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Honey Ridge #3
The Innkeeper's Sister
Grayson Blake selalu mempunyai tujuan dan tidak pernah menyia-nyiakan waktu. Dia kembali ke Honey Ridge untuk mengubah sebuah pabrik penggilingan bersejarah menjadi restoran, tetapi rencana itu hancur berantakan ketika sebuah kerangka manusia ditemukan di bawah tanah pabrik itu dan menguak misteri masa Perang Saudara. Peristiwa ini mengantarkannya kepada seorang wanita cantik yang sudah tak asing lagi baginya. Valery Carter, mantan balerina yang kini menjadi salah satu pemilik Penginapan Peach Orchard, menyimpan kepedihan sedalam rahasia yang terkubur di bawah pabrik penggilingan Grayson. Wajah ceria tak mampu menghapus penyesalannya, dan alkohol sudah lama menjadi pelariannya. Namun, Bersama Grayson, dia mendapat kesempatan untuk melepaskan masa lalu dan mengharapkan masa depan yang bahagia. Dan dengan penemuan pesan-pesan tersembunyi di dalam lembaran partitur musik kuno, hati mereka berdua mulai membuka. Terpaut oleh daya tarik, dan terdorong untuk memecahkan sebuah tindak kejahatan yang menghubungkan penginapan dengan pabrik penggilingan itu, Grayson dan Valery menemukan sebuah balada kepedihan, kebenaran, dan harapan.
392 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2017
84 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Linda Goodnight
223 books522 followersNY Times and USA Bestseller, Linda Goodnight writes novels of faith and family that point to hope through Christ. Her emotional stories have won the RITA , the Carol, the Reviewer’s Choice, and numerous other industry awards. Her two great passions are faith in Jesus and her large extended family. (And pie. she loves pie.)
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 8, 2017
3.5 stars
Grayson Blake and his brother, Devlin have returned to Honey ridge to convert a historic grist mill into a restaurant. While in town they rent rooms at the Peach Orchard Inn which happens to be co-owned by a beautiful woman, Valery Carter, who happened to be Grayson's teenage crush. Valery was a gifted dancer who enchanted him when he was younger and he finds that she still enchants him to this day. As Grayson and Valery become re-acquainted, it is obvious that Valery has secrets as she becomes distant and withdrawn when Grayson gets too close.
Valery has her secrets and is deeply troubled by them. She has a deep regret that she can't get past and self-medicates her pain and turmoil with bourbon. As she gets closer to Grayson she begins to think of a future which might include happiness if she can just make peace with the past. When sheet music is found which contains hidden messages, they work together to discover the secrets of the past. To complicate matters, a skeleton is found during the excavation of the mill. A skeleton which also holds secrets from the past. Secrets that wont stay buried for long.
This book is not just about Grayson and Valery. This book is also about the previous owners of the mill - the Portland Family. The Portland Family were slave owners and their home was also once used as a hospital for Confederate Soldiers. We meet Benjamin (Ben), Patience, Tandy, Lizzy, Charlotte, and Johnny to name a few. I found their stories to be just as engaging and interesting. Benjamin wants to find his childhood friend, Tandy - a slave who he has a close personal relationship with. He promised Tandy he would find him after he was sold and he wont stop until he finds his friend. Like the present story-line, this story-line is also full of secrets which are waiting to be discovered.
I enjoyed how this book effortlessly both story-lines were told. The headings with location and time helped to know which time frame was being told. I also liked how Lem, a man who has been living at the mill holds the answers to the secrets of both past and present day. This is a book about love, secrets, hope, starting over, forgiveness and family. This book is a romance but it is also historical fiction. I liked the elements in the past dealing with slavery, emancipation, spying during the civil war, music and family secrets. In the present day the characters are dealing with addiction, career, love, forgiveness, loss and hope. Nothing in this book is graphic or elicit so it should appeal to most readers. The pacing was spot on - nothing felt rushed or dismissed. This is my first time reading this Author but it will not be my last.
I received a copy of this book from Harlequin and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my review at www.openbookpost.com
Grayson Blake and his brother, Devlin have returned to Honey ridge to convert a historic grist mill into a restaurant. While in town they rent rooms at the Peach Orchard Inn which happens to be co-owned by a beautiful woman, Valery Carter, who happened to be Grayson's teenage crush. Valery was a gifted dancer who enchanted him when he was younger and he finds that she still enchants him to this day. As Grayson and Valery become re-acquainted, it is obvious that Valery has secrets as she becomes distant and withdrawn when Grayson gets too close.
Valery has her secrets and is deeply troubled by them. She has a deep regret that she can't get past and self-medicates her pain and turmoil with bourbon. As she gets closer to Grayson she begins to think of a future which might include happiness if she can just make peace with the past. When sheet music is found which contains hidden messages, they work together to discover the secrets of the past. To complicate matters, a skeleton is found during the excavation of the mill. A skeleton which also holds secrets from the past. Secrets that wont stay buried for long.
This book is not just about Grayson and Valery. This book is also about the previous owners of the mill - the Portland Family. The Portland Family were slave owners and their home was also once used as a hospital for Confederate Soldiers. We meet Benjamin (Ben), Patience, Tandy, Lizzy, Charlotte, and Johnny to name a few. I found their stories to be just as engaging and interesting. Benjamin wants to find his childhood friend, Tandy - a slave who he has a close personal relationship with. He promised Tandy he would find him after he was sold and he wont stop until he finds his friend. Like the present story-line, this story-line is also full of secrets which are waiting to be discovered.
I enjoyed how this book effortlessly both story-lines were told. The headings with location and time helped to know which time frame was being told. I also liked how Lem, a man who has been living at the mill holds the answers to the secrets of both past and present day. This is a book about love, secrets, hope, starting over, forgiveness and family. This book is a romance but it is also historical fiction. I liked the elements in the past dealing with slavery, emancipation, spying during the civil war, music and family secrets. In the present day the characters are dealing with addiction, career, love, forgiveness, loss and hope. Nothing in this book is graphic or elicit so it should appeal to most readers. The pacing was spot on - nothing felt rushed or dismissed. This is my first time reading this Author but it will not be my last.
I received a copy of this book from Harlequin and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my review at www.openbookpost.com
July 3, 2024
Three and a half stars
Grayson Blake comes home to Honey Ridge, Tennessee, along with brother Devlin The plan is to convert a historic gristmill into a restaurant. But those plans fall into disarray when human bones are discovered. At the Peach Orchard Inn where they are staying, Grayson reconnects with Valery Carter who he had a crush on at 15. But Valery, once a ballet dancer, is a long way from the party girl Grayson knew back in the day. These days she is co owner with her sister Julia , in the Peach Orchard Inn. Both Julia and Valery have experienced great loss and pain in their lives. But they have different ways of handling it. Valery uses alcohol to try and rid herself the pain and guilt she feels for the past. When the body under the mill is discovered Valery holds fears for her sister with her son Mikey who was abducted as a child. Spending time with Grayson Valery begins to hope for a better future. But the past clings and haunts her.
It is the coded messages of some aged sheet music that unlocks keys to more past history of Peach Orchard Farm. This other story is from 1875 but actually starts earlier than that with the friendship between Ben and Tandy. When Ben inherits Peach Orchard farm from his father, Ben sets out to right the wrong and find his childhood friend Tandy sold by Ben’s father as a twelve year slave. This action results in fear in some others especially Ben’s Aunt Patience. But Ben will not be deterred from keeping a childhood vow to Tandy to find him and bring him home.
This is book 3 in a series about Honey Ridge, but it can be read as a stand alone which is what I did. I enjoyed both stories, though sometimes I did resent being taken out of the present day story and the story of Valery and her family and Grayson , to go back to the older story. Felt a little clunky the way it was handled. But that story is engaging and vital to the whole plot.
The characters on the whole are easy to relate to. This is a novel of family, friendship, choices, guilt and loss as well as addiction. Maybe some things are little easily resolved at the end, but still an enjoyable read that should appeal to many readers.
Grayson Blake comes home to Honey Ridge, Tennessee, along with brother Devlin The plan is to convert a historic gristmill into a restaurant. But those plans fall into disarray when human bones are discovered. At the Peach Orchard Inn where they are staying, Grayson reconnects with Valery Carter who he had a crush on at 15. But Valery, once a ballet dancer, is a long way from the party girl Grayson knew back in the day. These days she is co owner with her sister Julia , in the Peach Orchard Inn. Both Julia and Valery have experienced great loss and pain in their lives. But they have different ways of handling it. Valery uses alcohol to try and rid herself the pain and guilt she feels for the past. When the body under the mill is discovered Valery holds fears for her sister with her son Mikey who was abducted as a child. Spending time with Grayson Valery begins to hope for a better future. But the past clings and haunts her.
