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The Road Leads Back
(Stonehill #1)
by
Kara Martinson and Harry Canton weren’t exactly high school sweethearts, but they did share one night neither will ever forget. Twenty-seven years later, Harry surprises Kara at an art gallery opening and discovers he left her with more than just memories when he went away to college. Desperate to connect with the family he never knew existed, Harry convinces his son to mo
...more
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Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Published
2019
by Pink Sand Press
(first published April 3rd 2015)
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Start your review of The Road Leads Back (Stonehill #1)

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*****I got this FREE today on Amazon US. I definitely recommend. I read the sample and never stopped*****
I just can't NOT give this book 5 stars because it is a second chance romance that is handled in the absolute best way possible. I am amazed!!! The MCs were adults (around 45 years old) who handled things in a mature way that felt true to the characters and true to how I would feel if I were in the same situation. There are also really great secondary characters (their adult son and his adora ...more
I just can't NOT give this book 5 stars because it is a second chance romance that is handled in the absolute best way possible. I am amazed!!! The MCs were adults (around 45 years old) who handled things in a mature way that felt true to the characters and true to how I would feel if I were in the same situation. There are also really great secondary characters (their adult son and his adora ...more

Family relationships are tricky and complicated. Anger and Resentment can fester for years causing deep rifts and hurt feelings, easily setting the tone for a lifetime of regret and disillusionment. Sometimes, reconciliation may be offered, but even that can be a jumping off point for more hateful conversations and even greater disenchantment.
I loved being pulled into Kara’s and Harry’s life as they faced old problems and struggled to make a new family dynamic. Harry and Kara desired a healthier ...more
I loved being pulled into Kara’s and Harry’s life as they faced old problems and struggled to make a new family dynamic. Harry and Kara desired a healthier ...more

The Road Leads Back by Marci Boudreaux
This is the story of Kara and her adult son Phil, who is (also) a young father. Phil's Father Harry was never part of his life. Actually Harry did not know he had a son for 27 years. Kara is reunited with Harry and they try to form a family relationship.
Beautifully written, the situations they all go through are real. Not everything goes smooth for them. They are faced with many challenges, for Kara and Phil, it is getting to know Harry. For Harry it is acce ...more
This is the story of Kara and her adult son Phil, who is (also) a young father. Phil's Father Harry was never part of his life. Actually Harry did not know he had a son for 27 years. Kara is reunited with Harry and they try to form a family relationship.
Beautifully written, the situations they all go through are real. Not everything goes smooth for them. They are faced with many challenges, for Kara and Phil, it is getting to know Harry. For Harry it is acce ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

• Provided by NetGalley •
I love angsty reads and all but this one just didn’t cut it out for me. I mean maybe I was expecting too much? I think it’s me more than the author.
The book was VERY VERY well-written and the author has somebody magical skills but I just couldn’t get over the fact that no villain of this book was held accountable and punished for their crimes.
A solid 3 star just because I loved how this author writes!!!
I love angsty reads and all but this one just didn’t cut it out for me. I mean maybe I was expecting too much? I think it’s me more than the author.
The book was VERY VERY well-written and the author has somebody magical skills but I just couldn’t get over the fact that no villain of this book was held accountable and punished for their crimes.
A solid 3 star just because I loved how this author writes!!!

When one high school act of desire leads to the unexpected birth of Phil, Kara leans to the people she can and is rejected and heartbroken. Twenty-seven years later, Kara meets the father of her child, Harry, to find out he has been deceived as well. Can they bring back the family they should have all those years ago? Will Kara and Harry ever be able to forgive their parents' rejection and deception?
This heartfelt and sweet novel is written through both Harry's and Kara's perspective. The reader ...more
This heartfelt and sweet novel is written through both Harry's and Kara's perspective. The reader ...more

Wow, this one gets a little intense at times. It's full of family relations gone bad, regrets. and trying to rebuild relationships. Kara's perspective is the one that is most dwelt on, but you do get insights into the reasoning of other major players.
Kara ended up pregnant the night she lost her virginity at a graduation party. When she told her parents, they kicked her out of the house and told her never to return. She sat for hours on the front porch, giving them time to cool off and change t ...more
Kara ended up pregnant the night she lost her virginity at a graduation party. When she told her parents, they kicked her out of the house and told her never to return. She sat for hours on the front porch, giving them time to cool off and change t ...more

This was my first book by this author but definitely not the last! Kara and Harry had a one-night stand and when Harry left for college Kara was left with more than just memories. When she went to Harry's mom she was turned away and ended up across the country and now almost 3o years later Harry has discovered he is a father of a grown son. Kara is an accomplished artist and has raised their son, Phil, who is also a father of a 7-year-old daughter, and when Harry shows up and wants to get to kno
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I really liked this book. This is a second chance trope that's a little different. There weren't just a few years that had passed since Kara and Harry had been involved--there were a lot.
I loved that it started out with Kara running into the father of her son and telling him, "I've been looking for you for twenty-seven years." There was a large volume of water under the bridge when they meet again. There's a son and a granddaughter.
This is a story that is heavy on forgiveness and just how much ...more
I loved that it started out with Kara running into the father of her son and telling him, "I've been looking for you for twenty-seven years." There was a large volume of water under the bridge when they meet again. There's a son and a granddaughter.
This is a story that is heavy on forgiveness and just how much ...more

