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Cedar Hill Romance #2
Stubborn Love
Jim Donovan... A patient man, he can out wait a slow-foaling mare and survive camping out with a dozen fifth grade boys. Self-control hides the warrior persona he’s chosen to set aside. But when a stalker targets the woman he wants, and his new partner comes on to her, Jim's patience runs out. How much of a saint can an ex-black ops Marine be?
Sally Johnston has been on her own since her husband’s death and is used to taking care of herself. She intends to ignore the anonymous messages she’s getting and doesn’t want or need anyone’s protection. But every time she turns around Jim is there, keeping her safe, yes—but also driving her crazy.
Just being near him stokes Sally’s desire, but will she let him thaw her frozen heart?
Sally Johnston has been on her own since her husband’s death and is used to taking care of herself. She intends to ignore the anonymous messages she’s getting and doesn’t want or need anyone’s protection. But every time she turns around Jim is there, keeping her safe, yes—but also driving her crazy.
Just being near him stokes Sally’s desire, but will she let him thaw her frozen heart?
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2019
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 17, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first in this series, so was absolutely delighted when the author was kind enough to send me a copy of this second novel.
Sally Johnson is a widow, raising her young son on her own whilst holding down a full-time job and studying for qualifications. As the manager of kennels, she is well acquainted with Jim Donovan, the local vet, who is a good friend - and would like to be much more. When Sally is on the receiving end of some anonymous notes, Jim is the one she turns to - eventually. As a very self-sufficient woman, she doesn't take well to being offered protection . . .
This is an excellent second novel! With a very different scenario to the first, this is a suspenseful tale comprising of both romance and mystery. There is a real connection between the characters, and the author creates a terrific tale which kept my attention all the way through. Beautifully written, I only worked out who the stalker was just before it was revealed and there were plenty of possibilities! Exciting and romantic, this is a great read, and one I'm happy to recommend to lovers of romantic suspense. Four stars from me!
Sally Johnson is a widow, raising her young son on her own whilst holding down a full-time job and studying for qualifications. As the manager of kennels, she is well acquainted with Jim Donovan, the local vet, who is a good friend - and would like to be much more. When Sally is on the receiving end of some anonymous notes, Jim is the one she turns to - eventually. As a very self-sufficient woman, she doesn't take well to being offered protection . . .
This is an excellent second novel! With a very different scenario to the first, this is a suspenseful tale comprising of both romance and mystery. There is a real connection between the characters, and the author creates a terrific tale which kept my attention all the way through. Beautifully written, I only worked out who the stalker was just before it was revealed and there were plenty of possibilities! Exciting and romantic, this is a great read, and one I'm happy to recommend to lovers of romantic suspense. Four stars from me!
September 22, 2019
I want to start off by stating that I have NOT read book 1 in this series. That being said, I didn't feel like I missed anything. At times I felt like this was drawn out, but not in a horrible way. I didn't lose interest at all. The mystery behind who was doing it baffled me. This proves to show what a small world we really live in. However, we never learned if he was behind it all, or just list last batch.
This is a new to me author and I can't wait to read more from her.
This is a new to me author and I can't wait to read more from her.
December 26, 2019
Overall I liked this book. Sally is a single mother trying to raise her young son. Her husband has died and she is trying to get by. Jim is a man who has wanted Sally but won;t date her until she is ready. However, there is someone that has been stalking her. Jim is there to help her. Of course by the end they finally get that happy ending.
July 10, 2020
What a wild ride!
I truly appreciate a romance writer who doesn't go in for a sensationalistic book filled with just one graphic sex scene after another. If that's what you are looking for, just walk away now. But if you want an exciting friends-to-lovers, drama filled,tale of hard won love while being chased by a stalker, with more twists than a coochie dancer, you'll love this one. The characters have real depth and make you care about them. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I truly appreciate a romance writer who doesn't go in for a sensationalistic book filled with just one graphic sex scene after another. If that's what you are looking for, just walk away now. But if you want an exciting friends-to-lovers, drama filled,tale of hard won love while being chased by a stalker, with more twists than a coochie dancer, you'll love this one. The characters have real depth and make you care about them. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat.
