His decision changed their lives. Her decision will decide their future.
Bryce hasn’t laid eyes on Sabrina in three years despite visiting Freedom Ridge every Christmas. Not that he could blame her for avoiding him. He left town in a hurry and without a backward glance. He isn’t the same irresponsible kid from back then—the Army changed him. But convincing her to trust him again will be a challenge.
Avoiding the man she’d once loved every Christmas season was one thing, but now he's back. And he's her boss. Sabrina isn’t prepared to work for Bryce—it will make it impossible to keep her secret. Their story might have derailed three years earlier, but her humiliation feels fresh. Had God rescued her only to throw her back into the mouth of a hungry lion?
They soon discover time apart didn’t dim their chemistry and long for buried feelings rise to the surface, but will they have a second chance at romance or is the risk of involving him in her son’s life too great? Return to Freedom, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas romance.
Persuaded by the Hero is Book 11 in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, but each book can be read as a standalone.
Elle E. Kay is an Angel Award-winning Christian fiction author known for her gripping suspense and engaging romance novels. She lives on a hobby farm in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, three dogs, and a variety of farm animals. A devoted follower of Christ, Elle is actively involved in her church's youth ministry and shares her love of Jesus through music.
Her writing journey began with non-fiction, poetry, and children's books before she made her Christian fiction debut in 2016. Since then, she has written 24 novels in the genre.
Elle is the author of the Endless Mountain and Pennsylvania Parks series, both romantic suspense collections set in Pennsylvania’s scenic Appalachians.
In addition to her solo projects, she has contributed to several multi-author series, including the Lawkeeper series (three contemporary and four historical novellas), Blushing Brides (two novels), Heroes of Freedom Ridge (three novels), and Christmas in Redemption Ridge (two novels). In October 2024, she contributed Midnight Offensive to the Silent Night anthology, part of the Winter Shivers collection.
Her stories seamlessly weave faith, suspense, and romance, offering readers thrilling narratives grounded in Christian values.
For updates on her latest works and upcoming releases, visit her website at elleekay.com.
I loved this addition to the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series! Bryce is an interesting character, and I loved the struggles and triumphs between him and Sabrina. This story kept me turning pages from the beginning.
I enjoyed this latest installment in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. It isn't my favorite but I did enjoy reading about Bryce and Sabrina's story of second chance romance. They had been married as teenagers and then Bryce's father had the marriage annulled. This story is about forgiveness and redemption and patience. I also liked reading how the previous characters from the series are being woven through the newer stories.
This is a clean, wholesome romantic story of forgiveness with a happy ending.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Would you forgive someone that has wronged you in an unthinkable way? Bryce and Sabrina both had to struggle with this question. But for them to have complete healing and a happy life and true love they have to make the right choice. I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone that is in need of relaxing with an excellent book. 😉
I very much enjoyed this addition to the series. It can be read as a standalone though. I have not read all the books in the series but I still knew what was happening! I fell in love with Bryce right away. The flawed hero who had made many mistakes in his past but learned from them and was trying to move forward was my favorite. He'd recently inherited the resort that was his grandfather's and employed a lot of people. He wants to do a good job but the one thing standing in his way is the woman who he was married to for ONE DAY years ago! He was in a bad place then and they got their marriage annulled but he knows he hurt her badly. Now she's working for him and he doesn't know how it's going to go because he still loves her! Sabrina doesn't know if she'll ever be able to forgive Bryce for what he did to her but she'll try because she needs this job. While I loved Bryce, Sabrina didn't really connect with me. I didn't DISlike her, but she seemed to punish Bryce too much. I wanted her to give him a break because he was trying to show her he had changed but she just made him prove it over and over! All in all though, I really liked the story, the characters and the setting!
When Bryce married Sabrina they were just out of high school and he had a drinking problem. His dad manipulated them into an annulment. Bryce was unaware he fathered a son with Sabrina. He is back and contrite. He wants to prove that he is not that young guy who let her down. But while Sabrina forgives him she has a hard time trusting him. He will do all he can to be the best father and hopefully husband. A wonderful second chance story with a surprising and happy ending.
Bryce and Sabrina…. everything was stacked against them. Young and in love, with a life full of promises waiting ahead as they said ‘I Do’. But as they say, promises are made to be broken … and in this case, it was in such a cruel way. One night of wedded bliss is all they got before they were torn apart. Lies, manipulation and deviousness ripped them apart the very next morning.
Eight long years later they meet again. Now there is anger, guilt and secrets to unfold. It’s not an easy road to travel but more is at stake than just Bryce and Sabrina’s feelings. There is a bright, young, and innocently precocious, seven year old in the picture. All it took was one night of that wedded bliss for Darren to be brought into the world and Bryce knew nothing about it …Surprise, Surprise
👁^👁 OBSERVATIONS:
… Loved the book and appreciated the unique way the ‘secret baby’ topic was handled.
…. Trust must be earned, not given and that’s easier said than done, especially for Sabrina. Basically, she was abandoned by Bryce. He says he couldn't forget her but he never once checked on her during the eight year period apart? If not for Bryce's grandfather, they would not have seen each other again. Well, they would have but it would have been under forced, legal circumstances ... tsk, tsk.
… I wanted more depth, more development into all the pain both Bryce and Sabrina experienced.. I wanted to feel it, be more emotionally involved rather than just reading about it. They each had immense struggles to endure and overcome.
… Bryce’s parents were something else, especially his dad. I so wanted to see his dad take a long, hard look in the mirror and for the mirror to crack when he first looked at his reflection…..UGH.
…. Faith plays a big role for both Sabrina and Bryce. There was a lot of collateral damage suffered but their faith saw them through it all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this story in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge Series. This was the second book that I have read in this multi- author series and the first time I am reading anything by this author. I liked her writing style and appreciated that there was a strong Christian theme running throughout the story. There are a lot of characters in the two books that I have read that probably have their own stories. I was still able to enjoy this story as a stand alone.
This is a second chance story about a couple that were very young and had eloped to Las Vegas. After their one day of marriage, Bryce's father sent him off to a rehab for drinking problems. Before he sent him away, he forced him to sign an annulment paper ending his brief marriage. After Sabrina saw the papers with his signature, she reluctantly signed too after there was a threat to destroy her parent's business. Soon after Sabrina discovered she was pregnant and she tried to contact Bryce by phone, letters and email. When she got no response, her heart was crushed and she took on the responsibility of raising a son by herself. Now Bryce is back in town running his grandfather's resort and offering Sabrina a promotion and raise as his administrative assistant. She wants nothing to do with him but knows she needs the money to make her son's life better. Her real problem is that she still has strong feelings for him and has never dated anyone else since he left.
Bryce had been irresponsible and had to go through a lot of things to change. Spending time in a rehab helped but giving his life to Christ changed him. Spending a few years in the military had also matured him. His feeling towards Sabrina haven't changed but he knows he has a lot to make up for hurting her. He really would like a second chance if he can get her to trust him. Getting her to see that he had changed may be harder than he thought.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
Persuaded By The Hero is a finely written story of how a young couple met in high school and ran away to Vegas to elope. Bryce had a problem with drinking and had a few the night they married. But they still had a special night together. Then the next morning his father showed up and pulled him out of the hotel room. Bryce disappeared from Sabrina and with them running off to get married, not many people knew about it. A short time later Bruce's father had Sabrina at his lawyer's office signing annulment papers to protect her parents from losing their fudge shop. A short time later when the baby bump started showing the whole town knew she was pregnant and didn't want to have anything to do with her as they kept the elopement and annulment secret.
Fast forward 8 years and Bryce shows up at the lodge as the new owner since his grandfather had died. Sabrina had been working there for years and she knew his grandfather figured out the baby was Bryce's child as he set them up in a cabin outside of town to live in. Sabrina barely made ends meet but they were happy. Bryce was upset at how they had to live and that she had a child and he did not know who the daddy was until the night the snow storm hit and he came to pick them up. When he seen Darren he knew who the daddy was. He told Sabrina that he still loved her but even though she still loved him she feared he would leave them again. Bryce said he only played for keeps. Sabrina told him if he could show responsibility until New Years she would agree to get married. But a trip to Freedom Ridge by his father brought shocking news to both of them that changed their plans.
*Spoilers* The story starts very sad, Sabrina is more or less forced to sign the annulment. Eight years later Bryce is Sabrina's boss and she is still deeply hurt by the way he treated her in the past.He fathered her son Darren, which he does not know. He offers her a promotion as his personal assistant. He became boss of the family resort earlier than expected. He was in the army and tries to connect to the town again, joining a n avalanche rescuing team. She thinks he knows that Darren is his son, having tried to contact him numerous times during the pregnancy and belives he thnks she cheated on him, though he left her after their wedding night. They feel something for each other and working together is complicated. She tries to date another man, but there is no love. Sabrina always had a big support in her parents, thanking god for that, but her mom is very ill. Will they learn the truth and open up their hearts? The charcters in this book are religious,quting the bible etc.. Somehow the story did not capture my heart and was somehow stiff, it is hard to describe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book had a great plot: Very young couple runs off to Vegas to get married and after one wonderful night together, the groom’s father yanks him home unceremoniously and sends him to rehab while forcing both of them to sign annulment papers. The bride has a baby but the groom doesn’t know because of his dad’s manipulations and he never checks in with his former love. Fast forward to the present and Sabrina is working for Bryce at the resort he has recently inherited from his grandfather. The author presented quite a dilemma to be overcome and I couldn’t stop turning pages to see how it would all turn out. I wish I could have seen more of Bryce and how he struggled and grew into a better person so I could sympathize more with him but I finished the book and was still not quite persuaded that he was a hero that I could have truly depended upon to love me without wavering. But maybe that’s just me—you should read it and see what you think. It would certainly make for some lively discussions at book club! I received an ARC and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.
I was quickly pulled into this story as I learned about Bryce and Sabrina in the prologue. It was now eight years later and Sabrina was going to be directly working for her ex-husband, since he had inherited the resort from his grandfather. She only took the position because it would give her more money which she could use. I enjoyed the religious role that played an important part in the story and I was so glad that Bryce had a second chance with Sabrina and that Sabrina, Bryce, and her son, Darren could possibly become a family. It was interesting to see how a Christian rehab and the Army helped Bryce to become the man he was today. It was also fun to return to Freedom, Colorado and to return to this series which I have really enjoyed reading. This book had my heart pounding while I was reading it because of the risks of avalanches. I really liked the characters and their faith. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
A very well written and well edited story that adds another great dimension to this wonderful series. This is definitely a second chance romance for Bryce and Sabrina with a few little chinks from their first chance that had to be rectified before they could actually begin the second chance. This is also my first book by this author, but this story just slipped seamlessly into the other books (including the one after this which I had already read and reviewed). It's enjoyable to read about people that you "knew" from the other books by various authors. A strong Christian based series that isn't in any way preachy. Just good, strong values and love of the Lord. I would definitely recommend this book and this entire series if you enjoy good, clean, sweet romance.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review with my own personal opinions.
Another great story by Elle E. Kay. I especially enjoyed the book because I like second-chance-romances. Both Bryce and Sabrina have lots of baggage to wade through as well as miscommunication and sneakiness from others. Their journey is realistic as they tried to reconcile their feelings with their preconceptions and assumptions. I liked the setting because of being in the hospitality industry myself. The author has obviously done her research. The situations and scenes are genuine representations of what happens. There are a lot of characters, and it was a little challenging to keep them all straight.
I received a free copy of the story from the author, and a positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Truly beautiful Christian book. Another great book in the series. Sabrina is forced to sign the annulment papers in order to save her family. Bryce may have left the day after their wedding, but God had blessed her. Bryce is now in charge of Freedom’s Ridge Resort and has offered her a position as his executive assistant. She’d been fooled by him before and wasn’t about to let it happen again. She can’t let him know about his son! Bryce knows he has to keep things professional but can’t ignore the feelings he has for Sabrina. *I received this book as an ARC reader for my unbiased review.
I enjoyed reading this addition to the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. Elle E Kay has written a great second-chance romance. The main characters have an unresolved past and act in a very believable way when they interact after 7 years. Bryce and Sabrina both have regrets and are now truly likeable characters. Perfect? No, but that would be boring. There is a wonderful HEA. I found the dialogue in Persuaded by the Hero to have a natural flow. I enjoy this author's style of writing and would definitely read more of her work. I recommend this book to clean romance readers and to Christian romance readers. I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this well-written romance.
After 8 years away, Bryce and Sabrina will have to see each other again since he will now be her boss. Bryce hasn’t seen her even though he made annual trips back home for Christmas. He had walked out on her without a word. It would take some convincing to show her he was not that irresponsible person anymore.
What this change will mean for Sabrina is that she will have to tell him about his son, Darren. The feelings between them have apparently remained strong. But is she willing to give him a second chance to make it work between them now? Or is she afraid to risk her son getting hurt if he walks away again?
Bryce and Sabrina were separated by his father who didn't approve her. He even kept the knowledge that she was expecting Bryce's child from him. I wondered what Sabrina saw in young Bryce who was a drinker and eloped because she would only sleep with him after they were married. He's not the same man he was before but they both have a lot of hurdles to overcome before they can be together. This story is filled with Christian themes and references. Sabrina is even upset that an event she goes to is called a holiday party and not Christmas party. What about the importance of inclusion and those who celebrate other religions?
I really,really tried to like Sabrina,however her whining and constant berating Bryce got on my nerves well before I was halfway through the book. Going to the tree lighting with another man after professing her feelings for Bryce doesn’t seem like something a Christian would consider,let alone do.
To me the 4 stars, rounded up from 3.5, is because of Bryce and the veterans rescue group. I love the entire series and everyone we’ve met, although the jury is still out on Casey and Brianna’s attitudes. Hopefully there is a HEA for them and Gage in the future.
Oh, I loved Bryce and Sabrina's story!! They've loved each other for years, but things ended right after they started, thanks to Bryce not being able to stand up to his dad. Now, eight years later, Bryce is back in Freedom Ridge, and wants a second chance with Sabrina. When he learns she has a son, he thinks that means that she's moved on. When he realizes that she hasn't, can he get her to see that he's a changed man, and will fight for what he wants this time?
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
I had an Advance Readers Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Sabrina is asked to be the personal assistant to the Resort owner, none other than the father of her child, and her husband for a day, Bryce. Years ago his father forced her to sign annulment papers following their wedding in Vegas. She isn’t sure about working for him, but the extra money will be a huge help to her financial situation. The plot of this book explores issues of love and trust. I would recommend reading this book.
Persuaded by the Hero ~ Heros of Freedom Ridge#11 by Elle E Kay. Ms Kay is a new author to me , I found both her and this book on Booksprout . I was surprised to how quickly I fell into this story.I found both the characters and the story line was very well written, together with enjoyable, likeable characters. I believe this is a 12 book series from different authors and you can read them as a standalone, I was wondering if the other characters in this book pop up in the others. I would like to recommend this book.
This is a well written part of this series and so hard to put down. Bryce is forced to sign papers to dissolve his brief marriage to his wife Sabrina. She is She also forced into signing too. Shortly after she finds out she was pregnant She immediately tried to get a hold of Bryce to no avail. Some years later they have another chance at love. This was a well written story with forgiveness, love, and some very interesting twists as the story goes. I do enjoy a good Christian story and this one is a wonderful read that kept me interested the whole time.
This is another great installment of the Freedom Ridge series. Elle E. Kay did a wonderful job of telling the story of Bryce and Sabrina. They married after high school but his father forced a separation by annulment. Bryce was sent off to rehab then joined the military. After his grandfather passed away, Bryce inherited the Freedom Ridge Lodge. During their years apart Sabrina had been hired by his grandfather to work at the lodge. This is a story of faith and forgiveness. Can Sabrina risk a second chance with Bryce?
I have been enjoying the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series but this one left me disappointed. I just could not make myself like the heroine. While I understand she had gone through a lot her unforgiving spirit and wishy washy way of interacting with the hero made it impossible for me to like her. Unfortunately when reading a romance you have to like the characters or there really isn't much to enjoy. I liked hearing about other people from previous books in the series and I will continue to read the series but this one won't go to my "reread" pile.
First book I have read by this author, it was entertaining and contained Christian values that were well written. The characters Bryce and Sabrina were childhood sweethearts, but Bryce had some issues in his young life to address. With the interference from Bryce’s father, their relationship was destroyed. Now they meet again and Sabrina finds herself working for Bryce, will they be able to overcome the past and look forward to a future together?
This is a wonderful Christmas romance in the perfect setting. I enjoyed the chemistry between Bryce and Sabrina. The characters were very entertaining and realistic. The story line was perfect for the holiday season about overcoming differences, forgiveness and second chances. The book is well written and such a joy to read. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written second chance Christmas romance between Bryce and Sabrina. The author does a great job building their story. She brings realistic characters in this clean romance, adds a bit of suspense,a secret and shows them how to trust and love again. It's a sweet romance and I enjoyed reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
This is a great addition to the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. Bryce and Sabrina were married at a very young age. his father forced him to sign the annulment papers. He threatened to ruin Sabrina's parent's business if she didn't sign the annulment papers also. They lost touch for several years. What happens when Bryce inherits his grandfather's company where Sabrina works?
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
This is the first book I've read from this author. I did read one other book in this multi author series though. This was just okay for me. I felt like I was missing something with all the characters and relationships. I didn't dislike the story, it just didn't work that well as a stand alone to me. I assume these characters are connected in another series, and I doubt I'll take the effort to check any more out. I'm sure if you're familiar with this author, you'll enjoy it more than I did
Persuaded by the Hero is a story of complicated love and redemption. It’s filled with highs and lows that kept me turning the pages. Plus it has a small child who behaves appropriately for his age; a collection of known characters from the series; plus it is well-written and well-edited. This novel is the perfect choice for Christian romance readers looking for a satisfying yet sweet Christmas romance.