Books & Spoons Review for REFUGE COVE by Janet Dailey

Refuge Cove, Alaska, stays true to its name when a woman who has lost hope and a man in need of healing come to each other’s rescue . . .  
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She came to Alaska on the promise of marriage, only to find herself on the run from her would-be husband. Lost and alone in the wilderness, Emily Hunter nearly weeps with relief at the sight of a small plane in the distance—until the rugged bush pilot makes his way through the brush to help her.  Can she trust this stranger any more than the menacing predator on her trail? But there’s something in John Wolf’s dark eyes that wills her to believe in him, something about his gentle nature that allows her to accept his offer of protection . . .
 
He’d let her into his life because he knew she was in trouble. The last thing John Wolf expects is to feel so much so quickly for the vulnerable woman in his care. For sharing his lonely wilderness home with Emily means allowing her to see his sorrow—the son he longs to reconnect with, the loss of the family he once dreamed possible. Sharing his heart with Emily means being willing to risk everything to keep her safe . . .

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From fake marriage to family drama and trouble to intense suspense and murder investigation to a sweet and rather adorable love story, the Refuge Cove was entertaining, had some unique aspects, and definitely an alluring set with Alaskan wilderness surrounding them with its challenges. 
Emily Hunter is a school teacher who was lured into a dangerous fake marriage that left her running for her life while losing every single possession she had, including the shoes from her feet. She was hungry for love and family of her own, a bit naive but definitely sincere, honest, kind, and a good person. Her need to be loved was greater than her sense in a moment of weakness with a seemingly charming man, and lead her to run for her life through the Alaskan backcountry. Yet there was a blessing in disguise in the threat to her life as she meets John Wolf.
John had faced his own challenges in life. He was a surviving alcoholic, but before getting sober he lost his young shot-gun wife and the rights to see his son. He enjoys his quiet life and the last thing he needs is a woman in distress, who has connections to his former in-laws. John is such a solid, good, and honest man. He is helpful, sincere, kind, and protective. An easy man to like.
And I liked the story as well and enjoyed the interactions between Emily and John. There was a touch of innocence that was endearing, deep emotions churning, yet a rather rational way of thinking and existing. 
John's family life and their history were touching and an important part of John being the good man he is today.
The suspense was rather brutal at times, and the intensity crept up high in several moments through the tale. 
The eARC I received could have used little polishing edits with the timeline at some points yet the story itself didn't suffer from that and my enjoyment of the tale was not affected. 
With delightfully original themes, intriguing family connections, intensifying suspense and most of all ardent, sweet, and captivating romance the Refuge Cove was a splendid tale easy to enjoy
~ Four Spoons

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Janet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.

Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED. 

She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.

Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.

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