Sandy M’s review of New Leaf (Mystic Creek, Book 2) by Catherine Anderson
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 5 Jan 16
As much as I love reading a tortured hero, I also love a man who is too good to be true. Thus is Barney Sterling, deputy sheriff in Mystic Creek. When he commits, he commits big, and he stole my heart with every word and deed.
Taffeta Brown got royally screwed by her ex-husband, who lied on the stand during her trial so she’d lose both her daughter and her freedom. Out of prison and trying to start over to eventually prove her innocence and once again have custody of her child, Taffeta has opened a new business in Mystic Creek, a town so small news moves faster than a wild fire. She’s fantasized about Sheriff Sterling, but until the night he shows up at her door with a citizen complaint, she knows he’s never given her a second glance.
It’s the sexy and sensuous dancing silhouette in her window that has Barney finally taking that second glance at Taffetta. Two of the town’s oldest geezers don’t like her loud music, but Barney could listen and watch all night. Now he realizes she dresses in baggy clothing, wears her hair in a tight bun, and other things to not draw attention to herself. His fascination with her heightens and he begins to spend more time in her store, trying to get to know her better. His persistence pays off and they enjoy one another on a few dates, but then Taffy throws Barney for a loop with a very desperate request.
And it’s the one and only time in the book when Barney loses his cool, but even then, after he has a chance to think it over, he apologizes and proves he truly is too good to be true. Taffeta’s request is only that they get married so she can regain custody of her daughter. Barney’s gasket blows right off at the end of that conversation. He’s from a close, tight-knit family, and his parents instilled certain beliefs in him, namely that divorce is a big no-no. He doesn’t love Taffy, and after Sarah is home with her mother, they’d go their separate ways. After he cools down, he talks to Taffy to try to make her understand why he can’t help. But, of course, his goodness won’t let him really walk away.
So they begin a month of dating, pretending to really be into each other to show the town their relationship. They have his parents’ support, a lawyer’s advice, and feelings that begin slow but build faster than they can blink. When the time comes to put their plan into motion, Taffeta is very glad she has this calm and stalwart man by her side. Especially when she sees her daughter again after so long. The girl’s father is an asshole of epic proportions. He cares only for himself and has left Sarah with her grandparents. She swears right and left, dresses like a tramp, and speaks her mind no matter what – and she’s only five years old. I have a bit of an issue with all of that because of her age, it’s a tad much, but because Barney does everything in his power to bring mother and daughter together, even to his own detriment if need be, I let that go.
I really like the family aspect of this series. The Sterlings are full of love and kindness. They are there for one another no matter what. I enjoyed the scenes with the brothers going to one another when help is needed. Taffeta and Sarah, who overcomes her fear of police officers, have one fantastic future in Mystic Creek.
Grade: A
Summary:
When Taffeta Brown was viciously betrayed by her wealthy husband, she lost everything—including custody of their daughter, Sarah. Now that Taffy has moved to Mystic Creek, Oregon, to start over, she unexpectedly meets the one man who might help her get Sarah back.
Barney Sterling, a local lawman, finds himself drawn to the lovely, guarded Taffy, but he’s stunned by her proposition—that they marry immediately to improve her chances of regaining custody of her daughter. Barney takes marriage too seriously to commit himself to a woman he hardly knows. Yet soon his sympathies fall with the desperate Taffy, and pretending to be in love becomes the easiest part of the plan. But they have no idea what they’re up against, or what they’re willing to risk to make a miracle come true in Mystic Creek.
No excerpt available.
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