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From the Start
(Walker Family #1)
by
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarte ...more
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarte ...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
April 7th 2015
by Bethany House Publishers
(first published March 31st 2015)
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In general, I can’t say that I am a wholehearted fan of contemporary romance. I tend to stick with a few authors in the genre, the one’s I have confidence in, and that’s about it. While I may eventually branch out, I know for sure that I will never be disappointed with a book by Melissa Tagg. I was so happy to see that From the Start is the beginning of a new series because that means guaranteed new novels coming from Melissa. It seems that she just gets better and better with each book. Her wri
...more
First of all, I just have to say that I LOVE this cover! And the great part is that the story inside the book is every bit as wonderful as the cover.
The two main characters, Kate Walker and Colton Greene, were individuals that I liked immediately and ones that I could cheer for throughout the entire book. Does that mean that I liked every decision they made? No! I found myself frustrated with Colton for a portion of the book and wanted to shake some sense into the man! But, the flaws that charac ...more
The two main characters, Kate Walker and Colton Greene, were individuals that I liked immediately and ones that I could cheer for throughout the entire book. Does that mean that I liked every decision they made? No! I found myself frustrated with Colton for a portion of the book and wanted to shake some sense into the man! But, the flaws that charac ...more
Sweet story about Kate Walker and Colton Greene. Neither is looking for romance and both are searching for what to do with their lives.
I loved how Kate got involved with Megan's life and Colton in Webster's life. That showed how caring they both are about others.
While the cover is incredibly cute, the male model on the cover doesn't at all look like what Colton does in my mind.
I'm glad there are four books in the series. I can already tell it's going to be a good one! ...more
I loved how Kate got involved with Megan's life and Colton in Webster's life. That showed how caring they both are about others.
While the cover is incredibly cute, the male model on the cover doesn't at all look like what Colton does in my mind.
I'm glad there are four books in the series. I can already tell it's going to be a good one! ...more
Jun 04, 2014
Aerykah
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
read-the-series,
2015,
library-challenge-2015,
favorites,
reviewed,
books-i-own,
new-in-2015
What a great read! I wish Melissa wasn't a "new" author so that I could go get several of her books to read now instead of having to wait for the next one to come out... I love her writing style and her characters. The storyline drew me right in and kept my attention from start to finish, making it very hard for me to put the book down for any reason.
...more
Jun 08, 2014
Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
own,
read-reviewed
About this book:
“Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders ...more
“Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders ...more
Kate Walker is a romantic screenplay writer. Yet her scripts are falling flat. When a tornado draws her back to her hometown of Maple Valley, she sees this as a chance to figure out what she needs to do with her life. She wants to do something meaningful. Colton Greene is an NFL quarterback who saw his career end with an injury. Temporarily hiding out in his best friend's hometown of Maple Valley, Colton hopes to avoid the media and be normal. There's one problem. He doesn't know normal. Maple V
...more
After reading and enjoying
, "From the Start" was on my TBR wish-list since 2015, but I never made it a priority, because I thought it would be more a kind of love story which I don't generally enjoy (boy meets girl, they fall in love, there is a misunderstanding, they break up etc.)
This book exceeded my expectations. Yes, there was romance, but not in your face romance, and far more than a love story, was a story of two broken people, who had to find their own path and healing and realise t ...more
, "From the Start" was on my TBR wish-list since 2015, but I never made it a priority, because I thought it would be more a kind of love story which I don't generally enjoy (boy meets girl, they fall in love, there is a misunderstanding, they break up etc.)This book exceeded my expectations. Yes, there was romance, but not in your face romance, and far more than a love story, was a story of two broken people, who had to find their own path and healing and realise t ...more
4.5 stars.
This book is the type that just makes you want to lean back and enjoy. I have a weakness for family stories, and this hits all the right buttons in that respect, making me eager for the stories of the other family members.
I loved the aspect of Kate's writing career. I always love writer-heroes/heroines in books and pleasant, good-humored Kate was no exception. And for all his flaws, Colton doesn't hesitate to get right down and help out others, a quality I always admire in a hero and ...more
This book is the type that just makes you want to lean back and enjoy. I have a weakness for family stories, and this hits all the right buttons in that respect, making me eager for the stories of the other family members.
I loved the aspect of Kate's writing career. I always love writer-heroes/heroines in books and pleasant, good-humored Kate was no exception. And for all his flaws, Colton doesn't hesitate to get right down and help out others, a quality I always admire in a hero and ...more
I LOVED this book. Where to start... I loved the sweet town that it took place in. Maple Valley made me want to live there except for the natural disasters part of it. But how the town came together and everyone looks out for each other, and the slower pace... So sweet. Then there is the Walker family. A close knit, say the right thing, be there for you family. *Sigh* And as far as the storyline, awesome, I loved how you got a look at what was going on with the main characters thoughts and feeli
...more
A cute, touching romance, and a fabulous start to the series.
I like Melissa Tagg's books. She isn't one of those authors that has the characters have a passionate kissing session toward the beginning and then have the characters try to decide for the rest of the book if it meant anything. No, she has characters that come to care for each other on a deeper level, adds a good dose of humor, and then they fall in love.
This story was sweet and I so enjoyed it. I am going to read this series straight through! Love the Walkers so much! ...more
This story was sweet and I so enjoyed it. I am going to read this series straight through! Love the Walkers so much! ...more
May 27, 2017
Jane
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own-it,
x-fini-fiction-s-z
4.60 stars - mild pg13
Another book to absolutely love! Well, naturally! It's by Melissa Tagg. (She's my bff, you know. Well, technically, not bff's quite yet. But I'm sure we could be, rest assured!)
Two things. (Or maybe three? Or four?)
~~ I wish there was a town map in the front of the book, kind of like in Jan Karon's Mitford books. (Maybe there is a map in the actual book?? I was reading the kindle version.)
~~ I just have to say: Oh no, no, no, Melissa T., you didn't!! "...he smelled like . ...more
Another book to absolutely love! Well, naturally! It's by Melissa Tagg. (She's my bff, you know. Well, technically, not bff's quite yet. But I'm sure we could be, rest assured!)
Two things. (Or maybe three? Or four?)
~~ I wish there was a town map in the front of the book, kind of like in Jan Karon's Mitford books. (Maybe there is a map in the actual book?? I was reading the kindle version.)
~~ I just have to say: Oh no, no, no, Melissa T., you didn't!! "...he smelled like . ...more
SUMMARY; Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he' ...more
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he' ...more
by Andrea Renee Cox
“What was a girl supposed to do after her heart dried up and took her creative spark with it?” Kate Walker wonders if she’ll ever write something meaningful or even find another dose of passion for her career.
Colton Greene’s NFL career ended abruptly due to an on-the-field injury. Now his agent is pushing him to rejuvenate his career by looking at new options.
When Colton and Kate both head to Maple Valley, Iowa to help clean up in the aftermath of a natural disaster, they deci ...more
“What was a girl supposed to do after her heart dried up and took her creative spark with it?” Kate Walker wonders if she’ll ever write something meaningful or even find another dose of passion for her career.
Colton Greene’s NFL career ended abruptly due to an on-the-field injury. Now his agent is pushing him to rejuvenate his career by looking at new options.
When Colton and Kate both head to Maple Valley, Iowa to help clean up in the aftermath of a natural disaster, they deci ...more
*Sighs* From the Start was such a great book! I absolutely loved reading it and getting to know these characters.
I loved the setting -- it was great to get back to this small town, which we got to know a little bit from the novella, Three Little Words.
The romance was sweet, story superb, and writing great. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy contemporary romance.
All in all, I loved From the Start from the start on. ;) I can't wait to read Melissa Tagg's latest book, Like Never Before!
*Disc ...more
I loved the setting -- it was great to get back to this small town, which we got to know a little bit from the novella, Three Little Words.
The romance was sweet, story superb, and writing great. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy contemporary romance.
All in all, I loved From the Start from the start on. ;) I can't wait to read Melissa Tagg's latest book, Like Never Before!
*Disc ...more
I adored this story of two people who are both trapped by their past relationships and a future that is uncertain. Kate Walker wants to do something that matters with her life. Colton Greene doesn't know where his life is going. Then they both arrive in Kate's hometown and spend the next weeks working together on bringing the town back to life after a tornado tore through. At the same time they're working on Colton's memoir and finding there's much to like about the other.
This story is about fin ...more
This story is about fin ...more
I usually don't read contemporary romance but I've been following the author on social media and such for awhile and really enjoyed how much she loved her characters. So I bought book 1. And loved it.
Seriously. The characters are all great, and I loved Maple Valley and its close knit community. The romance is killer. I loved the interactions between Kate and Colton. They're seriously adorable. And I loved getting to meet the Walker family. Safe to say that Ms Tagg has sufficiently enticed me to ...more
Seriously. The characters are all great, and I loved Maple Valley and its close knit community. The romance is killer. I loved the interactions between Kate and Colton. They're seriously adorable. And I loved getting to meet the Walker family. Safe to say that Ms Tagg has sufficiently enticed me to ...more
After having this book on my mental want to read list for months, I finally picked it up and read it.
I wanted to head over to Maple Valley for a visit before I had finished reading the book which says something about the wonderful setting.
The characters were living and full of interest. Not perfect, but each struggle was real. There was one scene that really felt out of place to me and seemed only added for drama. I didn’t really see any need for it and wish it had been cut out. But the rest of ...more
I wanted to head over to Maple Valley for a visit before I had finished reading the book which says something about the wonderful setting.
The characters were living and full of interest. Not perfect, but each struggle was real. There was one scene that really felt out of place to me and seemed only added for drama. I didn’t really see any need for it and wish it had been cut out. But the rest of ...more
___________________________________________________
*Summary*
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hom ...more
*Summary*
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hom ...more
3.5 stars! Mostly because I love these characters so much.
