From a USA Today bestselling author comes a heartwarming holiday romance between the a small-town florist and the handsome chief of police. Christmas is always bustling for Halona Locklear’s flower shop, but this year, she’s determined to take some time out to give her young son an extra special holiday. So she should be thrilled when hunky police chief Alex Baker wants to be their … thrilled when hunky police chief Alex Baker wants to be their not-so-secret Santa. But Halona can’t get too close to Alex. He knows a truth she needs to keep hidden…for her boy’s sake.
Though Alex always had a thing for Halona, he never dared to pursue his best friend’s little sister. But he can’t shake the feeling that the gorgeous single mom and her little boy could use some holiday cheer, even if Halona refuses to let down her guard. But when ghosts of Christmas past threaten, Alex and Halona must decide what matters more: protecting their secrets or opening their wary hearts to new possibilities.
Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!
Angel Falls is the perfect small town for falling in love. But that’s the last thing on Dr. Sara Langdon’s mind as she returns home. But when her first patient turns out to be her first-crush-turned-nemesis Colton Walker, Sara starts wondering if home really is where the heart
Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!
Angel Falls is the perfect small town for falling in love. But that’s the last thing on Dr. Sara Langdon’s mind as she returns home. But when her first patient turns out to be her first-crush-turned-nemesis Colton Walker, Sara starts wondering if home really is where the heart is….
Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!
Angel Falls is the perfect small town for falling in love. But that’s the last thing on Dr. Sara Langdon’s mind as she returns home. But when her first patient turns out to be her first-crush-turned-nemesis Colton Walker, Sara starts wondering if home really is where the heart is….
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Slow Burning Romance
I loved police chief Alex! Always trying to do what’s right, finally, finally, coming to the conclusion there are a lot of gray areas, lol. He really was my hero when he started mentoring Theo, and honestly I think that is when Theo started improving. Not being coddled by Halona, but she’s Mom, so of course she’s going to want to keep him safe.
Back to the clean romance, because, ya know, there’s Theo here. I did enjoy their outings in lovely small town Sweetwater Springs! Their stolen few moments, the townspeoples’ reactions. Mostly a feel good, lighter romance at Christmas time. Halona’s positive to Alex’s negative really had me thinking realities, yes, even thru fiction.
There was some drama which made me hold my breath a bit, and gave the journey a bit of an edge to it. And of course there was officer Chewy, who brought in goodness and laughs, after starting out in a bad situation.
I enjoyed going on this trip, a few parts got a bit slow for me also, but all said, it put me in a good mood. I really missed not getting Alex’s reaction to Theo’s advancement, I was so excited and I wanted to see his reaction. The HEA was sweet, but too short for me, I wanted more of the happily family after!
I received an advanced reader copy thru Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my own thoughts and opinions
Another Sweet Book By Annie.
Book 3. Snowfall on cedar Trail.
Tucks Sister Halona has a thing, for the Chief of Police. But dealing with her young son. Whom does not talk..Running her Flower. Shop she’s got her hands full. But Love seems to be in full bloom in this small town.
The chief is busy trying to solve a cold case. Trying to figure out who ran his father over 11 years ago.. will love when in this small Romantic Town..
This Book is one I would Definitely recommend to all. Even if you haven’t read the first two I think he could read this book as a standalone
SNOWFALL ON CEDAR TRAIL is the third instalment in Annie Rains’ contemporary, adult SWEETWATER SPRINGS romance series focusing on the people of Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina. This is police chief Alex Baker, and widow, single mother and florist Halona Locklear’s story line. SNOWFALL ON CEDAR TRAIL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Halona and Alex) SNOWFALL ON CEDAR TRAIL follows the building romance between Sweetwater Springs’ police chief Alex Baker, and widow, single mother and florist Halona Locklear. Halona Locklear’s life changed the day her husband died but our heroine kept secrets from the people she loved including her young son Theo, whose selective mutism began the day his father passed away. Hoping to get Theo into the Mentor Match program, Halona discovers that her brother’s best friend, and the local police chief Alex Baker, has been assigned to ‘mentor’ her troubled young boy. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Alex and Halona, and the potential fall-out as Halona struggles with the past, and blames our hero for the things out of his control.
