Flying Solo — single parents, second chances and the power of love…Summer at the Lake: *Winner: Award of Excellence” *Winner, Write Touch Readers’ Award” “Award of Merit–Holt Medallion”Veteran NY cop, Rick Cooper, heads to his family’s lake house after losing a hostage negotiation, resulting in the death a child. He brings only … the death a child. He brings only his dog and his saxophone for company. His agenda includes lots of fishing while figuring out an appropriate career change.
Single mom, Kristin McCarthy hears the sound of the saxophone gliding through the night air…a healing sound for her daughter. She begins a search for the person who can play so beautifully. Her high hopes fall, however, when the musician turns out to be a cop. The police fell short when she and Ashley needed them most. But still…if this cop could make a difference…if he can help Ashley…well, Kristin would do anything for her young daughter.
An attractive widow with a damaged kid are the last people Rick needs in his life, and he tries hard to remain aloof. The ladies, however, knock down his barriers simply by being themselves. Fearful but brave, smart but silly. Before long, warm feelings grow between him and Kristin. Feelings that spark potential for a future together.
However, before Kristin allows herself to dream, Rick must prove he’s a man she and her daughter can trust. Can they count on him forever?
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The story was very sad, but it turned out well. It was a great book!
Beautiful
This story should come with a warning, “Have Tissues Ready”. This is a great story of a mom trying to help her child after an attack. Kristen brought her daughter to her friends lake side cabin to help her heal. Ashley isn’t talking and she’s afraid of everything. Rick is having issues doing his job after losing 3 people. He’s a policeman with a great German Shepherd friend, they are staying at the family home in the lake. 2 doors down from Kristen and Ashley. Quincy knows what Ashley needs, he’s a service dog that helps kids.
A sad and realistic story of a child crime victim.
Some of the reviews that I read about this novel on sites like Goodreads.com frustrated and honestly pissed me off after I read the book. For some people reading this book they seem to focus on what the young Ashley suffered. They find even the mention of the crime itself too disturbing to them. (FYI- the author DOES NOT go into detail about the assault. Nor does she put the assault itself in the book.) Just so there’s no misunderstanding me or my views. I agree completely that any heinous act of this nature on ANYONE is absolutely horrible, tragic and gut wrenching. BUT…. they can’t stick their heads in the sand and act like these heinous crimes don’t happen. Just because people don’t want to have to face this truly horrible reality. Does not give people license to Negatively rate this book. That’s Exactly what I saw in too many of the Negative reviews that were left.
I, myself am a victim of child rape and I found this book to be helpful and inspiring for multiple reasons. I truly think Linda Barrett’s novel could possibly help young victims and their families. This book shows them there is hope when they feel hopeless in the beginning. It gives them helpful ideas to try out to help the young victims. Most of all it let’s them see firsthand that you can’t force a victim to talk about it or begin the healing process. They have to be patient and let the child take lead. It can take years before a victim can even begin to heal. It took me 18 long years.
This book is about healing, strength, about the fight against the crushing weight of despair and coming back to life after your old life was brutally destroyed. Linda Barrett’s story gives us a front row seat to watch Ashley McCarthy struggle to overcome her traumatic experience, Kristin’s struggle to not only help her daughter through this but to realize it wasn’t her fault as a mother. Kristin learns to live and love again as well. Ashley struggles not only with her own misery and pain but feels the responsiblity of trying to protect her Mom from the monster who raped her. He’s still out there. The police can’t catch him without Ashley’s help. The bastard told her he knew where she lived and he’d hurt her mom if she said anything. Being a child with a child’s mind she believes him like most child victims do. She hasn’t spoken since she woke up in the hospital after the attack.
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. We see her healing journey with the loyal Quincy at her side. We watch this young girl go from the soul crushing purgatory her life had become. To the effervescent young girl she was before but with some psychological and emotional scars.
This book is about so much more than just the attack and trying to recover from it. As readers we get to experience vicariously the lives of 3 amazing people and Quincy the remarkable german shephard. Kristin McCarthy suffers so much alongside Ashley. The guilt she carries as well as the torment of a mother, who in her estimation failed to protect her baby girl. She feels so lost because has no clue how to help Ashley.
Then Rick Cooper comes along with Quincy. Rick is suffering himself from a traumatic experience on the job that has shaken his confidence and has him questioning his life as well as his career. Rick and Quincy, who is a therapy dog who works with child victims who have been abused physically and/or sexually. As Quincy and Rick do what they can to help Ashley heal, Rick doesn’t realize that Kristin and Ashley are healing him too.
This is novel is about life, love, pain, healing, and family. I recommend it to everyone. It’s a great book and a great series.
Enjoyed characters
Warm&cozy heartwarming
Loved the story and the characters were very real and easy to follow.
Did not keep my interest.
I cried through the story line. Well written
A fairly new author in my library, but writes very well and I’ll look for more of her works.
So very sweet
I skipped a lot of material in this book. the story was okay but to me the writing was disjointed.
Predictable.
A good story with a happily ever after ending.
Tragic in the fact that what happened to Ashley happens to so many children. Some parts of the book were just a little over the top as to reality, but basically it was a good read
Holds your interest! Great surprise ending.
One of the best book I’ve read this summer. Looking forward to the next one!
Pretty good in the genre.
Enjoyed it very much, easy reading and feel good story!
Loved it!! Romantic without being sleazy!