From the Start is the second book I've read from this author and it did not disappoint. In fact, it pretty much blew my expectations. I think I literally fell in love with the hero, Colton Green, and ex-star football quarterback. If the heroine, Kate Walker, and author and screen-play writer, didn't do the same over the course of this story, I would have been deeply disappointed. Thank goodness for happily-ever-afters, especially when getting there feels so gratifying after wading through heartb
...more
From the Start, the first in Melissa Tagg's new series called the Walker Family is a delightful read that I know that fans of her other books will definitely enjoy. This story takes place in small town Maple Valley in Iowa
where former Big time quarterback Colton Greene and struggling romance screenplay writer Kate Walker both wind up to help out after a tornado wrecks havoc on the town. For Kate, it's her home town and she's going home to help family, but for poor Colton it is helping out a col ...more
where former Big time quarterback Colton Greene and struggling romance screenplay writer Kate Walker both wind up to help out after a tornado wrecks havoc on the town. For Kate, it's her home town and she's going home to help family, but for poor Colton it is helping out a col ...more
Jul 11, 2014
Shantelle
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
on-my-bookshelf,
read-in-2015,
reviewed,
christian-fiction,
romance,
contemporary,
new-adult
Contemporary doesn’t usually appeal to me for some reason or another, but From the Start by Melissa Tagg was a very pleasant exception!
Following the lives of a thirty-year-old woman writing romance scripts for Hallmark but closed off to experiencing love herself, and an injured football player all out of options, this story takes us on an interesting and delightful ride. Colton and Kate both end up in a small, charming town of Iowa; temporarily…or so they think. But God has big plans in store. ...more
Following the lives of a thirty-year-old woman writing romance scripts for Hallmark but closed off to experiencing love herself, and an injured football player all out of options, this story takes us on an interesting and delightful ride. Colton and Kate both end up in a small, charming town of Iowa; temporarily…or so they think. But God has big plans in store. ...more
WOW!! That is one word to describe my reaction to how good this book was.
I had never read anything by Ms. Melissa Tagg before this one. One of my good friends had been telling me that she was a very good author and that I should try out one of her books but since I'm not normally a large fan of contemporary fiction I choose to wait until some other time to try one out. Then upon seeing the description of "From The Start" I knew that I just had to read it. Let's just say that Ms. Tagg is now one ...more
I had never read anything by Ms. Melissa Tagg before this one. One of my good friends had been telling me that she was a very good author and that I should try out one of her books but since I'm not normally a large fan of contemporary fiction I choose to wait until some other time to try one out. Then upon seeing the description of "From The Start" I knew that I just had to read it. Let's just say that Ms. Tagg is now one ...more
From the Start by Melissa Tagg is an absolutely delightful Contemporary Fiction novel. It is both heartwarming and laugh out loud hilarious. I already adore the entire Walker family from small town Iowa. In this first book of the series, we are introduced to the entire Walker clan, but the focus is on Kate Walker and former NFL star, Colton Greene. The dialog throughout the book between these two characters is insanely witty and I loved it.
Kate Walker is the author of a mediocre novel and some ...more
Kate Walker is the author of a mediocre novel and some ...more
This was such an inspiring story. I absolutely loved it from start to finish. Being back in Maple Valley was refreshing. I loved catching up with Ava and Seth (if you haven't read Three Little Words, you need to. It's FREE!) and the rest of the Walker clan. The love and support of the community and their sense of togetherness reminded me a lot of my community. This story pulled me in "from the start" (pun intended) and didn't let me go until the end.This was a sweet story about a guy and girl le
...more
Melissa killed it...again! Full review to come!
Aww, this was cute! And deep, and funny and moving and and an all-around enjoyable read :)
Oh were to begin?! As I fully expected, I adored every second of this book! I've been a huge Melissa Tagg fan ever since I started Made to Last and I swear she's only gotten better! After reading her novella Three Little Words which introduced us to the Walkers and Maple Valley, my anticipation for this book (which was already exceedingly high) went through the roof.
Maple Valley is such a quaint town and I wish it was real so I could move there. It was that perfect small town that made you feel ...more
Maple Valley is such a quaint town and I wish it was real so I could move there. It was that perfect small town that made you feel ...more
A disillusioned romance writer. An NFL quarterback forced into retirement. A small community willing to accept them both. But will each of their pasts destroy any hope of a future?
I loved the characters in From the Start! I found myself wishing I could meet them in real life, because they seemed so real and genuine. From the raw hurt in Megan and Webster to the quirkiness that was Raegan, the compassion in Kate to the strength in Colton, I felt like I truly got to know these characters as people ...more
I loved the characters in From the Start! I found myself wishing I could meet them in real life, because they seemed so real and genuine. From the raw hurt in Megan and Webster to the quirkiness that was Raegan, the compassion in Kate to the strength in Colton, I felt like I truly got to know these characters as people ...more
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Readers also enjoyed
Melissa Tagg is the Christy and Carol Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances, including the Maple Valley series, the Walker Family series, the Where Love Begins series, and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences ...more
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences ...more
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“Maybe that was the best part. The beautiful peace that came with
living her own story, knowing every turn of the page and tug of the
heart was a new beginning.”
—
15 likes
living her own story, knowing every turn of the page and tug of the
heart was a new beginning.”
“If you’re going to dream, Kate, commit to it. Don’t just talk about it.”
—
0 likes
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