Some secrets are meant to be shared. Before he gives his heart… he’ll have to forgive himself. Returning to Owl Creek after years away, Braden North’s determined to help his best friend, Piper Miller, save her failing diner. But as they work to revitalize her business, Braden’s convinced he must hide the truth about a tragedy from their past…or risk losing Piper for good. If he can find … for good. If he can find the courage, might telling her everything make this Christmas a time for healing and forgiveness?
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We return once again to Owl Creek, Alaska where we are introduced to best friends Piper Miller and Braden North. This is our third time visiting Owl Creek where Belle Calhoune once again sets a charming story in this lovely town. This time around we get to experience Christmas Owl Creek style! Piper Miller is in deep trouble. Her father left her his diner, but he was losing money. It’s now up to her to save it. Braden North has been gone a long time. He returns home with a secret that could destroy his friendship with Piper. It’s why he ran away all those years ago. With her diner failing, she turns to Braden to help her. He can’t refuse her, but can he keep his secret and his heart?
I love this book for so many reasons. First of all, I love the cover. Once again, Harlequin is stepping up and giving us amazing covers. Secondly, I just love visiting Owl Creek and want to seriously live there. It’s such a pleasure each time we get to visit this town and all it’s quirky characters. Thirdly, I just love Christmas. Owl Creek does it up right. Next, I love Piper and Braden. I won’t ruin it for you, but it’s a beautiful love story. It’s such a great Christmas story and represents what Christmas should be about. Leaning on God and those we love to help us out of impossible situations. A story about hope! We could all use a little hope right about now!!!
Alaskan Christmas Redemption
by Belle Calhoune
224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired
Publication Date: October 1, 2020
5
Description:
Some secrets are meant to be shared.Before he gives his heart…he’ll have to forgive himself. Returning to Owl Creek after years away, Braden North’s determined to help his best friend, Piper Miller, save her failing diner. But as they work to revitalize her business, Braden’s convinced he must hide the truth about a tragedy from their past…or risk losing Piper for good. If he can find the courage, might telling her everything make this Christmas a time for healing and forgiveness?
MY REVIEW
Alaskan Christmas Redemption is the third book in the Home to Owl Creek series, but it can totally be read as a stand-alone. However they are so good you will want to read them all. I loved seeing the relationship between Piper Miller and Braden Nortand change and grow. I knew from the very first page this was going to be a great book. And boy was I right . I really loved this book and read it in one sitting. The story was well written with interesting strong characters that pull you into the story. You can’t help but love them and root for them.I really liked how Piper and Braden were friends first. I laughed and cried several times throughout this powerful story. So get your tissues ready before you start. Belle Calhoune is a very gifted writer. She will immediately draw you into her richly descriptive story and have you wanting to move to the small-town of Owl Creek.
Be sure to add Alaskan Christmas Redemption to your Christmas reading list! This is one book you will not want to miss. Can’t wait to read the other books in this series.This is Definitely a good 5 star read.And as with any book you read PLEASE leave the author a REVIEW. Reviews are very important to authors and is what keeps them writing.Thank you Belle Calhoune for the chance to read and review this amazing 5 star read for an honest review !
*******Disclosure*******
I received a paper copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own.
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#AuthorBelleCalhoune #AlaskanChristmasRedemption
#smalltownromance
#cleanromance
Wonderful, heartwarming Christian romance perfect for getting in the Christmas spirit.
ALASKAN CHRISTMAS REDEMPTION by Belle Calhoune is the third book in the Home to Owl Creek Book series. It is the delightful inspirational story of Piper Miller and her best friend Braden North.
Piper inherited her beloved father’s diner in Owl Creek after his sudden passing inheriting all the financial woes that came with it. The local diner has been a staple in town for years – the place for good food and good company. After finding that it had been running in the red for years, she just seems to be falling further and further down the debt rabbit hole. She has to find a way to turn it into the black or she will have to admit to her family that she is a failure and possibly lose the diner. That’s when she turns to her best friend, Braden.
Braden always knew he could depend on his best friend, but when he felt responsible for such great sorrows in her life, he found it too unbearable to even be around her. The guilt ate him up so much that he left town telling everyone he was going in search of adventure. In actuality, guilt was something he couldn’t out run and he eventually returns home still fearful of facing Piper. When Piper left word she needed his help, he wasn’t sure how he could face her, but he knew he had to help her in any way he could. He would just have to keep his secret to himself.
Since it was nearing Christmas, Piper and Braden came up with the plan to use the holiday in their favor. Starting with the holiday stroll, they would roll out specialties like Piper’s homemade pies and Braden’s wizardry with making milk shakes. Then they find new items for the menu and add contests. They are determined to come out on top in the restaurant competition with the new joints in town and bring the diner back to “the” place to dine.
Can Braden find the courage to confess to Piper about the past? Can he find forgiveness – even from himself? Can Braden figure out his future without disappointing his family since he has no desire to join the family’s chocolate candy business? Will Piper ever realize how capable she is – that if she sets her mind to it that she can do anything? Can she balance maintaining her father’s style at the diner while still putting her stamp on it while making it a profitable business? Can their friendship survive the stronger feelings they are both feeling? Is there a future for Piper and Braden or will Braden disappear again taking with him her heart this time?
ALASKAN CHRISTMAS REDEMPTION by Belle Calhoune is a story full of healing, forgiveness, compassion, love that can conquer anything, and love of family all with a thread of faith. The author has you feeling the emotions of both Piper and Braden as you hope for a happily ever after. This is a Christmas story that will warm your heart any time of the year. Although part of a series, it can be read as a standalone book. This is the first book I’ve read in this series and most definitely recommend it giving it a 5+ stars!
I haven’t read the earlier books in this mini-series, which probably explains why I felt a bit lost when I started reading Belle Calhoune’s “Alaskan Christmas Redemption.” There were references to several characters and past events that weren’t fully explained, which led to some confusion on my part. For example, it wasn’t mentioned until about halfway through the book that female lead character Piper’s older brother Hank was actually her half-brother. I thought that might be why they had different last names, but it was somewhat confusing until the author confirmed that was the case.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only thing about this book that didn’t make sense to me. Much of the plot revolved around childhood friends Piper and Braden working together to save Piper’s family diner, but I couldn’t figure out exactly why Piper was so convinced that Braden was the perfect person to help her. How exactly was Braden qualified to help a failing business? All he seemed to do was throw out random ideas, though they did miraculously seem to work. Was he a business major in college or something? Did he even go to college? We really didn’t learn much about Braden’s background aside from his family connections and his time traveling the world in pursuit of adventure.
I also thought that Braden’s angst over his “role” in Piper’s father’s death was ridiculous and overblown. Aside from the fact that the whole thing could have been cleared up with a simple conversation if Braden hadn’t been too cowardly to talk to his supposed best friend Piper, the fact is that Piper’s father confronted Braden, not the other way around. As for Piper, while I agree with her that Braden shouldn’t have lied about what happened on the day of her father’s death, I thought she completely overreacted in blaming Braden. There’s no way that Braden could have predicted her father’s accident, and it wasn’t fair for her to claim that he should have just apologized and accepted the blame for something he didn’t do solely to avoid an argument.
Bottom line: while this book was not my cup of tea, it seems likely to appeal to fans of sweet, clean (kissing only) small town romance and Christian fiction. I would probably try another one of this author’s books in the future.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
This book is book three in the Home to Owl Creek series. This is the first book that I have read in the series and I had no problem starting with this book it can be a stand alone story.
This is a sweet story of second chance romance. This is the story of Braden and Piper. Braden has a secret that he is keeping from everyone. He leaves town to get away but he eventually figures out that you can’t run away from secrets they will follow you no matter where you go or what you do. His secrets could cost him his best friend and all the townships respect.
Piper is the owner and manager of her fathers diner since his tragic accidental death. She quickly finds out that it is not in very good financial condition. She has to figure out how to make her diner make money or she will have to close it down. Can she save her father’s dreams or will she have to give it up before she loses everything she owns.
This story is strongly based in faith and family.
What happens when you feel your best friend slipping away just when you need him the most? This is Piper Miller’s predicament as she faces losing the family business that meant so much to her late father and believing that she has to handle it alone. She doesn’t want to worry her mother and brother and the one person she can confide in is now out of reach. Piper needs her life-long friend but Braden North isn’t the same person that she once knew. She may be keeping her family in the dark but Braden definitely has a secret that may forever change the relationship they’ve always known!
I love it when friends realize that their friendship has turned into something more and discovering this during the Christmas season is like placing the star on top of the tree! Author Belle Calhoune takes us back to Owl Creek, Alaska and it’s a wonderful place to be at Christmas. Eating at the Snowy Owl Diner, sampling the Oreo milkshakes, decorating the Christmas trees, and spending time with family and friends. And don’t forget the grace and forgiveness that overflows during this season of love and goodwill!
If you enjoy reading stories with realistic family dynamics in small town settings, you will certainly want to read Alaska Christmas Redemption. You need to see if Piper and Braden can salvage their friendship or perhaps find something more!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. A favorable review was not required and no compensation was received. These are my own thoughts.
This was a sweet romance that had me cheering for the couple to be. Piper is running the diner that her beloved father used to own before his untimely and unexpected death. Unfortunately, the diner is operating way in the red and Piper needs a way to save it. Braden North, her childhood friend who disappeared from her life shortly after her father’s death, suddenly reappears and has a suggestion that may help save the diner. The relationship between the two of them sparkled like the Alaskan snow and was so evident to me as I read that they were destined to be together if both of them would just realize that no relationship is without hardships. I enjoyed reading the story of Piper and Braden, and the setting for the tale was perfect! I could so easily conjure up an image of the little Alaskan town in my mind that it became real to me. The author did a wonderful job of establishing the setting, lovable but flawed characters and a plot that just flowed. I especially enjoyed that it was a clean read that I can recommend to any of my friends who enjoy reading romance.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
This is the second book I have read by Belle Calhoune and the third in the Owl Creek series. I have to say that Belle does such an excellent job of bringing her characters to life. Her books are so good! They definitely invoke your emotions and make you feel like you’re right there with her characters. I will definitely be adding Belle Calhoune to my go-to authors.
Braden and Piper were the best of friends from little on. They always had each other’s back through childhood and adolescence and were inseparable. Shortly after Piper’s dad passed away, Braden left for 4 long years, but now is back in Owl Creek. It was so heartwarming to hear how close they were and how they both longed to get back to the place they once were. One thing is holding their friendship back, and only Braden knows why. Why he left 4 years ago and why he cannot become close to Piper again. Will his secret break their relationship forever once it comes out? Or will this Christmastime be one of answers, healing, and love?
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves to curl up with a blanket and a book and enjoy clean love stories that make you smile just thinking about the characters! That is what this book was for me! I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
A heartwarming Christmas story from Belle Calhoune! Although the story is repetitive and is mostly told through telling, not showing, it’s a great read if you’re looking for a sweet story with a guaranteed HEA. 2.5/5 stars
*This review is also posted on Goodreads and BookBub.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
3.5 stars
A sweet, heartwarming Christmas tale of family, best friends, and hidden secrets. Alaskan Christmas Redemption is the third book in author Belle Calhoune’s Home to Owl Creek series, but it can easily be read as a standalone novel.
Small town romances with lifelong best friends are some of my favorite stories to read, and Belle Calhoune has the perfect book to get readers in the holiday spirit. Tragic losses, supportive families, and forgiveness bring this story together for a satisfying conclusion. Readers will wish they could visit Owl Creek, Alaska, stop by the Snowy Owl Diner for a piece of pie, and join in the diner’s fabulous Christmas tree trimming party.
Be sure to add Alaskan Christmas Redemption to your holiday reading list!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Every book in this series has been wonderful and this book is no exception! Even the cover is fabulous! When your best friend from elementary school suddenly takes off for an extended period of time and does extreme sports without a word to you, then returns and is very distant, what are you to think? This is the case with Piper and Braden. They have been best friends since they were children and he helped Piper through her father’s death 4 years ago. However, shortly after that, Braden suddenly takes off to places around the world to do extreme sports and then when he returns, he acts differently towards her. He’s distant and doesn’t talk much to her. Piper doesn’t understand what’s happened. Braden is holding a secret and if he tells Piper, it might change their whole relationship. Piper is running her late father’s diner but it’s financially strapped and she turns to Braden for help. Braden doesn’t know how to help without divulging his secret and changing things. This is a great book to put you in the mood for the holidays! I loved how Braden and Piper not only worked through their relationship but the other characters added a fun element to the story!
I received a copy of this book from the author, I was not required to give a favorable review. This is another story based in the Owl Creek, Alaska. This one deals with Piper who owns the Snowy Owl Cafe and Braden North who’s family owns the Chocolate company. He left her about 6 months after her father has passed away, but now he is back because his kidnapped sister was found. But she never knew why he left and was so distant from her. He thinks he had something to do with her fathers snowmobile accident which caused his death, but he hasn’t told her, now 4 years later he needs to make amends with her since she fears she is going to have to close the cafe. But can two people who have been friends forever, get past that, and also deal the the feelings that feel for each other. This story also brings in characters from previous books. Great read.
The second book in the series, Home to Owl Creek. Braden and Piper have been lifelong best friends. Braden witnessed Piper’s father pass away and with that witness he harbored wrong emotions. Braden and Piper have to trust one another and communicate in order to get their happy ever after.