This is number 5 in the New Americana series. It is a great story filled with forgiveness and redemption. The characters were strong with lots of emotions running high in this book. The forest fire brought some tragedy and intensifyed the story. It also showed well how small towns tend to stick together and help out their own. This was another great read in her new Americana series.

I always go to Janet Dailey when I need a reminder of the wide open spaces and small communities of my youth. She paints an amazingly life-like view of ranching communities and the like. And while it's of course idyllic, there's something that makes it feel homey as you read her descriptions.

While the story picked up nicely as our main character Travis got to town and surprisingly found himself with a job, family and purpose quickly after getting out of 20 years in jail, it was something of a slow start. But once you learn about his rough childhood and the accident that sent him to jail, everything starts to make sense about how he's used that moment to change everything about himself and find purpose now that he's a free man.

A chance encounter leads him to work on a ranch where he meets Hannah, the niece of the ranch owner. Though she's wary of men, and Travis has his own dark history to overcome they start to find something in each other that is lovely to watch. As a destructive fire threatens everything they have, Travis finally reveals his past and it threatens even more than the ranch itself.

As mentioned, Dailey's books are always worth the read, I definitely recommend this one and her others as well for a poignant look at love in a small ranching community.

This is a Women's Fiction, and this is the 5th book in the New Americana series. I have to say this book started out super slow, and I did not think I would like it. It did picked up, and I ended up really enjoying it. The characters where developed, and I really enjoyed the setting of the small mountain community. I love after the fire seeing the love of the small communities come though in this book. The ending of the book was really good, and I really think it was done really well. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zebra) or author (Janet Dailey) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

I enjoyed this book, the story itself and the characters. Forgiveness is difficult to achieve, yet it can be done over time. Trust is another word that requires work between parties. I like reading about a place that I would like to visit and this story provided that. The characters need to make me feel like I know them. Again, the author portrays this as well. A good book that was difficult to put down between reading

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

Paradise Peak by Janet Dailey is book 5 of New Americana series. This is the story of Travis Miller. It is about redemption, forgiveness and second chances. it does well as a stand alone but I find reading the series usually keeps the little things in order.

I received an ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I have to say that this book really touched me, and it really takes an emotionally packed book to bring me to tears, and that doesn't happen often.

Travis spent twenty years in jail for vehicular manslaughter and now wants to find Margaret to apologize and give her the letters that he had written to her during his prison stay.. He meets Red who invites him to a meal and a night in a cabin for helping out.

As the book goes along, you find that Travis really had a rough childhood and the accident he caused was a wake up call to him that changed him. He stays there to help out and really wants to pay it back since that is the only way that he can show he changed but knows that when he finally tells them who he really is, it is going to be the end of his stay there.

The wildfire part was so hard when one of the characters dies and then Travis's secret is exposed and Margaret does not take it well. This part was so hard to read and filled with such pain that I was in tears for his pain.

Fortunately, this was quickly resolved and Travis and Hannah got their HEA.

Paradise Peak is a story that takes place in rural Tennessee about community togetherness, redemption, and forgiveness.
Travis begins the story overwhelmed with guilt and in time proves himself to be a better man. I enjoyed reading about the people of Paradise Peak. Hannah was closed-off in the beginning but as she opens her heart to love again, I found myself liking her more as a character. Red was a sweetheart from the beginning and Margaret quickly won me over with her sweet and genuine heart. There is definitely some sadness in this story but the beauty comes when the community pulls together for each other and shows that even a stranger can become family.

Paradise Peak is a heartwarming story about earning redemption and getting a second chance at life.

Travis Alden made a terrible choice when he was 18. It landed him in jail for 20 years. Now, 38 and finally a free man, he’s determined to make amends to the family that was victim of his reckless behavior.

When Travis runs into a man by a stream in the mountains near Paradise Peak, he has no idea Red will take him to the exact place he was wanting to go. But before he’s able to get over his shock at being face to face with the person he intended to find, he’s landed himself a place to live, a job, and a name that isn’t exactly his. When an act of nature forces everyone on the mountain into survival mode, Travis earns respect with his heroic actions, finds the family he always wanted, and falls in love.

All before he works up the courage to come clean about why he’s in Paradise Peak.

I’ve read several other Janet Dailey books. She’s a very capable writer and storyteller. But there were a few things that didn’t quite connect with me in this book.

First, I had a hard time with the characterization of the hero. For someone who was basically a drug-taking, hard alcohol-drinking hoodlum in his youth who went to prison at 18 and was there for 20 years, he was rather well adjusted and gentle. You would expect someone like that to be hardened and gruff and struggling to figure out how to live outside the confines of prison life.

Next, things followed a fairly predictable storyline. That didn’t necessarily bother me so much because the writing was good and things were heartwarming. But I kept thinking this would make an excellent Hallmark movie.