August 21, 2022
I enjoyed this book. Sally is dumb in a lot of decisions but I understand them as she wants to be independent and she has to take care of her child. Jim is a hero behind the scenes and is in love with Sally but will take what Sally will give him. I think Jim deserves much better than Sally and Sally wasn't developed very well for me but all in all I think this book was good I liked it and would read more by this author.
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March 25, 2022Review also available at The Smut Report.
Heat Factor: Steamy and Angsty and Hair-Raising (Oh, MY!)
Character Chemistry: They’re like a mix between a well-worn couple who knows one another well and brand new lovers who don’t know what they’re doing (but in a good way)
Plot: Sally’s super busy running her dog rescue, earning her long-overdue degree, and raising her son alone. Then she starts getting stalker-y notes and her previously tepid friendship with Jim, the town’s veterinarian, turns into something more as he works to keep her safe.
Overall: This book was just…stressful. Will they, won’t they, will they before she’s murdered, how can they afford all those take-out dinners, is she going to finish her paper with all this drama going on, just…so stressful.
I stupidly started reading this at about 8:00pm on a Sunday and I’m not proud to say that I was still reading at 12:30am. I generally avoid romantic suspense simply because it takes only the tiniest hint of nefarious activity for me to lose the ability to sleep, and I’m really committed to my sleep.
In reality, I think it’s somewhat obvious that all romance novels are built on suspense – even if there aren’t stalkers or murderers or evil twins or the threat of debtor’s prison, we’re stuck waiting to see how things will unfold to bring us to the result we’re craving. For this particular book, Susan Craig keeps the romantic suspense in lock-step with layers of situational suspense. Right when the stalking starts to get really disturbing and you’re counting on the stability of old Sally/Jim, she cranks up the complications with our couple and it’s just extremely uncomfortable (and impossible to put down). There are so many details feeding into this stress – she has a paper to write, a business to run, a child to care for, friends, two potential lovers – just a lot to fuss over, and you need to know how it ends.
It was also interesting that in the beginning of the book, our hero, Jim, clearly thinks of himself as this older, benign, uninteresting man. When Sally needs someone to protect her, he shifts into someone else entirely – someone rugged and unyielding and calculating with very specific military skills, and although the shift is necessary and welcome it also really complicates things for them. Does Sally only love Jim because he’s her safety? How’s Jim going to handle the way Sally fumbles her way out of grieving for her deceased husband?
I will say that there were small chunks of the book where I got frustrated with both characters. At one point, Jim shamelessly pressures and manipulates Sally into letting him stay the night using her son in order to protect them. I get the need, but this type of manipulation is just not attractive. And I’m not going to spoil it, but let’s just say at one point Sally is a real dingbat (and I do NOT use that lightly). However…we have on our hands two imperfect characters with a whole host of other issues (sleep deprivation and all that), and frankly I just did not have time to dwell on it amidst my other readerly worries. I mean, heck, I was once so exhausted I tried to eat my lipstick on the way in to work because I thought it was a banana. I feel you, Sally and Jim. Sometimes you just have to let messy characters be messy, amiright?
Anyway, if you want to stay up all night reading, this is a great bet – I’m really curious to see how Susan Craig handles Cedar Hill Romance Book 3!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
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Heat Factor: Steamy and Angsty and Hair-Raising (Oh, MY!)
Character Chemistry: They’re like a mix between a well-worn couple who knows one another well and brand new lovers who don’t know what they’re doing (but in a good way)
Plot: Sally’s super busy running her dog rescue, earning her long-overdue degree, and raising her son alone. Then she starts getting stalker-y notes and her previously tepid friendship with Jim, the town’s veterinarian, turns into something more as he works to keep her safe.
Overall: This book was just…stressful. Will they, won’t they, will they before she’s murdered, how can they afford all those take-out dinners, is she going to finish her paper with all this drama going on, just…so stressful.
I stupidly started reading this at about 8:00pm on a Sunday and I’m not proud to say that I was still reading at 12:30am. I generally avoid romantic suspense simply because it takes only the tiniest hint of nefarious activity for me to lose the ability to sleep, and I’m really committed to my sleep.
