Emma Devine is on the run and fighting to survive. Her tortured past makes trust difficult, especially where men are concerned. But she has no choice other than accepting the help of the man who catches her shoplifting on Christmas Eve.When not stopping shoplifters, David Patterson leads a quiet life in Pine Bluff, Alabama, working as a high school teacher. His random act of Christmas kindness … kindness brings unexpected joy to his life, as he finds himself drawn to the mysterious Emma. When she leaves, his world is turned upside down, and his dreams are changed forever.
Four years later, Emma returns in search of long-overdue redemption. But despite an undeniable attraction between the two, trust is an even greater issue now—for both of them. Can they find their way to a place of understanding? Or have yesterday’s mistakes destroyed their chance for a future together?
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First off I love that the man of God stood by his principals and still gets the girl. That just made my heart sing. After his relationship with Jen was moved permanently to the friend zone David settles in and makes plans. Little did he know that his life would be completely altered by an act of kindness. Emma was running. Running from a life of pain and submission. These two are an unlikely pair that have something in common. The author twist tale in the best of ways and gives us a read that will boost your soul while crushing your heart. You can’t help but feel for Emma all the while giving David kudos for sticking to his guns and being the man she needed him to be. It’s a story that will give hope and strength to a girl whose past tore that away from her. It’s a story where this girls dream comes true. It’s a story of the redemptive power of love.
I am learning to read this genre. I have determined that there needs to be a plot of passion. Not just the hunt and chase of romance. Nancee has the ability to do this. Her characters are strong and although at times at odds, this just intensifies the dynamics of the story. I appreciated the detail that went into how to find help if you are ever presented with any of the situations that overcame Emma. The past is not there to haunt us, it’s to learn from. You will not feel anything but empathy for the characters. You were never sure about a happy ending. I’d buy it so I can find out.
This is the second book in this amazing series, and is David and Emma’s story. In their case opposites certainly do attract and complete each other. This is a unique and well written story which is sweet and full of love. I was totally intrigued and hooked throughout, and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author, whose work I highly recommend for all.
This is an incredible and moving story.
I see David from a whole new perspective than I didn’t iN The Resurrection Of Dylan McAthie.
Kindness and love have been a part of his life from the beginning and he shows it in many different ways.
Pain and indignity has been Emma’s life with some moments of happiness.
A chance encounter in a store changes both their lives.
There are some elements that may be a trigger , but they are handle with care.
I Recommend and Encourage all to read this story.
5 firework stars.
Poor Emma Devine she has had a very hard life. she is on the run yet again when she gets in trouble from a man who catches her shoplifting on xmas eve. David is spending xmas alone but when he sees the young boy tring to steal peanut butter he cant just let the boy go hungry . Boy was he suprised when he found out he was a she and is pregnant. this book is filled with ups/ and downs thrills and terror i am enjoying the pine bluff series so far.warning there are possibly some triggers but i enjoyed the story.
Emma’s story is heart-achingly sad. Then she meets David. It takes a while for her to realize meeting David is the best thing to happen to her. I could not put this book down until it was done. One day read.
Break out the tissues for David and Emma’s love story. Be prepared for an emotional narrative, crying one minute, laughing out loud the next- being sympathetic towards Emma and falling in love with David and Kenzie. This beautifully written novel has me believing in the power of kindness and it’s ability to change the people onto which it is bestowed. A wonderfully moving story that I cannot recommend enough.
This book definitely had all the feels. David was such a great guy, he really helped Emma in so many ways. He was her rock and there for her when she needed him. However, she was running from a horrible past and didn’t know what to do. This book made me cry and was so incredible. You should definitely read this if you like tear jerkers, second chances, and love that can survive it all.
This was a sweet but heartbreaking story that exposes the effects of human trafficking. We met David in book one though I did not really care for him in that one. This book painted him in such a good light that I could not help but to root for him. Emma broke my heart with all that she had endured in her life that I wanted her to get her happy ending.
Redemption in the Arms of a Good Man
In book one of the Pine Bluff series, The Resurrection of Dylan McAthie, David Patterson was the third wheel in a love triangle. Therefore, I didn’t root for him. He was a goody-two-shoes almost preacher who paled in comparison to the glittery rock star, Dylan.
But David shines so bright in this story! His integrity makes me swoony. He saves Emma’s life and is a guiding force behind her redemption.
David first encounters desperate Emma when she shoplifts peanut butter. He tries to help her, but then she shoplifts his heart. When she returns years later, can he forgive her crime?
I felt heartbroken for David when Emma’s actions ended his career dreams. But his saving a photo of Emma for Kensington is evidence of his pure, loving heart. The way he calls Emma “honey” is so endearing. It’s also awesome when he stands up to his mother assertively and respectfully.
And David sees the good in others, especially Emma:
“Your lovely eyes haunt me. They always have. These eyes have witnessed more of the disgusting, atrocious side of this world than I can imagine, yet they still reflect goodness and compassion. They still light up when they see those they love.”
The characters, conflicts, and communication difficulties all feel genuine in this story, and their resolution leaves a deep satisfaction. Just like in the first book, there’s Southern charm and fun humor, like the two “For Dummies” books owned by Emma and David.
Can’t wait for the next Pine Bluff novel! Excellent writing
There aren’t enough pretty words to describe just how much I loved this book. Emma and David’s story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and had me from the start. The emotions run the gamut in this one and I felt every single one of them along with these terrific characters. Nancee Cain takes the “show, don’t tell” rule to a whole new level as she pulls the reader into the town of Pine Bluff. The characters and their problems and everyday lives seem so real that when the last page is turned, I want to call them up to see how things are going.
Emma’s story touches on a dark and scary topic and her anguish and self-loathing is hard to read at times, but the most beautiful thing about this story for me was the underlying theme of hope and David exuded that in spades.
Cain has given us another wonderfully written Pine Bluff novel and I will be anxiously awaiting my next visit to this charismatic town.
David catches a young boy trying to steal peanut butter , he never expected to find Emma was the one under that dirty hoodie.He also didn’t realize how old she was and what she had to do just to survive. This book shows a different part of life that many of us never see but know that it’s out there. Nancee Cain brings it out into the open and doesn’t pull any punches when telling it. When reading this book I can almost feel what both David and Emma feel about the choices that they have had to make in their lives. I felt so many different emotions while reading, at times I cried or laughed , was thrilled or disappointed. but I could always feel the emotions that were there, good or bad. This is an amazing book and look forward to reading book 3 in the Pine Bluff Series.
This book is so amazing. The characters are unique and different from any others I have ever read about. It pulls you in and has you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next between the two main characters. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
A beautiful heart wrenching story! It was emotional and touched my soul. I really loved the story and the characters as well. The story was about more than just redemption it was about hope, second chances, self worth and love.
Nothing in Emma Devine’s life has ever been easy.
And very few men have shown her an ounce of kindness that didn’t come at a price.
On the run she crosses paths with the one man who will change her life; but only if she’s willing to let him help her.
David lives in the small Alabama town of Pine Bluff working as a school teacher and working towards his future. On Christmas Eve he just can’t let Emma walk away without helping her. However, his helping her will change his life forever and derail his well laid future plans.
Four years later Emma is back and determined to show the only man to show her any kindness and respect that she’s changed for the better. But will David be as forgiving as she thought he might be? And what about Emma’s past? It always seems to catch up with her when she thinks life is going better for her. Has she finally escaped?
A story about love, forgiveness, and redemption I absolutely fell in love with this book. David, while he may seem a bit too nice and a pushover, is much stronger than people give him credit for. He’s also very compassionate of Emma’s past and doesn’t judge her, even after she tells him the nitty gritty of her life.
5 out of 5 stars
What do you do when you stop a shoplifter on Christmas eve . That’s what happened to David when he met Emma . a young woman who is on the run and desperate . The pastor in him wants to help the young woman . When the unthinkable happens that puts both of them on a different path. When Emma’s decision throws everyone for a loop will they be able to come out . When Emma returns will they be able to work out the past to continue with the future .
This book is very well written . I absolutely loved the characters in this book . Emma well lets just say one min you want to wrap her up in a blanket and tell her everything will be ok . At the beginning of the book , she is scared and has such low self esteem . She has been thrown away over and over . She is very defensive and doesn’t know her own self worth , To me when she left her baby with David , she was doing what she thought was right . When you read her coming back into David’s life she becomes a stronger woman , still a little skittish but she grew up . She still has to fight everyday but she is working on it all the time .
David well he is such a sweet guy . He is giving and willing to help . He was on the path to be a minister when his life changed . Which I must say he did a great job . I fell for him and his vulnerability when it came to raising his daughter . He is a little over protective and everyone loves him.
This is the first book I have read by this author and trust me I will be reading more . She had me feeling so many emotions . I laughed and I cried and I felt a whole lot of love for the characters . I wanted to hug all the characters and tell them it will be ok . The author writes with a passion that comes through on the page. I think the best part of this book is that the good guy is a good guy . He isn’t a pompous arrogant man . He is humble and sweet . You will love these characters trust me . You should add this series to your reading list for this winter . You will love them