About The Book:
He’s torn between love and honor…
Lucas Danby has always regretted the decisions that caused his dishonorable discharge from the military—and he’s never stopped trying to redeem his honor. He’s spent the past decade taking on dangerous short-term missions as an elite private soldier—the only part of his life that’s ever gone right. But the high-risk work never cures his shame. Now he’s stuck stateside, mentoring a new recruit. Worse, he’s sick of lying to the people he cares about most—including the woman he’s secretly loved for years.
She can’t escape her house of memories…
Jenessa Belville should be happy. She’s the hometown girl everyone loves, after all. But she’s also the last Belville left—and if she had her way, she’d leave the name and all its painful memories behind. Which is exactly what she hopes to do once she sells Belville Park, the massive estate she inherited from her parents. First, though, she needs to restore the property’s once-glorious gardens. But on the same day she puts up the “For Sale” sign, she discovers three children hiding in the caretaker’s cottage, thrusting her into the unexpected role of temporary guardian.
Fighting for their future means healing from the past…
Struggling to mentor a young man with scars nearly as piercing as his own, Lucas offers to help Jenessa restore the Belville grounds. Though drawn together by a trio of kids who tug on their hearts and the sparks they can’t deny, past secrets and current sorrows threaten to pull them apart. Only the brightest love and hardest sacrifice can turn the house Jenessa never wanted into the home she and Lucas have always longed for.
Melissa Tagg is the award-winning author of 15 books including, the Walker Family series, the Maple Valley series and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl.
Her 2019 release, Now and Then and Always, a 2020 Christy Award and HOLT Medallion finalist, kicks off a new series set in her beloved-by-readers fictional town of Maple Valley. The second book in the series, Some Bright Someday, is releasing late 2020. Past honors include the ACFW Carol Award, RT Book Reviews TOP PICK, and an appearance on Publishers Weekly’s Spring Top Ten List.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever (not that she’s biased), bookworming, watching old movies, and spoiling her nieces and nephews. Melissa loves connecting with readers at http://www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
I always look forward to a book from Melissa Tagg. When I saw this one was coming, I was just so happy. Tagg’s Maple Valley is such a great place–one of those towns where you just would love to visit, except it’s a fictional place and you can’t. Rats!
Lucas Danby has been in love with Jenessa Belville for years, but has never said a word about it to anyone. He’s often away from town doing special private soldier missions after receiving a dishonorable discharge from the military. Lucas doesn’t feel he’s worth very much because of this and is sort of a loner. But when he offers to help Jenessa fix up her family home to sell, then takes on a young man to mentor, and helps her with three kids she found hiding on her property, he just may have to let the woman know his heart.
Tagg has a way with words that just brings the reader down deep into her books. She brings to life her characters and their emotions so incredibly well! And the spiritual theme here is so heart-deep. I loved every minute and finished it in one day! My thanks to the publisher for a preview copy of this book. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is entirely my own.
Publisher: Larkspur Press
Publication Date: November 19, 2020
Simply Susan 
Excellent review, Susan! I enjoy Melissa’s novels. I’m looking forward to reading this series.
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