The Anchor Knot:securing the knot of truth (Knot, #6

by DonnaLee Overly

A story celebrating female empowerment

Can Gabby find her anchor, and is she strong enough to follow her heart?

If Gabby King’s secret is made public, it could destroy her boyfriend, Richard Wright’s, political campaign to be the next governor of Texas. The citizens of Texas may forgive a candidate for fathering a child out of wedlock, but learning of a son resulting from an affair with a married woman invites a scandal.
Wayne King, Gabby’s father, the influential oil baron, and cattle rancher, encourages his daughter to accept his plan to get her and Wright into the governor’s mansion. However, Richard’s campaign manager, Amanda Jason, wants Wright and the title of Texas’s first lady and will stop at nothing to take Gabby’s place.
The campaign trail invites Gabby to the adventurous world of Formula One Racing, where a team engineer speaks a surprising truth that unsettles her world. Caught in a whirlwind of making dreams come true for others, Gabby needs wisdom to hear her inner voice before it’s too late.

“Author DonnaLee Overly has crafted a fantastic family drams and work of romance and emotional complexity…The Anchor Knot is a superb work of drama that captures the Texan spirit whilst also creating an empowering modern work for women’s fiction fans to enjoy…”
~ K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorites, 5 stars

“Overly showed how a little love could mend a broken heart and build a safe haven for a tired soul. The Anchor Knot was, in more than one way, a wholesome read.”
~ Shrabastee Chakraborty, Readers’ Favorites, 5 stars

274 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[Tara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Anchor Knot centers around the story of Gabby who is preparing to marry Richard. Richard is campaigning to be the next governor of Texas and Gabby’s dad wants her to be married to Richard and to live in the governor’s mansion. Gabby and Richard have been an on again, off again relationship and she is unsure if she truly loves him. She married another man whom she loved but he died within a short time of them getting married. Gabby had a child while married but her husband was not the father. The biological father of the child is Richard but if this secret gets out his career in politics could be ruined. When Richard’s Campaign Manager Amanda confronts Gabby, she becomes suspicious of Richard and wonders if he has been faithful to her. It is obvious that Amanda wants to become the next First Lady of Texas and will stop at nothing to make Richard hers. Has Richard been cheating on Gabby with Amanda? Does Gabby truly love Richard? As the campaign continues Gabby learns some truths that leave her world a bit shaken up. Will she have the courage to move forward and do what is best for her and her son?

This book was beautifully written and full of raw emotions. The storyline was intriguing, and the characters were engaging. Reading this story made me realize what life must be like in the spotlight for royalty and for politicians. How much pressure there is to be perfect, to act a certain way, and to dress a certain way. The character of Gabby was someone that I enjoyed watching grow as a person. As fiancé to Richard, she was in the spotlight and given certain rules on how to dress, how to act, and even what to say. Her life was scripted for her, and she was barely able to think for herself. She wanted what was best for her son, wanted to please her father, and wanted to be what others wanted her to be. Gabby did selflessly for others with little thought to her own needs. It was truly beautiful, uplifting, and inspiring to see Gabby flourish and become empowered. I highly recommend this book!

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. This is book 6 in the series and even though I was able to read it as a standalone I will definately be going going back and reading the other books in the series. This is a really beautifully written emotional story about a woman finally stepping up and becoming the person she wants to be for her sake and her sons.

Gabby has gone through some tough times. After losing the love of her life she is planning on settling down with the father of her baby Richard. Richard and Gabby's relationship has been on and off and with Richard now running to become the next Governer of Texas, her father sees this as the perfect time for Gabby and Richard to become a married couple. Of course from a security stand point it makes sense. Gabby and her son would want for nothing however the price of that is a high one to pay. Now Gabby is realising that everything she says, does and wears is being scrutinised and she is no long able to think for herself. The worrying part is she isn't even sure she loves Richard.
But when his campaign manager Amanda tells Gabby that she is the one Richard wants Gabby starts to question their relationship. Does Richard love her? He is having an affair with Amanda? Does Gabby even want to marry Richard?