It is the coded messages of some aged sheet music that unlocks keys to more past history of Peach Orchard Farm. This other story is from 1875 but actually starts earlier than that with the friendship between Ben and Tandy. When Ben inherits Peach Orchard farm from his father, Ben sets out to right the wrong and find his childhood friend Tandy sold by Ben’s father as a twelve year slave. This action results in fear in some others especially Ben’s Aunt Patience. But Ben will not be deterred from keeping a childhood vow to Tandy to find him and bring him home.
This is book 3 in a series about Honey Ridge, but it can be read as a stand alone which is what I did. I enjoyed both stories, though sometimes I did resent being taken out of the present day story and the story of Valery and her family and Grayson , to go back to the older story. Felt a little clunky the way it was handled. But that story is engaging and vital to the whole plot.
The characters on the whole are easy to relate to. This is a novel of family, friendship, choices, guilt and loss as well as addiction. Maybe some things are little easily resolved at the end, but still an enjoyable read that should appeal to many readers.
November 17, 2017
To be honest I'm more of a horror fan than a romance fan. However, I do have one weakness. I love reading books set in the American South and I don't even mind romance that much if I get a good mystery and that was what appealed to me with this book.
A skeleton found that dates back to the Civil War. I was curious and I wanted to know more. Now, this is the third book in a series, I haven't read the previous two books, but that doesn't hinder one from enjoying this book. If you are anything like me will you probably be eager to get the two books after finishing this one.
Now, the story isn't filled with that many surprises. It was easy to figure out most of what would happen next. However, it's an enjoyable book. Sure, I had moments when I thought the drama between Grayson and Valery dragged out a bit. I mean I wanted to know more about the skeleton from the Civil War not the skeletons from Valery's past. Or rather, it was not hard to figure out what she was hiding and I just wanted her to tell Grayson. But, then again she's a southern belle, and her mama has sworn her never to talk about her problems. Because, you never talk about your problems, you drink instead.
There is also parallel storyline from just after the Civil War about the family that used to live at Peach Orchard Inn before it was an inn and just a farm and I quite enjoyed the back and forth between the present story and the one in the past. Now I just want to know what happened to Valery's nephew that went missing years before. Hopefully, a book in this series will deal with that.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
A skeleton found that dates back to the Civil War. I was curious and I wanted to know more. Now, this is the third book in a series, I haven't read the previous two books, but that doesn't hinder one from enjoying this book. If you are anything like me will you probably be eager to get the two books after finishing this one.
Now, the story isn't filled with that many surprises. It was easy to figure out most of what would happen next. However, it's an enjoyable book. Sure, I had moments when I thought the drama between Grayson and Valery dragged out a bit. I mean I wanted to know more about the skeleton from the Civil War not the skeletons from Valery's past. Or rather, it was not hard to figure out what she was hiding and I just wanted her to tell Grayson. But, then again she's a southern belle, and her mama has sworn her never to talk about her problems. Because, you never talk about your problems, you drink instead.
There is also parallel storyline from just after the Civil War about the family that used to live at Peach Orchard Inn before it was an inn and just a farm and I quite enjoyed the back and forth between the present story and the one in the past. Now I just want to know what happened to Valery's nephew that went missing years before. Hopefully, a book in this series will deal with that.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
November 13, 2017
Welcome back to the Peach Orchard Inn in Honey Ridge, Tennessee. The Inn is run by sisters Julia and Valery. For Julia the Inn offered a balm to heal from the tragedy of her son's unsolved disappearance several years ago. For Valery the Inn is a place to hide from the anguish and guilt over a decision she made in her teenage years. She has tried to drown her pain with alcohol and poor choices in boyfriends. But when Grayson and Devlin Blake show up at the Inn to begin restoration of the old Gristmill into a restaurant, sparks of hope ignite in her heart. Valery and Grayson went to high school together, but were reluctant to admit to their attraction to each other. Can Grayson be the man whom Valery can trust with her secrets?
Paralleling their story is that of Ben Porter. The Porter family ran the Gristmill during and after the Civil War. Ben is anxious to reconnect with Tandy, a slave boy sold by his father at the age of twelve. Ben and Tandy were childhood friends, connected in a way neither understood. What are the secrets that Tandy took with him?
The author connects the two stories together in a cohesive manner that ties together the characters in this touching story of hope and second chances.
Paralleling their story is that of Ben Porter. The Porter family ran the Gristmill during and after the Civil War. Ben is anxious to reconnect with Tandy, a slave boy sold by his father at the age of twelve. Ben and Tandy were childhood friends, connected in a way neither understood. What are the secrets that Tandy took with him?
The author connects the two stories together in a cohesive manner that ties together the characters in this touching story of hope and second chances.
August 5, 2017
My Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
Secrets are like boils. They fester and throb, but until the hard core of truth is released, there is no relief.
You’re running from time while trying to hang on to it. A conundrum.
You’ve held my heart for a long time. All I ask is that you keep it safe.
My Review:
Although it was the third and final book in a series I was not familiar with, it made no difference as the story had strong legs and stood well on its own. The Innkeepers Sister was not at all what I was expecting - it was so much better. The story contained two timelines that involved the same property, a property that yielded an old skeleton during renovation. Mysteries, secrets, fractious family issues, scandals, and love interests existed and crossed both timelines in this entertaining, compelling, and intriguing tale. The story was well-crafted, tantalizingly paced, and continually plucked at my curiosity. I enjoyed Ms. Goodnight’s easy to follow and comfortable writing style and would also relish reading the previous books in this series despite knowing the final outcome.
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
Secrets are like boils. They fester and throb, but until the hard core of truth is released, there is no relief.
You’re running from time while trying to hang on to it. A conundrum.
You’ve held my heart for a long time. All I ask is that you keep it safe.
My Review:
Although it was the third and final book in a series I was not familiar with, it made no difference as the story had strong legs and stood well on its own. The Innkeepers Sister was not at all what I was expecting - it was so much better. The story contained two timelines that involved the same property, a property that yielded an old skeleton during renovation. Mysteries, secrets, fractious family issues, scandals, and love interests existed and crossed both timelines in this entertaining, compelling, and intriguing tale. The story was well-crafted, tantalizingly paced, and continually plucked at my curiosity. I enjoyed Ms. Goodnight’s easy to follow and comfortable writing style and would also relish reading the previous books in this series despite knowing the final outcome.
August 1, 2017
Giveaway: Enter to win a paperback copy @ Let Them Read Books!
The Honey Ridge trilogy revolves around an old Tennessee farmhouse that has been converted into an inn and two families that have inhabited it: the Portlands in the nineteenth century and the Carters in the present day. Each book is presented in dual timeline format. The Portlands are presented during and after the Civil War, when the house was used as a Union hospital, and then as the South tried to put itself back together only to fall on hard times again with the crash of 1873. The Carters are a family still reeling from the disappearance of Julia's son, Mikey, from divorce, and from another dark secret that Valery, Julia's sister, has been holding close for many years. Each family copes with similar events--tragedy, hardship, relationship drama--and while their stories don't mirror each other completely, there are enough similarities and lasting consequences to form a connection. However, the Carters have a little help in dealing with their troubles since the spirits of the Portlands still inhabit the Peach Orchard Inn. They are friendly spirits whose calming influence helps ease heavy hearts and whose little nudges help the Carters piece together the history of the inn and find true love.
This final book focuses on Valery, the youngest Carter sister. Over the years she has earned a reputation as a party girl. She struggles with inner demons that drive her to drink away her pain, though in the process she ends up letting herself and her family down. When a boy from her youth returns to Honey Ridge, all grown up and ready to renovate the old gristmill across the road into a fancy restaurant, Valery discovers that there are still good men in the world, and though Grayson Blake is her polar opposite, she's never wanted to be so worthy of someone. Grayson had a crush on Valery as a teenager, but an illness robbed him of his youthful innocence and put him on the path of strictly regimented projects and timelines, both in business and in his personal life. But Valery turns his carefully constructed world upside down, and he finds himself wanting to live a little, to let go a little, and wonder if the future has something far different in mind for him than he'd imagined--if only Valery would open up to him and let him help her.
