Sandy M’s review of Silver Thaw (Mystic Creek, Book 1) by Catherine Anderson
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 6 Jan 15

What an absolutely wonderful book this is by Catherine Anderson. She has crammed it full of everything a romance reader needs and wants in a contemporary romance. From the hero, who is gentle, kind and sexy, to the heroine, who has finally begun to live on her own terms, to a beautiful father and daughter relationship to a family who truly live by honor and belief, this story will move you from the depths of despair to tendrils of hope to the love and romance the very talented Ms. Anderson is so very good at giving readers with every book.

Amanda Banning and her daughter Chloe are living on their own after the harrowing years under the roof of her abusive husband. They landed in Mystic Creek, Oregon, Amanda hoping that her husband will look elsewhere in the search for them she knows is coming. Their house isn’t much, but it’s all she can afford while saving for a car and the divorce to totally sever that horrible relationship. When two violent storms hit Mystic Creek, mother and daughter are rescued just in time.

One of six children, Jeb Sterling is helping others make contact with folks living in his part of town. After an exhausting day of making sure everyone has food, power, wood and so much more, he nearly bypasses the old run-down house at the end of a nearby street. But little details make him take a closer look and he finds a woman and her child huddled together to keep warm since their electricity has been out due to the storm. Even though the mother is wary of him – good for her! – he insists they go home with him to wait out the weather.

What Jeb doesn’t realize at that point is Amanda is the writer of the little pink notes he’s been finding strewn about his property, notes of hope and longing and need. He does figure it out shortly, and that’s when he begins to see a woman who is stronger than any he’s ever met, a woman he could love forever. Little by little Amanda’s story comes out, and you’re amazed at what she’s endured and survived. Jeb is just what she and Chloe need. Though it does take her a bit to let her guard down around him, she eventually comes to appreciate and love his kindness and gentleness, as well as his sexiness. Amanda has never experienced true lovemaking, the depth of emotion that goes with it, and Jeb understands this, realizing he can’t push her too fast into something she’s not ready for.

The same is true of Chloe. Her monster of a father didn’t differentiate between mother or daughter; he hit, kicked, and threw them both equally. The man is an unequaled villain. But in Jeb Chloe also has found something she’s never had in her short life. I love the scenes between these two, even one where Chloe pushes against the boundaries and Jeb answers. Amanda has a hard time with it all, but she falls in love with him a little more, as you do. She threw her wish of meeting a romantic hero into the wind, and Jeb is that and much, much more.

I do love all of Jeb’s brothers. This is a family who comes running when one of them calls. No questions asked. They just show up and do what needs to be done. I’m looking forward to each of their books in this series.

Grade: A

Summary:

After years of living in fear of her husband, Amanda Banning has left him and moved to Mystic Creek, Oregon, for a fresh start. But she’s having a tough time providing for herself and her six-year-old daughter. Writing her secret yearnings on slips of paper and sending them into the wind helps her cling to the hope that things will get better…and that she can find happiness again.

Jeb Sterling has no idea that the handwritten messages he finds scattered across his land are the first hints that his life is about to change. Nor does he understand why he feels so compelled to help Amanda Banning and her daughter when a cold snap leaves them temporarily homeless. Maybe he’s inspired by Amanda’s courage or perhaps by her beautiful brown eyes. Either way, the man who once renounced love suddenly finds himself willing to do anything for the pair. Amanda seems to have given up on her dreams, but Jeb refuses to quit until he makes her every wish come true.…

No excerpt available.