What Remains True by Nancy Naigle: Review and First Chapter!

 What Remains  True

Book Summary

An uplifting novel about three months that may change three lives—and lead to love—from USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle

Working at a little shop on Main Street in a small town is exactly the break that executive Merry Anna Foster needs following her divorce. She’s made a bet with her ex-husband that she can live on the amount of money she’s giving him in alimony. If she can do it, then Kevin will have to stop complaining and leave her alone. But after three months of this new life, will she even want to leave Antler Creek? 

Adam Locklear, bull rider and owner of the local feedstore, is having the best year of his rodeo career. He’s also a bit distracted by the pretty new neighbor living in his old bunkhouse. But Adam has no time for matters of the heart. He’s got his future all mapped out, and that future doesn’t involve a woman just yet. It doesn’t involve parenting a little girl either. However, Carly Fowler still suddenly leaves five-year-old Zan—the daughter Adam didn’t know he had—in his care. 

Is it possible that the future holds a life even better than what Merry Anna and Adam had each dreamed of? One that includes both tenderness and even love—not just for each other but for Zan too.

My Thoughts

What Remains True by Nancy Naigle is a sweet story.  I thought it contained good writing with realistic characters.  It did, though, take me a little while to get invested in the story.  I liked Merry Anna Foster who is discovering hidden talents.  I like how she tried new things such as planting a garden, fixing up old items, and painting a barn quilt for her home.  I felt bad for her with regard to her parents and her ex-husband.  Her parents should have supported her decisions.  Of course, it would have helped if Merry Anna had told them the truth about her ex-husband.  Merry Anna was passing through Antler Creek and fell in love with the town.  Merry Anna takes a break from her job at the family office supply company which has consumed her life.  Merry Anna gets a job at a local store and rents an old bunkhouse.  She falls in love with the town and soon finds hidden talents.  Merry Anna’s neighbor is bull rider, Adam Locklear.  He also owns the local feed and seed.  Adam has invested everything in obtaining the top title this year in the rodeo circuit.  He does not have time for romance.  He did not count on meeting Merry Anna.  Adam gets a surprise when he learns he has a daughter, and he is now responsible for her care.  This certainly puts a kink in Adam’s plans.  

What Remains True is a charming story.  I like reading this type of book during the summer.   There is a great cast of supporting characters that includes Tara, Merry Anna’s new neighbor and Krissy, Merry Anna’s boss.  I love the descriptions of the items at Krissy’s shop.  There were many things I wanted to purchase including the barn quilt ornaments.  Little Zan stole the show.  She is a sweet little girl who is smart and happy.  The Christian element is light (the characters attend church).  I did feel the ending was a little rushed.  One of the themes in the story is how not being truthful complicates relationships.  It can lead to misunderstandings, the loss of trust, and even the loss of a friend.  I liked the community of Antler Creek.  The residents are friendly and welcome newcomers.  The author really captured the sense of community and the small-town feel.  There were fun events for people to attend.  The residents are quick to help each other out and gossip flows faster than maple syrup on a hot stack of pancakes.  It was interesting learning more about bull riding.  It is certainly a dangerous profession.  I had never heard of mutton busting (I do not know if I would let my child try it).  I like how the title is tied into the story.  I believe Tara needs a story of her own so we can find out what happens to her home.  What Remains True is a great book to read while laying by the pool or in front of a roaring fire in the winter.  What Remains True is a charming tale with a comfortable bunkhouse, beautiful barn quilts, a rodeo rider, a cheerful child, an incessant ex-husband, unsupportive parents, and new ventures. 

What Remains True is available from Amazon*.  You can read the first chapter of What Remains True here.  Nancy Naigle has provided some barn quilt coloring pages.   If you follow Nancy Naigle on Amazon, you will be notified when she has a new book release.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Strawberried Alive by Jenn McKinlay.  It is the 14th A Cupcake Bakery Mystery.  I just love book release days (I wake up to new books on my kindle--yes, I am a book geek).  Some of the new books are:  Love in Plain Sight by Kathleen Fuller, When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer, The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher (I will feature on May 27 as part of the Celebrate Lit Tour), Summer Love by Nancy Thayer, The Change by Kirsten Miller, and Strawberried Alive by Jenn McKinlay (Mel and Angie are back with delicious cupcakes and a new mystery).  

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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