Currant Creek Valley (Hope's Crossing)

This was a serendipitous pick for me -- I found it in a gas station/mini-mart in Helena -- and I found a new author to enjoy at the same time! The book doesnt' back away from hard times in people's lives, and demonstrates the love that can triumph in spite of the obstacles people put in their own way. My only complaint was the first few pages. As a new reader to the series, I had no idea who all these people were! They were hurled, one after the other, into the conversation and after a few paragraphs, I gave up trying to figure out who was speaking and how they related to each other. At the end of the book, I'm still not totally sure of the relationships. However, the writing and story were so lovely, that I'm putting the rest of the series on my wish list.

I am so glad I discovered this wonderful writer. RaeAnne Thayne has a exceptional gift of story telling! Her characters seem so real that the reader feels they are his or her friends and neighbors. I am reading every one of her books that I can find and encourage others to do the same!!

Alexandra McKnight, chef of soon to be opened Brazen, seems to have it all. A loving family and great friends but she has secrets and no one gets to know the secrets. Sam Delgado, construction owner, has had no family growing up and has lost his wife to cancer three years ago. Sam is hired to finish Brazen which puts him and Alexandra in close contact. While he is fascinated with her, he decides to play it slow since he wants to move to Hope's Crossing and raise his son, Ethan.

This is a "I have to gobble it up right now, don't interrupt me book". You will love Hope's Crossing and all her inhabitants.

Currant Creek Valley
RaeAnne Thayne
Harlequin HQN, Mar 26 2013, $7.99
ISBN: 9780373777471

In Hope's Crossing, Colorado thirty-something Alexandra McKnight feels good about her life as she has a wonderful family and friends who care about her just like she does about them even if men who matter seem to always hurt her. Further adding to Alexandra's euphoria is that she will soon run a restaurant owned by Brodie Thorne. However, the contractor renovating the place left on a family emergency so Brodie hires Sam Delgado to finish Alexandra's kitchen.

When they meet at the restaurant over an identity misunderstanding, she believes the temp is ideal for a short term relationship. Instead, former Ranger, widower Sam and his six year old son Ethan are relocating to start fresh. As Alex and Sam fall in love, she expects him to hurt her so she refuses to take a chance on father and son.

The latest Hope's Crossing contemporary romance (see Sweet Laurel Falls, Crossing Woodrose Mountain and Blackberry Summer) is an engaging drama starring a likable widower, his overly precious child and a doubting Thomasine; although her denial eventually becomes an irritant. With a wonderful natural background and a strong support cast add depth to the coming together of three people forging a family if Alex takes a chance on love.

Harriet Klausner

. Real love, the kind that lasts a lifetime, is like building a good house or even a restaurant. It's not easy and takes a little time like Sam and Alexandra find out in this wonderful tale of life in Hope's Crossing. Dating is scary as a teenager but single parents face all the regular problems plus dealing with integrating children into the relationship. Ethan is a very smart child and it does take a strong woman with a big heart to show the love he and Sam need and deserve. Alex has to learn to let the past go and not judge Sam by those standards but in the end, love wins out. I absolutely love my RaeAnn Thayne book, treasure every one and hope you give her and the wonderful citizens of Hope's Crossing a try, you won't be disappointed!(and the food,...oh my, my heart was filling up and my tummy was rumbling ,reading this one!)

Finding the Hope's Crossing series was such a lucky break! I have loved each and every book in the series and I cannot stop reading. This book was just as satisfying as all the rest. The town is where anyone would want to live. The characters are lovable and the stories are totally awesome. RaeAnne Thayne is my new favorite author.

I love reading RaeAnne Thayne's books because they just make you feel good. This latest book, set in Hope's Crossing, is a continuation of the series that is a very pleasant read about a woman and man, both somewhat afraid of committment, and their path to love. It takes a while for Alex to realize that her reasons for sticking with short term relationships don't hold water once she meets Alex and his son. This is the kind of book you want to take to the beach or on a plane. Easy, pleasant, enjoyable reading.

So boring

How many pages can you fill will "putting a strand of hair behind her ear"?. I literally had to just wade through this book because i keep wondering where this series is going. I was beyond annoyed with Alex, what a total nut bar running and running from herself. Then 10 pages left she comes to her senses and succumbs to love. Gag!

RaeAnne Thayne is one of my favorite authors and this series of books is great. The backdrop is a small community and you get to visit with old "friends" with each new addition to the series. I was hooked from the first chapter and looking forward to her next book!

What started out as a very enjoyable series just gets better and better with each successive book. I truly loved the story of Sam and Alex and hope subsequent books will tell a little more about their happily ever after!