The Widow of Saunders Creek

Corrie Saunders grew up in a life of privilege. But she gave it all up for Jarrod, her Army husband, a man she knew was a hero when she vowed to spend her life with him. She just didn’t expect her hero to sacrifice his life taking on an Iraqi suicide bomber.

Six months after Jarrod’s death, Corrie retreats to the family home her husband inherited deep in the Missouri Ozarks. She doesn’t know how to live without Jarrod—she doesn’t want to. By moving to Saunders Creek and living in a house beloved by him, she hopes that somehow her Jarrod will come back to her.

Something about the house suggests maybe he has. Corrie begins to wonder if she can feel Jarrod’s presence.

Jarrod’s cousin Eli is helping Corrie with the house’s restoration and he knows that his dead cousin is not what Corrie senses. Eli, as a believing man and at odds with his mystically-oriented family members, thinks friendly visits from beyond are hogwash. But he takes spirits with dark intentions seriously. Can he convince Corrie that letting go of Jarrod will lead to finding her footing again— and to the One she can truly put her faith into?

My thoughts...

War widow Corrie Saunders has had enough of living with her wealthy parents. She can't take the pretending that everything is fine, holding back the tears and playing a role to please her mother. Her husband, Jarrod, died six months ago and she hasn't properly grieved, she would do anything to see his smile again. Corrie decides to move to the Ozarks and live in the house her husband had inherited hoping she will feel closer to him.

Once in the house Corrie senses a presence and believes her husband is trying to contact her from the afterlife. Strange things begin to happen -- chairs rocking, doors slamming, things being knocked over-- she tells her handyman, Jarrod's cousin Eli, about it and he is very concerned. There has been a presence in that house since he was a child. As he tries explaining to Corrie about the presence being evil she doesn't believe him. His aunt Trudy is a medium and conducts a seance and things escalate. I won't give away what happens next.

This is a quick-paced read with a good plot, good characters, some eeriness, and romance. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.