Falling Leaves: Review & Excerpt: A Memory Away by Melinda Curtis

Welcome, or welcome back to Harmony Valley!

Join Harmony Valley residents as youth returns to help save their town.

A Memory Away

by Melinda Curtis

Adult Contemporary Romance

ebook & print, 376 pages

December 1, 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A Harmony Valley Novel #6

For better or worse, she's family now

Duffy Dufraine just found out he's going to be an uncle. Jessica Aguirre came to Harmony Valley in search of the father of her unborn child, which is by no means him. An accident may have damaged the expectant mom's memory, but he knows his twin is the man she's looking for. But Greg's gone, which leaves Duffy the only family Jess has. And he has to make things right. Offering her a temporary place to stay seems an ideal short-term solution. Until she stirs desires that make the embattled vineyard manager rethink his own long-term game plan. Is he ready to offer Jess and her baby a home to call their own—with him?

Sale at $2.99

(Normally $4.99)

Amazon│B&N│Kobo│iBooks│Harlequin│Google Play

My Thoughts

A Memory Away is an exceptional book. The characters makes lots of mistakes and sometimes the wrong choices, but these makes them look more human instead. They love, hate, regret, understand and many more.

Duffy Dufraine wanted his freedom after fifteen years getting a lot of responsibility. He still held a grudge of her twin, Greg. Greg wasted the family money and when he was dead, he left a legacy. When Jessica Aguire came to the town claiming she got a memory loss and in search of her baby's daddy, Duffy knew that responsibility was coming and a lifelong commitment should be made.

Duffy didn't believe Jessica at first considering that she was together with Greg, but as time goes on, he realized that she was trustworthy. He may looked like he didn't care about anyone, but he actually did and it was one of his best qualities.
Jessica was a brave woman and she was not afraid to admit that she was wrong. A great character indeed.
The senior characters in the story added some dynamics and I have to admit they were annoying at first, but as the story went on, I started to like Eunice.

If you like a heartwarming romance and a small town romance, I recommend this book!

Excerpt

Did he love me?
A man got out of the truck. Dark hair. Straight nose. Familiar eyes.
It's him.
She leaned forward, peering through the paned glass, her heart sailing toward him, over ever-hopeful waves of roses and rainbows.
Jess didn't usually let herself dream. But now...today...him...
And yet...
He wore a burgundy vest jacket that clashed with a red long-sleeve T-shirt. Worn blue jeans. A black baseball cap.
Instead, she saw him in a fine wool suit. Black, always black. A navy shirt of the softest cotton. A silk tie in a geometric pattern. Shiny Italian loafers...
He took the stairs two at a time, work boots ringing on wood.
Jessica's heart sank as certainly as if someone had drilled holes in the boat carrying her hopeful emotions. Clouds blocked the sun. The rainbow disappeared. Unwilling to sink, Jess clung to joy. To the idea of him.
He entered without a flourish or an energetic greeting. He entered without the smile that teased the corners of her memory. He entered and took stock of the room, the situation, her.
Their eyes met. His were the same color, same shape, so heart-achingly familiar.
It was the cool assessment in them that threw her off. Not a smile, not a brow quirk, not an eye crinkle.
He came forward. "I'm Michael Dufraine, but everyone calls me Duffy."
His name didn't ring true.
Had he lied to her?
She couldn't speak, could barely remember her name.
The wind shook the panes. The house creaked and groaned.
He smiled. A polite smile, a distant smile, an I-don't-know-you smile.
Disappointment overwhelmed her. Jess resisted the urge to dissolve into a pity puddle on the floor.
"And you are...?" He extended his hand.
On autopilot, she reached for him. Their palms touched.
Jessica's vision blurred and she gripped his hand tighter as clips of memory assailed her—his deep laughter, him offering her a bite of chocolate cheesecake, his citrusy cologne as he leaned in to kiss her.
It is him.
Relieved. She was so relieved. Jessica blinked at the man—Duffy—who she vaguely recalled and, at the same time, did not.
She'd practiced what to say on the hour-long drive up here from Santa Rosa. Ran through several scenarios. None of them had included him not recognizing her.
She should start at the beginning. Best not to scare him with hysterics and panicked accusations, of which she'd had five months to form.
Don't raise your voice. Don't cry. Don't ask why.
And don't lead the conversation with the elephant in the room.
Despite all the cautions and practicing and caveats, she drew a breath, and flung her hopes toward him as if he was her life preserver. "I think I'm your wife."

Other Books in the Series

Dandelion Wishes

by Melinda Curtis

Adult Contemporary Romance

ebook & print, 379 pages

October 1, 2013 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A Harmony Valley Novel #1

Sometimes wishes do come true, she'd heard it said...

Will Jackson was a control freak and a killjoy. He had been since they were kids. He'd made it his mission to come between Emma Willoughby and her best friend--his little sister--all their lives. But why? Until the day of the accident, Emma had always thought of herself as adventurous, not dangerous.... And then her friend had almost died.

She desperately needed to apologize, to try to explain, if she could. Will had managed to keep the two apart while Tracy was in the hospital, but now that she was home in Harmony Valley, the winemaker wannabe had to understand that getting past this was the only way they could heal. And yet even if Tracy was able to, Emma wasn't sure she could forgive herself. And Will had made it abundantly clear: he wouldn't sleep until he'd found retribution.

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Kobo│iBooks│Harlequin│Google Play

Summer Kisses

by Melinda Curtis

Adult Contemporary Romance

ebook & print, 384 pages

February 1, 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A Harmony Valley Novel #2

Her carefully crafted facade is unraveling…fast

Rebecca MacKenzie's career as a caregiver for the elderly suited her perfectly. Ease their suffering, hop back in the motor home and move on. Caring without commitment. It was ideal for someone trying to outrun her memories…and mistakes. Someone determined to stay detached.

Flynn Harris, her new patient's grandson, is weakening her resolve in every way. His scrutiny, his suspicion—and worst of all, his kisses—are more than distracting. They're dangerous. Because she's teetering on the edge of caring. And revealing her secrets. And…staying.

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Kobo│iBooks│Harlequin│Google Play

Season of Change

by Melinda Curtis

Adult Contemporary Romance

ebook & print, 384 pages

May 1, 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A Harmony Valley Novel #3

Harmony Valley...not so harmonious after all!

Christine Alexander needs to prove herself as a top-notch winemaker, and in Harmony Valley she's got a chance to build something legitimate, quality and lasting. What she doesn't need is part-owner Slade Jennings poking his nose in her cabernet.

Brooding, buttoned-up Slade Jennings won't be making things easy for his new hire.Someone has to worry about the bottom line. Forced into an uneasy partnership, the pair faces two challenges: create a spectacular award-winning vintage within months...and figure out if their tenuous friendship can grow into something deeper and lasting.

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Kobo│iBooks│Harlequin│Google Play

One Perfect Year

by Melinda Curtis

Adult Contemporary Romance

ebook & print, 376 pages

March 1, 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A Harmony Valley Novel #4

He's coming up on her blind side

How can Shelby Hawkley forgive Gage Jamero for bailing on her when she needed him most? He and her husband, Nick, were the best part of her life. Now her former best friend is back, shaking up the widowed wine harvester's world. The safest bet is to protect herself. Except Gage is awakening feelings that are decidedly unfriend-like.

Shelby is the woman Gage has secretly loved since high school. Starting over—together—could be the best dream he's ever had. If only he can find the courage to say what he should have said all those years ago.

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Kobo│iBooks│Harlequin│Google Play