Between The Pages - Pieces of Blue

Pieces of Blue 

Liz Flaherty 

July 2024

Life comes in shades of blue... 

Self-imposed loner, Maggie North, has worked for bestselling author Trilby Winterroad her entire adult life, starting as simply his assistant and ending up as his ghost writer. Through ups and downs--including a divorce from an abusive husband--he has been the one person on whom she could always rely. So when Trilby dies suddenly, Maggie finds herself adrift, not sure what she’ll do or where she belongs in the world any longer. And the confusion continues when she discovers he’s not only left her his beloved dachshund, Chloe, but a house she knew nothing about, on a lake she’s never heard of. 

It only takes one visit for Maggie to fall in love with both the house and the small lakeside community. The longer she’s there, the safer she feels and the more her life begins to expand...as do her feelings toward her friend and Trilby’s attorney, Sam Eldridge. 

But is she really safe? Or are the glistening pieces of her new life about to shatter as an old danger returns?

Between The Pages 

Pieces of Blue was such a good story that you won’t want to put it down. The plot was heart-wrenching yet uplifting. When Maggie’s employer and friend dies, she’s lost professionally and personally. She inherits a house in Harper Loch, and she soon finds a home, friends, and herself. A bit of suspense adds to the drama with Maggie’s abusive ex-husband lurking about. The pieces of blue found throughout the story are fun, and Maggie’s unexpected second chance at love with a friend is charming. This book was an enjoyable read, and what a beautiful cover. Hoping for more from Harper Loch. 

Rating 

5 Stars

Between The Pages - Lights, Camera, Christmas Town

Lights, Camera, Christmas Town

Anna J. Stewart, Beth Carpenter, Cari Lynn Webb, Cheryl Harper, Leanne Bristow, Liz Flaherty, Melinda Curtis, and Tanya Agler 

October 2023 

What could make the holidays in Christmas Town even more magical? The arrival of a TV movie’s cast and crew to recreate one of their most beloved couple’s happily ever after! 

The snow is falling, the chestnuts are roasting, and Posey’s peppermint pies can’t keep up with demand! But there’s also mischief afoot as filming begins. Someone keeps sneaking Elmer the Elf into scenes, the town is buzzing with romantic gossip, and the Knotty Elves once again turn their creative endeavors from knitting to helping others find true love. 

Between The Pages 

Eight stories by eight different authors, yet the reading is smooth and connected. The plot is surrounded by a movie filmed in Christmas Town. New and old characters are spotlighted, each interesting and well-developed. The Knotty Elves are key to each story. The stories have a mixture of humor, drama, and lots of romance. This collection of stories is perfect to get you into the Christmas spirit. 

Rating 

5 Stars

Between The Pages - A Soft Place To Fall

A Soft Place To Fall 

Liz Flaherty 

December 2022 

Early McGrath doesn't want freedom from her thirty-year marriage to Nash, but when it's forced upon her, she does the only thing she knows to do - she goes home to the Ridge to reinvent herself. 

Only what is someone who's spent her life taking care of other people supposed to do when no one needs her anymore? Even as the threads of her life unravel, she finds new ones - reconnecting with the church of her childhood, building the quilt shop that has been a long-time dream, and forging a new friendship with her former husband. 

The definition of freedom changes when it's combined with faith, and through it all perhaps Early and Nash can find a Soft Place to Fall. 

Between The Pages 

A good punch of family drama and emotion fuels the pages of this second-chance romance. Early is a strong female lead. She takes care of her family even through the roughest times. She cares for her father-in-law, and even though her relationship with her mother is rocky, Early takes her into her home as well. Both Early and Nash are two lost souls who are bonded by family and watching them rediscover their love was an emotional ride. The plot is engaging and contains a few twists. This is a feel-good story filled with faith, hope, rekindled love, and a never-ending family bond. 

Rating

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - The Summer of Sorrow and Dance

The Summer of Sorrow and Dance 

Liz Flaherty 

October 2022 

In the midst of a summer of change, they’re both searching for an anchor. 

Dinah is a mom, a giver, and a doer, so she’s used to change, but this summer is kind of overdoing that. The diner where she’s worked for half her life is closing, her college-age kids aren’t coming home for the summer, and a property on nearby Cooper Lake is calling her name, bringing long-held dreams of owning a B & B to the fore. Newcomer Zach Applegate is entering into her dreams, too. 

Divorced dad, contractor, and recovering alcoholic Zach is in Fallen Soldier, Pennsylvania, to visit his brother and to decide what’s coming next in his life. He doesn’t like change much, yet it seems to be everywhere. But he finds an affinity for remodeling and restoration, is overjoyed when his teenage sons join him for the summer, and he likes Dinah Tyler, too. A lot. 

Dinah and Zach each experience sorrow and tumult, but go on to dance in the kitchen. Together, they have something, but is it enough? 

Between The Pages 

Book three in the Second Chance series is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon reading. The author has a skilled writing voice for mixing a wholesome romance with family drama. The plot drives the pages of Dinah and Zach both finding new chapters in their lives and discovering how they balance each other. The family bonds are the highlight of this book, and the author masterfully draws you in with emotional elements of vulnerability and independence. A loveable dog and a cute kitten add to the enjoyment. 

Rating 

5 Stars

Between The Pages - Reinventing Riley

Reinventing Riley 

Liz Flaherty 

May 2022 

He’s afraid a second time at love wouldn’t live up to his first. She’s afraid a second round would be exactly like her first. 

Pastor Jake McAlister and businesswoman Riley Winters are in their forties and widowed. Neither is interested in a relationship. They both love Fallen Soldier, the small Pennsylvania town where they met, even though Rye plans to move to Chicago, and Jake sees a change in pastorates not too far down the road. Enjoying a few-weeks friendship is something they both look forward to. 

However, there is an indisputable attraction between the green-eyed pastor and the woman with a shining sweep of chestnut hair. Then there’s the Culp, an old downtown building that calls unrelentingly to Rye’s entrepreneurial soul. And when a young man named Griff visits Jake, life changes in the blink of a dark green eye. 

Between The Pages 

The second book in the Second Chances series is another inspirational, sweet romance. I enjoyed Pastor Jake’s character in the first book, so I was excited to read his story. The author packs a punch of emotion between the pages. Jake and Riley embark on a delightful friendship filled with chemistry. Their characters grow both separately as they overcome pain suffered in their pasts, as well as together as a couple. The author does a fabulous job of placing the reader into the story with a few interesting plot twists. Will Riley stay or leave Fallen Soldier? Will Jake leave the Little Church in the Woods? I recommend reading this book to find out! 

Rating 

5 Stars

Between The Pages - A Year of Firsts

A Year of Firsts 

Liz Flaherty 

February 2022 

Widow Syd Cavanaugh is beginning a “year of firsts” with the road trip she’d promised her husband she’d take after his death. An unplanned detour lands her in Fallen Soldier, Pennsylvania, where she meets the interesting and intelligent editor of the local paper. 

Television journalist Clay McAlister’s life took an unexpected turn when a heart attack forced him to give up his hectic lifestyle. He’s still learning how to live in a small town when meeting a pretty traveler in the local coffee shop suddenly makes it all much more interesting. 

While neither of them is interested in a romantic relationship, their serious case of being “in like” seems to push them that way. However, Clay’s heart condition doesn’t harbinger a very secure future, and Syd’s already lost one man she loved to a devastating illness—she isn’t about to lose another. Where can this relationship possibly go? 

Between The Pages 

Book one of the Second Chances series is an inspirational, sweet romance. The setting of Fallen Soldier is a place you’ll want to visit. The complete cast of characters are intriguing, especially Jason Benteen (a Vietnam veteran) who is a scene stealer. Syd and Clay have a captivating relationship. The author’s writing has you feeling the emotion on the pages. A beautiful storyline from beginning to end. 

Rating 

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - Life's Too Short for White Walls

Life's Too Short for White Walls

Liz Flaherty 

April 2022 

Still reeling from her divorce, Joss Murphy flees to Banjo Bend, Kentucky, where she'd been safe and happy as a child. The family farm is now a campground. Weary and discouraged, she talks owner Ezra McIntire into renting her a not-quite-ready cabin. With PTSD keeping him company, Ez thrives on the seclusion of the campground. The redhead in Cabin Three adds suggestions to his improvement plans, urging color and vibrancy where there was none. 

Neither is looking for love, yet the attraction they share is undeniable. Can the comfort of campfires, hayrides, and sweet kisses bring these two lost souls together? 

Between The Pages 

There is so much to like about this story. The main characters both suffer with emotional pasts. Joss and Ez are likable and you’ll want to see them together and get their happy-ever-after they both deserve. As well, the additional cast is equally enjoyable. I could see several secondary characters with their own story because as a reader you want to know more about them. The author masterfully places you in a visual setting so you can see and walk around the campground, feeling the same sense of calm as Joss and Ez. Add in a wallop of family drama, and you won’t want to put this book down. 

Rating 

5 Stars

Between The Pages - Window Over The Sink

Window Over The Sink 

Liz Flaherty 

December 2020 

It’s been nearly ten years since we retired. I’m still in the office Duane and the boys created for me. The seven quilts I promised to make have been completed. A few books. He has new knees and new guitars. We’ve had grief and loss in these years, occasional discontent, times of being alone even when we were together. We’ve also had a blessed amount of fun. Of music and laughter and family. Of the other side of being alone that comes of knowing we never really are. 

Much has changed in those nine years and change, and much has stayed the same. At first, it seemed as if this book was a vanity thing. Or a thing for the grandkids to look at and think Okay, Nana, what do you want me to do with this? But in the end, like most other things in life that are worthwhile, it is a labor of love. A gathering of thoughts and dreams and memories. 

Thanks for joining me on the journey. 

Between The Pages

A great collection of stories. Some stories are thought-provoking, some are emotion-filled, and other stories will put a smile on your face. I am very familiar with the Window Over The Sink column, but it was great to read an anthology of these stories in one book. This non-fiction book is the perfect read for a lazy weekend. 

Rating 

5 Stars

Between The Pages - The Healing Summer

The Healing Summer
Liz Flaherty
October 2019

When Steven Elliott accidentally rides his bike into Carol Whitney's car at the cemetery, the summer takes on new and exciting possibilities. Long friendship wends its way into something deeper when their hearts get involved. Feelings neither of them had expected to experience again enrich their days and nights. But what happens when the long summer ends? When Carol wants a family and commitment and a future, Steven isn't so sure. He's had his heart broken before-can he risk it again? 

Between The Pages 
An emotional story of broken hearts and broken dreams, yet there is a strong bond of love and friendship that emerges from the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From the moment Carol hits Steven’s bike with her car the anticipation begins. Carol isn’t the model heroine we picture in most romances with the perfect figure, but she’s equally attractive. Her strength and personality makes her character shine. Steven is still suffering from the loss of his wife and Carol bears the loss of her baby. Their friendship is endearing as is the camaraderie between all the characters in this story. One of my favourite parts of this book is the author’s talented skill of adding wit within the pages. There are so many humorous scenes that had me laughing out loud, especially between Carol’s mother and her aunt. The fun continues with Carol and Steven as well as Steven’s sister and her husband. The complete cast of characters were a perfect blend. There are so many scenes I want to talk about...like Carol carrying a baby and her relationship with Reese, but I won’t want to spoil the story, which is an emotional ride as you root for Carol and Steven to find their happy-ever-after. This book is a feel good, must read.

Rating
5 Stars

Every Time We Say Goodbye

Every Time We Say Goodbye 
Liz Flaherty
April 2016

He had her at "hello again…" 

After the prom night accident that had stolen the innocence of his small lakeside hometown, Jack Llewellyn had run. The guilt—especially facing his high school sweetheart, Arlie Gallagher—had been too much. Now he had no choice. He was back in town, and on Arlie's radar. 

Arlie couldn't believe that after all these years, she still had him under her skin. He was such a changed man…a responsible business owner, a single parent. Would he understand the changes she'd gone through, the secrets she lived with? She was ready to forgive him but was he ready to forgive himself? And did they have to say goodbye this time? 

Between The Pages
This story is filled with drama, emotion, and the love of family. Tucker and Arlie both have family issues that prevent them from moving forward, but as they reconnect, their lost bond returns and grows stronger. The author sets a compelling conflict through the plot, and the pace moves smoothly from beginning to end. The lakeside town is a perfect setting with a wonderful cast of interesting characters.

Rating 
4 Stars