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Swift River Valley #3
Cider Brook
Unlikely partners bound by circumstance…or by fate?
Being rescued by a good-looking, bad-boy firefighter isn't how Samantha Bennett expected to start her stay in Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. Now she has everyone's attention—especially that of Justin Sloan, her rescuer, who wants to know why she was camped out in an abandoned old New England cider mill.
Samantha is a treasure hunter who has returned to Knights Bridge to solve a 300-year-old mystery and salvage her good name. Justin remembers her well. He's the one who alerted her late mentor to her iffy past and got her fired. But just because he doesn't trust her doesn't mean he can resist her. Samantha is daring, determined, seized by wanderlust—everything that strong, stoic Justin never knew he wanted. Until now�
Being rescued by a good-looking, bad-boy firefighter isn't how Samantha Bennett expected to start her stay in Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. Now she has everyone's attention—especially that of Justin Sloan, her rescuer, who wants to know why she was camped out in an abandoned old New England cider mill.
Samantha is a treasure hunter who has returned to Knights Bridge to solve a 300-year-old mystery and salvage her good name. Justin remembers her well. He's the one who alerted her late mentor to her iffy past and got her fired. But just because he doesn't trust her doesn't mean he can resist her. Samantha is daring, determined, seized by wanderlust—everything that strong, stoic Justin never knew he wanted. Until now�
378 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 13, 2013
183 people are currently reading
1513 people want to read
About the author
Carla Neggers
156books1,593followersCarla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sharpe & Donovan series featuring Boston-based FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, and the popular Swift River Valley series set in the small, fictional New England town of Knights Bridge. With many bestsellers to her credit, Carla loves to write now as much as she did when she climbed a tree at age eleven with a pad and pen and spun stories perched on her favorite branch.
A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.
Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.
A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.
Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
March 13, 2014
Samantha Bennett just wanted to get in and out of Knights Bridge undetected. But her goal of doing that, and unearthing a three-hundred year old mystery while trying to salvage her good name, is thwarted when she's caught in the cider mill as it goes up in flames. Of course she's also rescued by good-looking Justin Sloan in the process. Now she's finding herself invited to weddings, falling in love with the town, and the center of attention. Justin's the one who alerted her former mentor to her iffy past and got her fired two years ago. So why is there this crazy chemistry between them now? Why is her wanderlust gene suddenly wanting to stay?
Neggers never lets me down. Never. Though this book didn't have the edge of your seat twists I've come to expect, I was nonetheless enthralled by the story. The pirate angle tied together both with satisfaction and sweetness. The secondary characters and setting were outstanding. I also enjoyed the realistic approach between hero and heroine. By not jumping the gun and laying their souls bare, they got to know one another on a gut-deep level that made their journey fun. This is part of the Swift River Valley series, and not to be missed.
Neggers never lets me down. Never. Though this book didn't have the edge of your seat twists I've come to expect, I was nonetheless enthralled by the story. The pirate angle tied together both with satisfaction and sweetness. The secondary characters and setting were outstanding. I also enjoyed the realistic approach between hero and heroine. By not jumping the gun and laying their souls bare, they got to know one another on a gut-deep level that made their journey fun. This is part of the Swift River Valley series, and not to be missed.
July 31, 2016
I've read a great many Carla Neggers books, and count her among my favorite authors in her genre. She writes romantic suspense in a way that captures my attention and keeps it until the last page.
That said, this installment left me feeling a little let down. The story was good - I was engaged and I kept reading until the end - but it wasn't as good a tale as I have come to expect from this author. I never did understand why there was so much angst over Samantha's past dealings with Duncan McCaffery - it's a driving force of the story, and it just didn't seem like that big of a deal to me. There is a little bit of smolder between the main characters, but nothing like the usual electricity you find in a Carla Neggers book. The pirate story line was interesting, and I wish it had been developed in greater detail. It does seem, from the ending, that there may be more to discover about this part of the story in (hopefully) upcoming books.
(I received a free copy of this book from the ŷ First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.)