In reality, I think it’s somewhat obvious that all romance novels are built on suspense – even if there aren’t stalkers or murderers or evil twins or the threat of debtor’s prison, we’re stuck waiting to see how things will unfold to bring us to the result we’re craving. For this particular book, Susan Craig keeps the romantic suspense in lock-step with layers of situational suspense. Right when the stalking starts to get really disturbing and you’re counting on the stability of old Sally/Jim, she cranks up the complications with our couple and it’s just extremely uncomfortable (and impossible to put down). There are so many details feeding into this stress – she has a paper to write, a business to run, a child to care for, friends, two potential lovers – just a lot to fuss over, and you need to know how it ends.
It was also interesting that in the beginning of the book, our hero, Jim, clearly thinks of himself as this older, benign, uninteresting man. When Sally needs someone to protect her, he shifts into someone else entirely – someone rugged and unyielding and calculating with very specific military skills, and although the shift is necessary and welcome it also really complicates things for them. Does Sally only love Jim because he’s her safety? How’s Jim going to handle the way Sally fumbles her way out of grieving for her deceased husband?
I will say that there were small chunks of the book where I got frustrated with both characters. At one point, Jim shamelessly pressures and manipulates Sally into letting him stay the night using her son in order to protect them. I get the need, but this type of manipulation is just not attractive. And I’m not going to spoil it, but let’s just say at one point Sally is a real dingbat (and I do NOT use that lightly). However…we have on our hands two imperfect characters with a whole host of other issues (sleep deprivation and all that), and frankly I just did not have time to dwell on it amidst my other readerly worries. I mean, heck, I was once so exhausted I tried to eat my lipstick on the way in to work because I thought it was a banana. I feel you, Sally and Jim. Sometimes you just have to let messy characters be messy, amiright?
Anyway, if you want to stay up all night reading, this is a great bet – I’m really curious to see how Susan Craig handles Cedar Hill Romance Book 3!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
December 23, 2019
I adored Tyler and Jim. Tyler’s infectious energy was just another reason to believe in the old Hollywood adage about never working with children and animals; he stole the spotlight in every scene he’s part of. Jim has this calm Beta energy masking the warrior within. But once his Alpha-protector instincts are engaged, all bets are off. I spent most of this book wanting to shake Sally, or slap some sense into her. I get that she’s been hurt and is protecting her heart. I don’t understand where she gets off being mad because she’s given what she said she wanted, and why she’s mad at Jim for the mess she created. It also didn’t help her case that I have little patience with heroines who act in ways that put their safety or that of others in jeopardy and land themselves firmly in the “too stupid to live” category. And Sally does this so many times! I loved the mystery that’s going on behind their dysfunctional relationship. There are enough clues that the reader can figure it out, but there are also plenty of cleverly disguised red herrings to lead the reader astray. Almost all the way up to the end, I couldn’t pinpoint who the villain really was. That’s a defining characteristic to a successful thriller for me. Even though Sally frustrated the living daylights out of me, I enjoyed her and Jim’s story and I look forward to reading more in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
December 28, 2019
I read the first one and i enjoyed this book more than the first one. This book can be stand-alone. This books has very different tone compare to first one.
Sally has been on her own raising a son since her husband was killed 5 years ago. She has good friends around her especially a vet Dr. Donovan. She never had any desire to seek any relationship until stalker reappeared in her life.
Jim Donovan has been in love with Sally every since he moved to Cedar Hill. H tried to convince her to date him but she refused so he decided to become her friend. But when he finds out Sally has been dealing with a stalker who is terrorizing love of his life, he will do anything to protect her.
Sally has been independent, strong and confident but stalkers messages has been rattling her. When Jim comes to help her and her son, she is grateful for his help but not ready for a relationship. But Jim stirs something in her and she is not sure what it is.
Stalker’s getting more violent and Sally needs Jim more than ever. Jim is patient but will he wait for Sally forever?
Suspense was well woven into the story and kept the story moving forward. Sometimes Sally’s actions were questionable but everything worked out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sally has been on her own raising a son since her husband was killed 5 years ago. She has good friends around her especially a vet Dr. Donovan. She never had any desire to seek any relationship until stalker reappeared in her life.
Jim Donovan has been in love with Sally every since he moved to Cedar Hill. H tried to convince her to date him but she refused so he decided to become her friend. But when he finds out Sally has been dealing with a stalker who is terrorizing love of his life, he will do anything to protect her.
