Shattered Justice (Family Honor Series #1)

Buy Cheap Shattered Justice (Family Honor Series #1)

Buy Low Price From Here Now
Deputy’s Sense of Justice Destroyed

There’s no way sheriff’s deputy Dan Justice could have prepared for this. He spent a lifetime ensuring his actions and faith live up to the meaning of his name—Avidan: “God is just.” Then injustice invades his world, ripping away what matters most, forever robbing him of the life he once knew. Can his sisters and small-town community—especially one woman who loves Dan—help him overcome the horrors he’s facing? Or will bitterness and anger shatter him forever?

What happens when justice fails the lawman?

Sanctuary, Oregon . A town where the local diner owner makes you drink your milk—no matter how old you are. Where juvenile delinquency means blowing up outhouses. Where folks not only know their neighbors, but care about them. For widowed sheriff’s deputy Dan Justice, it’s a place where he and his kids can heal and grow.

Shelby Wilson loves Sanctuary and her work with troubled teens. Like Jayce Dalton. Sure, he’s as troubled as they come, but Shelby knows Dan is exactly what Jayce needs. She just didn’t expect that Dan might be what she’s always needed, too.

But sleepy little Sanctuary has a dark side, steeped in pain and secrets. Secrets that could destroy everything Dan holds dear. Secrets that will one day have Dan groping through the fog toward a lifeless body—and faith-shattering grief.

Can Dan find sanctuary in the light of God’s justice?

“A surefire hit!”— Karen Kingsbury , bestselling author of Beyond Tuesday Morning

“Shattered Justice is for anyone who has ever known grief or asked God, “Why me?”— Terri Blackstock , bestselling author of River’s Edge

Story Behind the Book

“The idea for Shattered Justice came out of an article I read in the newspaper. This very thing happened to a police officer. As I read the article, I kept wondering how anyone who spent his life serving others could ever come back from such a horrific, unjust loss. Of course the details in this book differ from the event that inspired it, but the story unfolds from a similar life-shattering event and follows Dan as he struggles with grief and anger.”
Readmore

Technical Details

See more technical details

 "Happy ending but a hard road" 2009-06-21
By D. Goulton (New Zealand)
Shattered Justice tells the story of Dan Justice, grieving widower, father of two, and new sherriff's deputy in the small town of Sanctuary, Oregon (population 659 1/2). It's said that everyone knows everyone else's business in small towns, but Sanctuary is hiding its own secrets - as Dan finds out to his cost.



The book is very well-written, with an excellent balance of suspense, relationships, faith - and even a little romance. There is a happy ending, although the trials along the way are deeper and longer than in most books.



I purchased this book last year, having not read Karen Ball before. After reading it (and agreeing with many of the 'spoiler' reviews above), I wasn't sure I would buy another - but then I saw "What Lies Within", book 3 in the Family Honor series. I bought it, and loved it, which encouraged me to buy "Kaleidoscope Eyes", which I also enjoyed. If you found the parallels to the story of Job in "Shattered Justice" to be difficult reading, don't despair - the next two books are much less shocking, but equally well-plotted, well-characterised and well-written.

 "Excellent " 2009-01-29
By C. Hobza
This is an excellent beginning for the Family Honor Series. I would strongly recommend buyers to purchase all three books in the series at once because once you get caught up in the Justice family you don't want to wait for the next book. I enjoyed and learned from the dailey trials, tribulations and family love portrayed by this family. They knew in their hearts that no matter how rough life gets, God is there to walk with them. It is this unbending faith that makes them a great, God loving family. I didn't want the series to end but like all good things in life, there has to be an end and a new beginning.

 "Will turn you into a reader!" 2008-04-16
By Jason Fortner (Whiteface, TX)
My wife doesn't read. Period. She did however pick this book up and just after the first few lines, she was hooked! She couldn't put it down. It is her favorite now and she has since bought the other 2 books in the series. A must read! Heart tugging book!

 "grief into healing" 2008-03-01
By Margaret A. Chind (Atlanta, GA USA)
Shattered Justice by Karen Ball: a review



Shattered Justice by Karen Ball

Book #1 in the Family Honor Series



If you're in the mood to read something that will pull you through the absolute worse grief by introducing you to multiple characters and then brutally killing them off one by one, then by all means read this book immediately. Once again, I have to say that the reason that I read Christian fiction is for the uplifting joy of realizing again and again that God is there. I guess I'm weak and need an escape and that is what I need fiction for, but I can not handle books like this. Shattered Justice is real life in a fictious story. Real things like this happen, life like this happens. This story does have some terrible turn of events and God does get to show his love and it does end on a wonderfully happy note. It's just not my cup of tea and make-believe. But with that said, I will be reading the other two books in the series to find out what else can happen in the lives of the Justice siblings. All of that said about the context of the book, let me tell you that Karen Ball is a great author. Her writing makes you feel the realistic-ness of the story, and truly feel a part of it. She can rip your heart out and make you cry, but also giggle and laugh with the biggest grin. Even if it is not your favorite cup of tea, give her a chance, every once in a while you need some reality and see it take grief into healing.

