Between The Pages - Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek 

Linda Griffin 

July 2026 

When her fiancé died, Eileen said, “Then I’m free,” words that her younger sister Molly didn’t understand and never forgot. In 1850s Ohio, a girl doesn’t have that many options, and marrying Andrew MacLeith may be the best she can hope for. He promises to cherish her, but they have to live with his parents, and he can’t even protect her from his mother’s sharp tongue. After a quarrel, Molly impulsively joins his gambler brother Hugh on a journey to the Pike’s Peak gold region. Perhaps the romance and freedom she longs for lie elsewhere. Or were they right under her nose all along? 

Between The Pages 

Cherry Creek is an interesting and fast-paced read that follows Molly, a young woman driven by a fierce desire for adventure and independence. Her determination leads her into a life where she quickly discovers how difficult it can be to survive on her own. Yet those same challenges shape her, revealing her inner strength and teaching her hard-earned lessons about resilience and love. The story leans heavily on narrative and would have benefited from more dialogue to deepen character interactions and bring scenes to life. Overall, the plot remains engaging, and the ending delivers a satisfying conclusion with a compelling heroine and a thoughtful exploration of growth, hardship, and second chances. 

Rating 4 Stars

Between The Pages - Reluctant Hearts

Reluctant Hearts 

Linda Griffin 

April 2023 

Four couples, four stories: 

Darien Francis and Richard Li meet during a bank robbery, but she’s afraid to love again. 

Shane Kenniston and Beth Parker are reacquainted years after she had a crush on him, but she is a recent widow, and Shane’s life was upended by a false accusation. 

David Early and Kate Howard meet in the laundromat, but her life is consumed by the needs of her disabled child, and David isn’t ready for the responsibility. 

Realtor Frank Ellison meets Kayla Barnes at an open house, but a mistaken first impression derails any chance of romance. 

Can they all overcome the obstacles to love? 

Between The Pages 

The four stories in this book are entertaining with solid characters and interesting plots. Each story is unique with different levels of conflict, emotional drama, or quirkiness. More of a happy for now, the stories give hope of second chances. I was hoping the four stories would somehow intermingle at the end, but the overall storytelling with well-developed plotting was an enjoyable read. 

Rating 

4 Stars

Between The Pages - Bridges

Bridges 

Linda Griffin 

April 2022 

In 1963, Neil Vincent, a middle-aged World War II veteran and "Christian atheist," is working at Westfield Court as a chauffeur. He spends most of his spare time reading. 

Mary Claire DeWinter is a young, blind, Catholic college student and reluctant heiress. To secure her inheritance, she has to marry within a year, and her aunt is pressuring her to marry a rich man who teased and bullied her when she was a child. 

Neil and Mary Claire shouldn't even be friends, but the gulf between them is bridged by a shared love of books. Can they cross the bridge to more? 

Between The Pages 

The plot in this book was very interesting. The author draws the reader in with an older hero and a blind heroine. Their friendship and budding relationship were written wonderfully. The dialogue between Neil and Mary Claire is enjoyable and places you within the pages. The story is told through the point of view of just the hero, and while it didn’t deter the enjoyment of the story, if Mary Claire’s voice had been included, the emotional level would have been raised even higher. Overall, the story was sweet, emotional, and touching as both Neil and Mary Claire overcome the bridges standing between them. 

Rating 

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking

Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking 

Linda Griffin 

August 2021 

Software engineer Reid Lucas loves to cook and has a history of falling in love with married women. When he leaves his complicated past in Chicago for a job in California, he runs into trouble and must call a virtual stranger to bail him out of jail. 

Alyssa Knight, a tough street cop waiting for a church annulment from her passive-aggressive husband, is the roommate of the woman Reid calls for help, and she reluctantly provides bail for Reid. 

He falls for her immediately, and cooking for her is an act of love. She just wants to be friends, but they keep ending up in bed together. When his boss is murdered, Reid is a suspect…or is he the intended target? 

Between The Pages 

This story will make you hungry. Reid is a master cook and dishes up lots of food that will have the fussiest of eaters want to take a bite. The opening grabs your attention with Reid being arrested. The twist of a mysterious murder is interesting, and while I felt the suspense could have been highlighted more, the author ties up the loose ends nicely. Reid and Alyssa make a cute couple, but there were times I felt Alyssa was a bit rough on Reid. Food is definitely an art in this book, and it will make you want to join the author for a delicious dinner meal. 

Rating 

4 Stars