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The Culhanes of Cedar River #2
The Soldier's Secret Son
A Christmas surprise for a homecoming soldier...
When Jake Culhane comes home to Cedar River to visit his family, he doesn't expect to reconnect with the woman he never forgot. Abby Perkins never believed Jake would return, which is why she never told him she'd given birth to his son. But Abby is still in love with the boy who broke her heart when he enlisted. This could be their first Christmas as a real family--if Abby can find the courage to tell Jake he's a father...
When Jake Culhane comes home to Cedar River to visit his family, he doesn't expect to reconnect with the woman he never forgot. Abby Perkins never believed Jake would return, which is why she never told him she'd given birth to his son. But Abby is still in love with the boy who broke her heart when he enlisted. This could be their first Christmas as a real family--if Abby can find the courage to tell Jake he's a father...
224 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2019
59 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Helen Lacey
168 books148 followersAbout Helen
Helen Lacey grew up reading Black Beauty, Anne of Green Gables and Little House on The Prairie. These childhood classics inspired her to write her first book when she was seven years old, a story about a girl and her horse. Although, it wasn’t until the age of eleven when she read her first Mills & Boon, that she knew wanted to write romances. Her parents’ love of travel meant she saw much of the world in those early years and she feels fortunate to have had a diverse and interesting education over several continents.
She continued to write into her teens and twenties with the dream of one day being a published author. A few years and careers later, including motel operator, florist, strapper, dog washer, and retail manager, she got the call from Harlequin Special Edition. She loves writing about tortured heroes, both cowboys and CEO’s, and heroines who finally get the love of the man of their dreams.
From Welsh parents and a large family, she lives on the east coast of Australia in a small seaside town at the southern most point of The Great Barrier Reef, with her wonderfully supportive husband, many horses, two cats and three spoiled dogs.
Helen Lacey grew up reading Black Beauty, Anne of Green Gables and Little House on The Prairie. These childhood classics inspired her to write her first book when she was seven years old, a story about a girl and her horse. Although, it wasn’t until the age of eleven when she read her first Mills & Boon, that she knew wanted to write romances. Her parents’ love of travel meant she saw much of the world in those early years and she feels fortunate to have had a diverse and interesting education over several continents.
She continued to write into her teens and twenties with the dream of one day being a published author. A few years and careers later, including motel operator, florist, strapper, dog washer, and retail manager, she got the call from Harlequin Special Edition. She loves writing about tortured heroes, both cowboys and CEO’s, and heroines who finally get the love of the man of their dreams.
From Welsh parents and a large family, she lives on the east coast of Australia in a small seaside town at the southern most point of The Great Barrier Reef, with her wonderfully supportive husband, many horses, two cats and three spoiled dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 6, 2019
Originally published on
Hina Loves To Read
This one was a story filled with emotions (that is what I read Helen Lacey for) and many a moments had me go Awww. Kids somehow enliven stories if written with tact and that is what I found here. Lacey made sure to make T.J. an integral part of the story while she focused on Abby and Jake.
She showed how it is human nature to always find fault with what one has done and self incrimination is a common occurrence albeit one knowing that the reasons were all valid based on whom a decision was made.
A small town second chance romance where the failure of a relationship is not placed squarely on just one individual and where both the parties see where they went wrong. How love is not always enough to sustain a relationship. It takes effort and it takes effort of both the people in the relationship.
The huge cast in the story (as this is a series and everyone is going to get his or her turn to get an HEA) felt needed. They played a part and did not at all feel as if they were in the story just for the sake of putting ink to paper.
Helen Lacey’s Cedar River
This is not the first time Helen Lacey has based her stories in the fictional Cedar River town. By now she has had many series where the protagonists are residents of this small town. In a way, she has brought this fictional town to life in a way that it has a pulse of it’s own.
This one was a story filled with emotions (that is what I read Helen Lacey for) and many a moments had me go Awww. Kids somehow enliven stories if written with tact and that is what I found here. Lacey made sure to make T.J. an integral part of the story while she focused on Abby and Jake.
She showed how it is human nature to always find fault with what one has done and self incrimination is a common occurrence albeit one knowing that the reasons were all valid based on whom a decision was made.
A small town second chance romance where the failure of a relationship is not placed squarely on just one individual and where both the parties see where they went wrong. How love is not always enough to sustain a relationship. It takes effort and it takes effort of both the people in the relationship.
The huge cast in the story (as this is a series and everyone is going to get his or her turn to get an HEA) felt needed. They played a part and did not at all feel as if they were in the story just for the sake of putting ink to paper.
Helen Lacey’s Cedar River
This is not the first time Helen Lacey has based her stories in the fictional Cedar River town. By now she has had many series where the protagonists are residents of this small town. In a way, she has brought this fictional town to life in a way that it has a pulse of it’s own.
November 12, 2019
THE SOLDIER’S SECRET SON by author Helen Lacey is a Harlequin Special Edition series release for December 2019.
Jake Culhane came back to Cedar River when his brother is in an accident. What he didn’t expect is to run in to Abby Perkins—the girl he left behind when he went to enlist. And the chemistry between them is still off the charts. But what will happen when he finds the secret she is hiding?
Abby had always lived in Cedar River and she had her son in plain sight all the time. So it was not a secret she had a son. But who was the child’s dad? Could she tell him he had a son after all this time?
THE SOLDIER’S SECRET SON is a heart-warming story about love and relationships. Author Helen Lacey did wonders weaving this story with warmth and emotions. Abby was real to me. Her struggles and her triumphs, her strengths and her weaknesses and ultimately her heart. This story had it all: characters, story and emotions. There was love, laughter, surprises and tears that would keep a reader glued till the last page.
Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
Jake Culhane came back to Cedar River when his brother is in an accident. What he didn’t expect is to run in to Abby Perkins—the girl he left behind when he went to enlist. And the chemistry between them is still off the charts. But what will happen when he finds the secret she is hiding?
Abby had always lived in Cedar River and she had her son in plain sight all the time. So it was not a secret she had a son. But who was the child’s dad? Could she tell him he had a son after all this time?
THE SOLDIER’S SECRET SON is a heart-warming story about love and relationships. Author Helen Lacey did wonders weaving this story with warmth and emotions. Abby was real to me. Her struggles and her triumphs, her strengths and her weaknesses and ultimately her heart. This story had it all: characters, story and emotions. There was love, laughter, surprises and tears that would keep a reader glued till the last page.
Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
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December 1, 2019Categories
Holiday Romance, Military Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
The Culhanes of Cedar River
Holiday Romance, Military Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
The Culhanes of Cedar River
January 28, 2022
Sigh. I thought this would be a cute story about high school sweethearts reconnecting. However, it was more of a man blaming all his insecurities on a woman while she incessantly apologizes. What's his name didn't try to empathize with Abby's situation and circumstances for a second. He didn't try to imagine the hardships of someone who lost their partner, who is pregnant, and who doesn't have abundant familial support.
He basically shamed her for most of the book and didn't acknowledge his own distance and issues at all. Which is a big thumbs down in my book.
I was gonna try out Mitch and Tess' story, but now I'm just gonna put that back on the shelf. Stories are way better when partners aren't tearing each other down for more pages than not. Also I'm not sure if writers who include children actually have children because all of TJ's dialogue was too fake.
He basically shamed her for most of the book and didn't acknowledge his own distance and issues at all. Which is a big thumbs down in my book.
I was gonna try out Mitch and Tess' story, but now I'm just gonna put that back on the shelf. Stories are way better when partners aren't tearing each other down for more pages than not. Also I'm not sure if writers who include children actually have children because all of TJ's dialogue was too fake.
June 1, 2020
A love will last
The first two books in this series I really enjoyed filled with secrets misunderstandings, love, resentment and stubborness. All is well that ends well.
The first two books in this series I really enjoyed filled with secrets misunderstandings, love, resentment and stubborness. All is well that ends well.
September 8, 2023
Predictable but enjoyable.
December 10, 2023
Two short stories in one book. Very good, tear jerkers.
June 16, 2024
Abby has Jake's baby but doesn't tell him because he left her to join the army and go overseas. An engaging romance.
September 28, 2020
The Soldier's Secret Son is an emotional read which author Helen Lacey does so well. From the get go the reader can tell this is a very experienced author who knows how to pull the heartstrings with beautifully written stories.
Loved reading such a tender story by an experienced author.
Loved reading such a tender story by an experienced author.
November 21, 2019
Jake Culhane has lived in California since leaving the military and distanced himself from all his family. In Cedar River he had a past with Abby one that he thought would include marriage, but Abby didn't want Jake to join the military so asked him to choose between them. Jake knew he had to leave Cedar river and the memories of his alcoholic father so he left. Soon after she married his best friend Tom and so distance was the best. Life has a way of changing your plans and when he brother is seriously hurt he comes back to help on the ranch. Meeting Abby again who is a widow with a 6 year old son TJ is not what he wants but it was bound to happen. Abby has a secret and a big one her son TJ is Jake's and not her dead husbands. How does she tell him now that he is back her grandma said he is her quicksand which she believes and unless she levels with him she may be the one to go down. What happens when Jake finds out, not telling, follow this wonderful family story and you will be glued to your seat till the story ends. Another fantastic book with more of Cedar river to follow.
November 22, 2019
With the second book in her The Culhanes of Cedar River series, Helen Lacey brings us Jake and Abby's story in THE SOLDIER'S SECRET SON. It's an emotional reunion story of two high school sweethearts who let their stubborn short-sightedness tear them apart.
Abby puts a reader through a tailspin of emotions. I liked the type of person she was as a whole, but that keeping a man's son a secret from him bit really put her in a bad light.
Jake might have been rash when he was young, but the man he is as he comes back home to Cedar River is honorable and settled. The hurt and anger he feels when he learns he missed out on so much of his son's life is emotional and deep and shapes his character into a loving father immediately.
I recommend this story to anyone wanting a highly emotional read with twists and turns galore that ultimately brings you a sweet happily ever after. The pace is steady and the emotions high. Really enjoyed it!
Abby puts a reader through a tailspin of emotions. I liked the type of person she was as a whole, but that keeping a man's son a secret from him bit really put her in a bad light.
Jake might have been rash when he was young, but the man he is as he comes back home to Cedar River is honorable and settled. The hurt and anger he feels when he learns he missed out on so much of his son's life is emotional and deep and shapes his character into a loving father immediately.
I recommend this story to anyone wanting a highly emotional read with twists and turns galore that ultimately brings you a sweet happily ever after. The pace is steady and the emotions high. Really enjoyed it!
November 29, 2019
The Soldier’s Secret Son by Helen Lacey is the series The Culhanes of Cedar River, but can be read as a standalone book. Jake leaves Cedar River to serve his country and then moves to California once his military service has ended. Abby was his sweetheart but married his best friend when Jake left. Jack returns for Tom’s funeral. He and Abby reconnect with a long lasting consequence. Fast forward 6 years and Jake returns to Cedar River when his brother is injured in an accident to help on the Ranch. Jake has no idea that Abby’s child is his and everyone assumes that the child is Tom’s. Now he is back in Cedar River he is bound to run into Abby and she needs to find a way to tell him before he works it out for himself. A great read.
December 29, 2019
Helen Lacey writes stories that are in locations you want to live, about people you want to know and with skill to keep each page turning. Abby and Jake are no exception and I have always loved Cedar River.
As per the title the story is around Jake's son and T.J adds to the story rather than detracts from it. The extra characters in the story are well placed, the story is full to the brim with animated dialogue and rich descriptions, emotions and drama.
Book 2 of the Culhanes of Cedar River is another fantastic book by Helen Lacey that I highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyed.
As per the title the story is around Jake's son and T.J adds to the story rather than detracts from it. The extra characters in the story are well placed, the story is full to the brim with animated dialogue and rich descriptions, emotions and drama.
Book 2 of the Culhanes of Cedar River is another fantastic book by Helen Lacey that I highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyed.
January 25, 2020
Soldier Jake Culhane comes home, to Cedar River, to visit his family for Christmas. Abby Perkins never thought Jake would come back. She never thought to tell him about their son because he left for the service. Now that he’s back, she wonders how he will act once she tells him. Will he accept his son? Will he be angry with her? She and Jake still have chemistry. She decides to let them two meet and see how they get along. Will Jake understand why she didn’t tell him? Will he break her heart again? Helen Lacey did it again. The characters were wonderful. It is worth the read
November 26, 2019
"The Soldier's Secret Son (The Culhanes of Cedar River, #2)" by Helen Lacey brings Jake Culhane back to Cedar River after he left to serve in the military and moved to California. We also get to know his high school sweetheart Abby who has a son named TJ. Abby married Jake's best friend Tom shortly after Jake went into the military. When Jake came back for Tom's funeral he and Abby found solace in each others arms one night, and there were lasting consequences.
December 3, 2019
Good Read
A story that grabs hold of you from the very beginning to the very end.Romance,,thrills and laughter.With a really great ending.I'm going to be looking forward to reading more from this author.
A story that grabs hold of you from the very beginning to the very end.Romance,,thrills and laughter.With a really great ending.I'm going to be looking forward to reading more from this author.
February 14, 2020
First book I did not finish for 2020. This book was so annoying. Keeping a an important secret for a long time is not angsty its annoying. I said if the truth was not revealed by the middle of the book, I was going to put this book down and find something more enjoyable to read.
June 19, 2020
Another instalment in this series. Tender and emotional. At times the extended 'family' here is overwhelming, but the storyline is great.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews