Review by: Ms. Bliss
Woodrose Mountain
by RaeAnne Thayne
Published March 27, 2012 by HQN
Evie Blanchard was at the top of her field in the city of angels. But when an emotional year forces her to walk away from her job as a physical therapist, she moves from Los Angeles to Hope's Crossing seeking a quieter life. So the last thing she needs is to get involved with the handsome, arrogant Brodie Thorne and his injured daughter, Taryn.
A self-made man and single dad, Brodie will do anything to get Taryn the rehabilitation she needs…even if it means convincing Evie to move in with them. And despite her vow to keep an emotional distance, Evie can't help but be moved by Taryn's spirit, or Brodie's determination to win her help—and her heart. With laughter, courage and more than a little help from the kindhearted people of Hope's Crossing, Taryn may get the healing she deserves—and Evie and Brodie might just find a love they never knew could exist.
For a complete review which may contain SPOILERS, please click 'Read More' below:
A self-made man and single dad, Brodie will do anything to get Taryn the rehabilitation she needs…even if it means convincing Evie to move in with them. And despite her vow to keep an emotional distance, Evie can't help but be moved by Taryn's spirit, or Brodie's determination to win her help—and her heart. With laughter, courage and more than a little help from the kindhearted people of Hope's Crossing, Taryn may get the healing she deserves—and Evie and Brodie might just find a love they never knew could exist.
For a complete review which may contain SPOILERS, please click 'Read More' below:
I couldn’t wait for the release of Woodrose Mountain and the talented RaeAnne Thayne has made my second visit to the quaint little town of Hope's Crossing interesting, emotional, compelling and inspiring!
Evie Blanchard has abandoned her life as a successful physical therapist in California to escape to the small town charm of Hope's Crossing. She has found solace in the peaceful beauty and natural wonder of this friendly community. Or has she... She enjoys her job at the local bead store and the sense of family she shares with her new-found friends. When the town experiences a devastating tragedy and her dear friend Katherine’s granddaughter is injured, her friendship is put to the test as she is pressured to handle the teenage Taryn’s therapy. Taryn has been released from the rehab center because they feel they have done everything they could to motivate her toward recovery. Evie finally agrees to take on the challenge (temporarily) of Taryn’s rehabilitation. Although it brings back painful memories of her recent past, and it means working with Brodie, Taryn’s brooding father. Evie and Brodie have locked horns in the past but the longer they spend together the more she is drawn to his quiet strength and his genuine love and concern for his daughter. Can they overcome their pasts and in the process find a future with each other?
When Brodie Thorns’ mother suggests that Evie Blanchard is the perfect choice to help with his daughters recovery, he isn’t totally sold on the idea. Evie has been very vocal about her disapproval of his ideas for Hope’s Crossing. When it comes to his daughter Taryn’s recovery though, he is willing to put his reservations aside and trust that Evie’s skills as a physical therapist will break through his daughter’s stubborn resistance toward rehabilitation. Evie insists that this is a temporary solution but the more he learns about this strong, talented woman and the sacrifice she has made to help them, the more he wants her to stay, and not just for his daughter’s sake!
RaeAnne Thayne has once again perfectly balanced the romance and reality of small town living. The characters are appealing, complex, and fully engage our emotions from the very first page. I loved that that the conflict that could arise from a romantic relationship between a professional and her patient’s Father was handled with delicate respect and realism. The developing relationship between Evie and Taryn had just as much emotional impact as the relationship between Evie and Brodie.
I was also very touched by the emotional angst of the young man who caused the accident that injured Taryn and killed a classmate. His persecution by the town and Brodie was insightful and moving and the resolution illuminating! We also have a chance to visit with some of our favorite characters from the first book in the series, Blackberry Summer! (Which if you haven’t read yet – RUSH – to get a copy).
I really can’t say enough about RaeAnne and her gift for intricately involving her readers in the lives of her characters. From the moment you start the first chapter you feel time slowing, the mountain air filling your lungs with a fresh sense of purpose, neighbors caring for neighbors, and love blossoming before your eyes. By the time you reverently close the back cover of Woodrose Mountain you will feel refreshed and renewed by this charming town… where it is easy to believe in the miracles... of Hope's Crossing!
Evie Blanchard has abandoned her life as a successful physical therapist in California to escape to the small town charm of Hope's Crossing. She has found solace in the peaceful beauty and natural wonder of this friendly community. Or has she... She enjoys her job at the local bead store and the sense of family she shares with her new-found friends. When the town experiences a devastating tragedy and her dear friend Katherine’s granddaughter is injured, her friendship is put to the test as she is pressured to handle the teenage Taryn’s therapy. Taryn has been released from the rehab center because they feel they have done everything they could to motivate her toward recovery. Evie finally agrees to take on the challenge (temporarily) of Taryn’s rehabilitation. Although it brings back painful memories of her recent past, and it means working with Brodie, Taryn’s brooding father. Evie and Brodie have locked horns in the past but the longer they spend together the more she is drawn to his quiet strength and his genuine love and concern for his daughter. Can they overcome their pasts and in the process find a future with each other?
When Brodie Thorns’ mother suggests that Evie Blanchard is the perfect choice to help with his daughters recovery, he isn’t totally sold on the idea. Evie has been very vocal about her disapproval of his ideas for Hope’s Crossing. When it comes to his daughter Taryn’s recovery though, he is willing to put his reservations aside and trust that Evie’s skills as a physical therapist will break through his daughter’s stubborn resistance toward rehabilitation. Evie insists that this is a temporary solution but the more he learns about this strong, talented woman and the sacrifice she has made to help them, the more he wants her to stay, and not just for his daughter’s sake!
RaeAnne Thayne has once again perfectly balanced the romance and reality of small town living. The characters are appealing, complex, and fully engage our emotions from the very first page. I loved that that the conflict that could arise from a romantic relationship between a professional and her patient’s Father was handled with delicate respect and realism. The developing relationship between Evie and Taryn had just as much emotional impact as the relationship between Evie and Brodie.
I was also very touched by the emotional angst of the young man who caused the accident that injured Taryn and killed a classmate. His persecution by the town and Brodie was insightful and moving and the resolution illuminating! We also have a chance to visit with some of our favorite characters from the first book in the series, Blackberry Summer! (Which if you haven’t read yet – RUSH – to get a copy).
I really can’t say enough about RaeAnne and her gift for intricately involving her readers in the lives of her characters. From the moment you start the first chapter you feel time slowing, the mountain air filling your lungs with a fresh sense of purpose, neighbors caring for neighbors, and love blossoming before your eyes. By the time you reverently close the back cover of Woodrose Mountain you will feel refreshed and renewed by this charming town… where it is easy to believe in the miracles... of Hope's Crossing!