When excavation at the mill uncovers a skeleton dating to the Civil War, while at the same time Grayson discovers secret codes in sheet music composed by Patience Portland, one of the inn's earlier inhabitants, a mystery ensues, one that Valery and Grayson enjoy solving together with the help of a mysterious old man who seems to know much more than should be humanly possible. Back in 1875, Ben Portland, the new owner of the inn, is seeking to correct an old injustice, and in the process uncovers a dark family secret, one that could mean the ruination of his beloved aunt--and one that still has repercussions in the present day. As Valery realizes the similarities between her own story and that of Patience, she must come to terms with her own dark secret and find the strength to let it go if she ever wants a chance at happiness.
I picked up the first book in this series, The Memory House, on sale and read it before reading The Innkeeper's Sister. I think I probably did miss a few things in the historical story line from book two, The Rain Sparrow, but the modern-day focus was not on the Carter sisters, whose stories are bookended by the first and third books. So I would definitely recommend at least reading book one before reading this final book to ground yourself in the story world and to learn about the history of the inn, the Portlands who owned it in the nineteenth century, and the dynamics of the present-day Carter family.
Overall, I found these books to be on the light side, a little fluffy, kind of cheesy in parts, but featuring romances that kept me turning the pages and historical mysteries that kept me guessing to the end. Though at times these stories deal with depressing subjects, in the end they are very uplifting and hopeful. I cried at the end of The Innkeeper's Sister, and it was that extra bit of emotional punch for both the present and past stories that edged this one out to a slightly higher rating than book one. Compelling, emotional, and uplifting, these stories make for pleasant summer reading.
The Honey Ridge trilogy revolves around an old Tennessee farmhouse that has been converted into an inn and two families that have inhabited it: the Portlands in the nineteenth century and the Carters in the present day. Each book is presented in dual timeline format. The Portlands are presented during and after the Civil War, when the house was used as a Union hospital, and then as the South tried to put itself back together only to fall on hard times again with the crash of 1873. The Carters are a family still reeling from the disappearance of Julia's son, Mikey, from divorce, and from another dark secret that Valery, Julia's sister, has been holding close for many years. Each family copes with similar events--tragedy, hardship, relationship drama--and while their stories don't mirror each other completely, there are enough similarities and lasting consequences to form a connection. However, the Carters have a little help in dealing with their troubles since the spirits of the Portlands still inhabit the Peach Orchard Inn. They are friendly spirits whose calming influence helps ease heavy hearts and whose little nudges help the Carters piece together the history of the inn and find true love.
This final book focuses on Valery, the youngest Carter sister. Over the years she has earned a reputation as a party girl. She struggles with inner demons that drive her to drink away her pain, though in the process she ends up letting herself and her family down. When a boy from her youth returns to Honey Ridge, all grown up and ready to renovate the old gristmill across the road into a fancy restaurant, Valery discovers that there are still good men in the world, and though Grayson Blake is her polar opposite, she's never wanted to be so worthy of someone. Grayson had a crush on Valery as a teenager, but an illness robbed him of his youthful innocence and put him on the path of strictly regimented projects and timelines, both in business and in his personal life. But Valery turns his carefully constructed world upside down, and he finds himself wanting to live a little, to let go a little, and wonder if the future has something far different in mind for him than he'd imagined--if only Valery would open up to him and let him help her.
When excavation at the mill uncovers a skeleton dating to the Civil War, while at the same time Grayson discovers secret codes in sheet music composed by Patience Portland, one of the inn's earlier inhabitants, a mystery ensues, one that Valery and Grayson enjoy solving together with the help of a mysterious old man who seems to know much more than should be humanly possible. Back in 1875, Ben Portland, the new owner of the inn, is seeking to correct an old injustice, and in the process uncovers a dark family secret, one that could mean the ruination of his beloved aunt--and one that still has repercussions in the present day. As Valery realizes the similarities between her own story and that of Patience, she must come to terms with her own dark secret and find the strength to let it go if she ever wants a chance at happiness.
I picked up the first book in this series, The Memory House, on sale and read it before reading The Innkeeper's Sister. I think I probably did miss a few things in the historical story line from book two, The Rain Sparrow, but the modern-day focus was not on the Carter sisters, whose stories are bookended by the first and third books. So I would definitely recommend at least reading book one before reading this final book to ground yourself in the story world and to learn about the history of the inn, the Portlands who owned it in the nineteenth century, and the dynamics of the present-day Carter family.
Overall, I found these books to be on the light side, a little fluffy, kind of cheesy in parts, but featuring romances that kept me turning the pages and historical mysteries that kept me guessing to the end. Though at times these stories deal with depressing subjects, in the end they are very uplifting and hopeful. I cried at the end of The Innkeeper's Sister, and it was that extra bit of emotional punch for both the present and past stories that edged this one out to a slightly higher rating than book one. Compelling, emotional, and uplifting, these stories make for pleasant summer reading.
July 28, 2017
This is the final book in a trilogy – I was not aware of that until I had finished. I can’t say that I felt like I missed anything by not having read the first two books. Having now read the synopses I can see where bits of the story lines were woven into this tale. All three books are centered in a small Southern town called Honey Ridge and the Peach Orchard Inn. The Innkeeper’s Sister is Valery Carter and she helps at the inn but it’s not her calling as much as it is a placeholder for her. She and her sister restored the inn as therapy after Valery’s nephew was kidnapped. Valery’s sister Julia is the one who is committed to making the inn run smoothly and Valery is there to support her – but she has issues and feels that her sister and mother don’t trust her.
One day the Blake brothers return to town to turn the old grist mill in town into a restaurant. They stay at the Inn during the planning and start of work but the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton in the basement. This leads to a mystery that goes all the way back to the Civil War.
The book reveals it’s story and secrets in back and forth chapters in time showing how the body came to be in the basement and sharing lessons on love and redemption in both centuries.
Overall I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting although I didn’t understand the angst driving Valery. I can’t share the what without ruining the plot but I can say it didn’t resonate with me nor could I understand the drama about it in this day and age. But beyond that the underlying story was good and it was an afternoon of pleasant reading.
One day the Blake brothers return to town to turn the old grist mill in town into a restaurant. They stay at the Inn during the planning and start of work but the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton in the basement. This leads to a mystery that goes all the way back to the Civil War.
The book reveals it’s story and secrets in back and forth chapters in time showing how the body came to be in the basement and sharing lessons on love and redemption in both centuries.
Overall I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting although I didn’t understand the angst driving Valery. I can’t share the what without ruining the plot but I can say it didn’t resonate with me nor could I understand the drama about it in this day and age. But beyond that the underlying story was good and it was an afternoon of pleasant reading.
August 24, 2017
Linda Goodnight is one of my favorite "Inspirational" writers. I have always loved her books from the Love Inspired line. This book is the third in the Honey Ridge series. I wish I would have found this series sooner, because I really like the town.
It is definitely one that can be read as a stand alone, so you don't have to worry about feeling lost.
It's part mystery and part romance that mixes contemporary and historical elements. These are my favorite types of books too and it is so well written that you won't have a preference between the two tales.
I loved Grayson and Valery's story. It was a slow growing love, which always works best in these types of books. Both characters have issues from their past that need to be resolved. Valery is a character who has things that need to be dealt with. Lots of things. Things you wouldn't expect to find in a novel by a "Christian fiction" writer.
I have to admit I'm surprised at how "real" Linda made Valery. You don't see many heroines in Christian novels have drinking problems and Valery is drinking to take away her pain. The pain is part of her mystery. You get little snippets of what it might be, but it takes awhile to find out what happened and when you do....wow! You really feel sorry for her. She is a woman that is holding so much inside, and it is killing her psyche.
I loved the historical aspect of the story as well. It was really fascinating to discover how the body came to be inside the old mill. In doing that you learn more about the family that once owned Peach Orchard during the days after the Civil War.
This is really a lovely read.
It is definitely one that can be read as a stand alone, so you don't have to worry about feeling lost.
It's part mystery and part romance that mixes contemporary and historical elements. These are my favorite types of books too and it is so well written that you won't have a preference between the two tales.
I loved Grayson and Valery's story. It was a slow growing love, which always works best in these types of books. Both characters have issues from their past that need to be resolved. Valery is a character who has things that need to be dealt with. Lots of things. Things you wouldn't expect to find in a novel by a "Christian fiction" writer.
I have to admit I'm surprised at how "real" Linda made Valery. You don't see many heroines in Christian novels have drinking problems and Valery is drinking to take away her pain. The pain is part of her mystery. You get little snippets of what it might be, but it takes awhile to find out what happened and when you do....wow! You really feel sorry for her. She is a woman that is holding so much inside, and it is killing her psyche.
I loved the historical aspect of the story as well. It was really fascinating to discover how the body came to be inside the old mill. In doing that you learn more about the family that once owned Peach Orchard during the days after the Civil War.
This is really a lovely read.
January 21, 2018
Time-slip novels (aka dual timeline story threads that connect in some way) have recently become one of my go-to genres. So I was beyond thrilled to discover that the Honey Ridge series, including The Innkeeper’s Sister, is a time-slip story!
In the present day we follow Valery and Grayson, childhood friends who are reunited when Grayson and his brother Devlin arrive for an extended stay at Peach Orchard Inn which is run by Valery’s family. Sparks reignite immediately but both are harboring past failures and fears that affect their current actions and may put some obstacles in the path of their happily-ever-after.
Not to mention the skeleton unearthed when Grayson’s company begins to excavate a nearby abandoned mill with plans to turn it into a restaurant.
Which brings us to the historical portions of the novel.
A post Civil-War era mystery waits to be solved, and we are drawn in through peeks into the 1870s as well as clues left behind in the present and an eccentric old man who may know more than he’s telling. We know the main players from the 1870s mystery but what we don’t know (until it’s revealed, of course) is which of the intriguing characters match the skeleton discovered in the present day.
I loved everything about this story – from the contemporary Southern flavor to the post-Civil-War storyline to the romance and the gentle nudges of faith. It touches on deep issues from the past and in the present, hitting all the feels before all is said and done. The most intriguing aspect (for me) is the music that only Valery and Grayson hear – when no one is at the piano – and figuring out where Lem Tolly fits into it all.
Bottom Line: The Innkeeper’s Sister is a beautiful story of history, healing, and hope. Although this is the third book in a series, it works well as a stand alone. The romance is both tender and fan-inducing, and the historical elements add an element of intrigue to the overall story. Great characters and a poignant message of forgiveness and healing tie it all together.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
In the present day we follow Valery and Grayson, childhood friends who are reunited when Grayson and his brother Devlin arrive for an extended stay at Peach Orchard Inn which is run by Valery’s family. Sparks reignite immediately but both are harboring past failures and fears that affect their current actions and may put some obstacles in the path of their happily-ever-after.
Not to mention the skeleton unearthed when Grayson’s company begins to excavate a nearby abandoned mill with plans to turn it into a restaurant.
Which brings us to the historical portions of the novel.
A post Civil-War era mystery waits to be solved, and we are drawn in through peeks into the 1870s as well as clues left behind in the present and an eccentric old man who may know more than he’s telling. We know the main players from the 1870s mystery but what we don’t know (until it’s revealed, of course) is which of the intriguing characters match the skeleton discovered in the present day.
I loved everything about this story – from the contemporary Southern flavor to the post-Civil-War storyline to the romance and the gentle nudges of faith. It touches on deep issues from the past and in the present, hitting all the feels before all is said and done. The most intriguing aspect (for me) is the music that only Valery and Grayson hear – when no one is at the piano – and figuring out where Lem Tolly fits into it all.
Bottom Line: The Innkeeper’s Sister is a beautiful story of history, healing, and hope. Although this is the third book in a series, it works well as a stand alone. The romance is both tender and fan-inducing, and the historical elements add an element of intrigue to the overall story. Great characters and a poignant message of forgiveness and healing tie it all together.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
August 15, 2017
The Innkeeper's Sister is a unique blend of history and the present, secrets and mystery, all with a touch of the supernatural. Valery and Grayson kind of have a history--they knew of each other as teenagers, and Grayson crushed on Valery a bit, though they never really had a relationship back then. He'd definitely had an interest, though, and she was at least aware of him, despite the fact that she had some pretty major things going on in her life around the same time--things that will factor into the secrets she's hiding (and will need to own up to and deal with) later on. Ms. Goodnight does a great job of blending all the various threads of the story together into a sweet, satisfying tale in the end.
The Innkeeper's Sister was my first book from this author, but definitely not my last!
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The Innkeeper's Sister was my first book from this author, but definitely not my last!
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
July 28, 2017
Originally published at Reading Reality
The Innkeeper’s Sister is a lovely and emotionally fraught story that is told in parallel in two very distinct timelines – and in both stories the heroine is the sister of the owner of the Peach Orchard Inn. Although in the earlier, post-Civil War timeline, the Peach Orchard Inn was still the Peach Orchard Farm. But both Valery Carter in the early 21st century and Patience Portland in the late 19th are sisters to the women who own Peach Orchard, and who have already found a second chance at happiness after a first brush with tragedy.
In the 21st Valery Carter seems to be a good-time girl who can’t be counted on to handle any responsibilities that are handed to her. It’s a picture that is both right and wrong, but if Valery continues on her current self-destructive path, is going to end with that perspective being all right all the time. Until she drowns.
Into her life and her sister’s inn walks Grayson Blake, a one-time resident of Honey Ridge who now develops run-down historic properties into attention-getting five-star restaurants with the help of his brother Devlin. The old gristmill across from the Peach Orchard Inn is one such property, and the Blake Brothers have big plans for it.
Plans that are temporarily delayed when a poke at the rotting basement flooring turns up a human skeleton. The project goes on hold while the wheels grind through the process of determining, if not whose bones they were, at least when those bones were laid down and hidden under the floorboards.
Valery and especially her sister Julia are petrified that the bones might belong to Julia’s missing son Mikey, now lost for nine long, heartbreaking years. And that possibility sends Valery into a tailspin of guilt, grief and remorse.
But the time Grayson is forced to spend at Honey Ridge also unearths the crush that Grayson and Valery unknowingly had on each other back when they were teens. They’re not teens any more, and the mutual admiration and respect they felt then has blossomed into much, much more. Even though Grayson thinks that he’s much too staid and boring for a flirty party-girl like Valery.
And Valery is equally certain that the secrets in her past as well as the problems in her present make her unworthy of the love of a good man like Grayson.
But just as Valery has to reveal her secret burdens in order to reach for healing and happiness, so the secrets buried under the old mill have to come to light, so that the ghosts of that past can finally be laid to rest.
Escape Rating B: This is the third book in the Honey Ridge series, after The Memory House and The Rain Sparrow. I have not read the previous books, but based on their descriptions, they both follow the same pattern – that there is a romance in the present and a mystery to be solved in the past. The past mystery arises because of artifacts that are discovered at the Inn that involve the present day participants in something fascinating that they just can’t let go of.
And both those stories, particularly The Rain Sparrow that features a novelist and a librarian, sound lovely. I haven’t read either of them yet but I’m looking forward to it. That being said, I don’t think it’s necessary to read the series in order – I’m obviously not – but the previous stories, particularly their historical bits, sounded fascinating and I was a bit sorry to have missed them. At least so far.
The two stories in The Innkeeper’s Sister are different in substance, but both have some very serious and angsty issues to deal with. The story in the past is explicitly NOT a romance, but the story in the present is certainly centered around one.
Valery has a ton of issues to resolve, starting with but far from limited to her alcoholism. If she doesn’t get to the heart of her problems, she really isn’t a good match for Grayson, and they both know it. And for Valery to get to the heart of issues, first she has to let them out into the light of day, something that is incredibly difficult for her, for reasons that are made clear within the story. She has a lot of work to do, and it takes her a long and difficult time to figure out how to get to it.
While it is normally a plus when an author is able to misdirect readers away from the heart of a mystery, I will say that it worked a bit too well in Valery’s case. The depth of her guilt over the abduction of her nephew Mike was so searing and so overpowering that I spent a lot of reading time convinced that Mikey had been in her care at the time and had been lost through her neglect. This was not the case, but the way she processed her grief and layered her guilt on top of it made the real reason for this part of her angst feel a bit anticlimactic for this reader.
The story in the past was beautiful and fascinating. Benjamin Portland’s journey to find his long-lost brother, and what he discovered about himself, his family, and the differences between hope and reality for former slaves after the end of the Civil War, was an eye-opener for him and and excellent way of making the past come alive for the reader. I’m looking forward to this element very much in the other books.
