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Cold Creek #3
Broken Bonds
Haunted by the past…
Cold Creek is a place with a dark history, especially for the Lockwoods. Now adults, the three Lockwood sisters are still recovering from the events that led to the destruction of their family when they were children. Determined to move forward, Tess and Kate are making fresh starts, ready to put bad—even deadly—memories to rest and settle happily in the small but booming town. And they're hoping their older sister, Charlene, can do the same.
Char is back in town seeking comfort as she figures out her next move. A social worker used to difficult situations, she soon runs afoul of some locals who think she's sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. She's certain something sinister is being covered up, and when she witnesses Matt Rowan being run off the road, she knows she's right.
Working together, Matt and Char figure uncovering the truth will be dangerous, but living in Cold Creek won't be safe for any of them until its secrets are revealed.
Cold Creek is a place with a dark history, especially for the Lockwoods. Now adults, the three Lockwood sisters are still recovering from the events that led to the destruction of their family when they were children. Determined to move forward, Tess and Kate are making fresh starts, ready to put bad—even deadly—memories to rest and settle happily in the small but booming town. And they're hoping their older sister, Charlene, can do the same.
Char is back in town seeking comfort as she figures out her next move. A social worker used to difficult situations, she soon runs afoul of some locals who think she's sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. She's certain something sinister is being covered up, and when she witnesses Matt Rowan being run off the road, she knows she's right.
Working together, Matt and Char figure uncovering the truth will be dangerous, but living in Cold Creek won't be safe for any of them until its secrets are revealed.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 30, 2014
237 people are currently reading
1273 people want to read
About the author
Karen Harper
106 books1,499 followersA New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
January 4, 2017
This book was more along the lines of the first book in the series and more enjoyable than book 2. This book features the middle sister, Charlene who goes by the nickname Char. In my head I read it "Char" like in "Charcoal" versus a soft Shar because when I was reading that's how it looked to me. So the name just made me think of soot which makes it a really unattractive nickname and was irritating the whole way through the book. All three books are really insta-lust/love romances which aren't my favorite but I know a lot of readers don't mind.
Charlene and Matthew are thrown together at the beginning of the book with an attempt on Matthew's life. The mystery of who made an attempt on Matt's life presents a number of potential bad guys. There isn't a lot of build up of suspense on this plot line and it could have used a little more oomph. And of course, you have the TSTL move at the end. We don't really know if the bad guy is gone, so Charlene just decides to go out on her own, although throughout the whole book, she wasn't allowed to be alone and you can guess what happens.
This book brings a little more focus on helping get the sisters' relatives out of the grasp of the cult and it's leader Bright Star. From the cult stand point, the resolution was really anti-climatic. It's an issue all through the book and then it's over. We aren't even given a scene that shows how it ended. We are told how it ended. Which happens quite a bit in this series. There's a little more tell than show which makes it a little drier and you don't get pulled into the story line as much. Ms. Harper can definitely write some good scenes that show the action but they are too few. There was a really good scene where Charlene is attempting to help the relatives escape which I really enjoyed.
In some ways I feel the author has some pet political ideologies that she likes to sprinkle into her novels and there is a lot of dry explanations in all three books. This book deals with the environment and fracking. Book 2 covered forestation and ancient burial rights. Book 1 didn't really feature a separate cause that I remember, but all three presented the poverty of some of the Appalachian mountain families. These aren't bad viewpoints to feature, but a lot of it's done in a tell/dry manner.
As a series, this is a nice set-up with a good group of characters. There is an ARC of the "cult" and it's leader that carries through all the books, but each book also has it's own story line. Although I didn't really like book 2 in the series, you could almost just read books 1 & 3 and skip book 2.
Charlene and Matthew are thrown together at the beginning of the book with an attempt on Matthew's life. The mystery of who made an attempt on Matt's life presents a number of potential bad guys. There isn't a lot of build up of suspense on this plot line and it could have used a little more oomph. And of course, you have the TSTL move at the end. We don't really know if the bad guy is gone, so Charlene just decides to go out on her own, although throughout the whole book, she wasn't allowed to be alone and you can guess what happens.
