Starr Tree Farm

Crystal Springs #1

by Ellen Parker

Laura Tanner eagerly accepts the opportunity for a winter vacation in Crystal Springs, the tiny Wisconsin town filled with childhood summer memories. Her duties on the Christmas tree farm while her relatives take a vacation gives her the perfect change of scene one year after her husband’s murder. She plans to work on a delayed dream of a bookstore -- and prod her private investigator uncle to take some action on her husband’s case.
Brad Asher’s military career ended with injuries in Afghanistan. Family welcomed him home, where he’s still finding his place via several part-time jobs. Laura’s return to the community gives him hope for a second chance with the girl who spent summers with the neighbors.
But trouble follows Laura from St. Louis. Will Brad be able to keep her safe and in his life?

Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2013

About the author

Raised in a household full of books, it was only natural that Ellen Parker grew up with a book in her hand. She turned to writing as a second career and enjoys spinning the type of story which appeals to more than one generation. She encourages readers to share her work with mother or daughter – or both. When not guiding characters to their “happily ever after” she’s likely reading, tending her postage stamp size garden, or walking in the neighborhood. She currently lives in St. Louis.Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Twilla Lamm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starr Tree Farm is a sweet romance with a grieving heroine, a scarred hero, and the possibility of a second chance at love.
Laura Tanner, a widow, is seeking answers about her husband's death. Brad Asher, an investigator, is seeking answers for Laura and hoping for a relationship with her. An assassin, with all the answers, is watching and waiting.

[Morwa Pal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Parker has written a sweet little mystery/suspense that has an adorable couple that ultimately hopes to live happily ever after. Laura and Brad have known each other since high school, but each led separate lives. Laura even married, but that ended in tragedy because her husband was murdered one year before Laura runs into Brad again. They are thrown together, and their chemistry is revved up again while they work together to solve the mystery of who murdered her husband, gain her some closure, and stop the suspicious, dangerous things from happening to her that are occurring almost daily. This leads them to the killer and keeps the action going, and the romance sweet. I hope everyone gets the chance to read this story. It’s a nice read. Ellen Parker has talent. Take advantage of it.

[Phyllis Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura, a young widow, moves back to her home town in Wisconsin where she wants to open a bookstore. But first, she's farm-sitting for her relatives.

Trouble visits her dreams. She'd found her husband's body after he was murdered, and she can't shake the images. She has a lot in common with Brad, a veteran who experiences post-traumatic stress when he sees a fire burning.

Someone doesn't want her in town. First, her license plate is stolen. And then ... but I'm not going to tell you everything, am I? She begins to wonder whether her life is in danger.

What do I think?

You'll like this suspenseful romantic story, with great characters and a conveniently twisted plot. I'm hoping for more soon from Ellen Parker!

[Megan Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellen Parker debuts with a well-written, interesting mystery. I loved the small town setting and the realistic feel of usually charming characters that populate the place.
Sweet and old-fashioned, the story involves the heroine trying to get justice for her murdered husband. A year has passed since she found him dead, and she's moved to the town she visited in summers past to start anew. There she encounters the man who has grown out of his awkward boyhood but not his crush on her. She's not ready for a romance until her husband's killer is behind bars. But her old-friend-turned-hot-neighbor may have different ideas.

[Marguerite Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I had the privilege of critiquing this book through ACFW. Ellen's characters are real with flaws and circumstances true to life. The element of suspence captivates the reader until the very end. I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

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[Lois Scorgie]

I felt at home reading STARR TREE FARM. It is set in rural Western Wisconsin. The residents, honest, loyal, yet suspicious of outsiders enjoy Friday night fish fries and high school basketball.. All this is vital to what happens in the story.

Laura Tanner, seeks quiet at her aunt and uncle's farm after her husband's murder in St. Louis. She is accepted and cared for by the locals. They remember her lifelong visits. I was amused to watch her find her hero in Brad Asher, who, when they were young, had been such a pest.

Dreams about Laura's husband's murder and Brad's military hazards continue to haunt them. A shadow slowly creeps over Laura, beginning with unpleasant conversations and growing to a dangerous situation.

Ellen's first novel moves quickly through the suspense and growing romance. I really liked this suspenseful romantic story. It has great characters and a nice twisty plot. Since it's titled A CRYSTAL SPRINGS ROMANCE BOOK, I hope there will be more books located in the area with similiar characters. I expect others will like it too!

[Lois Scorgie]

I felt at home reading STARR TREE FARM. It is set in a specific area, rural Western Wisconsin. The residents, honest, loyal, yet suspicious of outsiders enjoy Friday night fish fries and high school basketball.. All this is vital to what happens in the story.

Laura Tanner, seeks quiet at her aunt and uncle’s farm after her husband’s murder in St. Louis. She is accepted and cared for by the locals. They remember her lifelong visits. I was amused to watch her find her hero in Brad Asher, who, when they were young, had been such a pest.

Dreams about Laura’s husband’s murder and Brad’s military hazards continue to haunt them. A shadow slowly creeps over Laura, beginning with unpleasant conversations and growing to a dangerous situation.

Ellen’s first novel moves quickly through the suspense and growing romance. I want to read more. (less)