Here to Stay ~ Review

Here to Stay
By Melissa Tagg

Autumn Kingsley has a dream and has had it for years, but life keeps getting in her way.  She should have gone to see the world years ago. Instead she's stuck in Whisper Shore, Michigan, running a family owned inn that is falling down around her in a dying town.

Blake Hunziker has spent the last few years of his life running.  Running from the guilt.  Running from the pain.  But now he's decided to return home and his parents wrath.  But his parents don't respond the way Blake expected - in fact he feels almost like the prodigal son.  He's sure to mess something up again - after all that's what he does and someone usually gets hurt in the process.

With less than a month until the traditional Christmas Festival is suppose to start (giving Whisper Shore a much needed tourist boost) the long-time events coordinator quits.  Soon Blake and Autumn find themselves planning a Christmas Festival that will be unlike any that Whisper Shore has ever seen.  But there are a few bumps along the way - such as the feud between the Kingsley and Hunziker families.

Here to Stay is a delightful book that I'm glad I was convinced to read.  I was convinced during the monthly online chat between readers and authors that TBCN organizes one Monday evening a month.  And I'm not sorry that I agreed to read and review this book.  There are several stories threading throughout the book. The tragic loss of a loved one.  The pressure of family expectation.  The desire to achieve one's dream.  And the bonds of family and friends.  These are seamlessly woven together in a story you won't soon forget. My only regret is I picked it up at 1 am to glance at it and instead spent the night reading instead of sleeping, but it was that good and I really wanted to know what happened.  (Now I have to get a copy of Melissa's previous book Made to Last so I can read more about Blake!)

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House/Melissa Tagg through TBCN in exchange for my honest review.

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About the book:

Blake Hunziker has played nomad for five years and landed in his fair share of trouble too. But now he’s finally returning to his hometown–the Lake Michigan tourist town of Whisper Shore. Counting on a not-so-warm welcome, he’s surprised at not only a positive reception but also a job offer. Determined to settle down and prove himself responsible, he agrees to the catch that comes with the job offer–coordinating the annual Christmas festival–even though he has no idea how he’ll pull it off.

Autumn Kingsley, inn owner and experienced organizer of the Christmas festival, has always dreamed of traveling the world. Now she has a job opportunity in Paris and a surprise potential investor coming to town who just might take on her family’s inn and finally leave her free to go. The only problem is that she has just two weeks to whip the inn into shape.

Their families have a long history of not getting along, but when Blake comes to Autumn for help with the festival, she actually agrees…in exchange for his help with the repairs to her inn. They may have struck a simple deal, but complications are quick to pile on when the guy who’s had enough of running away and the woman who can’t wait to leave join forces.

About the author:

Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.