This book brings a little more focus on helping get the sisters' relatives out of the grasp of the cult and it's leader Bright Star. From the cult stand point, the resolution was really anti-climatic. It's an issue all through the book and then it's over. We aren't even given a scene that shows how it ended. We are told how it ended. Which happens quite a bit in this series. There's a little more tell than show which makes it a little drier and you don't get pulled into the story line as much. Ms. Harper can definitely write some good scenes that show the action but they are too few. There was a really good scene where Charlene is attempting to help the relatives escape which I really enjoyed.
In some ways I feel the author has some pet political ideologies that she likes to sprinkle into her novels and there is a lot of dry explanations in all three books. This book deals with the environment and fracking. Book 2 covered forestation and ancient burial rights. Book 1 didn't really feature a separate cause that I remember, but all three presented the poverty of some of the Appalachian mountain families. These aren't bad viewpoints to feature, but a lot of it's done in a tell/dry manner.
As a series, this is a nice set-up with a good group of characters. There is an ARC of the "cult" and it's leader that carries through all the books, but each book also has it's own story line. Although I didn't really like book 2 in the series, you could almost just read books 1 & 3 and skip book 2.
October 29, 2017
I really enjoyed the trilogy about the Lockwood sisters. I couldn't put the book down. Excellent writing Karen Harper!!
November 29, 2016
A special thank you to Harlequin/Mira and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars
Karen Harper returns with her third installment in the suspenseful Cold Creek romantic thriller trilogy, BROKEN BONDS, her most intense and controversial novel of fracking.
Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas inside.
If you have read the other two books in the series, Cold Creek is set in the Appalachia, with many dark secrets, and the Lockwood sisters are uncovering them one by one. As they struggle to find their place in life and the men to love, they have to overcome many obstacles.
Each book centers on one of the sisters, Tess, Kate, and now Charlene, the third sister. Everyone in town knows or has heard of the Lockwood sisters as Tess was kidnapped years ago and Kate with the chaos at the Adena burial mound.
SHATTERED SECRETS, Tess’s story, FORBIDDEN GROUND, Kate’s story, and BROKEN BONDS, Charlene’s story. Three very different sisters, three desirable and dangerous men, and three endangered lives.
Charlene is a social worker and recently moved from out West to join her sisters in Cold Creek. As the book opens she is visiting one of our clients at their respective home, and as she is leaving, she witnesses a truck literally hanging from a cliff.
She is instrumental in grabbing Matt from the truck before it goes over. Matt was run off the road by a black pickup truck, and someone tried to kill him. Was the killer after Matt or his senior partner, the person who normally drives the company truck he was driving.
Matt is the general manager of a new luxury community of Lake Azure. Of course, Charlene finds him easy on the eye, and she is determined to help him find the person who did this. There are so many suspects, as the local cult, Hear Ye, or Matt’s boss, as no one is safe until they uncover the secrets.
Most recently, the issue of lucrative fracking contracts going to only a few select people was causing rifts among the locals. Fracking brought in business, but the truck drivers and rig men caused problems in the once-pristine area.
Matt understood money talked; however, he could not understand why his boss, Royce could not see his lucrative new business could hurt the human and natural environment of his big Lake Azure investment.
Charlene (Char) knew some of the locals resented the so-called rich folk who built luxury getaway homes or weekend places at Lake Azure, so possibly Matt had some enemies. In the process, Sherriff McCabe (Gabe) helps with the investigation (married to her younger sister).
A very interesting read, as they solve the mystery and while fracking breaks up the rock and fractures the ground to force out gas and oil; other kinds of fracking are at work in relation to broken marriages, broken family ties, and a split in the community that force emotions to the surface.
As the Lockwood sisters, and their men, are working together, they finally come home, to get their happy ending and help turn Cold Creek and Lake Azure back into its rightful place for a satisfying ending.
Would highly recommend reading the books in order, even though they could be read as a standalone; however, you will want to catch up with familiar faces and names from the previous books. Each book has different issues which surround the area, with a combination of suspense, intrigue, mystery, and romance!
JDCMustReadBooks
Karen Harper returns with her third installment in the suspenseful Cold Creek romantic thriller trilogy, BROKEN BONDS, her most intense and controversial novel of fracking.
Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas inside.
If you have read the other two books in the series, Cold Creek is set in the Appalachia, with many dark secrets, and the Lockwood sisters are uncovering them one by one. As they struggle to find their place in life and the men to love, they have to overcome many obstacles.
Each book centers on one of the sisters, Tess, Kate, and now Charlene, the third sister. Everyone in town knows or has heard of the Lockwood sisters as Tess was kidnapped years ago and Kate with the chaos at the Adena burial mound.
SHATTERED SECRETS, Tess’s story, FORBIDDEN GROUND, Kate’s story, and BROKEN BONDS, Charlene’s story. Three very different sisters, three desirable and dangerous men, and three endangered lives.
Charlene is a social worker and recently moved from out West to join her sisters in Cold Creek. As the book opens she is visiting one of our clients at their respective home, and as she is leaving, she witnesses a truck literally hanging from a cliff.
She is instrumental in grabbing Matt from the truck before it goes over. Matt was run off the road by a black pickup truck, and someone tried to kill him. Was the killer after Matt or his senior partner, the person who normally drives the company truck he was driving.
Matt is the general manager of a new luxury community of Lake Azure. Of course, Charlene finds him easy on the eye, and she is determined to help him find the person who did this. There are so many suspects, as the local cult, Hear Ye, or Matt’s boss, as no one is safe until they uncover the secrets.
Most recently, the issue of lucrative fracking contracts going to only a few select people was causing rifts among the locals. Fracking brought in business, but the truck drivers and rig men caused problems in the once-pristine area.
Matt understood money talked; however, he could not understand why his boss, Royce could not see his lucrative new business could hurt the human and natural environment of his big Lake Azure investment.
Charlene (Char) knew some of the locals resented the so-called rich folk who built luxury getaway homes or weekend places at Lake Azure, so possibly Matt had some enemies. In the process, Sherriff McCabe (Gabe) helps with the investigation (married to her younger sister).
A very interesting read, as they solve the mystery and while fracking breaks up the rock and fractures the ground to force out gas and oil; other kinds of fracking are at work in relation to broken marriages, broken family ties, and a split in the community that force emotions to the surface.
As the Lockwood sisters, and their men, are working together, they finally come home, to get their happy ending and help turn Cold Creek and Lake Azure back into its rightful place for a satisfying ending.
Would highly recommend reading the books in order, even though they could be read as a standalone; however, you will want to catch up with familiar faces and names from the previous books. Each book has different issues which surround the area, with a combination of suspense, intrigue, mystery, and romance!
JDCMustReadBooks
October 22, 2017
This is the last in a three book series. It finished it off well. You have a good idea of who the bad guys are fairly early. Still a fun read.
January 3, 2015
Charlene "Char" Lockwood has left the American Southwest to return home. She thought that coming home and being with her sisters would be a great new start, but her work as a social worker often has her at odds with some of the more rural people in Cold Creek. When Char witnesses a local businessman, Matt Rowan, being run off the road, it's the beginning of an all new adventure. Char Lockwood isn't one to run away from trouble and soon she finds herself in the midst of the worst trouble possible.
Char Lockwood is just as headstrong as her sisters, but even they feel that she may be in a situation that she can't handle. Witnessing one vicious accident soon turns into amateur detective hour with Char and the person she rescued, Matt Rowan, on the trail of possible environmental misconduct, possible murder at a local cult, and the possible murder of one of Matt's employees. Ms. Harper has included a wild cast of characters including an overzealous bodyguard to Matt's partner, an inquisitive sports director, a veteran suffering from severe PTSD (or doing an excellent job at acting the part), environmental protesters, a cult leader that thinks he's God, and the head of a fracking business (who just happens to be Matt's partner and family friend).
I have enjoyed reading many of Ms. Harper's books in the past, but regrettably Broken Bonds isn't one of them. I found this to be a somewhat difficult read simply because of the weird cast of characters, a somewhat tangled weave of multiple storylines, the amateurish detective work of Char and Matt, and the we met-took one look-and fell in love romance between the two main characters. Throw in the twist due to the fracking and it was just a bit much. Don't get me wrong, this was a well-written story but I just felt a bit lost at times and thought the story had too much going on (perhaps I should read all of the books in this series). This doesn't mean that I won't be running out to grab the next book by Ms. Harper, because I will. For now I'm attributing my response to this book to the winter blahs coupled with chronic migraine pain.
Char Lockwood is just as headstrong as her sisters, but even they feel that she may be in a situation that she can't handle. Witnessing one vicious accident soon turns into amateur detective hour with Char and the person she rescued, Matt Rowan, on the trail of possible environmental misconduct, possible murder at a local cult, and the possible murder of one of Matt's employees. Ms. Harper has included a wild cast of characters including an overzealous bodyguard to Matt's partner, an inquisitive sports director, a veteran suffering from severe PTSD (or doing an excellent job at acting the part), environmental protesters, a cult leader that thinks he's God, and the head of a fracking business (who just happens to be Matt's partner and family friend).
I have enjoyed reading many of Ms. Harper's books in the past, but regrettably Broken Bonds isn't one of them. I found this to be a somewhat difficult read simply because of the weird cast of characters, a somewhat tangled weave of multiple storylines, the amateurish detective work of Char and Matt, and the we met-took one look-and fell in love romance between the two main characters. Throw in the twist due to the fracking and it was just a bit much. Don't get me wrong, this was a well-written story but I just felt a bit lost at times and thought the story had too much going on (perhaps I should read all of the books in this series). This doesn't mean that I won't be running out to grab the next book by Ms. Harper, because I will. For now I'm attributing my response to this book to the winter blahs coupled with chronic migraine pain.
January 1, 2015
I love Karen Harper books and I am sure coming in at the deep of of book 3, not having read her previous books in this series, didn't help me grasp what was going on at first. The history between the sisters and all that goes with it, is something I obviously needed to read.
I would definitely say, read book 1 and 2 first.
The start of this book just hooks you in, because there is a lorry about to go over a cliff. So, this grabs your interest right away.
Charlene [one of the sisters] works as a social worker, she goes around the mountains encouraging kids to go to school, to get parents to agree to this is sometimes a problem.
Back to the lorry hanging over the cliff......well this is where Charlene gets to meet Matt. He is the driver. Was he pushed? did it mean to happen to him? did someone want his dead?
Charlene and Matt become quite close in this story.
There were times when Charlene was in danger in her cabin, so this kept you on your toes. I wasn't sure who was who and why sometimes and what eventually would happen or be revealed, but my stars come from the fact that I didn't put it down due to it kept my interest.
I need to go back to book 1 AND 2 obviously!
Let me thank Harlequin via Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book
I would definitely say, read book 1 and 2 first.
The start of this book just hooks you in, because there is a lorry about to go over a cliff. So, this grabs your interest right away.
Charlene [one of the sisters] works as a social worker, she goes around the mountains encouraging kids to go to school, to get parents to agree to this is sometimes a problem.
Back to the lorry hanging over the cliff......well this is where Charlene gets to meet Matt. He is the driver. Was he pushed? did it mean to happen to him? did someone want his dead?
Charlene and Matt become quite close in this story.
There were times when Charlene was in danger in her cabin, so this kept you on your toes. I wasn't sure who was who and why sometimes and what eventually would happen or be revealed, but my stars come from the fact that I didn't put it down due to it kept my interest.
I need to go back to book 1 AND 2 obviously!
Let me thank Harlequin via Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book
August 14, 2018
This is last book in the Cold Creek trilogy. Char Lockwood returns to her hometown, after being out west helping native American children. She begins working with children in the Appalachian mountains. Her sister Kate is soon to marry, and her youngest sister has married the sheriff, and is expecting. She meets Matthew after his car is run off the road, and is very close to an edge to a deep drop off. She stops to help him, and helps save his life. He wants to do something in return, and they have dinner at the lodge on the resort. She meets his mentor, and partner also.
. Char and him find they have a lot in common, and enjoy each others company. That relationship will throw them both , in the line of danger. This was a good murder mystery, with some romance. I thought the couple was well matched. It also took us more into the religious cult, and fracking for oil and gas. This is explained in detail, mostly the reasons against it, including dividing communities. I liked the tension in this book, and I loved the ending. I just wish that the book was just not so filled with repeated information, about subjects which the author dislikes. I felt very sympathetic with the poor, and the mountain children. There is a case of severe PTSD, that may or may not be real. Then there are those in the original town, versus those in a more wealthy part ,that is connected to a resort area. There were lots of twists ,and false leads toward the identity, of the killer, but is he behind it all, or just a puppet? Good Read 4. 25 good writing but a little to detailed on one subject over, and over. plus if you share information on such a controversial subject, it is fair to not provide both sides of the subject. ? Fracking has regulations, and rules. It can be destructive due to noise, and loss of land, especially in a small town. Does that make it evil everywhere? Should America strive not to be independent in foreign oil, and gas.? Perhaps she should just write a smaller book one this subject, and her reasons to not use it. Going into such detail about the excavation of mounds in one book, to the point of boredom, and logging, and fracking, and cults, poor school systems, and starvation, and PTSD is a lot to cover. I read all three books, but a little explanation goes a long way.
. Char and him find they have a lot in common, and enjoy each others company. That relationship will throw them both , in the line of danger. This was a good murder mystery, with some romance. I thought the couple was well matched. It also took us more into the religious cult, and fracking for oil and gas. This is explained in detail, mostly the reasons against it, including dividing communities. I liked the tension in this book, and I loved the ending. I just wish that the book was just not so filled with repeated information, about subjects which the author dislikes. I felt very sympathetic with the poor, and the mountain children. There is a case of severe PTSD, that may or may not be real. Then there are those in the original town, versus those in a more wealthy part ,that is connected to a resort area. There were lots of twists ,and false leads toward the identity, of the killer, but is he behind it all, or just a puppet? Good Read 4. 25 good writing but a little to detailed on one subject over, and over. plus if you share information on such a controversial subject, it is fair to not provide both sides of the subject. ? Fracking has regulations, and rules. It can be destructive due to noise, and loss of land, especially in a small town. Does that make it evil everywhere? Should America strive not to be independent in foreign oil, and gas.? Perhaps she should just write a smaller book one this subject, and her reasons to not use it. Going into such detail about the excavation of mounds in one book, to the point of boredom, and logging, and fracking, and cults, poor school systems, and starvation, and PTSD is a lot to cover. I read all three books, but a little explanation goes a long way.
February 12, 2017
Love. Love. Love.
Check out my review here: http://litasbookblog.blogspot.com
The third in the Cold Creek series.
This story is now following Char Lockwood and many things are yet to unfold..
Back in Cold Creek with her sisters, she inevitably pushes some people the wrong way and is considered a bit too nosy for their liking. Witnessing main male character Matt Rowan almost die from being run off the road and hanging off a cliff has left things pretty shaken up, leaving Char and Matt no choice but to believe that somebody is after someone and won't rest till they are striving for and keep whatever it is from being conjured up.
Just another day in the town of Cold Creek, Ohio.
I have to admit, after reading the first two in the Cold Creek series, I was a bit anxious and nervous about diving into this one, but I can't complain and say that Harper doesn't deliver. No doubt about it that Harper can really bring out the best story and plot with such horror and suspense that can thrill any reader down to their toes. Much so, that I find it completely appalling that I find the danger, the murder, the mystery, the lurking-around-the-corner or the don't-look-behind-you kind of scary so extremely enthralling and just so utterly delicious. Harper's writing is quite haunting, albeit at the same time beautiful in its own twisted way.
Yes, just like the first two books in the series, the dialogue was a bit wordy, although it was most noticeable in the first book. However, that was not the case with this one.
Bright Star is just trying to get me to throw my Nook across the room, ugh.
Regardless of deciding to read the synopsis or not, you'll still never know what'll happen next, who is the mastermind, when will somebody get hurt, what will they do next. Nothing will be taken away from your reading experience. Just sick back, relax, and read on.
And a bit of advice, leave the lights on.
Check out my review here: http://litasbookblog.blogspot.com
The third in the Cold Creek series.