 "Too much death making this book unenjoyable" 2007-08-22
By zoe077 (Wisconsin)
Warning spoilers" The writing style was very good. I was fine with the hero loosing his wife but when half of the book was about his children and they both die also I could only skim to the end and move on. I will definately try another book by this author. I am only writing this review so others can know that there are a lot of main character deaths. If I had known I would have steered clear from this book.


Images Product

Buy Shattered Justice (Family Honor Series #1) Now

Loving You

Buy Cheap Loving You

Buy Low Price From Here Now
#1 bestselling author Maureen Child first introduced you to the big, boisterous Candellano family in her novels Finding You and Knowing You. Now, welcome back to tiny Chandler, California, where there's always an extra place at the table and Mama Candellano is ready to offer lots of unsolicited advice, especially in matters of the heart...

Loving You

On the surface, things always came easy for Nick Candellano with his dashing good looks, easy charm, and penchant for women. When an injury permanently sidelines the pro football running back, he's forced to start over with a new job-and trouble in the form of Jonas, a twelve year-old boy, who claims Nick is his father. If it's true, he wants to do the right thing. The problem is Tasha Flynn, Jonas' foster mother, a woman as lovely as she is defiant...

Tasha thinks Nick is bad news for Jonas and is trying to destroy the only family she's got. Tasha tries to ignore the sparks of attraction that go off every time the handsome football player is near her. She's got secrets no one knows about-and reasons she can never let her heart go unguarded. Nick Candellano is one person she should run from. But sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need...

Readmore

Technical Details

See more technical details

 "The Last Candellano Finds Love" 2007-05-14
By Jennifer Wardrip (Central Illinois, USA)
I'll admit it--I spent the first half of this book despising the hero, Nick Candellano. Although he makes appearances in Finding You/Knowing You: Two Brand-New Novels For One Wonderful Price! (Candellano Family Trilogy), the first two books in this trilogy, it's not until we get his story in LOVING YOU that we're introduced to how egotistical and self-centered he is. Fortunately, the man changes his ways by the middle of the story, and that's good for all of us.



A former NFL running back, one bad play blew out Nick's knee--and ended his life as he knew it. For years, Nick had everything, including fame, money, and plenty of adoring fans, many of which were of the female persuasion. But now the only way he can stay in touch with football is by reporting about it for the local news station. He hates being cooped up in a cubicle, interviewing the coaches and players of girls soccer teams. How did his life come to this?



To add insult to injury, he's been served by papers claiming that eleven-year-old Jonas Baker is suing him--for paternity. His late mother, Margie Baker, always claimed that Nick was his father, and now Jonas has taken matters into his own hands. His official foster mother has passed away, and although Tasha Flynn, his unofficial mother, loves and cares for him, Jonas is determined to get his father's attention.



It's definitely got Nick's attention--and so does Tasha, the first time he meets her. But Tasha has secrets of her own (she spent two years on the street as a runaway, and she fails to mention to Nick that Mimi, Jonas's foster mother, is dead) and is scared to death that Nick will take Jonas away from her.



LOVING YOU is a great story, once I got over my aversion to Nick. He doesn't change overnight, which gives the story credibility, and as he and Tasha develop feelings for each other the story really picks up steam. Fear of losing the only family she's ever known holds Tasha back from taking a chance on love, and fear of being a good father keeps Nick from being the man the reader knows he can be.



Definitely a fine ending to the trilogy, Maureen Child has penned another winning story with true-to-life characters and situations.



***SPOILER*** ***SPOILER*** ***SPOILER***

The only thing I found hard to believe about LOVING YOU is that fact that Tasha is a twenty-seven year old virgin, especially since she spent two years living on the streats of Los Angeles. However, the author weaves it into the story seamlessly, as the only thing that Tasha had control over. Although it seemed improbable, it didn't distract from the story.

