Great story. I'm glad to start a new series by BN. I loved Whiskey Creek and was sorry to see it end. So somehow I missed the first of this series but I will go back and find it.

This was an interesting story that kept me interested and turning pages. At first you think the major part of the story is going to be about the hero's problems. He had an interesting back story as a man acquitted of the murder of his parents. But of course he is tarred with that brush since the real killer is unknown. But really the majority of the story is about the problems of the woman who is trying to get away from her verbally abusive husband without driving him over the edge into physical violence.

The characterization was really well done and everyone was believable even the bad guy. The only person who I didn't really like sad to say was the hero's sister who was mentally challenged. I think she was supposed to come across as really sweet but she seemed rather scary with the puppy hugging thing and the claiming of the heroine's son, and I'm not sure I would every have been comfortable having my 5 year old around her. I think that was just a failure of characterization rather than a deliberate choice of the author though and may just be me.

The relationship was a bit too insta love for me. I would actually have enjoyed seeing them get together over a longer period of time. But with the heroine's plight that wasn't really an option. Still over all I liked it and am anxious to read the rest of the series. ( )

I absolutely loved this book, even more than the first in the series. With each page I was more and more engrossed in the story and couldn't wait to see what happened next. I fell in love with the characters. I love how Brenda writes in a way that makes me feel like I am a part of the story and I feel like I personally know the characters. ( )

This book grabbed me right at the beginning, Sadie has everything stacked against her due to her ex-husband , who is a controlling and abusive jerk. No on will hire her and she desperately needs a job to support herself and her son. Dawson has been found innocent of killing his adoptive parents but no one in Silver Springs believes him to be innocent. Sadie accepts a position as cook/housekeeper on his isolated farm and here begins the drama , romance and intrigue. Dawson sounds really hot and there are a few nice and steamy scenes between the two. I enjoyed the mystery in this story of who did murder Dawson's parents and I have to admit that I was not quite certain that it was not him. Sadie is a strong character and she is doing everything to keep her son away from her ex who is verbally abusive to him. I hated Sly , the ex and I was waiting for his downfall. The romance in this book between Dawson and Sadie was very sweet and sometimes steamy, you could feel the heat between the two right from their first meeting. I found this book to be fast paced and the mystery was what really held me, that and waiting to see the downfall of Sly! I honestly cannot remember the last time that I disliked a character so intensely. There are quite a few surprises in this book and I had no idea who the killer was or what the reason for the killings of Dawson's parents was. This book is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone which is how I read it. I would definitely read book one in this series and any more to follow. I would like to get to know more characters in this town and I am wondering if Sadie and Dawson get married!This review was originally posted on Cindy's Book Binge ( )

Very good book about two people who are trying to put their lives back together. Sadie is in the midst of a difficult divorce from her controlling and abusive husband. Her job as a waitress isn't enough to make ends meet and desperation has her accepting a job working for Dawson. Dawson has spent a year in prison as he stood trial for the murder of his parents. He's been acquitted, but the people of Silver Springs still believe that he is guilty. He is trying to get the farm and house fixed up so that he can bring his disabled sister back home. Sadie is the only one who has agreed to work for him.

I loved the development of the relationship between Sadie and Dawson. Sadie is understandably nervous about her job. The justice system says that Dawson is innocent, but it's difficult not to be influenced by the constant negativity of the people around her. I loved that Dawson is patient and understanding of her fears. It doesn't take long for Sadie's heart to convince her that Dawson is innocent. They quickly move from employer/employee to friends, and then more. I ached for Sadie, whose soon-to-be-ex doesn't want to let her go and does everything he can to sabotage her efforts at independence. I loved the way that Dawson stood behind her and gave her the support she needed to fight back. I also hurt for Dawson, who had never truly had a chance to mourn the loss of his parents. He buries his pain in his determination to bring the farm back to life and bring his sister home. I loved Sadie's faith in him and how she stands up for him against his detractors. I especially loved the scene with Sadie and the social worker who came to investigate for Dawson's sister's release. Neither Sadie nor Dawson had started out wanting or expecting any kind of relationship. Sadie is reluctant to trust her judgment after what she has been through with Sly and now believes that love is just a fairytale. Dawson is just too busy with fixing the farm to have time, plus he believes that his trashed reputation will prevent any woman from wanting him. I loved watching them grow closer as they spent time together. It was especially sweet to see Dawson with Sadie's son, Jayden. It was clear that Dawson would be a terrific father. I liked that they didn't fight their growing attraction too hard. Giving in opened their hearts to the possibility of a future for them. I liked the epilogue and how it brought Dawson and the town back together.

The book had two suspense storylines - Dawson's search for his parents' true murderer, and the problems that Sadie was having with Sly. I liked Dawson's determination to prove his innocence and his persistence in pursuing each lead that he got. It really seemed like finding a needle in a haystack until one particular connection was discovered. The problems with Sly were much more intense. He is an abusive, controlling man, who enjoys the power trip of being a police officer. From the beginning, he uses intimidation to prevent Sadie from getting the jobs that would enable her to earn more money. When that doesn't work on Dawson, he steps up his attempts to drive Sadie back to him. His actions escalate, becoming more and more dangerous to both Sadie and Dawson. It was frustrating to see the way that he had the support of his fellow officers, who not only refused to see what he was doing but also participated in some of the intimidation. I loved the support that Dawson gave Sadie and seeing the steps she went through to solve the problem. The final confrontation was intense with a surprise twist to its resolution. ( )

This is the second book in the Silversprings series.
Sadie Harris in a single mom trying to get away from her x husband, Dawson Reed was just let out of prison for using a hatchet on his parents.
Dawson needs someone to help him fix up his farm so he can bring his sister Angela home, Sadie needs a job that will help give stability to herself and son.
There is a budding friendship that results from decisions that were made during their first encounter, maybe Dawson isn't the bad ass everyone is saying he is, and being able to spend more quality time with her son would be a dream come true.

There are many hurdles to overcome for both characters.

This is a suspenseful, romantic read that I think all will enjoy ( )