This story is now following Char Lockwood and many things are yet to unfold..
Back in Cold Creek with her sisters, she inevitably pushes some people the wrong way and is considered a bit too nosy for their liking. Witnessing main male character Matt Rowan almost die from being run off the road and hanging off a cliff has left things pretty shaken up, leaving Char and Matt no choice but to believe that somebody is after someone and won't rest till they are striving for and keep whatever it is from being conjured up.
Just another day in the town of Cold Creek, Ohio.
I have to admit, after reading the first two in the Cold Creek series, I was a bit anxious and nervous about diving into this one, but I can't complain and say that Harper doesn't deliver. No doubt about it that Harper can really bring out the best story and plot with such horror and suspense that can thrill any reader down to their toes. Much so, that I find it completely appalling that I find the danger, the murder, the mystery, the lurking-around-the-corner or the don't-look-behind-you kind of scary so extremely enthralling and just so utterly delicious. Harper's writing is quite haunting, albeit at the same time beautiful in its own twisted way.
Yes, just like the first two books in the series, the dialogue was a bit wordy, although it was most noticeable in the first book. However, that was not the case with this one.
Bright Star is just trying to get me to throw my Nook across the room, ugh.
Regardless of deciding to read the synopsis or not, you'll still never know what'll happen next, who is the mastermind, when will somebody get hurt, what will they do next. Nothing will be taken away from your reading experience. Just sick back, relax, and read on.
And a bit of advice, leave the lights on.
November 16, 2014
BROKEN BONDS by author Karen Harper is a Harlequin MIRA release for December 2014.
This is Charlene Lockwood’s story. We met the youngest, Tess Lockwood in SHATTERED TRUST and the other sister, Kate Lockwood in FORBIDDEN GROUND.
Charlene is trying to settle in Cold Creek after very bad childhood experiences there. As both her sisters are there. But who wants her out of Cold Creek? She comes across Matt Rowan being run off the road and saves his life. And they band up together to find out who wanted Matt dead.
Will they be able to figure out this town’s secrets in time?
BROKEN BONDS is another fast-paced thrilling story by the incomparable Karen Harper. Readers would be glued to the pages till the end.
Recommended for all readers of thrillers and mysteries.
This is Charlene Lockwood’s story. We met the youngest, Tess Lockwood in SHATTERED TRUST and the other sister, Kate Lockwood in FORBIDDEN GROUND.
Charlene is trying to settle in Cold Creek after very bad childhood experiences there. As both her sisters are there. But who wants her out of Cold Creek? She comes across Matt Rowan being run off the road and saves his life. And they band up together to find out who wanted Matt dead.
Will they be able to figure out this town’s secrets in time?
BROKEN BONDS is another fast-paced thrilling story by the incomparable Karen Harper. Readers would be glued to the pages till the end.
Recommended for all readers of thrillers and mysteries.
Read
December 22, 2014I tried. I tried so hard. I adore Karen Harper and have been a fan for a long time. After trying to get past the 21% mark for over a week, I knew this wasn't going to be good. The book dumps a lot of information on you in the first few pages and sets up multiple plot lines, flirting from place to place with not much warning. The characters and dialogue act and sound stilted, as if they are unsure of their place. It doesn't have the smoothness I usually associate with Harper. Maybe I'll try again in the future but for now I'm setting this one aside.
August 7, 2019
Last in the trilogy of the Lockwood sisters.
Set in Cold Creek, this latest tale mirrors the first two; Charlotte, the middle of the sisters, returns home. She is working as a sort of social worker trying to persuade recalcitrant mountain families to send their children to school. She is running from a poor situation, returns home to try to sort out her life, falls in love in a second, gets into danger but manages to work miracles before she is rescued.
Very trite novel but will find a willing audience in those who enjoy unrealistic romance stories.
Such a shame really, because Karen Harper is a good writer, draws the reader in, and presents a decent storyline.
Set in Cold Creek, this latest tale mirrors the first two; Charlotte, the middle of the sisters, returns home. She is working as a sort of social worker trying to persuade recalcitrant mountain families to send their children to school. She is running from a poor situation, returns home to try to sort out her life, falls in love in a second, gets into danger but manages to work miracles before she is rescued.
Very trite novel but will find a willing audience in those who enjoy unrealistic romance stories.
Such a shame really, because Karen Harper is a good writer, draws the reader in, and presents a decent storyline.
April 2, 2021
The main story was great, not sure why the secondary story was even in this book. Still a little fuzzy on some of the details at the end. Seems like the ending was just thrown together and not real cohesive. The worst part for me was that the book ended with a wedding. Why does it seem every author insists on ending with a wedding. The people knew each other for 2 weeks! Thankfully there were no sex scenes in this book. I don’t mind them but I hate graphic details & this book didn’t even go there.
December 29, 2018
Matt Rowan is the managing partner in the Lake Azure housing development in Cold Creek. His Sr. partner Royce Flemming has brought a fracking crew into Cold Creek and the town is becoming divided. Than Char Lockwood moves back to town and stirs up the mountain people. When Matt is almost killed going up the mountain to visit one of the families and char helps him they both become targets for something much more sinister.
September 30, 2025
I kept reading to find out "who did it," but I quickly tired of the writing style. Very corny (on a sleigh ride describing a date: "it seems like smooth sledding with everything") and forced (lots of "speaking of..."). I felt like the author explained how the story was unfolding rather than just letting it unfold, like she assumed readers wouldn't be able to connect things on their own. The romance between Matt and Char also didn't seem believable to me.
November 6, 2017
This was the final volume in a trilogy that was truly a masterpiece.
From Book 1 to book 3, it has been a truly fast pace page turner, with the deception, adventure and
side line romantics of the characters.
Highly recommend the series for a relaxing fast pace read.
From Book 1 to book 3, it has been a truly fast pace page turner, with the deception, adventure and
side line romantics of the characters.
Highly recommend the series for a relaxing fast pace read.
January 22, 2019
I have really enjoyed reading this trilogy, Romance and mystery are excellent bedfellows.
I was both captivated and admiring of the difficult topics covered in this book. Sensitive subjects like these need more exposure.
I was both captivated and admiring of the difficult topics covered in this book. Sensitive subjects like these need more exposure.
February 28, 2020
I did not like the romance tied into the mystery. Such a fake situation. The only thing that enticed me to finish the book was the next one I had lined up. I enjoy the references to Ohio and Chilicothe, but I don't think I will read any more from this author.
February 19, 2023
Third book in series , started off right away with lots of twists & turns.
All the characters seemed to flow together nicely. This story had me turning the pages and really was a the best one of the 3.
All the characters seemed to flow together nicely. This story had me turning the pages and really was a the best one of the 3.
July 17, 2025
This is a truly bad book. The writing is terrible. The characters are all underdeveloped. The plot is convoluted and lacks tension. The love story is bland. The two love interests have no chemistry and there is certainly no sex in this book. Boring, boring, boring. Beyond awful.
August 16, 2018
Great book. Found it at a take a book leave a book. Kept the action going and had no clue who the suspect was until the end. Now I need to read the first two in the series.
September 6, 2018
I enjoyed the suspense in this book and wish I had read the other 2 first. It is set in the Appalachian mountain country. You get sucked into the book.
May 15, 2020
I won't be following the series if it's the same narration
July 25, 2020
Much better than the second one! Still followed a predictable plot, but the ending was good and tied it all together nicely!
February 19, 2021
Followed along really well with the 2 previous books. Good story.
June 30, 2021
Good mystery
June 30, 2021
Return to Cold Creek
All is well now that the three girls have returned or is it. Read this great book and feel the love.
All is well now that the three girls have returned or is it. Read this great book and feel the love.
October 5, 2021
Took a while to get "into" the book, but it was good.
August 29, 2023
This is the third book of the trilogy about the Lockwood sisters, all a combination of love stories and mysteries. It was a good read.
October 3, 2023
very entertaining
May 6, 2024
It took me a bit to get into the book near the end it got a bit better
Story line is good just slow going a bit dry
Not one of my best reads
Story line is good just slow going a bit dry
Not one of my best reads
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