 "The Last Candellano Book rocked!" 2006-07-12
By #1JudeFan (Mississippi)
LOVED this book. It was a great ending to an awesome trilogy. I finished this book in a day. When I'm asked to recommend a romantic book I always say this trilogy. It's that good. Although,in every book I read I usually find at least one thing I dont like about each book,this book isnt any diffrent. I found it really hard to like Nick b/c of the way he was in the first two books. I found him very stuck up and just plain annoying. It wasnt till after half of the book was finished that I finally started liking him. Out of all three books, Knowing You was my favorite and Finding you was my least favorite. Anyways...go read them...you wont be dissapointed!!!

 "Great Sequel" 2006-03-24
By D. L. Zappia (Amsterdam, NY)
This was a great sequel to the other two stories she wrote of the Candellano family. Enjoyed it very much.

 "entertaining contemporary romance" 2003-06-16
By Harriet Klausner
A knee injury ended Nick Candellano's professional football career. The former star misses the limelight as he starts over as a sports reporter with the ambition of working for ESPN, but currently locally covers a Chandler, California high school girl's soccer game. However, he is shocked when eleven years old Jonah Baker files a paternity suit claiming that Nick sired him based on comments his now deceased mom said.

Though he has his brother-in-law the attorney handling the legal aspects of the case, Nick tries to see Jonah's foster mother because he firmly believes he practiced safe sex with a myriad of females in his early stardom days. However, Tasha Flynn refuses to allow Nick to meet Mimi Castle or the kid. Mimi died six months ago but Tasha hides the death from local authorities so they cannot take away her beloved Jonah who she raises as her own. Surprisingly, Tasha and Nick fall in love and when he meets Jonah he cannot help but be hooked by the lad. Nick wants Tasha and Jonah as part of his family if he can persuade her that he loves both of them regardless of the DNA findings.

The sequel to the 2 in 1 novels FINDING YOU and KNOWING YOU, LOVING YOU is an entertaining contemporary romance that continues the adventures of the Candellano clan. The story line is fun though the audience will become a bit irritated with the pushiness of Nick's sister into his legal personal matters. Still the warm lead trio deserves a wonderful life together and the return of the warm-blooded Candellano brood (can anyone in Chandler survive this crowd?) make for a fine read.

Harriet Klausner


Images Product

Buy Loving You Now

Loving You (Candellano Family Trilogy)

Buy Cheap Loving You (Candellano Family Trilogy)

Buy Low Price From Here Now
#1 bestselling author Maureen Child first introduced you to the big, boisterous Candellano family in her novels Finding You and Knowing You. Now, welcome back to tiny Chandler, California, where there's always an extra place at the table and Mama Candellano is ready to offer lots of unsolicited advice, especially in matters of the heart...

Loving You

On the surface, things always came easy for Nick Candellano with his dashing good looks, easy charm, and penchant for women. When an injury permanently sidelines the pro football running back, he's forced to start over with a new job-and trouble in the form of Jonas, a twelve year-old boy, who claims Nick is his father. If it's true, he wants to do the right thing. The problem is Tasha Flynn, Jonas' foster mother, a woman as lovely as she is defiant...

Tasha thinks Nick is bad news for Jonas and is trying to destroy the only family she's got. Tasha tries to ignore the sparks of attraction that go off every time the handsome football player is near her. She's got secrets no one knows about-and reasons she can never let her heart go unguarded. Nick Candellano is one person she should run from. But sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need...

Readmore

Technical Details

See more technical details

 "The Last Candellano Finds Love" 2007-05-14
By Jennifer Wardrip (Central Illinois, USA)
I'll admit it--I spent the first half of this book despising the hero, Nick Candellano. Although he makes appearances in Finding You/Knowing You: Two Brand-New Novels For One Wonderful Price! (Candellano Family Trilogy), the first two books in this trilogy, it's not until we get his story in LOVING YOU that we're introduced to how egotistical and self-centered he is. Fortunately, the man changes his ways by the middle of the story, and that's good for all of us.



A former NFL running back, one bad play blew out Nick's knee--and ended his life as he knew it. For years, Nick had everything, including fame, money, and plenty of adoring fans, many of which were of the female persuasion. But now the only way he can stay in touch with football is by reporting about it for the local news station. He hates being cooped up in a cubicle, interviewing the coaches and players of girls soccer teams. How did his life come to this?



To add insult to injury, he's been served by papers claiming that eleven-year-old Jonas Baker is suing him--for paternity. His late mother, Margie Baker, always claimed that Nick was his father, and now Jonas has taken matters into his own hands. His official foster mother has passed away, and although Tasha Flynn, his unofficial mother, loves and cares for him, Jonas is determined to get his father's attention.



