SEASON OF WONDER by RaeAnne Thayne

When you start reading SEASON OF WONDER, the newest addition to RaeAnne Thayne's Haven Point series, you quickly realize that the holiday season is going to take a back seat to the central story. RaeAnne Thayne's stories are about some of the most fascinating people and SEASON OF WONDER fits that billing. SEASON OF WONDER is a great example of people's ability to rise above their circumstances with a little help from trusted friends and loving family. SEASON OF WONDER is simply wonderful.

Dani Capelli's life has been one of enormous changes starting from when she was really young. Losing her mother at a young age left her in the hands of social services with varying degrees of safety and caring. So as a young woman, she was easily captivated by the charms of her now ex-husband, Tony. Along the way, Dani somehow managed to maintain her integrity by the skin of her teeth. Now several years later with two daughters, Dani is once again faced with still another move -- this time from New York to Haven Point. Hopefully to escape from the notoriety of now-deceased Tony DeLuca. Moving to Haven Point is an opportunity for the three Capelli girls to hit that restart button. Dani is filled with equal parts hope and dread. Their slate isn't exactly clean, but Dani has done all she can to put their past behind them. Haven Point is the destination for the next phase for the Capelli girls. Dani is starting her career as a veterinarian thanks to the support of Dr. Morales. Mia and Silver are getting used to their new schools. Their adjustment hasn't been an easy one. And now there is another wrench thrown into the path of their new lives in Haven Point...

The Capellis' next door neighbor is Deputy Reuben Morales, Dr. Morales' son. Reuben makes Dani nervous on many fronts. First would be the obvious part where a large, handsome, single guy has not escaped Dani's eyes. Reuben makes Dani think of things she hasn't spent any time pondering in a really long time. Second is the fact that he is a lawman. Dani's experience with the law hasn't been one of trust, originally with social services and then followed up with Tony's crime- ridden life. Reuben finds himself attracted to this single mother. She just isn't his usual type. But whoever said that type really counts for matters of the heart is often blindsided by that thing called love.

Reuben is unfortunately not able to break through that self-imposed fence Dani has erected around her. But the girls are another story. Equally difficult to begin with but becoming more friendly with time. Until the Capelli girls are once again center stage in an event that brings the law -- Reuben -- to their door.

Mischief is somewhat normal for kids. But unfortunately Silver finds herself thrust into a situation that she is just too young to avoid. Peer pressure is tough enough, but so much more difficult when you are the new kid in town. Dani is now forced to work alongside Reuben to help get Silver back on track. Dani had so many hopes of this being a good move for her little family.

It's the time and season of hope and wonder. Dani and her girls are due for a little of each. Could Haven Point be that place? So kick back with your feet up in a comfy chair and be prepared to be lovingly dazzled by the enchanting and real characters of RaeAnne Thayne in her newest achievement which is suitably entitled SEASON OF WONDER.

It’s a long way from New York to Idaho…but could
they have found a home at last?

Dani Capelli has never truly belonged anywhere. And from her
earliest days as a foster child in Queens, she would have
been lost if it weren’t for her love of animals. Until high
school, when she fell hard for the wrong boy, and found
herself pregnant—and married—by graduation. Two daughters
later, Dani realized her mistake and filed for divorce, and
with the help of scholarships and loans—and a lot of
macaroni and cheese dinners—she enrolled in vet school.
Things were finally looking up…until her ex-husband became
her late husband, in the most notorious way possible.

Now Dani and her daughters need an out-of-town pass more
than ever. So when the retiring Haven Point veterinarian
offers her a chance to settle in the small Idaho town and
take over his practice, she jumps at it. But adjusting to
the charming mountain community isn’t easy;
thirteen-year-old Silver begins acting out while
six-year-old Mia is growing too attached to Haven
Point and everything in it, especially their
next-door-neighbor, Deputy Sheriff Ruben Morales. And Dani
can’t blame her. Ruben is everything she’s secretly
wanted—and everything she can’t bear to risk loving…and losing.

As the holidays draw near, their shared concern for Dani’s
daughters brings them closer together, giving Ruben the
chance to show this big-city woman just how magical
Christmas in Haven Point can be...and that the promise of a
home at last is very real in the most wondrous season of the
year…