The Innkeeper’s Sister is a lovely and emotionally fraught story that is told in parallel in two very distinct timelines – and in both stories the heroine is the sister of the owner of the Peach Orchard Inn. Although in the earlier, post-Civil War timeline, the Peach Orchard Inn was still the Peach Orchard Farm. But both Valery Carter in the early 21st century and Patience Portland in the late 19th are sisters to the women who own Peach Orchard, and who have already found a second chance at happiness after a first brush with tragedy.
In the 21st Valery Carter seems to be a good-time girl who can’t be counted on to handle any responsibilities that are handed to her. It’s a picture that is both right and wrong, but if Valery continues on her current self-destructive path, is going to end with that perspective being all right all the time. Until she drowns.
Into her life and her sister’s inn walks Grayson Blake, a one-time resident of Honey Ridge who now develops run-down historic properties into attention-getting five-star restaurants with the help of his brother Devlin. The old gristmill across from the Peach Orchard Inn is one such property, and the Blake Brothers have big plans for it.
Plans that are temporarily delayed when a poke at the rotting basement flooring turns up a human skeleton. The project goes on hold while the wheels grind through the process of determining, if not whose bones they were, at least when those bones were laid down and hidden under the floorboards.
Valery and especially her sister Julia are petrified that the bones might belong to Julia’s missing son Mikey, now lost for nine long, heartbreaking years. And that possibility sends Valery into a tailspin of guilt, grief and remorse.
But the time Grayson is forced to spend at Honey Ridge also unearths the crush that Grayson and Valery unknowingly had on each other back when they were teens. They’re not teens any more, and the mutual admiration and respect they felt then has blossomed into much, much more. Even though Grayson thinks that he’s much too staid and boring for a flirty party-girl like Valery.
And Valery is equally certain that the secrets in her past as well as the problems in her present make her unworthy of the love of a good man like Grayson.
But just as Valery has to reveal her secret burdens in order to reach for healing and happiness, so the secrets buried under the old mill have to come to light, so that the ghosts of that past can finally be laid to rest.
Escape Rating B: This is the third book in the Honey Ridge series, after The Memory House and The Rain Sparrow. I have not read the previous books, but based on their descriptions, they both follow the same pattern – that there is a romance in the present and a mystery to be solved in the past. The past mystery arises because of artifacts that are discovered at the Inn that involve the present day participants in something fascinating that they just can’t let go of.
And both those stories, particularly The Rain Sparrow that features a novelist and a librarian, sound lovely. I haven’t read either of them yet but I’m looking forward to it. That being said, I don’t think it’s necessary to read the series in order – I’m obviously not – but the previous stories, particularly their historical bits, sounded fascinating and I was a bit sorry to have missed them. At least so far.
The two stories in The Innkeeper’s Sister are different in substance, but both have some very serious and angsty issues to deal with. The story in the past is explicitly NOT a romance, but the story in the present is certainly centered around one.
Valery has a ton of issues to resolve, starting with but far from limited to her alcoholism. If she doesn’t get to the heart of her problems, she really isn’t a good match for Grayson, and they both know it. And for Valery to get to the heart of issues, first she has to let them out into the light of day, something that is incredibly difficult for her, for reasons that are made clear within the story. She has a lot of work to do, and it takes her a long and difficult time to figure out how to get to it.
While it is normally a plus when an author is able to misdirect readers away from the heart of a mystery, I will say that it worked a bit too well in Valery’s case. The depth of her guilt over the abduction of her nephew Mike was so searing and so overpowering that I spent a lot of reading time convinced that Mikey had been in her care at the time and had been lost through her neglect. This was not the case, but the way she processed her grief and layered her guilt on top of it made the real reason for this part of her angst feel a bit anticlimactic for this reader.
The story in the past was beautiful and fascinating. Benjamin Portland’s journey to find his long-lost brother, and what he discovered about himself, his family, and the differences between hope and reality for former slaves after the end of the Civil War, was an eye-opener for him and and excellent way of making the past come alive for the reader. I’m looking forward to this element very much in the other books.
September 10, 2017
Wow! I loved this book so much. I won this in a Goodreads first reads giveaway. It took a little longer to review because I had to read the first 2 books in the series. This book was my favorite of the 3. The characters from the present were so likeable, loved the story line from the past. I suggest to the readers to start this series. It is a wonderfully written series. Linda Goodnight writes so well. She was a new author to me, and I've already marked some of her other books to read.
May 11, 2020
It was good! A lovely way to finish the series :)
February 10, 2018
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
June 25, 2017
This is book 3 in the Honey Ridge series and as always with this series you are dealing with some heavy emotional issues. This book touches on alcoholism and how it can upset many lives. Grayson is returning to Honey Ridge to open a restaurant in an old abandoned Grist Mill and help out the town with jobs and tourists. When the workers find a skeleton during the renovation it threatened to shut down the project and effect many of the families in Honey Ridge. Valerie is one of the people effected and together they work to overcome issues and help out themselves and the town. Honey Ridge seems like a town you would like to visit. Hope there are more tales from the Tennessee mountains.
August 8, 2017
3.5 stars
"We don't always have choices . . . Nor do we always make the right ones." (90)
What a lovely story that featured not one, but two different timelines, yet still find a parallel connection with each other. The Innkeeper's Sister is the third book in the Honey Ridge trilogy by Linda Goodnight, but I think it can easily be read as a standalone. I didn't realize it was a series until the dedication, which was beautifully written.
The Innkeeper's Sister touches on secrets past that can't seem to stay hidden, and how it affected those in the story. I was equally invested in the post Civil War mystery that stemmed from the unearth skeleton as well as Patience Portland's musical pieces, and the modern day backstory of Valery's road to self-destruction. What drove her? What secret is she holding dear that drives such a wedge of guilt in her heart? In truth, by the end of the story, it almost felt anti-climatic in that area. I can understand the reason, yet the level of trepidation seems much. However, even for that, I enjoyed the process from beginning to end (minus the little hiccup). There's a touch of faith that ends with hope. The characters are interesting and the development of both Valery and Grayson were well executed. Lem Tolly is another character that intrigues me with his riddles and seemingly knowledgeable about every thing. Or is it more as he said about observation?
In all, a novel that's well crafted with a bit of mystery, Southern romance and an encouraging element that will satisfy fans across genres.
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
"We don't always have choices . . . Nor do we always make the right ones." (90)
What a lovely story that featured not one, but two different timelines, yet still find a parallel connection with each other. The Innkeeper's Sister is the third book in the Honey Ridge trilogy by Linda Goodnight, but I think it can easily be read as a standalone. I didn't realize it was a series until the dedication, which was beautifully written.
The Innkeeper's Sister touches on secrets past that can't seem to stay hidden, and how it affected those in the story. I was equally invested in the post Civil War mystery that stemmed from the unearth skeleton as well as Patience Portland's musical pieces, and the modern day backstory of Valery's road to self-destruction. What drove her? What secret is she holding dear that drives such a wedge of guilt in her heart? In truth, by the end of the story, it almost felt anti-climatic in that area. I can understand the reason, yet the level of trepidation seems much. However, even for that, I enjoyed the process from beginning to end (minus the little hiccup). There's a touch of faith that ends with hope. The characters are interesting and the development of both Valery and Grayson were well executed. Lem Tolly is another character that intrigues me with his riddles and seemingly knowledgeable about every thing. Or is it more as he said about observation?
In all, a novel that's well crafted with a bit of mystery, Southern romance and an encouraging element that will satisfy fans across genres.
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
May 18, 2018
What a great read! When I picked it up from my local library, I did not realize that it was book #3 of a series. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Now I need to go hunt down books # 1 and 2 so that I can read about the heroine's sister (book 1) and the novelist guest at the inn (book 2). Anyone who enjoys contemporary romance will absolutely love this book.
The book is very well-written and easy to read. The banter between the main characters Grayson and Valery is fun, witty, charming, and heartfelt. The theme of forgiveness and redemption is strong throughout the book and poignantly portrayed. Dual timeline in 1870s adds to the depth and allure of the book and there is even a thread of suspense and mystery that keeps the pages turning a bit faster after each chapter. The author approaches some sensitive topics in the book and does it skillfully and thoughtfully.
Grayson is an intelligent, always-in-control type A man who is always on a schedule. He doesn't have time for fun or relaxation and makes his work of rejuvenating old historic buildings into trendy restaurants his life. Valery is the B&B's co-owner who has been scarred and traumatized by her past mistakes and can't seem to get past them. Valery is fun-loving, spontaneous, artistic - the complete opposite of Grayson. Yet they are attracted to each other and bound by the magic of music - Grayson on his piano and Valery dancing to the music he plays. Their romance is slow and sweet and fraught with past hurts, but, man, Grayson is so awesome in his pursuit of Valery even through his confusion.
