Catherine Mann

This is a well-written romance that describes a couple’s efforts to rekindle their relationship a year after they walked away from each other. Major Grayson, “Gray” Clark has the rare distinction of serving as both a pilot and flight surgeon in the Air Force. He thinks he has a great life, everything he wants…except for the one woman he can’t seem to forget, Lori Rutledge.

When a mission to rescue orphans from a war-torn Eastern European village brings Gray and Lori together, their show more response to each other and the tense dialogue between them clearly show they haven’t closed the door for good on their relationship. Their different ideas of what a future together would entail created a chasm that eventually tore them apart. Lori wants marriage and a family, but the most Gray is willing to offer is living together. Now, even though their reunion is awkward and unsettling, and Gray knows he will be moving away soon, he sees an opportunity to have closure with Lori so they can part on amicable terms. Gray sees the special relationship blossoming between Lori and Magda, one of the orphaned girls rescued, and implements a plan to make all three of them happy. By supporting and encouraging the growing bond between this woman and child, Gray thinks he is giving Lori the family he can’t provide, so he can walk away with no regrets. Unfortunately, Gray doesn’t count on his heart getting involved, which causes his plan to backfire. As Gray begins spending more time with Lori and Magda, he realizes that doing so is only making it harder to walk away from them.

This story is full of ironic situations, like this. The more Gray’s plans fall into place, the less happy he is about the outcome. Furthermore, one of the major reasons Gray refuses to settle down is because of his parents’ marriage. Ironically, Gray’s parents play a significant role in bridging the gap between the couple. His mother is amazingly intuitive and persistent in gently nudging her son toward the happiness that awaits him if he’ll only step up and embrace it. Although a man of few words and generally distant, Gray’s father provides the wisdom that leads Gray to question his choices.

Although the plot is fairly predictable the dynamic characters are what make this story so enjoyable. The rescue mission itself is one of my favorite scenes because it really shows the characters’ moral fiber when you see them in action, handling each crisis that arises with skill and finesse. Another favorite scene is the climax which will easily sweep the romantics-at-heart off their feet. Be forewarned, you may find yourself swooning. show less

“Lightning in a Mason Jar” by Catherine Mann is one of those books that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. It’s heartfelt, emotional, and beautifully written—a story about friendship, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds between women.

Bailey Rae thinks she’s just settling her Aunt Winnie’s estate in small-town South Carolina, but what she uncovers is so much bigger. Hidden inside her aunt’s old cookbook is a code that reveals a network of women helping other women show more escape abuse and start fresh lives. As Bailey Rae digs deeper, she not only learns who her aunt really was but also how much strength and courage can come from found family.

The story alternates between the present and Aunt Winnie’s past in the 1970s, when she and three other women rebuilt their lives, supported each other through trauma, and secretly passed on help to those who needed it most. The friendships are inspiring, the romances (both past and present) are sweet and hopeful, and the Southern setting adds warmth and charm.

I loved how this book handled tough themes like abuse and survival with compassion and honesty, without ever losing sight of hope. The female friendships in this story are the heartbeat of the book—loyal, fierce, and uplifting.

If you enjoy stories about found family, women lifting each other up, and a seamless blend of past and present, “Lightning in a Mason Jar” is a must-read. Catherine Mann delivers a powerful, moving tale that will stay with me for a long time. show less

I really enjoyed this book. Matthew is an up-and-coming politician from a well-to-do family. He has been spending a lot of time with local restaurant owner Ashley while working on various fundraisers for his campaign. One night the growing attraction between them bursts into flame and they spend a passionate night together. But the next morning he can't get away fast enough, and only a forgotten briefcase brings him back in time to save Ashley from being trapped in a house fire. show more Unfortunately, they were also caught by a photographer, leading to a publicity firestorm. Anxious to protect Ashley's reputation as well as his own political prospects, Matthew proposes a temporary fake engagement. Though reluctant at first, Ashley changes her mind when she learns something about his political opponent.

I really liked both Matthew and Ashley and enjoyed the progression of their relationship. Matthew is a good man, whose tragic loss of his fiancée made him wary of risking his heart again. Though he came across as selfish at first, his concern for Ashley was undeniable. He won my heart with his reaction to her parents' treatment of her. I liked Ashley even better. She grew up in foster care, and with two of her foster sisters, has made a successful life for herself. She suffered from scoliosis throughout her school years, and the teasing and cruel remarks from other kids helped her build up an incredible inner strength. As she and Matthew spend time together on his campaign, their attraction continues to grow. Though Matthew stubbornly resists thinking of what they have as anything deeper, he can't deny how right it feels to have her by his side. He even considers asking her to make the engagement real. I enjoyed seeing Ashley become part of Matthew's life. It was especially satisfying to see the way that she stands up to his campaign manager just by doing what she feels is right. Ashley quickly realizes that her heart is fully involved and the thought of entering a marriage where she isn't loved back is too painful. When another potential scandal erupts Matthew, having finally realized that he loves her, is ready to do what he thinks is necessary to protect Ashley, while she wants what is best for him. I loved her big moment at the press conference as she blows everyone away with her poise, grace, and humor.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters and the closeness of those relationships. Ashley's sisters (whose stories are told in the Beachcomber series) are there for her after the fire, and also during her engagement to Matthew. It was great to see that, though they had their suspicions, they fully supported her in whatever she did. The Landis family is equally wonderful. Though they are all wealthy, each of them has a calling to do something for the benefit of others rather than just living the lives of the idle rich. I loved Matthew's mother, Ginger, whose story was told in Holiday Heroes. She is loving, intelligent and down-to-earth. I adored the way that she accepted Ashley right away, just as she was, and helped her see her own potential. I also liked Matthew's brothers and the way that they had his back through all the trouble. There was also a good amount of realism in their relationships, as shown by their competitiveness and less than perfect lives. I have previously read Kyle's story and still want to read those for Sebastian and Josh. show less

Very emotional story of love and healing, both human and canine. The book starts from the viewpoint of a rescued boxer dog. It begins as she is describing what her life has been like up to that point, and what had kept her from total despair. I loved her take on human television shows, and the way she enjoyed them. The rescue, from her viewpoint, was both wonderful and terrifying. The descriptions of her feelings, from cabin to shelter to ranch to her forever home were so vivid that I almost show more felt like I was there with her.

AJ is a new addition to the Cooksburg police force. He left his job as an undercover narcotics detective in Atlanta after a really tough assignment where he also got involved with a woman and child. When things went bad he knew he had to get away, so he accepted his cousin's offer to join the force there. He feels like he's settling in well and adjusting to his new life.

Mary Hannah works with the Second Chance rescue group as part of her job as a counselor. She trains therapy dogs as well as working with abused animals. Everything she does is a way for her to atone for the mistakes she made in the past; mistakes that ended her marriage and caused her to miscarry her baby. Mary Hannah keeps pretty tight control over her life, except for one night a few months earlier. After a really bad day, a stop at a bar had her hooking up with a really hot guy for a little comfort, someone she never expected to see again. Imagine her shock and dismay to discover that he's a new cop on the force and her next door neighbor.

They are brought together again by the raid on a dog breeder's house that also turns out to be a meth house. AJ is there to make the arrest, and Mary Hannah is with the rescue group who is taking care of the dogs. Both of them are drawn to the female boxer that is one of the rescues. When AJ is told by his boss that he's still too emotionally close to the edge, he assigns AJ to work with Mary Hannah and Holly to train the dog for therapy work. Though reluctant at first, AJ soon sees it as a chance to get closer to Mary Hannah.

The attraction between them is still very strong. Working with the dog gives them time to really get to know each other and their feelings continue to grow. Then the day comes that Mary Hannah finds out what happened to AJ at his last job and she realizes that she can never be the right person for him. She says that she is the arsonist to his fireman and that there is no future for them. I understood AJ's reaction, though I had hoped for better. Fortunately, they have to continue to work together, with Holly, who seems to see what they need more clearly than they do. I loved seeing how their ability to forgive each other helps them forgive themselves and finally open up their hearts to the risks of love.

There are some sad yet heartwarming moments as Holly bonds with AJ and Mary Hannah. Her initial caution about even getting close made me want to cry. I loved seeing her settle into AJ's house with him, and her slow release of her fears. Her actions with the tv remote that began her real bonding with him was adorable, and I loved his reaction. I really enjoyed Holly's opinions about what was going on between her humans, and her determination to bring them together. Thanks to an unexpected twist, Holly plays a big part in shutting down the drug operation that kept her captive.

There is a secondary story between Lacey McDaniel (Shelter Me), owner of the Second Chance Ranch, and AJ's cousin Wyatt. Lacey and Wyatt have been dating for the past year and Wyatt is beginning to push for more. Lacey isn't sure what she wants, as she is still recovering from her husband's death. She also has a lot going on with the rescue, her teenage son, father-in-law with Alzheimer's, and visiting daughter and son-in-law. There is an added complication that has added stress to her decision, but in the end she listens to her heart.

I can't wait to read the next book and hope that it comes out soon. show less