She’s pushed everyone away… …but is he her forever? Ex-soldier Kendall craves solitude after a heartbreaking accident, and she finds it in the small town of Butterfly Harbor. That’s until handsome writer Hunter MacBride moves into town with his orphaned niece, Phoebe. Their arrival triggers painful memories for Kendall of the family and life she lost–but Hunter also shows her the promise … shows her the promise of a life she could still have, if she’s prepared to take the risk…
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I love the style of writing, in all the different genres, by this author. And I love the Butterfly Harbor books. I’m hoping that I can convey how wonderful Safe in His Arms really is because it is my new favorite Anna J. Stewart book.
There are some time-current situations in the book, happening in our everyday lives, that struck me as real…as if I was reading about a family member or friend. Love and a wee bit of magic (hey, you gotta believe!!) and kindness and family all make this such a good book. The author hits ALL the marks for the story parts – from PTSD to loss to recovery and love. Gah, it touched my heart!
Just a little about the characters and story: Hunter MacBride rides into Butterfly Harbor in a motor home with his seven year old niece, Phoebe. This little girl had my heart from the first page, as did her uncle. He is her guardian as her parents were killed in an auto accident. He has always loved his niece but he is feeling…inadequate…to help her deal with the loss. And Phoebe is suffering, as any child dealing with such loss would. Hunter, however, is doing an amazing job, imho, of giving her love and security.
Hunter was invited to town, by the mayor, to write a book about the Liberty Lighthouse. His new neighbor, Kendall Davidson, is shocked and scared spitless when Hunter and Phoebe show up at the Lighthouse. She has her reasons for these feelings but the arrival of these newcomers brings on all kinds of flashbacks.
In close proximity, Hunter and Kendall draw closer and truly help one another work thru those issues I mentioned, above. Really simple explanation, truly, but all three (Kendall, Phoebe, and Hunter) are dealing with individual loss and family dynamics. They learn that working together, they can conquer the world. Butterfly Harbor residents all come ‘round to give their input, their support, and their love and it helps these three to become a family. I don’t want to say much more because the story unfolding is amazing and will grab you and make you want to read straight thru once you start. I love this series; I love the town’s characters (and they ARE characters!); and I love this story. Highly recommend.
I had thought that I’d experienced the widest range of emotions in the Butterfly Harbor series, until I read the sixth title, Safe in His Arms. Kendall’s story broke my heart, she’s in such a dark place, so full of anger, sadness, grief, PTSD, and survivor’s guilt when we first meet her. Hunter and his niece, Phoebe, will eventually help Kendall heal along with their own heartaches… but it’s not going to be an easy road for any of them.
Hunter is a photojournalist and has been invited to Butterfly Harbor to write about the historic lighthouse, which is in a bit of disarray at the moment, but it is slowly being brought back to life by Kendall through her amazing talent for carpentry and jill-of-all-trades abilities. His niece, Phoebe recently lost her parents in a car accident and her grandparents are putting a lot of pressure on Hunter for custody of Phoebe. Hunter is doing the best he can, and he and Phoebe are a united team but he has doubts as any new parent would have. This time in Butterfly Harbor would be good for them both, a place to settle for a bit as they deal with Phoebe’s issues (which you should learn about firsthand).
I am never afraid to say that a book made me cry, and Safe in His Arms certainly did that. But it’s also a story full of hope and possibilities… and even healing, eventually. I find myself not wanting to say too much about the storyline because for the emotional impact of this story I truly believe it needs to be experienced by each individual reader. There is pain here, there is also a town full of residents who will come to the aid of Kendall, Hunter, and Phoebe in so many ways… and the magic of the butterflies plays a huge part in that healing. I enjoyed this one so much and is one of my favorites from this series. If you love a romance that feels like real life, one that moves you, makes you feel all the emotions while knowing that a happy ending will come for everyone eventually… then this story, this series would be a perfect fit for you.
I own a Kindle edition of Safe in His Arms.
This book was fantastic. The second time reading in fact. Kendall like her space, and when she came to Butterfly Harbor it wasn’t to feel anything for anyone. Yet everyone in town was so kind to her. If it wasn’t her friend and fellow solider in the army Matt Knight she may have left sooner.
When Hunter McBride and his niece Phoebe move in so close she doesn’t know what to do. She’s soon learns that Phoebe hasn’t lost so much. As has Hunter. They have something in common; but it stirs so many emotions. She can’t spare the pain within.
