The Friar
by Samantha A. Cole
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Pub Date May 25 2017 | Archive Date Nov 18 2017
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Description
Adam Westfield gave his heart, mind, body, and soul over to God and entered the Franciscan Brotherhood, but a moment of rage had him breaking his vows and one of the ten commandments. Five years later, he’s released from prison a changed man once again. Unsure of his destiny now, he hits the road, roaming the United States, hoping to find a purpose in life again . . . and forgiveness.
A widowed mother of two, Sage Hammond is doing everything she can to hold onto the horse-breeding ranch that had belonged to her husband’s family for generations, but times are tough and she’s just barely getting by. Unable to find a ranch hand willing to work for meager wages, she thinks all may be lost and she will have to sell. Until a quiet, handsome stranger appears to be an answer to her prayers.
Adam is falling in love for the first time in his life, however, strange things begin to happen at the ranch—things that are putting Sage and her children in danger—and he finds he is willing to sell his soul to protect them. But will it be enough?
A man trying to overcome his past. A woman trying to secure her children’s future. Can they both learn to live in the present and discover that second chances do exist?
***The Friar is a stand alone novel and not related to any of Samantha A. Cole's current series.
Advance Praise
***A 2017 Readers' Favorite Award Silver Medal Winner in the Contemporary Romance Genre***
"An excellent novel, mixing romance and suspense in a highly believable setting. The story moves along at a fast pace with high suspense, the characters are authentic and interesting, and the facts unfold with clarity and plausibility. The author skillfully balances the underlying, simmering dangers of violence and deep emotions, and while the resolution to the mystery begins to surface, new dangers appear. This is a veritable page-turner that will keep readers at the edge of their seats until the unexpected, yet satisfying ending. Highly recommended!" The Columbia Review
"Samantha Cole's romantic suspense novel, The Friar, is a marvelous second-chance story about a young widow and the ex-con who walks into her life. Cole's main characters are strong, independent and ethical in their outlooks on life, and the reader can instantly understand why Reverend Stevens sent Adam to Heaven's Pastures, Sage's ranch. I had a grand time watching as Adam interacts with Sage, Evan and Maddie, and Sage's two children, and loved seeing him adapt to a very different culture than the one he was raised in. The Friar is a delight to read. There's tension and suspense around the stalker who's determined to wreak havoc on the ranch and its inhabitants that works quite well to keep the reader involved in the story. Cole also admirably addresses the automatic bias that many ex-convicts face after they've served their time, and the difficulty they have in being accepted back into society, as evidenced by the hostility of the local residents toward Adam. The Friar is most highly recommended." Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
"This story resonated so much with me because I got married to an ex-seminarian, and as I read on, I couldn't help but think about the stories my husband shares about his vocation. The characters are real and the reader can feel as if they share the same world, thanks to Samantha Cole's gift of character and setting. The emotional intensity of this story deserves a whole commentary on its own. Yes, the characters have depth and readers will want to explore their inner worlds, feel their scars and heartaches, and experience what gives them the hope of freedom and purpose. The Friar is expertly plotted and excellently written, a delightful read that explores the themes of vocation, faith, love, and redemption. It is an emotionally charged story with great potential for entertainment." Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
