Love of a Lifetime

Abundance #0

by Sally Bayless

When a woman who’s starting over falls for a journalist trying to dig up her past, does the attraction between them stand a chance?

Cara Smith can’t wait to put the first half of 1980 behind her and build a new life in the little town of Abundance, Missouri. If she can just avoid questions from that cute guy at the newspaper, no one ever needs to find out about her past.

Will Hamlin, editor of the local paper, has some serious questions about the mayor’s new secretary. She’s clearly hiding something—something that could be the big story the newspaper desperately needs to stay afloat. But after Will’s initial queries find nothing, he grows less interested in Cara’s past and more interested in winning her heart with slices of pie and stolen kisses.

When a crime is uncovered at city hall just as Will unearths Cara’s secret, the repercussions shatter their romance. Can Cara ever escape her past? Can Will finally find a way to save the paper? And can they learn to place their trust in God and open their hearts to the love of a lifetime?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Novella, Short Stories

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 23, 2019

About the author

Sally Bayless writes cozy mysteries and sweet romance.

She lives in the Missouri Ozarks, and when not working on her next book, she enjoys shopping for cute shoes, swimming, watching BBC television with her husband, and—of course—reading! She has two grown children.

For updates on her writing and a free mystery, sign up for her newsletter by visiting sallybayless.com.

Reviews

[Malia Saldaña]

This was such a sweet,short novella. Cara and Will were fun to read about,and reading about the 1980s was fun. I did feel like Cara could get kind of annoying overall I enjoyed it.3.5 stars

[Kate]

Love, Lies, and Homemade Pie by Sally Bayless is a story that is inspirational as well as a wonderful book to read. Cara Smith is trying to start a new life without the shame and misery that she suffered when her father was convicted of embezzling money from clients. Can Cara find happiness and start over? Will is the editor of a small town newspaper. He want to keep the newspaper independent and truthful. How will he react if he finds out the truth about Cara?

This is a heartwarming story about truth, facing fears and letting God take control. The characters and plot are well developed and I really enjoyed reading this story. Oh, there are recipes in the back of the book! I received and advance copy of this book and I always review every book that I read. I highly recommend this one.

[Grace Tolman]

This has been on my Kindle library for a while now and I'm finally cracking it open (figuratively).
So I liked the cover- the font, the picture of the pie and the background.
BUT the story line was just so-so for me.
This was set in the 80's and although there were some references to that period/era, I was hoping for more. Our main characters also seemed a little bland for me. Oh don't get me wrong, they both had their "issues" to deal with and they're good people. I was just hoping that they had more dimension to them. They seemed very predictable.
The small town feel was ok. And I thought the mystery was interesting. I didn't know "who done it" until it was revealed. And I was hoping that the revelation had more to it, other than so and so did it and this is why. I guess you can't expect a good mystery plot from a romance novel.
Oh the pie reference was only in one part of Cara and Will's story. I was hoping it would be sprinkled more within their story.
Anyways, it was clean and straight to the point.

[Trudy Cordle]

Loved this book!!! This is the first book I've read by Sally, but it won't be the last!!! Cara is running from her past. She's afraid everyone will treat her as the ones in her small hometown did. She wants to start over, without the past dragging her down. Will has carried a load of guilt since high school, thinking his intentions put a friend on a path to destruction. When Cara is falsely accused of a crime, Will wonders if he accidentally helped point the finger at her. Instead, he works to prove her innocence. Will Cara be able to put her fears behind her and find love with Will?? Will Will be able to put his grief behind him and save the paper??

[MaryEllen]

This is definitely a Christian story. A main character comes to realize that God does answer prayer, but not in the way she thought He should... and she's thankful for the way He works it out.

The characters are all well done--they're fleshed out enough to give an understanding of their motivations. The story is pleasant and well paced, too.
I'm ready to read more about the inhabitants of Abundance!

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Sandra Bensley]

Wholesome, heart warming and inspirational

I loved the story line. From a dysfunctional family, to starting over, right onto finding true love. True love not just of the emotional/human kind, but the true love of God. I love the way Dee Dee is used as the vessel God used to bring Cara around to thinking, praying and her final realization of God's love for her and His power in & over her life.

[Chanover55]

Cara has moved to Abundance to get away from reporters and her fatger's schemes. She want to make a new life without revealing too much about her previous life. Will has taken over as editor of his father's newspaper; Dad tells him he is thinking of selling unless the newspaper can start making more money. Will notices Cara right off but she is put off by his job. What ensues is a nice story with its share of strife; I really enjoyed this book.

