After the upheaval of being dumped by his girlfriend, David Patterson leads a quiet life as a high school teacher in the small Southern town of Pine Bluff, Alabama. Soon to enroll in seminary, his dreams are within his grasp.
But a chance encounter with Emma Devine changes everything. She’s on the run, desperate, and surviving by any means possible. His pastor’s heart longs to help her—and the rest of him is rather intrigued as well.
His random act of kindness brings them together, but Emma makes an unfathomable decision—one that threatens to destroy two lives, though her intention is to save one.
Four years later, Emma returns, seeking redemption. But can David—whose dreams took a very different course after their last meeting—forgive her and risk losing everything?
Nancee is a retired addiction counselor & nurse who worked to support her coffee and reading habit. A terrible insomniac, her nights are spent writing magical realism, paranormal and contemporary romances with a serrated edge. She puts the fun in dysfunctional and is a known book hoarder. You can find all of her books here: https://books2read.com/ap/xXAODR/Nanc...
In book one of the Pine Bluff series, The Resurrection of Dylan McAthie, David Patterson was the third wheel in a love triangle. Therefore, I didn't root for him. He was a goody-two-shoes almost preacher who paled in comparison to the glittery rock star, Dylan.
But David shines so bright in this story! His integrity makes me swoony. He saves Emma's life and is a guiding force behind her redemption.
David first encounters desperate Emma when she shoplifts peanut butter. He tries to help her, but then she shoplifts his heart. When she returns years later, can he forgive her crime?
I felt heartbroken for David when Emma's actions ended his career dreams. The fact that he enacts kindness like saving a photo of Emma for Kensington is evidence of his pure, loving heart. The way he calls Emma "honey" is so endearing. It's also awesome when he stands up to his mother assertively and respectfully.
And David sees the good in others, especially Emma:
"Your lovely eyes haunt me. They always have. These eyes have witnessed more of the disgusting, atrocious side of this world than I can imagine, yet they still reflect goodness and compassion. They still light up when they see those they love."
The characters, conflicts, and communication difficulties all feel genuine in this story, and their resolution leaves a deep satisfaction. Just like in the first book, there's Southern charm and fun humor, like the two "For Dummies" books owned by Emma and David.
Can't wait for the next Pine Bluff novel! Excellent writing.
Nancee Cain is my new one-click love! I'm completely in love with David and my heart went through everything with Emma! And I relate with Jenn all to well! You will not be disappointed in this rollercoaster romance!
Let's hear it for the good guys! For the man who has faith, doesn't judge, who lusts, but doesn't push, who loves, who brings out your best, and who are upfront. Let's hear it for David because he is all of those things and more.
I love him with all of my heart. I enjoyed reading about a good man, who wasn't any less of a man because of his lack of experience.
I love Emma with all my heart. She is good, her past was brought on to her by someone who should have loved and protected her as a child. Her struggle is a battle, but out of the darkness she sees the light with David. Yes, it's a hard decision a decision I gasped at, but it was a gift.
Nancee Cain writes with passion, wit, and heart. I felt every kiss, every tear, and every heart beat. I lived for their laughs and lived for the moments Emma had with her family. Nancee takes a serious issue and raises attention and awareness, while showing us that people can heal. Emma was so deserving, she was resilient , and David knew that, it was beautiful to see Emma through his eyes. It was more beautiful that she saved herself, that she was the hero of her story, and through murky water, she was restored.
Thank you Nancee for a beautiful story and a beautiful couple ! 1-click it will make your heart soar !
Ugh...all the feels! Loved this book so much! Emma and David's story grabbed a hold of me. It was great! Their sweet story of love and loving yourself rings true for a lot of us. I fell in love with David before Emma did ;). No spoilers, here. Get this book!
Nancee Cain has done it again with this beautiful, emotional and passionate story. I cried sad tears, I smiled, I laughed, I sighed, and I cried happy tears. My heart ached for the brave and courageous Emma, for what she endured as a young girl & woman and the decisions she was forced to make. David is the perfect man with a truly beautiful soul and it was so easy to love him. This author knows how to draw you right into the story so you feel and experience every single emotion. This is the sign of a great storyteller and once again, Nancee Cain did not disappoint! 5 Devine Stars!!
There aren't enough pretty words to describe just how much I loved this book. Emma and David's story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and had me from the start. The emotions run the gamut in this one and I felt every single one of them along with these terrific characters. Nancee Cain takes the "show, don't tell" rule to a whole new level as she pulls the reader into the town of Pine Bluff. The characters and their problems and everyday lives seem so real that when the last page is turned, I want to call them up to see how things are going. Emma's story touches on a dark and scary topic and her anguish and self-loathing is hard to read at times, but the most beautiful thing about this story for me was the underlying theme of hope and David exuded that in spades. Cain has given us another wonderfully written Pine Bluff novel and I will be anxiously awaiting my next visit to this charismatic town.
Emma Devine lives on the edges of life, she’s been hurt and abandoned, left vulnerable at her most defenseless. Enter David. The ultimate good guy. Painfully sweet, horribly virtuous, and yikes, is that shining armor in his closet? Maybe not, but Emma and David are not cut from the same cloth. Left to clean up after Hurricane Emma, David picks up the pieces, completely unprepared for her return. And that’s when it gets really interesting.