Meanwhile, Chief Alex Baker has yet to move forward since the hit and run death of his father, the former police chief, a man whose death eleven years earlier, is suspicious and, as yet, unsolved. Every Christmas, upon the anniversary of his father’s death, Alex reopens the investigation, and this year a new clue will come from an unlikely source.
The relationship between Alex and Halona is a friends to lovers romance. Alex has been attracted to his best friend’s sister for as along as he can remember but when Halona fell in love with the local football star, Alex watched from the sidelines losing all hope for his own happily ever after. All $ex scenes are implied and fade to black.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, most of whom we have met in previous instalments. We are introduced to Halona’s son Theo; Alex’s grandmother; as well as struggling couple Sharlene and Tony Anderson.
SNOWFALL ON CEDAR TRAIL is a story of second chances; a sweet romance between two people who have lost someone special in their lives but whose pasts will intercept in the present and future. The premise is engaging and captivating; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is charming and sweet
This book is so good! It is well written and holds you attention. You will fall in love with Theo. This book is full of emotions and it comes to life with the authors words. If you like small town romance with heart, you will love this book. Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by Annie Rains, but I’m definitely going back for more! This is a heartwarming story of overcoming loss, second chances, family, and friends. There are secrets, longing, struggles, attempts to move forward, a bit of mystery, and trying to do what is right. Captivating and impassioned, I found Halona, Alex, and Halona’s son, Theo, to be delightful characters in a town filled with enchanting residents. I look forward to returning to Sweetwater Springs!
A wonderful cozy romance! This is the third book in the Sweetwater Springs series and is about Halona a single mother her son Theo and her friend Chief of Police Alex. it is set in the winter time and is a second chance love story. Was a fast read but couldn’t put it down until the end! Love this series looking forward to more from Sweetwater.
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
It’s the most magical time of the year… when the Christmas books start hitting my Kindle!
I have fallen in love with the residents of Sweetwater Springs over the previous books, and it was wonderful to return.
This installment is a wonderful single-mum-and-brother’s-best-friend tale, yet it is so much more.
This story was a lot more emotional to me than the previous installments. We were introduced to our lovelies Alex and Halona in book 2, and it was great to see their story expanded. I was heartbroken, I was happy, I was frustrated and I was over the moon at times with this story.
And it has that wonderful, Christmas miracley kind of thing happening too which added to the tension of the story.
I loved getting back to this town and the core residents that I have come to adore, and I am looking forward to more where this came from.
Once again, Annie Rains has written a book with everything I love.. romance, family drama, suspense…all set in a small town, Sweetwater Springs.
Halona Locklear owns a florist shop in Sweetwater Springs. She is a widow raising her small son alone. Theo no longer speaks and Halona and his doctor are working to find out what caused his sudden silence.
Alex Baker, police chief of Sweetwater Springs has been fighting his attraction for Halona since they were teenagers. He subscribes to the “You don’t date your best friend’s sister.” code. He doesn’t know that the feeling of attraction is mutual.
I loved revisiting Sweetwater Springs. Ms. Rains’ characters find their way into your heart and become your friends. I recommend Snowfall on Cedar Trail and this entire series to anyone who loves sweet, clean romance.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and the author in exchange for my honest review.
Story 1:
The town comes together to help one person in need every year no matter what the person faces they will help. We need more of this in our world. I loved the community as a whole in this book. Alex was on this journey to solve a cold case so it add a mystery to the story which was fun. However I did find the story quite predictable, I wish there would have been a little more keeps you guessing going on in the story. The story over all was a good clean read and was a quick read for sure. I loved Grandma Baker hands down one of my favorite characters she has a way of speaking her mind in the most loving way and still getting her point access. I would say over all this book was worth the read and puts you in the Christmas spirit.
Story 2:
I loved this book, I loved how nothing was held back. This is such a sweet love story. I can relate to Sara as having a family member who has dementia, that being said even if that’s not the case the characters were so down to earth and I really felt like I could relate with any of them. I loved how the author had a way of getting to the heart and also had fun moments throughout. I loved Carmen she was just the constant icebreaker throughout and you truly never knew what was coming out of her mouth. This book does have some adult language/scenes but was a super fun read. I truly loved this book and I am not sure if this will become part of a series but if it does I can’t wait for more.
You really can’t go wrong with this amazing love story.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley, I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion.
This next installment in the Sweetwater Springs series brings romance to the town’s Chief of Police, Alex Baker. Growing up in Sweetwater Springs, Alex was best friends with Tuck Locklear and Mitch Hargrove. They were inseparable as teens and even though they went their separate ways after graduation, they always remained close friends. Alex has had a crush on Tuck’s sister, Halona, for a long time but was afraid of destroying his friendship with Tuck. Will he put his fear and reservations aside and finally grab onto the happiness that he has longed for? Halona, owner of the town’s flower shop, has no time for a social life. Losing her husband to a skiing accident two years ago, their young son, Theo, has not spoken a word. Having to calm Theo’s fears every night when he is in the throes of the nightmares about his dad, Halona will do whatever it takes to help her young son. Christmas has always been a magical season for the resident’s of Sweetwater Springs but this year, there will be an abundance of miracles going around! Author Annie Rains has written a beautiful series that shows that dreams do come true and miracles do happen! As I read these wonderful books, I feel as if I am transported to Sweetwater Springs and can feel the emotions that each character is undergoing at the time! I cannot wait to see more of the residents of Sweetwater Springs! Author Annie Rains has written a remarkable series that will forever hold a special place in my heart!
This was probably my favorite of the Sweetwater Springs series so far!!! It definitely got me in the Christmas spirit. I love that Halona was such an independent, amazing, single mother who always put her sons needs first. So glad Halona and Alex got their Happily Ever After!!! Can’t wait for more in this series
This is such a wonderful addition to the Sweetwater Springs series. I love Halona & Alex both & was so excited to get their story. We find out they have somewhat of a rocky past from years ago in book 2 of the series so it was nice to get more information on what happened in this book. This story, like all the others in the series flowed very well. I also enjoyed catching up with Kaitlyn & Mitchell (from book 1) & Halona’s brother Tucker & his wife Josie (book 2). I also loved Theo, Halona’s little boy who looked up to Alex. I love Christmas stories & this did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning.
I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can’t wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.
This book was a quick read with added sweetens to it as one expects when reading story about Christmas.
As a mother i could relate to Halona and her desire to protect and help her son. Alex is determent to close his fathers case and help her son to open up again after having experience that he could relate to.
This story brought a lot of sad but at the end it just shows that sometimes all one needs in life is understanding a of course love.
It was a great read and i’m sure i’ll be picking up Annie Rains’s books again.
***Review copy recieved via NetGally for an honest review***
Halona Locklear is the town florist and a single mom with a child who no longer speaks. She is constantly trying to find ways to help him. There a few people she trusts to care for Theo if she needs to do something. Alex Baker is the town sheriff and has been best friends with Halona’s brother. The women in town have a nickname for him. Although there are several single women in town, Halona has been the only one to claim his heart. Between wooing Halona with the help of Theo and solving an old case, things come crashing down. Is there a Christmas miracle in the making? Love how the book ended.
Theo totally steals the show in this installment of Annie Rains fun Sweetwater Springs novels. He is the perfect holiday elf as he brings Halona and Alex together; though the cute puppy certainly helps, too. This series keeps getting better and I am all in.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
I love romance novels set around Thanksgiving/Christmas. I always get in the holiday mood while reading them. So, when I saw the Annie Rains had another book set around Thanksgiving/Christmas, I knew that I had to read it. I am glad that I did!! Because of this book, I was in the holiday mood for days.
The plotline for Snowfall on Cedar Trail was medium paced. The medium pace of the plotline worked for me. If the book had been faster-paced, an essential part of the plotline would have been glossed over.
I liked Halona. She was doing everything she could to run her business and get her son the help he needed. There was no place in her life for romance, which I understand. I thought her crush on Alex was cute. But she was wary of getting involved with him. I thought it was because of Theo’s issues, but then there was another reason why. That reason broke my heart when it was revealed. It also reinforced, in my eyes, how strong she was and had to be.
I loved Alex. He took his job as police chief seriously. When the book started, he was trying to help a battered woman leave her husband. He had also reopened his father’s cold case, trying to see if there were any new clues about his death. Then, while checking on the battered woman, he takes an abused puppy from her husband. On top of that, he had agreed to become a mentor to a child in need. It was a lot. His interactions with Halona, Theo, the town folk, and Officer Chew (the puppy and I LOVED the name!!) made the book.
Halona and Alex’s romance was a slow burn. I loved that they had been crushing on each other since, well, forever. They did have their ups and down, though. A significant down with their relationship was Halona’s ex-husband and how he treated her. But, they did get past it. When they did, their romance went into high gear.
Theo’s selective mutism was a significant part of the storyline. It was the reason that Theo was placed in the mentor program and in turn, got paired with Alex. I did feel bad for Theo. He saw his father doing something horrible to his mother. It affected him so much that he stopped talking. It broke my heart. But, I was glad to see that Alex was able to help Theo. But, I didn’t buy the end of that storyline. It seemed to me almost too perfect.
Another storyline that ended almost too perfectly was Alex’s father’s cold case and the battered woman’s storyline. I wasn’t a fan of Halona giving Tony advice about how to win his wife BACK. I mean, he beat his wife and a puppy. I also didn’t like how the cold case ended up. It left me with more questions, which drove me nuts.
The end of Snowfall of Cedar Trail was cute but seemed a little rushed. I couldn’t figure out who the next book will be about.
I love Christmas books, even more, when involving children and cute pet.
Alex is the tough police chief of the small town Sweetwater Springs, he has had a crush on Halona for some time but being his best friend’s younger sister and mourning her husband’s recent loss, he has never allowed himself more than friendship with her.
Halona’s son is the reason for the sweet florist’s life and is having a difficult time with post-traumatic muteness. Upon getting to know Alex better, little Theo will be happy again and will gradually break free from his trauma.
In addition to a beautiful and engaging romance, the book brings a very interesting mystery that held me until the end.
I was excited for this next installment in the Sweetwater Springs series! Halona and her son, Theo have had a tough time over the last year. But it’s possible that Alex is the key to a happier future for Halona and her son. Alex has his own demons to deal with before he can have a relationship with Halona.
This is a really touching story. I loved Halona and Alex. I was rooting for them and Theo. I was hoping that Alex would be the one to bring Theo out of his shell.
I would definitely give this 5 stars!
Halona Locklear knows her young son needs a male figure in his life, since his father’s passing he has been struggling a bit at school and hasn’t spoken a word. When she hears about a mentor match program starting up in town she knows it might be just what he needs, it will give him the opportunity to be paired with an adult who will do various fun activities with him. And maybe bring him out of his shell.
When they learn that Theo has been matched to Chief of Police Alex Baker, Halona is somewhat relived. Alex has been a friend to her family for years, and Theo always seems to respond well to him. She thinks it will be the perfect match for Theo…. and little does she know the perfect match for her too!
Snowfall on Cedar Trail is heartwarming tale that unites a couple that thought they were too busy in life for love… but love, and little Theo, had other plans for them. Watching this little family come together was so good for the heart, Alex brought much needed support and companionship to Halona’s life, and she helped him heal his wounded heart. It was the perfect little union! With it’s heartfelt story line and holiday themed setting Snowfall on Cedar Trail comes brimming with everything necessary to stir up some holiday feels! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.