Northern Woods

by Amy Hepp

School's out and first grade teacher Emma Richards is desperate for a vacation. Two weeks in a gorgeous lodge in northern Minnesota is a perfect way to escape the congested city and the reality of her failed marriage. Much to her surprise, a registration error lands her in the middle of a ten day canoe camping adventure through the rugged wilderness of the Boundary Waters with an eclectic group of campers. Her cute new hiking boots don't hide the fact she's clueless about camping and she accepts help from a handsome teammate with stellar skills. 




Mark finds solace in nature to soothe the ache of his recent loss. When he embarks on a ten day Boundary Waters canoe adventure, he is thrown into emotional chaos when the spark between him and the rookie from Chicago ignites faster than a campfire. 




They face miles of open water, storms, bears, and steep portages in the Boundary Waters. But the biggest challenge might be opening their hearts.

171 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2022

About the author

Amy writes contemporary romance amongst the birds and blue skies of Raleigh, NC. Her stories are set in the fiercely protected Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area of northern Minnesota, providing an idyllic backdrop for her characters to fall in and out of love. When not puzzling together a plot, she can be found walking around her neighborhood, eating chocolate, or visiting her three adult children scattered across North America.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of summer camp and our overnight in the wilderness :)

[Teresa Gurizzian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read! Hepp detailed the Minnesota Boundary Waters region in outstanding fashion and brought the adventure and love story together in a very endearing storyline. Highly recommend!

[Patty W Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet romance is set in the gorgeously-described Boundary Waters of Minnesota. A group of strangers set off on a multi-day trip across land and by canoe to explore the area. Adventure awaits. The group encounters a bear, storms and a medical emergency.

All the while, divorced teacher, Emma, and widower, Mark, are feeling an attraction for each other. But will their pasts allow them to act on their feelings? Loved this sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking story of two strangers finding a way to heal in one of nature’s most scenic spots. A paddling and hiking 4 Stars!

[Judy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this story of romance, their ups and downs, and near misses. The story involves navigating a river and lakes for several days in (or porting) a two-person canoe. Hepp gives the characters a good balance of angst, tenderness, loyalty, and heartache. The exhilaration of the characters' accomplishments was contagious. I want to head out and paddle a canoe, too! Judy Reed

This book grabbed my attention at the first couple of paragraphs. What would be a devastating ending for a book was just the beginning in this one and went on from there. Terrific character portrayals and familiar details kept the story line moving throughout. It's not a Hallmark movie, it's hones and real. Anyone who has tried to navigate the choppy waters of romance in life will find similar challenges here such as dealing with heat break from the past while bravely moving toward the future. It's a satisfying story that will stay with you long after your finish. Paul Reed

[Kate Kilgus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been to the Boundary Waters but after reading Northern Woods I feel like I have and would love to go! The author has a very well-developed sense of place: you can hear the animals rustling in the woods and water; you can the warmth of the campfires; you can picture the landscape of the pines and the lakes and the clean air of northern MN. I am looking forward to reading a sequel! I'm eager to read about where Amy takes her characters next in their relationships with each other. It was refreshing to read a novel in which two young women develop a healthy and strong friendship and don't see each other as rivals for the young, eligible bachelors in the story. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Hepp is a natural storyteller. This is evidenced by the style of her narrative and her well-developed and relatable characters. The descriptive imagery of the settings takes the reader into the novel’s world. It's truly enjoyable.

Northern Woods introduces us to the main characters, Emma and Mark, who are dealing with the reality of a failed marriage and the pain of losing a wife, respectively. Both take a trip involving a canoe hiking adventure searching for clarity and solace.

Their love story originates during this 10 day adventure with a likable group of campers, and the beauty of nature in the rugged wilderness of Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

My college friend wrote a novella! I agree with another reviewer, it could be a Hallmark movie! Reading this was a nice little escape at the end of the day. Better the characters than me with regard to the canoe trip! And of course, a sweet love story.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, entertaining, and sexy! I spent time in the Boundary Waters as a child and young adult, so the visit back was enjoyable as well.

[Lanie Close · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believable. It's so nice to read a romantic story that is believable. Descriptions are right on. You can smell the mud and feel the hard ground. The intimacy makes you sit up and take notice! Sweet sweet story. I expect to see a Hallmark movie.

[Desi Stowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the setting!

I love the setting of this book! I want to grab a canoe and paddle the boundary waters. The author has fantastic knowledge of the area making the story come to life.