After the Shadows - (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing) by Amanda Cabot

This book turned out quite different than I originally thought it would. From the look of the cover I thought it would be more of a British countryside Regency romance type. Nope! It's set in 1882 Sweetwater Crossing, Texas. The story is one of tragedy and redemption. Emily Leland is the main character and we meet her as she is arriving at her family home. She's journeyed there to start over after becoming a recent widow. The homecoming she expected is far from the reality that greets her. One of the main things that I liked about Emily is that she is determined to not only survive but thrive. And she has the wherewithal to pull others along with her. There are seemingly insurmountable odds but she continues to persevere. There are two other sisters in this story that we get a bit of background on. I am assuming that they will be featured in the next couple of books in this series. I can't wait to find out the rest of Emily's story (surely it will be included in the next books) and also get to know her sisters better. While this is considered an Historical Romance it also has an element of mystery to it. I enjoyed trying to figure out the who, what, when and why of what happened. It was a very surprising ending. If this first book of the series is any indication of what's to come . . . we're in for a real treat!

After the Shadows, which is book one of Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing by Amanda Cabot is the entertaining and thrilling fiction historical romance novel. Emily's husband has recently passed away. However, Emily is not saddened, because of the abuse he has caused her. She has no sorrow and returns home. Her sister, Louisa, has decided to leave home after her father's sudden suicide. However, Emily does not believe her father committed suicide. Something is wrong. Left alone in a huge house with a recent fire next-door, Emily must learn how to provide income for herself. Enter Craig and his toddler son, Noah. Emily longs to be a mother. But that simply won’t happen. She is delighted to welcome Craig and Noah as boarders. Craig is the new school teacher. How will it be having a young child in her home? Will she ever find out who killed her father? What are those in the town saying about Emily and her family? What really happened in her marriage? After the Shadows is a great read that will keep you entertained and enthralled. In fact, I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do.

Oh, my! This book has everything that I love in a story! History, mystery, a budding romance, and the promise of second chances are all a part of this new book by author Amanda Cabot. After the Shadows is the touching story of two people who bear hurts and scars from previous experiences. Emily believes that she doesn't deserve happiness and Craig is plagued with guilt. How could either one of them ever hope to have another happy or loving relationship? After the Shadows is the first book in the new Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing and it's whetted my appetite for what's ahead! Her historical details are spot on and she definitely knows how to pull our heartstrings with the emotional impact of this story. Cabot tastefully handles tough subjects such as domestic violence and suicide and reminds us that some tragedies are often unavoidable. This is a riveting story of hope, trust, and learning to let go and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian novels! I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

After the Shadows is a book about overcoming your past in order to find hope for the future. It is also a book about relationships, good and evil ones, domestic abuse, true love, the Christian life and small-town living. The main character in the book, Emily Leland, has to deal with trying to overcome her hurtful past while coping with many problems the present is enveloping her with, the biggest of which is her father's death. The whole town believes her father committed suicide, but Emily is positive he didn't, only she has no proof, and no one believes her. This book is full of shadows, past and present, that need to be banished in order for Emily's future to be seen as bright and sunny, and with the help Craig Ferguson, the handsome new schoolteacher, she just may succeed. I enjoyed reading this story as it was full of unexpected events and mysteries. If you enjoy trying to solve "who dun nit's" you will enjoy this book as there are quite a few mysteries that need to be solved before the book's end Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.

Emily Leland returns to her hometown after being away for over a year. She is not the same person she was when she left, after being disillusioned by her marriage. She struggles with her view of men and marriage. And things have changed at home as well, her father mysteriously dies, her sister leaves home to pursue being a mid-wife and Emily decides to turn her family home into a boardinghouse. One of her new occupants is Craig Ferguson, a widower, and his young son. Over time, Emily learns to trust men again and find love. This story is both a mystery and romance. I would say the romance takes precedence and the murder mystery is a background plot. I thought the overall idea of the story was interesting but simplistic. There wasn’t much foreshadowing or clues that the reader could follow in trying to solve the mystery. It was more about Emily wishing she could prove the circumstances of her father’s death. The romance was uneventful, nothing special or unique happened, such as a misunderstanding, conflict, or special event. I did like the variety of characters, such as Beulah, who had downs syndrome. I also like Emily’s friends, each of them was facing unique and difficult life situations, and they were bonded together by tragedy. The subject of Emily’s abusive husband was written about with discretion by the author, and she wasn’t overly descriptive about the details. The novel moved slowly for me and there were points where I lost interest. Overall, it was a nice and uncomplicated read. I will admit there is part of me that wants to know more about Louisa and if Emily is able to get pregnant, so the author did well to set up her next book.

