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This is the second book in the Timber Ridge Reflection series and as I read the first one, the story just flows. Molly Whitcomb stepped from the train and pause to look around, she waited to get her luggage as she had something she had to do before she left on the stage for the last part of her journey to Timber Ridge Colorado where she was to begin her job as the new teacher. She had worked to get her dictatorial degree in languages, and was working at Franklin College as a professor when beyond her control after her father died she was let go and was sent to Timber Ridge to set up a new school where there never had been one before.
Molly had no idea what would happen to the stage as she was riding over the mountain passes.

When she finally got to Timber Ridge and started teaching, she had a really hard time with the city council as everything she did was under a microscope. She had secrets from her past and was living a lie, as she let everyone believe that she was a widow. She meet the young handsome sheriff James McPherson and they both had a past that they were not telling. Molly had a time with the council and her students, but she found a way to teach that had the entire country coming to see.

The new hotel was being built that was right at the surfer springs and they were using Italian immigrants to do the work, but they were not being paid much and she wanted one of the little boys to come to her school but he was not allowed the same as the black little son of Josiah Birch, he was introduced in the first book. She was teaching them on her own time but the council didn't like that either. She could speak three languages and was a big help in translating the Italian from the workers and she helped them. Will Molly ever do anything to please the council? Will she be able to teach the children or will she be replaced? What is this secret she is hiding?

This book was sent free from Baker Publishing Group for me to post my own review. I give this book a 5. ( )

This is book 2 in the Timber Ridge Reflections series and I enjoyed it even more than I did book 1. It is a story of learning the hard way that the choices we make can and will effect more than just ourselves. A story of secrets, of prejudices, of love and of forgiveness.
Dr. Molly Whitcomb, a professor at college, finds herself being dismissed from her school because of a bad choice and finding herself taking a position as a teacher in the Colorado Territory at Timber Ridge. She is with child and no husband, so she tries to hide her disgrace by putting a ring on her finger and saying her husband has died. Sheriff James McPherson has a feeling things are not quite as they seem when she first gets to town, but he can't figure out what Molly Whitcomb is hiding. He also can't stop his growing feelings for her. The problem is, when he finds out the truth, what will that do to the love that is building between both of them?
Tamera Alexander does a great job of making the characters seem real and helping you understanding the thoughts and standards of that time for a woman like Dr. Molly Whitcomb. It is a story well worth reading. You can easily read this as a stand alone, but reading book one first will help you understand the characters that much more. ( )

Professor (Doctor) Molly Whitcomb has one moment of indiscretion with a fellow professor which leads to her being forced to resign her teaching position at a prestigious university. She takes a position as school teacher in Timber Ridge, Colorado. Molly hopes to start fresh, but secrets don't stay hidden forever. Molly's secret not only causes her pain, but also threatens her relationship with the people of Timber Ridge; most especially her friendship and budding romance with Sheriff James McPherson.

Sheriff McPherson has new troubles on his plate what with immigrant workers moving into town to work on the resort being constructed. Some townspeople have little patience for these newcomers with strange customs. Sheriff McPherson realizes he is falling in love with Molly Whitcomb. However, he too is carrying burdens from the past that could cause Molly to see him in a negative light. They both have to learn to entrust their future to God.

Tamara Alexander really fleshes out her character and the reader comes to know them as friends. I also liked how she tied one of her other books, the Inheritance, into this one with a cameo by one of The inheritance's main characters. It was a great creative touch that added to the story for me. Alexander's writing style truly transported me to another place and time. I was sad to leave Timber Ridge behind when the story was over. I look forward to her next novel set in this growing Colorado town. ( )

NCLA Review - Well educated and with a gift for languages, Dr. Molly Whitcomb yearns to teach and make a mark in this word. Molly leaves her position at a prominent East Coast college in disgrace. Seeing no other options, she accepts a position teaching public school in Colorado. Upon arriving, she makes a decision to hide facts about her life from the community that has invited her to become their teacher. As Molly learns to appreciate and love these people of the west and Colorado becomes a state, she learns about herself, her heart and God’s will for her life. The story and characters are engaging and well written. If you enjoy escaping with a book, this one will please. Rating: 4 —JD ( )