[Robin]

What a wonderful book. Cara and Will are great characters. Lots to learn with quite a bit of baggage hanging around. Will they make it??? A very well written, faith based story that made my heart sing. So glad there are such good books out there. Oh, and the town of Abundance.....would love to live there. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

[Kathy]

This was a sweet book set in 1980. It was so fun for me to read the references to the music and activities of the time--like a real newspaper! I lived those times and it was a flashback of great enjoyment. The story moved quickly and steadily. Cara and Will were fallible but hard working and relying on God to help them improve themselves.

[Pat Christie]

Ebook

She’s running to a new life. Her dad’s been convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and she’s been attacked. She meets a nice man but he’s a reporter and she can’t trust him. They develop feelings but hid secrets, then she’s arrested for stealing town funds. But he clears her.

[Judy]

Wonderful romance!

I adored this story of Cara and Will! Such a sweet couple! Cara wasn't truthful with Will, or anyone else in the town at first. Thankfully, he only saw her as she was and still loved her. I loved Will and his sweet, gentle mannerisms and his almost shy demeanor. The sneaking in of the pie slices to Cara's work was so cute ❤️

[Amy]

Sweet and lovely!

Another adorable small town romance by Sally Bayless!
A little prequel and peek into the town of Abundance in the 1980s.
There is always a lot of love and a little bit of misunderstanding. We all struggle with our own self worth, Cara helps us see how the Light from God shines through others around us!!

[Loraine]

Cara Smith is headed to Missouri to begin life again somewhere new to get away from the notoriety of her father's scamming people and being caught and sent to prison. Will the small town of Abundance give her a new start or will a friend who was a journalist turn her life into chaos again?

Enjoyable Christian fiction with a good plot line and an interesting story with a touch of romance.

[Janice W. McMahan]

Abundance is well liked

This is a very sweet story about 2 young people that meet under unusual circumstances. She is running from past upsets to try to move to a new town and a new life.

[esc]

Wonderful Adventure!

I loved the characters and their interaction with each other. There were anxious moments during the story to keep it interesting wondering how they would be resolved. Delightful story!

[Mary Beth]

Cara Smith has a whole new life planned—a new name, a new look, and a new hometown in Abundance, Missouri. If she can just avoid questions from that intriguing guy at the newspaper, no one will ever find out about her past.

[Renate Deutsche Oma]

Inspiring summer read with a 1980s Midwestern setting, small town politics, and saving a struggling local newspaper. Relatable characters, twist and turn plot, with a believable resolution. Sally Bayless is a new author to this avid reader. She is spot on with life in the 1980s.

[Kathleen]

This is a wonderful story full of emotions and fear,hope and God's grace. It emphasizes the truth and good to be had by always being truthful and living a good Christian life. I recommend this book to everyone.

[EarnedIt]

It’s an easy read. An average short romantic story. What I like about it is the positivity and hope to overcome the past and start a new life. There will be someone who would trust you always but first you need to trust yourself.

[Debbie Walters]

Sweet Romance

What a wonderful love story with Will and Cara set in the sweet town of Abundance! I can't wait to read the next book to see what new adventures await in Abundance. A Must read for all you romantics.

[Pam]

I enjoyed this story of a young woman, Cara, who wants a new beginning after her father is discovered to be a con man. She gets a job in city hall, falls in love with the newspaper editor, and is settling in nicely when all seems to fall apart.

[Anne Turnley]

Wholesome

A sweet dating over story. Cars is running from her past . Guilty by association she is no longer welcome in her hometown. Will is struggling in his new job as editor of the local paper. Can their attraction lead to something good?

[Jacquelyn]

This narrative about Cara and Will was a story about forgiveness and redemption with a dose of good Christian values. The author even included several recipes that were mentioned throughout the novel. I liked it.

[C]

This was a very interesting little read about starting over in hopes of not brushing with your past. It's quirky and full of little tidbits of good deeds that are going on in between a much bigger picture. Faith and Trust play a big role in this book. Read Feb. Of 2021.

[Marilyn Burrows]

Sometimes moving to a clean slate can be the best answer. Getting a clean slate by changing your name, past and hiding secrets can be a muddy mess. This story has a good value placed in it. Find out and be happy for them

[Gaila M Raine]

I thought this was so adorable and well-written. The only problem I had was Cara was adamant about not wanting a relationship but she didn’t fight it much. Could use a little more angst. But overall it was really sweet 💕

[Marti Switzler]

Sorry, couldn't get into it. Read the first chapter, didn't care about the characters, read the last chapter and skimmed the epilogue. It's just me.

[Diane Bailey]

Enjoyable

I wanted something light and fluffy, easy reading. This was a sweet and clean story that I liked a lot

[Lynda Knapp]

Enjoyable reading!

I thought the characters were realistic and the story was well-written. I enjoyed learning Cara's and Will's story. I definitely recommend this book.

[Diana Losey]

Great Story

I really enjoyed the story. It's good to read stories that reflect our heavenly father's love for us. Along with being clean.