This week I picked up a book I’d been meaning to read for a while. It’s a Heartwarming title – The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor by Anna J. Stewart, and I knew it’d be a good read. More about my take on the story later.
I used to write for Heartwarming. I’ve always loved the message of hope I always get when I read one of their titles even though these sweet romances are general market books they are written from a Christian worldview.
When I say sweet, that doesn’t mean the characters don’t face real problems. They do. In this book, the heroine, Holly Cambell, has lost her husband and has a precocious ten-year-old who has hacked into their neighbor’s wi-fi and changed all their file names to the names of superheroes. And their town of Butterfly Harbor is about to go under.
Here’s the back cover copy:
Two things keep Holly Campbell grounded: her precocious son and preserving her forty-year-old family diner in the face of expansion and change. She doesn’t need a blast from the past like Luke Saxon, who’s back in Butterfly Harbor after more than a decade away. The hard-luck kid who nearly destroyed her family, leaving her to pick up the pieces, is taking over as sheriff. She can’t trust him, even if Luke’s ideas for the town’s upcoming anniversary seem to show he’s trying to give back to their community. Has Butterfly Harbor found its unlikely savior? And has the widowed single mother finally found a man she can believe in, rely on…and love?
The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor captivated me for two nights…in fact, I stayed up the last night until 2 a.m. to finish it. It was that good. I had to see how it ended. It has a little mystery in it, a little action and a lot of heart.
Luke Saxon is totally swoon-worthy! I mean, ladies, how many times back in high school did you harbor the thought that you could tame that guy with the “bad boy” reputation?? But in this story, it wasn’t a girl who tamed him, but a girl’s dad who saw his worth and gave him a second chance. This book is all about second chances. For Luke, and for the boy who reminds him of himself. For Holly and her son, Simon and even her dad, the sheriff who was forced to retire when a new mayor took over and whose place Luke is taking. It’s even a second chance for the town.
The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor is a book I think readers of clean, heartwarming fiction would enjoy, and even though it is a romance, I think guys would enjoy it as well.
In the story, Holly didn’t believe at first Luke was capable of changing, but as she saw him interacting with the townspeople and her son, she had a change of heart. My question is, do you think people can change? Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a copy of Justice Betrayed. Or a copy of The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor.
You can get an e-copy of the Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor on Amazon. Or B&N.
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Comments 32
I know that people can change. I’ve seen it happen, especially through the power of Jesus Christ! Some people can make small changes on their own, but I strongly believe that real, transformative change comes only through a relationship with Christ.
Author
I so agree, Linda. Thanks for stopping by!
I agree with Linda. True change comes from Jesus Christ and surrendering to Him. Can people change? He changed me!
Author
Me, too, Christine! Thanks for stopping by!
I usually prefer longer books than Heartwarming, but this really does sound like several great concepts blended together and I will want to read. I’m not into staying up until 2 a.m., though. Will probably peek at the end and then read the rest at my leisure. Yes, people can change with our Lord’s help and love and that is one of the best miracles of our world and universe!
Author
Peek at the end???? Delores, tell me it ain’t so! 😉 Just kidding you, but that has to be the next question for me to ask readers! Thanks for making my day.
Yes, I believe people can change. I have seen it. When people come to know Christ, he changes them from the inside out.
Author
Suzanne, I once prayed for God to change someone. They were on drugs and not a nice person. I don’t think I believed it would happen because I was so shocked when it did. Taught me a lesson! God can change anyone. Thanks for stopping by.
Patricia, isn’t it neat when you settle on a concept for your next book and it’s EVERYWHERE? God is great at confirming what we should get in the first place, and “second chances” is what my next series will be all about. I love a second chance story, because if we’re Christians, we’re the result of a second chance. Don’t ever count someone out – he/she might be just the one to point you in the right direction! I love the idea of this one!
Author
We are absolutely second-chance stories ourselves, Regina! And third and fourth and 100th chances. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I absolutely believe people can change, I’m living proof of it!! Not that I was so much “bad”, but when I gave my heart to Christ and finally got serious about living for Him, my life took a 180 degree turn! Once the Lord gets a hold of a person’s heart, He can change anyone 🙂
I’ve read and heard stories about people whose life was terrible (alcoholic or drug addicts & etc) and lived that way for many years. After they had an encounter with God and began living for Him, it was as if they were a different person! I always love hearing those stories!
I’ve not read a Heartwarming story yet, I only read Christian fiction. But after reading your review and the fact that these have a Christian worldview, I’m going to have to read one after all! 🙂 This book you featured has all the elements I love, reunion romance and second chance love! It ticks many boxes for me. Definitely going to be getting a hold of a copy to read. Thanks for your reviews, Patricia, you’ve added many titles to my TBR pile…including the Brandilyn Collins one I have waiting for me on my Kindle (Over the Edge). Can’t wait to dive in!
Author
Thanks, Trixi! If you decide to read a Heartwarming, I’ve written two: Matthew’s Choice and The Christmas Campaign. They are both available on Kindle. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Oh fun!! I went to Overdrive and found they have an ecopy of “Matthew’s Choice” and I just recommend they purchase an ecopy of “The Christmas Champaign” & “The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor”. I also see they have several of Anna’s titles 🙂 Now if only I had more hours to read…lol!!
Author
Yay, Trixi and I knew it was you! And love The Christmas Champaign. 🙂
Ooops!! That’s supposed to be Campaign…autocorrect strikes again….
It’s too early in the morning for me….lol!! I think my fuzzy brain needs coffee! Those anonymous is me…oy!!
Certainly people can change. Not that I was ever “bad” but I certainly hope I am a better person now than when I was young. I cringe when I look back at some things!
Author
Joan, I hope I’m a better person, too! Like you, I cringe at some of the things I did. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, people can change but they have to be willing to change for themselves not for others.
Author
Good thought, Shelia! I so agree. Thanks for stopping by.
Always enjoy your ideas for books! YES, people can change…Sheila (above) sums it up well!
PS Kav is featuring one of your books today on her blog.
Author
Thanks, Jackie! I’ll hop over there and thank her! Thanks for stopping by.
That’s the message of the Gospel. Through the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ, we can change. As someone said (I think it may have been in a Gaither song), I’m not the man I want to be but, thank God, I’m not the man I used to be.
Author
Absolutely, Edward! Love that song. And thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Yes, with God anyone can change!
Author
So agree, Beverly. So agree. Actually, I think that’s the only way we CAN change. Thanks for stopping by.
I absolutely believe (and KNOW) that people can change, especially when they have surrendered their lives to Christ. He changed me and I’ve seen the change in others!!
Author
Agree, Diane. One of the best compliments I ever received is, “you’ve grown so much in Christ.” Thanks for stopping by.
Absolutely. People can definitely change. Thanks for the review. Sounds like a great book.
Author
Thanks, Mindy! I so agree. Thanks for stopping by!
I definitely think people can change with God’s help. In Christ we are a new creature! Thanks for the chance, Pat.
Author
So agree, Paula. And thank goodness we are!