MrsK Books: Whenever You Come Around by Robin Lee Hatcher

Monday, June 8, 2015

Whenever You Come Around by Robin Lee Hatcher

ISBN: 9781401687694

Publisher's Synopsis:

Will writing a romance help this author find a real-life hero?

Charity Anderson turned her back on Kings Meadow years ago, with good reason, and has avoided visits to her hometown whenever possible. But with her house in Boise damaged by floodwaters and a book deadline bearing down, staying in her parents’ empty home seems her only option. However, being back in Kings Meadow dredges up a painful secret, and old fears threaten to overwhelm her.

Charity’s former high school classmate Buck Malone never left town, instead sacrificing his dreams to take care of his family. Now he enjoys an uncomplicated life as a wilderness guide and confirmed bachelor. The last thing on his mind is settling down.

When Charity’s dog causes an accident that leaves Buck with a broken ankle and wrist at the start of prime tourist season, Charity has little choice but to render aid while he recuperates. Soon Buck becomes the inspiration for Charity’s hero, both on the page and off. Can he also help her face and overcome her fears so they might find their own happily ever after?

MrsK's Review:

"Kings Meadow welcomes you.

Tucked away in the mountains north of Boise, Idaho, Kings Meadow is rich in history...

mining... raising cattle... and champion quarter horses.

In Kings Meadow, horses can still be found tied up outside the local watering holes,

and formal attire for weddings may include boots and cowboy hats.

Come and visit us. We'll make you feel at home."

Every so often a situation in life brings us home, even if we have tried to stay far... far away. In those rare seasons of life, many of us learn that what once was can lose its strong-hold and be replaced with peace. Charity finds herself back in her childhood home. A devastating storm has flooded her house and she needs a temporary place to write, to wait, and to "unleash" the fears from her past.

"These terrible feelings, these black thoughts and feared memories,

were why she avoided coming home a much as possible.

They were why she'd cut herself off from lifelong friends,

why she'd erected barriers between herself and the people she loved."

With her parents on "the trip of a lifetime," Charity's story begins as she arrives back home. Anxiety about "coming home" will lead her into a return to memories that she has tried so hard to forget. What she finds is a "good-neighbor" deed and a long lost romance.

"Hey, Charity. Is that really you? Haven't seen you in years. How are you?"

Buck Malone is currently a wilderness guide. He loves spending the summer and fall riding through the "back country, sleeping under the stars." Having bought the house next door to Charity's parents, neither of them expected that a run in with her dog would "open the doors" to renewing a friendship and a glimmer of hope.

"When she'd written her novels, she hadn't thought about trying to sell them to a publisher,

as crazy as that sounded.

She'd been wrapped up in the joy of storytelling, and that had been enough."

Self assured and on her way as an author, Charity had no plans on getting involved in the town or with any of those she grew up knowing. Given all of the changes with her publisher, she would be spending all of the time pursuing the craft of writing a "Romance" novel... something she knew little about and had no interest in discovering.

"Don't think you've scared me off yet, Miss Anderson.

I'll figure out what makes you tick. You'll see."

Buck knew it was dangerous to love. "He couldn't help loving his family members. He couldn't help caring about his close friends. But he could protect himself from the kind of pain his mom had gone through after his dad died." Or could he? Will Charity's facade be enough of a quest that could endear him to the point of no return?

"What made you bolt, Charity?

You need to let somebody in, Charity.

Might as well be me."

The ease and quick witted responses between Charity and Buck is comfortable, like a nice pair leather gloves. Their relationship is "tooled" to perfection with every day encounters that are reminiscent of past summers. So well crafted you will drift off into snapshots from your own memory book. With a first person perspective you are drawn into Charity's and Buck's relationship, uniquely woven and flawlessly transitioned.

This is perfect summer romance, enjoy your visit to King's Meadow,

MrsK

Enjoyable, uplifting, and an excellent retreat!

Meet the Author:

Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of 70 books. Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. Robin and her husband currently reside in Idaho. For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.

"I received this book for free for this review."

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)