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Blessings, Georgia #8
A Rainbow Above Us
What will it take to bring people together?
Hurricane Fanny left no one in Blessings, Georgia unscathed--including Rowan Harper, the only surviving member of her family. Rebuilding her life now seems almost impossible.
Bowie James comes back to help repair his grandmother's house, but he doesn't intend to stay long. He and his mother were forced out of Blessings a decade ago, and he's neither forgiven nor forgotten those responsible.
But Rowan is kindhearted, beautiful, and lost, and Bowie discovers that he can entrust her with his deepest secrets. If only their love could bring hope and healing to everyone around them, maybe they'd be willing to give it a chance...
Hurricane Fanny left no one in Blessings, Georgia unscathed--including Rowan Harper, the only surviving member of her family. Rebuilding her life now seems almost impossible.
Bowie James comes back to help repair his grandmother's house, but he doesn't intend to stay long. He and his mother were forced out of Blessings a decade ago, and he's neither forgiven nor forgotten those responsible.
But Rowan is kindhearted, beautiful, and lost, and Bowie discovers that he can entrust her with his deepest secrets. If only their love could bring hope and healing to everyone around them, maybe they'd be willing to give it a chance...
414 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2019
661 people are currently reading
1685 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Sala
280 books2,305 followersBiography
Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.
Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
March 28, 2019
****This review contains some mild spoilers. Please don't read it if you don't' want to know ***
From time to time, I need to read a sweet story. Sharon Sala’s Blessing series is all about heart and romance during adversity in a small town in Georgia.
If you’re looking for extreme angst this is not for you. You won't find twists or unbelievable shocks either. Just a straightforward romance.
Most of the stories have insta-love in them which I’m not a fan at all but for some reason, it’s perfectly acceptable in this series.
The book tells the story of Bowie James who comes back to town to help rebuild his grandmother and aunt's home after it was damaged by Hurricane Fanny. Currently, they're living at the nursing home. Pearl and Ella have created a bond with a young woman, Rowan Harper. Harper lost her home and her father during the Hurricane. She's thankful for Pearl and Ella's friendship and their offer of shelter.
Bowie lost his mother when he was eighteen. He loves his aunt and grandmother and when his aunt calls him, he knows he can't leave them stranded. Bowie builds homes for a living and helping with their home renovation is the least he could do for them. But coming back to Blessings will mean bringing back the longtime feud between his family and the Boones.
The feud began three generations ago. It became worse when Randall Boone raped Bowie's mother when she was sixteen. Then when Bowie was a young man, Randall, and his brothers beat him up and told his mother and him to leave town or worse. Ten years later, Bowie is only back to help his grandmother and aunt. Yet, on his first night back, Randall’s brothers, Melvin and Emmitt, try to attack him but Bowie defends himself. The next morning, his car is keyed by Emmitt's son, Emmitt Lee Jr. The cops are called in and they take the kid away. Bowie wants to be left alone but the Boones don’t seem to want to let him be.
Putting aside the last twelve hours, Bowie is happy to start rebuilding. Bowie is ready to pick up “ his girls” (Pearl and Ella) but he wasn’t counting on meeting Rowan. His aunt and grandmother had offered Rowan a place with them when their house becomes livable again.
As the days' progress, Bowie realizes Rowan's a beautiful woman inside and out and he’s lucky she has helped his family and happy she's in his life.
In a small town, nothing it's kept quiet for too long. Secrets and bad deeds have a way of surfacing. The town soon realizes the unfairness that had been bestowed upon Bowie and his mother.
I enjoyed A Rainbow Above Us. It was fast-paced, romantic and had plenty of small-town charm. The town of Blessings is a character on its own. Most of its people are good people. They rise to the occasion and lend a helping hand.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
July 1, 2019
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Genre: Sweet, Southern Romance (Clean Romance)
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Sharon Sala writes beautiful southern romances with wholesome characters. Her stories are mostly clean with one of two sexual scenes (nothing in depth or dirty) and are more in tune with falling in love rather than having sex dictate the relationship. Whenever I am in the mood of something really sweet Sala is my go-to. If you are a reader who prefers less sex in their romances then I would highly recommend checking out this entire series. Each book is heartfelt, clean, sweet, and has little to no swearing in it. As for the series, this is the 8th standalone. Each book can be read completely on their own. You will notice that characters from previous books do make appearances in future and past books but they don't affect the overall story. They are loosely connected is all.
Aside from the heartwarming nature of this book (and the series as a whole) I love the way Sala writes these stories. A Rainbow Above Us tells the story of Rowan and Bowie and while the story mainly revolves around their romance, Sala scatters other peoples POV throughout. This in itself gives readers a wide view of how their love story is effected by many factors. I find this to be very unique and something I have only seen through one of her books.
Rowen and Bowie have had their share of troubles. For Rowan, it was essentially being a prisoner of her own home because her father selfishly wanted her all to himself and wouldn't let her know she had admirers throughout the years. She grew up knowing nothing about love unless you count the love of family. Bowie on the other hand has suffered through hardships after his mothers death. She was raped at the age of 18 and Bowie was the result. The man who raped her didn't want anything to do with Bowie and lied to his family about it for too many years to count. Old grudges don't die though and Bowie is still suffering from the repercussions. No matter though, Bowie is quickly falling for the shy Rowen despite both of their issues. And their love story is one readers will not forget!
If you haven't read one of these books before I highly recommend giving them a try! I absolutely adore this series and am always excited for more. Blessings, Georgia is my favorite fictional town and is filled with the most wonderful characters!
Genre: Sweet, Southern Romance (Clean Romance)
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Sharon Sala writes beautiful southern romances with wholesome characters. Her stories are mostly clean with one of two sexual scenes (nothing in depth or dirty) and are more in tune with falling in love rather than having sex dictate the relationship. Whenever I am in the mood of something really sweet Sala is my go-to. If you are a reader who prefers less sex in their romances then I would highly recommend checking out this entire series. Each book is heartfelt, clean, sweet, and has little to no swearing in it. As for the series, this is the 8th standalone. Each book can be read completely on their own. You will notice that characters from previous books do make appearances in future and past books but they don't affect the overall story. They are loosely connected is all.
Aside from the heartwarming nature of this book (and the series as a whole) I love the way Sala writes these stories. A Rainbow Above Us tells the story of Rowan and Bowie and while the story mainly revolves around their romance, Sala scatters other peoples POV throughout. This in itself gives readers a wide view of how their love story is effected by many factors. I find this to be very unique and something I have only seen through one of her books.
Rowen and Bowie have had their share of troubles. For Rowan, it was essentially being a prisoner of her own home because her father selfishly wanted her all to himself and wouldn't let her know she had admirers throughout the years. She grew up knowing nothing about love unless you count the love of family. Bowie on the other hand has suffered through hardships after his mothers death. She was raped at the age of 18 and Bowie was the result. The man who raped her didn't want anything to do with Bowie and lied to his family about it for too many years to count. Old grudges don't die though and Bowie is still suffering from the repercussions. No matter though, Bowie is quickly falling for the shy Rowen despite both of their issues. And their love story is one readers will not forget!