It's definitely got Nick's attention--and so does Tasha, the first time he meets her. But Tasha has secrets of her own (she spent two years on the street as a runaway, and she fails to mention to Nick that Mimi, Jonas's foster mother, is dead) and is scared to death that Nick will take Jonas away from her.



LOVING YOU is a great story, once I got over my aversion to Nick. He doesn't change overnight, which gives the story credibility, and as he and Tasha develop feelings for each other the story really picks up steam. Fear of losing the only family she's ever known holds Tasha back from taking a chance on love, and fear of being a good father keeps Nick from being the man the reader knows he can be.



Definitely a fine ending to the trilogy, Maureen Child has penned another winning story with true-to-life characters and situations.



***SPOILER*** ***SPOILER*** ***SPOILER***

The only thing I found hard to believe about LOVING YOU is that fact that Tasha is a twenty-seven year old virgin, especially since she spent two years living on the streats of Los Angeles. However, the author weaves it into the story seamlessly, as the only thing that Tasha had control over. Although it seemed improbable, it didn't distract from the story.

 "The Last Candellano Book rocked!" 2006-07-12
By #1JudeFan (Mississippi)
LOVED this book. It was a great ending to an awesome trilogy. I finished this book in a day. When I'm asked to recommend a romantic book I always say this trilogy. It's that good. Although,in every book I read I usually find at least one thing I dont like about each book,this book isnt any diffrent. I found it really hard to like Nick b/c of the way he was in the first two books. I found him very stuck up and just plain annoying. It wasnt till after half of the book was finished that I finally started liking him. Out of all three books, Knowing You was my favorite and Finding you was my least favorite. Anyways...go read them...you wont be dissapointed!!!

 "Great Sequel" 2006-03-24
By D. L. Zappia (Amsterdam, NY)
This was a great sequel to the other two stories she wrote of the Candellano family. Enjoyed it very much.

 "entertaining contemporary romance" 2003-06-16
By Harriet Klausner
A knee injury ended Nick Candellano's professional football career. The former star misses the limelight as he starts over as a sports reporter with the ambition of working for ESPN, but currently locally covers a Chandler, California high school girl's soccer game. However, he is shocked when eleven years old Jonah Baker files a paternity suit claiming that Nick sired him based on comments his now deceased mom said.

Though he has his brother-in-law the attorney handling the legal aspects of the case, Nick tries to see Jonah's foster mother because he firmly believes he practiced safe sex with a myriad of females in his early stardom days. However, Tasha Flynn refuses to allow Nick to meet Mimi Castle or the kid. Mimi died six months ago but Tasha hides the death from local authorities so they cannot take away her beloved Jonah who she raises as her own. Surprisingly, Tasha and Nick fall in love and when he meets Jonah he cannot help but be hooked by the lad. Nick wants Tasha and Jonah as part of his family if he can persuade her that he loves both of them regardless of the DNA findings.

The sequel to the 2 in 1 novels FINDING YOU and KNOWING YOU, LOVING YOU is an entertaining contemporary romance that continues the adventures of the Candellano clan. The story line is fun though the audience will become a bit irritated with the pushiness of Nick's sister into his legal personal matters. Still the warm lead trio deserves a wonderful life together and the return of the warm-blooded Candellano brood (can anyone in Chandler survive this crowd?) make for a fine read.

Harriet Klausner


Images Product

Buy Loving You (Candellano Family Trilogy) Now

If You Believe (G K Hall Large Print Book Series)

Buy Cheap If You Believe (G K Hall Large Print Book Series)

Buy Low Price From Here Now
In a dazzling career spanning a dozen acclaimed novels, Kristin Hannah has distinguished herself as an amazingly sensitive writer who can tap into the deepest, most precious mysteries of the heart. If You Believe is one of her finest books—a timeless tale of two lonely people who witness the miracle of second chances.

Mariah Throckmorton was hiding from a past filled with scandal. Mad Dog Stone was a drifter looking for a few days’ work. He walked into her life, threatening Mariah’s peace of mind and stirring emotions she tried to hide. Their love was born against all odds, difficult to count on, impossible to hold. Together they would learn the bittersweet truth—that love exists only if you believe. . . .
Readmore

Technical Details

See more technical details

 "A Must Read for any Genre" 2009-07-13
By Deb_B_in_ME (ME)
Tho I prefer contemporary novels now (as I had tired of historicals a few years ago) I must say this was well worth my time! The characters are so real & the story is relatable to current times, despite the historical setting! Yup! You'll need some tissues for this, but, it's well worth it and it will leave you wanting more of Kristin's fiction!

