HER MOUNTAIN REFUGE by Laurel Blount is the fabulously well-written and compelling story of Charlotte Tremaine and Sheriff Logan Carter.
Charlotte’s life wasn’t quite as she had expected or hoped. She thought she was marrying the guy of her dreams only to find out after the wedding that he was abusive and completely cowed down to his domineering mother, who thought her financial status entitled her to whatever she wanted. Her husband’s sudden death left her deeply in debt and expecting a baby. With nowhere to turn or the finances to even try, she too finds herself under her mother-in-law’s domination. With a light at the end of the tunnel hope, she is relying on her business as a wedding gown designer to make enough money to get her and her soon to arrive baby out of her mother-in-law’s clutches. When an angry bride pushes her over the edge, Charlotte finds herself in the hospital fighting to keep her unborn baby safe and sound.
Sheriff Logan Carter hadn’t had an easy childhood, but thanks to Ruth, his foster mom who opened her home and her heart, he’s learned to not only survive but to flourish. Ruth through the years took in children that had nowhere to go and arrived with load of baggage from rough beginnings. Through love and determination, they all became a family full of love for one another and knowing there was finally someone that had their back. It was Ruth that brought Charlotte’s predicament to Logan’s attention, but it was seeing the ring on her right hand that made up his mind that he had to get to his friend’s side. It had always been the sign that she was in trouble.
Over the last few years, their relationship had been strained. Logan had seen through Dylan’s façade, but Charlotte was always trying to save the underdog. After all, that’s how their friendship had started when she thought he was all alone and in need of a friendly smile back in their school days and he was the new kid. In the only time he’d ever spouted off, he had told her not to come crying when her heart got trampled. She hadn’t, but he also remembered their word with special meaning – ALWAYS.
One look at Charlotte laying in that hospital bed was all it took for Logan to know he would do anything to help his friend. For the first time in ages, Charlotte felt like there was peace and hope when she caught a glimpse of Logan in her room. When Mrs. Tremaine made it clear that after her grandson’s birth that she was going after full custody by portraying Charlotte as unfit and unworthy of being a parent, Logan knew he would move heaven and earth to prevent it. He starts by taking Charlotte back to Cedar Ridge –so she can relax and gain her strength while preparing for the birth of her son and away from the stress of her business and Mrs. Tremaine.
Will Mrs. Tremaine’s vast resources mean that it’s a lost battle before they even start? What does the arrival of Logan’s deadbeat Dad mean? Can Logan keep Charlotte safe while protecting his own heart? Can Charlotte see the goodness of Logan’s heart and it cause her own to open up again to possibilities? Will Ruth’s matchmaking bring them together or drive them to running in opposite directions? When the friend that Logan contacts, who is also a great attorney, states that Charlotte’s chances would greatly improve if she was in a stable relationship actually lead to drastic measures being taken? Can Charlotte find the strength to confront her mother-in-law? Is it possible for a marriage in name only to become an “always” marriage?
HER MOUNTAIN REFUGE is an inspirational love story that will have you falling in love with the characters, turning pages to find out what’s going to happen next and hoping for a happily ever after. Laurel Blount delivers it all within the pages of this amazing story as she touches on the fate of foster kids, abusive relationships, true and undying friendships and even acceptance and forgiveness. We learn that family isn’t always by blood but often times by bond and that love doesn’t always knock you off your feet, but may be like a flower seed that sprouts and grows until eventually it’s seen for the true beauty that it is although unlike the flower, true love never dies. If you’re looking for a can’t put down book that will leave you feeling good, then HER MOUNTAIN REFUGE is the book for you. Most definitely gets my FIVE STAR recommendation!