Call of the Wild Heart

Serenity Falls #4

by Sophie Mays

Can two secretly wounded hearts become whole in the rugged winter wilderness?

Carson Wyatt has done well hiding invisible combat wounds from his large, loving family. With everyone back home at the ranch for a new business venture, it's becoming harder to convince them that he is still the same fun-loving, larger-than-life big brother and son they've always known.

After his sister's wedding in Paris, Carson has come back to oversee life at the ranch while the rest of the clan is away. He's ready to enjoy some quiet time when an old friend of his sisters is thrust upon him. When Bella Hawthorne waltzes back into his life, his determination to hide his emotions is put to the ultimate test.

Bella is coming to stay at the Wyatt property and needs a guide into the Colorado wilderness as she researches the presence of bears and wolves. She's told that Carson is the perfect guy for the job. Wilderness guide, however, is a position that Carson does not want for multiple reasons. Foremost, the PTSD and memories of Special Forces combat that being in the local mountains he once loved now triggers.

When their personalities clash, it's not only the harsh outside weather that causes a storm to start brewing.

Can a broken veteran heal his shattered soul? Can a lost young woman learn to trust again when betrayal is all she's ever known? Or is the risk of having their already wounded hearts broken simply too dangerous?

As a wintery storm closes in, Carson and Bella must determine if they have what it takes to answer the call of their wild and tender hearts.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2021

About the author

Sophie Mays is an Amazon Bestselling sweet romance author who focuses on uplifting and heartwarming stories with a little bit of humor and a lot of heart. Her popular contemporary romance book series' highlight the lovable characters and endearing quirkiness of small-town life.

Aside from writing, Sophie is addicted to audiobooks, DIY projects, podcasts, and scouring recipe books and blogs in search of the perfect "healthy" dessert to bring to parties (...or to eat alone at her computer while writing.)

You can follow her on Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and Bookbub!

Reviews

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked getting to know Carson more after getting snippets of him in the previous books and meeting Bella and learning of how she fits within the Wyatt family was tragic yet heartwarming. This was a great read but I just felt I wanted a bit more of Carson and Bella getting know each other, but then again that's just me and the heart knows what the heart wants!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Arceli · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is amazing. i loved the characters. their chemistry was awesome and on point. there was so much emotion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella accidentally ran into her college roommate, Hannah's brother, Carson when she went to pick up her dad for causing a disturbance in the local bar. Carson had stopped to use the restroom, and he had asked Bella's dad a question, when he started yelling at him. Carson offered to help Bella get her dad home before he headed on home himself. Bella told him fine. Hannah had invited her over later anyway. That was the first time Bella ever spent any time with a real family, and Carson left early the next morning for basic training, but he did tell Bella that they would meet again sometime. It would be almost a decade later before they would meet again with Carson pretending to be the man he use to be for his family, but Bella sees the pain in his eyes immediately and feels the cutting edge of his tongue. He does not even remember ever meeting Bella before. He was supposed to take her on a guided tour up on the mountain, and he thought she was some green horn. She was doing research to obtain information for a grant to open a wildlife sanctuary. When they looked into each others eyes they saw more than the other one liked for them to see if it they touched, there was a special feeling that would not go away. It was something neither one had ever experienced before in a relationship, and with both of them feeling like they were broken, undeserving of anything good in their lives. A wonderfully written romance with plenty of excitement and emotional moments to hold your attention.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson Wyatt gets roped into helping Bella Hawthorne find endangered wildlife on his neighbor's land so she can get funding to purchase it for a wildlife center. His first impression is that she's a princess who has no wilderness experience. She thinks he's a grumpy judgmental jerk and is not happy that he's her guide. It seems like a simple couple days horseback ride and camp when they run across an angry mama bear and an avalanche. I don't know what I would have done in either situation. I certainly wouldn't have tried to get closer to the mama bear. I also don't enjoy being in small enclosed dark spaces. They both carry a lot of pain, he from experiences in the Marines and she from dealing with a drunk father, prejudices, and feeling unwanted. Their relationship develops really quickly, but maybe part of that was due to the life and death situations they were in.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book of the delightful Serenity Falls series. This is Carson and Bella's story. Both have their own past issues and pain they need to deal with. This story is about overcoming that pain and learning to forgive and love and trust yourself as well. Carson has come home from his work in the special forces and is dealing with PTSD. Bella is his sister's friend and needs a wilderness guide to help her with a research project she is working on. She has her own painful past she is dealing with. This is a beautifully written story about two lost souls healing and finding love. Endearing characters and a captivating plot made this quite the page-turner. I definitely recommend you give this book and the series a try!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Bertolio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of forgiveness, redemption, and love of oneself. Everyone has some regrets. Carson is trying to overcome his regrets for the casualties of war. Bella is trying to live here life out of the shadow of her emotionally abusive drunk father. Bella graduated from college and is trying to get some land for a nature preserve, as she helps endangered species. This is what brings her in contact with Carson Wyatt. His family had land boarding the land she wants to purchase. He becomes her guide into the wild. Come along for the wild adventure that awaits these two travelers. Happy Reading!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Norma Wiegert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carson Wyatt has returned from special forces combat to the family ranch in Colorado but he is now battling PTSD which he is hiding from his family.

Bella Hawthorne, a friend of Carson's sister Hannah shows up at the ranch and needs a guide into the wilderness for a research project on wildlife she is working on. Bella is harboring some emotional wounds herself. Her Mother died when she was young and she was raised by her father who resorted to drinking after his wife died.

Can these dammaged hearts find healing together?

Sophie Mays is a fabulous author and I love the Serenity Falls series getting to know the members of the Whatt family.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back at the Wyatt Ranch, and this time it is the oldest son who finds his love for life.
Carson had been a happy-go-lucky, self-confident young man, but serving in the Marines had changed him considerably, even though he tries to not show the long term damage it has caused him to his family. When his sister Hannah is asking him to be a guide in the wilderness near their ranch, he hesitates, but finally agrees. Bella is a surprise to him and he does not understand his attraction to her. Bella is quite different from what he expects and she brings unexpected laughter and peace to him.
A lovely story, easy to read, and entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call of the Wild Heart~ Serenity Falls Bk 4 by Sophie Mays.
Here we have Carson Wyatt from the Wyatt Ranch Colorado, Bella Hawthorne a friend of Carson's sister has also come to the ranch and hopes that Carson can guide her with her Wilderness research.
This is a great clean romance that has been beautifully written by Sophie. Her writing draws the readers to into the story, with a strong plot and fantastic characters, this is a must-read.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson Wyatt has up to this point been able to hide his PTSD wounds. Now he has been asked by his sister to take Bella, her friend, out into the mountains to search for bears and wolves as she is researching to purchase the ranch that is for sale beside the Wyatt’s place to set up a Wildlife Rehabilitation and Preservation Center. To make that happen, she needs a grant to protect extinct and endangered species. As they both go out, her excitement, his reservations but a much needed guide, can they weather the unpredictable and come back alive.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book with complex characters and a beautifully written story that completely captivated me immediately and I really didn't want the book to end when I got to the last page. I loved the attraction and undeniable chemistry between Carson Wyatt and Bella Hawthorne who both have a lot of baggage they need to work through. Ms. Mays has given us another must-read in her Serenity Falls series and everyone will love this sweet, clean and emotional romance. I received an advance reader copy from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Anita Fuhrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book! I really enjoyed seeing how Bella was able to help Carson get a handle on his PTSD and I thought that the author did a fabulous job in keeping the excitement factor high by having them deal with some unique survival situations involving a protective mama bear as well as an avalanche. Having to deal with one of those things would be bad enough, but two?! Wonderful characters and a very good story-line! I intend to go and read this whole series now!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, great story, great characters. Both are broken by different circumstances, but they make the perfect team.

It kinda drives me nuts when one character thinks they aren't good enough for the other and only changes their mind when pushed. In this story, the hero doesn't think he deserves the girl, but decides he's not backing away unless she pushes him away... and even then he just holds on.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance in the Snowy Back-Country
This is a sweet and clean romance that is typical of this author. Two broken souls meet and mend each other. It takes place in the Colorado high country in a dangerous winter wonderland. This story has all of the feels. I love the way the author can realistically tell a story that can so warm your heart. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprout and this is my honest review.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call of the Wild Heart is Bella and Carson's story. He is a broken veteran and she has always felt the stigma of being the daughter of a drunk, abusive father. These well developed characters have so much to overcome. This heartwarming, well written romance has themes of forgiveness, redemption and learning to forgive yourself. Grab a hunk of time when you are ready to read because you will not want to put this one down!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is beautifully written and pulls you in. The writing flows smoothly from page to page and before you realize it, you've spent your afternoon swept up in this great story. Trust me, there's nothing wrong with that either. The characters are well developed and easy to get to know. As you continue to turn the pages, you can't help but fall in love with them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet story is about Carson and Bella; neither of which think they are deserving of love. Carson suffers from PTSD and is no longer the carefree man of his youth. Bella has had a rough life with her mother passed and her father a drunk. They set off together in search of wildlife but find so much more that that in each other. Their story is so beautiful and I loved it from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance between Carson and Bella , two broken souls who come together and find love. It's a clean romance with all the feels. The story moves fluidly with perfectly painted scenes and a realistic feel. I enjoyed and would recommend this book. Well done!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella and Carson meet again but this time for an adventure in the wild. I enjoyed getting to know them better through their experiences. Bella's abusive father and Carson's military experience effects them in so many ways, confidence, pride, shame, fear. Their adventure gives them a mutual understanding of their life experiences.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spend a long afternoon with this PG former-military romance between Carson Wyatt, a former SEAL now back home at the Wyatt Ranch Retreat in Serenity Falls, Colorado, and Bella Hawthorne, a wildlife specialist who grew up in Pine Valley.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson returns to the family ranch with PTSD when his sister's friend Bella ask him to be her guide into the wilderness so she can study endangered animals hoping to establish a perserve. Bella has also had a hard life losing her mother when she was young and her father becoming an abusive drunk. When these two spend time together they began to heal and also maybe develop a relationship.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good enjoyable sweet clean romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy Mccalmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Serenity falls series. Carson and Bella both have wounded hearts for different reasons. Can the mountains and a Winter storm bring them together?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. I enjoyed it from start to finish. It was also a sweet read. I look forward to reading the final book in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Sopsko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so inspirational and interesting. The characters have been so much in their pasts and they are so strong.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a charming and delightful story.

The characters had such wonderful chemistry.

This well written, heart-warming romance has themes of forgiveness, redemption and learning to forgive yourself.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading about Carson and Bella, 10 years after they first met they meet again. They embark on an adventure and learn that they need each other to survive in life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read, from this author. It was a sweet story, however I am not the biggest fan of the third person point of view of the writing, sorry deal breaker. But I will read others in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ruth Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson is my hero

I adore Carson, I can only imagine what our soldiers have had to go through and can understand why they have so much to deal with. I was so happy that he and Bella survived and found their way.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet clean romance with plenty
of depth to the plot and characters.
The interaction and chemistry between the
characters is well developed and interesting.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book via Booksprout.