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Heart of Colton #3

The Way Beyond

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When she finds out his secret, will he lose her for good?

Jacob Winters has a secret: he’s come to Colton undercover as an FBI handler. He didn’t plan to stay, but the small town has charmed him with a sense of community he hasn’t felt in a long time. And his attraction to the beautiful Mae Colton complicates things even more. Jacob doesn’t do relationships—he won’t risk making memories he might regret.

Mae Colton loves her little town of Colton, Mississippi, and doesn’t want to leave. In fact, instead of moving on to bigger things—namely a political career in D.C.—like she’d planned, she wants to run for a second term as mayor of Colton. But not everyone in town supports this choice, including the commitment-phobic Jacob Winters.

Mae is ready to make their secret relationship official and go public, but that would break Jacob’s one rule. When a threat against Mae’s life forces him to admit the truth of his feelings, he has to race to save the woman he loves before it’s too late.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2021

78 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

Eliana West

29 books43 followers
Storyteller, adventurer, and diversity advocate. Crafting captivating tales while making a positive impact on the world.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Cheri.
2,265 reviews28 followers
September 13, 2021
3.5 stars

I really don’t know if I will be able to adequately express my displeasure in certain aspects of this book while expressing my great pleasure in the story. I’m really torn and frustrated when it comes to this story and this series as a whole.

Let’s start with the good. And there really is a whole lot of good. This is one of those stories that teaches you a whole lot while also being entertaining. It also never feels as though there is a message being crammed down your throat. Although, to be honest, there is a strong message. Actually, more than one. But the biggest issue in this story is racism, as has been the case throughout the series. The author does a wonderful job of really creating some teaching moments for her characters and audience alike.

Of course, a book dealing with social issues wouldn’t be enough to make it a good story. There is wonderful chemistry between Mae and Jacob. There is an unlikely new friendship Mae starts with someone (no spoilers!) as well as her already deep-rooted friendships she’s had for years. I really enjoyed being back in Colton and visiting with the residents of this town.

When I reviewed The Way Home, the second book of the series, I was so happy that the editing issues I had with the first story seemed to be resolved. Somehow, here they are back again. At first, it was minor things that I could try to ignore. Later in the book there were some very major issues with the timeline and when who was told what. It really took me out of the story in a big way and, quite frankly, ruined things for me. As with the first book, I can’t lay all the blame with the author. Where are the editors? How are these issues not caught and corrected well before ARCs are made available? I’m going to split the difference of what I would give this story without the continuity issues and what I would give it based on the shoddy timeline.

I’m not going to lie; I will read the next book in this series if it’s continued. I’ll even recommend this story. As much as the editing and continuity issues drive me batty, the author really has a great premise with this town and these stories. I’m just hoping that next time I can give the book I higher rating.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
Profile Image for Mariann.
377 reviews4 followers
April 29, 2023
Nice Story

The racism aspect almost made me put it down just the talk and undertones were a bit much. I understand I had to get through the muck to get to the good parts.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,696 reviews29 followers
September 19, 2021
I received an arc of The Way Beyond by Eliana West from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book in the series that takes place in the town of Colton, Mississippi. I’ve enjoyed the first 2 books and this one is terrific too. The author describes a small town in the Deep South that has a lot of racial division. There are black and white townspeople descended from the original slave owner, Mr. Colton. Book 3 features Mae Colton, who was appointed mayor of Colton after the racist group in power were finally brought to justice. We learn that Mae has been having a secret relationship with Jacob, who came to town a year ago when his friend Dax moved back to Colton. Jacob bought the hardware store and was settling in to Colton. Mae is black and Jacob is white and some of the older residents would not be supportive of an interracial relationship.

We learn that Jacob was actually sent to Colton by the FBI to take down a white supremacist group that was threatening to harm some of the black residents like Mae. Jacob doesn’t want his friends to find out he’s been hiding his FBI role from them. However he was committed to bringing down the bad guys. The inclusion of the plot against the black citizens was very scary and well written. I liked how timely Ms. West’s book is, including such domestic terrorists as the proud boys white supremacists.

Jacob has always been upfront with Mae, telling her he doesn’t want a committed relationship. Mae has decided she wants to let others know about their relationship. Jacob refuses and they end up breaking it off. Both are miserable, missing the other. When Jacob learns of the danger Mae is in, he realizes that he actually has strong feelings for her. His past issues is what is stopping him from getting involved. As they started talking again, they realized their strong feelings for each other.

Mae has some issues with the assistant she inherits, being rude to her. After she and the judge let her go, the judge’s daughter, Presley, offers to help her. In the prior books, Presley was not a nice person. However in this book she decides to try and be a better person. So as strange as it seems, Mae and Presley form an unusual alliance. It was fun to read about the changes Presley went through and also their friendship.

I was happy to see the familiar people from Colton in book 3 and the continuation of the relationships. This book had the wonderful romance between Mae and Jacob as well as lots of angst. In addition, there was a lot of suspense with the terrorists and the unknown with respect to their attacks. I gave it 5 stars as I really enjoyed reading it.
1,612 reviews28 followers
September 13, 2021
The Way Beyond by Eliana West!
When she finds out his secret, will he lose her for good?
Jacob Winters has a secret: he’s come to Colton undercover as an FBI handler. He didn’t plan to stay, but the small town has charmed him with a sense of community he hasn’t felt in a long time. And his attraction to the beautiful Mae Colton complicates things even more. Jacob doesn’t do relationships—he won’t risk making memories he might regret.
Mae Colton loves her little town of Colton, Mississippi, and doesn’t want to leave. In fact, instead of moving on to bigger things—namely a political career in D.C.—like she’d planned, she wants to run for a second term as mayor of Colton. But not everyone in town supports this choice, including the commitment-phobic Jacob Winters.
Mae is ready to make their secret relationship official and go public, but that would break Jacob’s one rule. When a threat against Mae’s life forces him to admit the truth of his feelings, he has to race to save the woman he loves before it’s too late.
This is Jacob Winters and Mae Colton's story
The late spring air was filled with the scent of honeysuckle, jasmine, and lavender.
Mae Colton stood under the gazebo in Colton Park, watching her friends exchange their vows.
There were so many flowers under the canopy there was barely any room for the bride and groom.
The late spring air was filled with the scent of honeysuckle, jasmine, and lavender. Mae Colton stood under the gazebo in Colton Park, watching her friends exchange their vows. There were so many flowers under the canopy there was barely any room for the bride and groom. The rest of the wedding guests sat in white folding chairs that ringed the gazebo. Almost all of the small town of Colton had turned out to wish the bride and groom well.
“Excuse me.” Jacob came over. “I thought the mayor might like a glass of champagne to celebrate both the wedding and her hard work.”
His hand briefly touched hers as he handed her a glass, sending a shiver of desire through her.
As much fun as the evening was, she couldn’t wait for it to be just the two of them.
Her parents drifted away to visit with Jo’s parents. Jacob drained the rest of his glass and set it down on the table. “May I have this dance?”
The Way Beyond by Eliana West is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
164 reviews3 followers
September 13, 2021
What a lovely read this book was, the third book in the Heart of Colton series. This was another read that was impossible to put down.
I so loved this story that was about Jacob and Mae. It is really nice to see characters from the previous two books included in the story. It is quite an extraordinary storytelling, Eliana did again with the small town Colton, it's people and their lives. A great storyline and beautiful characters.

I love the colourful characters, how they want to live their lives, they go through what it takes. No matter the feelings, memories that haunt them and afraid of letting themselves live happy lives.

However, having said that the story wasn't predictable and it had it's turns and twists, mystery and of course uncertainty. How the past comes to haunt them, because of a local white supremacy group. It is an eye-opener even if it isn't often talked about, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
The will to believe in what Mae wants to acheive in her life and her dreams, not having to step back because of her origin. Jacob has a hard time with his past, he just has to believe in himself. Both of them want to make Colton a safer and better place to live.

The story reflects the past and the happenings in Colton, the link between an important character that comes back to help her girls. It is so interesting to see how she slips into the minds of those she want to pass the message to. So you can definitely relate to the previous books and it truly makes sense. With the messages she gives these special people they need to do what they really want about their lives.

Both of the main characters have to fight for what they want and believe in, new beginnings. Everyone deserves to be happy and to live a life building memories both bad and good.

The title is true to the book and it is what the book is about.
I was sad that the story came to an end it was really touching and emotional and put a smile to my face. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have read this book and can definitely recommend the book.I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
Thank you! Charlotte N
696 reviews5 followers
April 23, 2023
Love Leads The Way Beyond

A sweet, interracial, multicultural book that can easily be read in one sitting with bathroom breaks. This is the third book in the "Heart of Colton" series. Even though a standalone book, it's better if you read the books in chronological order. Even though I read the first book in this series, I remembered nothing about it which caused some confusion with black and white characters named Colton as well as the back stories and history of the town named Colton. I even reviewed that book which is strange as I usually remember other books once I start reading other books in the same series. The only explanation is that 2019 - 2023 were extremely stressful, physically, emotionally and spiritually and, not just because of Covid.

This book is the love story of Jacob, a white Jewish American and Mae, an African-American, who is also a Colton. The steamy sex between them wasn't graphic or very descriptive, but added to the book rather than overwhelming as it is in some interracial books. The past racial history of the town and most of the prejudices associated with racial, sexual, religious differences made this a very interesting read.

The development of the characters, good and bad, kept you reading even though causing disillusionment and anger with some of the characters, both white and black. The local corruption of government officials caused significant racial changes in the town, and added to the racial divisions and tensions. Mae and Jacob weren't just involved in a secret life affair but her position as Mayor and his as a Jewish businessman,added to the angst in this book.

There were too many editing issues, grammar, timeline, etc, which often pulled me out of the story and caused me to lower the rating. It was easily a 3 1/2 or even a 4 star rating. If you love interracial romances with a healthy dosage of prejudices usually associated with racial, sexual, religious and other differences, then you'll love this book. I intend to re-read the first book as well as the others in the series.
Profile Image for TinaNoir.
1,883 reviews336 followers
April 14, 2023
3.5 stars

Nice series. A little on the sweet side for my taste but the writing is strong. This one follows the mayor of the small town that we met in the first few books and her boo, who is actually in town as working as an FBI handler for an undercover agent infiltrating a local white supremacist group and hasn't revealed that to her. The conflict is that she wants to settle down and he feels that this is just a temporary assignment.

I thought their romance had a very predictable trajectory overall and nothing about either character will be particularly memorable. So the romance itself, really isn't what kept me interested, but the appeal is of the book lies in all the characters , the way they interact, their various little stories and the unfolding of the smallish suspense plot.

I will say I did not expect, but am finding very nice, the character arc of a supporting character, Pressley. We meet her in the first book as a very spoiled white lady, practically a Karen. But she is confronted with the flaws of her world view and to her credit, she wants to be better and embarks on a journey of self enlightenment and anti-racism. It could have been done in a preachy 'the more you know' way, but it wasn't and mostly it is because of the way Pressley is written. She isn't mean or vindictive, just spoiled and silly and a little clumsy about it all.

Another thing I like about the various characters is that we get some nice LGBTQ+ rep as well.
4,114 reviews21 followers
September 11, 2021
The Way Beyond (Heart of Colton #3) by Eliana West has a very serious subject that is a national security issue. Jacob is at the heart of trying to curtail it but has to do so while undercover. That is part of the conflict that Jacob and Mae have in this romance. As Mayor she is a woman of strength, ability, and appreciates truth and justice. However, Jacob has to keep certain things secret, including their relationship which had already started at the beginning of this book. So it is easy to see where the trouble begins between them. But unexpected events and surprises make this an even more bumpy road for these two.

While the first two books had racial injustice it was not on the major scale such as it is in this story. Sad that the danger reads so believable and realistic. Heartbreaking to think that it could be based on research that has been done concerning the terrorists right here in the US. This is a romance story, yes, but it is also a tribute to the brave who stand up to them and work to put an end to the evil. Impossible not to pray, Lord help those real brave souls fighting against these homegrown terrorists.

An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
6,522 reviews27 followers
September 14, 2021
This is a book of two parts while at hear it is a beautiful love story it also ghas a deeper darker thread of dealing with bigotry and in parts it really crams that down your throat. maybe is is a product of the soul searching that America as a whole is doing at this time in history

Mae Colton loves her town and has never wanted to leave in fact she is about to run for her second term as Mayor for the town She also has a new man in her life Jacob Winters but he is keeping secrets he is actually an FBI handler undercover in the town and even though Mae and the town are drawing him in he is determined not to give his heart that all changes when bigots target Mae wanting to take this Mississippi town back to its dark roots can he keep her safe and in the process that love doesn't weaken but in fact makes you stronger
Profile Image for Shari.
1,854 reviews25 followers
September 21, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, Jacob is in Colton as an undercover FBI agent, on a case of white supremacist activities, of course this is only temporary but he falls in love with this small town along with the mayor of the town, Mae. Jacob does not do forever, which is ok with Mae, until her heart gets involved. Now with a threat over Mae, will Jacob change his mind?

Love this little town in southern Mississippi, everyone knows everyone and what is going on. Very strong beliefs. Love the chemistry between Jacob and Mae. This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.
1,997 reviews9 followers
September 16, 2021
The latest book in this series set in Colton.

Mae is the mayor of Colton, and has been secretly seeing Jacob. She knows he doesn't want anything serious which leads to her ending things with his. What she doesn't know is why he is in town and what it might mean for her.

An enjoyable read, but does deal with some serious issues.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Donnajo.
2,318 reviews
August 16, 2021
I voluntarily read a advanced readers copy of book for honest opinion.

The Way beyond by Eliana West, book three in the Heart of Colton series. I enjoyed the characters in this story and bringing back past characters in the series also the setting. This book wasn't my favorite so far in the series but still enjoyable.
1,599 reviews9 followers
September 14, 2021
What a great read it was. This book captivated me from the very beginning. The story line was full of suspense, intrigue, and many twists and turns even I did not see coming. It was a different spin on a romance book but good. The characters were well developed, and I loved the story line. It was a great addition to this series. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nmanda.
8 reviews
September 21, 2021
Mississippi girl loving the books

Ms. West has done it again. As a black Mississippi girl who is now married to a white man... Ms. West have captured everything that is right.... And wrong within small towns in MS. I have truly fell in love with the series and I hope we have stories from more of the residents.
87 reviews
September 24, 2021
Just Okay

Really was looking forward to this book. I was slightly disappointed. Really wish they were not already together at The beginning of the book. Was looking forward to all the sparks. This book missed its mark in many ways. They were apart or didn't have conversation for a while. Just so so...
Profile Image for LaKenya Robertson-Smith.
137 reviews6 followers
June 9, 2022
Well Well Well

You could have knocked me over with this one. Even though it's great as a stand alone, I am extremely happy I started with book one of this series. Cause seriously I thought the wicked witch of the south was dead. Presley's turn around attitude was welcoming. Now I just need a book for Presley and Emma.
Profile Image for Paula Pugh.
2,275 reviews11 followers
September 13, 2021
A life in danger and the man swearing to protect her at all costs tangle with a racist group determined to turn a small town back to its former ways of bigots.
I voluntarily received an advanced reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
1,563 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2023
Excellent

A very good read. I enjoyed the full relatable characters, with engrossing storytelling that gets you hooked and keeps the pages turning. I recommend, I will certainly be reading all the books in the series.
Profile Image for Glenda.
740 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2023
My first book by Ms. West. It was an interesting book. It was dealing with the prejudices of the day. Mae is a woman determined to fight for the town she loves, and eventually, the man. She's revitalizing a town that had hateful and greedy people in charge.
Profile Image for Louise Bird.
671 reviews5 followers
August 28, 2021
Good book I enjoyed catching up on the characters from the last book.
Profile Image for Angel Graham.
Author 1 book33 followers
April 15, 2023
Good read but please have editor make another line by line editing pass.
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