WOLF CREEK WIDOW by Penny Richards

Meg Thomerson's life has been difficult. First because of her mother's behavior growing up and second with the abusive man she married. Now she finds herself a widow and needing help getting back on her feet. The help comes from Ace Allen (the man who made her a widow) and his mother. Ace wants to help Meg heal mostly because of guilt but also for another reason, one he's not willing pursue. Meg fears men, thanks to her husband. She finds herself jumpy and on edge when Ace is near. But his gentle and patient ways slowly teach her how a real man should treat a woman. Ace is half-breed and has always been the subject of talk, so he's stayed mostly to himself. Meg however, has gotten under his skin and makes him long for all the things he never thought he could have. He doesn't want Meg and her kids to deal with what he dealt with growing up. Does love really conquer all?

I thoroughly enjoyed Wolf Creek Widow. It was an easy going story that had a gentle pace so you just enjoyed the journey. The characters were very well drawn and fully fleshed out. Meg was someone your heart went out to. She was very sweet but life had dealt her an awful hand. Ace was a the kind of hero that you just can't get enough of. I loved the way he was with Meg and how he gently handled her. Definitely a swoon worthy guy! I also appreciated Ace's mother. She was such a wise woman who seemed to know just what to say. This was an uplifting story but it also tackled some tough subjects like abuse, racism and taking someone life. All of which were handled very well. The message that God is always with us was woven throughout but we also see that although we go through difficult, sometimes unthinkable things, that God uses those circumstances in our lives for a purpose. That to me was encouraging. My one disappointment was in how the ending was handled. To me it was such a great build-up only to end abruptly. I was really left wanting more, perhaps an epilogue or something just to make it feel more complete. Other than that, it was great story. This is book 4 in the Wolf Creek series yet I didn't feel lost. It actually made me want to read the other stories in the series because the secondary characters were very endearing. I'm a cover person and this cover really made me want to read the story.

Some favorite quotes:

"He'd begun to treat things he'd once considered burdens as opportunities to change his thinking and to grow in faith and trust in God."

"...I never forgot what my father always said about rough times. "When something bad happens to you, lad, it seems to me you've three choices." "...You can let it define you, destroy you or make you stronger."

"One of the hardest things for me is to thank God for the bad things that come my way." "How can anyone do that?" she asked, wide-eyed. "Believe me, it isn't easy," he said in a wry tone, "but I truly believe that things, good and bad, happen for a reason, and I know God sifts us, give us trials, little tests to see how loyal we really are."

*This complimentary copy was provided by Harlequin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*