If you haven't read one of these books before I highly recommend giving them a try! I absolutely adore this series and am always excited for more. Blessings, Georgia is my favorite fictional town and is filled with the most wonderful characters!
July 24, 2019
2.5 stars. This book was an easy read but not quite up to the standards I expect from Sharon Sala. Kind of a sweet romance in a small town, complete with nice older ladies, a decades old feud and some bad men getting their comeuppance. Most things were a bit too neat and tidy which just gave me the feeling that the author was writing by rote. I really enjoyed an earlier book in this series and might go back and check a couple of the previous ones.
June 13, 2019
A new cozy, tender romance set against the turmoil of an old and dark family feud and small town George seemed perfect for a summer read on the porch with my iced lemonade near at hand.
A Rainbow Above Us is the eighth of the Blessings, George standalone romance stories loosely-tied by their connection to the town and the large group of familiar ongoing circle of friends and family that call Blessings home.
Bowie James is returning to a town that he left and swore he would never return to. He has a bad history with one family in the town and he knows his return with stir up the old trouble once again. But, a letter from his beloved aunt means he must come back for her and his grandmother's sake. He's a builder of unique homes in out of the way places all over the country so he is exactly the help his family needs to renovate their old home after the floods from the hurricane.
Trouble with the Boones is a short-time in coming, but he's no longer that scared, skinny fifteen year old boy they nearly beat to death and he has a bitter anger for breaking her mother's spirit and causing her death all for an old grudge that he was never part of.
He tries to focus on getting his grandma and aunt and the pretty woman they took in after the floods situated into his comfortable and luxurious 'home away from home' trailer that he lives in since he travels to his jobs. He and his crew will do his best homebuilding work for the women who gave him love and always a sense of belonging.
It helps that Rowan, the young woman his gran and aunt take in, is a quiet beauty whose sweetness attracts him and he wants to help her get over her own demons caused by the flood destroying her home and taking her daddy from her. For the first time in his life, he is living for a woman's laughter and cherishing the feeling of having her there when he comes home. Is it finally his chance to have love?
Judson Boone, patriarch of his family, can't let the old hate go. He sicced his sons on teenage Bowie and drove him and his mom out of town and now he's poised to take care of him once for all. Only, the dark deeds done against the James family that he was behind are coming to the light of day and his whole world is unraveling. His strong family implodes when the truth comes out and even the town is turning on them. It's all the fault of Bowie James' return.
This was a gently paced character-driven story. Bowie is the catalyst for it all and he is the central figure, but it is really the culmination of what happened in the past and continued into the present for the Boones and Bowie. It was a captivating combo of dark family saga, new and hopeful beginnings for some, small town happenings, and a tender romance happening in spite it all.
The conflict in the story is all external to the romance. Bowie and Rowan have enough going on from their respective lives and I appreciated that the author wisely let that stand rather than inserting trouble for trouble's sake. Bowie was a safe and solid man who gave to 'his girls' as he called them out of the joy of giving because he was a lonely man with a sad past. Rowan saw this and appreciated it even if she was tentative because her daddy had selfishly told her she was too plain for a guy to want her, drove off any admirers, and kept her hidden away on the family farm because he wanted her as a companion into his old age. Bowie was patient with her innocence and let her lead in their growing relationship.
There are multiple narrators with each Boone, Bowie, Rowan, and a few other familiar characters getting page time. There are slow moments, but it makes sense as transition spots to advance the story. I was fully engaged in seeing the various story lines play out. I was sad to see the fall-out and how the innocents were the ones hurt most by it all, but the author wrote in some hard consequences for those who did evil, despicable acts in the past which I was glad to see. As always, there is a heartwarming and sweet quality to the story that counteracts the bad making me crave even more from the folk living in Blessings, Georgia.
If you want a mostly sweet, heartwarming romance set against a small town contemporary, you need look no further that this series.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt Clue- author I gave a less than three rating in the past 4 pts.
A Rainbow Above Us is the eighth of the Blessings, George standalone romance stories loosely-tied by their connection to the town and the large group of familiar ongoing circle of friends and family that call Blessings home.
Bowie James is returning to a town that he left and swore he would never return to. He has a bad history with one family in the town and he knows his return with stir up the old trouble once again. But, a letter from his beloved aunt means he must come back for her and his grandmother's sake. He's a builder of unique homes in out of the way places all over the country so he is exactly the help his family needs to renovate their old home after the floods from the hurricane.
Trouble with the Boones is a short-time in coming, but he's no longer that scared, skinny fifteen year old boy they nearly beat to death and he has a bitter anger for breaking her mother's spirit and causing her death all for an old grudge that he was never part of.
He tries to focus on getting his grandma and aunt and the pretty woman they took in after the floods situated into his comfortable and luxurious 'home away from home' trailer that he lives in since he travels to his jobs. He and his crew will do his best homebuilding work for the women who gave him love and always a sense of belonging.
It helps that Rowan, the young woman his gran and aunt take in, is a quiet beauty whose sweetness attracts him and he wants to help her get over her own demons caused by the flood destroying her home and taking her daddy from her. For the first time in his life, he is living for a woman's laughter and cherishing the feeling of having her there when he comes home. Is it finally his chance to have love?
Judson Boone, patriarch of his family, can't let the old hate go. He sicced his sons on teenage Bowie and drove him and his mom out of town and now he's poised to take care of him once for all. Only, the dark deeds done against the James family that he was behind are coming to the light of day and his whole world is unraveling. His strong family implodes when the truth comes out and even the town is turning on them. It's all the fault of Bowie James' return.
This was a gently paced character-driven story. Bowie is the catalyst for it all and he is the central figure, but it is really the culmination of what happened in the past and continued into the present for the Boones and Bowie. It was a captivating combo of dark family saga, new and hopeful beginnings for some, small town happenings, and a tender romance happening in spite it all.
The conflict in the story is all external to the romance. Bowie and Rowan have enough going on from their respective lives and I appreciated that the author wisely let that stand rather than inserting trouble for trouble's sake. Bowie was a safe and solid man who gave to 'his girls' as he called them out of the joy of giving because he was a lonely man with a sad past. Rowan saw this and appreciated it even if she was tentative because her daddy had selfishly told her she was too plain for a guy to want her, drove off any admirers, and kept her hidden away on the family farm because he wanted her as a companion into his old age. Bowie was patient with her innocence and let her lead in their growing relationship.
There are multiple narrators with each Boone, Bowie, Rowan, and a few other familiar characters getting page time. There are slow moments, but it makes sense as transition spots to advance the story. I was fully engaged in seeing the various story lines play out. I was sad to see the fall-out and how the innocents were the ones hurt most by it all, but the author wrote in some hard consequences for those who did evil, despicable acts in the past which I was glad to see. As always, there is a heartwarming and sweet quality to the story that counteracts the bad making me crave even more from the folk living in Blessings, Georgia.