 "Excellent" 2009-05-06
By Tina E. Milliern
The author has a way with words that keep you interested in the story. Plus she has knowledge and done research to make the story real.

 "June Nolen author of In Reverse Time" 2008-11-10
By J. Nolen (southeast)
In the back of this book Kristin Hannah writes that this was a difficult and painful book to write because of some tragedy in her own life or others who are close to her. I believe that many books are given to authors as a means of healing or comfronting a situation that we are having a hard time making peace with and finding answers through the written word. Sometimes just writing out a problem and looking at it in a whole different way enables us to get a different perspective on things. The idea of the panic that Mariah has when she attemps to open the gate to the farm and leave it's safe confines is one that I have struggled with myself. Mariah is keeping a secret, one that has left her frozen in emotions and movement. A special man occupies her life (her father) and when another shows up she is very reluctant to let him in. Then a young man, Jake, joins them which brings out the mother in her for the child that she lost and is never spoken of.

Her father's death and Jake removing the fence that keeps her issolated helps her to move forward. When Mad Dog returns with promises to stay forever she is strong enough to make a heartfelt decision to marry him.

I did enjoy this book, not as much as some of her others, but discovering a new author is always exciting!

 "A Match Made in Heaven." 2006-08-08
By Betty Burks (Knoxville, TN)
This western romance proves the bittersweet truth that love exists "if you believe." Matt, an ill-mannered drifter, grew tired of riding the freightcars as a hobo and stopped off in Washington state to help harvest the apples. He had a devil-may-care, you haven't-hurt-me smile as he endured his lowlife of fights, the wrong kind of women, and hostile men scattered across the landscape. He loved them and left them, to see on his next time around. 'Miss Prim and Proper' whose father owned the farm felt free and, yet, she never left the farm. She felt that sometimes it hurt to be free, but she had nowhere else to go. Even through her eloquence, she didn't respond to him as a man, even after his appreciative whistle.



The interior of her self-made prison was one of grandeur. The extravagant bathing room was Forest green and burgundy. Her late mother had enjoyed the elegance of beautiful things. Her father is a dreamer. Isolation meant safety to her, but this safety meant loneliness. That is, until Matt appeared on the scene with his arrogance and disdain for folks he did not know. As the weeks went by, he became intrigued about her past, that she has a secret which he was determined to discover before he moves on. He had red-hot floods of frustration, and she was full of frustration and anger. Stephen, her teen love, had left her deserted sixteen years earlier and she just could not face the world because of her shame.



Relaxed, without that god-awful pinched expression on her face, she was almost beautiful with her shiny brown eyes. She was a woman as sensual and powerful as nature itself with a taste of innocence, freshness and surrender. She found Matt to be a good-looking man eventually and he made her feel alive again. She could even laugh, which delighted her old dad. But she was a woman with secrets. We all have our ill-begotten secrets and desires, whether real of imagined. She had lived in her own fantasy after Stephen left, but now she had grown up. With her strong will, strong mind, and a wagonload of grit and determination, all she wanted was to be left alone, for things to go back to the way they used to be, to feel safe in her own home again. He couldn't hurt her unless she gave her heart to him. But anything else would hurt too much.



He had his own unhappy past full of mistakes, and one caught up with him, his most ardent admirer, Jacob William Vandersty, Loralee's son. Only the good die young. He was the wandering kind and so left to ride the rails again to venture to Albuquerque. He missed her more every day, and could think of nothing else. What is it when you missed someone so badly you ached. Wish I knew. He found his old, boozing life in saloons and in boxcars no good now. He'd had a taste of the good life. On Christmas, he realized that he had a place to go, a home in Lonesome Creek, and someone waiting there for him. Mariah had come to the conclusion that he would never return but now she could live with her past and go on. She was older, wiser, and strong enough to survive. She was just lonely again, she thought, and her feeling of loss was just 'a quiet sorrow at what might have been.' Jake was there to take his place, as he was Matt's son, but lo and behold! The man himself returned to them both, his own family to comfort and care for the 'drifter.'

 "Heartwarming" 2005-08-31
By Fortune A. Evans (Georgia)
I loved reading this book. I couldn't put it down. The relationships and feelings of the characters really makes you feel for them as you try to place yourself in their shoes. Mariah is such a loving, hurt person and all you want is to do is ug her and love her. I was really moved by this book. It made me think more about the impact of my life and love on others.


Images Product

Buy If You Believe (G K Hall Large Print Book Series) Now

If You Believe

Buy Cheap If You Believe

Buy Low Price From Here Now
In a dazzling career spanning a dozen acclaimed novels, Kristin Hannah has distinguished herself as an amazingly sensitive writer who can tap into the deepest, most precious mysteries of the heart. If You Believe is one of her finest books—a timeless tale of two lonely people who witness the miracle of second chances.

