New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sherryl Woods draws you into the emotional journey of a marriage worth saving
When Elliott Cruz first courted struggling single mom Karen Ames, it was a romance worthy of any Sweet Magnolia fantasy. The sexy personal trainer made it his mission to restore Karenâs strengthâphysical and emotionalâand to charm her children.
Now, a few years into the marriage, colliding dreams threaten to tear them apart. Elliottâs desire to finance the business opportunity of a lifetime with their hard-earned âbaby moneyâ stirs Karenâs deep-rooted financial insecurities. Itâs the discovery that their brother-in-law is cheating on Elliottâs sisterâand thinks itâs justifiedâthat puts their irreconcilable differences into perspective. Will their own loving fidelity be a bond so strong they can triumph against all odds?
Praise for the novels of Sherryl Woods
âSherryl Woods writes emotionally satisfying novels about family, friendship and home. Truly feel-great reads!â
â#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
âWoodsâ¦is noted for appealing, character-driven stories that are often infused with the flavor and fragrance of the South.â
âLibrary Journal
âWoods always thrills with her wonderful characters,
witty dialogue and warm and loving family interactions.â âRT Book Reviews on An OâBrien Family Christmas
âOnce again, Woods, with such authenticity,
weaves a tale of true love and the challenges that can knock up against that love.â âRT Book Reviews on Beach Lane
âInfused with the warmth and magic of the season, Woodsâs fourth addition to her popular, small-town series once again unites the unruly, outspoken, endearing OâBrien clan in a touching, triumphant tale of forgiveness and love reclaimed.â
âLibrary Journal on A Chesapeake Shores Christmas
âA whimsical, sweet scenarioâ¦
the digressions have their own charm, and Woods never fails to come back to the romantic point.â âPublishers Weekly on Sweet Tea at Sunrise
âWoodsâ readers will eagerly anticipate
her trademark small-town setting, loyal friendships and honorable mentors as they meet new characters and reconnect with familiar ones in this heartwarming tale.â âBooklist on Home in Carolina
âWoods is a master heartstring puller, and her
endearingly flawed characters deal with their plethora of problems in a predictable but satisfying manner.â âPublishers Weekly on Seaview Inn
Dear Friends,
From the moment I first wrote about struggling single mom Karen Ames in Feels Like Family, a book in the original Sweet Magnolias trilogy, readers wanted to know much, much more about her and her romance with sexy, caring personal trainer Elliott Cruz. Since they were on their way to the altar by the end of that book, I thought the story was over.
Recently, though, it seemed to me that romance and conflict donât always end when marriage vows are spoken. And when Elliottâs dreams for their family collide with Karenâs past struggles, well, thereâs a whole new story to be told. Youâll find that story right here in Midnight Promises as this couple faces the same questions that so many married couples face. Maybe the answers and compromises they find will be solutions for some of you, too.
Youâll also get to spend some time with what I like to think of as the âSenior Magnoliasââthree vibrant, lively older women who create their share of laughter and poignant moments during this book and the two yet to come this summer.
I hope youâll enjoy being back in the world of the Sweet Magnolias. As always, Iâd love to know what you think. You can email me at [email protected] or become a fan on Facebook and join in the conversation there.
All best,
Sherryl
Prologue
The bride wore a cocktail-length, off-the-shoulder gown in shimmering off-white satin and an antique lace mantillaâa family heirloomâreluctantly provided by her soon-to-be mother-in-law.
At the front of the small Roman Catholic church in Serenity stood the man whoâd changed Karen Amesâs mind about love, convincing her that the past was just that, over and done with. Heâd promised her enduring love, a true partnership, and heâd shown her those traits time and again during their long courtship.
At a tug on her skirt, Karen leaned down to look into the excited face of her six-year-old daughter, Daisy.
âWhen are we getting married?â Daisy asked, practically bouncing up and down in anticipation.
Karen smiled at her eagerness. After too many years with no father figure around, Daisy and Mack had fallen as deeply in love with Elliott Cruz as Karen had. And in many ways, it was his kind and generous relationship with her children that had convinced Karen that Elliott was nothing like her first husband, a man whoâd abandoned them all, leaving behind a mountain of debt.