Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods is the first in the Sweet Magnolia’s triology. This book follows Elliott Cruz, who first courted struggling single mom, Karen Amex, years ago. Now a few years into their marriage, their colliding dreams threaten to tear them apart. Elliott wants to pursue a business opportunity using their “baby money” and that causes issues with Karen due to her financial insecurities. Lack of communication, tension, personal issues, and secrets make things difficult, and unsure how to handle conflicting interests, things become tense quickly between the two … but it isn’t until they find out about an affair close to home that their issues are put into perspective and don’t seem so damning after all. Will they be able to work through their differences?
Sherryl beautiful conveys what life is like inside most marriages: life gets busy, spouses lose touch with one another, and things get in the way …. and I love how she handled their conflict and the resolution. I feel like most of the time in books, marriages are made out to be either completely disastrous or similar to a fairy tale, when for most people, they are right in between. I also really liked the secondary plot line (well, as much as one can when it deals with an extramarital affair) and how Elliott and Karen use her marriage crisis to really see what they have right in front of them. Midnight Promises is a wonderful read and Sherryl does a fantastic job at creating very in depth characters and a very believable story line. Overall, a really great read.
[Rating:4.5/5]The Sweet Magnolia triology:
Catching Fireflies
When bullying threatens to destroy a teen’s life, painful memories resurface for dedicated high school teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician J. C. Fullerton. With the support of the Sweet Magnolias, they they bring the town together to ensure that a promising student’s future isn’t ruined. And to establish once and for all that bullying has no place in Serenity, South Carolina.
Both J.C.’s and Laura’s passion for the cause is deeply personal, and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?
Where Azaleas Bloom
Single mom Lynn Morrow is determined to put food on the table for her son and daughter. Her soon-to-be-ex-husband has failed to meet his obligations time and again—but it turns out that Ed is struggling with his own demons.
Enter contractor Mitch Franklin, an unlikely knight in shining armor. A widower with two grieving sons, Mitch once admired Lynn from afar. Now he sees in her not only the sweet girl who got away, but a woman desperately in need of support. While rushing to the rescue of Lynn and her children comes naturally to Mitch, he’s also wise enough to encourage Lynn to find her own way…hopefully straight into his arms.