A beautiful and emotional story of a young man and woman whose one-night stand changed their lives forever. Harrison Canton left for college after his one night with Kara Martinson. When she found out that she was pregnant, she wrote to Harry, but never heard from him. Her parents threw her out and she raised her son, Phil, on her own. Years later, Harry noticed Kara’s name at an art showing and was just in time to see her with her son only to find out that Phil was his son. Kara was always a fr
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This book was so much more than second chances, the author took us on the journey of unraveling the past. I really enjoyed reading the book because of it.
Kara and Harry really liked each other in high school but neither had the courage to tell the other. On graduation night, they met at a party and had sex. Kara became pregnant and when she told her parents they kicker her out and told her never to return. She went to Harry's parents who decided that they didn't want their son to know and he we ...more
Kara and Harry really liked each other in high school but neither had the courage to tell the other. On graduation night, they met at a party and had sex. Kara became pregnant and when she told her parents they kicker her out and told her never to return. She went to Harry's parents who decided that they didn't want their son to know and he we ...more

So much emotion. I held my breath, cried, cheered and gasp. It had so many feels. It was interesting and pulled you in made you part of the story. Things weren't perfect, their was misunderstandings, hurt, bridges crossed,mended and rebroken. The storyline was great. The characters and side characters made this book so wonderful to read. I recommend it to all it is worth the read. I received it from booksprout and this is my voluntary review.
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Book 1 of a Series I'm Going to Read-for sure!
I'm old enough to remember when unwed mother's-to-be were not allowed to stay in school and often sent to "homes" until the baby was born and given away for adoption. Kara was banished from her home by her parents; the father -to-be had left for college, so she turned to his parents for help. I laughed and I cried as I read their story. Wonderful characters, even the judgmental ones, complicated relationships, guilt, and forgiveness, resulting in a h ...more
I'm old enough to remember when unwed mother's-to-be were not allowed to stay in school and often sent to "homes" until the baby was born and given away for adoption. Kara was banished from her home by her parents; the father -to-be had left for college, so she turned to his parents for help. I laughed and I cried as I read their story. Wonderful characters, even the judgmental ones, complicated relationships, guilt, and forgiveness, resulting in a h ...more

The Road Leads Back, Stonehill Romance Book One, Marci Boudreaux
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Well, there’s a slew of five star reviews for this story so I really expected to enjoy it, and I did but....in a kind of underwhelmed way. It’s one of those that seemed perfect for me, but in practice just didn’t really work. Its a good book, a great book for many, many readers, just not a great one for me.
Kara, oh how I felt for her, pregnant, abandoned by her ...more
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Well, there’s a slew of five star reviews for this story so I really expected to enjoy it, and I did but....in a kind of underwhelmed way. It’s one of those that seemed perfect for me, but in practice just didn’t really work. Its a good book, a great book for many, many readers, just not a great one for me.
Kara, oh how I felt for her, pregnant, abandoned by her ...more

“This book is definitely entering in my favorite list. I simply could not no love it! The story was so full of emotions. The plot made me cry, laugh and took my breath away. I stopped reading until I reached the end.
Both, Kara and Harry suffered through out the story. They also struggled with some misunderstandings and hurtful past memories.
The storyline was simply perfect. The characters were magnificent and special. A wonderful second chance romance that you must read.”
Both, Kara and Harry suffered through out the story. They also struggled with some misunderstandings and hurtful past memories.
The storyline was simply perfect. The characters were magnificent and special. A wonderful second chance romance that you must read.”

I have read the first 3 books in this series. Loved the story of people finding each other after living years in the wilderness of emotions caused by other people through their conniving and deceit. The humour and sarcasm is so real. The joining of lives after leading so many years apart and living in totally different worlds. Marci's writing is in the real world, not make believe.
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The Road Leads Back
This is a great read!! Will catch your attention from page one and will want to keep turning the pages!!!
A good story line and such a clean romantic book as well!!!
This author proves a really good book can be written about love, sex and marriage wo all the vulgar language!!
Thank you Marci Bolden?!! Pls keep writing good clean books!?!!
This is a great read!! Will catch your attention from page one and will want to keep turning the pages!!!
A good story line and such a clean romantic book as well!!!
This author proves a really good book can be written about love, sex and marriage wo all the vulgar language!!
Thank you Marci Bolden?!! Pls keep writing good clean books!?!!

More like 3.75
I was thrilled the author jumped right into the present at the beginning and let the natural give and take between characters tell us the behind the scenes story. Kara and Harry were both dealt due devastating blows by their respective families, although Kara got the double dose and the fact that they meet again in their mid forties is fabulous.
I was thrilled the author jumped right into the present at the beginning and let the natural give and take between characters tell us the behind the scenes story. Kara and Harry were both dealt due devastating blows by their respective families, although Kara got the double dose and the fact that they meet again in their mid forties is fabulous.

Yes I cried, when you reach that part of the book, you too will cry. He left her following graduation. When her parents disowned her she went to his home where his mother put her on a coach to a single mothers commune. 30 years on he sees her name on an art exhibition flyer and sets out to see her and comes face to face with his son.
Enough said, read it and love it as much as I have. With thanks to NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for the free read.
Enough said, read it and love it as much as I have. With thanks to NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for the free read.

Great book
Couldn't bout it down. Was left owanting more. Can't wait to see what happens next in the stonehiil series ...more
Couldn't bout it down. Was left owanting more. Can't wait to see what happens next in the stonehiil series ...more

Finding yourself in a tough spot and not having any idea that your plans are being thwarted behind your back. Imagine 27 years later, you find that you never know what people who supposedly love you are capable of. 4 people whose lives are deeply connected and time heals all wounds eventually. This book captures the heart and guides the reader through the history of two people who never knew their lives would be pulled apart to find each other again many years later. This book is an excellent re
...more

Forgiveness
For me, this book was all about how important it is to forgive a nd be forgiven. Not only is forgiveness essential, but you have to let go and move on. Kara and Harry have both been hurt over and over by people who supposedly loved them. Together they learn to forgive, let go, and move on.
For me, this book was all about how important it is to forgive a nd be forgiven. Not only is forgiveness essential, but you have to let go and move on. Kara and Harry have both been hurt over and over by people who supposedly loved them. Together they learn to forgive, let go, and move on.

I received a copy of The Road Leads Back by Marci Bolden from Pink Sand Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I give this book 4 stars! It provokes so many emotions, so be prepared. Chock full of family drama, romance, regret and forgiveness. I recommend this engaging read!
I give this book 4 stars! It provokes so many emotions, so be prepared. Chock full of family drama, romance, regret and forgiveness. I recommend this engaging read!

This was a really sweet romance that drew me in from the beginning. It checks all my boxes of what makes a good book.
I read a crazy amount of romances, and I hate manufactured angst. This book doesn't have any of that. Check.
There are sex scenes, but they are sweet and not over the top. Check.
The story starts right away, and no long, slow background build up. Check.
There are sub stories within. Stories about family, forgiveness, and love.
My only draw back that keeps this book from being pe ...more
I read a crazy amount of romances, and I hate manufactured angst. This book doesn't have any of that. Check.
There are sex scenes, but they are sweet and not over the top. Check.
The story starts right away, and no long, slow background build up. Check.
There are sub stories within. Stories about family, forgiveness, and love.
My only draw back that keeps this book from being pe ...more

When Kara and Harry meet again after nearly three decades, their reunion reveals feelings of bitterness, regret and shock. Harry left Kara behind after one night of teenage intimacy. He never knew he had fathered a son, or that his parents had known about his child. All these years Kara has believed that Harry knew about the pregnancy and his son and had rejected both of them. Kara’s parents threw her out of the house when she revealed her pregnancy. When she turned to Harry’s parents for help,
...more

Almost 30 years ago, dorky Harry Canton left artsy Kara Martinson after one night of fumbling sex. Twenty-seven years later, he shows up at her art show and discovers he has both a son and a young granddaughter with Down’s Syndrome. Bolden, in the first book of her Stonehill Series, has written an emotionally-wrenching story of betrayal, forgiveness, and a love that can’t be denied. Kara, after a lifetime of running from commitment and the fear of abandonment, has to find the strength to face th
...more
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Read 4 Review: Contemporary Romance For Review- The Road Leads Back | 1 | 12 | Feb 06, 2016 05:50PM | |
Goodreads Reviewe...: Contemporary Romance For Review- The Road Leads Back | 1 | 10 | Feb 06, 2016 05:49PM | |
The MFRW Book Place: Week of October 19: The Road Leads Back | 1 | 5 | Oct 19, 2015 08:48AM |
As a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading women's fiction and romance novels.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, two teenaged kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of will power, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and a ...more
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, two teenaged kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of will power, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and a ...more
Other books in the series
Stonehill
(5 books)
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“Kara Martinson squeezed her way toward the crowded bar, nudging between two kids she couldn’t quite believe were old enough to be legally drinking in public. They should have been funneling cheap beer in a college dorm somewhere. Or sneaking shots from Daddy’s liquor cabinet. Art gallery openings used to be much more sophisticated than this. When”
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“Sometimes I wonder if they ever worried about what happened to me.” She looked at her hands as she toyed with a ring on her finger. She blinked several times, but she couldn’t hide the tears in her eyes that always seemed to come with speaking of her parents. “I wonder if they ever feared that I’d ended up dead in some back-alley abortion clinic somewhere, my body dumped in the woods to hide the evidence.” Harry closed his eyes and rubbed his fingertips into his forehead. “Jesus, Kara. The way your mind works sometimes.”
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