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Painted Pony Creek #2
Country Proud
There’s something missing from Eli Garrett’s life. He loves being the sheriff of Painted Pony Creek, Montana, so it’s not his job. He’s had the same two best friends since he was a kid and he’s grateful for them, so it’s not that, either. But ever since his buddy Cord’s recent marriage, Eli has a nagging suspicion that he wants what Cord has. And there’s a beautiful woman who has caught his eye—someone who’s returned to town that he can’t get off his mind. Brynne Bailey is spirited and compassionate, and being with her makes Eli feel alive again. But he suspects there’s more to her than she is letting on, and he is determined to get to the bottom of it.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2021
309 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,220 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 3, 2021
I skimmed a lot of it. There was just so much information that didn't matter to the story.
August 27, 2023
A swing and a miss
September 26, 2021
This was a good read. Eli likes Brynne and she likes him. However, he is the sheriff and this is a problem for her. Comes to find out her ex was a cop and he was a piece of trash. Thankfully by the end she realized they aren't the same people and they were able to get their happy ending.
December 19, 2022
Eli and Brynn book 2. Sheriff and restaurant owner.
December 31, 2021
I cannot believe that LLM wrote this book.
There are so many things wrong with it. I don’t even know where to begin.
I finally started keeping notes every time I wanted through my iPad through the window…
Country Proud
Linda Lael Miller
Oh this book is making me so angry!
I read the first in the trilogy and hated it too. I said I wouldn't read the others but purchased it because it was cheap.
I usually enjoy Miller's books.
But these feel like someone else wrote them. So many extra words and flowery descriptions just to use up the space!
The language is dated!
They are taking about MySpace but refer to Facebook and the Book of Faces??
They claim a female deputy was a Navy Seal but according to the news, that only just happened this past summer!
It feels like there was no research done at all.
Who has a 'big holiday dinner' on New Year's Day?
Worst sex scene ever
It happened then. Eli shifted in his chair and Brynne, straddling him in much the same way she had during the snowmobile ride, shattered, arching her back, crying out in startled release. Eli groaned and slid his hands up under her sweater and bra, stroking her hard nipples with the pads of his thumbs. Brynne ground against him, in glorious frenzy, and came again, harder than before, so hard that she convulsed in Eli’s arms. When she’d finally finished, she collapsed against his chest, resting her head on his shoulder, her breath fast and shallow.
.and a white straw hat with a matching band.
What?? It is the middle of winter. Who wears a white straw hat to a funeral in the middle of winter??
Brynne drives an MG in the winter in Montana??
The sheriff doesn't take any precautions when he goes home and notices the dog doesn't greet him. Then he is surprised when he is jumped!
Why did Freddie have a pillow case over his head before he hung himself? Why did the sheriff cut him down before the forensics team got there?
Brynne runs hot and cold and is very emotional. Yet they say she is usually calm. What?
The last book I read, the woman suffered a blow to the head. They had to relieve the pressure and because there was an open wound, only one visitor for 5 minutes each hour. Suited up to prevent infection. For a whole week!
In this book, the sheriff gets hit with a shove, a surgeon flies in from another town to drill a hole, he is a wake and talking and having visitors all in the same day! Ugh!
Why are they asking the doctor who is watching the woman who attacked Eli? Where are the deputies and local police?
Three weeks with a fractured skull and he lets his dog knock him over and wrestle with him? OMG
Then he is up for sex right away?
I don't recall how long Brynne was with her ex, but she grew to love his kids so much that when she moved back to Montana, she bought furniture and decorated bedrooms for the to visit. What? She was never their step-mother and even if she was, she is no longer a part of their lives. So weird.
The language sounds more like an old man wrote this. What 35 year old says he needs get “spiffed up?”
I must remember NOT to buy any more books by LLM. Books should be enjoyable and not make me angry!
There are so many things wrong with it. I don’t even know where to begin.
I finally started keeping notes every time I wanted through my iPad through the window…
Country Proud
Linda Lael Miller
Oh this book is making me so angry!
I read the first in the trilogy and hated it too. I said I wouldn't read the others but purchased it because it was cheap.
I usually enjoy Miller's books.
But these feel like someone else wrote them. So many extra words and flowery descriptions just to use up the space!
The language is dated!
They are taking about MySpace but refer to Facebook and the Book of Faces??
They claim a female deputy was a Navy Seal but according to the news, that only just happened this past summer!
It feels like there was no research done at all.
Who has a 'big holiday dinner' on New Year's Day?
Worst sex scene ever
It happened then. Eli shifted in his chair and Brynne, straddling him in much the same way she had during the snowmobile ride, shattered, arching her back, crying out in startled release. Eli groaned and slid his hands up under her sweater and bra, stroking her hard nipples with the pads of his thumbs. Brynne ground against him, in glorious frenzy, and came again, harder than before, so hard that she convulsed in Eli’s arms. When she’d finally finished, she collapsed against his chest, resting her head on his shoulder, her breath fast and shallow.
.and a white straw hat with a matching band.
What?? It is the middle of winter. Who wears a white straw hat to a funeral in the middle of winter??
Brynne drives an MG in the winter in Montana??
The sheriff doesn't take any precautions when he goes home and notices the dog doesn't greet him. Then he is surprised when he is jumped!
Why did Freddie have a pillow case over his head before he hung himself? Why did the sheriff cut him down before the forensics team got there?
Brynne runs hot and cold and is very emotional. Yet they say she is usually calm. What?
The last book I read, the woman suffered a blow to the head. They had to relieve the pressure and because there was an open wound, only one visitor for 5 minutes each hour. Suited up to prevent infection. For a whole week!
In this book, the sheriff gets hit with a shove, a surgeon flies in from another town to drill a hole, he is a wake and talking and having visitors all in the same day! Ugh!
Why are they asking the doctor who is watching the woman who attacked Eli? Where are the deputies and local police?
Three weeks with a fractured skull and he lets his dog knock him over and wrestle with him? OMG
Then he is up for sex right away?
I don't recall how long Brynne was with her ex, but she grew to love his kids so much that when she moved back to Montana, she bought furniture and decorated bedrooms for the to visit. What? She was never their step-mother and even if she was, she is no longer a part of their lives. So weird.
The language sounds more like an old man wrote this. What 35 year old says he needs get “spiffed up?”
I must remember NOT to buy any more books by LLM. Books should be enjoyable and not make me angry!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2021
DNF at 123 pages- this book was a train wreck. First of all, I was not expecting there to be a whole murder mystery plot in the middle of this book. It starts off as a “romance”, but then quickly transitions to a mystery totally leaving behind the main love interest and any of that connection.
I also felt like the connection throughout this book was completely rushed and not believable at all. Brynne has a very valid reason for not wanting to date police officers, but she seems to forget that as soon as she lays eyes on her old love interest from high school, Eli. Not only does she have reservations about dating police officers, but she also has reservations about dating Eli due to their history. Those reservations are quickly forgotten. In addition to their match not making much sense, they don’t spend very much time together at all before they’re falling in love with each other- probably because of that whole murder that got in the way of any courting. Also, the book takes place over like a week. What?!
Finally, my biggest qualm with this book was the way it was written. The characters are in their mid 30’s, but they act and talk like they’re 60 and it doesn’t fit well at all. I had a lot of hopes for this book, but they really fell short.
I also felt like the connection throughout this book was completely rushed and not believable at all. Brynne has a very valid reason for not wanting to date police officers, but she seems to forget that as soon as she lays eyes on her old love interest from high school, Eli. Not only does she have reservations about dating police officers, but she also has reservations about dating Eli due to their history. Those reservations are quickly forgotten. In addition to their match not making much sense, they don’t spend very much time together at all before they’re falling in love with each other- probably because of that whole murder that got in the way of any courting. Also, the book takes place over like a week. What?!
Finally, my biggest qualm with this book was the way it was written. The characters are in their mid 30’s, but they act and talk like they’re 60 and it doesn’t fit well at all. I had a lot of hopes for this book, but they really fell short.
March 30, 2022
Country Proud is the second book in the Painted Pony Creek series and I very much enjoyed it. I really enjoyed both Eli and Brynne. You could see why they at one time were together. They just fit. Eli is a sweet guy that works so hard at his job and helps his sister with her family. She counts on him and he doesn't mind at all What's sexier than a guy willing to pitch in? You see right away that after his friend gets married (book 1) he's looking to do the same thing. He just lucks out when his first love comes back to town.
You'll love Brynne but realize right away she has an unhappy dating past. She's promised herself she will never date a cop again and who does she have feelings for but a cop. She really does fight it for as long as she could but I think she finally comes to understand that life is a chance.
Usually, I'm not a big fan of second chance romance but if I do read them I don't mind so much when they are kids when they first had their romance. People grow as they age and become different people in some way. I really enjoyed Eli and Brynne's second chance at romance and was happy to read this story. A lot happened in the story and once or twice I found myself tearing up. I also enjoyed the mystery that runs through it. So many good things to enjoy about this book.
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August 14, 2021
Another of the Painted Pony Creek series, in which Sheriff Eli Garrett has his hands full trying to keep his nephew, niece and sister safe while trying to figure out what to do about Brynne Bailey, who's come home to run her parents restaurant while they RV around the country. Eli and Brynne were a "thing" in high school, but both have moved on--or think they have. Trouble is, Eli wants to go back to how they were in high school and Brynne has a new rule: no dating cops. Which means Eli asking her out requires that she say 'no.'
Then life gets even more complicated when not one but two bodies are discovered and Eli has to unravel who did what and why. But when he's attacked, Brynne has to face her fears. The question then becomes, can she overcome what is her biggest fear if she admits how she feels about Eli? And what is Eli going to do about it after her sister reveals how badly he's screwed things up between himself and Brynne.
PS Lay in a supply of tissues: this reader nearly went through an entire box before the story concluded.
Then life gets even more complicated when not one but two bodies are discovered and Eli has to unravel who did what and why. But when he's attacked, Brynne has to face her fears. The question then becomes, can she overcome what is her biggest fear if she admits how she feels about Eli? And what is Eli going to do about it after her sister reveals how badly he's screwed things up between himself and Brynne.
PS Lay in a supply of tissues: this reader nearly went through an entire box before the story concluded.
October 23, 2021
This the second book in the Painted Pony Creek Series. This centres around Eli Garret the Sheriff of Pony Creek and Byrnne Baily Aristist who has returned to Pony Creek to look after her parent resturant while they travel. she has sworn of being involved with police officeers after getting her heart broken by a police officer in Boston. She still get of the hurt off been cheated on when she notices she has feelings for Eli but also remebers the way he treat her in high school when they were dating. Eli has feelings for Byrnne too and eventually they do get together but her ex returns sends Brynne off this causes them to breakup. Eli also has a murder to solve to and other crimes that are happen in Pony Creek. Eli gets hurt seriously while solving the murder which forces them to admit their love for each other. A great read read it in three days.
July 14, 2022
This is the second book in the Painted Pony Creek series and it was another enjoyable read. In this book, Sheriff Eli Garrett gets his story. In high school, he and Brynne Bailey were sweethearts until Reba Shannon came to town and messed with him and his two best friends, Cord Hollister and J.P. McCall. Brynne went off to seek her own place in the world and ended up in Boston and had a meaningful relationship with a cop until he cheated on her. Now she is back in Painted Pony Creek to take over her parents' restaurant, so they can retire. Underlying sparks are igniting between Eli and Brynne, but neither one of them have the nerve to do anything about it and Brynne swears that she will never get involved with another cop.
I really liked this story and look forward to reading J.P.'s story in book three.
I really liked this story and look forward to reading J.P.'s story in book three.
May 31, 2023
I like a small town, second chance romance. Eli and Brynn have known each other most of their lives. Eli broke Brynn's heart in high school and she may still be holding a grudge even now. She left town and has been gone, but now she is back, and Eli hopes it is to stay. He realizes that he was young and stupid when he broke Brynn's heart, and he also realizes that he is still on love with her. She isn't giving him any encouragement and he doesn't know if she will ever forgive him. If he doesn't make any more stupid mistakes, but he probably will, she just might one day be his friend. Brynn realizes that she never got over Eli, but can she trust him? Also, he is a cop and she isn't sure that she wants to get involved with a cop. Something might happen to him. Will they let go of the past? Will she finally trust him?
June 22, 2021
Linda Lael Miller wrote another fabulous book that you won’t want to put down, I read it one day!! This is the second book in the Painted Pony Creek series featuring h/H Sheriff Eli Garrett & Brynne Bailey. Brynne is reluctant to go out with Eli after he broke her heart in high school & dating another cop in Boston who also broke her heart. This author always has wonderful, endearing characters in her books including the secondary characters & rescue animals (Festus was adorable!!). I love & appreciate when an author promotes animal rescue and love of animals. The book is well written, heartbreaking, heartwarming, funny, emotional with a HEA Eli & Brynne deserve!! So looking forward to JP’s book!! A definite must read!!
April 29, 2021
Good love story in a small town you wish was real
True Linda Lael Miller style that I have missed. Eli is the 34 yr old never married handsome Sheriff. His high school sweetheart Brynne that he dumped for an easy older girl, returns to their small hometown to run her family's business. She is sill hurting from a cheater who she had a long serious relationship, who was a big city cop. Her ex's partner was killed. This makes her leary of law enforcement as suitors. Great characters you hope to see have their own stories in future. This is a HEA story you will love with Linda Label's signature western flair.
True Linda Lael Miller style that I have missed. Eli is the 34 yr old never married handsome Sheriff. His high school sweetheart Brynne that he dumped for an easy older girl, returns to their small hometown to run her family's business. She is sill hurting from a cheater who she had a long serious relationship, who was a big city cop. Her ex's partner was killed. This makes her leary of law enforcement as suitors. Great characters you hope to see have their own stories in future. This is a HEA story you will love with Linda Label's signature western flair.
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May 16, 2021I love anything Linda Lael Miller writes, and this book is no exception. Eli Garrett is the Sheriff in Wild Horse County, where he grew up with his 2 best friends and Brynne Bailey, the girl he has loved since high school. Brynne has returned to her hometown to run the Diner her parents ran for as long as she could remember. But after a bad time with a cop in Boston, she is not interested in dating a cop, even if it is Eli. He has got to overcome her resistance to his job as well as his behavior in high school. Can he do it? Can he convince her to take a chance?
While we all may know how it ends, the getting there was great fun.
While we all may know how it ends, the getting there was great fun.
May 20, 2021
COUNTRY PROUD is Linda Lael Miller’s book 2 of the Painted Pony Creek series. Sheriff Eli Garrett is thankful for the good things: two best friends since childhood, a job he loves, and freedom under the Montana skies. And Brynne Bailey, the girl he betrayed all those years ago, is finally back home, but she has one rule: never date another cop. She is happy to put the past behind her and be Eli’s friend, but a electric kiss on New Year’s Eve sparks heat between them. If you like Linda Lael Miller’s writing style of picturesque, small-town romances filled with likeable characters and intriguing plots, look no further in COUNTRY PROUD.
May 23, 2021
This is a delightful second chance story of love that got sideswiped by a girl that was dating three friends at the same time before they realized what she was doing. It took a while before,the three friends forgave each other and became close friends again but Eli Garrett had hurt his friendship with Brynne Bailey before he knew what he was doing. Now they have a second chance since she has come home from Boston after a breakup with a man who had two kids that she had fallen in love with. Brynne swore she would not fall in love with a cop but here she was with Eli who was Sheriff of Painted Pony Creek. Could they overcome her fear of Eli getting killed on the job and follow her heart?
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July 24, 2021There’s something missing from Eli Garrett’s life. He loves being the sheriff of Painted Pony Creek, Montana, so it’s not his job. He’s had the same two best friends since he was a kid and he’s grateful for them, so it’s not that, either. But ever since his buddy Cord’s recent marriage, Eli has a nagging suspicion that he wants what Cord has. And there’s a beautiful woman who has caught his eye—someone who’s returned to town that he can’t get off his mind. Brynne Bailey is spirited and compassionate, and being with her makes Eli feel alive again. But he suspects there’s more to her than she is letting on, and he is determined to get to the bottom of it.
December 9, 2023
⭐️⭐️ 2 stars
These pple are in their mid thirties acting like a bunch of high schoolers.
I hated that they made Brynne feel crazy for how she reacted when she saw her ex for the first time. Like her reaction wasn't even that bad and it was totally valid and homegirl had to apologize for it?? Gtfo
There wasn't much of a relationship between Eli and Brynne, they just had like a handful of interactions before they're declaring they love eachother?? We're mostly told what happens than shown.
Honestly this book revolves more around the murder mystery than Brynne and Eli's love story. Think Devney Perry's Indigo Bridge but like incredibly lacking.
These pple are in their mid thirties acting like a bunch of high schoolers.
I hated that they made Brynne feel crazy for how she reacted when she saw her ex for the first time. Like her reaction wasn't even that bad and it was totally valid and homegirl had to apologize for it?? Gtfo
There wasn't much of a relationship between Eli and Brynne, they just had like a handful of interactions before they're declaring they love eachother?? We're mostly told what happens than shown.
Honestly this book revolves more around the murder mystery than Brynne and Eli's love story. Think Devney Perry's Indigo Bridge but like incredibly lacking.
July 18, 2021
Sheriff Eli Garret of Painted Pony Creek in Montana has been looking for awhile at Brynne Bailey, whose back running her parents' restaurant after having lived in New York City for a few years. Brynne's life shattered when she found her boyfriend, whom she was living with, cheating on her with his ex-wife. But leaving New York meant leaving his two children, whom she loved. Plus, he was a cop. So, cops aren't on her list. But Eli is persistant, and then, a murder happens. With no suspects, it's tricky for Eli to court Bailey and work on the case.
This is ok.
This is ok.
August 4, 2021
2.75 stars
Better than the first one (definitely more action), but some issues for me:
Early on, it said Eli took Reba to prom but Cord & JP didn't know?!? (According to first book, Reba supposedly played them all and none of the 3 knew that the others were also seeing her...that would seem near impossible at prom unless the other two didn't go.)
Also, annoying: multiple times a character repeats information that came to light in the previous book to another character who already knows said info. Plus moments of characters repeating themselves.
Better than the first one (definitely more action), but some issues for me:
Early on, it said Eli took Reba to prom but Cord & JP didn't know?!? (According to first book, Reba supposedly played them all and none of the 3 knew that the others were also seeing her...that would seem near impossible at prom unless the other two didn't go.)
Also, annoying: multiple times a character repeats information that came to light in the previous book to another character who already knows said info. Plus moments of characters repeating themselves.
July 3, 2024
I read this out of order and you truly do need to read the first one in the series first. I was able to read this as a stand alone but there were so many references to past characters and what transpired in the first book it would be a spoiler if you ever did plan to read the series. I liked the characters of Eli and Brynne as well as the 2 other best friends the books are about, J.P. and Cord. However, this book sits as a 3 star for me. It was a good book but there are others by Linda Lael Miller that I've enjoyed more.
May 16, 2022
It was a fine story I just feel like I couldn't decide what it wanted to be about. There were some really interesting police procedures that I feel I could have gone somewhere but I feel like they were kind of cut off before they got started and it left me a bit unsatisfied with the plot line. I would have enjoyed seeing more of a transition from their platonic relationship to their romantic one. I would read other books by her.
(ebook with kindle dictation)
(ebook with kindle dictation)
May 1, 2021
After all these years, LL Miller still rocks a story...
I've been reading Linda Karl Miller for 30 + years. I introduced my teenage non- reading daughter to her early vampire books. She loved them and became a reader like her mom. I'm now in my 70s and I'm thrilled to say I still love her story telling! You just can't go wrong with great writing!
I've been reading Linda Karl Miller for 30 + years. I introduced my teenage non- reading daughter to her early vampire books. She loved them and became a reader like her mom. I'm now in my 70s and I'm thrilled to say I still love her story telling! You just can't go wrong with great writing!
July 16, 2021
This fell flat for me…definitely didn’t hook me in and I had high hopes so was disappointed. Characters didn’t feel like they actually had strong connections or time together, definitely focused more on the murder storyline then building a relationship. It all felt rushed and just…meh unfortunately
April 9, 2023
This is the second book in this series, and can be read as a stand alone. Although the plot continues with an incident from the first book. The characters are dealing with the usual issues plus Eli who is the sheriff has a murder to solve. Brynne has a problem with having a relationship with a cop even if it is Eli.
April 30, 2021
Enjoyed reading
Another great story by Linda Karl Miller. A thrilling story of a small town. Problems with a town bullied making threats. Eli the sheriff and Bryan he who was his high school girlfriend he jilted. Then a girls body is found. They have to by I d answers and love.
Another great story by Linda Karl Miller. A thrilling story of a small town. Problems with a town bullied making threats. Eli the sheriff and Bryan he who was his high school girlfriend he jilted. Then a girls body is found. They have to by I d answers and love.
June 6, 2021
I absolutely loved this book, love the story of Elie and Brynee. I like seeing different name's in book, I like Brynee still loved the X kid's of her's and Elie was okay with it. I will not give no more A way. I hope there will be more.
June 26, 2021
The story of Eli and Brynne. They are old high school sweet hearts. Brynne has moved back to Montana and they are older now but the sparks still exist. While they are attracted there is a murder and suicide
June 26, 2021
Another winner from Linda Lael Miller!
I fell in love with this town and it’s residents. Small town life can be calm,but this one had a bit of excitement woven through the story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
I fell in love with this town and it’s residents. Small town life can be calm,but this one had a bit of excitement woven through the story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews