A painful past can’t hold her back, but she won’t let herself fall in love…Darcy Malone is not the person she was in high school. She’s earned an art degree and is determined to make a respectable name for herself teaching at the elementary school. Wade Spears is researching a book, and his next stop is the quaint town of Blessings, Kansas. The history professor has a big decision to make, but … decision to make, but it’s impossible to choose when it feels like something’s missing from his life.
Can an artist with a dodgy past brush over ancient history, or will she send away the man she loves to pursue his dreams without her?
More romances from Danielle Thorne:
A Pirate at Pembroke
Josette
Proper Attire
The Privateer of San Madrid
By Heart and Compass
Turtle Soup
Valentine Gold
Death Cheater
Cheated
more
Darcy Malone is now the local elementary school art teacher. But, her past is nothing to be proud of and she’s trying to prove to those in town that she’s changed from the girl she used to be. When a stranger shows up in town and doesn’t seem to care about her past, can she believe him? Can she actually move on and not let her past define her future?
Wade Spears is on sabbatical to finish a book he’s writing about the Santa Fe Trail. He also has major life decisions to make about his future career. So, when his heart starts responding to the local art teacher, he starts to think about other aspects of his future. But, she keeps pushing him away. Can he get past her defenses and convince her to join him in his plans?
This is a tender story wrapped around the theme of not allowing your past to define your future – that although personal history cannot be rewritten, you can change and have a different future.
Character development is realistic. I can visualize Darcy desperately trying to move on from her childhood reputation and the humiliation when those who used to know her won’t let her forget. Then, I can visualize the struggle Wade is going through – trying to make such monumental decisions.
The romance is also realistic. Yes, there’s the initial attraction, but there’s enough time built into the storyline to allow for real emotions to develop. The timeline works.
All in all, a feel good story that’s encouraging at the same time.
Romance – PG / kissing only
Language – clean
My rating – 5 stars
The first story in the series, Blessings of love, was a real page turner and so entertaining. I loved reading about the town of Blessings, Kansas and meeting some wonderful characters. I enjoyed how the story unfolded and this story goes between two points to add to the story. This was a very worthwhile, clean story.
Darcy Malone had been born and raised in Blessings and after traveling and getting her art degree, she has returned to her hometown. Unfortunately, there are some in town who can’t forget her past and they don’t want to let her forget it either. She has a short-term contract as an art teacher in the local school but what she really wants to do is create her art. She teaches because she feels she needs to to be safe.
Wade Spears is a history professor writing a book and he is traveling the Sante Fe Trail to learn its history and record it in his book. He has been offered a job as a professor at a university in Missouri. He stops in Blessings on his route to spend some time writing and decompressing. Then he meets Darcy and his world begins to change. He doesn’t know if what he always thought he wanted is still what he really wants. Can one’s dreams change and be better than you ever imagined?
This book told a sweet, romantic story and new love and self-discovery. It is a clean romance without descriptive sex scenes or foul language.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Rating: 4.5 stars
I will not summarize this story because it was already given in the description of this book and I do not want to give any of the plot away. The purpose of this review is to give potential readers information to make an informed decision about reading this book.
What I enjoyed:
• I liked that the story took place in a small town called Blessings, Kansas.
• The story made me ask myself, should all of life have a plan set in stone?
• The story caught my interest right from the beginning. I sympathized with Darcy overhearing two of her fellow teachers talking about her behind her back.
• Wade was a wonderful man trying to define and discover the course his life should take.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• This story took place in the fall. The mood of the story was warm, and calm just like the holidays surrounding this time of the year.
• The love between Wade and Darcy developed at a reasonable rate and was built on more than just attraction. It was built on long lasting building blocks for love.
• There were no major editing problems and the story was coherent and flowed smoothly.
• The pacing of this story was neither too fast nor too slow.
• This story had a satisfying ending.
• This was a clean read and I appreciate that.
I was given an ARC of this book. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I recommend this book to those who like small town romances.