Between the Covers ~ with Sandra Dailey: My review on HOME IN YOUR ARMS

BLURB

After her sweetheart Joe dies in a road accident, twenty-four hours after he returns from Army service, grieving Karla Payne slams the door on love.

Five years later, Karla's tavern business is booming, and she owns her home, but she knows forever love has no part in her future.

Headed to interview for his first civilian job, retired career Army 1st Sgt. Zane Blackthorne can't resist visiting his late buddy's beloved Vermont hometown. He also can't resist looking up Joe's sweetheart, Karla, who is an alluring mix of brains, beauty, and bravery.

Loyalty to his brother-in-arms demands Zane fight his attraction to Karla. Besides, even if Karla wants him, she'll never love him.

Can Zane say goodbye to the woman he has no right to call his own?

Even if his only true home is in her arms?

What makes every great story unique? The characters. So let’s start there.

Zane Blackthorne has just separated from the Army after serving twenty years. It was the only home and family he knew, so where does he go from here. The one thing to inspire his dreams was the stories told to him by his former driver and friend Joe Armstrong, his polar opposite. Joe would talk for hours about his idyllic hometown and the girl he’d left behind. Zane had been there one time - five years ago - for Joe’s funeral. It was everything Joe had described, so Zane travels across country to return to Willow Springs, Vermont. He’s drawn to the tranquil town and the beautiful woman, Karla, who’d belonged to his best friend.

Karla Payne spends every waking moment polishing, planning, and running her bar, Stone Hearth Tavern. It’s the only pleasure in her life since the day her fiancé, Joe was killed in an accident a few days after returning from the war. It’s the one place where she can be her old self again – be among friends - and escape her grief. The last person she expected to see at a corner table is Joe’s former first sergeant, Zane Blackthorne.

I give the author an A++ for character development. In the beginning, both main characters were damaged, solitary, and buttoned-down. It seemed impossible that either would be able to open up. However, their resistance doesn’t last. They grow naturally over the course of the story exploring each other and themselves.

Now, let’s talk about the setting. Many of us have become familiar with Willow Springs in the Deerborne Inn series, (written by several authors). If I were to compare the small New England town to a place I’d have to pick Bedford Falls, (It’s a Wonderful Life). It’s a content little town full of diverse characters with much going on. The setting alone makes you willing to pick up another Deerborne Inn book.

And finally – the plot. This story moves at a comfortable clip. There’s no dead space. It will warm your heartbreak your heart – heal your heart – and make your heart swell.

If I only have five stars I’ll have to borrow a few more.

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If you'd like to know more, visit again on Wednesday when the author, Charlotte O'Shay will be my guest.