After a failed engagement, Captain Andrew Lee James has focused on building a career in the Army he loves. That commitment includes helping a feisty, out-of-work ballerina whose devotion to her grandmother’s dying wish immediately grabs his heart. She’s the one, but will he be able to win the heart of a woman who has vowed to never be involved with a soldier?College graduate Clara Malone swore to … Malone swore to never love anyone in the military again but when her dying grandmother asks her to deliver a love letter to the general who broke her heart decades ago, she agrees and finds herself escorted by a handsome Army captain whose kindness challenges her beliefs. Surrounded by desert willows that shower her path with pretty pink flowers and sing with the buzzing of hummingbirds, Clara enjoys the wild beauty of El Paso—and her time with Andrew—more than expected.
Can she deliver her grandmother’s last love letter without losing her heart to a man who represents everything she fears?
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This book is absolutely wonderful. It is full of emotions and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Make sure you have a box of tissue close by, you’re going to need them. This book is “must read’!
In Patricia Beal’s sophomore release, readers are gifted with a story of family, falling in love, finding your place, and forgiveness (for both others and ourselves).
Clara is a character who is easy to connect with. She’s young, passionate about dance, and her love of Dollar General borders on humorous at times. She’s also made mistakes, struggles to forgive herself, and is foundering with life decisions after college graduation. In other words, she’s human.
Desert Willow tackles some tough issues including infidelity, broken families, and living with regret. But in the end, letting go of harsh judgments, trusting in the grace of God, and honest conversations carry Clara through the dark moments.
A sweet romance with a strong message of grace, this is one to add to the TBR list.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Here is an incredibly touching story about second chances, timing, forgiveness, and stepping out of your comfort zone, letting go of fear, and taking a chance. I fell head over heels in love with Andrew and his pursuit of Clara, the ballerina that is stubborn to a fault, refusing him at first, but finally giving in to her heart. Theirs is the main focus but what really intrigued me about this novel was the reason for Clara and Andrew meeting: Clara’s grandmother’s dying wish for Clara to deliver a letter to her ex-love, a retired Army general, a story that few characters know about.
While witnessing Andrew and Clara’s relationship blossom the unknowing characters get tidbits about the reason behind the letter, which fit in swimmingly. Old love co-mingles with new love in a beautiful way!
Wonderfully written amid the beautiful hills of El Paso, Texas, the imagery is vivid and pure, giving the perfect backdrop to this emotional story and I sincerely enjoyed this novel from cover to cover!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.
I enjoyed this book to the fullest! And it’s been a long time since I’ve read anything by this author. I wasn’t disappointed. She’s a great writer that has done her research well.
This is a story about forgiveness, truth and love. Oh and I can’t leave out 2nd chances. I love those stories best! Especially when the author includes God! For He’s left out of so many things, places, and people’s lives! So sad.
But, there are still some of us who love Him including me. I was saved at 14 years old. Yes, I’ve made mistakes just like Clara and Andrew. But, the best thing of all is God’s love. He wants our hearts not the past things that we have done because that’s where Grace and forgiveness comes in. We only need to come to Him and ask for forgiveness and plus we need to forgive ourselves. To me, that’s the hard part. Forgiving yourself.
I loved this story on so many levels! I finished it in a couple of days. I wanted to savor this story. I don’t like to say goodbye to my friends!
Sometimes it takes just the right people to lead us back to the Lord’s arms. I wish that were the case for my son. Heaven wouldn’t be the same without him. Yes, I’m starting to cry as I write this review. Because he needs just the right person to help him.
I’m glad that Clara and Andrew prayes to the Lord. For us, prayers are our lifeline to our Lord Jesus. I’m delighted to have Clara and Andrew as friends!
There are some excellent supporting characters in this book too. One of them is Alice. She’s so delightful and so energetic. I love her enthusiasm for life.
The plot is wonderful too. This book will show you that God will put you where you need to be and I loved that He has a plan for Clara. She just didn’t know it yet. I call that life’s adventures.
This story will keep you riveted to your seat and eagerly turning the pages as we see how Clara and Andrew manage to get through their day to day lives. And you’ll not be disappointed!
There wasn’t one thing that I didn’t love about this book! I love every minute of it!
I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book! It’s so very good!
My thanks to Just Reads Tours for a complimentary copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.