A 2017 Readers’ Favorite Award Silver Medal Winner(Formerly titled The Friar)Adam Westfield is an ex-friar just released from prison. Unsure of his destiny, he roams America, hoping to find a purpose . . . and forgiveness. A widowed mother of two, Sage Hammond is struggling to keep her horse ranch afloat. Unable to find a ranch hand willing to work for meager wages, she’s close to giving up. … willing to work for meager wages, she’s close to giving up. Then, an answer to her prayers appears—a quiet, handsome stranger.
Adam is falling in love for the first time in his life, however, strange things begin to happen at the ranch—things that are putting Sage and her children in danger—and he finds he’s willing to sell his soul to protect them. But will it be enough?
A man trying to overcome his past. A woman trying to secure her children’s future. Can they both learn to live in the present and discover that second chances do exist?
***The Road to Solace is a standalone novel and not related to any of Samantha A. Cole’s current series.
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The Friar by Samantha A. Cole
Notes:
* Christian Romance
* Second chances
* Mystery
* Suspense
* Evil
* Preconceptions/Misconceptions about ex-convicts
* Choices
* Anger
* Justice
* Penance
* Believable & Unbelievable
* Community/communities
Adam Westfield gave over twenty years of his life to the church as a celibate friar. One day he reacted to something he saw and his choice after the fact led to five years in prison. Upon his release he spent time on the road working, thinking and coming to terms with himself while trying to figure out where his future would be.
Sage Hammond, a widow, is doing her best to keep Heaven’s Pastures Ranch viable as appaloosa ponies are bred and sold. She is behind on the mortgage and someone is eager to buy the ranch whether or not she wants to sell. When Adam shows up on her doorstep looking for work she plans to send him away due to his past but…changes her mind.
As the two spend time together a romance blooms, the ranch is threatened and so are they. They rely on one another, their friends and the community to make it through some rough situations and in the end find a HEA that includes security for all.
I enjoyed the book and would like to thank NetGalley and Suspenseful Seduction Publishing for the copy of this novel – this is my honest review.
4 Stars
What a wonderful story.. this was definitely something different from what I’ve read from Samantha and it is totally worth it!!! i was very excited to read this book, because not only is a new book from a writer that i really love but also that Adam the protagonist was a Friar, a Friar who never expected to fall in love..
Adam was a man of God, a Friar, who happened to be at the right moment to discover something very bad that eventually will change his life forever ??? (not giving any spoilers) after been in jale for a few years Adam finds his way searching for a way of living.. knocking on a few ranches doors in the area to help with what he could and earn some money.. but his ex-con status didn’t help him that much to find a good job and make new friends .. until one day he walked into Sage ranch and thats when his life changed forever..
Sage the heroine of the book is a smart and strong woman who happens to be a widow with two kids and a huge depth to be pay.. who needs extra help to be able to manage the ranch and continue the legacy and dream of his Husband… Adam, you guess right, it’s all that help she has been searching for, at first she was not convinced to hire him due to his ex-con status but something happens that makes Sages change her mind and give Adam a chance….
There are a lot of difficult situations that happens in the ranch that Adam and Sage have to overcome, not to mention another man who is in love with sage.. mmm i’m not saying more but be ready to bite your nails and scream plus you will never guess who is behind the things that are happening in the ranch because samantha did her best to lead us to believe the bad one was another character..
I really love this book, this is definitely a really good story that will keep you reading non stop.. in less words it is worth staying up all night and fall in love with the Friar..
Samantha, you rock!!
While this book is different than Samantha Cole’s other books, she has written another great book. Adam was a Franciscan Brother when he accidentally killed another brother that was molesting a young child. Adam took a deal & went to prison rather than have the child traumatized by having to testify in court. Now that he’s out of prison he’s traveling around taking jobs here & there looking for someplace to settle.
Sage Hammond is a widowed mother of two trying to hang onto her husband’s family ranch for her kids. She’s gotten behind on her mortgage & has a neighbor bugging her to sell the place to him. Her hired hands have quit without warning & she needs help. Her minister sent Adam out to her place to help for a while.
I enjoyed these characters & the plot line. The twists in the story keep you guessing. You could sense the escalating tension between Sage & Adam. Could she get past his conviction? At its basic elements, The Friar is a story of two troubled souls finding a way to connect & begin to love again. The supporting characters add dimension to the story. Another good story by a great writer!
I volunteered to read an Arc.
I wasn’t sure about this one, I guess the catholic in me was shouting NO WAY.
A woman trying to keep her dead husband’s dream and legacy alive. A man that made a decision in the heat of the moment. What could possibly bring these two together?
Once I started I couldn’t put it down. A nice slow build on the romance, enough mysterious happenings to keep you turning the pages and a H/h that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Good flow, great dynamic between main characters and a believable storyline that sucks you in. Well worth the read.
The Friar by Samantha A. Cole
This is Adam Westfield and Sage Hammond’s story.
Man, this is a very different story. Adam is a man that just got out of prison. Once you discover the man he really is you will admire him. Sage is widowed and is still struggling with losing her husband and keeping their horse breeding business going.
Adam ends up working for Sage. They are attracted to one another. Sage is stealing grieving over losing her husband and Adam feels that he is not good enough for Sage. Also, some strange things start happening plus the stress of maybe losing her home and business. Will Adam and Sage take the chance on love?
This is an extremely emotional read. Adam and Sage have so many obstacles to overcome but the author keeps you drawn into the story. You can’t help but fall in love with the characters. A wonderful heartfelt and sensual romance with lots of twists. A must read!
FYI, includes mature content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I will admit I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The story is different than anything I’ve read as it involves a man of faith having to lose his Brotherhood and what he pledged his life for because he did what anyone else would have done. He pledged a life of celibacy for this and now, years later and trying to find redemption to his own guilt, he finds himself enamored and attracted to a single mother. The story flowed so well and was not too long but had so much in it that it was hard to put down. I was actually sucked in from the beginning. Now, there’s also some mystery and suspense and side characters that capture you as well. This was so enjoyable I will be reading more Samantha Cole again.
This book was gripping, well written & the chemistry between the characters sizzled throughout this wonderful read.
Well done Samantha. I look forward to more!
I am not good at writing these reviews! You can read the others to tell you a little about the storyline, I just want you to know it’s a great book. I’ll read anything Samantha A Cole writes…she’s that good! I loved it and can’t wait for her next one.
I have come to expect a certain type of story from Samantha Cole and this book does not disappoint. Adam’s character is so well written that you can not help but be in his corner and route him on. Sage is a sweet woman who knows how to fight for what she wants. As these to try to overcome pasts and pave out futures they may find that they are the perfect match for each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this book.
Such an inspiring, uplifting book. The story of Adam who was a Franciscan Brother before he went to prison and Sage Hammond a widow with two young children. This is the kind of book that makes your heart feel good and keeps you turning the pages. Kudos to Samantha Cole for such a remarkable story.
The Road to Solace by Samantha A. Cole was a well written story that keeps you hooked from the start. This is a story with some romance, suspense and a twist or two. The characters are very intriguing, a strong widow who is trying to keep her ranch going and a ex con who has been released from prison and now is adrift looking for his new purpose. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is romantic, suspenseful, heartwarming and entertaining. Adam is a man trying to move on with his life after being released from prison where he spent time for manslaughter. Sage is a woman just trying to run her ranch and raise her children. When Adam starts working on the ranch, it was just a way to make money. Then he started falling in love, and decided that he would do whatever it took to keep the woman he loves, and her children, safe. It’s an emotional and enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
I received for an honest review from Booksprout
This was a very good read and I loved the characters immensely and I couldn’t wait to turn the page I didn’t want the book to end a must read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Terrific read. A man who paid for his crimes (sins) in prison. Gets out and just wants a quiet life starting over. She has a ranch going under and can’t afford help. He comes along at just the right time But things start happening from an unknown source. It is suspenseful, emotional, intriguing, sweet and so much more. I was given a review copy by booksprout and voluntarily review it.
I really enjoyed this story. Adam is an ex con seeking forgiveness. Sage is a widow who runs a horse breeding ranch. She hires Adam as a ranch hand. They’re attracted to each other.Someone is trying to do harm to ranch and people on it. I really enjoyed the story.
I enjoyed Adam and Sage’s story! This is a little bit different than I have read from this author in the past but an intriguing and captivating story. I loved both characters! This is an amazing book with a great plot! Probably one of my favorites from this author that I have had the pleasure to read.
I received a free copy of this book however all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
I loved this! It grabbed me from the first page, kept me til the last and enthralled me in between. Well worth your time to read it.
This is a standalone novel and well worth the read. The main characters are both hurt souls who are coping with life the best they can. Adam (main male character) meets Sage (the main female character), when she needs help Adam steps up to the plate! There is mystery, intrigue and romance in this wonderfully written book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Even before I do a review of this book I will Recommend it. This is a new Author to me and I was not stopping reading for anything!!! A beautiful well written story that held my interest throughout. There is a villain, suspense, drama, danger, arson, assault, kidnapping, and attempted murder, a cave-in, and romance. This is Adam Westfield an ex-friar who has been just released from prison, a widowed mother of two, Sage Hammond and her children Jenna and Matthew. The story flows smoothly from one page to the other. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.