Lastly, the ending felt like it ran out of steam. You know the truth is going to come out, you know it’s going to mean the hero has to leave his new-found family. But I hardly had time to feel upset that the couple was separated because everyone’s hurt feelings were resolved in less than 24 hours and then the heroine is magically able to find the hero wandering in the forest shortly after going out to look for him. The epilogue was good, but there could have been a little more grit to the ending conflict. Can you really get over such a big betrayal in such a short time?

Was this an enjoyable story? Sure. It was sweet to see Travis find the family he longed for as a child, and find people who loved him for the man he was now despite his past mistakes. But it also took me a whole week to read Paradise Peak, so as sweet as the story was, it wasn’t particularly compelling or engaging. I don’t like books to have over-the-top or unnecessary angst, but this story could have used a bit more drama.

* thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Travis Miller aka Travis Alden is headed to Paradise Peak to hopefully find forgiveness for his past. He meets a kind man who takes him into his life and ranch. Hannah Newsome is determined to turn around her uncle’s ranch. Leary of men she finds she’s drawn to the new employee. When the ranch and Paradise Peak are threatened by a wildfire it just maybe Travis’s chance to prove himself to the people he’s come to care for. Hannah is finally moving on from her past, but his secret may come between them. Will they survive in Paradise Peak?

Janet Dailey continues her New America series with Paradise Peak. A story of a man seeking forgiveness for a past he can’t outrun. A woman whose past has made her leery of starting a new relationship. They’ll need to work together to restore the family ranch and outrun a wildfire. Janet Dailey writes a riveting, emotional story with a touch of danger. You’ll be cheering for these characters to survive and carry on. Lives are forever changed when love and danger come into play. I kept hoping for a change in a minor character’s situation to change but unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. Paradise Peak will keep you on the edge of your seat on whether secrets will be revealed, and forgiveness will be given. You’ll cry, cheer and be kept in suspense wondering what just may happen to these characters in the future. Janet Dailey writes another book that will have you coming back for more of her New America series and any of her other series and books.

The story started slowly, but once it grabbed my attention it held it! From that point forward I was riveted, reading until.I finished the book. I don't want to give spoilers, but this book had well written characters. Each of them coming from a place of pain or inner conflict.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley for my voluntary, honest review.

Paradise Peak, part of Janet Dailey’s New Americana Series takes ex-con Travis Alden back to the town in Tennessee after he has spent 20 years in prison for a felony committed there. He is not walking back for revenge but for restitution and forgiveness. Was he guilty? Yes but is he the same man that he was young, reckless and drunk? No, nevertheless others may not be willing to forgive.

A strong novel on how the past cannot be changed, nor the choices made but better choices can be made today. A story of walking in kindness, living with hope, showing forgiveness and finding love.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review.
Neil Travis Alden is getting out of prison after 20 years for killing a person when he was young and drunk. He is heading to Paradise Peak to try to find the mother of the girl he killed, Margaret Owens, to seek forgiveness and maybe be able to forgive himself. He walks from the prison to the Smokey Mountains and meets Red, who offers him a bed for the night if he will help him lug the bucket of fish he caught to the truck and help him clean them, filet them, and put them on ice. He said he would so he went to Red's house. While he is cleaning the fish 2 women come out and one is Hannah and the other one is Margaret Owens. He doesn't tell her who he is but there is a lot of repairs needed on the ranch so he agrees to stay on. He tells them his name is Travis Miller.
They all stay on the ranch together and become friends. There is many things that happen and he starts to fall in love with Hannah. The day does come that he has to tell them the truth. It made me cry when he told them the truth. Janet Dailey did a really nice job telling this story. When Hannah said he wasn't Neil Travis Alden any more, he was Travis Miller, that was a surprise. You will have to read the book to find out if Margaret, Red, and Hannah can accept who he is or accept that he isn't the boy who killed Margaret's daughter.
There is many things we learn about Hannah, Red, Margaret, and Travis. It helps to realize it is the life they lived that made them who they are today. But it is also about choices and the choices they each made.

Travis is a man on a journey for redemption. As a young man he made a choice that changed his life forever, but also someone else's. He wants to apologize and ask for forgiveness, but when he shows up at Paradise Peak and meets the family there, he has a hard time finding the words he needs. He is afraid that they will send him away and he finally feels like he found a place where he can have peace. Hannah is at Paradise Peak because she needed to regroup after leaving her abusive husband. She doesn't trust easily and has a hard time accepting Travis at first.
This book is extremely emotional at times. Not only is there a fire that is threatening to take out the ranch, but Travis knows he is on borrowed time. He knows he has to admit who he is, but struggles with admitting it because he doesn't feel like the same person he was. Once he and Hannah start developing a relationship, he decides to tell everyone the truth. Unfortunately, she finds out on her own and demands that she tell her uncle and the woman his uncle loves.
When all the truths are revealed, can Hannah and her family learn to accept that he isn't who he once was? Or, will they send him away? Her best friend and her son deserve a happy ending and I hope to read their story at some point. What happened to her was truly heartbreaking. A wonderful book about forgiveness and what it means to give someone a second chance.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

I've been reading and enjoying Janet Dailey books for a very long time. I can always count on her books to have a heart warming ending with a story about personal growth and learning to love and appreciate the people around you. Paradise Peak is no exception. This is book #5 in Janet's The New Americana series, a book set in each of the 50 states, this one in Tennessee.

A man just released from prison heads back to his home town with the goal of making amends for the actions that placed him in prison. He will find himself accepted into the community and treated well, not what he had expected. A young woman who has been treated poorly by life must learn that she need not shut herself off to protect her heart. As always in a Dailey story, the two will teach each other how to accept the past and plan for a future. !!!!SIGH!!!!

I must say it has been awhile since I have read a Janet Dailey book but am so glad I decided to read this one. I thought the story was interesting, the characters were real and the writing was beautiful. Travis was a man just out of prison trying to atone for what happened twenty years earlier. As he is hitchhiking in the mountains of Tennessee he runs into Red, who is such a kind soul. He offers him a place to rest for the night at his ranch,along with the woman he shares the expense of his ranch with, and his niece who has come to Red to recover from her failed marriage. This is a story of redemption, of trust, and recovery. Although a strong romance, actually more than one, it is not an whimsical read. It reads like Women’s fiction and even though i have not read any other of the New Americana books, I am so glad to have read this book. Beautifully done.

A nice story about redemption and forgiveness. The story was as much about the older couple Red and Margaret as it was about Travis and Hannah. Both couple’s happiness was tied to forgiving Travis for killing Margaret’s daughter in a car accident 20 years earlier. It was a feel good story about 4 people who had all been hurt in the past.

Paradise Peak is the latest offering by prolific author Janet Dailey. This beautifully written story tells of redemption and second chances. Neil Travis Aldin made bad choices and did reckless things as a teenager and paid for his transgressions with 20 years of his life. But he isn’t bitter, he is sorrowful and wants to make amends to the lady whose daughter’s life his drunkenness cost.

Red Bartlett has loved from afar for decades. And now his love is his partner and shares his lodge, but that is where the boundary ends. However, coming forward with his feelings just might cost him the relationship he has.

Hannah Newsome, Red’s niece, has returned to his resort and works tirelessly. Having finally escaped an abusive marriage, Hannah is now at peace as she helps Red and tends the horses, all rescues. But Hannah has closed off her heart to protect from any future pain.

This group comes to rely on each other, surviving a major fire that takes a friend’s life and helping survivors rebuild. They have become as close as any family until Travis’s ugly secret comes to light. Then forgiveness becomes paramount, but can all who were subjected to his lies forgive and move on, forging permanent relationships?

This is a beautiful story that will bring a few tears but, ultimately much joy. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

I first discovered Janet Dailey when I was in high school, and I became a big fan of her Calder series. I hadn’t read anything by her for a long time. I was curious about this when I saw it, and grabbed at it. I was not at all disappointed.

I read this book through in one sitting. It focused on Travis, a man coming out of prison after 20 years. He feels very guilty and wants to do what he can to make amends to Margaret, whose daughter he killed in a drunk driving accident 20 years ago. His time in prison was spent coming to terms with his alcoholism, and recovering. He has written many letters, unmailed to Margaret and by doing so, he helped himself.

Once he gets out of prison, he looks for a place to go. He meets Red who takes him in, and through Red, he finds Margaret, and he falls in love with Red’s daughter, Hannah. At first though, he doesn’t tell them who he really is. They all get to know each other through the course of the novel.

This was a fast moving, warm hearted, strong novel. I like a romance novel told from the male point of view, and that is not something that I see often, although it is becoming more common. It’s not only Travis’s story. It is Hannah’s as well, and she also has some past issues to face.

And Janet Dailey does what she does well, which is tell stories about people and what they mean to each other. She also tells a great story about what home means to all of us, and what the land means. The novel is set in Tennessee in a hot summer. There is a real community feel to the book as Red, Travis and Hannah work together to save the town from a wildfire.

This is a beautiful story about forgiveness and love, and the cost of each. There is no changing what happened, now and in the past. It’s a sad novel, but it does work and I enjoyed it, because I cared about each story.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to get immersed in someone else’s life and emotions for a little while.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I have been a fan of Janet Dailey for as long as I can remember. I feel she is a kick back to the old romance novels. There is simple romance and difficult women’s lit in one story.

In this story we meet Travis who is coming back from prison and has some amends to make but there are also secrets he is still keeping.

I, yet again, loved the writing of Dailey. The characters are well formed and the setting is beautiful. The romance of Travis and Hannah is not easy but the writing as you turning the page to see what they must overcome next, knowing that together they will.

Any fan of women’s lit will love this story and is probably already a fan of Janet Dailey’s. And this book is while fans have stuck with Dailey for decades.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.