About the Book
Author: Teresa Slack
Genre: Christian Historical Western Fiction
Release Date: June 2
With no prospects for a better life at home in Kentucky, Harper Dixon’s mother sends her to Willow Wood, Idaho to become a companion to her cousin Ellie Lundy. Ellie was jilted by a man who everyone believes was only interested in her for her money. Harper doesn’t know how she can help Ellie without having been in love herself, and with no prospects.
Harper believes the only way to help Ellie recover from her melancholy is to find out what happened to Matthew Dunleavy, the man who broke her heart. She enlists the help of Logan Kinski, the family’s hired man who knew more about Matthew and his secrets than anyone.
Logan doesn’t trust the cousin from Kentucky. He believes Harper is here to take advantage of Ellie and worm her way into the family’s immense fortune. Harper doesn’t have time or patience to deal with a hard-headed man who keeps getting between her and the truth.
Danger and suspicions mount as Harper and Logan uncover secrets about Matthew Dunleavy and his dangerous past. Did he leave town on his own, or did someone from his past with a score to settle catch up to him?
Can Harper and Logan put their mutual distrust aside in order to protect Ellie? Will their suspicions prevent their growing attraction from blossoming into love before the search for the truth destroys them?
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My Thoughts:
Harper is a very competent young woman who happens to come from a poor family. She knows she is poor but she loves her folks very much, so it doesn't matter too much too her. However, her mother wants Harper to have a better life. So out of a mother's devotion and sacrifice, she encourages Harper to move from Kentucky to Idaho to help her mother's cousin's daughter. Even knowing she may not see Harper again. I know Harper's mother was not who the story was about, but her character touched me.
Harper follows her mother's wishes and comes to Willow Wood and steps into a whole new way of life. Her uncle/cousin is very wealthy so she tries to accustom herself to his rules. Ellie her cousin is very depressed and hurting emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It seems like everyone is hiding the little bit of information about Ellie that they know. Harper's whole purpose is to help Ellie but how can she when she does not know the true source of her pain? Can being jilted by her lover cause this complete change?
This is a western/prairie story with a mystery that had a little bit of a gothic feel. Harper could never feel quite right in that house, in that town, with her extended family until she got the truth and she was not living under a shroud of secrets. And will Harper's own dreams come true?
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Teresa Slack loves reading, writing, and falling in love. Creating clean and wholesome western romances where fearless cowboys still sweep independent heroines off their feet was an easy choice for her.
Her first book, Streams of Mercy, won the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association Award for Best First Fiction. The Willow Wood Brides Series is her first series of western historicals, and her third
series of Christian fiction novels. She also has two stand-alone contemporary romances and a contemporary suspense, Joy Redefined. She writes from her home in the beautiful southern Ohio hills, which she shares with her husband and rescue dog and rescue cat. Any errors and typos she blames on the cat randomly running across her keyboard.
Learn more about Teresa Slack and her books by visiting her website at www.teresaslack.com Readers who sign up for her newsletter will receive a free download of A Promise for Josie: A Willow Wood Prequel.
More from Teresa Slack
When people say nothing ever happens in a small town, they’re just not paying attention. I’ve always been intrigued by the real stories behind small town scandals and gossip. That’s why I write the stories I write and create the towns I create.
A Dream for Harper is based on a short story I started about twenty years ago. I never finished it and pretty much forgot it. When I started researching the Old West for the Willow Wood Brides Series and devouring Louis L’Amour and Elmore Leonard stories as research, I remembered that unfinished short story.
I knew it would make a great addition to the series. In the story, Harper leaves the loving arms of her large family in Kentucky to travel to Willow Wood, Idaho to help a cousin she never met. She is thrust into a world completely foreign to her, but she’s determined to help Ellie overcome her crippling depression. I think most of us can relate to Harper’s story. Feeling like a fish out of water and unqualified to fix the mess we’re handed. A little mystery, a lot of romance, and some unexpected twists and turns show Harper that God hasn’t put more on her plate than she can eat. Just like us.
Blog Stops
Through the Fire Blogs, August 18
lakesidelivingsite, August 18
Blossoms and Blessings, August 19
Inklings and notions, August 20
deb’s Book Review, August 20
For Him and My Family, August 21
Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 22
The Book Chic Blog, August 22
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 23
Older & Smarter, August 24
reviewingbookplusemore, August 24
Texas Book-aholic, August 25
Artistic Nobody, August 26 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Bizwings Blog, August 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 28
Connie’s History Classroom, August 29
Connect in Fiction, August 29
Splashes of Joy, August 30
Pause for Tales, August 30
Simple Harvest Reads, August 31 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Maureen’s Musings, August 31
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Teresa is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Thanks so much for sharing A Dream for Harper with readers. And thanks especially for the review. I'm hard at work on A Hero for Ellie & hope readers like the next in the series.
ReplyDeleteIt's been great getting to discover your book and share with the readers in my family. Thank you and thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review! Sounds like a fantastic read. Thank you for participating in the tour.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your review and the book and author details, this sounds like a wonderful read.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good read.
ReplyDelete