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Clayburn #3
Yesterday's Embers
Still reeling from the deaths of his wife and daughter who suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, Doug DeVore barely manages to get out of bed every morning, let alone be both father and mother to his five remaining children. Mickey Valdez, who runs the Clayburn Day Care Center, offers feminine affection and brings a little normalcy into the Devore children's lives. A spark of attraction ignites between Doug and Mickey, but when they marry after a romantic, whirlwind courtship, real life knocks them all off their pedestals. Doug, still grieving the tragedy that destroyed his perfect life, discovers that his affection for Mickey isn't the same as what he felt for his sweet Kaye. Meanwhile, Mickey faces her own reality: she has traded quiet evenings in her tidy little house with its beautiful garden for a messy, noisy life of conflict. Doug and Mickey pledged their lives "for better or for worse," but suddenly it seems they've given up everything in exchange for worse-than-nothing. When Mickey turns to the God of her youth in desperation, she finds Him waiting there for her with a surprising assignment: simply love your husband. But how can she manufacture feelings for a man who is so different from her three doting big-brother heroes, so different from the man she's dreamed of loving since she was a little girl, different even from the Doug who walked up the aisle beside her a few weeks ago. Will love and trust be enough when another crisis strikes?
340 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2009
540 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Raney
77 books699 followersDEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-five years, forty-plus books, and numerous awards later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
February 20, 2024
This book was stressful to read. It basically opens on a father (Doug) losing his wife and a daughter, and then turning around and “falling in love” with the kids’ daycare teacher (Mickey) and pressures her into marrying him mere months later.
The way Doug treats Mickey throughout the book makes me cringe. Even when he is being “loving” to her, it seems like he is dismissive of her and just kind of a total ass to her and his children. He even HITS his oldest daughter at one point, but somehow everything ends up okay in the end of the book, wrapped in a Christian bow.
Doug is a walking red flag and it made me uneasy that, though his mistreatment was acknowledged, it was kind of stuffed under the rug of grief and everything ended up ok in the end. I wouldn’t want women to read this and internalize that accepting that treatment is normal.
The way Doug treats Mickey throughout the book makes me cringe. Even when he is being “loving” to her, it seems like he is dismissive of her and just kind of a total ass to her and his children. He even HITS his oldest daughter at one point, but somehow everything ends up okay in the end of the book, wrapped in a Christian bow.
Doug is a walking red flag and it made me uneasy that, though his mistreatment was acknowledged, it was kind of stuffed under the rug of grief and everything ended up ok in the end. I wouldn’t want women to read this and internalize that accepting that treatment is normal.
April 11, 2022
Oh my goodness, I can't even describe how emotional this book is. It made me so sad at first but then gave me a satisfying ending. Lovely.
January 11, 2024
This book made me cringe… not because it was poorly written, but just because of the situation and how the characters handled their issues and trials. I wanted to help lead them in the right direction… lol. I wouldn’t read it again because it was so stressful to me personally, but I enjoyed it as part of the running series of books/characters Deborah Raney has written.
April 15, 2024
Somehow this worked for me. The first half was the most boring, traditional, squeaky clean christian romance that I've come to despise. But then things happened. Good things. Bad things. Bad things that lead to good things.
The characters seemed thrown together.... turns out that was a plot point that was actually very necessary to touch on, and well done too. The kids seemed neglected and treated like burdens... again, that is a plot point. I hated the way they parented and "communicated", but wouldn't you know it, thats a whole plot too.
It's like Janette Oke wrote the first bit and Francine Rivers finished it. Somehow it worked. Somehow I liked it. 4 stars.
The characters seemed thrown together.... turns out that was a plot point that was actually very necessary to touch on, and well done too. The kids seemed neglected and treated like burdens... again, that is a plot point. I hated the way they parented and "communicated", but wouldn't you know it, thats a whole plot too.
It's like Janette Oke wrote the first bit and Francine Rivers finished it. Somehow it worked. Somehow I liked it. 4 stars.
May 23, 2020
Would give this one 3.5 stars. Was great but it really concentrated on the two main characters with very little outside of them. Her other books had other characters woven through the story a lot more which I really liked.
Still a great book and would definitely read more from this author.
Still a great book and would definitely read more from this author.
August 10, 2025
Final book in this series. Hate to see it end but what a wonderful ride it has been to read these!
May 3, 2018
I have read some Deborah Raney books that i really liked, this was not one of those. I didn't even finish it, because i felt like it was such a waste of time. The story line is very similar to Beneath a southern sky (which i liked) but he moved on from his wife he had been married to for thirteen years within 3 months. Also i felt like his daughter Kayeleigh had a right to be angry, he threw a lot of responsibility on to her shoulders, he was so wrapped up in his on grief that he didn't think about comforting his kids and then so wrapped up in his new love he didn't think about how it would effect them, and then when she's mad that her dad is dating this woman not even 3 months after her mom dies, and then she walks in on them passionately kissing and gets angry, he chalks it all up to her being "preteen". i was very disappointed with this book Not good at all.
August 18, 2022
The author delved into some deep emotions in this book. It was all very good and heart wrenching at the same time. Doug loses his wife and daughter which is a sorrow in itself. But then Mickey appears and shows him good times and he thinks he has fallen in love with her. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry for better or worse. But challenges instantly arrive. Step families are hard themselves. Throw in a daughter who doesn't like her new step-mom and then Doug realizing he still has feelings for his dead wife Kaye, and life is anything but happy at the DeVore household. Mickey wonders what she has traded her quiet life for in exchange for five step-children and a man who still is in love with his dead wife. How they all work through this difficult time is a heart warming story in the end.
August 21, 2022
What a wonderful story! Deborah Raney is so good at building characters and helping you feel like you know them so well. She is so good at ferreting out the thoughts that the circumstance would stimulate in the good and bad times. This was a different story because Doug's wife and child die in the prologue. But the story is about the woman he is soon attracted to after a few months. I kept seeing problems but then hoped for the best. I was actually broken hearted for Mickey due to the circumstances. But both of the adults were dealing with things in different ways. When they began to seek God's help, things change. All of the children had great developed characters and their own needs in dealing with grief.
December 17, 2024
Poignant story.
The struggles were real, the emotions raw, but the journey lacked details of how he learned to love her again. It felt like there was a part missing. The ending was ok, but as is often the case with this author, abrupt. I admired Mickey. She could have walked away, but she didn't. I wanted more than the sadness and struggles though. I wanted to read about some of the victories along the way, not just the end result.
This author writes really well, but her endings are often unsatisfying and abrupt. I had hoped this would be different. It wasn't bad, just ...lacking.
The struggles were real, the emotions raw, but the journey lacked details of how he learned to love her again. It felt like there was a part missing. The ending was ok, but as is often the case with this author, abrupt. I admired Mickey. She could have walked away, but she didn't. I wanted more than the sadness and struggles though. I wanted to read about some of the victories along the way, not just the end result.
This author writes really well, but her endings are often unsatisfying and abrupt. I had hoped this would be different. It wasn't bad, just ...lacking.
October 28, 2018
Book 3
The third book in the Clayburn series made me mad. I was furious with Doug and didnt really get over it. Much as i enjoyed the first two, I had to force myself to finish. The writing is fine, but having been married to a selfish man for more than 50 years, I just couldn't like Doug. I thought he was selfish & hormone driven. A three star rating is lrobzbly not fair, for the writing is good. But i spent much of the book yelling at Doug.
The third book in the Clayburn series made me mad. I was furious with Doug and didnt really get over it. Much as i enjoyed the first two, I had to force myself to finish. The writing is fine, but having been married to a selfish man for more than 50 years, I just couldn't like Doug. I thought he was selfish & hormone driven. A three star rating is lrobzbly not fair, for the writing is good. But i spent much of the book yelling at Doug.
