Review of Cindy Kirk's The One I Need, The One I Want & The One I Love--Silver Creek Series 4-6

The One I Need

An ocean and a secret just as deep separated them. Will a reunion in the Mile High City provide a second chance at love?

June Parker needs answers. Her sister Aubrey was killed by a hit and run driver 10 years ago. June and her mother cannot accept that no one saw Aubrey or offered to help her when her car broke down. In an effort to bring peace and closure, June has hired a private detective to help her solve the mystery.

June was introduced to Cameron Driskill while working abroad and wants to reconnect with him as he may have information regarding Aubrey's death—he could be the key to solving the mystery.

I loved the attraction between June and Cameron -- it was undeniable! June and Cameron held fast to their beliefs and supported each other during the investigation. I enjoyed how the couple faced the challenges in their relationship and the element of mystery in this novella.

The One I Want

She’s the love of his life, but is he the man she believes him to be?

June is continuing her quest to find out the identity of who left the scene of the hit and run. June and Cameron attend a fund raiser for Anson Hawkins. Anson is connected to both the Driskill family and to June. Anson and Cameron’s sister Eve are best friends who are attracted to each other. Anson’s name appears on June’s interview list—could he have been the hit and run driver?

Anson is passionate about helping others and he is admired for his integrity. On the surface, he’s the perfect fit for a seat on the City Council. But, does he remember the events of the party that he, Cameron, Aubrey and the others attended? This is the core element of the storyline. Cindy Kirk explores Anson’s character – something about the party haunts him and how will it impact his political career. Eve goes all on to help Anson—she has them re- create the night of Aubrey’s death—what will he remember? And what will be the cost to his relationship with Eve? And to Cameron and June’s second chance love story? I liked the combination of mystery, intrigue and romance in this novella.


The One I Love
Will four minutes from her past lead to a lifetime of heart break?

Eve Driskill’s world is turned upside down. A former boyfriend has betrayed her and suddenly she is a media sensation. I loved that Anson stood by Eve –he never faltered or hesitated in his love and support for her. The impact of the betrayal impacts Eve’s business and well as Anson’s political career. Loved that Eve and Anson grew closer as the scandal played out in the media.

Several people are eliminated from June’s list of partygoers and a surprising clue is provided to the police which helps uncover the identity of the hit and run driver. Cindy Kirk added the perfect amount of mystery and intrigue in this story. Loved following along as the suspects were crossed off the list—and I was totally surprised by the identity of the hit and run driver!

Kudos to Cindy Kirk for crafting a superb trilogy! June, Cameron, Eve and Anson were strong, dynamic characters! Loved Cameron and June’s second chance romance and Eve and Anson’s friends to lover’s story.

The hit and run mystery was perfectly written—each novella had a cliff hanger ending that was resolved in the next book. I loved this part of the story line because I was invested in the story and I wanted to figure out the mystery. Loved the twist and turns and the big reveal!

Cindy Kirk’s Silver Creek series is full of engaging characters, family drama, mystery and lots of heartwarming romance! Add these novellas to your summer reading list—you will enjoy them!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARCs provided by the author

Susan's Review of One Step Away by Cindy Kirk

Two Truths and a Lie

Cornelia “Nell” Ambrose is happy to have kissed her past goodbye. True.
She’s worked hard to forge a new, normal life for herself as an attorney in Hazel Green. True
Nell is 100% happy on her own and not at all interested in getting serious with the town’s most eligible bachelor, Leo Pomeroy. Lie.

Mayor Leo Pomeroy has devoted his life to helping the people of Hazel Green and pleasing his prominent family—a family currently caught up in a political scandal. Though innocent, it’s up to Leo to restore their good name. He’s convinced Nell is the perfect woman to help him do that. Smart, beautiful, and kind, Nell has become a pillar of the Hazel Green community. While his parents caution she isn’t cut out to be a “political wife”, Nell is the only woman Leo wants by his side.
Leo’s parents aren’t the only ones with concerns. Nell has her own reasons for resisting her feelings for Leo. No one knows about her life prior to Hazel Green, and when shadows of that life suddenly reappear everything Nell has come to love could be in jeopardy. Revealing her most closely guarded secret could bring her one step closer to freedom—or cost her the one man she can’t do without.

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Nell Ambrose and Leo Pomeroy’s relationship intrigued me in One Fine Day, the first book in the Hazel Green series. I wondered why the attorney and the town mayor were having a secret relationship and when and how it would be revealed! Cindy Kirk brings the characters of Hazel Green to life with her descriptive voice and spot on dialogue. I adored Nell’s story and read it in one sitting.

Nell Ambrose is a child welfare attorney who enjoys bringing the character of Hazel Green, the town matriarch, to life at social events. Her make-up, wig and costumes transform Nell into her other persona who lived in the early 1900’s. I noticed that Nell shifts easily from Hazel to herself and she enjoys being someone else. Nell is a private person; Leo only knows a few vague details of Nell’s life before she came to Hazel Green. In contrast, Leo’s family life is an open book; he’s the mayor of Hazel Green and his father is a senator. He is used to being in the public eye. His life is an open book—Nell’s is not.

I loved reading Nell’s story. Cindy Kirk includes hints about Nell’s childhood throughout the novel and introduces her brother into the storyline seamlessly. As she falls in love with Leo, she tells him bits and pieces about her past. Nell realizes that she is in love with Leo and wants to open up to him but, she is keeping a secret or two from him. Nell and Leo decide to make their relationship public and they begin to attended social and political events together. Nell, Leo and Leo’s parents attend a town event where a photo of the four of them is posted on social media. Nell’s past is revealed because someone from her past recognizes her in the photo. Loved how Nell’s past connected to a present day scandalous political situation for the Pomeroy family. Many of the characters in the novel were impacted when Nell’s identity was revealed.

Cindy Kirk tackles several important issues in this novel; family values, secrets and trust. The reader gets a glimpse of political life and the importance of family from Marty and Tim Pomeroy. The secondary characters in the novel played important roles in Nell and Leo’s lives; each one added depth to the storyline. I am waiting to see what happens to Lilian, Marc and Dixon. Cindy Kirk’s descriptive writing and her honest dialogue makes her characters and their situations relatable. She is able to blend romance and political issues during the story. I was invested in Nell and Leo’s romance and knew he loved her without hesitation.

The suspenseful conclusion of One Step Away took me by surprise—in a good way. Loved the political intrigue piece of the story and its connection to many of the Hazel Green characters. Am looking forward to returning to Hazel Green soon!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book Purchased through Amazon