If you want a mostly sweet, heartwarming romance set against a small town contemporary, you need look no further that this series.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt Clue- author I gave a less than three rating in the past 4 pts.
July 20, 2020
In this visit to Blessings, Georgia, the residents are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Fanny that happened in the last book. Bowie James, is contacted by his aunt to come home and help fix his grandma's house. They are living in the nursing home until they can go back home, and shlle is worried she will never leave "that place". Bowie loves his grandma and aunt, so heads back to Blessings after vowing never to return after he and his mom left over a decade ago. You see, Bowie was the result of his mother being raped by one of the Boone boys, and after his so-called uncles beat him up under direction of his grandfather, they fled town. Bowie is returning as a successful businessman, not a scared little boy. At the same time, Rowan lost her home and father in the Hurricane and was befriended by Bowie's "girls". They all move into his motor home and with such close quarters, Rowan and Bowie begin to develop feelings toward one another.
This story is full of friendship and community, but also bad feelings dating back to a feud that was years old. We learn about the aftermath of the rape and how it affected both the victim and perpetrator. With situations often beyond control, some characters finally smarten up and realize they are tired of being ruled by the males in the family. Other community members rally around to help which I loved. There is a lot of angst in this one, but there is also a sweet romance that develops between Rowan and Bowie. I always love when other characters that I have grown to love make an appearance. Once again, Sharon Sala has incorporated Christian beliefs into a very enjoyable story about small town life, friendship, second chance and romance. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
This story is full of friendship and community, but also bad feelings dating back to a feud that was years old. We learn about the aftermath of the rape and how it affected both the victim and perpetrator. With situations often beyond control, some characters finally smarten up and realize they are tired of being ruled by the males in the family. Other community members rally around to help which I loved. There is a lot of angst in this one, but there is also a sweet romance that develops between Rowan and Bowie. I always love when other characters that I have grown to love make an appearance. Once again, Sharon Sala has incorporated Christian beliefs into a very enjoyable story about small town life, friendship, second chance and romance. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
July 12, 2019
This is a very powerful book. Bowie James comes back to Blessings to fix his grandmother’s and Aunt home. Now after being run out of town along with his mother who has since committed suicide. She was raped many years ago and the men who said it did not happen can no longer deny the fact because Bowie James looks like the man who committed that horrible crime. The male family still in town for some reason are still mad at him and want to fight him until they end up in jail. Later the grandmother kicks out the grandfather and slowly what was a family feud with the James family has torn that family apart because of hatred. The other part of the story has Rowan Harper who was displaced because of the hurricane and ended up with the grandmother and the Aunt. You find out that she lost her father but also that her father had been saying that she was not pretty and running off boys for years. Now the healing is starting with her and Bowie. This is a very good and powerful story of who hatred can and will destroy more than just one person. How when you find the right person sometimes the rainbow will appear. Read this wonderful story about life, a very good book with really good characters. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
July 22, 2019
A solid community, plenty of heart and clear issues that readers can find easy to empathize with, the characters in these stories bring some ‘repeated’ moments with community members and former ‘stars’ of earlier books while maintaining the simple premise that the new couple will find healing and acceptance in this little town. And so it happens with returning resident Bowie, chased out of town after he started to resemble his father’s family, and his mother’s claims of his paternity as a result of an attack by his father were starting to cause whispers. But the hurricane brought the wandering Bowie back to town to help his grandmother and aunt rebuild the old house he grew up in after the hurricane.
But their time while waiting for Bowie brought another Blessings resident into their mix: Rowan Harper survived flood waters and some pretty gruesome events, including the death of her father, and was brought into Blessings with nothing to her name. Bowie’s Aunt and Grandmother have almost “adopted” Rowan, giving her some sense of family and security that all three women were missing after the hurricane. And while Rowan isn’t someone Bowie knew, he sees that Rowan is both beautiful and kind, and his family is attached, so he includes her in the plans for the rebuild – she’s available to help his family, as they are helping her.
What emerges here is an instant attraction that keeps Bowie on his toes, and as Rowan starts to understand that her father had isolated her for his own selfish reasons, and that Bowie and his family are people who will help her to see the truth, and move forward. While Bowie deals with the house rebuild, caring for his family and coming to rely on Rowan’s presence, in fact, craving it, the two show just how well matched they are. Bowie isn’t inclined to trust anyone, and with his father’s family causing all sorts of issues, his plate is full. Yet Rowan calms him, and keeps him steady with her mix of naivete and confidence, and her penchant for kindness. Sweet, engaging and a lovely read, this is a clean romance with plenty of sparkle and shine, all built around healing, love, and family.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
But their time while waiting for Bowie brought another Blessings resident into their mix: Rowan Harper survived flood waters and some pretty gruesome events, including the death of her father, and was brought into Blessings with nothing to her name. Bowie’s Aunt and Grandmother have almost “adopted” Rowan, giving her some sense of family and security that all three women were missing after the hurricane. And while Rowan isn’t someone Bowie knew, he sees that Rowan is both beautiful and kind, and his family is attached, so he includes her in the plans for the rebuild – she’s available to help his family, as they are helping her.
What emerges here is an instant attraction that keeps Bowie on his toes, and as Rowan starts to understand that her father had isolated her for his own selfish reasons, and that Bowie and his family are people who will help her to see the truth, and move forward. While Bowie deals with the house rebuild, caring for his family and coming to rely on Rowan’s presence, in fact, craving it, the two show just how well matched they are. Bowie isn’t inclined to trust anyone, and with his father’s family causing all sorts of issues, his plate is full. Yet Rowan calms him, and keeps him steady with her mix of naivete and confidence, and her penchant for kindness. Sweet, engaging and a lovely read, this is a clean romance with plenty of sparkle and shine, all built around healing, love, and family.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
July 18, 2019
I used to love watching Murder, She Wrote, but after the nth season, I realized that for such a little town, most of the people must be either murderers or victims and that's sad. That's how I feel about this series. It's not that most of the residents of Blessings, Georgia are violent but rather they're all very gossipy and overly dramatic. And there's also a good portion of the population that is just hateful. It was nice to see some of the couples featured in previous books, but the story in this installment fell flat for me. There was almost no character development and the MCs could've easily been interchanged with one of the other couples in this town. Either one or both of them had a crappy childhood and/or suffered from a traumatic, life-defining event. The lead-up to their love didn't even really make that much sense. I mean, they both seemed like nice, decent people, but doesn't love need more than that?
I do appreciate the dual povs, the fact that the H didn't come across as a manho (no real history given other than the fact he wasn't a virgin), and that there was absolutely no OP drama. However, there was also no angst or tension at all which definitely contributed to the boring feeling I got when reading this book.
I do appreciate the dual povs, the fact that the H didn't come across as a manho (no real history given other than the fact he wasn't a virgin), and that there was absolutely no OP drama. However, there was also no angst or tension at all which definitely contributed to the boring feeling I got when reading this book.
September 7, 2019
Not one of her best books. All the adults that should have atoned for their past ran away like children and the one person in the whole book who said this stops now and I am sorry was the 15 year old kid. Then his parents just drive off and leave him? Don't even get me started on the "romance". I love SS, but this wasn't a good book. If you want a really good SS, read the The Return of Chance McCall that was an awesome read.
July 14, 2019
Bumped up a true 3.5 rating as I DO like HEA endings and this was nice.
I have enjoyed other novels in this series and will always want to know what’s going on in Blessings,GA !
(This was not a quick read for me .. indicates a story that was more on the average side.)
I have enjoyed other novels in this series and will always want to know what’s going on in Blessings,GA !
(This was not a quick read for me .. indicates a story that was more on the average side.)
June 28, 2019
Love this series. All 8 books of it so far have been extremely good. Glad to know a 9th book in the series will be coming out in December. Each book can stand alone but it is nice when characters from earlier books show up in the newer books. Like seeing old friends.
July 9, 2019
If you have not ever read any of this series, then you need to start now (and of course with book 1).
Blessings GA is a place I'd love to live, the small town atmosphere and how everyone cares for each other is refreshing considering today's society and the turmoil we see in the media.
Blessings is dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane that has devastated many people in the town. Thankfully, one of the residents has a grandson that remodels/builds homes and he is able to come to their rescue. But it isn't as easy as Bowie just showing up to do a job, he has to deal with the past and the hatred of one family in town.
Rowan has her own issues to deal with and the revelation of what her father did/kept from her all those years. Plus the guilt of him dying in the hurricane thinking it was her fault.
Tragic pasts bring Bowie and Rowan together and the obstacles they overcome together make for a good love story. Both are so down to earth and are able to connect on a level that most cannot.
The author does an amazing job of making us laugh, gasp at certain treacherous situations, cry, and always having a villain in the story that makes us mad for what the characters are put through but glad to see the justice in the end.
I had to chuckle when the characters were talking about books and the author made a plug for herself and one character said she needed to put the book on her kindle.
Excellent series and I always love reading these books.
Blessings GA is a place I'd love to live, the small town atmosphere and how everyone cares for each other is refreshing considering today's society and the turmoil we see in the media.
Blessings is dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane that has devastated many people in the town. Thankfully, one of the residents has a grandson that remodels/builds homes and he is able to come to their rescue. But it isn't as easy as Bowie just showing up to do a job, he has to deal with the past and the hatred of one family in town.
Rowan has her own issues to deal with and the revelation of what her father did/kept from her all those years. Plus the guilt of him dying in the hurricane thinking it was her fault.
Tragic pasts bring Bowie and Rowan together and the obstacles they overcome together make for a good love story. Both are so down to earth and are able to connect on a level that most cannot.
The author does an amazing job of making us laugh, gasp at certain treacherous situations, cry, and always having a villain in the story that makes us mad for what the characters are put through but glad to see the justice in the end.
I had to chuckle when the characters were talking about books and the author made a plug for herself and one character said she needed to put the book on her kindle.
Excellent series and I always love reading these books.
June 25, 2019
A Rainbow Above Us by Sharon Sala is the 8th book in her wonderful Blessings, Georgia series. As always when we return to Blessings, Georgia, I loved this story. In A Rainbow Above Us, Sharon Sala gives us another wonderful feel good romance and a great couple.
Bowie James, our hero, returns to Blessings after many years, to help out his grandmother and aunt. In the last book, a hurricane damaged a number of properties, and Bowie’s grandmother sent a letter to ask him for help restoring their house. Bowie is a successful builder, and returns home with some of his workers to rebuild the house. When he arrives at the nursing home (being used as shelter to those whose homes were destroyed), and he brings his grandmother, aunt and a young girl to his huge Trailer to live until he can repair their home.
Rowan Harper, our heroine, is the young girl who has been spending time with the two older ladies, as she too lost her home, as well as having no family. She is thrilled that the ladies insist that Rowan come with them to stay with Bowie.
Years before, Bowie and his mother left town, after the mother was raped, and the young boy was beaten. Returning to Blessings brings Bowie face to face with the nasty Boone family, who try to chase him away; but Bowie is not little boy anymore, and stands up the family. While the story revolves around Bowie and his family, and his slow built relationship with Rowan, there is the side story of the Boone family self-destructing. Cora Boone, the matriarch, takes one look at Bowie, and realizes that he is her grandson, and she had been lied to all those years. She will take matters in her own hands to disown her entire family; especially her husband, Jud, who has always been a bully.
As Bowie and his team begin their repairs, he enjoys the time he is spending with his family, and feelings he is beginning to have for the sweet beautiful Rowan. The small town of Blessings begins to snub the Boone’s, especially after Jud loses his temper attempting to hurt his wife and then Bowie. Life will change rightfully so for the Boones, as the town turns on them, but Cora will stand tall.
What follows is a fast-paced, heartwarming story in a small town ravaged by a hurricane, with wonderful characters that we keep meeting in all our visits to Blessings. It is also a story of two families so different; one filled with love and the other filled with hatred. I really loved the building relationship between Rowan and Bowie, as they made a wonderful sweet couple.
Sharon Sala writes another fabulous story, and she continually amazes me that she gives us such great couples that we care about with each and every book. If you enjoy a pure romance, wonderful characters, great couples, and a small town atmosphere, then you should be reading this series. A Rainbow Above Us was a wonderful read, written so very well by Sharon Sala.
Barb
The Reading Cafe>
Bowie James, our hero, returns to Blessings after many years, to help out his grandmother and aunt. In the last book, a hurricane damaged a number of properties, and Bowie’s grandmother sent a letter to ask him for help restoring their house. Bowie is a successful builder, and returns home with some of his workers to rebuild the house. When he arrives at the nursing home (being used as shelter to those whose homes were destroyed), and he brings his grandmother, aunt and a young girl to his huge Trailer to live until he can repair their home.
Rowan Harper, our heroine, is the young girl who has been spending time with the two older ladies, as she too lost her home, as well as having no family. She is thrilled that the ladies insist that Rowan come with them to stay with Bowie.
Years before, Bowie and his mother left town, after the mother was raped, and the young boy was beaten. Returning to Blessings brings Bowie face to face with the nasty Boone family, who try to chase him away; but Bowie is not little boy anymore, and stands up the family. While the story revolves around Bowie and his family, and his slow built relationship with Rowan, there is the side story of the Boone family self-destructing. Cora Boone, the matriarch, takes one look at Bowie, and realizes that he is her grandson, and she had been lied to all those years. She will take matters in her own hands to disown her entire family; especially her husband, Jud, who has always been a bully.
As Bowie and his team begin their repairs, he enjoys the time he is spending with his family, and feelings he is beginning to have for the sweet beautiful Rowan. The small town of Blessings begins to snub the Boone’s, especially after Jud loses his temper attempting to hurt his wife and then Bowie. Life will change rightfully so for the Boones, as the town turns on them, but Cora will stand tall.
What follows is a fast-paced, heartwarming story in a small town ravaged by a hurricane, with wonderful characters that we keep meeting in all our visits to Blessings. It is also a story of two families so different; one filled with love and the other filled with hatred. I really loved the building relationship between Rowan and Bowie, as they made a wonderful sweet couple.
Sharon Sala writes another fabulous story, and she continually amazes me that she gives us such great couples that we care about with each and every book. If you enjoy a pure romance, wonderful characters, great couples, and a small town atmosphere, then you should be reading this series. A Rainbow Above Us was a wonderful read, written so very well by Sharon Sala.
Barb
The Reading Cafe>
September 15, 2019
I have always loved armchair traveling south and going back to Blessings, Sharon Sala's sweet, small Georgia town, and the setting for all of her Blessings novels, and this novel is no exception, and if you're not already hooked on a town where people care for, gossip about, show up when help is needed, gather together to celebrate, mourn and support one another, I suggest you start now, preferably with the first book in the series, although each one works as a standalone, you'll meet some of these characters again and again as the series progresses. A Rainbow Above Us, the 8th novel in this series gets 4.5 stars from this reader.
In this novel, we meet Bowie James, the illegitimate, unclaimed, and unwanted son of Randall Boone, whose mother fled Blessings with him years ago, almost immediately after Bowie was nearly beaten to death by Randall's son, Judson Boone, and Jud's two sons, Emmitt and Melvin, egged on by Randall, Bowie's birth father, who had raped Bowie's mother, impregnated her, denied the rape, the subsequent birth of his son, and totally instilled hatred for his victim and her son in his own son and grandchildren, Emmitt and Melvin, who made young Bowie's life a living hell.
One day after Bowie's 18th birthday, Bowie's mother committed suicide, and Bowie vowed to never return to Blessings. He eventually became a successful building contractor, but upon hearing that his grandmother, Pearl, and his aunt, Ella, were forced to live in an old age home after having the family home destroyed by a hurricane, he did return to Blessings to help them by rebuilding their home, and he's surprised to find pretty, twenty-something, Rowan, living with and helping them.
Extremely sheltered and innocent, Rowan lost everything, including her father to that same hurricane, and has been caring for Bowie's grandmother and aunt as if they were her family, lacking any true blood relatives of her own. She's been traumatized by the experience, but remains helpful, sweet and upbeat, and the fact that Bowie is attracted to her and she to him comes as no surprise. Bowie, who is always on the move because of this business, shows up in Blessings with his huge motor home, and is quick to move Pearl, Ella and Rowan into it--surprised that Rowan already feels like a member of the family and that she truly has been a blessing to his beloved grandmother and aunt.
Not everyone in Blessings is happy about Bowie's return or the fact that despite the denials of the Boone family, he's apparently the spitting image of his grandfather, Randall, and no sooner is he back in town when Jud's two sons, Emmitt and Melvin, reared in hatred for Bowie, attempt to accost him at the local diner. Bowie is no longer a child, advises them not to start anything inside the diner, and no sooner are they outside when they attempt to use a baseball bat on Bowie, who immobilizes both in short order, one with a karate chop to the neck and the other by a well placed punch, breaking Emmitt's nose. The police are quick to arrest them, but that same evening, Bowie's SUV is keyed by Junior, Emmitt's son, who's been raised on the same hatred Randall instilled in his family, and in retaliation for Bowie breaking his father's nose--and that's just for starters.
What follows is as sweet, charming and heartwarming a novel, as are all the other Blessings novels, where we again meet up with some of the town residents featured in earlier ones, like attorney Peanut Butterman, and big-hearted Ruby, who runs Curl Up and Dye, the local beauty salon, where Ruby tries to stem the gossip, and where Ms. Sala, manages to insert herself and her novels into the story, which was a totally unexpected treat. There's also the quickly formed attraction and attachment of Bowie to Rowan. Bowie's return to town also sets off a string of additional unexpected events as the Boone family finally has to get its comeuppance in ways this reader never saw coming, and what a comeuppance it is.
This is a novel that Ms. Sala's fans will love, myself among them, and I'm very pleased to recommend it to them, as well as to those for whom this novel will be their first time reading one of Sharon Sala's amazingly addictive novels.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
In this novel, we meet Bowie James, the illegitimate, unclaimed, and unwanted son of Randall Boone, whose mother fled Blessings with him years ago, almost immediately after Bowie was nearly beaten to death by Randall's son, Judson Boone, and Jud's two sons, Emmitt and Melvin, egged on by Randall, Bowie's birth father, who had raped Bowie's mother, impregnated her, denied the rape, the subsequent birth of his son, and totally instilled hatred for his victim and her son in his own son and grandchildren, Emmitt and Melvin, who made young Bowie's life a living hell.
One day after Bowie's 18th birthday, Bowie's mother committed suicide, and Bowie vowed to never return to Blessings. He eventually became a successful building contractor, but upon hearing that his grandmother, Pearl, and his aunt, Ella, were forced to live in an old age home after having the family home destroyed by a hurricane, he did return to Blessings to help them by rebuilding their home, and he's surprised to find pretty, twenty-something, Rowan, living with and helping them.
Extremely sheltered and innocent, Rowan lost everything, including her father to that same hurricane, and has been caring for Bowie's grandmother and aunt as if they were her family, lacking any true blood relatives of her own. She's been traumatized by the experience, but remains helpful, sweet and upbeat, and the fact that Bowie is attracted to her and she to him comes as no surprise. Bowie, who is always on the move because of this business, shows up in Blessings with his huge motor home, and is quick to move Pearl, Ella and Rowan into it--surprised that Rowan already feels like a member of the family and that she truly has been a blessing to his beloved grandmother and aunt.
Not everyone in Blessings is happy about Bowie's return or the fact that despite the denials of the Boone family, he's apparently the spitting image of his grandfather, Randall, and no sooner is he back in town when Jud's two sons, Emmitt and Melvin, reared in hatred for Bowie, attempt to accost him at the local diner. Bowie is no longer a child, advises them not to start anything inside the diner, and no sooner are they outside when they attempt to use a baseball bat on Bowie, who immobilizes both in short order, one with a karate chop to the neck and the other by a well placed punch, breaking Emmitt's nose. The police are quick to arrest them, but that same evening, Bowie's SUV is keyed by Junior, Emmitt's son, who's been raised on the same hatred Randall instilled in his family, and in retaliation for Bowie breaking his father's nose--and that's just for starters.
What follows is as sweet, charming and heartwarming a novel, as are all the other Blessings novels, where we again meet up with some of the town residents featured in earlier ones, like attorney Peanut Butterman, and big-hearted Ruby, who runs Curl Up and Dye, the local beauty salon, where Ruby tries to stem the gossip, and where Ms. Sala, manages to insert herself and her novels into the story, which was a totally unexpected treat. There's also the quickly formed attraction and attachment of Bowie to Rowan. Bowie's return to town also sets off a string of additional unexpected events as the Boone family finally has to get its comeuppance in ways this reader never saw coming, and what a comeuppance it is.
This is a novel that Ms. Sala's fans will love, myself among them, and I'm very pleased to recommend it to them, as well as to those for whom this novel will be their first time reading one of Sharon Sala's amazingly addictive novels.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 24, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I am always happy to go spend time in Blessings Georgia. I love language and the mannerisms of the people of Blessings, the feeling of community and the strong sense of right and wrong. In A Rainbow Above Us, Bowie James returns to Blessings having fled with his mother as a teenager in horrific circumstances.
If like me you are a believer in karma, you are going to love this story. Bowie returns to Blessings to help rebuild his Grandma's house following the recent hurricane. He is a strong, upstanding man who is after no trouble but it finds him anyway. Bowie is not be in Blessings for revenge but as a reader, seeing the people who wronged him get what was coming to them, was deeply satisfying. The adages 'revenge is a dish best served cold' and 'success is the best revenge' were going through my mind as I made my way through this story.
A Rainbow Above Us is also a lovely, simple romance. Rowan has lead a sheltered life and when she meets Bowie she has the opportunity for love for the first time. Bowie has never let a woman close to his heart but he quickly falls for Rowan. Reading about their happiness as they fell in love made me happy. It is beautiful seeing this couple open their hearts to each other and take care of each other.
Sharon Sala has given us another wonderful story from Blessings, Georgia. It gets 4 starts from me.
I am always happy to go spend time in Blessings Georgia. I love language and the mannerisms of the people of Blessings, the feeling of community and the strong sense of right and wrong. In A Rainbow Above Us, Bowie James returns to Blessings having fled with his mother as a teenager in horrific circumstances.
If like me you are a believer in karma, you are going to love this story. Bowie returns to Blessings to help rebuild his Grandma's house following the recent hurricane. He is a strong, upstanding man who is after no trouble but it finds him anyway. Bowie is not be in Blessings for revenge but as a reader, seeing the people who wronged him get what was coming to them, was deeply satisfying. The adages 'revenge is a dish best served cold' and 'success is the best revenge' were going through my mind as I made my way through this story.
A Rainbow Above Us is also a lovely, simple romance. Rowan has lead a sheltered life and when she meets Bowie she has the opportunity for love for the first time. Bowie has never let a woman close to his heart but he quickly falls for Rowan. Reading about their happiness as they fell in love made me happy. It is beautiful seeing this couple open their hearts to each other and take care of each other.
Sharon Sala has given us another wonderful story from Blessings, Georgia. It gets 4 starts from me.
August 17, 2019
It was so good to visit Blessings, GA , where love brings people together. Where folks can sort through life’s trials, form new bonds, and heal old hurts. Bowie James and his mother left town when he was fifteen, torn apart physically and mentally by the hatred of an old blood feud they didn’t even understand. Now, twenty years later, his loving Gran and Aunt Ella’s home is destroyed by hurricane floods, and even though he swore to never return, he will come home to rebuild for his only remaining family. Rowan Harper lost her father and her home in the same storm. Now she’s alone in the world. These two damaged souls are strong and loving people, and face old secrets and new dangers together.
Sharon Sala creates wonderful characters that wrap you in their journey. You laugh and cry as you travel together with them through their story. These two are made for each other, and I rooted for their happily-ever-after. I’m glad to see there’s another Blessings story coming in December. I’ll be happy to visit there again soon!
Sharon Sala creates wonderful characters that wrap you in their journey. You laugh and cry as you travel together with them through their story. These two are made for each other, and I rooted for their happily-ever-after. I’m glad to see there’s another Blessings story coming in December. I’ll be happy to visit there again soon!
July 22, 2019
I've skipped around this series and haven't hit them all yet, but so far this is the mushiest of the cheesiest shit I've ever read. Don't get me wrong - I loved every corny minute of it. But it was 100% cotton candy fluff. Sharon Sala can write some serious drama very, very well. In this book, she let you taste drama, but then she immediately resolves it with the good guys doing nothing and the bad guys realizing how naughty they've been. I've never seen so many bad guys so sad and chastised. It was bizarre, okay?
Whatever. I knew what I was in for when I read this and I cried at the end, so four stars from me.
Whatever. I knew what I was in for when I read this and I cried at the end, so four stars from me.
May 29, 2019
Bowie James has come back to Blessings Georgia, a town he swore never to come back to. His Grandmother and Aunt have been staying in a nursing home after their home was destroyed in a hurricane. Rowan, a young woman who lost her family in the hurricane has been helping them. Bowie has returned to fix the home of his Grandmother and Aunt. Some feuds never die, and Bowie has a run in with the family he was hoping to avoid on his first day.
This is a delightful story. There is some heartbreak in this book but it is also a story about families, healing and new beginnings. You will come to love the residents of Blessings. This book is part of a series but it could also stand on its own. I look forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
This is a delightful story. There is some heartbreak in this book but it is also a story about families, healing and new beginnings. You will come to love the residents of Blessings. This book is part of a series but it could also stand on its own. I look forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
April 5, 2020
This is the best book in the series. After being beaten badly as a teen Bodie has left town and didn’t plan on returning until he got a message from her grandmother that her house has been ruined and she needed help. she, an aunt and a young woman,Rowan, have been living in a nursing home. Bodie brings his large motor home for them to stay in while he fixes up the house. The first night he is back the men that had beaten him, try again but he is older and stronger now. Their father also tries and is bested so the grandson keys Bodies car and goes to jail. This is all in the first chapter. Their families fall apart and the truth from the past come out.
July 29, 2019
I was totally absorbed in another good story set in Blessings Georgia. I enjoyed the personalities of all the main characters except for the bad guys of course. It nicely incorporated people from previous books in the series and the taste of the next book has me looking forward it. Bowie returns to his hometown to rebuild his grandma's house and welcomes Rowan, also stranded from the hurricane.
July 1, 2019
A nice story about the good (and bad) people of Blessings.
August 30, 2020
I just binge read this series knowing that book #9 was out. It’s a great series....do yourself a favor & read them
June 10, 2022
Not sure when I finished this but I loved it.
This author just warms my heart ❤️❤️
This author just warms my heart ❤️❤️
June 27, 2019
I love this series. This is Blessings, Georgia #8 and it's a winner from page 1. Blessings is still recovering from Hurricane Fanny and Bowie James is back in town to fix up his Grandmother's home. He's been gone for over 10 years but there is one family willing to continue their vendetta against him. Bowie is a fine example of a troubled hero and is blessed with finding a woman who will be at his side no matter where he travels. Great story by one of my favorite authors. You can catch up with many of your favorite locals and get a hint for book 9. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange fo a fair and honest review.
August 5, 2019
This is the eighth book in the Blessings, Georgia series by Sharon Sala. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I eagerly accepted since I’d read the previous books and enjoyed them. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.
I quickly became fully vested in the characters and the plot. The pacing is incredibly fast, moving from one story line to another. There is a lot of head hopping. Sometimes from one sentence to the next. By now, I have grown used to it and didn’t find it as disconcerting. I enjoyed so many different perspectives, however, there isn’t a great deal of deep character development.
While Rowan’s character doesn’t have much depth, she’s such an endearing individual, it didn’t matter. She’s a simple, somewhat naïve young woman who has lived in isolation on a farm with her father. When she loses her daddy and is left homeless after the hurricane in the last book, Pearl and Ella James takes her under their wing. She’s grateful for their kindness and does anything to help them in return. I loved her open heart and sweet nature.
Bowie James is a great hero. He left Blessings after receiving a near-death beating from family because he looked too much like them, and since he’s a bastard, his father wants him gone. Shortly after he and his mother ran, she committed suicide, so Bowie had to make his way alone. Even though he had lots of reasons to stay away from Blessings, when his grandmother and aunt need him, he returns.
His willingness to help restore his grandmother’s house touched my heart. When he’s attacked on his first day in Blessing by the same uncles who gave him his beating, he handles it quickly and the men are arrested. His nephew keys his car in retaliation and is arrested, but when the fifteen-year-old wants to make restitution by working to cover repairs, he immediately takes him under his wing. He’s able to look beyond the boy’s actions and find the good in him.
The romance between the hero and heroine is sweet and tender. Even though it moved quickly, it still felt right. The chemistry is strong and very pleasing. Bowie has craved family ever since he left Blessings, and with Rowan, he’s found someone who is willing to follow him anywhere. They are perfect together.
The Uncles and his father are the villains of this story. The sad truth that the uncles have allowed their father to rule their lives, play a significant role in this book. Their women finally have their eyes opened to their deplorable behavior. The father’s wife, Cora, leaves him and turns her back on her sons. This is a huge eye-opener for them and has the sons examining their behavior, which is always a good thing!
If you enjoy a story with engaging characters and an intriguing plot, then you will enjoy A Rainbow Above Us. You will need to read carefully to follow all the different story lines, but it’s worth it. I look forward to reading the next book in this interesting series. Happy reading!
I quickly became fully vested in the characters and the plot. The pacing is incredibly fast, moving from one story line to another. There is a lot of head hopping. Sometimes from one sentence to the next. By now, I have grown used to it and didn’t find it as disconcerting. I enjoyed so many different perspectives, however, there isn’t a great deal of deep character development.
While Rowan’s character doesn’t have much depth, she’s such an endearing individual, it didn’t matter. She’s a simple, somewhat naïve young woman who has lived in isolation on a farm with her father. When she loses her daddy and is left homeless after the hurricane in the last book, Pearl and Ella James takes her under their wing. She’s grateful for their kindness and does anything to help them in return. I loved her open heart and sweet nature.
Bowie James is a great hero. He left Blessings after receiving a near-death beating from family because he looked too much like them, and since he’s a bastard, his father wants him gone. Shortly after he and his mother ran, she committed suicide, so Bowie had to make his way alone. Even though he had lots of reasons to stay away from Blessings, when his grandmother and aunt need him, he returns.
His willingness to help restore his grandmother’s house touched my heart. When he’s attacked on his first day in Blessing by the same uncles who gave him his beating, he handles it quickly and the men are arrested. His nephew keys his car in retaliation and is arrested, but when the fifteen-year-old wants to make restitution by working to cover repairs, he immediately takes him under his wing. He’s able to look beyond the boy’s actions and find the good in him.
The romance between the hero and heroine is sweet and tender. Even though it moved quickly, it still felt right. The chemistry is strong and very pleasing. Bowie has craved family ever since he left Blessings, and with Rowan, he’s found someone who is willing to follow him anywhere. They are perfect together.
The Uncles and his father are the villains of this story. The sad truth that the uncles have allowed their father to rule their lives, play a significant role in this book. Their women finally have their eyes opened to their deplorable behavior. The father’s wife, Cora, leaves him and turns her back on her sons. This is a huge eye-opener for them and has the sons examining their behavior, which is always a good thing!
If you enjoy a story with engaging characters and an intriguing plot, then you will enjoy A Rainbow Above Us. You will need to read carefully to follow all the different story lines, but it’s worth it. I look forward to reading the next book in this interesting series. Happy reading!
May 31, 2019
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Blessings, Georgia, and I was long overdue for a visit, so I was delighted to be able to read an early copy of this book. I had forgotten what a great fictional town Blessings is, as well as the amazing talent this author has for creating a touching, evocative storyline. If you like a romance with a hero and heroine who are flawed but immensely loveable, a story that elicits every kind of emotion to give your heart a workout, and colorful, endearing secondary characters, you'll love Bowie and Rowan's story.
Bowie James left Blessings, GA, as a teenager, vowing never to return, until he received a letter from his grams and Aunt Ella explaining their house had been destroyed by a hurricane. Bowie just happens to be a builder, and there's nothing he won't do for his family, but the welcoming committee waiting for him when he returns to Blessings is the same that ran him out of town. Bowie isn't that scrawny kid anymore, and the welcoming committee is in for a big surprise when they try to take on Bowie this time.
Rowan lost her mom as a child and it's always been her and her father and their farm. The hurricane destroyed their farm and took her father, so she's all alone in the world until she meets Ella and Pearl. When Bowie goes to get “his girls” from the nursing home where they've been staying to take them to live with him in his RV during the house renovation, Rowan is automatically included.
I truly didn’t know if my heart would survive because this book was one emotional hit after another. It holds so much love, so many special moments, and is a story of redemption, second chances and the power of love. Don’t be mistaken, there is also an abundance of pain, sorrow, hatred, anger and the most vile evil, but it only serves to make the good that much better and the love more precious. This is one of those stories that will fill your heart, leave you with a smile, and stay with you long after the last page. Don’t miss this heart warming, uplifting, truly special read!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Bowie James left Blessings, GA, as a teenager, vowing never to return, until he received a letter from his grams and Aunt Ella explaining their house had been destroyed by a hurricane. Bowie just happens to be a builder, and there's nothing he won't do for his family, but the welcoming committee waiting for him when he returns to Blessings is the same that ran him out of town. Bowie isn't that scrawny kid anymore, and the welcoming committee is in for a big surprise when they try to take on Bowie this time.
Rowan lost her mom as a child and it's always been her and her father and their farm. The hurricane destroyed their farm and took her father, so she's all alone in the world until she meets Ella and Pearl. When Bowie goes to get “his girls” from the nursing home where they've been staying to take them to live with him in his RV during the house renovation, Rowan is automatically included.
I truly didn’t know if my heart would survive because this book was one emotional hit after another. It holds so much love, so many special moments, and is a story of redemption, second chances and the power of love. Don’t be mistaken, there is also an abundance of pain, sorrow, hatred, anger and the most vile evil, but it only serves to make the good that much better and the love more precious. This is one of those stories that will fill your heart, leave you with a smile, and stay with you long after the last page. Don’t miss this heart warming, uplifting, truly special read!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
July 28, 2024
Another home run by Sala. Bowie James, another person scarred by the gossip and lies around the small town, comes back, grown, handsome and successful, to help his grandmother and aunt when their home is almost destroyed by Hurricane Fanny.
When Bowie gets to town, the gossip starts immediately and he is almost attacked by two of the family enemies, and Bowie is ready. The law takes over and the so-called upstanding citizens find themselves on the wrong end of the law and Bowie is the one in the right. When they drove him and his mother out of town seventeen years earlier, he was a scared kid beaten up by adults. Now he is a successful businessman and is not afraid of them. He then meets Rowan, who lost her father and everything in her sheltered life in the storm. Grandma Pearl and Aunt Ella have taken her under their wing and will not let her go. Bowie takes one look and he isn't letting her go either.
There is a lot of sadness here, and at least one broken family, but some would say they only got what they deserved.
When Bowie gets to town, the gossip starts immediately and he is almost attacked by two of the family enemies, and Bowie is ready. The law takes over and the so-called upstanding citizens find themselves on the wrong end of the law and Bowie is the one in the right. When they drove him and his mother out of town seventeen years earlier, he was a scared kid beaten up by adults. Now he is a successful businessman and is not afraid of them. He then meets Rowan, who lost her father and everything in her sheltered life in the storm. Grandma Pearl and Aunt Ella have taken her under their wing and will not let her go. Bowie takes one look and he isn't letting her go either.
There is a lot of sadness here, and at least one broken family, but some would say they only got what they deserved.
September 8, 2025
2.5-star read
June 25, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
It’s always a treat for me to return to Blessings, Georgia for another story in this quirky, amazing small town with interesting neighbors and stories that touch the heart. This time around we will discover a returning hero who along with his mother left Blessings years ago under horrible circumstances and a young woman who has lost just about everything and now needs to rebuild her life with the help of Bowie’s grandmother and aunt.
A generational family feud will rear its ugly head again but this time Bowie is a grown man, not a child fleeing in the night. Feuds never die until someone decides to make a change and finally, one person is willing to risk changing the status quo, but will it be enough or too little too late.
Hurricane Fanny has swept over Blessings and left devastation in its wake. Bowie is back to repair his grandmother’s and aunt’s home – and to offer protection to the woman they’ve taken under their wing. He didn’t expect to fall in love or to mend fences with the town that turned its back on him and his mother so many years ago. Second chances don’t always come easy but when they work, well, it’s worth the effort to try to change the future when the past cannot be rearranged.
Rowen lost so much, and in losing has found far more than she ever expected. Now she has to be brave enough to reach out for something she wants – a future with Bowie.
Frankly, I love when that “revenge is a dish best served cold” becomes truth – and it was about time for one particular family to get a good shaking up and face their actions. There is danger, redemption, a second chance and a love worth fight for in A RAINBOW ABOVE US. As always, any Blessings, Georgia story could stand on its own, but they are always best when you’ve read the whole series and know the secondary characters that get mentioned along the way – in my opinion. I had fun with this one, it was great to run into old friends and Rowen along with Bowie gave me a story that touched my heart, most definitely a very satisfying reading experience and a desire for the next story in this series.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
It’s always a treat for me to return to Blessings, Georgia for another story in this quirky, amazing small town with interesting neighbors and stories that touch the heart. This time around we will discover a returning hero who along with his mother left Blessings years ago under horrible circumstances and a young woman who has lost just about everything and now needs to rebuild her life with the help of Bowie’s grandmother and aunt.
A generational family feud will rear its ugly head again but this time Bowie is a grown man, not a child fleeing in the night. Feuds never die until someone decides to make a change and finally, one person is willing to risk changing the status quo, but will it be enough or too little too late.
Hurricane Fanny has swept over Blessings and left devastation in its wake. Bowie is back to repair his grandmother’s and aunt’s home – and to offer protection to the woman they’ve taken under their wing. He didn’t expect to fall in love or to mend fences with the town that turned its back on him and his mother so many years ago. Second chances don’t always come easy but when they work, well, it’s worth the effort to try to change the future when the past cannot be rearranged.
Rowen lost so much, and in losing has found far more than she ever expected. Now she has to be brave enough to reach out for something she wants – a future with Bowie.
Frankly, I love when that “revenge is a dish best served cold” becomes truth – and it was about time for one particular family to get a good shaking up and face their actions. There is danger, redemption, a second chance and a love worth fight for in A RAINBOW ABOVE US. As always, any Blessings, Georgia story could stand on its own, but they are always best when you’ve read the whole series and know the secondary characters that get mentioned along the way – in my opinion. I had fun with this one, it was great to run into old friends and Rowen along with Bowie gave me a story that touched my heart, most definitely a very satisfying reading experience and a desire for the next story in this series.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
July 6, 2019
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A Rainbow Above Us
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
I am always happy to go spend time in Blessings, Georgia. I love the language and the mannerisms of the people of Blessings, the feeling of community, and the strong sense of right and wrong. In A Rainbow Above Us, Bowie James returns to Blessings having fled with his mother as a teenager in horrific circumstances.
If like me you are a believer in karma, you are going to love this story. Bowie returns to Blessings to help rebuild his grandma's house following the recent hurricane. He is a strong, upstanding man who is after no trouble, but it finds him anyway. Bowie may not be in Blessings for revenge but as a reader, seeing the people who wronged him get what was coming to them, was deeply satisfying. The adages 'revenge is a dish best served cold' and 'success is the best revenge' were going through my mind as I made my way through this story.
A Rainbow Above Us is also a lovely, simple romance. Rowan has led a sheltered life and when she meets Bowie, she has the opportunity for love for the first time. Bowie has never let a woman close to his heart, but he quickly falls for Rowan. Reading about their happiness as they fell in love made me happy. It is beautiful seeing this couple open their hearts to each other and take care of each other.
Sharon Sala has given us another wonderful story from Blessings, Georgia. It gets four stars from me.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of A Rainbow Above Us (Blessings, Georgia #8) by Sharon Sala to read and review.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
I am always happy to go spend time in Blessings, Georgia. I love the language and the mannerisms of the people of Blessings, the feeling of community, and the strong sense of right and wrong. In A Rainbow Above Us, Bowie James returns to Blessings having fled with his mother as a teenager in horrific circumstances.
If like me you are a believer in karma, you are going to love this story. Bowie returns to Blessings to help rebuild his grandma's house following the recent hurricane. He is a strong, upstanding man who is after no trouble, but it finds him anyway. Bowie may not be in Blessings for revenge but as a reader, seeing the people who wronged him get what was coming to them, was deeply satisfying. The adages 'revenge is a dish best served cold' and 'success is the best revenge' were going through my mind as I made my way through this story.
A Rainbow Above Us is also a lovely, simple romance. Rowan has led a sheltered life and when she meets Bowie, she has the opportunity for love for the first time. Bowie has never let a woman close to his heart, but he quickly falls for Rowan. Reading about their happiness as they fell in love made me happy. It is beautiful seeing this couple open their hearts to each other and take care of each other.
Sharon Sala has given us another wonderful story from Blessings, Georgia. It gets four stars from me.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of A Rainbow Above Us (Blessings, Georgia #8) by Sharon Sala to read and review.
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