Catherine Anderson does it again...she made me cry! This story had my heart racing at times, tears in my eyes at others, and love in my heart for the characters. The characters were relatable and well developed, and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. ( )

Quite possibly at a different time I would not have had any patience with this book at all. It's a little gender stereotype-y, and the hero is pretty much too good to be believed, and there isn't quite enough character development, and it sometimes stretches suspension of disbelief around details (a town so small that everyone knows everyone else's business has enough deputies that three of them are frequently off duty all at once?), and the details of the abusive husband sometimes felt a little convenient for the story, but apparently I was in receptive mood. Anderson pulls you along at a clip, and the whole thing felt cozy and escapist in precisely the right way for the last couple of days. ( )

Amanda is on the run from her abusive husband. Hiding with her young daughter in a small town, she is desparately afraid and existing in poverty. She writes her feelings and fears on small scraps of paper and tosses them into the wind. Jeb finds these thoughts of Amanda and begins to worry about someone he has never met but who sounds scared and courageous at the same time. When a fierce storm hits and neighbors search to help those who need shelter, Jeb discovers Amanda and her daughter. And slowly but surely, Amanda begins to trust this stranger who may be the answer to her prayers. A well constructed tale of perseverance and love and peopled with unforgettable characters, this novel is more than just entertainment. ( )

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: After years of living in fear of her husband, Amanda Banning has left him and moved to Mystic Creek, Oregon, for a fresh start. But she’s having a tough time providing for herself and her six-year-old daughter. Writing her secret yearnings on slips of paper and sending them into the wind helps her cling to the hope that things will get better…and that she can find happiness again.

Jeb Sterling has no idea that the handwritten messages he finds scattered across his land are the first hints that his life is about to change. Nor does he understand why he feels so compelled to help Amanda Banning and her daughter when a cold snap leaves them temporarily homeless. Maybe he’s inspired by Amanda’s courage or perhaps by her beautiful brown eyes. Either way, the man who once renounced love suddenly finds himself willing to do anything for the pair. Amanda seems to have given up on her dreams, but Jeb refuses to quit until he makes her every wish come true.… ( )

I enjoyed the beginning of this book: secret messages on pink paper blowing in the breeze, a potential "stranded in a snowstorm" romance, and a beautiful Oregon setting. Unfortunately, my joy was short-lived. The story moved sooo slowly. I think at least a hundred pages could have been cut out. After the much anticipated showdown with the bad guy just past the halfway mark, it was just plain boring.

SILVER THAW was the first book I've read by Catherine Anderson. Is she a Christian Romance author? I would definitely put this book in the Christian Romance genre, though it wasn't tagged as such in the library.

I was hoping this book would be similar to Robyn Carr's Virgin River series, but it didn't even come close!! I'm giving it two stars, and my two stars = nah. ( )

There's a weird motif of paper towels being used as napkins, which was a bit distracting, but props for the portrayal of domestic violence and introducing me to a new dog.

Lida's copy ( )

This was the ultimate in fairy tale (fantasy) romances - everything is perfect ( the H, the town, the family).

This is what makes little girls have dreams of the perfect romance.

for me 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 ( )

First book in Anderson's new Mystic Creek series. Naming a lot of names in the beginning, so I guess these folks will be in other books in the series. Amanda fled an abusive marriage with her young daughter Chloe, and is hiding out in a decrepit rental in Oregon, releasing her hopes and prayers each night on the winbd on pink slips of paper. Local bachelor, Jeb, finds some of the wishes in his backyard, and reckons they're coming from Elderberry Lane. So when a terrible ice storm hits, he volunteers to check on the houses on that road - and convinces Amanda & her daughter to come home with him. A good thing because the house collapses during the storm leaving Amanda homeless. He steps carefully around skittish Amanda, who is convinced - rightly so - that her husband is hunting for her and wants to kill her. The book gets a bit sappy in the last 100 pages, wrapping things up a bit heavy handed. Of course, it's a happy ending. The ex can't hurt her anymore and Jeb & she marry. ( )

Silver Thaw by Catherine Anderson
This new saga is about Amanda and her daughter Choloe, they have relocated to Oregon and are now away from her abusive husband.
She has little but she is able to dream a lot by writing down her wishes on pieces of paper and letting the wind take them. She has no idea where they land.
The story also follows Jeb who is a local man who works his ranch and likes to make things out of wood. He finds many pieces of paper with wishes and after talking to neighbors learns they also have found the papers.
Legend of the bridge sounds cool, similar to another author's works with a wishing well and cave.
With the storm Jeb and others combine their efforts to save those without heat and electricity. He is able to talk her and her daughter to stay at his house and he hires her to work cleaning and cooking til he discovers the pictures she has on her SD card.
It's the only proof she has to get the divorce from Mark who's abused them both.
Love how his whole family helps her to see the lawyer and file charges against her soon to be ex husband. He does find her and they thought they were prepared enough but he crashes through...
They all know he will come after her again and hope they have put up barricades and continue on with daily life, birthday parties, holiday celebrations...
Amanda is growing closer to Jeb and they have each told one another they love each other....things tense up as the court trial for divorce is near...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device). ( )