What Remains True

By Nancy Naigle

Waterbrook/Multnomah, 2022

Genre: Fiction/romance

Via: Waterbrook Launch Team

 

Kimber the Magnificent here. Mom’s doing it again. That smiley, sparkly-eye thing.  And there’s not even a single T-bone in sight. But there is a new book and a new author she wants to tell you about. Cuz they’re two of her new faves. So take it away Mom!

Merry Anna (that’s not a typo) has taken a leave from the family business following a rocky divorce from a cheating husband. She stops in the small town of Antler Creek, North Carolina to get gas. On a whim, Merry Anna decides to stay. She rents an old bunkhouse from her new boss, Krissy. The property used to belong to Adam Locklear. He runs the local feed store and has a degree in sports medicine. But his passion is rodeo. In fact, he’s got his eye on this year’s rodeo championship. And nothing else.

Determined to put her ex-husband and past behind, Merry Anna just wants to remain anonymous. Adam is smarting over a family rift. Neither is looking for a relationship. Both have secrets. In fact, one shows up on Adam’s door step, unannounced. But then…

Oh, wait. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next.

Delicious!

And what a delicious read this is!  Heartfelt and homespun, this tale of loss, regrets, and another chance at true love will make you want to stand up and cheer. It’s a vibrant and vivacious kind of “baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet” kind of story, with plenty of warmth and whimsy. Also the most dangerous eight seconds in sports. (You’ll get that if you know rodeo. If not, kindly look it up.)

Rocket Fuel!

A robust storyline, idyllic settings, and rich characterizations propel this dynamic story that has more twists than Rocket Fuel (you’ll still get that if you read the book.) It’s replete with characters we want to know better. Sit down and set a spell and chat over a glass of sweet iced tea.

There’s a family rift between Adam and his parents. Their stonewall of silence make it clear just how much they disapprove of his rodeoing. He’s a whiz in the kitchen. But he’s also not the “borrow a cup of sugar kind of neighbor.”

Wait. Is that a strawberry pie?

Kimber: I loved Shorty, Adam’s indomitable Corgi. Other scene stealers include Chips, Adam’s beautiful buckskin trail horse who loves tortilla chips. Also Tara, Merry Anna’s neighbor and geriatric dynamo.

Sighs, Smiles, and Sparklies

Every once in a while, we come across a book that kinda makes one of us sigh and smile. And do that sparkly eye thing. (Hi, Mom.) What Remains True that kind of book. Reading it – which we did in one day – is like going on a vacation in your head. And your heart. We are safe in Your arms.

Back in the Day…

In fact, this gently faith-flavored story and clean romance took Her Momness back to her days of bits and bridles. Manes and tales. The creak of saddle leather. The tangy pungency of fresh hay. And a welcoming whinny. We loved it.

Yes siree, Lassie! We’d not heard of Nancy Naigle before reading What Remains True. But you better believe we’ll be on the lookout for more of her work now! “Pawsome!” says Kimber. And she oughtta know.

Our Rating: 5.0