Mariah Throckmorton was hiding from a past filled with scandal. Mad Dog Stone was a drifter looking for a few days’ work. He walked into her life, threatening Mariah’s peace of mind and stirring emotions she tried to hide. Their love was born against all odds, difficult to count on, impossible to hold. Together they would learn the bittersweet truth—that love exists only if you believe. . . .
Readmore

Technical Details

See more technical details

 "A Must Read for any Genre" 2009-07-13
By Deb_B_in_ME (ME)
Tho I prefer contemporary novels now (as I had tired of historicals a few years ago) I must say this was well worth my time! The characters are so real & the story is relatable to current times, despite the historical setting! Yup! You'll need some tissues for this, but, it's well worth it and it will leave you wanting more of Kristin's fiction!

 "Excellent" 2009-05-06
By Tina E. Milliern
The author has a way with words that keep you interested in the story. Plus she has knowledge and done research to make the story real.

 "June Nolen author of In Reverse Time" 2008-11-10
By J. Nolen (southeast)
In the back of this book Kristin Hannah writes that this was a difficult and painful book to write because of some tragedy in her own life or others who are close to her. I believe that many books are given to authors as a means of healing or comfronting a situation that we are having a hard time making peace with and finding answers through the written word. Sometimes just writing out a problem and looking at it in a whole different way enables us to get a different perspective on things. The idea of the panic that Mariah has when she attemps to open the gate to the farm and leave it's safe confines is one that I have struggled with myself. Mariah is keeping a secret, one that has left her frozen in emotions and movement. A special man occupies her life (her father) and when another shows up she is very reluctant to let him in. Then a young man, Jake, joins them which brings out the mother in her for the child that she lost and is never spoken of.

Her father's death and Jake removing the fence that keeps her issolated helps her to move forward. When Mad Dog returns with promises to stay forever she is strong enough to make a heartfelt decision to marry him.

I did enjoy this book, not as much as some of her others, but discovering a new author is always exciting!

 "A Match Made in Heaven." 2006-08-08
By Betty Burks (Knoxville, TN)
This western romance proves the bittersweet truth that love exists "if you believe." Matt, an ill-mannered drifter, grew tired of riding the freightcars as a hobo and stopped off in Washington state to help harvest the apples. He had a devil-may-care, you haven't-hurt-me smile as he endured his lowlife of fights, the wrong kind of women, and hostile men scattered across the landscape. He loved them and left them, to see on his next time around. 'Miss Prim and Proper' whose father owned the farm felt free and, yet, she never left the farm. She felt that sometimes it hurt to be free, but she had nowhere else to go. Even through her eloquence, she didn't respond to him as a man, even after his appreciative whistle.



The interior of her self-made prison was one of grandeur. The extravagant bathing room was Forest green and burgundy. Her late mother had enjoyed the elegance of beautiful things. Her father is a dreamer. Isolation meant safety to her, but this safety meant loneliness. That is, until Matt appeared on the scene with his arrogance and disdain for folks he did not know. As the weeks went by, he became intrigued about her past, that she has a secret which he was determined to discover before he moves on. He had red-hot floods of frustration, and she was full of frustration and anger. Stephen, her teen love, had left her deserted sixteen years earlier and she just could not face the world because of her shame.



Relaxed, without that god-awful pinched expression on her face, she was almost beautiful with her shiny brown eyes. She was a woman as sensual and powerful as nature itself with a taste of innocence, freshness and surrender. She found Matt to be a good-looking man eventually and he made her feel alive again. She could even laugh, which delighted her old dad. But she was a woman with secrets. We all have our ill-begotten secrets and desires, whether real of imagined. She had lived in her own fantasy after Stephen left, but now she had grown up. With her strong will, strong mind, and a wagonload of grit and determination, all she wanted was to be left alone, for things to go back to the way they used to be, to feel safe in her own home again. He couldn't hurt her unless she gave her heart to him. But anything else would hurt too much.



He had his own unhappy past full of mistakes, and one caught up with him, his most ardent admirer, Jacob William Vandersty, Loralee's son. Only the good die young. He was the wandering kind and so left to ride the rails again to venture to Albuquerque. He missed her more every day, and could think of nothing else. What is it when you missed someone so badly you ached. Wish I knew. He found his old, boozing life in saloons and in boxcars no good now. He'd had a taste of the good life. On Christmas, he realized that he had a place to go, a home in Lonesome Creek, and someone waiting there for him. Mariah had come to the conclusion that he would never return but now she could live with her past and go on. She was older, wiser, and strong enough to survive. She was just lonely again, she thought, and her feeling of loss was just 'a quiet sorrow at what might have been.' Jake was there to take his place, as he was Matt's son, but lo and behold! The man himself returned to them both, his own family to comfort and care for the 'drifter.'