This is my first book from this author, and she has blown me away with her writing. This book was SO good, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading it. Cabot is an author I will definitely read from again and I am also excited to continue this series. I really loved our main character, Emily; she has dealt with some awful things in a very short period of time, yet she has such a gentle and kind spirit who cares deeply for her family as well as the people of Sweetwater Crossing. We also meet Craig and his toddler son, Noah. Noah is the absolute cutest! Craig has also been through a tough situation and like Emily still has such a pure and Kind spirit and is full of love. It was so fun reading about the lives of all the people in the town as well as our main characters. There was a bit of a mystery and that was well done. There were, however, too many people dying off that began to make the story a bit unrealistic for my taste. But this story was really well done, and I am looking forward to reading book 2! I received this book for review. This is my honest personal opinion.

Amanda Cabots' newest book proves to be a sweeping historical saga in this first book in a new series, Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing, which introduces us to three very different sisters. After the Shadows takes the reader to Texas Hill Country in 1882 to the small, close-knit town of Sweetwater Crossing. A year has passed since Emily Leland has seen her family. A year that did not bring the joy she expected as a new bride. After the death of her abusive husband, Emily returns only to discover that in her absence, her mother has died, and her father has, according to the town Doctor and Sheriff, committed suicide. But not all is as it appears. As the older sister, Emily is left to contend with the aftermath of her father's apparent suicide and the financial burdens that remain. With one sister abroad and another who leaves in anger, Emily is forced to open their home to borders. Soon, the town begins to see tradedy after tragedy. With the help of Craig Ferguson, the handsome new school master in town, they set out to find a killer. However, the two discover more than they could have ever expected. After the shadows is a well written, intriguing slow drama filled with faith, love, and family relationships. Readers are sure to be swept away in this gripping new series. Trigger warning: The author does include some intense subjects, including suicide, murder and abuse, as well as societies response to Down syndrome at the time.

After the Shadows is the first in a new series by Amanda Cabot. It looks like it will be a trilogy revolving around three stories. In After the Shadows, we are introduced to two sisters, Emily, who just returned home, and Louisa, who never left. We hear a little about the third sister, Joanna, who is off in Europe. This story starts with a LOT of heartaches. There seems to be so much happening, and then it calms down, turning into a very character-driven storyline. There is a hint of a mystery surrounding Emily's father's death, but that part of the story doesn't take off until almost a third of the way through the book. In some ways, the story seemed scattered. It all came together in the end, but I was frustrated by several events going on in the story. I can't name them because I don't want to give even a hint of spoilers. The parts of the story with Noah (a toddler) were a bit lighter. Overall, the story was engaging enough to keep my attention, and I was curious to see how things would end. Thank you to Revell for the opportunity to review this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Disclaimer: Please note, I did receive this book from the publisher at no charge for my unbiased, honest opinion. When I read the publisher's synopsis of this book, I selected it on a whim. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy reading it, but I decided to select it anyway. Even after the first chapter, I was unsure if I would be able to finish it. However, the more I read, the more the story developed into a book I absolutely loved! It had elements that provoked surprise, compassion, frustration, and so many other emotions. It was a good example to show how everyone deals with grief and life's obstacles differently. Further, it is a good example of how a small, southern town in America really is: how isolating it can be; how important family and reputation can be in these areas. Neighbors really take care of each other (depending on who you are) or they may completely ignore you. If your reputation is tarnished they will ostracize and abandon you. Between hoping Emily is able to figure out what happened to her father, which NO ONE suspected, to seeing how the relationship between each character develops, and especially Emily getting past her horrible experience with her abusive husband and her looking forward to the future, this was such a wonderful story. It truly was a well executed and all storylines were concluded. Though I would have LOVED an epilogue, especially one that maybe Emily and Craig get married and have a baby, I fully understand that this is part of a series and those may be items that are addressed in subsequent books. This was truly a wonderful story. It was relatable in a way that not many books can be, especially with it being a historically set story. It was set in the 1880s, so post-civil war era Texas, but it could easily have been adapted to a modern setting. I do highly recommend this book to any readers who enjoy romance, historical romance, new beginnings, slice of life, post-civil war era, ranchers/cowboys, and strong female leads.

Topic or themes I saw: Overcoming your past, the value people hold, starting again, being looked down on, standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. Read it if you love: ✔️Stories that increase compassion and empathy. ✔️Stories that have characters with disabilities ✔️Small town settings ✔️Christian Fiction ✔️ Historical Romance Story: Craig Ferguson is looking for a fresh start for himself and his son and Emily is back in Sweetwater after her abusive husband died in a bar fight. This is a romance, but it has many other elements. It has tough things in it like a past of abuse and the death of a spouse, but it’s not heavy. It’s all handled in a very honoring way. There is also a girl with down syndrome (they didn’t say it specifically since they probably didn’t know what it was back then, but the descriptions pointed to that) who Craig and Emily really love on and it’s so heart warming. There is also an element of trying to dig up the suspicious death of Emily’s father. Everything is tied together in a beautiful way and the characters are so lovable! Main takeaway: The future can be bright even if your past was not.

