Have you read SEEING DAYLIGHT by Tanya Hanson?

Purchase Link: Amazon & Pelican Book Group

A beautiful attorney widowed by a foolhardy man...a successful builder vanquishing guilt over his wife's death. Can they rebuild faith and find love enough to give each other and their kids a happy home together?

About Seeing Daylight

Sixteen months since the foolish death of her husband, attorney Rachel Martin aches to move on as much as she fears the future. Her three-year-old son deserves a dad, but can she chance losing another man she loves? Especially if he's careless of her feelings and impetuous in action?

Cutting back on her practice and living back at her childhood ranch means her son has all the attention he needs, but she wants to heal and strike out on her own. Finding love again is the last thing on her mind...until she meets Brayton Metcalf.

After years of self-blame for his wife's death in a plane crash he piloted, Brayton Metcalf, successful businessman, gets his life on track. When he brings his daughter to Hearts Crossing Ranch for therapy riding lessons, he is drawn to Rachel right away even as she backs off. He must whittle away at her doubts as well as put to rest ten years of his own guilt. Even as he keeps necessary secrets and jumps headfirst into a decision that affects Rachel's family, the couple draws together as renewed faith and shared griefs burgeon into true love.

Sharing my thoughts:
Second chances at romance, precious kids, and a return visit to the Hearts Crossing Ranch where "white-tipped peaks peered down on plump hills still wearing summer tans." Wow! How could I resist? I couldn't wait to dig into this book. 

"I need another husband like I need...like I need a rash on my backside during a trail ride." Ha! Do you get the idea Rachel isn't looking for love? Her risk-taking husband hadn't been dead two years when widower Brayton Metcalf shows up at the ranch along with daughter, Addie, who blames her dad for her mother's death. Well, he blames himself too, but after ten years, he's ready to bury the past, along with his guilt, and move on. Rachel's not quite there yet, and it takes a little convincing on his part. But that's all good, right?

"People can let their love die, let their relationships wither for stupid reasons--or even important reasons. But you fix it. Or at least try. Not like somebody dying and you never get another chance." Such a powerful reminder to make every day count with our loved ones, not to allow trivial matters to destroy relationships. Reminders that we all need occasionally, don't you think? I loved these little goodies that were sprinkled throughout the story.

Full of pre-teen angst, emotional depth and breathtaking imagery, my only complaint is that at 144 pages, Seeing Daylight just wasn't long enough! Since I believe this was the last book in the Hearts Crossing Ranch series, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the Martin clan. :) Overall, Seeing Daylight is perfect for toting to the beach or curling up on the couch for a few hours on a Friday evening. 

Tanya Hanson

Disclaimer: Sending a big thank you to the author for allowing me the privilege of reviewing Seeing Daylight and for the free copy I received in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. This opinion is my own, and I received no compensation.

Meet Tanya Hanson... 

After a career as a high school English teacher, Tanya Hanson writes both inspirational and secular Western romances. A native Californian, she thanks God daily for the blessings of good health, a happy home, and exciting travels. Two little grandsons, the movie Frozen, and volunteering at the local horse rescue are her most favorite things!
www.tanyahanson.com
www.petticoatsandpistols.com
Tanya Hanson Author, http://tinyurl.com/ak5xqb5

My Review of CLAIMING HIS HEART by Tanya Hanson

Claiming His Heart
Purchase Link

About the book: Caught between a noose and a gold mine cave-in, Tulsa Sanderson must do anything within his power to prove his outlaw brother’s innocence…even if it means marrying a gold miner’s daughter he just met. Tulsa needs every nugget and flake he can pull from beautiful Charmlee’s worn-out claim, but he sure doesn’t need a wife! Charlotte Amalie lost her heart, her virtue, and her money to the last disreputable outsider who passed through her peaceful California valley months ago. She has no desire and no choice but to wed the handsome stranger who arrives, bearing a mysterious letter that will change both their lives forever. Charmlee and Tull each have plans of their own. He’s set on raising quick money to save his brother’s life—a secret he isn’t going to share. She’s determined to leave the valley to find a new life for herself and medical treatment for her own brother. Marriage would put an end to the plans they’ve each worked so hard for, but is there a bigger dream for the future ahead that they can’t see? Trusting comes hard for them both, but Charmlee realizes it’s the only way to stake her claim on what’s really important— CLAIMING HIS HEART.

Sharing my thoughts:

"Something warm and soft touched Tull head to toe. Like somebody had dripped honey down his back. This picture of friends helping out when they had tasks and busy days of their own was no mirage at all. After tending Reno for who knew how long, Miz Trudy still remained to help Charmlee even as Zeal expected a large shipment. And Miz Maudie, herself a new bride, had a homestead and husband out at the Pine Tree mine.

Yet, here they were. True community...A fine little town of good folks, this Spiggleville, this out-of-the-way settlement long used up, but not used up at all."

Claiming His Heart transports you back to the gold rush days in California, to a tight-knit mining community called Spiggleville. Neighborly folks all come together to help each other out when times get tough, and believe me, things get plenty rough in this story. You'll be drawn in and won't want to leave!

Tull's pa named all his kids after places like Tulsa, Bronx, Reno and Charlotte. Yep. You read that correctly. A twist I didn't see coming, and it's not what you're thinking. You'll have to read the book to figure that one out. :) 

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, 

in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."

"Since then, Tull did fear. Never trusted. Never prayed."

Both Tull and Charmlee reminisce on this verse as the tragedies keep piling up. Hanson does a great job keeping you furiously flipping pages, ramping up the conflict, leaving you wondering if Charm and Tull will ever cast aside their past hurts and finally open up and trust God and each other. Claiming His Heart kept me reading through all the busyness of the Christmas season. It's the perfect book to curl up with in front of a crackling fire, a sweet romance with enough kindling to warm you more than the fire. But when summer rolls around, it should also be the first book you pack to take to the beach!

Disclaimer: Sending a big thank you to the author, Tanya Hanson, and Prairie Rose Publications for providing me with a review copy of Claiming His Heart. The opinions expressed here are my own, and I received no compensation.