September 10, 2019
This book was really hard to read, because it is so true to life. There's romance and passion, but it's not your usual sweet read. Raney gets down to the nitty-gritty of life. There is resolution towards the end, but the spiritual part isn't as strong as in book 2 of the series. I think I would have liked a slightly longer book that went more into how renewing their relationship with God brought needed changes in their personal relationship.
March 26, 2021
Crushing heartbreak
When Doug and the kids head out to his mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner, no-one could have dreamed that life would never be the same again.
Shattered, Doug goes through each day, trying to make sure the kids are cared for, but so lost in his grief that everything seems mechanical.
You'll find this book fascinating, painful, sad, and elated as he finds his way.
When Doug and the kids head out to his mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner, no-one could have dreamed that life would never be the same again.
Shattered, Doug goes through each day, trying to make sure the kids are cared for, but so lost in his grief that everything seems mechanical.
You'll find this book fascinating, painful, sad, and elated as he finds his way.
March 29, 2021
Doug and Mickey's story begins on the rebound of a tragic loss. Their journey is an emotional rollercoaster. Their growth could only come though facing the truth and making the decision to love. I so appreciate the spiritual truths woven throughout this story. I've enjoyed my time with the community of Clayburn, Kansas.
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational, contemporary romance.
I borrowed a copy from Kindle Unlimited. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational, contemporary romance.
I borrowed a copy from Kindle Unlimited. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
April 2, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book because it felt as if the main characters made such bad decisions. Initially, I was going to give it a 3.
As I finished the book, I felt as if the resolution of the story worked well enough to give it a 3.5 or 4, and since 3.5 isn’t an option, it gets a 4.
This is Doug’s story and Mickey’s. It deals with loss and grief, single parenting, emotional struggles, and love.
As I finished the book, I felt as if the resolution of the story worked well enough to give it a 3.5 or 4, and since 3.5 isn’t an option, it gets a 4.
This is Doug’s story and Mickey’s. It deals with loss and grief, single parenting, emotional struggles, and love.
August 4, 2022
This is the last book in this series of new beginnings. This one deals with loss of a spouse and the grieving process. Doug’s wife and daughter are gone and 5 months later her falls for Mickey and they get married. But is it too soon for him and the children to adjust to having a new person to take Kaye’s place in the home? This is a heart wrenching story of loss and heartache. A great series. I recommend all 3 books.
March 6, 2024
Is there any hope!
I highly recommend this book; especially to couples who are struggling in their marriage. The author has led us down a long path filled with heartache and disappointment. Dealing with issues confronting them wasn't easy for Doug and Mickey. However, with God's help things began to turn around. Take time to relax and read this beautiful clean story. You won't be disappointed.
I highly recommend this book; especially to couples who are struggling in their marriage. The author has led us down a long path filled with heartache and disappointment. Dealing with issues confronting them wasn't easy for Doug and Mickey. However, with God's help things began to turn around. Take time to relax and read this beautiful clean story. You won't be disappointed.
June 12, 2017
Deborah Raney is an outstanding writer that I have just discovered. I have just finished this third book in her Clayburn series. Her books are hard to put down because they pull you into the story so completely. The romance of the character, the people of the community and the overcoming of obstacles in the characters' lives just held my attention to the end. All three books are great reads.
May 26, 2018
I really enjoyed book 1 in this series, but I didn't really enjoy this book. I was often shouting 'no, no, don't get married' at the book. I guess that is the emotion that the author wanted to put forward, but it did make me feel frustrated. It did at least have a happy ending, but it felt like too much of the book was quite sad.
November 13, 2019
Loved this series!
Each book in the Clayburn novels brought stories about relatable difficulties people face, loss, guilt, addiction, grief. Deborah Randy has drawn characters with depth and emotion that drew me into their struggles. Some parts of their situations helped me see my own past with greater clarity.
