Is Her Merriweather Hero Worth the Read?

So, I’m having a lot of fun with these Independence Islands books.

I may or may not have a virtual pile of them waiting for reviews on my Kindle. I had to start writing a list of reviews so I could return the Kindle Unlimited books because my shelf was full. I really need a better system for actually getting reviews written, though. Sometimes the only reviews that get done are the ones with a deadline attached. Like this one :).

This post may contain affiliate links. So when you buy from one of these links, I get to throw a few more pennies at the student loan (woot!). For more information, please see my disclosures. Also, I received a review copy of this book. But all my opinionated opinions are my own. Because I believe in ownership…even of my opinionated opinions.

Oh! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post!

Good Grief, Charlie Brown

Most (maybe all?) of the Independence Islands books have a little bit of “starting a business,” and I’ve noticed that a lot of these Independence Islands books deal with grief somehow. Her Merriweather Hero is no different. Tyler is grieving the loss of his brother-in-law and best friend, his leg, and potentially his military career. He’s also struggling with PTSD, and even the stigma that surrounds it. Kendall is grieving her brother and terrified to lose someone she loves…again. But even though this book touches some tough topics, it’s still a fairly lighthearted, warm fuzzy read (with puppy dogs to boot…after all, she is a vet…err, veternarian). I definitely laughed out loud. My favorite line from this book…”Thank you, Mr. Flamingo!”

(Does anyone want to help me litter the author’s yard with a punch of those plastic pink flamingos? I don’t know where she lives, but I bet we could find a way…).

My favorite part of this story was the end, though. I don’t know how to explain without spoilers, except to say that if you’re looking for a “married in a few weeks” romance, this isn’t it. I can recommend some others. I will say the story isn’t over at the end of this book, and I like that for a change. Despite what we see in the movies, life isn’t about arriving – winning the gold, destroying the Death Star, getting the first kiss or even the wedding. I know that all makes for great story structure, but life isn’t about those moments of arrival. It’s about the journey, and this story is too. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

Her Merriweather Hero is on Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Her Merriweather Hero

Author: Rachel Skatvold

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 27, 2020

He just wanted a place to rest and recuperate.

She only needed a repairman to help fix up her beach house.

For marine sergeant, Tyler Banner, nothing could be further from the memories of his time in Iraq than the slow, easy pace on Merriweather Island. Taking up a job as a physical trainer serves to keep him in shape while he enjoys a little downtime. Making friends with the local vet—veterinarian, that is—on his morning jog is just a bonus.

When Kendall’s sister tricked her into recruiting Tyler’s help one day, she didn’t fortify herself against a breach to her heart. Making friends with the marine was easy, but helping him overcome the PTSD that holds him captive isn’t. As she picks her way across a minefield of memories and horrors Tyler endured, Kendall begins to hope he could be the man she’s prayed for.

Falling in love wasn’t in Tyler’s orders, but a new deployment to Iraq is. How can he convince Kendall not to go AWOL when she hears? What can he do to convince her that they’ll make it… together?

This “Merriweather book” is the fourth in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming, Brides of Pelican Rapids and Independence Island Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.

More from Rachel

Her Merriweather Hero has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding stories I have written. Often when I am starting a new book, I immerse myself in the world-building process, which involves a lot of research and notetaking. This time around, I had the amazing opportunity to work with Celebrate Lit and the authors in the Independence Islands Series to map out these beautiful island stories. It has been an exciting journey so far.

This story was inspired by my parents who met through letters while my dad was in the Marine Corps. They both came from different backgrounds, with my mom being from Massachusetts and my dad from a small town in Iowa, but their differences didn’t stop them from falling in love. For Her Merriweather Hero, I used themes of opposites attracting, New England, and the Marine Corps from my parent’s love story.

Kendall is a young veterinarian who moves to the Independence Islands with her sister to start a new mobile clinic. There, she meets Sergeant Tyler Banner who is on medical leave after a tour overseas. She tries to avoid Tyler at first, determined to concentrate on making her business a success, but over time she can’t ignore the handsome military guy who keeps ‘accidently’ crossing her path. It doesn’t help he lives a few doors down from her fixer-upper beach house. Can she continue to try to ignore him or is it true that opposites attract?

This romantic island tale is also inspired by the verses from Hebrews 6:18-19 which describe God as our anchor. The characters feel tossed around by waves of difficulties at certain parts of the story, but He is always the anchor who keeps them secured.