An Alaskan Christmas

July 15, 2019
A workaholic doctor takes a forced vacation and returns to her hometown, reconnecting with the best friend she's lost touch with and her friend's sexy brother, a search-and-rescue Adonis whose small-town contentment makes her question some life choices. Dr. Erika Sheraton is a talented surgeon who's on the cusp of clinical trials for a new anti-rejection drug when she's put on forced leave because her superiors think she's working too much and it's affecting her performance. She works at the Anchorage hospital run by her father, which means she's continually under his scrutiny, which is complicated. Their relationship has been strained since her mother died when Erika was in high school and her father became emotionally distant, compelling Erika to work round the clock. Now that she has to take a vacation, she has nowhere to go, so she arranges to visit her childhood best friend, Cassie, whom she hasn't seen since high school and who still lives in their hometown, Wild River. At first uncomfortable, they soon regain their friendship, then meet up with Cassie's brother, Reed. Erika and Reed shared an emotionally intense event in high school, and once they meet again, sparks fly. Reed serves on the Wild River Search and Rescue, and over the next two weeks, Erika joins the team on a couple of searches. She's falling for Reed and loving life in Wild River, but when she returns to Anchorage, she falls back into her workaholic ways and loses touch until another set of surprises forces her to reevaluate everything. Snow's Alaska setting and search-and-rescue element are interesting twists, and the romance is generally smart and sexy. However, Erika's father's about-face emotional engagement feels odd, especially when he effectively takes life-changing decisions out of her hands. An exciting contemporary series debut with a wildly unique Alaskan setting.

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 26, 2019
Two professional helpers save lives while falling in love in this exciting contemporary with a light holiday gloss. Erika Sheraton, a surgeon in Anchorage, is forced to take a two-week Christmas vacation by a hospital board concerned about burnout. She reluctantly visits her childhood best friend, Cassie, in her hometown, Wild River, Alaska, for a long-overdue reunion. Erika has a habit of isolating herself from both patients and friends, something she learned from her father, a brilliant surgeon who withdrew emotionally after her mother’s death. Cassie’s older brother, Reed, is a leader for the town’s search-and-rescue team; he understands being detached during emergencies, but he teaches Erika it is okay to open up afterward. The big-city girl choosing between her career and loving a small-town boy is a romance staple, but the nail-biting search-and-rescue scenes save Erika and Reed from being a cliché. Readers will enjoy the mix of sexy love scenes, tense missions, and amiable banter. This entertaining introduction to Wild River will encourage fans of small-town contemporaries to follow the series.

October 1, 2019

Surgeon Erika Sheraton can't remember the last day she had off from work. When the medical board finally mandates a vacation, she decides to return to her childhood home of Wild River, AK, to reconnect with best friend Cassie during the holidays. Cassie's brother Reed Reynolds tends bar in the evenings, but his real passion is for his job with the Wild River Search and Rescue team, which fulfills his love of an adrenaline rush and a desire to help people. Intrigued by Reed's commitment to his work, Erika tags along on one of his calls and finds herself in the right place with the right medical skills to assist. Reed can't deny Erika's expertise any more than he can deny their growing attraction. Erika is only in Wild River for vacation, though, and eventually must return to her busy life in Anchorage. Neither is willing to give up what they love, and the affair seems doomed to be just that, no matter the feelings involved. VERDICT This latest series launch from Snow ("Colorado Ice" series) is a sexy and swift read enhanced by the beauty and perils of the Alaskan landscape. A great addition to romance shelves, both for the holidays and as a kickoff for future installments.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.