Review by Valerie Comer
We all need a fresh start from time to time.
Grace Harkin has lived in Cherryvale forever. She is a driving force in the small town, beloved and respected by everyone, but when her former best friend moves back, it’s evident that an old disagreement has never been put to rest.
Maggie returns a bitter widow bent on opening the animal sanctuary she and her husband had envisaged. When a Hollywood film crew descends on their small town, she’s the only protester. Everyone else seems thrilled to think they might be extras in the movie. They’re all enamored of the stars, glitz, and glamour.
But when Maggie mouths off about the degradation the movie is sure to bring, fires begin breaking out on her farm. Of course, it must be the movie crew, resenting her loud interference.
Grace is left trying to be a good friend to Maggie while becoming a mentor to the teenage star and trying to find out who’s setting the fires. In the midst of the melee, Grace and Maggie must face the friction that came between them as teenagers and give each other a fresh start.
Beverly Nault penned a winner in Fresh Start Summer. The small town of Cherryvale is filled with memorable—you could call them quirky—characters. It’s the small town we’d all love to call home with neighbors watching out for each other and Grace remembering each resident’s favorite muffin. While there is a mystery at the heart of the tale, it doesn’t qualify as suspense. There’s just enough tension to keep the reader interested and curious—and reaching for the next story in the series.
Award winning and best selling, thousands of Beverly’s stories have been enjoyed by readers worldwide. Her characters quickly become friends fans want to visit with again and again. Bev’s humor entertains, and her gorgeous settings bring the stories to life for a thought-provoking, armchair adventure. Every book features yummy recipes and tales with twists and surprises that will have you turning the pages until late into the night.
Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local food movement as well as their creation-care-centric church. She only hopes her characters enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Valerie writes Farm Lit with the voice of experience laced with humor. Raspberries and Vinegar, first in her series A Farm Fresh Romance, released August 1, 2013.
Beverly Nault
/ August 19, 2013Thanks so much for the kind comments, Val! Maybe some day your girls can visit Maggie’s farm and do a seminar on locally sourced foods for the folks living on the Cherrypath!