Title: Sugar Creek
Author: Toni Blake
First published May 10, 2010
372 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780061765797 (ISBN10: 0061765791)
Rating: 4.02
Overview
When Mia Roberts returns to her hometown of Willow Creek, she’s determined to prove to the locals that she’s not the same wild child she was when she left. But standing in her way is the infuriatingly charming and undeniably gorgeous Deputy Sheriff, Nate Hendricks.
Nate is convinced that Mia’s family cheated his out of their land, and he’s not going to let her forget it. Despite their constant bickering, there’s an undeniable spark between them that neither can ignore.
As they work together to uncover the truth about the past, Mia and Nate find themselves falling deeper and deeper in love. But will their feuding families tear them apart before they can find their happily ever after?
About the Author
Toni Blake’s passion for writing sparked in her during fifth grade when she won an essay contest. She wrote her first novel, a nineteen-page notebook, and confidently declared to her mom over breakfast that she would become a writer someday.
Fast forward to today, Toni has authored over a dozen contemporary romance novels, and her work has been featured in Cosmo. She’s received the Kentucky Women Writers Fellowship and was nominated for the esteemed Pushcart Prize.
Additionally, she’s published over forty short stories and articles. Although Toni hails from the Midwest, she loves to travel and enjoys genealogy, crafts, and snow skiing.
She’s even written under a pseudonym. Check out her photo snapped by Cassandra Stella.
Editoral Review
Sugar Creek by Toni Blake is an engaging contemporary romance novel that explores the themes of trust, forgiveness, and second chances. First published in 2010, the book is part of the Destiny series and can be read as a standalone.
Toni Blake is a bestselling author known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories set in small towns. She has a talent for creating relatable characters that readers can root for and a knack for writing steamy love scenes that leave a lasting impression.
Sugar Creek follows the story of Rachel Farris, a young widow who moves to Destiny, Ohio, to start a new life. She opens a bakery and becomes friends with the locals, including Gabe Bonner, a brooding and mysterious man who owns the local diner.
As Rachel and Gabe get to know each other, they discover that they have more in common than they thought and must confront their past traumas to move forward. The plot of Sugar Creek is well-crafted and keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.
The pacing is just right, and the story flows smoothly, with enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. The setting of Destiny is charming and cozy, and the author does a great job of bringing the town to life with vivid descriptions of its people, places, and traditions.
The characters in Sugar Creek are well-developed and likable, especially Rachel and Gabe. Rachel is a strong and resilient heroine who overcomes the loss of her husband and finds the courage to love again.
Gabe is a complex and troubled hero who struggles with his past and his feelings for Rachel. The chemistry between them is palpable and intense, and their romance is both sweet and sexy.
One of the strengths of Sugar Creek is the way it addresses important issues such as grief, addiction, and forgiveness without being preachy or judgmental. The author handles these topics with sensitivity and empathy, and the result is a book that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
On the downside, some readers may find the ending of Sugar Creek a bit predictable and clich. Also, some of the secondary characters could have been more fleshed out to make the story more dynamic.
Overall, Sugar Creek is a heartwarming and satisfying read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance and small-town fiction. It is a well-written novel with memorable characters, a sweet and sexy love story, and important themes that resonate with readers.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good romance that will leave them with a smile on their face. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
