Book Review: "Blackberry Summer" by RaeAnne Thayne

Blackberry Summer is newest book by USA Today Bestselling author, RaeAnne Thayne. I recently discovered this author after seeing a synopsis of her book when I was doing some research on finding contemporary romance books to read. I have never read this author before but she has been writing for quite a long time. She has written numerous romances for Harlequin Publications and Silhouette Publications for many years. Blackberry Summer is her book that is a Harlequin Special Edition and is one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Blackberry Summer is set in a fictional town in Colorado called Hope's Crossing and tells the story about Claire Bradford and Riley McKnight. This book is also the first in a series called Hope's Crossing and it is set in contemporary times. This book, from what the author has said, is inspirational, small town life that brings hope to all, friendships formed, and giving hope to those who need it the most.

Claire Bradford is one of the main characters in this book and she is the kind of person who is always there for those who need it. She is also the one many people can count on when you are in need and will do almost anything to make whatever wrong right again. Claire is also the one who owns and runs a store that carries all sorts of beads. She has been the one that people goes when they have troubles in their lives and she never does the unexpected. She is the one people rely on and is basically predictable. She is a mother and will do whatever necessary to help her children in any way and helps those who less fortunate. She is basically the one who will do whatever she can in order to make other lives better; in anyway that she can.

Riley McKnight is as different in every respect. He grew up in Hope's Crossing but his life was not the best in every sense of the word. He was the one son in a household of women and his father disappeared from their lives at a young age. Riley was not the good boy of the town; he was a hellion in every sense of the word. He did what he wanted and when he wanted, regardless of the consequences. After some tragedy happened in his life, he left town. I It is now many years later and he has returned to town, as the new Sheriff. In the years that he had been gone, he got a grip on his life and made it better. Now, he is back and there are a few in the town that are none too happy about his return. They still remember the stuff he did years before and will not let him forget it.

Claire and Riley have a history together but as both friends and foes. She was and still is his older sister's best friend and what she did not know is that Riley has had a crush on her for as long as he remembers. Claire loves him like a friend but also did not like him when they were younger since he was always around tormenting them. Claire is one that is willing to give him another shot and he is the one that is there when she needs him the most.

There have been a rash of beak-ins of late and Riley is on top of things when things go horribly wrong. In one night, everybody's life will change and will make or break the whole town. Claire almost loses her life in a horrible accident and Riley is there for her. There are many lives that are at a crossroads and in a single moment, lives are also changed. It will take the whole town to come together in order to start to heal. What will happen to Claire and Riley? What will happen to those who were affected by all the turmoil in the town of Hope's Crossing? If you live in Hope's Crossing; then anything can happen.

I really enjoyed reading Blackberry Summer and I have found a new author that have become one of my favorites. RaeAnne Thayne is not a new author that has just come on the scene; she has been writing for many years, but I have added her on to my lists of authors to watch out for when they have new books coming out. I encourage others to read her books and understand what I am saying. She is really good author who knows her work and knows what people like when it comes to reading contemporary romance. This book was really good and I so enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading her next book in the series and also her other books.

http://www.raeannethayne.com/

http://www.raeannethayne.com/books/harlequin-novels/blackberry-summer/