Each book in the Clayburn novels brought stories about relatable difficulties people face, loss, guilt, addiction, grief. Deborah Randy has drawn characters with depth and emotion that drew me into their struggles. Some parts of their situations helped me see my own past with greater clarity.
September 15, 2022
Very engaging book...touches many emotions. Was a bit disappointed with the ending - felt very rushed whereas the rest of the book flowed with excellent character building. It's like the book was going one way then abruptly changed direction and ended. Wished the story was told for the in-between steps.
December 2, 2024
Wonderful novel.
Deborah Raney did a great job in this book. Doug DeVore was married to Kaye and they had six kids. Doug was a volunteer fireman. Kaye and Rachel drifted off to sleep with a fire in the fireplace. They were overcome by carbon monoxide poising. Mickey Valdez was the kids daycare center. Jeanette Stracner
Deborah Raney did a great job in this book. Doug DeVore was married to Kaye and they had six kids. Doug was a volunteer fireman. Kaye and Rachel drifted off to sleep with a fire in the fireplace. They were overcome by carbon monoxide poising. Mickey Valdez was the kids daycare center. Jeanette Stracner
January 5, 2025
This story received only one star from me. I would not have given it even one star, but Deborah Raney is a very good author and for that reason alone deserves to have her work rated.
This storyline was not enjoyable to read, but no story that shows the raw truth of what running ahead of God does to people's lives would be enjoyable. Since we are all sinners and have done this or are capable of doing this, it is too brutally honest to be enjoyed.
Deborah Raney broke my heart with this type of honesty in Beneath a Southern Sky. This time, however, I just felt anger and did not even like the characters.
This storyline was not enjoyable to read, but no story that shows the raw truth of what running ahead of God does to people's lives would be enjoyable. Since we are all sinners and have done this or are capable of doing this, it is too brutally honest to be enjoyed.
Deborah Raney broke my heart with this type of honesty in Beneath a Southern Sky. This time, however, I just felt anger and did not even like the characters.
January 21, 2025
Good story with abrupt ending
The story was good but the ending was abrupt. It was almost as if the writer ran out of pages and had to quickly end the story. Otherwise, story was good. Characters realistic. It would have been nice to read how their love developed the second time around.
The story was good but the ending was abrupt. It was almost as if the writer ran out of pages and had to quickly end the story. Otherwise, story was good. Characters realistic. It would have been nice to read how their love developed the second time around.
February 13, 2018
Overall I enjoyed this book. However, by the time I got midway through, I could not stand Doug. What kind of father gives his children days to get used to having a step mom? He doesn't even discuss it with them before proposing. I found him to be a selfish, unlikable character.
March 20, 2018
What a Beautiful Love Story
I loved this beautiful love story about second chances and letting go and let God into your life.
This book is recommended for those that love Christian romance.
I loved this beautiful love story about second chances and letting go and let God into your life.
This book is recommended for those that love Christian romance.
March 15, 2019
Loved it!
Such a wonderful series about a small town in Kansas. I have enjoyed all three and would love to have another one to enjoy. Wanted to see how they ended but yet hated to see them end.
Such a wonderful series about a small town in Kansas. I have enjoyed all three and would love to have another one to enjoy. Wanted to see how they ended but yet hated to see them end.
August 1, 2022
Love Me
Real characters with real problems. I felt like I was right there in all of the difficulties and seeing no way out. Thanks to the author for the reminder to treat our own families with a servants heart.
Real characters with real problems. I felt like I was right there in all of the difficulties and seeing no way out. Thanks to the author for the reminder to treat our own families with a servants heart.
August 10, 2022
Not as good as others by Deborah Raney, mainly because the Jekyll and Hyde transformation of Doug Devore didn't make any sense to me, no groundwork was laid for that, no explanation given, he just *poof* turned into a jerk out of nowhere.
August 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It was sad but has a happy ending! Good characters, believeable plot. No bad language, no sex so it is appropriate for teenage readers! Deborah Raney is one of my favorite authors!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews