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Sweet Briar Sweethearts #1
How to Steal the Lawman's Heart
Forgiveness starts with a stolen kiss
Chief of police Trent Knight had it all until an accident took his wife and he was left alone to raise two beautiful girls. Now the person he always blamed for his loss is back in town, and all bets are off. But soon his anger toward Carmen Shields gives way to a very different emotionawareness of Carmen as a woman. On one hand, it feels like a betrayal of his late wife's memory. On the other, it could be his second chance at lifeand Carmen's shot at redemption. Maybe she can go home againwith the help of a certain lawman
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Chief of police Trent Knight had it all until an accident took his wife and he was left alone to raise two beautiful girls. Now the person he always blamed for his loss is back in town, and all bets are off. But soon his anger toward Carmen Shields gives way to a very different emotionawareness of Carmen as a woman. On one hand, it feels like a betrayal of his late wife's memory. On the other, it could be his second chance at lifeand Carmen's shot at redemption. Maybe she can go home againwith the help of a certain lawman
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224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2017
28 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Douglass
124 books69 followersKathy is a born reader who as a child always had her nose in a book. That love of reading grew with her. She often would finish one book and immediately pick up another. She went from reading Bobbsey Twins to long, lush romance novels. One day she stumbled upon the Shining by Stephen King and was hooked. She turned her back on romance and became a serious Stephen King fan, reading every word he wrote. When she caught herself checking under the bed and looking in the closet for monsters or worse, she knew it was time to put down the horror stories and pick up the romance novels.
Her return to romance novels was short lived. She’d started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then one happy day her younger sister handed her a Harlequin romance. They were just what the doctor ordered. The books were short enough to read in a week and still get her required reading done. Best of all she knew there would be a happy ending and she wouldn’t have to search her room before she went to bed each night.
When her first child was born, she stopped practicing law to become a stay at home mom. Her second child followed nineteen months later. With two little ones in the house, reading suddenly became limited to Dr. Seuss and other children’s books. Any free time was spent trying to catch up on sleep or laundry.
All too soon her kids were attending pre-school two hours a day. She spent those few precious renewing her relationship with romance novels. After a while she felt the urge to write a book of her own and she began writing the stories she wanted to read. She spent many years writing some really terrible books and learning her craft. In 2014, Kathy participated in Brenda Novak’s online auction to raise money for a cure for Diabetes. She was the highest bidder for a critique by editor, Charles Griemsman. He did not buy that book immediately, but requested another which became her first book in the Sweet Briar Sweethearts series.
Her return to romance novels was short lived. She’d started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then one happy day her younger sister handed her a Harlequin romance. They were just what the doctor ordered. The books were short enough to read in a week and still get her required reading done. Best of all she knew there would be a happy ending and she wouldn’t have to search her room before she went to bed each night.
When her first child was born, she stopped practicing law to become a stay at home mom. Her second child followed nineteen months later. With two little ones in the house, reading suddenly became limited to Dr. Seuss and other children’s books. Any free time was spent trying to catch up on sleep or laundry.
All too soon her kids were attending pre-school two hours a day. She spent those few precious renewing her relationship with romance novels. After a while she felt the urge to write a book of her own and she began writing the stories she wanted to read. She spent many years writing some really terrible books and learning her craft. In 2014, Kathy participated in Brenda Novak’s online auction to raise money for a cure for Diabetes. She was the highest bidder for a critique by editor, Charles Griemsman. He did not buy that book immediately, but requested another which became her first book in the Sweet Briar Sweethearts series.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 28, 2021
What an emotional beginning to an enjoyable and unforgettable series by Kathy Douglass. Last year I read two of the books in this series. When the ninth book came up for review, I remembered my intent to read the previous titles. That is exactly what I did in this Sweet Briars Sweethearts series.
Trent Knight was left to raise his two daughters Robyn and Alyssa alone after his lost his wife in a tragic accident. Trent never expected to find love again and is determined never to tarnish his memory of her. Imagine the grief Trent feels when the one person he feels is responsible is back in town.
Carmen Shields was not driving the night of Trent's wife's death, but she was a passenger in the car that night. Trent feels that Carmen could have prevented her friend from driving that night. If she had, he would still have a wife. His daughters would still have a mother.
This story gave me all the feels. Imagine a man truly in love with his wife and the person you blame comes into your life. Then imagine slowly letting that unimaginable grief go in order to make room in your heart once again when given a second chance at love. I am a very emotional person and I was so pulled into this utterly touching story. The author has a way of making me feel her characters - their pain, grief, joy and hope. Most significantly, love.
Trent Knight was left to raise his two daughters Robyn and Alyssa alone after his lost his wife in a tragic accident. Trent never expected to find love again and is determined never to tarnish his memory of her. Imagine the grief Trent feels when the one person he feels is responsible is back in town.
Carmen Shields was not driving the night of Trent's wife's death, but she was a passenger in the car that night. Trent feels that Carmen could have prevented her friend from driving that night. If she had, he would still have a wife. His daughters would still have a mother.
This story gave me all the feels. Imagine a man truly in love with his wife and the person you blame comes into your life. Then imagine slowly letting that unimaginable grief go in order to make room in your heart once again when given a second chance at love. I am a very emotional person and I was so pulled into this utterly touching story. The author has a way of making me feel her characters - their pain, grief, joy and hope. Most significantly, love.
June 3, 2022
This is my first book by Kathy Douglass, but definitely won’t be my last. Equal parts “small town sweet” and “angsty drama” romance - I was so immersed in the story and Douglass’ writing that I finished this in one day.
Age gap & single dad are some of my favorite tropes. I also enjoy stories that make me feel all the emotions and this one definitely does. Carmen (25) is returning to her hometown for the first time in seven years. She was shunned at 18, but now hopes to find redemption and forgiveness. Trent (38) is angry to see the girl he holds responsible for his wife’s death back in town.
There were a lot of tears for me reading this - my heart aching for hurt and heartbroken people. Trent and Carmen are both dealing with profound grief and starting to fall for each other added another level of angst. Trent’s daughters, Alyssa and Robyn, were an integral part of the story and it was sweet to see Carmen fall in love with them as well.
The ending felt a bit abrupt for me as my personal preference is a bit more to solidify an HEA. That said, leaving a reader wanting more isn't necessarily a bad thing. It was a terrific read and I’m looking forward to the next book, The Waitress’s Secret and to devouring the rest of Douglass's backlist.
CW (contains spoilers):
Age gap & single dad are some of my favorite tropes. I also enjoy stories that make me feel all the emotions and this one definitely does. Carmen (25) is returning to her hometown for the first time in seven years. She was shunned at 18, but now hopes to find redemption and forgiveness. Trent (38) is angry to see the girl he holds responsible for his wife’s death back in town.
There were a lot of tears for me reading this - my heart aching for hurt and heartbroken people. Trent and Carmen are both dealing with profound grief and starting to fall for each other added another level of angst. Trent’s daughters, Alyssa and Robyn, were an integral part of the story and it was sweet to see Carmen fall in love with them as well.
The ending felt a bit abrupt for me as my personal preference is a bit more to solidify an HEA. That said, leaving a reader wanting more isn't necessarily a bad thing. It was a terrific read and I’m looking forward to the next book, The Waitress’s Secret and to devouring the rest of Douglass's backlist.
CW (contains spoilers):
February 10, 2017
Carmen and Trent have a huge conflict to overcome. These two face more issues in the beginning than most people. I absolutely fell in love with these two. The way they overcome these obstacles amazes me. Being the black sheet of her family is hard enough but with the burden of the past Carmen carries it makes her extremely vulnerable to the people of Sweet Briar. I can't wait to get to know more of this town. I believe it's going to be a series that I must continue to read.
April 2, 2017
I bought this title because I wanted to let Harlequin know that I approved of their bringing multicultural characters into their mainstream lines.
Somehow, it ended up on my TBR shelf and I totally forgot about it. This morning I was shelving some new books and found it. I spent all afternoon reading. :-)
This is a really well written romance. Light on the steam and heavy on the angst, but a really enjoyable read.
Highly recommended.
Somehow, it ended up on my TBR shelf and I totally forgot about it. This morning I was shelving some new books and found it. I spent all afternoon reading. :-)
This is a really well written romance. Light on the steam and heavy on the angst, but a really enjoyable read.
Highly recommended.
August 5, 2017
Chief of police Trent Knight desperately needed his behind whupped! Oh all the stubborn know it alls! Carmen has had a hard life when her family turns their back on her. Now why would the lawman not understand breaking Carmen's heart? Poor little smuck, doesn't he realize there is room in his heart for two women?
April 24, 2017
Story of letting go and looking forward not the past. Heart breaking story does have a happy ending with the love story but hangs with the family drama. Going to look if the next book exists
December 2, 2020
This book was NEARLY perfect. (*sobs*)
Kathy Douglass's writing and characterization are top-notch, and the "wholesome small town" vibe was really comforting. I loved the story and the way there was just the right amount of tension without things getting dramatic or stressful.
That being said: I'm uncomfy about the pairing. There's a ~15 year age difference between the two leads, and the 25-year-old heroine eventually becomes step-mother to the hero's two daughters: aged 8 and 14. NOT TO MENTION that throughout most of the book, the hero (a police officer) has a very rigid, uncompromising worldview and literally blames the hero for his wife's death due to a drunk driving accident. He's also set up the house as a shrine to said wife, and just...ick. Only in the final chapter does he begin to process his grief, and that's waaaaay to late (after he used the heroine as an emotional punching bag and pseudo-gaslit her for 20 chapters).
I know this doesn't sound like a good book. But Douglass is SUCH a good writer, and the characters were so well-drawn and believable. The male protagonist here is a dick, but everything else truly shone.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
Kathy Douglass's writing and characterization are top-notch, and the "wholesome small town" vibe was really comforting. I loved the story and the way there was just the right amount of tension without things getting dramatic or stressful.
That being said: I'm uncomfy about the pairing. There's a ~15 year age difference between the two leads, and the 25-year-old heroine eventually becomes step-mother to the hero's two daughters: aged 8 and 14. NOT TO MENTION that throughout most of the book, the hero (a police officer) has a very rigid, uncompromising worldview and literally blames the hero for his wife's death due to a drunk driving accident. He's also set up the house as a shrine to said wife, and just...ick. Only in the final chapter does he begin to process his grief, and that's waaaaay to late (after he used the heroine as an emotional punching bag and pseudo-gaslit her for 20 chapters).
I know this doesn't sound like a good book. But Douglass is SUCH a good writer, and the characters were so well-drawn and believable. The male protagonist here is a dick, but everything else truly shone.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
September 24, 2017
Loved it
Kept me interested from first to the last page. Sad how people judge without having all the facts. I do hope there is a book 2 because that family issue needs to be addressed. Thanks for sharing Ms Douglass.
Kept me interested from first to the last page. Sad how people judge without having all the facts. I do hope there is a book 2 because that family issue needs to be addressed. Thanks for sharing Ms Douglass.
December 18, 2019
Wow, this book turned out much better than I thought. It is quite well written for a harlequin book.
Carmen Shields is back in town for her mother's funeral and oh my she just so happens to run into the Chief of Police, Trent Knight, who's wife was killed in a car accident, which Carmen happens to be there that night but was not an active participant. Naturally, Trent had to seek blame somewhere and pinned his hatred on young Carmen.
Poor Carmen, she came hoping for forgiveness and open hearts from her family, but alas they continue to shut her out cold....even at the mother's funeral. I am glad she chose to stay in town and actually help out at the community centre, as that gave her a sense of purpose and allowed her to open the hearts and minds of Trent's 2 daughters.
Redemption and respect goes a long way, it is something that Carmen and Trent both need to learn. I am happy Carmen has a mentor to help guide her through the rough years when she was first kicked out and also for being a real father to her than her biological one. Both have obstacles that they need to overcome, can they make it or will they fail?
Carmen Shields is back in town for her mother's funeral and oh my she just so happens to run into the Chief of Police, Trent Knight, who's wife was killed in a car accident, which Carmen happens to be there that night but was not an active participant. Naturally, Trent had to seek blame somewhere and pinned his hatred on young Carmen.
Poor Carmen, she came hoping for forgiveness and open hearts from her family, but alas they continue to shut her out cold....even at the mother's funeral. I am glad she chose to stay in town and actually help out at the community centre, as that gave her a sense of purpose and allowed her to open the hearts and minds of Trent's 2 daughters.
Redemption and respect goes a long way, it is something that Carmen and Trent both need to learn. I am happy Carmen has a mentor to help guide her through the rough years when she was first kicked out and also for being a real father to her than her biological one. Both have obstacles that they need to overcome, can they make it or will they fail?
August 8, 2019
Nice beginning to the Sweet Briar Sweethearts series. The imaginary small town of Sweet Briar, North Carolina is a small town like many others. Gossip, entrenched prejudices and money vs. no money rule the day. Carmen comes home, a prodigal daughter, for her mother's funeral. Her family has cut her off from them because of a teenage rebellion. Now a successful artist, she is ready to return to New York when she is asked to help out at a youth center.
The town sheriff has reason to never want to see Carmen in Sweet Briar again. However, when he meets her and hears her real story, things change. He is a widower coping with two daughters and a vacuum where his wife had been. Lots of feelings and emotion have to be explored and examined before an HEA can occur!
The town sheriff has reason to never want to see Carmen in Sweet Briar again. However, when he meets her and hears her real story, things change. He is a widower coping with two daughters and a vacuum where his wife had been. Lots of feelings and emotion have to be explored and examined before an HEA can occur!
May 30, 2022
Very interesting read. You must be willing to forgive and move forward or else you get stuck in time and really lose enjoyment due to the inability to enjoy life in the present. Would love to read more about Damon, that’s a man worth knowing more about! Handsome swagger, the author did well to make you swoon over him in just the few mentioned pages. The Lawman, he was totally stuck. Carmen’s family was past stuck and by the end of the novel they remained stuck. Carmen was a delightful young lady. One that suffered great losses but yet she tried. Thankful for Robyn, Joni, snd Alyssa that gave her a hearty and warm friendship. Carmen, despite her family history and teen history, she was so open to love, even with the stuck and hurtful lawman.
March 15, 2019
Forgiveness starts with a stolen kiss. (Chief of police) Trent Knight had it all until an accident took his wife and he was left alone to raise two beautiful girls Alyssa and Robyn. Now the person he always blamed for his loss is back in town, and all bets are off. But soon his anger toward (artist) Carmen Shields gives way to a very different emotion--awareness of Carmen as a woman. On one hand, it feels like a betrayal of his late wife Lisa's memory. On the other, it could be his second chance at life and love--and Carmen's shot at redemption. Maybe she can go home again (since her family isn’t acknowledging her--with the help of a certain lawman...
October 11, 2021
Four and a half stars
Carmen Taylor Shields gets pulled over when she returns to Sweet Briar for her mother’s funeral. Unfortunately the police chief Trent Knight believes the worst of her and is not inclined to change his mind.
Kathy Douglass’s story is beautifully written and deeply emotional. Carmen and Trent both bear deep wounds and initially Trent can’t see past them to keep from inflicting more pain. His daughters are equally well crafted and charm Carmen as they do the reader. This is a terrific start to a new series.
Carmen Taylor Shields gets pulled over when she returns to Sweet Briar for her mother’s funeral. Unfortunately the police chief Trent Knight believes the worst of her and is not inclined to change his mind.
Kathy Douglass’s story is beautifully written and deeply emotional. Carmen and Trent both bear deep wounds and initially Trent can’t see past them to keep from inflicting more pain. His daughters are equally well crafted and charm Carmen as they do the reader. This is a terrific start to a new series.
December 17, 2018
The writing was good and I liked Carmen and felt bad for her. I love books with this theme but HATE when the h is second best. She was 100% second best here. For goodness sake he didn’t take off his wedding ring until probably around 98-99%!!!! Nope, no way, sorry but no!!!i I think Carmen deserved better and I would have liked to see her confront her family and be more confident. An epilogue would’ve been great as well.
June 26, 2020
This is a awesome love story for lawman Trenton Knight and Carmen Shields.
My heart went out to Carmen. She made a mistake when she was a teenager that her father, mother and sister never forgave her for. One would think that the love of a mother endures forever. There was not that much background about Carmen's family just that her father was running for some political office and that Carmen had ruined his chances of a chance in politics.
Carmen and a couple of her teenage male friends had went out to have a good time and Carmen was the only one who had not been drinking and there was fatal accident where 3 people ended up dead and Carmen's dad blamed her and barred her from her house and ushered her out of town and said was unwelcome.
Trent lost the love of his life 7 years ago. He and Anna met in grammar school and they both knew they were meant to be. They married had to children and when Anna died tragically. Trent is busy raising his two daughters Alyssa 14 and Robyn 7. He has no room for romance nor love in his heart for another woman.
Take a chance and read the first book in the Sweet Briar Sweethearts Series originally titled "How To Steal The Lawman's Heart".
Now on to read book # 6 in the Sweet Briar Sweethearts Series. Joni Danielson and her best friend, Sweet Briar mayor Lex Devlin titled " A Baby Between Friends".
My heart went out to Carmen. She made a mistake when she was a teenager that her father, mother and sister never forgave her for. One would think that the love of a mother endures forever. There was not that much background about Carmen's family just that her father was running for some political office and that Carmen had ruined his chances of a chance in politics.
Carmen and a couple of her teenage male friends had went out to have a good time and Carmen was the only one who had not been drinking and there was fatal accident where 3 people ended up dead and Carmen's dad blamed her and barred her from her house and ushered her out of town and said was unwelcome.
Trent lost the love of his life 7 years ago. He and Anna met in grammar school and they both knew they were meant to be. They married had to children and when Anna died tragically. Trent is busy raising his two daughters Alyssa 14 and Robyn 7. He has no room for romance nor love in his heart for another woman.
Take a chance and read the first book in the Sweet Briar Sweethearts Series originally titled "How To Steal The Lawman's Heart".
Now on to read book # 6 in the Sweet Briar Sweethearts Series. Joni Danielson and her best friend, Sweet Briar mayor Lex Devlin titled " A Baby Between Friends".
September 1, 2020
What An Excellent Story 😘
Somehow, I missed the beginning of this series, so I’m going back to catch up and what a way to start! This was an excellent story of Carmen losing her family’s love, but eventually gaining the love of another family that accepted her and loved her for who she was...and also of Trent learning how to let go and let love enter back into his life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kudos, Kathy! 💜
Somehow, I missed the beginning of this series, so I’m going back to catch up and what a way to start! This was an excellent story of Carmen losing her family’s love, but eventually gaining the love of another family that accepted her and loved her for who she was...and also of Trent learning how to let go and let love enter back into his life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kudos, Kathy! 💜
April 25, 2022
Trent Knight is the chief of police who is raising two daughters after his wife was killed by a drunk driver. The main person he has blamed is back into town and Trent wants Carmen gone. But Carmen is in town for a little while and she might not be who he thinks she is, all he have to do is give her a chance.
I really enjoyed this read by Kathy Douglass. I loved the theme of family and forgiveness and second chance. I read this in hours and it warmed my heart.
I really enjoyed this read by Kathy Douglass. I loved the theme of family and forgiveness and second chance. I read this in hours and it warmed my heart.
December 31, 2018
This is the 1st book I read by Kathy Douglass. I loved ❤ this book's storyline. This book's storyline was sad 😢. I loved ❤ Carmen's character. My heart broke 💔 for Carmen. I loved ❤ Trent's character. My heart broke 💔 for Trent. Trent got on my nerves. I loved ❤ Robyn, Alyssa, & Joseph. I didn't like Carmen's family 👪. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome Ms. Douglass.
July 21, 2020
A sweet romance from start to finish. The theme of death resonated with both characters which made the beginning of the book emotional and heavy. Carmen and Trent had a lot to work through before things got good between them. They each changed and grew during the story making them better for each other.
January 30, 2024
I enjoyed the emotional depth of Carmen's perspective, including Carmen’s connection with Trent’s daughter. There was some emotional growth in Trent and Carmen’s relationship later in the story but not a lot. Trent’s despicable actions at the beginning of the book was almost enough for me to DNF it. If Trent had not gotten his head out of his ass, I would have hated this book. As it is, it was an okay read for me but nothing special.
I will criticize the book in that, while I wanted Trent to stop being an unreasonable asshole to Carmen, I felt like Trent’s change of heart was too abrupt. Perhaps it was the limitation of the book’s length, but I think the book would have been much stronger if Trent’s change of heart was more gradual and more as a result of his interactions with Carmen. I know that Trent feels bad about his actions once he gets to know Carmen and her situation better, but when Trent learns this information, he has already made the decision to try to be nicer to her.
As a side note, I don’t like subplots in romance novels where one of the characters is hung up on a past partner. There’s no other woman, but Trent spends a lot of time and emotional energy on his dead wife, to the point that it was unhealthy. While that is a perfectly decent setup for a story or subplot, it is just not my cup of tea.
I will criticize the book in that, while I wanted Trent to stop being an unreasonable asshole to Carmen, I felt like Trent’s change of heart was too abrupt. Perhaps it was the limitation of the book’s length, but I think the book would have been much stronger if Trent’s change of heart was more gradual and more as a result of his interactions with Carmen. I know that Trent feels bad about his actions once he gets to know Carmen and her situation better, but when Trent learns this information, he has already made the decision to try to be nicer to her.
As a side note, I don’t like subplots in romance novels where one of the characters is hung up on a past partner. There’s no other woman, but Trent spends a lot of time and emotional energy on his dead wife, to the point that it was unhealthy. While that is a perfectly decent setup for a story or subplot, it is just not my cup of tea.
April 29, 2021
4.5 stars 🥰 I read this is one sitting. Such a sweet story. I loved that the protagonist was an artist. And I loved the kids in this one too. I hope we see more of this family in future books of the series.
May 8, 2023
Great story
Reading this story was touching and emotional. The characters and themes were full of emotional connections to the characters.
This is my first time reading this author and will not be the last!
Reading this story was touching and emotional. The characters and themes were full of emotional connections to the characters.
This is my first time reading this author and will not be the last!
July 4, 2019
This was an enjoyable Harlequin book to read. I liked the story line and the characters. Kathy hit the ball to the outfield with this!
October 20, 2023
I LOVED reading this story. A well written, small town romance that includes heartache, redemption and a beautiful ending.
November 15, 2023
We know a Harlequin has got to have a HEA, but this one was so quickly cobbled together, it kind of undermined an otherwise good story.
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February 4, 2017Miniseries: Sweet Briar Sweethearts
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