A Kiss in Winter

Book arrived in a timely manner and in perfect condition; thanks!

Susan Crandall brings her heartfelt emotions and depth of character to her newest novel A Kiss In Winter. Caroline Rogers has had to put her life on hold after the tragic death of her adoptive parents. She has raised her siblings Sam and Macie and she is just a few months away from them being on their own. Caroline is shaken when the old family farm is sold to hometown returnee Dr. Mick Larsen. Caroline is deeply attracted to Mick but feels she doesn't want to be tied down now that her life is just beginning to blossom. Dr. Mick Larsen returned home to Redbud Mill in his eyes a failure. When one of his psychiatric patients commits an unforgivable act, Mick doubts his abilities to practice. He comes home to be a farmer and hopefully to raise a family. Mick would like that woman to be Caroline. Caroline has received local acclaim as a photographer. She hopes to expand her focus to the world. But someone is out to stop her. When local landmarks are being vandalized that she had photographed she turns to Mick for help, A Kiss In Winter is Susan Crandall at her best. Caroline and Mick have such deep layers of feelings and issues from their pasts. They don't fall in love easily and it makes this story all that much richer. The element of suspense is just the right touch to keep this story in your heart and mind long after you finish.

Wonderfully written. I appreciate a book that leaves me wanting more of the story even when it is brought to an end as only Susan Crandall can do. When is the next book coming out?

Caroline Rogers gave up her dreams to raise her brother and sister after her adopted parents died within days of each other. She sold the family farm and got a job photographing special occasions and freelance work like a state calendar. When she sees someone move into the Rogers' farm Caroline wants to know who it is and if he will keep the spread in good condition because some of her happiest memories happened there. Dr. Mick Larsen, a psychiatrist turned farmer, informs Caroline that he is going to work the land. He is running from his past because he realized he never wanted to be a doctor and only did so to please his father. A tragedy convinced him he was not a good doctor. Mick and Caroline feel an immediate chemistry between them but she wants to travel for national Geographic when her sister goes to college and he wants a partner who will love him and give him children, something Caroline is afraid to do. They are drawn closer together when they realize Caroline has a stalker who is escalating in violence and his targets are tied to the pictures on the calendar she photographed. Yet a relationship for these two star-crossed lovers seems impossible. This is a fetching and moving romantic family drama that is well written and focuses on characters that are very realistic and likeable. The heroine is afraid to love after she has seen what it did to her biological mother and the hero needs love of which he never got from his father. Susan Crandall is so talented that readers will want to read her backlist because A KISS IN WINTER is everything a contemporary romance reader wants in a book. Harriet Klausner