Historical fiction with a mystery, a perfect combination. Emily Leland may not have known what to expect when she returned to her childhood home after being unexpectedly widowed after only a year of marriage, but certainly not to be rejected by her sister, or to discover her father dead in the barn. When the town's sheriff and doctor determine her father took his own life, it is up to Emily and the new schoolmaster to prove otherwise. Amanda Cabot has written a compelling story that will keep readers highly engaged. Even those who may be quick to select a suspect will want to read into the wee hours to confirm their suspicions and determine the killer's motives. Cabot also introduces characters who are vulnerable. Readers will applaud those who champion them, and their ire will rise against those who demean them. Hopefully it will also inspire readers to be more aware of personal opportunities to champion those they encounter being ostracized. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this well-written novel from Revell via Library Thing without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Historical fiction is not my top genre of Christian Fiction to read; however, when I do read this genre, Amanda Cabot is one of my go to authors. Her books do not read as slow as some historical fiction novels I have read by other authors. Although this book is listed as historical, it also has a mysterious element to it that really grabbed my attention. It is the first book in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing. One of the things I liked about this book is all the lessons that can be taken from it. You learn not to judge someone by someone else’s actions. There is a lesson of loving your neighbor. I found a lesson of forgiveness as well. And one of the best lessons is accepting others that are different than you. Also, you find a few examples of second chances. There are so many things to love about this book. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

I requested and was given a copy of this book through the Revell Reads program. My review is my own and freely given. I have always enjoyed Amanda Cabot's books, and this is no different. Ms. Cabot did a very good job in writing this book. The characters were well-developed. You felt like you might know these people or people similar to them. The story flowed well. It had an interesting twist at the end. It mainly was a love story with a bit of mystery thrown in. It kept my interest throughout. My only complaint is that I felt too much was left unanswered. I realize that this is the first book in a series but it would have been nice to have some of the questions answered as there is still plenty of story left for the upcoming books. I give this a 3 out of 5 rating, and I would recommend it to my friends. I look forward to reading the next book as I hope it answers some of my questions.

“Craig was a good man, kind but firm. She had no reason to fear him, for he was nothing like George,” Emily convinces herself in Amanda Cabot’s novel, After the Shadows. ~ What ~ The first book in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series, this three-hundred-and-fifty-two-page paperback targets those interested in a historical romance involving family relationships in the Texas Hill Country. With no profanity, topics of alcohol use, illness, physical abuse, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes an author’s letter, a teaser for the next book in the series, acknowledgments, the author’s biography, and advertisements. In this story set in 1882 in a small Texan town, Emily Leland returns to her home, defeated, depressed, and lonely. Keeping secrets about her deceased husband’s abusiveness, she tries to put her past behind her. When she turns her family home into a boarding house, it occupies her time, especially when the new schoolmaster comes to her unexpected aid as she searches for the truth about her father’s recent death. ~ Why ~ I appreciate stories about working through family relationships, and this one focuses on the oldest of three daughters who feels inadequate compared to her siblings. I like how Emily’s friendship developed with Craig and how she slowly let her walls of hurt and pain fall down. ~ Why Not ~ Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not like this story, but it is not preachy or overbearing. Some may not like that it is the first of the series, so all the characters are not fully developed yet. ~ Wish ~ Since it is based on a minister’s family, I would have expected more spiritual undertones. I prefer all pronouns of God capitalized for reverence. ~ Want ~ If you like sweet romances where a tight-knit community helps each other overcome the loss of their loved ones, this is a tender start to a lovely, heartfelt series that includes mystery. Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

This was a most interesting book to me. It was a historical fiction book as you can tell from the cover. Emily, a widow of a very abusive man, returns home to Sweetwater Crossing. There she finds herself trying to resolve the mysterious and unexpected death of her pastor father. Craig Ferguson and his young son, Noah come to Sweetwater Crossing as the new schoolmaster. Both of them are kindly people who look out for others. The challenges and events that occur to both them and others causes them to work together to resolve the issues that surround them. I loved the Texas Hill Country setting as I have a special love for this state and read everything I can that includes this state. It was a good book and a very talented author. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

Applause, Applause, Applause! I feel Ms Cabot has outdone herself with the beginning to Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series. I have been a fan of this author since I read Paper Roses. She takes heavy subject matter and weaves a story of hope and faith amidst it that show’s beauty among the ruins. The mysterious deaths add the element of guessing keep you turning pages to see the outcome. I loved Emily’s compassionate heart for others even in the middle of her own tragedy. One of my favorite characters was the addition of Beulah a child with Down’s syndrome and her thirst for knowledge. Craig was the perfect teacher for her and a shelter in the storm for Emily. Take a step back in time to 1882 and enjoy getting to know the characters of Sweetwater Crossing. The pacing and plot are spot on and will leave you anxiously waiting for the next installment. I highly recommend reading and adding to your keeper shelf. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.