Thursday, June 16, 2011

Book Club: Angel's Rest by Emily March

By: Alyson Hackett
Gabriel Callahan has lost everything that mattered. All he wants is solitude on an isolated mountain estate. Instead, he gets a neighbor. Vibrant, no-nonsense Nic Sullivan is Eternity Springs’ veterinarian, and she has an uncanny plan to lure this talented architect back to the world of the living. First with a dog, next with a renovation project, and, finally, with a night of passion that ends with a surprise.

Now a man still raw from tragedy must face the biggest struggle of his heart. Can he forgive himself and believe in the power of second chances? Dare he trust in the promise of a future and a brand-new family here in Eternity Springs?


Love me some tortured hero! And Emily March’s Angel’s Rest certainly delivers on that!

Gabe Callahan has suffered a tragedy in his life that would knock anyone to their knees—the loss of a spouse and child. He has secluded himself at an estate up in the mountains and has decided that life just isn’t worth living anymore.

OK let me just tell you that the first few pages of this book knocked me to my knees! You felt Gabe’s pain and wanted to just make things better for him. His suffering and agony just came alive and right off the page!

Gabe’s savior comes in the very odd form of a goofy looking boxer. This boxer—Archibald, Tiger or Clarence depending on who you ask—eventually leads Gabe to the person and community that will bring him back to life.

The addition of the boxer is really great! He adds some heartwarming scenes but also makes you laugh because of his attachment to Gabe despite Gabe’s obvious reluctance to even acknowledge that the dog exists.

Nic Sullivan has her own demons that haunt her due to a failed marriage. She doesn’t have much faith in men and their ability to be monogamous. From the moment that Gabe brings the boxer in for care, Nic is intrigued with Gabe but also determined to make Gabe and the boxer a match no matter how reluctant Gabe is.

Nic cracked me up! She is so blunt and plain spoken that it is very refreshing. She doesn’t hold much back and I think that honesty is certainly part of what intrigues Gabe.

Adding to this is Celeste Blessing and her idea of opening a spa/retreat in order to boost the economy and essentially save the town of Eternity Springs! There is something special about Celeste that is never really identified but her character definitely has some woo-woo going on! LOL!

Angel’s Rest is a fantastic contemporary romance! It breaks your heart and makes you ache but it also makes you laugh and fall in love right along with the characters. Those that enjoy Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series, will find themselves enjoying Angel’s Rest as well. Eternity Springs is a welcoming little town with fantastic characters and a little bit of mystery that will keep you guessing.

Since the Bristlecone Café has famous brownies, I thought I would include a brownie recipe for everyone to try!

4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate or ¾ cup cocoa and 3 Tbls oil

3/4 cup butter

2 cups white sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped walnuts



Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Microwave chocolate and butter in large bowl at HIGH for 2 minutes or until butter is melted.

Stir until chocolate is melted.

Stir in sugar.

Mix in eggs and vanilla.

Stir in flour and nuts.

Spread in greased 13 x 9 inch pan.

Bake for 25-35 minutes (depending on your pan)