From an award-winning author who “writes real cowboys with heart and soul” (Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author) comes an unforgettable western romance about two strangers who learn that home is where the heart is. . . First rule of life on the run: never get attached. Nevada Sweet knows that better than anyone-it’s just too dangerous to stay put. And until now, she’s never wanted … dangerous to stay put. And until now, she’s never wanted to. But she gets more than she bargained for when she walks into the Chestnut Creek Café looking for a job. Despite the protective wall she’s built, her coworker Joseph has her imagining a life she isn’t yet convinced she deserves…
While Unforgiven, New Mexico has always been home, Joseph “Fishing Eagle” King still feels like an outsider-no matter how much he tries to give back to his Navajo community. Beneath Nevada’s biting wit, he glimpses a similar vulnerability. Against all odds, Joseph finds himself falling for her, and it’s clear she’s not as unaffected as she pretends. When her past finally catches up with her, she’ll have to decide whether to keep running, or fight for what’s hers.
Includes the bonus novel Wild Cowboy Ways by Carolyn Brown!
Per usual, I’m speechless after reading a Laura Drake novel. Nevada Sweet and Joseph “Fishing Eagle” King will forever have a place in my heart! The ever so snarky, Nevada Sweet was first introduced in ‘The Last True Cowboy’, the first novel in the Chestnut Creek series. I loved her from the moment she was brought to life and couldn’t wait to read her story in ‘Home at Chestnut Creek’!
Nevada’s snarky banter and hilariously offensive t-shirts do exactly what she intends for them to do – make people keep their distance. She never gets close to anyone and bristles when they try. Running from her past, which is hot on her heels and coming after her with a vengeance, she needs a job and a place to lay low for a bit. Nevada seeks out Carly Davis, the closest thing she’s ever had as a “friend”, in the God-awful middle of nowhere town of Unforgiven, New Mexico. Holy crap, is this place for real??? Carly owns the Chestnut Creek Café and with Nevada being a kick as…er, butt, chef, she’s hoping Carly will give her a job cooking at the Café. Once she makes just a little bit of cash she’ll be on her way again – she can’t fathom bringing trouble to her friend and her young family. This is her battle to fight, and hers alone.
Joseph or “Fish” to his friends, is everything a traditional Navajo Indian should be – at least he is now. Through past circumstances he learned to embrace his heritage, his People, and vows to teach the young Dine’ how to carry on the traditions of their culture. He no longer lives on the reservation and is the only cook at the local diner, the Chestnut Creek Café. He is sharp, intuitive, patient, and most importantly, he can see right through the ornery new girl’s motives. She’s a hard worker – bussing tables, cleaning dishes, and stepping in to serve tables when needed, but he sees the shine in her eyes when she’s in his kitchen. There’s more to this wild bird than meets the eye and his curiosity is peeked, but damn, those prickly walls of hers are a beast to penetrate through.
After meeting Joseph, she simply won’t call him “Fish” because that sounds ridiculous, Nevada can’t help but be taken by the strong, striking, and hot Navajo. Man, oh, man is he a HOT one! But there is so much more to this man – he’s compassionate towards everyone, thoughtful, and someone she can dreamily imagine a future with. Too bad that’s all it is – a dream.
Laura Drake seamlessly tells this story of a young broken woman seeking safety and shelter in the one place she never thought possible – the arms and heart of a man and in a town she grew to love. Joseph is the perfect balance for our wild Nevada and the journey they take to get there is a ride you simply cannot miss! ENJOY!
HOME AT CHESTNUT CREEK, the second book in this series, is the well-crafted portrayal of two characters of vastly different backgrounds as they navigate through conflict, friendship, and steamy romance. Laura Drake deftly combines nuanced, multi-layered characters with a fast-paced storyline that plays out against the background of a small New Mexico town to create a highly memorable story. The inclusion of well-researched information about Navaho tribal beliefs adds extra depth to the book and is a definite plus. I very much enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next in the series.