I just loved this book, I’m a huge fan of Nancee Cain’s writing already, but this book wrecked me, on par with Saving Evangeline. The story was unpredictable, zigging when I thought it would zag, and full of unexpected moments - both good and bad. I loved the agonizingly flawed characters, they were exquisitely developed. Wonderful book.
David catches a young boy trying to steal peanut butter , he never expected to find Emma was the one under that dirty hoodie.He also didn't realize how old she was and what she had to do just to survive. This book shows a different part of life that many of us never see but know that it's out there. Nancee Cain brings it out into the open and doesn't pull any punches when telling it. When reading this book I can almost feel what both David and Emma feel about the choices that they have had to make in their lives. I felt so many different emotions while reading, at times I cried or laughed , was thrilled or disappointed. but I could always feel the emotions that were there, good or bad. This is an amazing book and look forward to reading book 3 in the Pine Bluff Series.
My first impression David is a Knight ... hard to find these days... without a shinny armor. He doesn't need it, he fights and help others with a powerful weapon: Kindness.
A chance turns Emma in his way. A Knight never leaves his lady in distress. He can see good through all the bad in the world.
Terrible decisions and misunderstandings make this story unexpected but very captivating, not simple yet many hard situations were handled with deep care. A very satisfying read. I love how Nancee writes. Waiting for the next. Edit Delete
This book is so amazing. The characters are unique and different from any others I have ever read about. It pulls you in and has you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next between the two main characters. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Nothing in Emma Devine's life has ever been easy. And very few men have shown her an ounce of kindness that didn't come at a price. On the run she crosses paths with the one man who will change her life; but only if she's willing to let him help her.
David lives in the small Alabama town of Pine Bluff working as a school teacher and working towards his future. On Christmas Eve he just can't let Emma walk away without helping her. However, his helping her will change his life forever and derail his well laid future plans.
Four years later Emma is back and determined to show the only man to show her any kindness and respect that she's changed for the better. But will David be as forgiving as she thought he might be? And what about Emma's past? It always seems to catch up with her when she thinks life is going better for her. Has she finally escaped?
A story about love, forgiveness, and redemption I absolutely fell in love with this book. David, while he may seem a bit too nice and a pushover, is much stronger than people give him credit for. He's also very compassionate of Emma's past and doesn't judge her, even after she tells him the nitty gritty of her life.
A beautiful heart wrenching story! It was emotional and touched my soul. I really loved the story and the characters as well. The story was about more than just redemption it was about hope, second chances, self worth and love.
I don't often read books with good Christian men as the lead. I like my men more angsty, the bad boy type. The redemption of Emma is a powerful, heartfelt good honest love story. Opposites attract, prejudices put aside. My heart went out to both David and Emma. There's is a beautiful story of ups and downs. I do wish the proper bad guy was given a bit more a role, but all in all a super sweet book.
What do you do when you stop a shoplifter on Christmas eve . That's what happened to David when he met Emma . a young woman who is on the run and desperate . The pastor in him wants to help the young woman . When the unthinkable happens that puts both of them on a different path. When Emma's decision throws everyone for a loop will they be able to come out . When Emma returns will they be able to work out the past to continue with the future . This book is very well written . I absolutely loved the characters in this book . Emma well lets just say one min you want to wrap her up in a blanket and tell her everything will be ok . At the beginning of the book , she is scared and has such low self esteem . She has been thrown away over and over . She is very defensive and doesn't know her own self worth , To me when she left her baby with David , she was doing what she thought was right . When you read her coming back into David's life she becomes a stronger woman , still a little skittish but she grew up . She still has to fight everyday but she is working on it all the time . David well he is such a sweet guy . He is giving and willing to help . He was on the path to be a minister when his life changed . Which I must say he did a great job . I fell for him and his vulnerability when it came to raising his daughter . He is a little over protective and everyone loves him. This is the first book I have read by this author and trust me I will be reading more . She had me feeling so many emotions . I laughed and I cried and I felt a whole lot of love for the characters . I wanted to hug all the characters and tell them it will be ok . The author writes with a passion that comes through on the page. I think the best part of this book is that the good guy is a good guy . He isn't a pompous arrogant man . He is humble and sweet . You will love these characters trust me . You should add this series to your reading list for this winter . You will love them
First off I love that the man of God stood by his principals and still gets the girl. That just made my heart sing. After his relationship with Jen was moved permanently to the friend zone David settles in and makes plans. Little did he know that his life would be completely altered by an act of kindness. Emma was running. Running from a life of pain and submission. These two are an unlikely pair that have something in common. The author twist tale in the best of ways and gives us a read that will boost your soul while crushing your heart. You can't help but feel for Emma all the while giving David kudos for sticking to his guns and being the man she needed him to be. It's a story that will give hope and strength to a girl whose past tore that away from her. It's a story where this girls dream comes true. It's a story of the redemptive power of love.