Sally has been independent, strong and confident but stalkers messages has been rattling her. When Jim comes to help her and her son, she is grateful for his help but not ready for a relationship. But Jim stirs something in her and she is not sure what it is.
Stalker’s getting more violent and Sally needs Jim more than ever. Jim is patient but will he wait for Sally forever?
Suspense was well woven into the story and kept the story moving forward. Sometimes Sally’s actions were questionable but everything worked out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 24, 2019
Great read.
Jim is a patient man. He has been in love with Sally for a few years now but wanted to give her time to grieve.
Sally is a widow with a son who is her world. She has some great friends that she can relies on. But she can be extremely stubborn. When the letters she has been receiving turn into something more Jim has to convince the threat is more real then she is wanting to believe. He is tired of Sally only seeing him as her friend and won't let this stalker take her away before they have a chance. Only Sally may be too stubborn and scare of love to realize what she has in front of her.
Great read that kept you intrigued the whole time.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Jim is a patient man. He has been in love with Sally for a few years now but wanted to give her time to grieve.
Sally is a widow with a son who is her world. She has some great friends that she can relies on. But she can be extremely stubborn. When the letters she has been receiving turn into something more Jim has to convince the threat is more real then she is wanting to believe. He is tired of Sally only seeing him as her friend and won't let this stalker take her away before they have a chance. Only Sally may be too stubborn and scare of love to realize what she has in front of her.
Great read that kept you intrigued the whole time.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
December 31, 2019
Wonderful contemporary romance story. The blurb sets you up for the two main characters but there’s so much more to them. Sally has been stalked for years am never taken it seriously till now. She’s accused of not honoring her husbands memory. Jim is a former elite marine who secretly has feelings for Sally and her son Tyler. Jim sounds like a hunk and so does Dr Davis. I’m hoping we’ll get his story soon. Ms. Craig did a fantastic job developing the characters back stories as well as the present ones. She makes them feel real. I received a complementary copy via Hidden Gems and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Craig.
January 4, 2020
For years, Jim has been in love with the woman he considers his best friend. After her husband's death, Sally swore love wasn't in the cards for her. The heart wants what it wants. Will Sally see what is in front of her before it is to late? Will they be able to find out who is after her?
LOVED this book! I loved how despite Jim thinking he had no chance, he was still determined to protect her. I did think at times that Sally was naive when it came to her feelings and how she kept pushing everything aside, but loved how once she opened herself up to the chance she went in full force! Great read and will definitely be reading more from this author!
LOVED this book! I loved how despite Jim thinking he had no chance, he was still determined to protect her. I did think at times that Sally was naive when it came to her feelings and how she kept pushing everything aside, but loved how once she opened herself up to the chance she went in full force! Great read and will definitely be reading more from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2019
A story of learning to love again! Sally is afraid of loving anyone again after losing her husband, but Jim is determined to show her that she can. The suspense throughout this book is amazing, you never know when the stalker is going to show up again and what he may try next. Jim vows his protection, but is that all that he wants. This story shows how love can be the strength you need when things turn for the worst. Loved how this story evolved and showed how Sally confronts her true feelings. Great Story! I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2019
Couldn’t Put It Down
What an exhilarating story! A perfect blend of romance and thrill. Susan Craig caught my attention with her intelligent and humorous writing style. The characters’ problems became my problems and their successes my successes. Every page seemed like a new twist in the story and the ending left me frozen in place as I absorbed every word. I can’t wait for the next book!
What an exhilarating story! A perfect blend of romance and thrill. Susan Craig caught my attention with her intelligent and humorous writing style. The characters’ problems became my problems and their successes my successes. Every page seemed like a new twist in the story and the ending left me frozen in place as I absorbed every word. I can’t wait for the next book!
December 19, 2019
This is a fantastic read! Its got everything: a totally kick ass storyline; amazing characters; lots of dark twists and turns; suspense galore; and one helluva HEA. You definitely want to add this one to your TBR list today! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and loved it! Definitely a keeper. ❤️❤️
December 18, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. The chemistry between the characters was awesome, and the dangers they had to go through were written really well. I look forward to reading more from this author, and would definitely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews