An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here. Memories are especially sweet, when you have so few of them left…
Kate can’t believe she’s losing her mother. For as long as she can remember, it’s been the two of them against the world. That is, until early-onset Alzheimer’s robbed them both of the relationship that had always been so special.
Kate accepted a job at Memory Ranch to keep an eye on her mom, but is left wonder whether she’s the one who really needs to heal. Especially as a certain handsome therapist named Jack keeps finding more and more reasons for them to spend time together.
What will be left of Kate when her mother leaves her behind? And can she justify spending time with Jack when she knows her mom’s time left on earth is limited?
Join Kate and Liz at this healing Anchorage horse ranch in an unforgettable tale of new beginnings, second chances, and finding where you belong. Start reading THE HAPPIEST PLACE today!
Melissa Storm is a New York Times and multiple USA Today bestselling author of Women’s Fiction, Inspirational Romance, and Cozy Mysteries.
Despite an intense, lifelong desire to tell stories for a living, Melissa was “too pragmatic” to choose English as a major in college. Instead, she obtained her master’s degree in Sociology & Survey Methodology—then went straight back to slinging words a year after graduation anyway.
She loves books so much, in fact, that she married fellow author Falcon Storm. Between the two of them, there are always plenty of imaginative, awe-inspiring stories to share. Melissa and Falcon also run a number of book-related businesses together, including LitRing, Sweet Promise Press, Novel Publicity, Your Author Engine, and the Author Site.
When she's not reading, writing, or child-rearing, Melissa spends time relaxing at her home in the Michigan woods, where she is kept company by a seemingly unending quantity of dogs and two very demanding Maine Coon rescues. She also writes under the names of Molly Fitz and Mila Riggs.
Memories of Heaven (The Memory Ranch Romances #3) by Melissa Storm, Kay P. Dawson
Memories of Heaven hit close to home for me. I lost both of my grandmothers to Alzheimer's. It's hard to watch somebody you love lose themselves' to this disease and take your heart along for the ride. I understand the journey, so Kate's plight was an even more emotional one for me. I applaud Ms. Storm for spotlighting a disease we as a society tend to forget. Not only did she touch my heart, she inspired my soul.
Seeing the one person you love most in the world struggle with Alzheimer is heartbreaking. Kate is going through a terrible time when Alzheimer slowly takes her mother away from her. And then there is Hope. Of course there is always hope. But in this case it is a cute little foal, fighting for her life. And there is Jack, who wants to help Kate through this. If she can just let him. No one can give Kate her mother back. But they can give her her life back. Another touching, heartbreaking, but none the less, beautiful story. I couldn't keep it dry.
Memories of Heaven by Melissa Storm and Kay P. Dawson is an intriguing story about the heartbreak of Altzheimer's Disease, finding oneself and love. Kate's mother has Altzheimer's; Kate is her only family. Both mother and daughter must learn to adjust to this frightening disease. The Memory Ranch is a special place in Alaska where people can be treated for different types of memory loss. Kate's mother is a patient there and Kate is working with the horses so that she can be close to her mother. Jack is the doctor who is working with Kate's mother to help her through the different stages of this disease.
Can Kate and Jack find each other? Can Kate let herself fall in love and allow someone into her life to help her?
This is a wonderful story that give you some idea how early-onset Alzheimer’s affects both the patient and the caregiver. This book is filled with emotions, but happy and sad, that will keep you turning pages well into the night. Oh, and there are horses!! I highly recommend this book. I received it as an advance reader copy and I always review every book I read. Enjoy!
Finding Her Family by Melissa Storm is little heavier than the previous books in the series. She writes about the issues surrounding caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's well, and I can tell she did some research.
Kate's struggle between living her life and taking care of her mother is present on every page. And her guilt over not being able to do more is very prevalent.
Kate's mother is determined to not be a burden on her. And she works with her therapist, Jack, to try and convince Kate that she still needs to live for herself as well. But Kate refuses to accept the fact that she can't do it all, and she is willing to sacrifice anything - even love - for her mother's care.
As her mother continues to decline, Kate will have to make some major decisions. Will she continue to do it all, or will she put her mother in a care home? Will she allow Jack a place in her heart and her life?
Finding Her Family was a very touching and heartfelt story that is more than just a romance. It's a story of a family trying to find their new normal and figure out how to navigate the twists and turns of life.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
MEMORIES OF HEAVEN is the third book in the Memory Ranch series. Re-released as The Happiest Place (Alaskan Hearts #6). Each story in this series does stand on its own, but I recommend them all.
Finding happiness and hope when all seems impossible, that is the theme of this story. To continue to live for yourself, to take of yourself while caring for those you love, this is paramount for a caregiver to remember.
Jack’s patience with his patients, with the little foal named Hope, and with Kate are all beautifully written. Kate learning that she doesn’t have to do it all alone reached into my heart and squeezed, squeezed, squeezed until I paid attention too.
