Along the Broken Road

The Roads to River Rock, Book 1

By: Heather Burch

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Armed with only a journal and a promise, soldier Ian Carlisle returns home to fulfill his friend's dying wish: to find the man's daughter and read her his journal, one page at a time. The woman he finds in River Rock, Missouri, is just as warmhearted, artistic, and feisty as her father described. Ian had fallen in love with Charlee McKinley before he even met her, but he has no idea if she'll ever return his feelings.

Charlee loved her father - but she didn't like him very much. Regimental and strict, Major Mack never approved of his daughter's choices. So when a down-on-his-luck soldier arrives on Charlee's doorstep, she'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but not her heart. It isn't until he starts reading to her that the beautiful, touching words begin to unlock something deep inside. But when Ian reveals a secret that shakes Charlee to her core, will she close herself off to love out of fear?

©2015 Heather Burch (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Secondary Characters Steal The Show

Charlie is a drunk. When the going gets tough she runs away to drink and sleep with anyone she finds. She has been doing this since she was a teenager. (This author seems to think teenagers drinking is normal and acceptable. All the teens have drinking parties in this series.)
Luckily her father has posthumously sent her a knight in shining armor to save her from herself. If she would stop letting herself into his house, looking through his stuff and listening to his phone messages they might have less misunderstandings and less running and drinking. No she's no prize but Ian wants her anyway. Love is blind. Well she is pretty(every guy in town wants her but she doesn't notice.) I guess love isn't blind just stupid.
The worst part of this book is the false hope. Charlie's best friend from high school is stuck working fast food and minimum wage even though he has experience running construction jobs. Ian's family just happens to own a construction company. They could start a company in town giving them both a decent living. But no. After making you feel bad for the fast food friend the author ditches him.
The best thing about this book are the side stories about the artists.

Delightful Listen -- Great Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone. This book has wonderful characters that are very realistic -- I wanted to know these people and talk to them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoyed Ian. He had a fine line to toe to follow his friend's wishes to take the diary to Charlee, and to give her the time needed to accept the gift. His emotions went all over the place -- frustration, joy, love, compassion. He accepted the lessons learned from the errors of his younger days, and the days in the army to become a very good and wise man.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely! I had a hard time putting it down. I don't listen to many books a second time, but this is one that I believe I will.

Any additional comments?

After thoroughly enjoying listening to Heather Burch's book One Lavender Ribbon, I immediately searched out other books by her and found this one. It is the start of a series, and I look forward to getting to know the rest of the family!

Brilliant

I loved both the story and the performance of this book. Story first. The characters each had a distinct voice that stayed consistent
As did their motivations and actions/reactions. They experienced change and growth, but it was all consistent. Nothing contrived or convenient to get the author out of a tight spot. The setting was beautifully described and the minor characters were delightful and contributed greatly to the plot. The ending was spot on.
The performance. The distinction between the characters was good as was the emotion and method of speaking each employed. One of the best I’ve heard. I highly recommend this to everyone, but specifically those seeking comfort in the face of or after loss or hardship, to those in the clutches of an addiction, or to those in the midst of another sort of trial from which they are tempted to run. Read James.

Fantastic!!!!!

Y’all it’s really really good such a sweet story. You better believe I’m starting the second book Down the Hidden Path immediately!!!!

Great read

I certainly enjoyed this book, the first in a series. There is a lot of drama and trauma and second chances.