See what happens, because my heart melted after reading this book.
SAFE IN HIS ARMS is book six in Anna J. Stewart’s Butterfly Harbor series and centers around a photojournalist and a war veteran in a second chance at love story.
Hunter was an easy character to grow fond of because his story is about taking in his orphaned niece and trying to help her forage through the grief of the loss of his sister and brother-in-law. He and Phoebe are well developed and bring a good bit of life to the story line.
Kendall is a familiar face to those following along in the series. She came to Butterfly Harbor because she was basically at the lowest point of her life and her friend Matt convinced her to try the town that brought helped rescue him. Her past is slow to evolve in the story and there are some holes left in it that left me wanting a little more, but overall she was a joy to watch come to life again.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves small town life and rediscovery after loss. Each book in this series brings forth a powerful story line and a great cast of characters that carry forward throughout. Highly recommend the entire series!
Butterfly Harbor is a magical spot on the California coast. A place where hearts and minds can be healed.
A former soldier, Kendall arrived in Butterfly Harbor to heal. PTSD and a lost love are both on her plate, as well as the loss of a young girl she’d connected with while deployed. She feels battered and not worthy of love, ever. She is however a fabulous carpenter.
Hunter arrived in Butterfly Harbor following a job opportunity for this photojournalist. He is in search of a safe place to stay with his orphaned niece Phoebe, while they both grieve the loss of Phoebe’s father and mother, and Hunter’s sister.
Living in very close proximity to each other, Kendall and Hunter are not sure what’s going on, but the magic of Butterfly Harbor begins to soothe the souls of all three of these damaged lives. Nothing is easy for them, and when Phoebe’s grandparents show up, their happiness is in jeopardy.
Can I first say I love the Butterfly Harbor series! Such sweet romances. I love how we get to see snippets of the lives other Butterfly Harbor residents we’ve come to know and love. Wonderful story with a happily ever after!
After meeting Kendall in the last Butterfly Harbor book, I was beyond thrilled that she would get her own story in Safe In His Arms. Kendall was going to need a patient, strong man to break down the walls she’s built around her heart.
Not only did Kendall get photojournalist Hunter, she also has his orphaned niece, Phoebe, trying to make a place for themselves in Kendall’s heart. With their own heartbreak to deal with, Hunter and Phoebe open their little circle to include Kendall, who isn’t going willingly. But none of them can fight the magic, friendship and love that Butterfly Harbor and its citizens rain down on them.
Stewart again brings us a story filled with new beginnings and endless possibilities. Her characters are every day people, with flaws and dreams, sorrow and joy, living in a town where anything is possible if you just let it into your heart.
While Safe In His Arms can be read alone, I encourage you to read the whole series. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll believe in the power of love and happily ever afters.
I was gifted with an advance copy of the book. I honestly and freely leave this review
Kendall and Hunter are my favorite couple of the series! Their story is beautifully written with both heartbreaking and tender moments, and I love the relationship that developed between Phoebe and Kendall as they helped to heal each other. I always love returning to Butterfly Harbor!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
I have been waiting to find out more about the antisocial and tormented Kendall and wow has she been through a lot more than was previously hinted at. Kendall has to confront her fears and loss after Hunter and his niece Phoebe who have also sustained a tragedy leaving Hunter as Phoebe’s guardian. This book will hook you in from the get go with loads of emotions for you to go through as well as laughs, tense times, happy times and the hope that Kendall and Hunter can get passed everything to see that they are meant to be together.
Such an important and fantastic book! I loved reading Kendall’s story! It was one of my favorite’s in the Butterfly Habor series although it can be read as a standalone. This was an emotional book for me and I found myself in tears in several parts of it. Kendall is a military veteran but she also lost her fiance while he was deployed and her whole world was shattered. She also lost someone else close to her during deployment. She has walled herself off since then. She is restoring the lighthouse in Butterfly Harbor and enjoys the solitude of it. Along comes Hunter McBride and his niece, Phoebe, who roll into town and will live temporarily in a cottage at the lighthouse. Phoebe has just lost her parents in an accident and barely speaks. The way all 3 of them interact is so precious and emotional during those first few days and weeks! The author did a marvelous job of showing the emotions and difficulties that all the characters would have in this situation. Hunter is fighting with the grandparents who want to take Phoebe from him, even though that isn’t the best thing.
A truly wonderful story of loss, triumph of the human spirit, love and overcoming tragedies. You will want to pick this one up!