Series: Eternity Springs #1
Published by Ballantine Books on February 15th 2011
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
Narrator: Kathe Mazur
Length: 9 Hours and 55 Mins
Pages: 327
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
ISBN: 0345518349
Welcome to Eternity Springs, a little piece of heaven in the Colorado Rockies.
Gabriel Callahan has lost everything that mattered. All he wants is solitude on an isolated mountain estate. Instead, he gets a neighbor. Vibrant, no-nonsense Nic Sullivan is Eternity Springs' veterinarian, and she has an uncanny plan to lure this talented architect back to the world of the living. First with a dog, next with a renovation project, and, finally, with a night of passion that ends with a surprise.
Now a man still raw from tragedy must face the biggest struggle of his heart. Can he forgive himself and believe in the power of second chances? Dare he trust in the promise of a future and a brand-new family here in Eternity Springs?
Summary
Gabriel Callahan has lost just about everything he loved in life his family, his beloved wife and his child both he couldn’t save no matter how hard he tried to. Gabriel is still haunted by the memories and goes to Eternity Springs to start fresh and build a new life again. All Gabriel really wants is peace and isolation, he never expected that a stubborn little dog would adopt him, or that a beautiful and compassionate woman, would make him feel again. He tries everything to keep himself away from her, but on Christmas Eve, he makes the mistake of his life and loses himself in the desire he feels in Nic’s arms that cold winter’s night. While out on vacation with his closest friend, he comes back to learn that his actions has consequences….because Nic is pregnant and now they both will have to make some difficult choices. Nic, knows that Gabriel has some serious issues he needs to confront about the past, but she also knows that deep beneath he has a good heart and she wants to see him feel happiness again but she soon learns that Gabriel will need to face his demons if they have any hope of healing and love in the future and for the future of their children they will need to trust in love….
“Sure. I don’t want him to kick her out of his heart; I want him to make room there for me. I think that his ability to talk about his life with her makes that easier.”
Plot and Story Line
Oh my gosh…this book gave me ALL THE FEELS!! Honestly, I know it took me some time to read this book, it was a audiobook and was distracted by other books I was reading, but I tried to listen to this any time I was out driving or cleaning and yeah this book kept me on tinder hooks at times. Now I will admit the beginning starts a bit slow, but I do feel like the author is just setting the stage for the series and its based on this small town in the middle of no where, a town of people that are trying to save themselves. And we see the fresh beginnings of new fresh ideas these intelligent and passionate small town folk have here. And man did I fall in love with Eternity Springs and I just wanted more of this town that captivated me. This story does have quite a few emotions the reader goes through as you all for these endearing characters. Both Characters are just wonderful and a good match for each other.
“Would you like to dance?”
She smiled at him. “Look at the gym floor, Gabe. This is a father-daughter dance.”
“Yeah. Well, so what? Consider this my first dance with my daughter.”
At that, Nic went all gooey and some of her lingering doubts eased. Gabe Callahan was a good man. She tilted her head at him and asked, “What if she’s a he?”
“Well, I grew up going to dance halls in Texas, and believe me, it’s never too early for a guy to learn to two-step.”
Our hero is struggling with some major issues here. I understood where he was coming from and even though at times he could be a jerk, he doesn’t mean to be.
“This man was hurt, damaged in some fundamental way. She saw it not in those scars upon his body but in the haunted expression in his eyes.”
You see how he hasn’t let go of his grief at all, but meeting and trying out a relationship with Nic helps him so much. But the pivotal moment of the story is seeing when he makes a huge mistake, and hurts Nic really badly.
“Allow yourself to love him, Nicole. That’s one of the greatest gifts a mother can give to her child, you know. To love her child’s father. I firmly believe that once Gabe’s heart heals, he’ll discover that you and your child already have a place there.”
So badly that he has to really get creative and work for it to get back in her good graces and it takes some doing. But yeah he grovels really really well in the end and seriously the ending here…brought me to TEARS!!! I don’t always cry in books, in fact it doesn’t happen as often as it used to, but man this author really worked me so well in this book. I honestly had a whirlwind of a time discovering a new author (to me) and discovering the powerful healing touch of love this book demonstrates!! If you love a small town emotionally charged romance…this book is for you!!
“Why?” he repeated. “Because it was a labor of love.” He walked over to her, went down on one knee, took her hand, and kissed it. “I’m not afraid to love those babies anymore. I love them. I want to be there when they’re born. I want to help you raise them. I want to be their dad.” Tears swam in her eyes and she swallowed hard. Gabe went down on both knees and claimed both her hands. Held them tight. “I said this before, but my timing stank, so maybe you’ll get the message better now. Nic, I’m not afraid to love you anymore, either. I love you. I am in love with you. Please, give me another chance. Give us another chance. I won’t let you down again. You have my word. My oath.” He kissed one hand and then the other. “Nic, you have my heart. Please, be my home.”
The Narration
Our Narrator is the first time I have listened to this narrator and she was simply wonderful. I have no complaints about her work here. She really showed the emotion so well, and her voice is so pleasant and soothing.
The Cover
So so gorgeous…like Thomas Kincade gorgeous right? I love this cozy cottage winter scene and makes me miss the snow!!!
Overall View
Angel’s Rest is an enthralling and emotionally heart wrenching read that packs a punch to the heart!! Not a story to miss out on….a story of grief, heartache, healing and redemption….A JEWEL OF EMOTION!!
The feeeels! Lol, gotta love a book like that
I really need to read an Emily March book. I am pretty sure that I have some of her books sitting on my kindle waiting for me. This does sound like a nice story.
oh you would really really love her work!!!!
Love the review! I have this on my TBR and can’t wait. Emily March does such a fantastic job with complicated emotions.