I'm wondering if there is another book planned for the series..... perhaps about Devlin, Grayson's brother? I would love to read about the polar opposite brother of Grayson's and how he finds his true love.....
The book is very well-written and easy to read. The banter between the main characters Grayson and Valery is fun, witty, charming, and heartfelt. The theme of forgiveness and redemption is strong throughout the book and poignantly portrayed. Dual timeline in 1870s adds to the depth and allure of the book and there is even a thread of suspense and mystery that keeps the pages turning a bit faster after each chapter. The author approaches some sensitive topics in the book and does it skillfully and thoughtfully.
Grayson is an intelligent, always-in-control type A man who is always on a schedule. He doesn't have time for fun or relaxation and makes his work of rejuvenating old historic buildings into trendy restaurants his life. Valery is the B&B's co-owner who has been scarred and traumatized by her past mistakes and can't seem to get past them. Valery is fun-loving, spontaneous, artistic - the complete opposite of Grayson. Yet they are attracted to each other and bound by the magic of music - Grayson on his piano and Valery dancing to the music he plays. Their romance is slow and sweet and fraught with past hurts, but, man, Grayson is so awesome in his pursuit of Valery even through his confusion.
I'm wondering if there is another book planned for the series..... perhaps about Devlin, Grayson's brother? I would love to read about the polar opposite brother of Grayson's and how he finds his true love.....
August 20, 2017
The Innkeeper's Sister is the third book in the Honey Ridge series. I have read the second one in the series and, like that one, this can easily be read as a stand alone. Valery has been holding a secret inside for years and it is slowdown eating away at her. Her nephew's disappearance years before made it worse. Grayson is a driven business owner who turns old buildings into restaurants with his brother. He used to hold a flame for Valery in high school. When a long buried body is found on his new property, secrets from the past might bring them together or tear them apart.
I'll admit, it took me a little bit to get into this book. But in the end, I enjoyed it. Valery was kind of a hard character to like at first. I think it was because her secret was kept from even the reader for so long that it didn't make much sense as to why she was using alcohol to tamp down the pain. But, her story was heartbreaking and I was rooting for her to find forgiveness within herself and help for her alcoholism. The relationship between Valery and Grayson was sweet. I was glad that it took time for them to get to their HEA, given her issues. The one thing that didn't sit well with me was the lack of confrontation from her family about her problem. They all kind of ignored it and never tried to get her help.
The story waffles between the present and the 1860s after the Civil War had ended. We get glimpses into the events that caused a body to be buried in the basement of the mill. I thought that story-line was going to go one way and ended up surprising me. This is definitely a darker and, at times, gut wrenching book. But, one I would recommend reading.
I'll admit, it took me a little bit to get into this book. But in the end, I enjoyed it. Valery was kind of a hard character to like at first. I think it was because her secret was kept from even the reader for so long that it didn't make much sense as to why she was using alcohol to tamp down the pain. But, her story was heartbreaking and I was rooting for her to find forgiveness within herself and help for her alcoholism. The relationship between Valery and Grayson was sweet. I was glad that it took time for them to get to their HEA, given her issues. The one thing that didn't sit well with me was the lack of confrontation from her family about her problem. They all kind of ignored it and never tried to get her help.
The story waffles between the present and the 1860s after the Civil War had ended. We get glimpses into the events that caused a body to be buried in the basement of the mill. I thought that story-line was going to go one way and ended up surprising me. This is definitely a darker and, at times, gut wrenching book. But, one I would recommend reading.
Read
September 21, 2017Miniseries: A Honey Ridge Novel
This is such a heartwarming and heartwrenching story all rolled up in one beautifully put together narrative. I kept guessing about where the stories were going but was wrong many times. Well done Ms. Goodnight. Currently, my mom is enjoying it then it will go on my keeper shelf. ~ Kim
This is such a heartwarming and heartwrenching story all rolled up in one beautifully put together narrative. I kept guessing about where the stories were going but was wrong many times. Well done Ms. Goodnight. Currently, my mom is enjoying it then it will go on my keeper shelf. ~ Kim
May 2, 2018
The book is alright. It slows down a little in the middle which makes it easy to set aside. I enjoyed the first two books much, much more.
March 16, 2024
This is an excellent read! I want to read more about the Honey Ridge people but I believe this is the last one right now and I do not know if the author is planning more editions based on this series or not.
Beautiful scenes inside it and also lots of history weaved into the storyline. I love Valerie and her story and how she found true love after being so troubled for many years. She is inspiring and I will remember this character for a while. Her love for gardening, dance, music, and nature stirs so many many emotions into this family of sisters, children, and husbands.
The Mill is a central place inside these pages where stories come alive from the past and the history that surrounds the land and the Inn, through the eyes and the voice of a sweet fisherman and his dog is always by his side. He holds the key to solving so much of the mystery around the mill, the ridge, and inn.
Some of the mysteries are not solved either as this ends, as Julia is still waiting to hear news about her son, and then there is this daughter that has not appeared yet either. All though, we get a glimpse of what happened to a son from the past and he became a success in his business in a new land. His hotel is a place I would love to visit.
As I reached the conclusion, I could not put down this book until I finished it. Valerie gets her dream via her new love. Her studio will be opening and she will have the life she dreamed of for so many days as she visited the graves of babies that did not make it in the past. She is always seeking answers and keeping her own secrets like Patience did during her life. The Carter sisters are unique and different but their bond is strong. Tandy is found and his mom gets to visit him in his new place of life. Everything starts connecting as the story comes to an end. But, there are still loose strings like real life. Grayson Blake becomes Valerie Carter's hero. Will we more about his brother from this author?
Valerie Carter gets the farm for Grayson, something he always wanted to restore and love but could not in the past. There are so many places this could continue for this writer. I hope to hear more about Honey ridge, the Carter sisters, and the Blakes.
Beautiful scenes inside it and also lots of history weaved into the storyline. I love Valerie and her story and how she found true love after being so troubled for many years. She is inspiring and I will remember this character for a while. Her love for gardening, dance, music, and nature stirs so many many emotions into this family of sisters, children, and husbands.
The Mill is a central place inside these pages where stories come alive from the past and the history that surrounds the land and the Inn, through the eyes and the voice of a sweet fisherman and his dog is always by his side. He holds the key to solving so much of the mystery around the mill, the ridge, and inn.
Some of the mysteries are not solved either as this ends, as Julia is still waiting to hear news about her son, and then there is this daughter that has not appeared yet either. All though, we get a glimpse of what happened to a son from the past and he became a success in his business in a new land. His hotel is a place I would love to visit.
As I reached the conclusion, I could not put down this book until I finished it. Valerie gets her dream via her new love. Her studio will be opening and she will have the life she dreamed of for so many days as she visited the graves of babies that did not make it in the past. She is always seeking answers and keeping her own secrets like Patience did during her life. The Carter sisters are unique and different but their bond is strong. Tandy is found and his mom gets to visit him in his new place of life. Everything starts connecting as the story comes to an end. But, there are still loose strings like real life. Grayson Blake becomes Valerie Carter's hero. Will we more about his brother from this author?
Valerie Carter gets the farm for Grayson, something he always wanted to restore and love but could not in the past. There are so many places this could continue for this writer. I hope to hear more about Honey ridge, the Carter sisters, and the Blakes.
July 26, 2017
The author has a way of building the story, both past and present, in such a meticulous way that each is clearly formed in your mind with rich details and history to boot, and yet it never becomes overwhelming. They stay in their own time periods (until the moment is right), allowing you to enjoy not one story but two in equal measure.
From the past, we have voices reaching forward in physical, audible, and spiritual ways. We make the unfortunate acquaintance of Edgar and his better half Charlotte, the charming Ben and his underestimated sister Constance, the dapper Johnny and the one who connects them all, Tandy. He sets things into motion whose repercussions will be felt for generations to come...and all from a place of love.
Present day finds us in the arms of the brothers Blake, aka Devlin and Grayson, but this is more so the latter's story than the former. Though as different as night and day, they've got each other's backs as well as their hearts in mind. Hence when former party girl Valery strikes a chord deep within Grayson, natural ribbing occurs but also genuine concern. I really felt for Valery as she battled her inner demons brought on by decisions made so long ago that were out of her very young hands. I also felt for our boy Grayson as he fumbled and floundered his way out of his head and into his heart in search of the one thing that could break his workaholic ways. Seeing these two dance around each other was as mesmerizing as the mystery of "Mr. Bones"...
In the end, it was a beautiful story about the depths of love in all its forms and the lengths to which we will go to protect it. From friendship to family, new loves to lasts, you'll be reminded of why we seek to find this precious gift in the first place and the importance of maintaining it in honesty and earnest to last. Recommended for Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, and Historical Fiction readers alike.
**copy received for review
From the past, we have voices reaching forward in physical, audible, and spiritual ways. We make the unfortunate acquaintance of Edgar and his better half Charlotte, the charming Ben and his underestimated sister Constance, the dapper Johnny and the one who connects them all, Tandy. He sets things into motion whose repercussions will be felt for generations to come...and all from a place of love.
Present day finds us in the arms of the brothers Blake, aka Devlin and Grayson, but this is more so the latter's story than the former. Though as different as night and day, they've got each other's backs as well as their hearts in mind. Hence when former party girl Valery strikes a chord deep within Grayson, natural ribbing occurs but also genuine concern. I really felt for Valery as she battled her inner demons brought on by decisions made so long ago that were out of her very young hands. I also felt for our boy Grayson as he fumbled and floundered his way out of his head and into his heart in search of the one thing that could break his workaholic ways. Seeing these two dance around each other was as mesmerizing as the mystery of "Mr. Bones"...
In the end, it was a beautiful story about the depths of love in all its forms and the lengths to which we will go to protect it. From friendship to family, new loves to lasts, you'll be reminded of why we seek to find this precious gift in the first place and the importance of maintaining it in honesty and earnest to last. Recommended for Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, and Historical Fiction readers alike.
**copy received for review
August 12, 2017
Goodnight’s third Honey Ridge book blends past and present in another seamless tale that will touch the hearts of her readers. Grayson is a wonderful hero, flawed but honorable and tender and possessing a great capacity for love. Valery is both fragile and strong, and her vulnerability makes her a sympathetic character to a degree that may surprise readers who may have viewed her less tolerantly in the earlier books. They are perfect for each other, different enough to supply needed balance but alike in their love of family, music, and history. I enjoyed seeing Julia, Eli, and Alex living happily as a family and the brief glimpse of Hayden and Carrie, who are preparing for their wedding. The story of Patience Portland and the slave Tandy, whose life, as he acknowledges, parallels that of the biblical Joseph, is also emotionally powerful.
Despite the many strengths of this book, I gave it fewer stars than I awarded the two previous books, both highly recommended in my reviews. Other readers may respond differently, but I found the lack of any resolution to the abduction of Julia’s son a huge disappointment. Goodnight explains her reason, and I respect her authorial autonomy. However, understanding did not mitigate my disappointment. I didn’t expect Nicky to be miraculously restored to his family, but I did expect some resolution. Julia and Valery’s fear when the skeleton is discovered and their mixed reaction when the bones prove not to be Nicky’s were moving and poignant. But I wanted more closure. If you are a reader who enjoys stories that skillfully weave together the past and present with characters who are real and compelling, I recommend the book. But if you have followed the series, you may find it less than fully satisfying.
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2017/08...
Despite the many strengths of this book, I gave it fewer stars than I awarded the two previous books, both highly recommended in my reviews. Other readers may respond differently, but I found the lack of any resolution to the abduction of Julia’s son a huge disappointment. Goodnight explains her reason, and I respect her authorial autonomy. However, understanding did not mitigate my disappointment. I didn’t expect Nicky to be miraculously restored to his family, but I did expect some resolution. Julia and Valery’s fear when the skeleton is discovered and their mixed reaction when the bones prove not to be Nicky’s were moving and poignant. But I wanted more closure. If you are a reader who enjoys stories that skillfully weave together the past and present with characters who are real and compelling, I recommend the book. But if you have followed the series, you may find it less than fully satisfying.
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2017/08...
August 1, 2017
Grayson Blake and his brother have come home to Honey Ridge, Tennessee to turn an old gristmill into one of their up-and-coming restaurants. Grayson has a strict schedule he plans to stick to, no matter what. Time is money, after all. But when an old skeleton is found in the basement of the mill, his schedule comes to a screeching halt.
Valerie Carter is a former ballet dancer and now co-owner of a charming inn in Honey Ridge. The secrets from her past haunt her, as does the love of the dance she still yearns for. Regret and memories threaten to overwhelm her, when she meets Grayson and finds herself swept into a Civil War-era mystery that ties the skeleton in the mill with her beloved Peach Orchard Inn.
I didn’t realize The Innkeeper’s Sister was part of a series when I started reading. Fortunately, it’s also a standalone, so readers who haven’t read the other books will be fine. I’m from the South, and this novel is Southern through-and-through, from the sweet iced tea to the everything-is-perfect façade put on by Valerie’s mother. Both Grayson and Valerie have faced tragedy in their lives, tragedy they are still struggling to overcome. There are two storylines here: the modern-day one of Valerie and Grayson, and the Civil War one that tells the story of the skeleton in the mill. Both lend depth to each other, and strengthen the family bonds of the Carters. An uplifting story about characters that are flawed and struggling to find their strengths while overcoming their weaknesses.
(Galley provided by Harlequin via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
More reviews at Tomorrow is Another Day
Valerie Carter is a former ballet dancer and now co-owner of a charming inn in Honey Ridge. The secrets from her past haunt her, as does the love of the dance she still yearns for. Regret and memories threaten to overwhelm her, when she meets Grayson and finds herself swept into a Civil War-era mystery that ties the skeleton in the mill with her beloved Peach Orchard Inn.
I didn’t realize The Innkeeper’s Sister was part of a series when I started reading. Fortunately, it’s also a standalone, so readers who haven’t read the other books will be fine. I’m from the South, and this novel is Southern through-and-through, from the sweet iced tea to the everything-is-perfect façade put on by Valerie’s mother. Both Grayson and Valerie have faced tragedy in their lives, tragedy they are still struggling to overcome. There are two storylines here: the modern-day one of Valerie and Grayson, and the Civil War one that tells the story of the skeleton in the mill. Both lend depth to each other, and strengthen the family bonds of the Carters. An uplifting story about characters that are flawed and struggling to find their strengths while overcoming their weaknesses.
(Galley provided by Harlequin via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
More reviews at Tomorrow is Another Day
June 28, 2023
This is book 3 and once again I didn’t read book 1 and it didn’t matter because even though there are references to past circumstances, it still reads as a stand-alone story. The novel takes place in two time periods, current day at the Peach Tree Inn, and later on in 1875 at the Peach Tree Farm which is the same property. In the current time Grayson Blake has come home to Tennessee to buy the old gristmill across from the Peach Tree Inn and make it into a restaurant. He and his brother Devlin are staying at the Inn while the work starts at the mill. As soon as he arrives, he sees that one of the Inn’s owners is his childhood crush Valery Carter, a former ballet dancer who he thought had found fame and success in New York. Although Grayson still feels attracted to Valery they are complete opposites, he is all business all the time and she is a party girl with lots of admirers, or so it seems outwardly; but both have secrets and baggage from the past. As much as their relationship doesn’t stand a chance, it also looks like the mill project won’t be happening either when they unearth a skeleton buried in the basement. There are a lot of civil war artifacts found at the Mill and the Inn and that leads us to the other time period with Ben and Tandy and more characters that drew me into their lives. This author did a great job pulling all the stories together and each character adds so much that I felt attached to them emotionally, wanting the best for them and fearing the worst. I now need to read from the beginning and just picked up The Memory House which is book 1.
August 28, 2017
When you live in a place where you have plantations that survived the Civil War and families stretch back even farther, it's almost impossible to pay homage to the present without considering the past. I tend to avoid books that jump back and forth between times but I do have to say that Ms. Goodnight did an excellent job of interviewing the stories.
What I really enjoyed however were the characters themselves. Valery is broken and punishing herself. Because of that, she isn't able to see herself as the strong and beautiful woman who just needs a bit of help which is how Grayson sees her. Now Grayson is the total opposite of Valerie with his cell phone, spreadsheets and alarms but he can't help be be attracted to her. Heck that attraction started when he was just a teenager and even though he hasn't seen her in years, it appears to have just grown stronger.
