Saturday, April 1, 2023

After the Shadows (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossings#1) by Amanda Cabot


 Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.


Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death--and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.

Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

My thoughts:

This new series by Amanda Cabot starts off with family drama, intrigue plus the return of one of three sisters.  Emily Leland returns to her family home after the death of her abusive husband, but it isn’t the homecoming she expects, her father has died, the widowed new school teacher and his young son are left homeless after the home they were going to reside burns down and a sister who is beside herself when Emily opens the family home to boarders.

Emily and Craig are wonderful characters, she has a heart for those in need and I found him to be refreshing in his stance not to physically punish or make the children in his classroom feel dumb when they made mistakes or learned at a different pace than others did. Given the time period, it seems like punishment was meted out by those in authority which included teachers.  I loved the kindness and generosity they both bestowed upon their neighbors and especially a special needs child who had been somewhat of an outcast in the community.

The mystery, family dynamics and sweet romance made this new novel an incredible read.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series to reconnect with the characters in the 1880’s Texas Hill Country.  I highly recommend to readers of historical fiction and those who enjoy a well-written novel.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions are my own.

 

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