Now for the faithful followers of my blog, you will have read all about this amazing project of The Power of the Matchmaker series. If this is new to you, basically it kicks off with a great novella which introduces Pearl, the Matchmaker. Following the novella we get to read 12 books by 12 really good authors (1 released each month) that give us a great love story. What is unique about these books, is that Pearl is featured in each, but only so that she gives a push in the right direction, or says something that makes perfect sense just when you need it. It is really very well thought out.
This book is the first full book, and sorry for me taking so long getting this out to you.
Book
Celia is in desperate need of a change–a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships. Not knowing what else to do, she opens a map, closes her eyes, and lets fate decide her future. Then she packs her meager belongings and buys a one-way ticket to a little town on the fringes of Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest called Sisters. She’s wanted a family for years. Will she find one in Sisters?
What Celia doesn’t plan to find is a strange Chinese woman whose meddling ways keep throwing her in the path of a handsome, but reserved, forest ranger. But no matter how kind or dependable Silas seems to be, there are some things in Celia’s past that neither of them can escape, and this time, the damage might be too much to mend.
Review
This book was a very loaded read. Celia has had a rough life. She grew up without a father in her life, and an addict for a mother. When her mother died, she moved around in foster care, so she has never truly felt love and belonging. Then when she finally tries living on her own, she is faced with even worse pain than she has ever faced in her life. This leads her to pack what little she has, and move to the little town of Sisters, the other side of the country.
Silas lost his parents at a very young age. He was lucky to have loving parents, so he knew what love was. When his aunt stepped in to take care of him, he lucked out in the best possible way. Yet such loss has left it’s marks, and to this day Silas has a stutter. He has worked on it immensely, but it prevents him from getting too close to people and forming real relationships. Except his aunt of course.
When Pearl brings these two very broken people together, it takes a while for them to warm up to each other. Neither is very good at getting close to another person, and afraid of what might happen.
Then when finally it looks like they might develop a true and lasting relationship, Celia’s past and her reluctance to open up may be the end of a beautiful new beginning.
This book had me in tears in two different parts. I felt so connected to both Silas and Celia, that I felt the hurt, pain, despair and loss they faced and dealt with. My heart literally hurt for them both, and I was devastated when it looked like it would not work out for them. I’m glad it did all work out, although I felt the ending was a little rushed. It all pointed in the direction of where it eventually ended, but I felt Celia and Silas had gone through enough, that they deserved a bit more of a HEA that what we got in this particular ending.
This is the third book I have read by Karey White, and I have enjoyed each one. She has a way with words, making you part of the story, and experience it as opposed to just reading it. This book is a great first read in the series, and be sure to follow the blog for the other books in the series (The post of the novella can be read here, the post of book two here.)
About the Author
I am the oldest of eleven children, born to parents who were either saints or crazy, maybe both. They thought we were all capable of being professional athletes or broadway stars. They weren’t right, of course, but they did help us have self-confidence.
I have the greatest family. A patient husband who makes me laugh and four clever, good-looking children–two boys and two girls. I adore them all.
Through the years I’ve been a student, a teacher, a secretary, a clothing designer and seamstress, a wedding cake maker, a crafter, a scrapbooker, a cook, a homework helper (until they pass me in math, somewhere around the third grade), and a fan at my children’s sporting events. Before I die, I’d either like to be a great housekeeper or have the money to hire a maid.
I’ve been writing since Jr. High, when I was hired by a county newspaper to do a Happenings column about our little town of about 300 people. I got paid by the word so every week I called every family in town and got their news. It wasn’t high-brow journalism but the column earned me a little spending money.
On our way to Aspen, CO, my sister, my two oldest kids and I were hit head-on by a drunk driver in a stolen car. Although we suffered serious injuries, we all survived.
Candy isn’t worth eating unless it’s chocolate. (See’s are the best.)
When I was seven years old, I fell and broke my arm . . . on a dirtclod.
When I was a child, my family bought and renovated an old school-house. It was a wonderful place to live in spite of the bats that flew over our heads at night.
I’ve been told that my naturally curly hair doesn’t get longer, it gets bigger.
I’ve always liked game shows. Everything from Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy to the reality-style game shows like Amazing Race, Survivor, and Top Chef.
Nothing makes me happier than being with family and friends eating good food, sharing good conversation and a few laughs. That might be why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.