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Hearts of Hunter Ridge #1
Rekindling the Widower's Heart
A Future to Build On
All widower Luke Hunter wants is to raise his three kids—and be left alone. When Delaney Marks arrives in town to oversee the youth group's house renovation project, Luke decides he must come out of hiding. He's worried she's too young to get the job done. He'll have to keep a close watch on her—and on his heart. Because being with the vibrant girl makes it easy to forget their age difference and to start hoping for a future he doesn't deserve.
As tensions rise over project pressures, Delaney tries to make Luke see that some things are just out of his control—and that he is worthy of happiness…with her.
All widower Luke Hunter wants is to raise his three kids—and be left alone. When Delaney Marks arrives in town to oversee the youth group's house renovation project, Luke decides he must come out of hiding. He's worried she's too young to get the job done. He'll have to keep a close watch on her—and on his heart. Because being with the vibrant girl makes it easy to forget their age difference and to start hoping for a future he doesn't deserve.
As tensions rise over project pressures, Delaney tries to make Luke see that some things are just out of his control—and that he is worthy of happiness…with her.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 24, 2024
Good characters and story.
January 19, 2020
Great start in a new town. Loved it!
September 17, 2015
Gah! Luke Hunter is clueless. Really. Clueless. He's so invested in controlling everything that he doesn't recognize the damage he's doing to himself -- and his children. Argh, I wanted to throttle him. A lot. But at the same time I felt sorry for him because the more he tries to take control the more things unravel beyond his grasp.
Unwittingly, Delaney is at the heart of that unraveling. Sparks sizzle between the two from their very first meet but Luke is in major denial. He has lots of excuses, not the least of which is their age difference. But really, he's just piling up barriers -- a defence mechanism he's completely unaware of. At first.
That leaves Delaney in a constant state of confusion, trying to work through the mixed messages she's receiving from Luke. She's not afraid to go at it with him -- toe to toe. Speaking her mind. Standing her ground. And she calls him on his judgemental views more than a time or two.
In case you think I didn't like Luke, you're wrong. I liked him. Too much. So when he did something...stupid...I wasn't just a little disappointed. I was really disappointed. But isn't that so like real life? People build their lives around past hurts and perceived failures. They'll do incomprehensible things to protect themselves and their loved ones from any more harm.
The only solution to such a heartbreaking dilemma is to let God take control. That's a hard lesson for both Luke and Delaney to learn...and for me too, because in some ways I'm like Luke. Fussing and holding onto things I should have let go a long time ago. Come to think of it, that similarity is probably why I wanted to throttle Luke so much. :-)
Love when I find sweet nuggets of inspiration amidst my fiction!
Unwittingly, Delaney is at the heart of that unraveling. Sparks sizzle between the two from their very first meet but Luke is in major denial. He has lots of excuses, not the least of which is their age difference. But really, he's just piling up barriers -- a defence mechanism he's completely unaware of. At first.
That leaves Delaney in a constant state of confusion, trying to work through the mixed messages she's receiving from Luke. She's not afraid to go at it with him -- toe to toe. Speaking her mind. Standing her ground. And she calls him on his judgemental views more than a time or two.
In case you think I didn't like Luke, you're wrong. I liked him. Too much. So when he did something...stupid...I wasn't just a little disappointed. I was really disappointed. But isn't that so like real life? People build their lives around past hurts and perceived failures. They'll do incomprehensible things to protect themselves and their loved ones from any more harm.
The only solution to such a heartbreaking dilemma is to let God take control. That's a hard lesson for both Luke and Delaney to learn...and for me too, because in some ways I'm like Luke. Fussing and holding onto things I should have let go a long time ago. Come to think of it, that similarity is probably why I wanted to throttle Luke so much. :-)
Love when I find sweet nuggets of inspiration amidst my fiction!
August 16, 2023
First, this is book #1 in a series (Hearts of Hunter Ridge), but it's *NOT* the first book in Glynna's series. What do I mean? She has a series BEFORE this series that's in this series - 'Canyon Springs' series. Which is the town next to this one, so the same people from THAT town show up in this town.
More than that, the books Glynna Kaye writes that *AREN'T* in either of these series are also in these series, which I see as one big series, not two with stragglers. Because IT'S. A. MESS. Just know that Glynna's books all intertwine, regardless of series. So while this officially is book #1 of Hunter Ridge, it's actually book #8 in the greater series.
It's exhausting, stupid, and aggravating to all readers, everywhere.
In this book, we have Luke Hunter. He's ex-military, widower with guilt issues due to wife's suicide, helicopter father of three, and part of one of those legacy families with 500+ members for you to keep track of. Everyone is related to everyone. He's bookkeeper for the enormous recreational campus his family runs, only mostly he doesn't work, so... there's that.
Delaney Marks (who is from Canyon Springs, naturally) takes up residency because she's conveniently laid off from work in Sacramento, at present. She's taken a storefront to sell her jewelry in, except Glynna weirdly never has her sell her jewelry in... the... storefront. Because the local artist co-op says she's amateur, r'something. BUT...!! She sells her jewelry in local shops. Which makes ALL KINDS of sense. (((((not.)))))
Instead she takes up the helm of the local church's youth group, turning her storefront into a sort of rec room with no rec room perks... and that the youth group mostly doesn't use, because they spend all of their time at their 'summer project': renovating a house for a family in need.
Except... Glynna gets s.t.o.o.p.i.d. with it. She has them putting in raised garden beds. !?!?!?! They don't even know if the family moving in WANTS to garden, hello!!! She has them planting garden beds of flowers, sewing 'accessories' ("curtains, wall hangings, throw pillows" it says)... It makes NO SENSE. What if the accessories don't match the belongings of the family?! And if there's a tight time crunch (which, hello, there is)... why are they messing with garden beds instead of working on the house?
More than that, though. YES, the house was well-lived in, but to the point where they had to tear the wallpaper off, re-tile the floors, etc.? Isn't that stuff that a family decides for themselves what they want to do? If the place is clean, solid, passes inspection, and is decent... isn't that enough? The writing here is ridiculous. There's no need for anyone to go to THAT EXTENT for a summer project, hello.
Glynna has no concept of time, either. We go from the first day Luke and Delaney meet, to 'the next day' (pg 30) to her looking out the window for a glimpse of Luke "who she hasn't seen since Thursday (pg 31), to "I saw her in church this morning" (Sunday?! - pg 32). GAHHHH!!!!
I also greatly dislike Glynna's views on military. Luke is put out that Benton is an ex-Army vet, but he didn't know about it, because Benton isn't all "MILITARY IS MY IDENTITY" like Luke. D'you know how distasteful that is? Can't a person serve their country and be satisfied with what he's done without spending the rest of his life demanding accolades for it, making sure people know HE'S a VET? Yuck.
And there's no description. She's in her best friend's wedding - we have NO IDEA what color the gown even is, let alone if it's shorter, strapless, satin, etc. We're told the house gets painted, but we have no idea what color, if anyone even ASKED THE FAMILY IN NEED what color they'd like... it's actually really bad writing.
The proposal and make-up scene was rushed and badly written, too. One minute, Luke isn't ever going to marry again, the next he's driving a surrey with a dappled mare up to her?! What about his fears of not being a good husband? What about his dreams of working with his friends in another state? What about his concerns about the age difference? NONE OF THIS IS ADDRESSED ... it's just brushed out the window the moment he pops the question. It short-changes the reader and wrecked the story.
I'm not saying it's a BAD tale... just that it's written badly, with no description or real characterization, with the deeper underlying problems brushed off. Which... okay... that's BAD. I wanted to like it, but...
Nope.
More than that, the books Glynna Kaye writes that *AREN'T* in either of these series are also in these series, which I see as one big series, not two with stragglers. Because IT'S. A. MESS. Just know that Glynna's books all intertwine, regardless of series. So while this officially is book #1 of Hunter Ridge, it's actually book #8 in the greater series.
It's exhausting, stupid, and aggravating to all readers, everywhere.
In this book, we have Luke Hunter. He's ex-military, widower with guilt issues due to wife's suicide, helicopter father of three, and part of one of those legacy families with 500+ members for you to keep track of. Everyone is related to everyone. He's bookkeeper for the enormous recreational campus his family runs, only mostly he doesn't work, so... there's that.
Delaney Marks (who is from Canyon Springs, naturally) takes up residency because she's conveniently laid off from work in Sacramento, at present. She's taken a storefront to sell her jewelry in, except Glynna weirdly never has her sell her jewelry in... the... storefront. Because the local artist co-op says she's amateur, r'something. BUT...!! She sells her jewelry in local shops. Which makes ALL KINDS of sense. (((((not.)))))
Instead she takes up the helm of the local church's youth group, turning her storefront into a sort of rec room with no rec room perks... and that the youth group mostly doesn't use, because they spend all of their time at their 'summer project': renovating a house for a family in need.
Except... Glynna gets s.t.o.o.p.i.d. with it. She has them putting in raised garden beds. !?!?!?! They don't even know if the family moving in WANTS to garden, hello!!! She has them planting garden beds of flowers, sewing 'accessories' ("curtains, wall hangings, throw pillows" it says)... It makes NO SENSE. What if the accessories don't match the belongings of the family?! And if there's a tight time crunch (which, hello, there is)... why are they messing with garden beds instead of working on the house?
More than that, though. YES, the house was well-lived in, but to the point where they had to tear the wallpaper off, re-tile the floors, etc.? Isn't that stuff that a family decides for themselves what they want to do? If the place is clean, solid, passes inspection, and is decent... isn't that enough? The writing here is ridiculous. There's no need for anyone to go to THAT EXTENT for a summer project, hello.
Glynna has no concept of time, either. We go from the first day Luke and Delaney meet, to 'the next day' (pg 30) to her looking out the window for a glimpse of Luke "who she hasn't seen since Thursday (pg 31), to "I saw her in church this morning" (Sunday?! - pg 32). GAHHHH!!!!
I also greatly dislike Glynna's views on military. Luke is put out that Benton is an ex-Army vet, but he didn't know about it, because Benton isn't all "MILITARY IS MY IDENTITY" like Luke. D'you know how distasteful that is? Can't a person serve their country and be satisfied with what he's done without spending the rest of his life demanding accolades for it, making sure people know HE'S a VET? Yuck.
And there's no description. She's in her best friend's wedding - we have NO IDEA what color the gown even is, let alone if it's shorter, strapless, satin, etc. We're told the house gets painted, but we have no idea what color, if anyone even ASKED THE FAMILY IN NEED what color they'd like... it's actually really bad writing.
The proposal and make-up scene was rushed and badly written, too. One minute, Luke isn't ever going to marry again, the next he's driving a surrey with a dappled mare up to her?! What about his fears of not being a good husband? What about his dreams of working with his friends in another state? What about his concerns about the age difference? NONE OF THIS IS ADDRESSED ... it's just brushed out the window the moment he pops the question. It short-changes the reader and wrecked the story.
I'm not saying it's a BAD tale... just that it's written badly, with no description or real characterization, with the deeper underlying problems brushed off. Which... okay... that's BAD. I wanted to like it, but...
Nope.
June 7, 2025
Luke Hudson was a widower with 3 children, Travis, Anna, and Chloe. Delaney Marks shows up in Hunter's Ridge, Arizona to head the summer youth program of renovating a house for a local family. Luke and Delaney disagree on so many issues from the moment they meet because she came from the city. But she convinces the locals and Luke that the home they are working on needs the community's help as well as the youth's help. Maybe working together can help them heal each of their pasts.
December 30, 2020
This book was a cute short, have some time to kill read. I will most likely never read this book again, but the author wrote this story so beautifully. I will remember this story for a long time, if not ever rereading. Both characters had relatable moments with each other and by themselves.
Trigger Warnings for suicide, loss of a loved one, and ptsd.
Trigger Warnings for suicide, loss of a loved one, and ptsd.
December 26, 2018
Pretty typical inspirational romance, but as always they have a good theme.
January 6, 2019
This book seemed a little awkward and dry compared to the other Love Inspired books.
January 13, 2019
Loved reading this book.
June 6, 2020
Good book.
August 14, 2015
Rekindling the Widower’s Heart is by Glynna Kaye. It is one of the Hearts of Hunter Ridge books. It is one of Harlequin’s Love Inspired books and has nothing graphic in it. Even the language is clean. It is an easy read and one that will grip your heart.
Luke Hunter brought his three children to Hunter Ridge to be around family while his wife was ill. He was certainly glad of the presence of family when his wife died. They had the family backup they needed while they grieved. Luke took over the family accounting but yearned for more. He knew that when he left he had given up his part in the family operation; but still he yearned for more. He spent his time raising his three children. He doted on them and spent as much time as possible with them. Now that his son and daughter were teens, they wished he spent a little less time with them. However, they never told him as they didn’t want to hurt his feelings. His cousin Pastor Garrett McCrae had no such qualms; but his efforts were met with resistance. All Luke wanted was to be left alone to raise his children. Until Delaney Marks comes to town.
Delaney Marks had taken the position as youth group director for the local church for the summer. She had grown up in nearby Canyon Springs so knew the area. She also wanted to be near her aunt for the summer to monitor her health but both needed some distance. Delaney intended to try to get into the Hunter Ridge Artist’s Cooperation to sell her jewelry. She made silver jewelry and gave it to her friends. A friend suggested she find an outlet to sell her jewelry. She thought it was fabulous. Delaney decided to take a chance on this summer change in her life to try to make a go of her jewelry. She thought she would have plenty of free time to work on it. Then came the youth group project and all its hidden problems.
What will the summer bring to Hunter’s Ridge? Will the project be finished in time for the youth group to receive the bonus? Will Delaney make her mark with her jewelry?
Luke Hunter brought his three children to Hunter Ridge to be around family while his wife was ill. He was certainly glad of the presence of family when his wife died. They had the family backup they needed while they grieved. Luke took over the family accounting but yearned for more. He knew that when he left he had given up his part in the family operation; but still he yearned for more. He spent his time raising his three children. He doted on them and spent as much time as possible with them. Now that his son and daughter were teens, they wished he spent a little less time with them. However, they never told him as they didn’t want to hurt his feelings. His cousin Pastor Garrett McCrae had no such qualms; but his efforts were met with resistance. All Luke wanted was to be left alone to raise his children. Until Delaney Marks comes to town.
Delaney Marks had taken the position as youth group director for the local church for the summer. She had grown up in nearby Canyon Springs so knew the area. She also wanted to be near her aunt for the summer to monitor her health but both needed some distance. Delaney intended to try to get into the Hunter Ridge Artist’s Cooperation to sell her jewelry. She made silver jewelry and gave it to her friends. A friend suggested she find an outlet to sell her jewelry. She thought it was fabulous. Delaney decided to take a chance on this summer change in her life to try to make a go of her jewelry. She thought she would have plenty of free time to work on it. Then came the youth group project and all its hidden problems.
What will the summer bring to Hunter’s Ridge? Will the project be finished in time for the youth group to receive the bonus? Will Delaney make her mark with her jewelry?
December 22, 2015
This was such a wonderful story of how characters are just like real people! Delaney and Luke's thoughts, feelings and actions were totally believable to me. Luke really dug a hole for himself on many occasions and I wanted to yell at him, "wake up, mister!" I know that his wife committed suicide a few years before but he was so trapped in the past and he held himself hostage to that...he wouldn't move forward. He just lived for his kids and although he loved them with everything in him, he certainly wasn't giving them a happy father! Along comes Delaney who is a complete "ray of sunshine" and all he can focus on is their age difference! In our world today, people just don't think about that much anymore and it wasn't really that many years anyway! BUT, I loved their story and their interaction! I loved the ups and downs and the secondary characters. I also enjoyed the teens that Delaney was working with. I look forward to more books in this new series. I can already tell that this is going to be a fun one!
October 11, 2015
Rekindling The Widower's Heart by Glynna Kaye. Widower Luke Hunter is raising his three kids. Two teenagers and an 8 year old girl. He thinks he is at fault for his wife dying. He won't let himself get close to anyone again. Delaney Marks moves to town to oversee the Church Youth Groups house renovation project. She is ten years younger than Luke. He thinks she is too young for him even though there are attractions between them. The house they are renovating will be for a family that most of the town don't like. The kids and the parents do help remodel the house. Comes to find out the man was in the service and was having war issues. No one knew his history until now. A lot goes on. A very good read.
November 16, 2015
Delaney comes to Hunter Ridge to work for the summer with the church's teen youth group and sell her jewelry rings. Luke is a dedicated single dad who is a bit hard-headed!
The ending seemed a bit rushed but a good book overall. Northern AZ=setting
The ending seemed a bit rushed but a good book overall. Northern AZ=setting
September 16, 2015
I loved it but the suspense nearly did me in before I finished it.
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January 12, 2016Miniseries: Hearts of Hunter Ridge
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January 12, 2016Miniseries: Hearts of Hunter Ridge
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