Now and Then and Always (Maple Valley #1) by Melissa Tagg

“It was just a house. Just a weathered old house in a hidden grove, shuttered and still . . . ”

Last year, after traumatic circumstances forced her from her job as a nanny, Mara Bristol finally found a place to belong—the winsome Everwood Bed & Breakfast at the edge of Maple Valley, Iowa. For months, she’s helped its owner, Lenora, maintain the ramshackle property despite their shortage of guests. But when Lenora fails to return from a month-long trip and the bank threatens foreclosure, Mara worries she’s once again alone . . . abandoned . . . about to lose the only true home she’s ever known.

Detective Marshall Hawkins is no closer to whole today than he was two years ago . . . the day his daughter died. Between his divorce, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on medication, his life is falling apart. And when a reckless decision on the job propels him into administrative leave, he has no other plan but to get in his truck and drive. A one-night stay at the Everwood was supposed to be just that. But there’s something about the old house—or maybe its intriguing caretaker—that pulls him in.

Together, Mara and Marshall set out to save the Everwood. But its secrets run deeper than they could’ve imagined. As they renovate the house and search for its missing owner, they’ll each confront the pain that brought them to the Everwood in the first place . . . and just maybe discover a faith and love to help them carry on.

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I've been so anxious to read this book!  Melissa Tagg is one of those consistently good authors that keep me coming back for more.  And this cover!  It is an awesome representation of significant part of this story.  I love the colors too.

This story is about two people, both broken from tragic and traumatic things in their lives, but still fighting to move forward.  Mara and Marshall are both characters that you root for, even in their darkest moments.  I was invested in their stories and in their ultimate peace and happiness.  As a reader, that is what I long for.  That emotional connection to the characters.

I loved the added bits of mystery/intrigue and the tiny bits of suspense.  It gave the story some added elemental life to balance out the emotional build up.  Everything unfolded brilliantly and kept me turning those pages because I just couldn't stop.  It was so good!

The secondary characters have me so interested!  I can't wait to see what is coming next!

Oh!  And don't forget to enter the author's giveaway in conjunction with this new release!  http://www.melissatagg.com/giveaway/now-and-then-and-always

Content: mild peril, kissing, Christian elements (praying, forgiving, finding your way back to God)

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.