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Dry Creek Daddy
He never knew he had a son…
Reawakening lost love in Dry Creek
Four years ago, an accident put Mark Nelson into a coma—before Hannah Stelling could tell him she was pregnant with their child. Now she’s back in town, and Mark’s recovered. But even before his injury, Hannah felt Mark’s ambitions pulling him away. While Hannah knows their little boy needs his father, can she trust Mark with her son’s heart…and hers?
Reawakening lost love in Dry Creek
Four years ago, an accident put Mark Nelson into a coma—before Hannah Stelling could tell him she was pregnant with their child. Now she’s back in town, and Mark’s recovered. But even before his injury, Hannah felt Mark’s ambitions pulling him away. While Hannah knows their little boy needs his father, can she trust Mark with her son’s heart…and hers?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published August 21, 2018
27 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Janet Tronstad
85 books304 followersJanet grew up in the wide open spaces of rural Montana and now lives in the urban spaces of Pasadena, California. She's used both of these locations in her books. Her Dry Creek, Montana series numbers over twenty novels now and her Pasadena books, The Sisterhood of the Dropped Stitches, number four.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 13, 2023
Good read, great characters.
September 8, 2018
Love getting to return to Dry Creek! Janet Tronstadt once again takes us home to Dry Creek, Montana. This time we get to peak into the lives of Hannah Stelling, Mark Nelson, and their son Jeremey Nelson. Mark Nelson has been in a coma for 4 years and wakes up to find he has a 4 year old son with high school sweetheart Hannah Stelling. As they navigate the tricky waters all this brings, Mark soon learns that Jeremy is very sick. Will Hannah trust Mark and the town enough to help her find love again and save her little boy? Will Mark step up and be the father and man Hannah and Jeremy need him to be? You'll find out this and a whole lot more when you once again step foot into Dry Creek!
What can I say? She has another hit on her hands. Janet pulls all the feels in this one! I didn't want to put the book down. I loved the story of a young man being in a coma for 4 years to find out that he now has a 4 year old son. It's such an intriguing plot. I loved getting to know him and Hannah. They are such wonderful characters. I loved how she explored how this young adopted girl felt when she was adopted as an older child and being brought to this small town where everyone has known each other since birth. The other thing I love about this book (all the Dry Creek books) is that we also get to know this wonderful small town and all the people in it. It makes you just long for the small town life and move right in. I hope you give this book a chance and the series for that matter.
What can I say? She has another hit on her hands. Janet pulls all the feels in this one! I didn't want to put the book down. I loved the story of a young man being in a coma for 4 years to find out that he now has a 4 year old son. It's such an intriguing plot. I loved getting to know him and Hannah. They are such wonderful characters. I loved how she explored how this young adopted girl felt when she was adopted as an older child and being brought to this small town where everyone has known each other since birth. The other thing I love about this book (all the Dry Creek books) is that we also get to know this wonderful small town and all the people in it. It makes you just long for the small town life and move right in. I hope you give this book a chance and the series for that matter.
September 10, 2018
Dry Creek Daddy by Janet Tronstad
Return to Dry Creek Series
Mark Nelson wakes up from a four-year-coma to find he's missed a lot. And now that he's out of the nursing home...he finds his old flame has returned to town. He'd also learned after he woke up that he had a son. And once Hannah was back in town, he found out his son was sick. Very sick.
Hannah Stelling had left Dry Creek when she was pregnant. As an adopted daughter, she always felt on the outside. Never a part of Dry Creek like those who were born and raised there. But Mark was always there for her, ever since they were ten. Only...he wasn't there when she needed him the most. Now, can she really trust him to be there for her through this trial?
I've always loved the Dry Creek Series and this book didn't disappoint. Mark is so easy to fall in love with. Great characters...human and feline...great story line. Just a really awesome story. You may want to keep the tissues handy if you cry easily. The previous story, Easter in Dry Creek is Mark's sister's story.
**Received from author for an honest review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Return to Dry Creek Series
Mark Nelson wakes up from a four-year-coma to find he's missed a lot. And now that he's out of the nursing home...he finds his old flame has returned to town. He'd also learned after he woke up that he had a son. And once Hannah was back in town, he found out his son was sick. Very sick.
Hannah Stelling had left Dry Creek when she was pregnant. As an adopted daughter, she always felt on the outside. Never a part of Dry Creek like those who were born and raised there. But Mark was always there for her, ever since they were ten. Only...he wasn't there when she needed him the most. Now, can she really trust him to be there for her through this trial?
I've always loved the Dry Creek Series and this book didn't disappoint. Mark is so easy to fall in love with. Great characters...human and feline...great story line. Just a really awesome story. You may want to keep the tissues handy if you cry easily. The previous story, Easter in Dry Creek is Mark's sister's story.