Yes, this story is a little on the heavy side, but it is so beautiful and inspiring that I would invite anyone to read it.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: MEMORIES OF HEAVEN Series: Memory Ranch #3; Alaskan Hearts #6 Category /Genre: Christian Romance Recommended for: 16+ due to adult themes Grammar/editing: A – near perfect Received from: Melissa Storm (as an ARC gifted copy)
This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. It brings to light the struggle of Alzheimer's Disease. The tolls it plays on Kate's mother as she progresses rather quickly through the diagnosis, and the tolls it takes on Kate as her only family and primary care giver. Jack is Nancy's Therapist. He is there to support them both throughout the disease.
Jack has fallen in love with Kate. Kate has had an infatuation for Jack for a long time, but feels acting on it and being happy would take away from her Mother. She cannot let that happen. Soul searching and hearing the hard truth from Jack may just be what Kate needs to learn that she can be happy and still be there for her Mom. I cried many times during this book, but the last 3 chapters I outright bawled. Melissa Storm and Kay P. Dawson have outdone themselves with this book. I say Bravo to you both! I received an ARC of this book and am choosing to leave an honest review.
Loved this book. tells so much about how a family member feels knowing that you are losing your parent especially to Alzheimer disease. Kate want to keep her mother (Nancy)with her for as long as possible. Even at times I think she does not want to believe what is happening to her mother. They go to stay at memory ranch where Kate can work and still be near Nancy. Nancy's therapist, Jack wants Kate to join in on a couple of the sessions but Kate can't or won't do it. As Nancy gets worse Jack and Kate grow closer. Throw in a sweet newborn horse whose mother has nothing to do with her and Kate throws herself into taking care of it. I cried and rejoiced over this book many times. You will not regret buying this book. 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.
This story grabs your heart strings and holds on tight. You feel for Kate and all she's gone through and currently living through. Jack, almost too good to be true, almost. I held my breath in a few places throughout the story, waiting to see what would happen with each scenario. The love & patience of that man has is amazing! Nancy, (Kate's mom) touched my heart, watching (reading) what she was going through, hit so close to home, what a horrible disease. I'm so glad the end result didn't happen in the story and I loved she was there for "the" special day. Amazing characters, great friends and family, both 2 legged; Brenna, Matt, Howard, Elizabeth, and Marty, and we can't forget the 4 legged ones, Buddy, Bonnie and of course Hope. Pick up a copy of this clean awesome book today! I received an ARC of book and this is my honest review.
Memories of Heaven by Melissa Storm and Kay P. Dawson, while a work of fiction, has so much truth in the telling. While there is not a set way Alzheimer's disease progresses, Kate's mother's disease progresses pretty quickly. Kate holds on the best she can to her memories of how life used to be with her mother. She does all she can to get her the treatment she needs and to take care of her as Nancy had once taken care of Kate. Jack, Nancy's therapist, tries to get Kate to take care of herself so as not to burn out, but Kate always refuses. After an incident of her mother wandering Kate blames herself for not being there. Jack, with unending patience, explains it is not her fault and stands by her as she sorts it through and distances herself from him. A wonderful, sensitive story of an awful, uncurable disease. A must read I highly recommend.
Kate puts everyone’s care and happiness before her own, she has a job at the Memory Ranch , so her mom can get the Alzheimer’s care she needs . As her moms disease progresses,Kate is riding the emotional roller coaster of feelings. Jack ,her mother’s therapist wants to help her every step of the way, he has fallen for Kate, and although he is Kate’s secret crush, she tries to push him away. How can she have happiness when her mom disease is progressing? I have long since been a huge fan of Melissa Storm. Melissa Storm and Kay P. Dawson have written such a beautiful story of what we do for our loved ones.
This series touches your heart with three separate issues.
Kate works at Memory Ranch as a ranch hand. Her mom is there to help prolong the Alzheimer's disease that is stealing her memories and ability to care for herself. Kate is struggling so much with the fact that her mom is leaving and is her only family. It's always been just the two of them.
Dr. Jack is her mom's therapist. Kate and Jack have an incredible attraction to each other. Kate wants to keep it platonic as she believes every minute she has should be only with her mom.
Can Jack help Kate heal and become a permanent fixture in her life?~
I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. Kate's mom is struggling with Alzheimers and Kate is trying to be her care giver and also nurse a newborn foal that was abandoned by its mother. I really enjoyed this book because it does address the problem of care givers trying to give to much. Kate is also fighting the attraction that she feels for her mother's therapist because she feels that she should not be happy while her mother is failing. I recommend this book.
This is a very moving story of Kate Griffin about to lose her mother. It's always been just the two of them, but Alzheimer disease is taking her away from her even under the care at the Memory Ranch. Kate is also living at the ranch taking care of the horses. The therapist, Jack, wants Kate to be with her mom while he counsels her. She is attracted to Jack as she herself needs some healing. A great story of compassion, faith, horses, and the power of love. Highly recommend.