Now I do recommend that my readers sit down with a glass of peach tea and help to unravel the mysteries from the past as well as discover what Valerie is hiding. This was a very enjoyable contemporary romance with well developed characters, witty dialogue and questions.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
What I really enjoyed however were the characters themselves. Valery is broken and punishing herself. Because of that, she isn't able to see herself as the strong and beautiful woman who just needs a bit of help which is how Grayson sees her. Now Grayson is the total opposite of Valerie with his cell phone, spreadsheets and alarms but he can't help be be attracted to her. Heck that attraction started when he was just a teenager and even though he hasn't seen her in years, it appears to have just grown stronger.
Now I do recommend that my readers sit down with a glass of peach tea and help to unravel the mysteries from the past as well as discover what Valerie is hiding. This was a very enjoyable contemporary romance with well developed characters, witty dialogue and questions.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
July 27, 2017
In Linda Goodnight's The Innkeeper's Sister, events from the past and present are interwoven into another marvelous addition to the heartwarming Honey Ridge series.
Valery Carter was instrumental in pulling her sister Julia from despair, but she is helpless when it comes to ending her own self-destructive behavior. Haunted by a long ago decision and plagued with guilt in the aftermath of a terrible loss, she vows time and again to change her coping mechanisms. Valery is continually frustrated when her attempts to discuss her issues with someone near to her heart never seem to accomplish anything except to distress both of them. She is quite surprised by her attraction to guest Grayson Blake since he is nothing like the men she usually dates. Shamed by the mistakes she has made and her own disappointment to control her unhealthy coping methods, will Valery decide to give him (and their relationship) a chance?
Unlike his fun-loving brother and business partner Devlin, Grayson is a workaholic who likes a well-ordered life. He takes their business very seriously and he is very concerned about keeping their projects on time and in budget. Grayson is not one to take risks and despite his irritation at how their current renovation came about, he is committed to making it a success. Chafing at the delay after an unexpected discovery on the grounds of the Civil War era grist mill brings their work to a hopefully short-lived halt, Grayson surprises himself by spending time with Valery. Will this out of character willingness to take a step back from his busy life provide him with the opportunity for an unexpected romance?
Equally compelling are the chapters which flashback to the Portland family and son Benjamin's post-Civil War decision to follow through with a promise he made to his beloved childhood companion Tandy. Over his family's strenuous objections, he sets to locate out Tandy but will this endeavor culminate in heartache? And what, if any, connection does the grist mill discovery in the present have to do with the events that played out in the long ago past?
The Innkeeper's Sister is another heartfelt novel of healing, new beginnings and love. The cast of well-drawn characters is appealing and the problems they are attempting to overcome will resonate with anyone who has ever made a choice they later regret. The romance between Grayson and Valery is slow-growing and although Valery has rather serious issues to work through, Grayson is always supportive despite her occasional missteps. The peek into the post-Civil War life is quite fascinating and offers an insightful look into difficulties Southerners endured long after their defeat. Linda Goodnight skillfully weaves together storylines from both the past and the present into a compelling novel that old and new readers of the Honey Ridge series will love.
Valery Carter was instrumental in pulling her sister Julia from despair, but she is helpless when it comes to ending her own self-destructive behavior. Haunted by a long ago decision and plagued with guilt in the aftermath of a terrible loss, she vows time and again to change her coping mechanisms. Valery is continually frustrated when her attempts to discuss her issues with someone near to her heart never seem to accomplish anything except to distress both of them. She is quite surprised by her attraction to guest Grayson Blake since he is nothing like the men she usually dates. Shamed by the mistakes she has made and her own disappointment to control her unhealthy coping methods, will Valery decide to give him (and their relationship) a chance?
Unlike his fun-loving brother and business partner Devlin, Grayson is a workaholic who likes a well-ordered life. He takes their business very seriously and he is very concerned about keeping their projects on time and in budget. Grayson is not one to take risks and despite his irritation at how their current renovation came about, he is committed to making it a success. Chafing at the delay after an unexpected discovery on the grounds of the Civil War era grist mill brings their work to a hopefully short-lived halt, Grayson surprises himself by spending time with Valery. Will this out of character willingness to take a step back from his busy life provide him with the opportunity for an unexpected romance?
Equally compelling are the chapters which flashback to the Portland family and son Benjamin's post-Civil War decision to follow through with a promise he made to his beloved childhood companion Tandy. Over his family's strenuous objections, he sets to locate out Tandy but will this endeavor culminate in heartache? And what, if any, connection does the grist mill discovery in the present have to do with the events that played out in the long ago past?
The Innkeeper's Sister is another heartfelt novel of healing, new beginnings and love. The cast of well-drawn characters is appealing and the problems they are attempting to overcome will resonate with anyone who has ever made a choice they later regret. The romance between Grayson and Valery is slow-growing and although Valery has rather serious issues to work through, Grayson is always supportive despite her occasional missteps. The peek into the post-Civil War life is quite fascinating and offers an insightful look into difficulties Southerners endured long after their defeat. Linda Goodnight skillfully weaves together storylines from both the past and the present into a compelling novel that old and new readers of the Honey Ridge series will love.
August 18, 2017
This Civil War fictional romance takes place n Honey Ridge, Tennessee (my home state) with lots of Southern hospitality and my favorite drink, sweet peach tea. In this story long-buried secrets lead to some startling realizations and healings. Grayson Blake, a Nashville business owner and a workaholic, comes home to Honey Ridge to convert a historic gristmill into a restaurant, but his plans crumble like Tennessee clay when the excavation of a skeleton unearths a Civil War mystery.. Co-owner of the Peach Orchard Inn, Valery Carter, was once a ballet dancer who harbors a pain as deep as her secret and the secrets buried beneath the mill. She tries to erase erase her regrets with bourbon becoming an alcoholic.. Spending time with Grayson offers Valery a chance to let go of her past and imagine a happier future. Will she tell him her secret? Will she get help with her alcoholism? Will he still love her after he knows her secret? I loved the plot, characters and interwoven theme of forgiveness.
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
April 19, 2024
Alcoholic Valéry walks a tight rope of bottled emotions and past hurts. A disappointment to her family. Cue Greyson, tightly wound, relic restoration/repurposing builder. Come to revamp the old mill while lodging at Peach Orchard. Still sweet on Valéry decades after their teenage lives have been outgrown they pose a way to heal them both.
Another saddened woman saved by a heartfelt man with fat bank accounts.
This story didn’t flow as easily as the first 2. I was glad that my prediction for this story outcome wasn’t true, though as there isn’t any other in the Honey Ridge series; things felt very unfinished.
Will Mikey ever be found? Will Valerys daughter ever reach out? Does her mother actually know where she ended up since she was the one who ‘dealt with it’? Will she tell Julie about the child?
Given the smallness of town - Who else would be related to the Portlands? Will Devlin and Faith make a story of their own? Did they find Carrie’s anklet among the bones of the dead below?
Another saddened woman saved by a heartfelt man with fat bank accounts.
This story didn’t flow as easily as the first 2. I was glad that my prediction for this story outcome wasn’t true, though as there isn’t any other in the Honey Ridge series; things felt very unfinished.
Will Mikey ever be found? Will Valerys daughter ever reach out? Does her mother actually know where she ended up since she was the one who ‘dealt with it’? Will she tell Julie about the child?
Given the smallness of town - Who else would be related to the Portlands? Will Devlin and Faith make a story of their own? Did they find Carrie’s anklet among the bones of the dead below?
December 27, 2017
In a nicely flowing blend of past and present, two stories intertwine after a skeleton is found beneath the old gristmill. Both stories revolve around a missing child, one a slave sold away from his family and white friend, the other Valery's nephew, abducted years ago. Could these bones belong to that child, Mikey? The possibility sends Valery into a maelstrom of new grief as well as guilt that have lain just under the surface all this time, but it's just as likely that this is someone else, someone from the farm's Civil War-era family.
Secrets abound in both times and, in some ways, love is what holds the families together, if only by a thread. To be sure, the mystery of the discovered bones needs to be solved, but the growing connection between Valery and Grayson may very well bring the peace they so need. At the same time, the inn, once a farm, has its own colorful and emotion-wrought history and it's the past and present of Peach Orchard that caught my attention the most.
Secrets abound in both times and, in some ways, love is what holds the families together, if only by a thread. To be sure, the mystery of the discovered bones needs to be solved, but the growing connection between Valery and Grayson may very well bring the peace they so need. At the same time, the inn, once a farm, has its own colorful and emotion-wrought history and it's the past and present of Peach Orchard that caught my attention the most.
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