REVIEW: Hummingbird Lake: An Eternity Springs Novel (Eternity Springs #2) by Emily March

Author: Emily March

Pages: 320

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Series)

Publisher: Ballantine Books

AMAZON: Hummingbird Lake: An Eternity Springs Novel

From the blurb (Goodreads)

Experience the magic of Eternity Springs, where broken hearts find healing, in this uplifting novel in Emily March’s unforgettable new series.

Haunted by painful memories, pediatric surgeon Sage Anderson gives up medicine and moves to Eternity Springs. There she finds a place to call home, but even her newfound success as a gifted artist isn’t enough to keep her nightmares at bay. Colt Rafferty is about to change all that.

Eternity Springs is a refuge for Colt, a place to ground himself when the stress of investigating tragedies takes its toll. He has come here for a little R & R, but instead of relaxing, he finds himself fascinated by the mysterious redhead whose secrets beg to be discovered—a beauty running from her past, a heartsick woman in desperate need of the sweet sanctuary of a devoted man’s embrace. And he is just the man to show her the true path to peace—by offering her the healing power of love.

REVIEW: 4 out of 5 stars

Hummingbird Lake is a heartwarming, emotional story about Dr. Sage Anderson who is a sufferer of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after witnessing horrors whilst volunteering for Doctors without Borders in Africa.

Since her ordeal, she no longer practices as a pediatric surgeon but is now a successful artist; putting her thoughts as well as her nightmares into her work and surrounding herself with close friends. Eternity Springs is her sanctuary to heal and recuperate

Colt Rafferty is a part-time wood carver, full-time Chemicals Safety Investigator who visits Eternity Springs when he needs to clear his thoughts and seek refuge when investigating tragedies takes their toll.

Colt and Sage had an instant attraction, he is intrigued by the red-headed, green-eyed beauty and the feelings appeared mutual even though she was bitter about him submitting his work in a local art exhibit and winning while being an absentee.

Sage is in a dark place and witnessing her break-down and distress first hand, Colt sets himself a goal to solve the puzzle that is Sage Anderson; he wants to know why there is sadness in her eyes and a secret pain he feels she is hiding.

Sage had built barriers around her life and her heart and hadn’t spoken to anyone but her deceased father of her ordeal; she has kept it close to her chest and became quite narky if anyone dared intrude on her personal secrets; I just wish she could have confided in someone; anyone really rather than have to endure the pain and nightmares herself.

She finds it both exciting and frightening having an attraction and feelings for Colt, and finds herself wanting to share her painful past with him.

I absolutely LOVED sexy Colt! He had compassion, humor and was so tender, considerate and kind-hearted with Sage, the way he looked after her when she fell apart at the Angel’s Rest opening was the sweetest and he still came back again after she fell apart on him in Texas. He was truly wonderful. He had to work hard to earn her trust but was persistent and did it slowly with humor and quirky little gifts; she was quite stubborn and made him work to earn her affections. They had great chemistry; the smexy scenes were sensual and not overly descriptive.

I was saddened at times by Sage’s attitude and actions, she was downright nasty to her friends as well as to Colt and even her apologies seemed half-hearted, she was a character I didn’t immediately warm to; even the way she treated her sister, Rose was terrible. Her behavior was immature, all she seemed to want was to distance herself from anyone who cared.

One part of the story I found confusing was where Colt was house-hunting in Virginia, it didn't appear to fit in with the plot?? Maybe I missed the point being made in this chapter.

The setting and vivid details of Eternity Springs and its surrounding locations sound wonderful, truly majestic and peaceful; definitely a place you can imagine visiting for a bit of R&R.

March brings back the wonderful and lovable characters from Angel's Rest, it is a close knit and caring community with the true force behind the town being Celeste, she seems to know when someone needs an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and a genuine need for help. Eternity Springs is a place for damaged souls to find peace and heal from personal tragedies.

Hummingbird Lake was an endearing and touching story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Heartache Falls.