A brighter future awaits....
From the publisher
A brighter future awaits—if she can escape the shadows of the past
Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the handsome new schoolteacher, Craig Ferguson, and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.
Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father’s death—and to aid Craig, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. As they work to uncover the truth, they just may find the key to unlocking a future neither could have imagined.
My take
I love Amanda Cabot's novels so I expected that I would love After the Shadows, however, it was a little darker than what I expected, in a surprisingly good way! I stayed up all night to finish it. I loved the characters, even the naughty children (a former school teacher here, I totally emphasized with Craig, the new schoolteacher in town. There are many overlapping themes, so you will enjoy watching how the author weaves spiritualness, second chances, family dynamics, and some historical overtones that were true to the times. I found this a fun read and would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a light mystery.
About the author
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of several historical and contemporary romance series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers' Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at her website at www.amandacabot.com