 "Heartwarming" 2005-08-31
By Fortune A. Evans (Georgia)
I loved reading this book. I couldn't put it down. The relationships and feelings of the characters really makes you feel for them as you try to place yourself in their shoes. Mariah is such a loving, hurt person and all you want is to do is ug her and love her. I was really moved by this book. It made me think more about the impact of my life and love on others.


Images Product

Buy If You Believe Now

If You Believe

Buy Cheap If You Believe

Buy Low Price From Here Now
Mad Dog Stone was a carefree drifter who wandered onto lonely, frightened Mariah Throckmorton's apple farm, in search of a few days' work. But he also managed to disturb her peace of mind and stir the hot, passionate emotions she tried so hard to hide. Theirs was a love born against all odds, impossible to count on, impossible to hold....

Readmore

Technical Details

- ISBN13: 9780449148372
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
- Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices
See more technical details

 "A Must Read for any Genre" 2009-07-13
By Deb_B_in_ME (ME)
Tho I prefer contemporary novels now (as I had tired of historicals a few years ago) I must say this was well worth my time! The characters are so real & the story is relatable to current times, despite the historical setting! Yup! You'll need some tissues for this, but, it's well worth it and it will leave you wanting more of Kristin's fiction!

 "Excellent" 2009-05-06
By Tina E. Milliern
The author has a way with words that keep you interested in the story. Plus she has knowledge and done research to make the story real.

 "June Nolen author of In Reverse Time" 2008-11-10
By J. Nolen (southeast)
In the back of this book Kristin Hannah writes that this was a difficult and painful book to write because of some tragedy in her own life or others who are close to her. I believe that many books are given to authors as a means of healing or comfronting a situation that we are having a hard time making peace with and finding answers through the written word. Sometimes just writing out a problem and looking at it in a whole different way enables us to get a different perspective on things. The idea of the panic that Mariah has when she attemps to open the gate to the farm and leave it's safe confines is one that I have struggled with myself. Mariah is keeping a secret, one that has left her frozen in emotions and movement. A special man occupies her life (her father) and when another shows up she is very reluctant to let him in. Then a young man, Jake, joins them which brings out the mother in her for the child that she lost and is never spoken of.

Her father's death and Jake removing the fence that keeps her issolated helps her to move forward. When Mad Dog returns with promises to stay forever she is strong enough to make a heartfelt decision to marry him.

I did enjoy this book, not as much as some of her others, but discovering a new author is always exciting!

 "A Match Made in Heaven." 2006-08-08
By Betty Burks (Knoxville, TN)
This western romance proves the bittersweet truth that love exists "if you believe." Matt, an ill-mannered drifter, grew tired of riding the freightcars as a hobo and stopped off in Washington state to help harvest the apples. He had a devil-may-care, you haven't-hurt-me smile as he endured his lowlife of fights, the wrong kind of women, and hostile men scattered across the landscape. He loved them and left them, to see on his next time around. 'Miss Prim and Proper' whose father owned the farm felt free and, yet, she never left the farm. She felt that sometimes it hurt to be free, but she had nowhere else to go. Even through her eloquence, she didn't respond to him as a man, even after his appreciative whistle.



The interior of her self-made prison was one of grandeur. The extravagant bathing room was Forest green and burgundy. Her late mother had enjoyed the elegance of beautiful things. Her father is a dreamer. Isolation meant safety to her, but this safety meant loneliness. That is, until Matt appeared on the scene with his arrogance and disdain for folks he did not know. As the weeks went by, he became intrigued about her past, that she has a secret which he was determined to discover before he moves on. He had red-hot floods of frustration, and she was full of frustration and anger. Stephen, her teen love, had left her deserted sixteen years earlier and she just could not face the world because of her shame.



Relaxed, without that god-awful pinched expression on her face, she was almost beautiful with her shiny brown eyes. She was a woman as sensual and powerful as nature itself with a taste of innocence, freshness and surrender. She found Matt to be a good-looking man eventually and he made her feel alive again. She could even laugh, which delighted her old dad. But she was a woman with secrets. We all have our ill-begotten secrets and desires, whether real of imagined. She had lived in her own fantasy after Stephen left, but now she had grown up. With her strong will, strong mind, and a wagonload of grit and determination, all she wanted was to be left alone, for things to go back to the way they used to be, to feel safe in her own home again. He couldn't hurt her unless she gave her heart to him. But anything else would hurt too much.



He had his own unhappy past full of mistakes, and one caught up with him, his most ardent admirer, Jacob William Vandersty, Loralee's son. Only the good die young. He was the wandering kind and so left to ride the rails again to venture to Albuquerque. He missed her more every day, and could think of nothing else. What is it when you missed someone so badly you ached. Wish I knew. He found his old, boozing life in saloons and in boxcars no good now. He'd had a taste of the good life. On Christmas, he realized that he had a place to go, a home in Lonesome Creek, and someone waiting there for him. Mariah had come to the conclusion that he would never return but now she could live with her past and go on. She was older, wiser, and strong enough to survive. She was just lonely again, she thought, and her feeling of loss was just 'a quiet sorrow at what might have been.' Jake was there to take his place, as he was Matt's son, but lo and behold! The man himself returned to them both, his own family to comfort and care for the 'drifter.'

 "Heartwarming" 2005-08-31
By Fortune A. Evans (Georgia)
I loved reading this book. I couldn't put it down. The relationships and feelings of the characters really makes you feel for them as you try to place yourself in their shoes. Mariah is such a loving, hurt person and all you want is to do is ug her and love her. I was really moved by this book. It made me think more about the impact of my life and love on others.


Images Product

Buy If You Believe Now

Out & About Campus: Personal Accounts by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender College Students

Buy Cheap Out & About Campus: Personal Accounts by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender College Students

Buy Low Price From Here Now
From California to Vermont, countless college students are grappling not only with grades, jobs, and student loans but with their very identity. For gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students, college can be a disorienting and lonely experience. In spite of tremendous progress over the past 20 years, the presence of GLBT clubs, and queer studies curricula, an overwhelmingly large number of them not only feel isolated, but are too afraid to do anything about it. In Out & About Campus, the first book of its kind, the courageous voices of 28 remarkable individuals, shatter this unbearable silence to provide comfort, inspiration, insight and hope. A young man prevails as the first student to create a gay and lesbian studies major at the University of Wisconsin. A self-described "queer woman of color" helps to form gay Chicano/a solidarity at Stanford. A basketball player battles homophobia on the Harvey Mudd women's team. A brave man attends the University of Texas in drag. Students in North Carolina, California, Utah, and North Dakota reconcile their sexuality with their religious beliefs, often in the face of derision and interrogation.

All of them faced down their peers, their teachers, their parents, their adminstration, and their self-doubts to carve out a place of honesty and integrity for themselves. By bravely sharing their stories, they will help others to follow in their footsteps and help to provide a truly equal opportunity for all on campuses from coast to coast.
Readmore

Technical Details

See more technical details

 "Essential reading, gay or straight" 2002-12-04
By Travis (West Richland, WA)
Coming out of the closet is one of those things that makes one feel out in the open and sticking out like a sore thumb. You contemplate that you might be gay or bi, then finally realize that you are and come out of the closet. Right away, especially if you're anything like me, that's exactly what goes on. Surely, right off the bat, one will feel that they can't talk on the same level let alone relate to anyone. Out of curiosity, I bought this book, and read a bunch of the stories. Although not all of them are just about coming out of the closet, I could relate to a lot of the stories, and probably anyone that has ever come out and goes or has gone to college can relate to at least one of them. All in all, however, in order to get the most out of college, and an open minded perspective, I strongly recommend this collection to anyone just graduating high school and bound for college. Or, don't, and end up with everyone hating you, for you haven't outgrown the high school labeling mentality of calling every gay man a faggot.

 "Fascinating, Engaging, Helpful" 2000-06-27
By
The voices of the students come through eloquently in this engaging and fascinating book. The diversity of the GLBT experience on campus is evident. The book helps provide insight into the various experiences of GLBT students and helps readers see the experience as not at all monolithic. I recommend this excellent book.

 "Unbelievable!" 2000-04-25
By Nicole (Ithaca, NY)
As a straight college-age female, I was worried that I might not be able to identify and relate to the experiences of the writers. As I read, however, the authors made me realize that their stories are simply an account of their struggle to do what they feel is right--a process to which anyone can relate. I especially enjoyed the piece by the student from the University of Texas, Andrew Gray. His courage and determination are truly remarkable. Yay Andrew!


Images Product

Buy Out & About Campus: Personal Accounts by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender College Students Now