As the story progresses we see Gabby grow into a strong confident woman who is finally able to stand up to her father and make her own way doing what's right of her and her son. This story is full of twists that I never saw coming but what I loved the most was watching Gabby grow and reclaim her life back.

[Lorralei Hoerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is my first book from this author...and the story was very engaging giving me lots of different feelings that I am still thinking about...clean romance, intrigue, political innuendos, grief, secrets and lies. I am definitely looking forward to reading more and also circling back in this series. This story could be easily read as a standalone...but I would love to start at the beginning to see what this series has to offer.

Gabby King is set to be married to the future to governor of Texas front runner Richard Wright...but not all what it seems when Gabby is constantly juggling a demanding future first lady schedule, a beautiful son and overbearing campaign manager that has her eyes set also on Richard. Gabby had a once in a lifetime love that was lost...but trying to live up to everyones expectations..... Richard and also her own father...the only eye on the prize is that Richard is the next governor of Texas. When lies and secrets are caught...what happens as Gabby and Richard face the test....will they be able to overcome or will Richard's arrogance come to light and Gabby make herself happy..including a testament from a friend of their love.....

This is a really good woman's fiction story and it really can empower as woman should be allow to have a voice....this is a really good story.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

The Anchor Knot: Securing the Knot is the third book in the Knot series by DonnaLee Overly. This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Overly, so I really wasn’t sure of what to expect from one of her stories, but the blurb promised something a little different from what I have been reading of late, so I took a chance and grabbed a copy to explore.
It is a contemporary woman’s fiction story with drama, secrets, romance, agendas, family, meddling, responsibility, ambition, pressure, challenges, doubts, choices, emotion, following your heart, and more.
This book had all the ingredients that I normally love to find in a story- but I just couldn’t connect with the characters and get invested in their story. It was slow to get going and I found it hard not to get distracted by other things as the story wasn’t holding my attention like I had hoped it would. I have been reading a lot of thrillers and darker stories of late, so I wonder if that has affected how I feel about this book. So, having said that, I have decided to revisit this book again soon for a reread to see if I still feel the same way, or if perhaps find that I was just having an ‘off’ reading day. So stay tuned…
Happy Reading…

Thank you, DonnaLee Overly!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and engaging romance which kept me happily turning the pages. Gabby King is engaged to Richard Wright who is campaigning to be the next governor of Texas, however if the citizens of Texas new that he had a son as the result of an affair with a married woman it would cause a scandal. Although Gabby has her doubts about marrying Richard, her influential father has big plans to put the couple into the governor’s mansion. However, Amanda Jason, Richard’s campaign manger also has her sights on being the Texas First Lady and is willing to do anything to take Gabby’s place. When Gabby is invited to the adventurous world of Formula One Racing whilst on the campaign trail, a talk with a team engineer unsettles her, and could change her future having spoken a surprising truth. Amongst the whirlwind Gabby is caught up in, she’s lost sense of who she actually is, and what she wants from life, but in this story celebrating female empowerment, Gabby needs to listen to her inner voice before it’s too late. Gabby is a wonderful main character who is both likeable and relatable, and I love how her character develops throughout the story, as she finds herself and becomes empowered.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Anchor Knot: Securing the Knot of Truth
By: DonnaLee Overly

This was my first novel by DonnaLee Overly that I have read. I definitely will read more of hers now, that is how much I enjoyed reading this one. This was a fantastic book about a character who is really in the process of discovering who she is. She is in the limelight of politics, but really doesn’t know if this is where she wants to be. She also is there by proxy, it isn’t her running for political office. Plus she is dealing with the loss of her late husband in addition to her fiance who is running for governor. She is the queen of putting everyone first, but she never stops and asks who she is or what she wants. This is something that I definitely relate to on an amazingly personal level. Gabby was very well written and her personal struggles were really well written and as the reader you really felt for Gabby and you wanted to see her find what she wanted, not what everyone else wants. I loved the complexity of the relationships in this book. This book is so fantastic. I definitely recommend it. I have found another author that I really want to read more of.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this is part of a series, and in my search for something new as well as a new author I missed the series part. But it all worked out well as this story can be a standalone. However I found there is so much more to this series. Gabby is strong and independent with many secrets. Her father wants her in the governor's office and married to the next governor of Texas. Richard Wright is her boyfriend and while he is on the road to becoming said governor, there are a few things the citizens of Texas do not know. But that for you to discover as you read this story. In my opinion the story is well written and easy to follow. The characters are not only believable but loveable as well. I enjoyed this page turner and often found myself behind on things I needed to do, like sleep. So worth staying up all night. Many avenues are touched in this story, and you find yourself wanting more. More you will find in the books before this one. As for me I am headed back to the beginning where this series started.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read anything by this author before or read the earlier books in this series, and I feel that this book can be read as a standalone if like me you have missed the beginning. Although I am quite sure the previous books would have n=been just as beautifully written and heartfelt as this one.

When political life is not for you, and all you want to do is be home on the ranch looking after your son what can you do to please as many people as you feel you need to. Your daddy who has been beside you and wanted the lifestyle himself, as well as your school sweetheart.

Emotions run high after the death of her husband, and the less than gentlemanly ways of her now fiancé Gabby needs to look at what makes her happy.

An emotional read that takes you by the hand and leads you alongside the characters as they try to find their happy ever after.

I would defiantly read more by this author.

[Shadel ayerbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Anchor Knot (The Knot Series Book 2) by DonnaLee Overly is a great romance story

If Gabby King's secret becomes known, it might derail her boyfriend Richard Wright's bid for the office of Texas governor. While Texas voters may overlook a candidate's unwed child, finding out that he has a son as a result of an affair with a married lady will surely spark controversy.The powerful oil tycoon and cattle rancher Wayne King, Gabby's father, convinces his daughter to agree to his scheme to get her and Wright into the governor's house. Amanda Jason, the campaign manager for Richard, wants Wright and the position of first lady of Texas and will do whatever it takes to replace Gabby.

Every page had you hanging on every sentence and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. It is a very unique story with even compelling people. The story really transports you into this world. I couldn’t put the book down.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to think of this story. As it started, it felt like a romantic suspense, which it is to a point. Yet, Gabby really grows from a widow trying to please her daddy to coming into her own. She realizes that her life is her own and her son's. There shouldn't be secrets or cheating fiancees or conniving managers. Some of the antagonists in this story are truly ones youo just want to hate. It was nice to watch Gabby learn to stand and speak for herself. The twists were not what I saw coming but they fit well. I found this to be a very well-done story that is totally about female empowerment and you can also find happiness. The writing is beautiful and the characters are well-developed. This is womens fiction I would recommend.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Anchor Knot was a beautifully written story that was really engaging to read about. I really liked the characters especially Gabby. She seemed like a really likeable and down to earth person who is really struggling with who she is meant to be and if she is being true to herself. She really was selfless person she always put everyone else first and made sure that everyone around her was happy – even if that meant she did always feel that way herself. I really enjoyed Gabby’s story she really grew over the story and realised that she mattered as a person. There were some very good unpredictable twists in the story too.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a well written and interesting book that places the focus on the main character, Gabby. This is the 6th book in the series and the first I have read by this author. I didn't realise initially that this was not the first book. I would say it csn be read as a standalone but I definitely think you would benefit from reading them all, something I am going to go back and do!
I really enjoyed Gabby's character. I loved that the focus was on her. It strengthened the whole story overall. I enjoyed watching her work to overcome the challenges she faced. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book and I am looking forward to discovering the rest of the series.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start off by saying that I was not aware that this was a book deep in a series when I picked it up. This can be read as a stand alone but for me, I'm going to go back and read the previous books to understand more of the back story.

This book is full of emotion...some that came to me a bit unexpected. There is also, as with any book with a political figure, lots of lies, secrets, grief and more. I appreciated that this was a clean romance novel with a sweet story of two people who are broken and needing each other.

I look forward to reading the previous books in this series and "catching up" on the characters!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby lives the life her father has always dreamed of for her. She's engaged to the frontrunner for the next governor of Texas, has a baby boy, and comes from great wealth, what more could she possible want?
Gabby has faced significant loss in her life and she has secrets that others can't find out. Through all of life's troubles, she's always been able to rely on Stan, her rock and voice of reason. When Stan encourages Gabby to question what she really wants from life she is caught off guard and really doesn't know what to do.
The Anchor Knot is a great story of self-discovery and following your heart. It is the final book in the series, but could be read standalone without issue.

[Paloma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gabby is a widow in love with her son Matthew. Her life has been a little of a whirlpool lately, since her ex-husband's accident and death, she still loves him. Oh but life must go on and her daddy is financing the political campaign of an ex boyfriend, Richard, who now must be her fiancé due to the fact that her son is also his son.
Now, life has never been fair so with all the complications of a loveless marriage comes even bigger challenges, like Stan, a cowboy from her daddy's ranch who happens to declare his love right before getting engaged to his still girlfriend.
Gabby will have to decide which man is the one she cannot live without, so what comes first, the heart or the duty?

[Jules Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabby is a young widow and is being pressured to live a certain life. She wants to make her father and others around her happy but in doing so she is completely putting aside the chance to find her own happiness. I actually think Gabby is a much stronger person than she gives herself credit for being. It is an emotional journey for her for sure. The author created a great storyline and wonderful characters to entertain her readers. This is book 6 in the series, however it is the first book in this series that I have read and my enjoyment was in no way hindered by having not read the rest of the series.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this book! I read it as a standalone because I did not pay attention to the fact that it was a series. I didn’t feel lost or anything, but I definitely want to circle back and read all of the books in this series now though! This was an emotional rollercoaster ride, and I appreciate the depth of the characters. I feel like Gabby is an incredibly relatable character. I was immediately invested in these characters as well, so the author did a fantastic job creating this story! The flow of the story was just wonderful as I never felt jolted back into reality. I read this book in one sitting and highly recommend you pick it up to get lost in the emotional romance!

[Elisha Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Anchor Knot: securing the Knot of truth- 4 out of 5 stars

Wow! Although this is the sixth and final book in the collection, I feel like it worked great as a stand alone. I do encourage readers to start from book one in the series so they do not miss details about different characters. Romance, secrets, lies, greif, this book as a whirlwind of emotions entangled throughout. This book can empower women to speak up and have a voice amongst all the chaos. The author did a great job and I recommend trying out this series.


Review by @elishajohnson

[Rayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully written
The Anchor Knot is a story that grips you at the start snd holds you emotionally right until the end. The story is unpredictable and so fulfilling as we follow Gabby as she transforms within the pages from an uncertain, self sacrificing person to an empowered, strong woman. With romance, suspense, secrets, family drama and wonderful characters there is something for everyone. Recommend.

[Tonya Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has so much going on, it is spread apart very well but it took quite a bit for me to get into it. The story follows Gabby and her self discovery. She is trying to find out what to do with her life and what to do now that everything has changed. This was my first book by DonnaLee and I would try to read a few others.

[Melissa Fink · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Anchor Knot was a great read for me. It was definitely a page turner for me. I had trouble to putting the book down, it was THAT good. I would love to check out other books written by this author because I loved her writing style. The details was on point. The characters and world building was on point.

[Trista Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book blind and have not read any of the author's other work. It was an easy and quick read. The author pulled me into her characters story effortless and I was unable to put it down. I will be going back and reading the earlier book in the series for sure.