This is the third book in this series. I enjoyed the first two but this book had a special place in my heart because my mother also was a victim of Alzheimers disease. Saying goodbye is NEVER easy. Kate was so torn between her love for Jack and her love and commitment to her mom. I was teary-eyed several times from knowing how this character was feeling while trying to live her life AND love the only man she's truly ever loved in her life. If you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimers, you will truly relate with Kate's turmoil in her life, with her feelings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Very emotional story, not only because of sickness of a parent but also the support and love that Jack pours into her at a time when she really needs it but can't see that she needs or deserves it. This really touched the heart and is a tear-jerker, joy and sadness. Love this, very well written, captivating clean romance. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
This third installment in this impressive series is about Kate. She’s slowly losing her Mom. To Alzheimer’s. The Memory Ranch takes her Mom in while she works as a ranch hand. She never expects to find love.
The message is LOVE. L.O.V.E. And I loved this book. The horses are fantastic. And I just really felt it, in my stomach, in my eyes (they may or may not have been tearing up), I felt it everywhere. Deeply.
The books in this Memories series are each unique in the subjects they deal with and guaranteed to touch your heart. Memories of Heaven is faithful to the wrenching experiences of Alzheimer’s and the ripple effects it can have on family and friends.
I received an ARC of this book and thoroughly enjoyed the story of Kate and Dr. Jack, as well as the secondary tale of Hope and how it played beautifully into the overall tale.
This particular book truly resonated with me as my husbands family come to terms with my Father in Laws Alzheimer’s. The struggles Kate had with guilt and trying to keep her Mother with her are exactly what my Mother in Law is going through. It is truly a heartbreaking illness for those who are left to watch their loved ones slip away, one memory at a time. Beautifully written and worthy of 5 stars.
This was a sweet story. Kate's mother has early-onset Alzheimer’s and it is progressing before Kate's eyes. She's determined to spend every possible minute with her mother while she can. Her mom's therapist, Jack, keeps finding reasons to spend his free time with Kate and Kate is torn between devoting her time to her mother and whether she has room in her heart to let another relationship develop. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
Kate’s mum has Alzheimer’s decease and her world is getting smaller and smaller. Jack is there to help her mum and Kate. Kate is heart broken to see her mum that way and just wants to spend time with her without distractions even when there’s a chance of love and happiness with Jack. I recognize so much in this story as I care for people with Alzheimer’s decease. This touching story is well written and I love the way Jack care’s for both Kate and her mum.
I love the Memory Ranch Romance Series and Melissa Storm and Kay P. Dawson’s Memories of Heaven is no exception. Love can be a time of happiness, disappointment, sadness, freedom but also full of adventure. Kate brings her mom to Memory Ranch for healing of her dementia and Kate’s acceptance of the disease. Both find peace and acceptance. This story will tug at your heart strings and can also help you realize what others go through as caregivers.
Continuing on with the Alaskan Hearts series we find Kate dealing with the pain & sorrow of dealing with her mother's illness. She enjoyed working with the horses but having her mom with her at the cabin was another job that was becoming difficult to handle. As each book deals with patients with problems this one is no different. The staff at the Memory Farm does their best to help clients. It is an excellent book.
Kate is losing her mother to a terrible disease Alzheimer’s. They are at Memory Ranch, trying to make the most of their days, while Kate works with the horses and Jack, the therapist, help her mother adjust. CAn Kate and Jack have a future together when all Late want to focus on is her mother? Is she going open her heart and let Jack help her?
This beautiful story of love, loss and hope hit very close to home for me and was an emotional roller coaster that I didn't want to leave. Thank you, Melissa Storm, for addressing Alzheimer's disease and the heartbreak of aging parents while also sharing a beautiful love story. This is a book I will not soon forget.
This is the story of Kate and Jack. It's the story of a colt named Hope, and what that colt means to Kate. It's the story of Kate's mom, and an awful disease called Alzheimer's and how it affected not only herself, but also Kate. Well written, and the ending (spoiled alert) brought tears to me eyes. Read it...you won't be sorry.
Thus story touched deep in my heart and soul for three reasons, I lost my mother in law who was more of a mom to me to Alzheimer's disease, my mom died recently of a second stroke and my husband was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which doesn't have a good outcome in the long run. This story gave me Hope that good can come from bad situations.
This is a very touching and compelling story as a daughter, Kate realizes she's losing her mom to a debilitating disease. Now she just has to decide how she's going to handle the transition. Her mom's therapist falls for Kate but she keeps pushing him away. It's sad to think she might wind up alone. Very good story.
Kate is losing is her Mom to Alzheimer's. This book was about several different relationships and how each deal with this disease. Loved Jack and how he was with Kate and her mom Nancy. A romance but so much more. Loved the ending - it was the best!!!!