**Received from author for an honest review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
October 8, 2018
Disappointed by all the redundancy
Short novels should have NONE
Good plot, good setting, good characters
Short novels should have NONE
Good plot, good setting, good characters
September 8, 2018
Dry Creek Daddy by Janet Tronstad
He never knew he had a son...
Reawakening lost love in Dry Creek
Four years ago, an accident put Mark Nelson into a coma - before Hannah Stelling could tell him she was pregnant with their child. Now she's back in town, and Mark's recovered. But even before his injury, Hannah felt Mark's ambitions pulling him away. While Hannah knows their little boy needs his father, can she trust Mark with her son's heart...and hers?
This is Hannah and Mark and their son Jeremy's story.
Mark had been shot and had been a coma for 4 years and didn't know about his son until after his recovery.
“You.” That was all she said, but her voice was stretched so tight it almost vibrated.
He recognized the look on her face. It was the same one she’d had over a decade ago when she appeared for the first time in the open door of his fourth-grade classroom. She’d been ten years old and had just been adopted by the Stellings. Her hair, a ragged copper cap, looked like she’d hacked at it with a kitchen knife, and maybe she had. No one was with her that day; Mr. Stelling had dropped her off and then left her to make her own way into the school. Hannah’s stance in the doorway was defiant. Her jeans had a few worn places and her shoes were scuffed. The other kids were afraid to even smile at her. But looking into her eyes, Mark knew she was scared.
Since then, he must have lost the ability to read her eyes, because he could not tell how she was feeling now. Everything was silent as they stood there in the main room of the café. He heard the sounds of someone in the kitchen shoving pots around, and a radio started up on a station that must be the news. The half-dozen tables in front of him were covered with red-and-white-checked cloths, and everything looked ready for customers.
“Of course it’s me,” Mark finally said, not sure what else to do. Maybe Hannah just needed time to adjust. He surveyed every inch of her pixie face, searching for the subtle differences one would expect after a four-year absence. Her skin was ivory. Her bones delicate. Her hazel eyes so filled with shadows that they Chapter One
The sky was still dark when Mark Nelson pulled his pickup to a stop in front of the café, the only place in the small town of Dry Creek, Montana, that was usually open this early. The eatery’s door was shut, but before he could switch his engine off, a woman slipped a delicate hand around the blind covering the café’s large window and flipped the Closed sign to Open. His headlights were on and Mark saw a woman’s profile and thought he recognized the hand. He wasn’t fast enough to get a good look at the ring finger before the hand was withdrawn, but he told himself it had to be bare. He hadn’t seen Hannah Stelling in four years—not since they’d been high school sweethearts—but surely someone would have told him if she had become engaged.
Mark shut off the engine and stepped out of his cab. The gravel under his boots crunched as he walked to the café and climbed the steps.
The one fact he didn’t need anyone to tell him was that Hannah did not want to see him. He wasn’t sure why she had moved back to Dry Creek and taken a job at the café, but a dozen Return to Sender letters told him that it wasn’t because she missed him.
I highly recommend reading.
Dry Creek Daddy by Janet Tronstad is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books Janet Tronstad.
Dry Creek
3. A Bride for Dry Creek
An Angel for Dry Creek
A Gentleman for Dry Creek
A Baby for Dry Creek
A Rich Man for Dry Creek
A Hero for Dry Creek
A Dry Creek Christmas
Sugar Plums for Dry Creek
At Home in Dry Creek
Angel for Dry Creek / Gentleman for Dry Creek
A Match Made In Dry Creek )
aka Seven Hundred Pansies
Rich Man for Dry Creek / Hero for Dry Creek
Shepherds Abiding in Dry Creek
Dry Creek Sweethearts
A Dry Creek Courtship
Snowbound in Dry Creek
Calico Christmas at Dry Creek
Baby for Dry Creek / Dry Creek Christmas
Silent Night in Dry Creek
Wife Wanted in Dry Creek
Sugar Plums for Dry Creek / At Home in Dry Creek
Sleigh Bells for Dry Creek
Lilac Wedding in Dry Creek
Wildflower Bride in Dry Creek
Second Chance in Dry Creek
A Bride for Dry Creek / Shepherds Abiding in Dry Creek
White Christmas in Dry Creek
Easter in Dry Creek
Dry Creek Daddy
He never knew he had a son...
Reawakening lost love in Dry Creek
Four years ago, an accident put Mark Nelson into a coma - before Hannah Stelling could tell him she was pregnant with their child. Now she's back in town, and Mark's recovered. But even before his injury, Hannah felt Mark's ambitions pulling him away. While Hannah knows their little boy needs his father, can she trust Mark with her son's heart...and hers?
This is Hannah and Mark and their son Jeremy's story.
Mark had been shot and had been a coma for 4 years and didn't know about his son until after his recovery.
“You.” That was all she said, but her voice was stretched so tight it almost vibrated.
He recognized the look on her face. It was the same one she’d had over a decade ago when she appeared for the first time in the open door of his fourth-grade classroom. She’d been ten years old and had just been adopted by the Stellings. Her hair, a ragged copper cap, looked like she’d hacked at it with a kitchen knife, and maybe she had. No one was with her that day; Mr. Stelling had dropped her off and then left her to make her own way into the school. Hannah’s stance in the doorway was defiant. Her jeans had a few worn places and her shoes were scuffed. The other kids were afraid to even smile at her. But looking into her eyes, Mark knew she was scared.
Since then, he must have lost the ability to read her eyes, because he could not tell how she was feeling now. Everything was silent as they stood there in the main room of the café. He heard the sounds of someone in the kitchen shoving pots around, and a radio started up on a station that must be the news. The half-dozen tables in front of him were covered with red-and-white-checked cloths, and everything looked ready for customers.
“Of course it’s me,” Mark finally said, not sure what else to do. Maybe Hannah just needed time to adjust. He surveyed every inch of her pixie face, searching for the subtle differences one would expect after a four-year absence. Her skin was ivory. Her bones delicate. Her hazel eyes so filled with shadows that they Chapter One
The sky was still dark when Mark Nelson pulled his pickup to a stop in front of the café, the only place in the small town of Dry Creek, Montana, that was usually open this early. The eatery’s door was shut, but before he could switch his engine off, a woman slipped a delicate hand around the blind covering the café’s large window and flipped the Closed sign to Open. His headlights were on and Mark saw a woman’s profile and thought he recognized the hand. He wasn’t fast enough to get a good look at the ring finger before the hand was withdrawn, but he told himself it had to be bare. He hadn’t seen Hannah Stelling in four years—not since they’d been high school sweethearts—but surely someone would have told him if she had become engaged.
Mark shut off the engine and stepped out of his cab. The gravel under his boots crunched as he walked to the café and climbed the steps.
The one fact he didn’t need anyone to tell him was that Hannah did not want to see him. He wasn’t sure why she had moved back to Dry Creek and taken a job at the café, but a dozen Return to Sender letters told him that it wasn’t because she missed him.
I highly recommend reading.
Dry Creek Daddy by Janet Tronstad is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books Janet Tronstad.
Dry Creek
3. A Bride for Dry Creek
An Angel for Dry Creek
A Gentleman for Dry Creek
A Baby for Dry Creek
A Rich Man for Dry Creek
A Hero for Dry Creek
A Dry Creek Christmas
Sugar Plums for Dry Creek
At Home in Dry Creek
Angel for Dry Creek / Gentleman for Dry Creek
A Match Made In Dry Creek )
aka Seven Hundred Pansies
Rich Man for Dry Creek / Hero for Dry Creek
Shepherds Abiding in Dry Creek
Dry Creek Sweethearts
A Dry Creek Courtship
Snowbound in Dry Creek
Calico Christmas at Dry Creek
Baby for Dry Creek / Dry Creek Christmas
Silent Night in Dry Creek
Wife Wanted in Dry Creek
Sugar Plums for Dry Creek / At Home in Dry Creek
Sleigh Bells for Dry Creek
Lilac Wedding in Dry Creek
Wildflower Bride in Dry Creek
Second Chance in Dry Creek
A Bride for Dry Creek / Shepherds Abiding in Dry Creek
White Christmas in Dry Creek
Easter in Dry Creek
Dry Creek Daddy
September 30, 2018
What joy it is to be back in Dry Creek! After a long absence, it is so fantastic to be back in Dry Creek. How I have missed these characters and this town. I continue to wish this were a real place! This time we meet Mark who was in a coma for 4 years due to a foolish decision made. He wakes up not knowing he has a son! That would surely rock your world, wouldn't it? Hannah has been dealing with a lot for the last 4 years. Not only raising their son but dealing with a father who is less than welcoming AND her son is gravely ill. As a single mother, I don't know how she does it all. How I felt for Hannah! No wonder she is not exactly thrilled when Mark wakes up from his coma and wants to be part of their lives! Of course she is wary! I highly recommend this book. The way this little family comes together is beautiful. A lot of pride has to be worked through and put on the shelf, especially for the good of this precious young boy. I also love the way the town of Dry Creek comes together for him! You should definitely read it!
I received this book from the author but wasn't required to leave a review. I definitely wanted to share my opinions!
I received this book from the author but wasn't required to leave a review. I definitely wanted to share my opinions!
