🏞️🍃 “Escape to Whispering Creek” (Whispering Creek #2) (2024) 🍃🏞️ – Book Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Escape to Whispering Creek by Barbara M. Britton, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Escape to Whispering Creek
Author: Barbara M. Britton
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Release Date: September 27, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Emma Uranova enjoys her office job until her boss disappears with the investors' money. To avoid the media storm and false accusations, Emma flees to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to live on her best friend' s secluded property. When a temporary position opens up in Nashville, Emma leaves small-town anonymity to pad her depleted bank account. With a handsome new boss and a steady income, Emma believes life is looking up... until she discovers she has transported the scandal in her backpack. Where is God when her life is falling apart? 

Wade Donoven is recuperating from a crash that sidelined him from the family electrical business. Worse yet, his prodigal younger brother is getting the glory for Wade' s accomplishments. Desperation, and physical setbacks, have him agreeing to let Emma help him manage the business office. But when trouble follows her to his doorstep, Wade must make some difficult choices. Sending Emma back to Whispering Creek may unknowingly place the woman he's come to love in danger.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barbara M Britton | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Previous Book in Series

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My Review

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

Barbara M. Britton isn’t a new-to-me author. I had previously read a biblical fiction story of hers and LOVED it! So, I knew she was going to be a “must-read” author.

When I decided to read this, I didn’t know that it was the second book in a series. Because I had a gift card, I was able to get it – though I haven’t read it. Because of this, I HIGHLY and STRONGLY recommend that readers read the first book, Christmas at Whispering Springs. That introduces the characters, as well as events that continue in this book.

This literally picks up after that story. And, this one? Has a different take to it.

Readers of the first book will be happy to know most everyone returns:

🧰 Mike

👩🏻‍🦳 Linda

🧰 Cole

🧰 Wade

🧰 Derek

☎️ Sam

☎️ Emma

👨🏻‍🦳 Ernie

👩🏻‍🦳 Gretta

And, we get to meet Ernie and Gretta’s son – Jedediah. They’re the couple that live near Sam.

While I try not to give spoilers in my reviews, due to the nature of what is involved, some warning is advised. This deals with scams, con-artists, white-collar crime. There is also a homicide, with said body being charred; even a shooting is involved.

Right off, poor Emma goes into work only to find her workplace cleaned out. Turns out – her boss is a con artist, and run off with everyone’s money – even hers and worse, the mayor’s.

That puts her in the mayor’s crosshairs and his niece. She happens to be an investigative reporter. Emma quickly leaves town and heads to where she knows it is safe – Sam and Whispering Creek.

Wade is recovering from his accident, having occurred in the previous book. And, his attitude makes things a bit interesting. His relationship with Cole is seemingly on the rocky side.

Obviously, Wade still hasn’t fully forgiven Cole for the events that brought him home to Whispering Creek in the first book, despite Cole stepping up in the wake of Wade’s accident.

One of those acts of stepping up – helping out Sam’s friend Emma, and giving her a job at the company. While they know she had worked for Ron (the con-artist), they have no suspicions about her. Wade’s only probably is how open Emma is, and her “replacing” someone they know.

Her office managing skills pay off on the first day when Derek is hurt. She springs into action. She starts developing her confidence in taking care of their clients, something she knows and had developed a software program for.

Wade starts seeing her as a blessing, which begins after she fixes his hand during a spasm. He sees how she is with those around her. And, he even accepts what she says about his feelings towards Cole, thus leaving room for forgiveness. And, room for Wade to get past Cole’s actions.

Despite his grumpiness, Emma grows on him, like Cole said she would. While he didn’t appreciate her replacing Francine during her surgery, Wade sees that Emma has a gift. One of those times, it saves an elderly customer. She did something he wouldn’t have done, but it works out much better. It also makes them “heroes” in the paper.

In her quest to help them better organize, Emma mentions her software. But, Wade discovers something that causes him to make a decision. As a result, Emma is forced to head to Whispering Creek.

While they try to forget each other, it isn’t easy.

What’s worse? Emma’s life is unknowingly in danger.

As usual, God makes his way known – even if it takes a different and often difficult path.

Britton crafts a beautiful story that has elements of forgiveness and faith.

A story that is very easy to read, and hard to put down.

This was such for me. It was definitely a day read for me. I was drawn right in and hardly put it down. I read half (½) the book inside of an 8-hour period. I finished off the book inside of 4-hours. This had a slight suspense element given the story line. But, that was a minor part of the story. It connected well, though it was predictable.

There were a few formatting issues with this. Not the fault of the author, but on page 83 – it was a bit straining. Given the premise of the book, it moved in quite a fast-pace, though it didn’t feel like it was rushed.

The friendship Emma and Sam have is indeed a besties goal. The line about laundered underwear did me in. And, I agree. Nothing like having laundered underwear 🩲🙃😉 If you read the first book, you’d know. I sneaked a peek. 

I had to laugh at Emma driving a bug, then naming a cactus Herbie. If anyone is familiar with Disney movies – The Love Bug was about a cute VW named Herbie. Incidentally, between 1982-2000 my grandmother had a cute Toyota I named Herbie. Still miss him. And, Emma’s Herbie becomes a hero of sorts. I couldn’t stop laughing.

I absolutely related to Emma’s thought in the beginning about the low-pressure tire light. Sadly, my TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) went down in 2023. And, like her – no money to repair it.

I also related to Wade about losing count on reps during PT sessions. When I injured my shoulder – that was something I was infamous for. I also understood what he meant when he wondered about how much someone could take. I’ve been through a lot in the past 30 months, and it hasn’t been easy.

Another draw to the book … the cover!

The cover was cutesy, but knowing Emma drove a “buggie”, I saw a missed opportunity to have a light blue one on the cover. They’re sweet cars. And, I know why she chose it. I’ve always loved them, and had a chance to drive a rented one for a week back in May 2015.

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this quirky and sweet story. It is relatable and all too realistic with the scams out there. This would make a wonderful and cutesy Hallmark series. Very demure, very mindful 🤭 (I couldn’t help myself. I had to get in on the trend).

As this is Christian fiction, there are going to be overt themes of faith.  

Those who enjoy a cutesy read, with some suspense – this is definitely the book to grab. For those who’ve read the first book – this is absolutely a must-read as well.

I’d definitely be excited to revisit the series, perhaps see Jedediah again?

RATING:  

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads  

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub  

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)  

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About the Author

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian romantic adventures for teens and adults from Bible Times to present-day USA. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.

Connect with Barbara by visiting barbarambritton.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive an Escape to Whispering Creek prize bundle which includes: a print Copy of "Escape to Whispering Creek" and book swag, a CD of Pelican Book Group Editor's Choice novels including Barbara's "Lioness: Mahlah's Journey", a $10 Amazon gift card, a teacup and a box of Emma's favorite tea, a scented candle, a Scripture stone, and cactus stickers...just like Herbie!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 7, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 14, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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