I was not a David fan in the first book, but with this book you couldn't help but like him and appreciate the goodness in his heart. Emma just breaks your heart. I would find myself hurting for her and then getting frustrated at her for not being able to see past the nose on her face. But you understand why she thought that way.
My favorite line in the whole book was when David said "I can't explain love. I don't think anyone can. All I can do is show it." I think that is the most romantic thing I've ever read. Loved it!!
The redemption of Emma Devine is a sweet small town romance. David and Emma meet in a rather unconventional way, and that is such a sweet start to their journey. Their path, was filled obstacles that were unimaginable. The choice they had to make, made this story sad and beautiful all at the same time. I love David and Emma.
When you finished the first book in the series, you come into this story with the perception that religion is going to play a massive part. And if you're like me, not a religious person, that makes you hesitant to pick the book up. Pick it up anyways.
This book was amazing. The start of the book, you literally feel such strong emotions towards Emma, that you truly think there is no Redemption for her. But the more you dive into who she is and what happened to her, your understanding changes. Emma is such a strong woman, that needs the love of David to be able to see past her insecurities. In the first book, David doesn't seem like a very strong rock but man is he ever end up being a rock for Emma.
Even with some of the religion playing a factor into the book it isn't an overwhelming in your face you can't read it if you don't believe it type book. I am not religious but I loved this story. And it will not be a reread story when I need a lesson of forgiveness and overcoming fear and insecurities, which is something I fight with daily.
Nancee Cain continues to entice her readers in the second moving tale from the Pine Bluff Novels.
David Patterson is a devout Christian with plans to go to seminary and become a pastor. Still hurting from the sting of being dumped by his girlfriend, he plans to focus on his career. His life plans are interrupted when he encounters Emma Devine shoplifting at a food mart on Christmas Eve. Little does he know this chance meeting will change his life forever. Cain does not disappoint in this 2nd novel of the Pine Bluff series. The novel has some unexpected twists and turns that the reader will not expect. This is an emotional, romantic journey and a great ride! Although a stand alone novel, if you've read The Resurrection of Dylan McAthie, you'll have fun seeing the return of favorite characters.
Emma Devine is the textbook overthinking female! She has abundant reasons to be extra precautious and nervous about her surroundings. Her past is one no one wants and she is fighting to get past it. David Patterson is a truly good, honest gentleman. He is a perfect example of a dying breed of man. David is not a worldly street smart man nor is he attracted to such. He is loyal to those he has confidence in their inner self. He looks for the positive side in every one and every situation. I needed to read this book and be reminded that good prevails! Oh but their journey to get to the good was nail biting and ruined my eye makeup!!! It was a fabulous read and you will love this story just like I do! Thanks Nancee! PS: I especially appreciated the medical condition in the story. You handled it accurately and made it livable.
This is an incredible and moving story. I see David from a whole new perspective than I did iN The Resurrection Of Dylan McAthie. Kindness and love have been a part of his life from the beginning and he shows it in many different ways. Pain and indignity has been Emma's life with some moments of happiness. A chance encounter in a store changes both their lives. There are some elements that may be a trigger , but they are handle with care. I Recommend and Encourage all to read this story. 5 firework stars.
Poor Emma Devine she has had a very hard life. she is on the run yet again when she gets in trouble from a man who catches her shoplifting on xmas eve. David is spending xmas alone but when he sees the young boy tring to steal peanut butter he cant just let the boy go hungry . Boy was he suprised when he found out he was a she and is pregnant. this book is filled with ups/ and downs thrills and terror i am enjoying the pine bluff series so far.warning there are possibly some triggers but i enjoyed the story.
I received a copy from the author for review purposes.
This book took me through all of the emotions. Emma is a strong woman who has been through so much in her life. At times she's not my favorite person, but she deserves the happiness that she gets.
I love the characters and their development throughout the story. Nancee is a great job with this book and the series. I can't wait for more.
Every story has a past. Emma was broken, dirty and scarred. David was there, like no one else. He truly was God sent! His humble, non-judging, comforting personality really made him an amazing man! Every time she pushed him away, his love for her brought her back to her new reality! He helped her heal! Kenzie had my heart from the beginning. She was such a sweet, loving little girl. The ending made me soooo happy. I couldn't get enough of this couple!
I’m so ready to read through this series again! And I look forward to September if Angel’s brother’s story is ready by them! Nancee, Thank You for writing. The preaching school teacher and his Girls was such a special story. What a journey they take. I loved seeing how you were golfed David from the bits we got of him in Dylan and Jenn’s story. He was so very good. He needed someone to snap his m out of his good boy shell. I loved that he could become the hero of his own story.
Break out the tissues for David and Emma's love story. Be prepared for an emotional narrative, crying one minute, laughing out loud the next- being sympathetic towards Emma and falling in love with David and Kenzie. This beautifully written novel has me believing in the power of kindness and it's ability to change the people onto which it is bestowed. A wonderfully moving story that I cannot recommend enough.
This was a sweet but heartbreaking story that exposes the effects of human trafficking. We met David in book one though I did not really care for him in that one. This book painted him in such a good light that I could not help but to root for him. Emma broke my heart with all that she had endured in her life that I wanted her to get her happy ending.