April 22, 2025
I loved returning to Dry Creek, Montana to finish the story of Mark Nelson, who had just awakened from a four year coma in Easter at Dry Creek. Mark must come to terms with all that happened during the years he lost, including the fact that he has a four year old son. While working to reestablish a relationship with his former girlfriend Hannah, Mark discovers his son Jeremy has leukemia. As the whole town rallies together to raise money for Jeremy's treatment, past secrets are revealed that may be too difficult to overcome.
I love the way Tronstad writes her characters, especially little Jeremy, whom you can't fail to love. This is a story of forgiveness and redemption, but more importantly, a story of love and faith.
I love the way Tronstad writes her characters, especially little Jeremy, whom you can't fail to love. This is a story of forgiveness and redemption, but more importantly, a story of love and faith.
July 28, 2018
Dry Creek Daddy
The Dry Creek series has been one of my favorite in Love Inspired. I love that Mrs. Hargrove is in all the books. This is a really touching story. Mark finds out he is a father to a four year old boy. Mark had been in a coma and recovering from it. Hannah has been a really great single parent. Will she let Mark be a father to their son Jeremy. Also had a cat in the story and Jeremy and Callie was really good friends. Nothing like a pet to help a child. Even though this is an series the book is a stand alone but if you haven’t read any of the earlier books in the series you will love them. I received this book as part of my monthly Love Inspired books.
The Dry Creek series has been one of my favorite in Love Inspired. I love that Mrs. Hargrove is in all the books. This is a really touching story. Mark finds out he is a father to a four year old boy. Mark had been in a coma and recovering from it. Hannah has been a really great single parent. Will she let Mark be a father to their son Jeremy. Also had a cat in the story and Jeremy and Callie was really good friends. Nothing like a pet to help a child. Even though this is an series the book is a stand alone but if you haven’t read any of the earlier books in the series you will love them. I received this book as part of my monthly Love Inspired books.
August 10, 2018
I won a copy of this book from the author, I was not required to give a favorable review. This was a beautiful story of second chances. Mark had been shot and had been a coma for 4 years and didn't know about his son until after his recovery. His girlfriend had been his high school sweetheart and when she came home she made sure that her son had visited his family, but now she was back again and their son is sick. She always felt that she wasn't part of the community because she was adopted but it wasn't true. Now will be the time for true love to come back together and to help a little boy heal. I loved it.
August 4, 2018
Dry Creek Daddy is my first read of the series and totally loved the story. This is so heartwarming and finding love and trust again. Mark has recovered from a coma and Hannah has returned to Dry Creek with Mark's son. Will Hannah bring Mark into their life, and be the father her son needs!
I received this book for my honest opinion. And thanks for the chance to have read one of your books. This is on my keeper shelf.
I received this book for my honest opinion. And thanks for the chance to have read one of your books. This is on my keeper shelf.
October 16, 2018
This was a very nice read. Nothing complicated just an easy read about two people who had once cared for one another and due to unexpected events, gone their separate ways. As they find repentence and healing, will they be able to mend the fences that were broken or find other ways? Will their child find the healing that he needs?
A good story. I enjoyed it!
A good story. I enjoyed it!
September 17, 2018
Love the town of Dry Creek and enjoy getting to go there thru Janet Tronstad's books. Hope there will be more chances to visit!
December 31, 2021
All I can saw is have tissues. Such a great book. Loved 🥰
March 5, 2019
I always enjoy traveling back to Dry Creek and visiting with old friends. I love Janet's books because you feel like you're part of the story too.
Hannah Stelling had issues with trust because of her childhood. When she met mark.....she gave him her heart and he broke it. This only added to her trust issues.
Mark Nelson was always a good guy, but one night he made a tragic mistake that changed his life forever. It's so easy to make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes can't be fixed by saying I'm sorry.
To find out why Hannah had trust issues and what Mark did to make them worse, and if Mark manages to fix his mistake, you have to read the book. Happy Reading!
Hannah Stelling had issues with trust because of her childhood. When she met mark.....she gave him her heart and he broke it. This only added to her trust issues.
Mark Nelson was always a good guy, but one night he made a tragic mistake that changed his life forever. It's so easy to make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes can't be fixed by saying I'm sorry.
To find out why Hannah had trust issues and what Mark did to make them worse, and if Mark manages to fix his mistake, you have to read the book. Happy Reading!
February 4, 2021
A visit to Dry Creek is always delightful. The people who fill this small town feel like your friends and neighbors. This story about a young boy and his family is endearing, heartwarming, and full of love. I highly recommend any of Janet Tronstad’s books, especially this latest one.
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August 2, 2018Miniseries: Dry Creek
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August 2, 2018Miniseries: Dry Creek
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