PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION
Can two polar opposites meet in the middle to achieve a winning outcome?
Sunset Meadows’ activity director Melinda Brewer has her work cut out for her. As a five-year veteran with the cutting-edge retirement community, “Mel” wears many hats. But her job is more than a title. The residents at “The Meadows” are like family—some of whom she’s known her entire life. Ruby—this little niche in the Ozark Mountains—may be a mere dot on the Missouri map, but it’s also Mel’s birthplace, the land of her heritage, reminiscent of old ways while cognizant of new seasons.
Leave it to new kid on the block Matt Enders to upset the apple cart. When Enders is hired as the facility’s new social worker, his idea of a well-oiled machine is to eliminate a few rusty cogs—chiefly, some of Mel’s most successful programs. Mr. City Slicker doesn’t care about making waves. He delivers a hurricane!
Matt Enders isn’t budging. Let Mel Brewer think what she will. While he’s willing to meet the pint-size package of TNT halfway regarding new ideas and innovation, he won’t sacrifice improvement for the sake of hurt feelings. Can he convince Mel that a team approach is better than a single-handed effort?
Ironically, crabby Clinton Farley, a Meadows’ resident and devout non-believer, is the catalyst that draws Matt and Mel closer. Together, the two must set aside differences to work for a common cause—introducing Clinton to a sunnier side of life and a new way of living.
When they finally learn Clinton’s story, can Matt and Mel open their hearts to new opportunities, as well as each other?
Click here to purchase a copy:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K6NQ3HB?_bbid=31498942&tag=individualbookpagesite-20
My Review:
This is the third book in the “Welcome to Ruby” series. The setting for this series is a small town in Missouri surrounded by the beauty of the Ozarks. It’s the kind of small town that you’d love to live in: a community full of interesting folks where everyone not only knows about everything about everybody, but the townsfolk truly care and will rush to help wherever there’s a need.
This book features a fun storyline of “friends to romance” between two wonderful people, Matt and Melinda. I enjoyed their story and loved the way that their faith directed their choices. I thought the conflict between them carried on for just a little bit too long and that Melinda was sometimes a little annoying, but it’s the secondary storyline that completely captured my heart and elevated this book far above just a sweet story with a happily-ever after.
For me, the character of senior citizen Clinton Farley became the heart and soul of the book. Clinton’s suffered great losses in his life. He first suffered the loss of a child, but more recently, he experienced the loss of his wife of many years who was the love of his life. Clinton’s living in the retirement community where both Matt and Melinda are employed. However, he’s living a very solitary life and wants nothing to do with anyone there. Clinton is mad at God and has turned his back on faith and life. Matt and Melinda become determined to help Clinton find his way back to faith. As their mission to help Clinton continues, the story turns into an insightful look at how our faith impacts our reactions to tragedy. Clinton’s story is a compelling one and is the reason that I think this book is one of the best Christian contemporary books that I’ve read in quite awhile.
Each book in this series has been uplifting reading, but Clinton’s story has made this one my favorite. I’m looking forward to this author’s return to Ruby, Missouri.
Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cynthia writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Ozark Mountains. A hopeless romantic at heart, she enjoys penning stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. HER HOPE DISCOVERED, her début novel and the first in a four-book series, released December 2018 with Mountain Brook Ink. “Cindy” has a degree in psychology and a background in social work. She is a member of ACFW, ACFW MozArks, and RWA. She is a 2020 Selah Award Winner, a 2020 Selah Award (Double) Finalist, a 2017 ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2016 ACFW Genesis (Double) Finalist, and a 2015 ACFW First Impressions Winner. Her work is represented by WordServe Literary. Besides writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a fondness for gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things apple. She also adores a great cup of coffee and she never met a sticky note she didn’t like. Cindy loves to connect with friends at her online home. She also hangs out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. For love, fun, and encouragement, sign up for Cindy’s monthly e-NEWSLETTERS at authorcynthiaherron.com.