was seventeen when Joe first hired her has always made him feel like a creepy old man when it comes to his attraction to Rain, never mind the fact she’s now a thirty seven year old woman. When a brutal winter storm has Rain shacking up with Joe for the foreseeable future, he may just be forced to go after what he wants, no matter his crazy issues.
I’ve said it before and I’m getting ready to write it again; Pamela Clare writes awesome stories about adults, for adults and that’s absolutely something I've come to appreciate. As myself and my kids get older, I’m finding it more and more difficult to stomach the NA and YA genres on a regular basis.
Sometimes I just want a story with a woman in her thirties desperately in love with a man in his forties and I want those characters to act their damn age.
The need for actual adulting in my books is where the entire Colorado High Country series has served me well. I’ve loved every book I’ve read with these cast of characters but I was so happy to hear Rain was going to get her own story, and with the mysterious Joe, no less. Rain has always been in the background as the hard working hippy-ish single mom with a heart of gold but she didn’t exactly make a strong impression on me. This book changed that and I came to adore her, especially how up front she finally was with Joe when she needed to be.
And then there’s Joe. Is he sweeter than candy? You bet. Is he also completely clueless when it comes to Rain? Most definitely. There were times I felt like pulling my hair out at the man’s utterly stupid reasons for staying away from our gal Rain, but when he finally admits to falling, he falls hard.
Close to Heaven is the perfect holiday read if you’re looking to bring a little Christmas cheer your way. When the push and pull of the first half of the book finally gives way to Joe and Rain the couple, Joe wastes no time in making Rain his in a big way and after twenty years, all I could say was “finally!” This series just keeps getting better and better.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Rain Minear has a bit of a problem. She’s been in love with her boss, brew pub owner Joe Moffat, for over twenty years. While her feelings have developed and grown stronger throughout the years, Joe has made it known he doesn’t date his employees. No exceptions. Besides, if he wanted her, wouldn’t he have made a move already?
As for her love life, well, Joe would never break the rules and date a member of his staff. If he hadn’t tried to sleep with her when she was in her twenties and hot, he wasn’t going to do it now. She needed to get over him and move on.
Add to that a daughter almost ready to graduate college, leaving Rain with an empty nest and wondering what to do with the rest of her life. How long should she keep hoping for something that may never happen?
Joe has been in love with Rain almost as long as she’s been working for him. Their ten year age gap and the fact she was seventeen when Joe first hired her has always made him feel like a creepy old man when it comes to his attraction to Rain, never mind the fact she’s now a thirty seven year old woman. When a brutal winter storm has Rain shacking up with Joe for the foreseeable future, he may just be forced to go after what he wants, no matter his crazy issues.
I’ve said it before and I’m getting ready to write it again; Pamela Clare writes awesome stories about adults, for adults and that’s absolutely something I've come to appreciate. As myself and my kids get older, I’m finding it more and more difficult to stomach the NA and YA genres on a regular basis.
Sometimes I just want a story with a woman in her thirties desperately in love with a man in his forties and I want those characters to act their damn age.
The need for actual adulting in my books is where the entire Colorado High Country series has served me well. I’ve loved every book I’ve read with these cast of characters but I was so happy to hear Rain was going to get her own story, and with the mysterious Joe, no less. Rain has always been in the background as the hard working hippy-ish single mom with a heart of gold but she didn’t exactly make a strong impression on me. This book changed that and I came to adore her, especially how up front she finally was with Joe when she needed to be.
And then there’s Joe. Is he sweeter than candy? You bet. Is he also completely clueless when it comes to Rain? Most definitely. There were times I felt like pulling my hair out at the man’s utterly stupid reasons for staying away from our gal Rain, but when he finally admits to falling, he falls hard.
Close to Heaven is the perfect holiday read if you’re looking to bring a little Christmas cheer your way. When the push and pull of the first half of the book finally gives way to Joe and Rain the couple, Joe wastes no time in making Rain his in a big way and after twenty years, all I could say was “finally!” This series just keeps getting better and better.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
October 30, 2017
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Pamela Clare is one of the very best romance, romantic-suspense authors ever. In "Close to Heaven" we have a sweet Christmas romance between two adults, Rain and Joe, with more than a little life under their belts. It's wonderful to see what their backstories are and how their romance ignites. The history woven throughout is sad, but really interesting as a foundation for who Joe is and how that came to be.
Rain Minear is feeling empty nest syndrome and the lack of direction in her life as her daughter is soon to graduate from college. More than half her life has been spent caring for Lark and now what? Add to that. the man she had loved for 20 years just doesn't show any sign of being at all interested. Talk about depressing and it's 27 days to Christmas and the forecast is for 4 feet of snow. Total Bah-Humbug. When Rain goes to bed she is thinking maybe it is time to change some things in her life.
Joe Moffat is one of those guys who would give you the shirt off his back and help you when you are down. He treats his employees at his bar/grill/brewery Knockers as family and he can't give back enough to his community of Scarlet Springs. But Joe has secrets and only one of them has to do with Rain. She showed up at Knockers 20 years ago as a 17 year old with a 2 week baby looking for a job. Joe was literally knocked over with insta-lust and firmly decided that was just not ever going to happen, ever. Rain was his employee and strictly off limits.
When Rain left homeless by a roof collapse, Joe has to reconsider how his hands-off policy has affected both their lives. With Joe and Rain snowbound in his house you would think something would finally happen. Yeah, lots happened, but not what you expect. Rain has nothing to lose and lays it all out. Joe, stupid, stupid man, has his reasons but Rain just thinks he really doesn't want her. Joe has to reconsider everything and make some hard decisions or he could lose Rain for good.
Pamela Clare is one of the very best romance, romantic-suspense authors ever. In "Close to Heaven" we have a sweet Christmas romance between two adults, Rain and Joe, with more than a little life under their belts. It's wonderful to see what their backstories are and how their romance ignites. The history woven throughout is sad, but really interesting as a foundation for who Joe is and how that came to be.
Rain Minear is feeling empty nest syndrome and the lack of direction in her life as her daughter is soon to graduate from college. More than half her life has been spent caring for Lark and now what? Add to that. the man she had loved for 20 years just doesn't show any sign of being at all interested. Talk about depressing and it's 27 days to Christmas and the forecast is for 4 feet of snow. Total Bah-Humbug. When Rain goes to bed she is thinking maybe it is time to change some things in her life.
Joe Moffat is one of those guys who would give you the shirt off his back and help you when you are down. He treats his employees at his bar/grill/brewery Knockers as family and he can't give back enough to his community of Scarlet Springs. But Joe has secrets and only one of them has to do with Rain. She showed up at Knockers 20 years ago as a 17 year old with a 2 week baby looking for a job. Joe was literally knocked over with insta-lust and firmly decided that was just not ever going to happen, ever. Rain was his employee and strictly off limits.
When Rain left homeless by a roof collapse, Joe has to reconsider how his hands-off policy has affected both their lives. With Joe and Rain snowbound in his house you would think something would finally happen. Yeah, lots happened, but not what you expect. Rain has nothing to lose and lays it all out. Joe, stupid, stupid man, has his reasons but Rain just thinks he really doesn't want her. Joe has to reconsider everything and make some hard decisions or he could lose Rain for good.
November 14, 2017
Close to Heaven is the story of Rain and Joe. Rain has been waitressing for Joe for the last twenties years. Ever since she walked through the doorstep of Joe’s at seventeen with a newborn baby of only weeks and with no money or family, begging for a chance to prove herself, Rain has respected and admired Joe. When he defended her against her selfish ex a year later, Rain fell irrevocably in love with the man.
Joe has been half way in love with Rain too but he’s used every excuse in the book to dodge his deeper feelings for her. Besides the age difference, he never wanted to seem as he was taking advantage of her since she was his employee and he was her boss. But his reasons for keeping a safe distance from his greatest temptation goes back a few generations.
But twenty years is a lot of time to deny yourself the one you love and when a caved in roof has Rain moving in with Joe, Rain throws all caution to the wind and finally confesses her own feelings to Joe. Rain and Joe’s story to their own HEA is a mesh of their present but also their long family history.
What I liked:
Rain and Joe were two very likable people. They genuinely cared for others, had strong ties to the community and to their friends. They were respected and loved and it was easy to see why. I loved them both, even if Joe was a bit stubborn and wishy washy in the beginning. When the true reason for pushing Rain away comes to light, I had to cut him some slack, his family history was so intertwined with the whole town and with Rain and so many of his other friends, I could see why the guilt over his ancestor’s actions might have burdened Joe so much.
Once the truth comes out, there isn’t any unnecessary drama or miscommunication. It’s all handled up front and with out recriminations. I loved that Rain was so understanding and helped Joe move past his misplaced guilt and see what a generous and giving person he was. She was just what needed he needed to snap him out of his self made prison and give them both a second chance to be happy.
What I didn't like:
Rain was at her own cross roads when her story starts. With an adult daughter who recently moved away and her lonely life stretched out before, Rain is desperate to find out what her next step is in life. Finally giving in to her feelings for Joe kind of catapults her onto a new path. That’s not the part I didn’t like.
It was actually her daughter that through a wrench in an otherwise sweet romance. Her character was too … exuberant isn’t the right word. I want to say brash but that sounds so old school. What rubbed me the wrong way was that she was so epically different than her mother. Rain was all things sweet and selfless and hard working and kind hearted and then we get to see the child she sacrificed and worked so hard for and she was almost bratty and spoiled than I would have expected. I wanted her to be more like Rain. The way she so easily accepted Joe and his (back then) undisclosed amount of money seemed too superficial and materialistic to endear me to her. Granted it all works out in the end and I get that she wanted to pamper her mom but still, am I the only one that would skirmish to take someones money and spend it like its my right? Maybe I have money hangups but the dress shopping scene really left me with a tarnished impression of Lark and it wasn’t really redeemed towards the end.
Besides that small hiccup Closer to Heaven has two awesome MCs and a real love story that definitely carried the holiday spirit. I would recommend if you like mature MCs and slow burn second chance romances.
Favorite Line:
Memorable Moments:
The wedding scene was something that was sweet and unconventional but 100% Rain and Joe. It was all about family, friends and a genuine feeling of community. It was a down to earth fairy tale wedding that left me with all the feels.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
SAFETY
Joe has been half way in love with Rain too but he’s used every excuse in the book to dodge his deeper feelings for her. Besides the age difference, he never wanted to seem as he was taking advantage of her since she was his employee and he was her boss. But his reasons for keeping a safe distance from his greatest temptation goes back a few generations.
But twenty years is a lot of time to deny yourself the one you love and when a caved in roof has Rain moving in with Joe, Rain throws all caution to the wind and finally confesses her own feelings to Joe. Rain and Joe’s story to their own HEA is a mesh of their present but also their long family history.
What I liked:
Rain and Joe were two very likable people. They genuinely cared for others, had strong ties to the community and to their friends. They were respected and loved and it was easy to see why. I loved them both, even if Joe was a bit stubborn and wishy washy in the beginning. When the true reason for pushing Rain away comes to light, I had to cut him some slack, his family history was so intertwined with the whole town and with Rain and so many of his other friends, I could see why the guilt over his ancestor’s actions might have burdened Joe so much.
Once the truth comes out, there isn’t any unnecessary drama or miscommunication. It’s all handled up front and with out recriminations. I loved that Rain was so understanding and helped Joe move past his misplaced guilt and see what a generous and giving person he was. She was just what needed he needed to snap him out of his self made prison and give them both a second chance to be happy.
What I didn't like:
Rain was at her own cross roads when her story starts. With an adult daughter who recently moved away and her lonely life stretched out before, Rain is desperate to find out what her next step is in life. Finally giving in to her feelings for Joe kind of catapults her onto a new path. That’s not the part I didn’t like.
It was actually her daughter that through a wrench in an otherwise sweet romance. Her character was too … exuberant isn’t the right word. I want to say brash but that sounds so old school. What rubbed me the wrong way was that she was so epically different than her mother. Rain was all things sweet and selfless and hard working and kind hearted and then we get to see the child she sacrificed and worked so hard for and she was almost bratty and spoiled than I would have expected. I wanted her to be more like Rain. The way she so easily accepted Joe and his (back then) undisclosed amount of money seemed too superficial and materialistic to endear me to her. Granted it all works out in the end and I get that she wanted to pamper her mom but still, am I the only one that would skirmish to take someones money and spend it like its my right? Maybe I have money hangups but the dress shopping scene really left me with a tarnished impression of Lark and it wasn’t really redeemed towards the end.
Besides that small hiccup Closer to Heaven has two awesome MCs and a real love story that definitely carried the holiday spirit. I would recommend if you like mature MCs and slow burn second chance romances.
Favorite Line:
She was as close to heaven as he’d ever get, the source of his salvation, his beginning and end.
Memorable Moments:
The wedding scene was something that was sweet and unconventional but 100% Rain and Joe. It was all about family, friends and a genuine feeling of community. It was a down to earth fairy tale wedding that left me with all the feels.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
SAFETY
October 29, 2017
Oh, this was such a sweet little friends-to-lovers Christmas story...and bonus, Rain and Joe were real adults with some life under their belts, and not immature twenty-somethings!!
July 25, 2024
20 years is a long time to love someone from arms length. I admit, it bothered me at first that it took Rain and Joe 20 years before something finally shook these two enough to take a chance. However, once things started to change for them, it really was a beautiful story.
Rain came into Joe's life when she was just 17 and with a two week old baby. She was desperate for a job and Joe couldn't refuse her. We learn that he was drawn to hear from the start but he's 10 years older than her and he didn't want to take advantage of her situation. As the story moves along, we learn why he never made a move.
I'm not usually one who likes this scenario. I like for the Hero to see what he wants and go after it and yet, I can concede that in a case like this, the author did the right thing with Joe. The journey of learning what shaped him and his discovery that he wasn't what he feared through the love of Rain, his employees and the town folk makes for a very heartwarming tale.
I'm looking forward to what the author will bring us next in the series.
Rain came into Joe's life when she was just 17 and with a two week old baby. She was desperate for a job and Joe couldn't refuse her. We learn that he was drawn to hear from the start but he's 10 years older than her and he didn't want to take advantage of her situation. As the story moves along, we learn why he never made a move.
I'm not usually one who likes this scenario. I like for the Hero to see what he wants and go after it and yet, I can concede that in a case like this, the author did the right thing with Joe. The journey of learning what shaped him and his discovery that he wasn't what he feared through the love of Rain, his employees and the town folk makes for a very heartwarming tale.
I'm looking forward to what the author will bring us next in the series.
December 6, 2017
Joe Moffat is the owner of Knockers, Scarlet Springs’ town bar (the name relates to a mine mythology about Tommyknockers). He’s a really good guy but no one really knows much about him. Rain Minear has worked for him for 20 years as his general manager and hostess. He’s loved her for about as many years but has a strong code of ethics about workplace relationships, especially since he’s the boss. Little does he know that his feelings are reciprocated until a snowstorm breaks the ice, sort of.
Until this story, my image of Joe was that of a counterculture sort based on his look (long hair, easygoing manner). He’s anything but! Joe’s history was rather incredible, as was Rain’s who has the sweetest soul. I loved everything about these two, both having a kind of nobility that was inspiring. Their relationship developed beautifully in a way that was true to their natures, even if Joe was a bit stubborn. It was wonderful.
The spirit of community resounded in this story, so fitting for the Christmas season. I knew I was going to love this book but it even surpassed my high expectations. It warmed my soul.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Until this story, my image of Joe was that of a counterculture sort based on his look (long hair, easygoing manner). He’s anything but! Joe’s history was rather incredible, as was Rain’s who has the sweetest soul. I loved everything about these two, both having a kind of nobility that was inspiring. Their relationship developed beautifully in a way that was true to their natures, even if Joe was a bit stubborn. It was wonderful.
The spirit of community resounded in this story, so fitting for the Christmas season. I knew I was going to love this book but it even surpassed my high expectations. It warmed my soul.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
November 13, 2017
Once again I'm kicking myself. I've had this entire series on my kindle's gigantic TBR pile, and somehow, somehow, I'd forgotten about it until this gem (and that cover) popped up on Netgalley. So my dilemma...do I start with this book and read them all out of order, or do the responsible thing--go back and start with book #1: Barely Breathing?
I must confess--last year(?) I started to read Barely Breathing, and I just wasn't feeling it, for whatever reason. I think maybe it was just too much of an info dump for me to handle at the time (names, places, series set-up, etc.) so I put it on the back-burner (and then forgot about it:(
Now before I started Close To Heaven, I realized that I had read a book in this series--Falling Hard--and according to my notes--I loved it (even though I couldn't remember all the deets now)!
Anyhow, I took a chance on this one, figuring PC would get me up to speed on all that I missed (and she did, without any confusion). Were there spoilers I encountered while reading this way? Of course there were a few, but it didn't bother me at all. This was Rain and Joe's story, and it was steamy, eye opening, and very, very lovely.
Rain is a 37 year old single mother of a college age daughter and general manager of Knockers, a popular brew pub in Scarlet Springs, Colorado. She's worked there for 20 years, ever since the owner, 10-years-older than her Joe Moffat, took her under his wing and gave her a job when her family and baby-daddy turned their backs on her. For 20 long years Joe and Rain have carried a torch for each other, but Joe wouldn't act upon his growing feelings, because of his family history. This family history is a key part of this book. There are many passages where PC takes us back in time to the history of Scarlet Springs, and to the ancestors of this series' current characters. I found this history very enjoyable reading, even though one current character's relative's fate just about broke my heart. Anyway, the reader finds out why Joe acts the way he does, and why he feels an incredible amount of guilt/shame/responsibility that has nothing to do with the kind of person he truly is, although it certainly has an influence on the man that he has vowed to become.
So it's been 20 years for Joe and Rain, with a deep friendship-only relationship, until a blizzard hits Scarlet Springs, and fate puts Joe and Rain together, and they're forced to confront their feelings. And all I wanted to say was "let it snow"!
So, no more details. This book was an awesome read, in every respect (plot, characters, steam factor) and as soon as I finished it I went on a Colorado High Country binge, reading every last one of them--including Barely Breathing--which I ended up loving! Would I recommend reading this way--of course not. But some times it works out best this way.
As always, Pamela Clare not only gives you scorching hot, emotional romance, but she always, always teaches you something too. The lady obviously does her research, and each book in this series manages to give you either a little history lesson or teaches you something about a different culture. To me, I think that is why I enjoy her books so much.
Every book in this series is a winner (my favorite couple being Hawke and Victoria from Slow Burn) so you can't go wrong with any of them. Try to read in order if you can--but it's ok to do what I did--just read them and enjoy!
5 stars
I must confess--last year(?) I started to read Barely Breathing, and I just wasn't feeling it, for whatever reason. I think maybe it was just too much of an info dump for me to handle at the time (names, places, series set-up, etc.) so I put it on the back-burner (and then forgot about it:(
Now before I started Close To Heaven, I realized that I had read a book in this series--Falling Hard--and according to my notes--I loved it (even though I couldn't remember all the deets now)!
Anyhow, I took a chance on this one, figuring PC would get me up to speed on all that I missed (and she did, without any confusion). Were there spoilers I encountered while reading this way? Of course there were a few, but it didn't bother me at all. This was Rain and Joe's story, and it was steamy, eye opening, and very, very lovely.
Rain is a 37 year old single mother of a college age daughter and general manager of Knockers, a popular brew pub in Scarlet Springs, Colorado. She's worked there for 20 years, ever since the owner, 10-years-older than her Joe Moffat, took her under his wing and gave her a job when her family and baby-daddy turned their backs on her. For 20 long years Joe and Rain have carried a torch for each other, but Joe wouldn't act upon his growing feelings, because of his family history. This family history is a key part of this book. There are many passages where PC takes us back in time to the history of Scarlet Springs, and to the ancestors of this series' current characters. I found this history very enjoyable reading, even though one current character's relative's fate just about broke my heart. Anyway, the reader finds out why Joe acts the way he does, and why he feels an incredible amount of guilt/shame/responsibility that has nothing to do with the kind of person he truly is, although it certainly has an influence on the man that he has vowed to become.
So it's been 20 years for Joe and Rain, with a deep friendship-only relationship, until a blizzard hits Scarlet Springs, and fate puts Joe and Rain together, and they're forced to confront their feelings. And all I wanted to say was "let it snow"!
So, no more details. This book was an awesome read, in every respect (plot, characters, steam factor) and as soon as I finished it I went on a Colorado High Country binge, reading every last one of them--including Barely Breathing--which I ended up loving! Would I recommend reading this way--of course not. But some times it works out best this way.
As always, Pamela Clare not only gives you scorching hot, emotional romance, but she always, always teaches you something too. The lady obviously does her research, and each book in this series manages to give you either a little history lesson or teaches you something about a different culture. To me, I think that is why I enjoy her books so much.
Every book in this series is a winner (my favorite couple being Hawke and Victoria from Slow Burn) so you can't go wrong with any of them. Try to read in order if you can--but it's ok to do what I did--just read them and enjoy!
5 stars
November 1, 2017
I don't have enough words to describe how much I loved this book. In all honestly, I've rarely been disappointed with a Pamela Clare book. She is a phenomenal writer and keeps me engaged in the characters and engaged in the story. Even though the Colorado High Country series is straight contemporary and not suspense, they are still such good reads.
Although this one seemed a bit shorter than the others, I think it is right up there as my favorite. We've seen both Joe and Rain since this series began. In Close to Heaven we get their story and man, what a story indeed! Two people who have loved each other for years but have kept quiet. One because he didn't want to seem like he was a mirror of the past and the other because she was uncertain of his feelings.
This truly is a great story and seeing inside Joe's head, this important man who has done so much for everybody in all the books, is so fun. His love for Rain and his love for the town make him such a great hero. He would do anything for Rain, even before he admitted he loved her. Sure he had his head up his ass for a bit but when he finally gave into his feelings for Rain and admitted he loved her, there was no stopping him. He wants to shower his money on Rain who basically scraped by while raising Lark.
I absolutely love the direction Pamela took this story. I knew it was coming but didn't bother me one small bit since those are my favorite kind of stories. :)
I can't say enough good things about this book. If you haven't 1-clicked it already, you need to do so now!!!
Quotes & Faves:
♥ When Guy had shown up at Knockers a few years later, wanting money and demanding to see Rain, Joe had punched him, thrown him out the door and onto his ass in the parking lot. Rain had been hopelessly in love with him since that day.
♥ Some part of her—she thought it was probably her ovaries—could have stood on this spot and watched him all day, but her brain had a better idea.
♥ Her eyes filled with tears, her lips curving in a tremulous smile. “I kind of figured, but it’s really nice to hear you say it.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks, his heart soaring. “I love you, Rain. I’ve loved you since that first time you bought Bear supper.”
♥ “I know you can.” He glanced over at her. “What good is my money if I can’t spend some of it on the woman I love?”
Although this one seemed a bit shorter than the others, I think it is right up there as my favorite. We've seen both Joe and Rain since this series began. In Close to Heaven we get their story and man, what a story indeed! Two people who have loved each other for years but have kept quiet. One because he didn't want to seem like he was a mirror of the past and the other because she was uncertain of his feelings.
This truly is a great story and seeing inside Joe's head, this important man who has done so much for everybody in all the books, is so fun. His love for Rain and his love for the town make him such a great hero. He would do anything for Rain, even before he admitted he loved her. Sure he had his head up his ass for a bit but when he finally gave into his feelings for Rain and admitted he loved her, there was no stopping him. He wants to shower his money on Rain who basically scraped by while raising Lark.
I absolutely love the direction Pamela took this story. I knew it was coming but didn't bother me one small bit since those are my favorite kind of stories. :)
I can't say enough good things about this book. If you haven't 1-clicked it already, you need to do so now!!!
Quotes & Faves:
♥ When Guy had shown up at Knockers a few years later, wanting money and demanding to see Rain, Joe had punched him, thrown him out the door and onto his ass in the parking lot. Rain had been hopelessly in love with him since that day.
♥ Some part of her—she thought it was probably her ovaries—could have stood on this spot and watched him all day, but her brain had a better idea.
♥ Her eyes filled with tears, her lips curving in a tremulous smile. “I kind of figured, but it’s really nice to hear you say it.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks, his heart soaring. “I love you, Rain. I’ve loved you since that first time you bought Bear supper.”
♥ “I know you can.” He glanced over at her. “What good is my money if I can’t spend some of it on the woman I love?”
November 3, 2017
You can find this review in English below.
**Esta reseña es de una ARC recibida gratuitamente y sólo refleja mi opinión personal sobre la historia.**
Rain y Joe se conocen desde hace más de 20 años. Y trabajan juntos desde el día que se conocieron. Rain era una adolescente de 17 años, con un bebé de meses y completamente sola y abandonada. Joe le dio un empleo y la ayudó a salir adelante.
En un primer momento las razones que mantenían separada a esta pareja parecían razonables, pero creo que el tramo de tiempo (20 años) ha jugado en su contra, le ha restado realismo a la historia.
El detonante para el acercamiento ha sido poco sutil, una situación de vida o muerte (más o menos) que los hace abrir los ojos, aunque eso no es suficiente, también necesitan de la ayuda de sus amigos para dar el paso final.
Y en paralelo al romance vamos conociendo la historia de los fundadores del pueblo a través de un diario escrito por el tatatatata[…]tatarabuelo de Joe. Esta historia ha sido muy interesante. Brutal y creo que realista. Pero la narrativa no ha sido la mejor. El diario estaba lleno de diálogos citados y eso me ha chocado bastante. Nadie escribe en su diario conversaciones entrecomilladas, ¿o sí?
Pero lo que de verdad le ha restado interés a la historia es que se vuelve, de manera exponencial, empalagosa hasta el punto de ser superficial.
El hecho de que el héroe sea billionario y que él mismo se defina como tal, que la hija adulta de Rain lo llame papá al instante y que la autora nos cuente que el vestido de novia de Rain (comprado en 20 min) costó 250.000$ no ha ayudado a darle sentido a la historia. El espíritu navideño ha quedado sumergido en tanto materialismo, tanta perfección (los personajes son todos perfectos al igual que sus relaciones) y por desgracia, en un nivel de empalagamiento que ha sido ridículo.
Le ha faltado trama y profundizar en la relación entre los protagonistas. Le ha faltado espíritu navideño. Y le han sobrado secundarios y los últimos capítulos dedicados al poder adquisitivo del protagonista.
ARC provided by Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op and the autor via Netgalley.
Rain and Joe have known each other for more than 20 years. And they have worked together since the day they met. Rain was a 17-year-old teenager, with a month-old daughter and completely alone and abandoned by her family. Joe gave her a job and helped her to move foward.
At first, the reasons that kept this couple apart seemed reasonable, but I think that the stretch of time (20 years) has played against them, it has lessened the story´s realism.
The trigger which makes the MC´s open their eyes has been less than subtle, they needed a life-or-death situation (more or less) to get together, although the situation only wasn´t enough, they also needed the help of their friends.
And in parallel to the romance, we get to know the story of the town's founders through a diary written by Joe's grand-grand[...]grandfather. This story has been very interesting. Brutal and, I think, realistic. But the narrative has not been the best. The diary was full of dialogues between quotation marks and that has shocked me a bit. Nobody quotes full conversations in their diaries, or do they?
But what has really diminished my interest in the story is that it becomes exponentially sugary to the point of being shallow.
The fact that the hero is a billionaire (he defines himself as such), that Rain's adult daughter calls him dad in the blink of an eye and that the author tells us that Rain's wedding dress (bought in 20 min) cost $ 250,000.00 has not helped to make the story interesting. The Christmas spirit has been drowned in materialism, in too much perfection (all the characters are perfect as well as their relationships) and unfortunately, in a ridiculous amount of cloying.
This story has lacked deep in both its storyline and the MC´s relationship. It has lacked Christmas spirit. And it had had secondary characters and chapters devoted to the hero´s purchasing power in excess.
**Esta reseña es de una ARC recibida gratuitamente y sólo refleja mi opinión personal sobre la historia.**
Rain y Joe se conocen desde hace más de 20 años. Y trabajan juntos desde el día que se conocieron. Rain era una adolescente de 17 años, con un bebé de meses y completamente sola y abandonada. Joe le dio un empleo y la ayudó a salir adelante.
En un primer momento las razones que mantenían separada a esta pareja parecían razonables, pero creo que el tramo de tiempo (20 años) ha jugado en su contra, le ha restado realismo a la historia.
El detonante para el acercamiento ha sido poco sutil, una situación de vida o muerte (más o menos) que los hace abrir los ojos, aunque eso no es suficiente, también necesitan de la ayuda de sus amigos para dar el paso final.
Y en paralelo al romance vamos conociendo la historia de los fundadores del pueblo a través de un diario escrito por el tatatatata[…]tatarabuelo de Joe. Esta historia ha sido muy interesante. Brutal y creo que realista. Pero la narrativa no ha sido la mejor. El diario estaba lleno de diálogos citados y eso me ha chocado bastante. Nadie escribe en su diario conversaciones entrecomilladas, ¿o sí?
Pero lo que de verdad le ha restado interés a la historia es que se vuelve, de manera exponencial, empalagosa hasta el punto de ser superficial.
El hecho de que el héroe sea billionario y que él mismo se defina como tal, que la hija adulta de Rain lo llame papá al instante y que la autora nos cuente que el vestido de novia de Rain (comprado en 20 min) costó 250.000$ no ha ayudado a darle sentido a la historia. El espíritu navideño ha quedado sumergido en tanto materialismo, tanta perfección (los personajes son todos perfectos al igual que sus relaciones) y por desgracia, en un nivel de empalagamiento que ha sido ridículo.
Le ha faltado trama y profundizar en la relación entre los protagonistas. Le ha faltado espíritu navideño. Y le han sobrado secundarios y los últimos capítulos dedicados al poder adquisitivo del protagonista.
ARC provided by Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op and the autor via Netgalley.
Rain and Joe have known each other for more than 20 years. And they have worked together since the day they met. Rain was a 17-year-old teenager, with a month-old daughter and completely alone and abandoned by her family. Joe gave her a job and helped her to move foward.
At first, the reasons that kept this couple apart seemed reasonable, but I think that the stretch of time (20 years) has played against them, it has lessened the story´s realism.
The trigger which makes the MC´s open their eyes has been less than subtle, they needed a life-or-death situation (more or less) to get together, although the situation only wasn´t enough, they also needed the help of their friends.
And in parallel to the romance, we get to know the story of the town's founders through a diary written by Joe's grand-grand[...]grandfather. This story has been very interesting. Brutal and, I think, realistic. But the narrative has not been the best. The diary was full of dialogues between quotation marks and that has shocked me a bit. Nobody quotes full conversations in their diaries, or do they?
But what has really diminished my interest in the story is that it becomes exponentially sugary to the point of being shallow.
The fact that the hero is a billionaire (he defines himself as such), that Rain's adult daughter calls him dad in the blink of an eye and that the author tells us that Rain's wedding dress (bought in 20 min) cost $ 250,000.00 has not helped to make the story interesting. The Christmas spirit has been drowned in materialism, in too much perfection (all the characters are perfect as well as their relationships) and unfortunately, in a ridiculous amount of cloying.
This story has lacked deep in both its storyline and the MC´s relationship. It has lacked Christmas spirit. And it had had secondary characters and chapters devoted to the hero´s purchasing power in excess.
November 5, 2017
Wow, I can't believe it. I've read 5 books in this series. I still want more. I love it when an author can do that.
I've loved the little bit that I've read about Rain and Joe in the previous books.
Rain is much softer than I realized- and a little insecure. She's also sweet, loving and giving. Rain's practically the heart and soul of Scarlet Springs.
Rain is 37 y/o and Joe is 10 years older. Rain has worked at Joe's brew pub, "Knockers", for the last 20 years.
Rain's daughter Lark is away at college in Boulder. Rain is really missing her terribly.
She feels lost and has given up on Joe ever noticing her.
This is 3rd person POV, so I got to read about Joe's frustration too. He adores Rain. He is determined to never let her or anyone know. At first I thought it was due to the boss/employee thing. There's some timely discussion about men being (in)appropriate around coworkers.
I enjoyed the constant tease that Joe and Rain experienced. I experienced it too!
Rain was much more up front about expressing her attraction. Joe fought hard to keep his love/lust to himself.
For 20 years Rain has struggled to raise Lark and work to support herself and have a home. When the book begins, she experiences a terrible set back.
This puts her directly in Joe's path. He still tries to resist. He also jumps in to help Rain without thinking twice.
The personal gym scene was smokin' hot. There are several scenes that just build onto a big show down.
Joe's a lug head. A lovable lug head. His reasons for living his life alone comes out gradually.
Rain finds a journal that provides some painful truths about the past.
The journals are peeks into the past without flashbacks (thank the Lord).
I love that Winter in the Rockies was featured. It played the catalyst to bringing Joe and Rain together.
The previous books had a lot more action. This book had a huge focus on RELATIONSHIPS.
Or lack of.
The supporting characters played very minor roles. Joe.Rain. The relentless snow storm. No where to go... Joe and Rain are forced to deal with their attraction.
Just about everyone was family. Hawke, Taylor, Chaska, Old Man (I love him! I love love his scene! I want him as my grandpa)
Rose, the elderly gossipy neighbor-she had some funny scenes.
Lark, Rain's daughter is very sweet, just like her mom.
The guys/gals on the Rescue Team had brief but helpful scenes (always prepared to save the day).
Bob and Kendra:
Chapter 9:
Bob to Kendra: "Are you going to sit around talking all night, or are you going to make dinner?" Kendra glared at him. "How about you get off your hairy butt and make dinner?" Bob chuckled. " I love you too much to force my cooking on you, darlin'." [location 1546]
See, there are some sarcastic, sweet and tender moments too. Ha!
The look into the past (1800s Scarlet Springs) was upsetting. I realized that it couldn't be changed. Back then, not everyone was old fashioned and moral. It was a little haunting to me. Could those traits be passed down?
What's stronger nature or nurture? That's Joe's dilemma.
The romance kept up and up.
The Ending was fantastic. Joe has to deal with his heritage and who he really is. Rain is so wise about this. The very end is sugary sweet, but I loved it. I loved the epilogue (wasn't rushed at all)- thanks for the look into the near future.
AND................ I want more! (please)
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC. (belated Bday gift & early Christmas gift)
5 stars! (again)
I've loved the little bit that I've read about Rain and Joe in the previous books.
Rain is much softer than I realized- and a little insecure. She's also sweet, loving and giving. Rain's practically the heart and soul of Scarlet Springs.
Rain is 37 y/o and Joe is 10 years older. Rain has worked at Joe's brew pub, "Knockers", for the last 20 years.
Rain's daughter Lark is away at college in Boulder. Rain is really missing her terribly.
She feels lost and has given up on Joe ever noticing her.
This is 3rd person POV, so I got to read about Joe's frustration too. He adores Rain. He is determined to never let her or anyone know. At first I thought it was due to the boss/employee thing. There's some timely discussion about men being (in)appropriate around coworkers.
I enjoyed the constant tease that Joe and Rain experienced. I experienced it too!
Rain was much more up front about expressing her attraction. Joe fought hard to keep his love/lust to himself.
For 20 years Rain has struggled to raise Lark and work to support herself and have a home. When the book begins, she experiences a terrible set back.
This puts her directly in Joe's path. He still tries to resist. He also jumps in to help Rain without thinking twice.
The personal gym scene was smokin' hot. There are several scenes that just build onto a big show down.
Joe's a lug head. A lovable lug head. His reasons for living his life alone comes out gradually.
Rain finds a journal that provides some painful truths about the past.
The journals are peeks into the past without flashbacks (thank the Lord).
I love that Winter in the Rockies was featured. It played the catalyst to bringing Joe and Rain together.
The previous books had a lot more action. This book had a huge focus on RELATIONSHIPS.
Or lack of.
The supporting characters played very minor roles. Joe.Rain. The relentless snow storm. No where to go... Joe and Rain are forced to deal with their attraction.
Just about everyone was family. Hawke, Taylor, Chaska, Old Man (I love him! I love love his scene! I want him as my grandpa)
Rose, the elderly gossipy neighbor-she had some funny scenes.
Lark, Rain's daughter is very sweet, just like her mom.
The guys/gals on the Rescue Team had brief but helpful scenes (always prepared to save the day).
Bob and Kendra:
Chapter 9:
Bob to Kendra: "Are you going to sit around talking all night, or are you going to make dinner?" Kendra glared at him. "How about you get off your hairy butt and make dinner?" Bob chuckled. " I love you too much to force my cooking on you, darlin'." [location 1546]
See, there are some sarcastic, sweet and tender moments too. Ha!
The look into the past (1800s Scarlet Springs) was upsetting. I realized that it couldn't be changed. Back then, not everyone was old fashioned and moral. It was a little haunting to me. Could those traits be passed down?
What's stronger nature or nurture? That's Joe's dilemma.
The romance kept up and up.
The Ending was fantastic. Joe has to deal with his heritage and who he really is. Rain is so wise about this. The very end is sugary sweet, but I loved it. I loved the epilogue (wasn't rushed at all)- thanks for the look into the near future.
AND................ I want more! (please)
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC. (belated Bday gift & early Christmas gift)
5 stars! (again)
November 28, 2017
This was a quick, sweet read, and I picked it up just in time for the holidays! 💚💚 It's been about a month since I read it so the details are a bit fuzzy, but I do know that I really enjoyed it 🤗
November 20, 2017
4.5 stars
Joe is a sweet, kind, generous, down to earth man who loves his community and the residents. His great-great-grandfathers past is haunting him everyday, driving Joes’ plans to stay single. For years he has avoided his feelings for Rain and now mother nature is forcing their hand.
Rain is a hard working, levelheaded, business manager and mother. Pushing her wants and needs aside to raise her daughter, Lark. Now Lark is grown and off to college, Rain is deciding to risk it all. She’s going to prove they’re better together.
Joe and Rain are so perfectly designed and crafted for one another; the reader cannot help but fall in love with them both. Ms. Clare has pulls the reader through an immense amount of emotions: anger, sadness, hope, love, happiness and joy. Every time the love outshines the anger. The secondary characters were superb, full of great advice and laughter. The plot was smooth, easy to follow along with, and full of details. I could easily recommend this Close to Heaven to any romance reader. Close to Heaven sucks the reader in within sentences and keeps them reading until the final page, wishing for more.
January 4, 2018
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve cried reading this.
November 28, 2017
A great romance with 2 great characters.
I liked that they had known each other for a while but 20 years was a bit too long. I still wonder why they hadn't acted on it sooner.
The bonus part was that this happens during Christmas times and it jumped started my holidays reads ;)
I liked that they had known each other for a while but 20 years was a bit too long. I still wonder why they hadn't acted on it sooner.
The bonus part was that this happens during Christmas times and it jumped started my holidays reads ;)
April 27, 2020
Poignant, sexy, and full of delightful surprises, Joe and Rain’s romance was everything I could have hoped for in a holiday novel!
November 14, 2017
In the fifth book of the Colorado High Country series, Pamela Clare adds a little bit of suspense to her Contemporary Romance series. When Rain Minear’s roof collapsed beneath all the snow, Joe rushes in to save his friend and General Manager. Although there’s a ten-year age difference between the two, age has no meaning when it comes to love. Their romance blooms slowly, but it is quite sultry, a perfect way to get you all warmed up for the holidays.
Clare has done some holiday stories in the past, but I feel like this one is slightly more serious in tone. Whenever I read this series, I feel like the style is written for a slightly more older audience. While the leads can be considered relatively young, the style in which it is written definitely feels more mature. It deals a lot with more issues that I think a lot of people can relate to but sometimes I felt could be easily solved with more communication.
All in all, this book is a great easy read for Pamela Clare fans. Blending together heartwarming moments with more serious topics, this book will have you reflecting on your own life and the precious holiday moments that come with it.
October 29, 2017
3.5 stars
It was sugary sweet but I enjoyed it!
It was sugary sweet but I enjoyed it!
November 5, 2017
Rain has worked for Joe since she was seventeen and abandoned with a two week old baby. For the last twenty years she has helped to run his business. Actions from his ancestors’ dictates that he never let her know how he feels about her. It’s been a real struggle but nothing like the conflict he faces when she is suddenly homeless and living under his roof.
Rain has loved Joe more than half her life. During a blizzard she learns the history of their community, Scarlett, and the dreadful deeds his ancestor did that Joe now carries the guilt of. She’s never known a kinder more caring person but if he can’t recognize that he’s more than his family’s history, they may never have a chance.
I loved this story so much! I loved that the history was revealed a little at a time and that Joe just as slowly came to realize that perhaps he deserved some happiness in the arms of the woman he’s loved for so long. The twenty years for them did seem a little too much and there were times when I found myself skimming. However, when I got to the end, already in love with Joe, I fell even deeper in love with him as well as the people of Scarlett.
Definitely a worthwhile read with so many interesting characters – I love Bear! Ms. Clare does community and romance right.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Pamela Clare.
Dual POV
Safety – There is no mention of other men or women or any sexual relationship whatsoever.
Possible Triggers – During the history of the town there is mention of rape and abortion but it is not in detail.
Rain has loved Joe more than half her life. During a blizzard she learns the history of their community, Scarlett, and the dreadful deeds his ancestor did that Joe now carries the guilt of. She’s never known a kinder more caring person but if he can’t recognize that he’s more than his family’s history, they may never have a chance.
I loved this story so much! I loved that the history was revealed a little at a time and that Joe just as slowly came to realize that perhaps he deserved some happiness in the arms of the woman he’s loved for so long. The twenty years for them did seem a little too much and there were times when I found myself skimming. However, when I got to the end, already in love with Joe, I fell even deeper in love with him as well as the people of Scarlett.
Definitely a worthwhile read with so many interesting characters – I love Bear! Ms. Clare does community and romance right.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Pamela Clare.
Dual POV
Safety – There is no mention of other men or women or any sexual relationship whatsoever.
Possible Triggers – During the history of the town there is mention of rape and abortion but it is not in detail.
January 21, 2018
Close to Heaven
Colorado High Country #5
Pamela Clare
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This series are a bunch of the sweetest romances. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about the people in the town of Scarlet Springs.
She has nothing…
Rain Minear has fantasized about finding herself in Joe Moffat’s arms for years. It’s just her luck that the night it finally happens, he’s carrying her into the emergency room. It’s Joe who steps up to help her when a tragedy brings her life crashing down. He gives her a place to stay, helps her get back on her feet, and even tries to save her Christmas, though he’s never cared for the holiday. But he’s far too ethical to sleep with a member of his staff, holding her at arms length despite the long-simmering attraction between them.
He has everything…
Haunted by ghosts from the past, Joe Moffat moved to Scarlet Springs to repay a debt. He’s struggled for years to keep his hands off Rain. She’s the general manager of his brewpub, and he is not that kind of boss. But, oh, she turns him on. More than that, she has the biggest heart of any woman he’s ever known. He’d do anything to see her smile again, even put up a Christmas tree and listen to carols, things he normally never does.
A season that changes two lives forever…
When a Rocky Mountain blizzard leaves them snowbound and alone together for days, they can no longer ignore their feelings for one another. As their passion turns to something deeper, it becomes clear to them both that this will be the most important Christmas of their lives.
Can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out. I hope on the future there will be a book about Lark meeting the man of her dreams.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Colorado High Country #5
Pamela Clare
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This series are a bunch of the sweetest romances. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about the people in the town of Scarlet Springs.
She has nothing…
Rain Minear has fantasized about finding herself in Joe Moffat’s arms for years. It’s just her luck that the night it finally happens, he’s carrying her into the emergency room. It’s Joe who steps up to help her when a tragedy brings her life crashing down. He gives her a place to stay, helps her get back on her feet, and even tries to save her Christmas, though he’s never cared for the holiday. But he’s far too ethical to sleep with a member of his staff, holding her at arms length despite the long-simmering attraction between them.
He has everything…
Haunted by ghosts from the past, Joe Moffat moved to Scarlet Springs to repay a debt. He’s struggled for years to keep his hands off Rain. She’s the general manager of his brewpub, and he is not that kind of boss. But, oh, she turns him on. More than that, she has the biggest heart of any woman he’s ever known. He’d do anything to see her smile again, even put up a Christmas tree and listen to carols, things he normally never does.
A season that changes two lives forever…
When a Rocky Mountain blizzard leaves them snowbound and alone together for days, they can no longer ignore their feelings for one another. As their passion turns to something deeper, it becomes clear to them both that this will be the most important Christmas of their lives.
Can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out. I hope on the future there will be a book about Lark meeting the man of her dreams.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 30, 2017
Honest, romantic and a beautiful love story. Rain and Joe have known each other for 20 years, have had feelings for each other for just as long....but there has always been something in their way. A fierce snow storm has thrown them together. Is this their chance? Full review to follow on http://www.tbqsbookpalace.com
October 29, 2017
Nice Friends to lover's Christmas romance. May to December romance.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 4, 2017
I can always count on Pamela Clare to offer me a touching story with characters with depth.
And the medal for most patient man goes to Joe Moffat, owner of the brew pub Knockers, who's been attracted and in love for almost the entire 20 years he's been working with his general manager, Rain Minear. I don't want to call him clueless because when he met Rain, she was seventeen (he's ten years older), with a newborn and no family. There's an other reason why he kept his distance, reason that we learn about when Rain begin to read the journal of Joe's ancestor.
Rain has been waiting for Joe all these years too, but she has come to believe he wasn't interest since he never did a move. And like Joe, she never said a thing. Her daughter is now twenty and moved out so lately, Rain got the blues and felt lonely. But when her roof collapse and she's trap under her bed, little did she know that sometimes, beautiful things can arise from sad events. Joe offer her to stay at his place until she get a new house. It's the perfect occasion for Rain to let him know what she feels for him, but she's gonna have to give him a few hints and not so subtle ones, because he seem determined to stay honorable.
Even if at first I had a hard time believing they waited all those years and absolutely nothing happened before between them, I really liked Joe and Rain as a couple. It's not the first time this author give us a mature couple and it's something I really appreciate. I liked them as individual characters too. Joe seemed to think he had to redeem the sins of his ancestor but it's easy to see that even without the guilts, he's a kind man and that helping others come as naturally to him as breathing. I liked his calm strenght. The scene when he said to Rain that she opened his eyes was so sweet. Rain is a caring and generous woman who brings people together.
The Christmas aspect come much later in the story and learning about the despicable Silas Moffat was frustrating to read, but like I said at the beginning, this book touched me. It's a thing Pamela Clare do very well in her novels; mixing the sad things and the feel good.
And the medal for most patient man goes to Joe Moffat, owner of the brew pub Knockers, who's been attracted and in love for almost the entire 20 years he's been working with his general manager, Rain Minear. I don't want to call him clueless because when he met Rain, she was seventeen (he's ten years older), with a newborn and no family. There's an other reason why he kept his distance, reason that we learn about when Rain begin to read the journal of Joe's ancestor.
Rain has been waiting for Joe all these years too, but she has come to believe he wasn't interest since he never did a move. And like Joe, she never said a thing. Her daughter is now twenty and moved out so lately, Rain got the blues and felt lonely. But when her roof collapse and she's trap under her bed, little did she know that sometimes, beautiful things can arise from sad events. Joe offer her to stay at his place until she get a new house. It's the perfect occasion for Rain to let him know what she feels for him, but she's gonna have to give him a few hints and not so subtle ones, because he seem determined to stay honorable.
Even if at first I had a hard time believing they waited all those years and absolutely nothing happened before between them, I really liked Joe and Rain as a couple. It's not the first time this author give us a mature couple and it's something I really appreciate. I liked them as individual characters too. Joe seemed to think he had to redeem the sins of his ancestor but it's easy to see that even without the guilts, he's a kind man and that helping others come as naturally to him as breathing. I liked his calm strenght. The scene when he said to Rain that she opened his eyes was so sweet. Rain is a caring and generous woman who brings people together.
The Christmas aspect come much later in the story and learning about the despicable Silas Moffat was frustrating to read, but like I said at the beginning, this book touched me. It's a thing Pamela Clare do very well in her novels; mixing the sad things and the feel good.
May 27, 2019
Rain Minear was underage and pregnant when she met Joe Moffat. Alone, desperate, and in need of a job, Joe hires her. That was 20 yrs ago. She has crushed on him the whole time. He on the other hand lives by a code of you dont sleep with the help. Especially Rain, a woman he was drawn to when he shouldnt have been. He never acted on it, but he had to place her in the 'no go zone'.
Now an empty nester, her daughter having moved away to start her own life, Rain starts to question her own life. She raised her daughter but she sees herself as never having accomplished anything. She is 'only' a waitress/manager in a bar pub. When she makes a play for Joe, something she wants, she is rebuffed and decides to force the issue and give him an opening. When he doesnt take it she is ready to start a new.
Will Joe wake up and see what is right in front of him? All while she helps him with dealing with his families past.
Pamela Clare is an amazing author the books in this series get better and better. I loved the long drawn out romance between these two. I always wondered, through the other books where they ex lovers or why hadnt they been lovers....now we know.
Now an empty nester, her daughter having moved away to start her own life, Rain starts to question her own life. She raised her daughter but she sees herself as never having accomplished anything. She is 'only' a waitress/manager in a bar pub. When she makes a play for Joe, something she wants, she is rebuffed and decides to force the issue and give him an opening. When he doesnt take it she is ready to start a new.
Will Joe wake up and see what is right in front of him? All while she helps him with dealing with his families past.
Pamela Clare is an amazing author the books in this series get better and better. I loved the long drawn out romance between these two. I always wondered, through the other books where they ex lovers or why hadnt they been lovers....now we know.
November 13, 2017
In the fifth book of the Colorado High Country series, Pamela Clare adds a little bit of suspense to her Contemporary Romance series. When Rain Minear’s roof collapsed beneath all the snow, Joe rushes in to save his friend and General Manager. Although there’s a ten-year age difference between the two, age has no meaning when it comes to love. Their romance blooms slowly, but it is quite sultry, a perfect way to get you all warmed up for the holidays.Clare has done some holiday stories in the past, but I feel like this one is slightly more serious in tone. Whenever I read this series, I feel like the style is written for a slightly more older audience. While the leads can be considered relatively young, the style in which it is written definitely feels more mature. It deals a lot with more issues that I think a lot of people can relate to but sometimes I felt could be easily solved with more communication.
All in all, this book is a great easy read for Pamela Clare fans. Blending together heartwarming moments with more serious topics, this book will have you reflecting on your own life and the precious holiday moments that come with it.
*ARC provided by author
Reviewed by Annie❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
November 14, 2017
Pamela Clare has done it again! While this is the fifth book in the Colorado High Country series it can be read as a stand alone novel. However, if you've read any books in the series, then you most definitely have been waiting to get Rain and Joe's story! Rain and Joe have loved each other for 20 years but have never done anything about it. Joe refuses to date an employee and Rain has always waited for Joe to make a move. All the townspeople can see the sparks but yet Joe has never seen that Rain has feelings for him just the same has he does. Twenty years tends to make people desperate and Rain is tired of waiting!
Aside from getting me into the holiday spirit (the story is set in the weeks leading up to Christmas), I really enjoyed the historical elements of the story. Rain spends time reading a journal written by Joe's great grandfather that tells not only the story of Scarlett Springs but also explains some of Joe's behaviors. It was great to see how the town's ancestors were reflected in the characters that have been such a part of this series. Looking forward to what might come next in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
Aside from getting me into the holiday spirit (the story is set in the weeks leading up to Christmas), I really enjoyed the historical elements of the story. Rain spends time reading a journal written by Joe's great grandfather that tells not only the story of Scarlett Springs but also explains some of Joe's behaviors. It was great to see how the town's ancestors were reflected in the characters that have been such a part of this series. Looking forward to what might come next in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
November 7, 2017
The fifth book in Pamela Clare's Colorado High Country series. Rain Minear made a mistake over 20 years ago and has spent the last 20 years working hard in Joe Moffat's brewpub. But her daughter is gone to college and Rain feels like she needs to move on. She is in love with her boss but he shows her no interest. Staying in Scarlett Springs makes no sense now. But before she can pack her bags the roof collapses on her and she ends up at Joe's house. Joe is in love with Rain but he has a rule preventing him from messing around with his employees. Plus he is 10 years older than Rain and surely she wouldn't be interested in such an old geezer like him.
Nice Christmasy romance! I did have issues with a few things but I don't want to give spoilers so I don't feel I should reveal them here. They were minor and I don't feel that they took anything away from the story itself. It had to do with the timing of certain things. But let's face it, Ms. Clare is an excellent writer and I have no real complaints.
Nice Christmasy romance! I did have issues with a few things but I don't want to give spoilers so I don't feel I should reveal them here. They were minor and I don't feel that they took anything away from the story itself. It had to do with the timing of certain things. But let's face it, Ms. Clare is an excellent writer and I have no real complaints.
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