That said, this installment left me feeling a little let down. The story was good - I was engaged and I kept reading until the end - but it wasn't as good a tale as I have come to expect from this author. I never did understand why there was so much angst over Samantha's past dealings with Duncan McCaffery - it's a driving force of the story, and it just didn't seem like that big of a deal to me. There is a little bit of smolder between the main characters, but nothing like the usual electricity you find in a Carla Neggers book. The pirate story line was interesting, and I wish it had been developed in greater detail. It does seem, from the ending, that there may be more to discover about this part of the story in (hopefully) upcoming books.
(I received a free copy of this book from the ŷ First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.)
December 9, 2015
Nice story. Hero is a carpenter in a little town in Massachusetts. Heroine is ... not sure. She's the granddaughter of an explorer, has done a little treasure hunting, is an expert on actual historical pirates, and the hero sort of got her fired 2 years ago. She's sort of tracking down a pirate her granddad told her about, but not really ... Frankly, I found this story confusing. I got no real sense of the conflict in the story, or why anyone would care about what was apparently supposed to be the issue. Maybe New Englanders are more suspicious of people they don't know. I just didn't get it. Nor did I really see the attraction between the hero and heroine. I was told but if it was shown, I sure didn't see it. But it was an interesting story. Just really vague and confusing to me.
March 7, 2014
I thought this book was the weakest in this series. I felt that the author tried too hard to make you feel like Sam was guilty of some major crime against Duncan. Her supposed crime didn't feel like it was such a big deal to me. I just couldn't understand why everyone would be so suspicious of her and how they thought she could possibly harm any of them now with her research into the Cider Mill and pirates. None of them were ever involved in her previous employment situation with Duncan. That part of the story didn't make any sense to me. I also thought that Justin was basically a jerk from start to finish and I didn't understand how Sam could fall for the guy since I never got to the point where I actually liked him very much. I've read and enjoyed other Carla Neggers books but just don't think this was one of her better ones.
April 7, 2017
Slow starting. Could not figure out what Sam did that was so wrong. She did not lie. Loved the history of Knights Bridge, and the connection between the characters. There are a lot of spin offs from this story. Might be interesting to see where it goes. At least it held my interest.
September 25, 2016
Tutvustuse leiab blogist
January 28, 2014
4 STARS
Cider Brook is the #3 in Swift River Valley. I like Swift River Valley. There are a lot of characters from past books that are back.
New characters. Small town life. Lots of secrets, romance, pirates. A welcoming feeling to the town.
Samantha studies pirates. She is following clues to Knights Bridge. She has her Uncle & cousin drop her and her backpack in middle of town. She finds her way to old Cider Mill in bad weather and breaks in. Soon she realizes it is on fire.
Justin is checking for damage when he sees the Mill on fire and his padlock off the door. He finds Samantha on the floor and gets her out in time.
This is the second time Samantha has been to Knights Bridge. Last time someone saw her and talked to her new boss and she was fired for not revealing her secrets to him. Samantha does not lie but she is not forthcoming with everything either.
Justin does not trust Samantha and he is having her watched.
I really like Justin and Samantha's family they bring a lot of fun, and life to the story. Lots of family connections with the characters.
I like how they share history of the area as part of mystery with each book and drama with modern day couples. It makes the book so much more. It does make me want to eat apples. I wonder what the next book in the series will be.
Their is one love scene that I just skipped over.
I will keep reading books by Carla Neggers in the future.
I was given this ebook to review and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Harlequin.
publication: January 28th 2014 by Harlequin MIRA 384 pages ISBN9780778315889
Cider Brook is the #3 in Swift River Valley. I like Swift River Valley. There are a lot of characters from past books that are back.
New characters. Small town life. Lots of secrets, romance, pirates. A welcoming feeling to the town.
Samantha studies pirates. She is following clues to Knights Bridge. She has her Uncle & cousin drop her and her backpack in middle of town. She finds her way to old Cider Mill in bad weather and breaks in. Soon she realizes it is on fire.
Justin is checking for damage when he sees the Mill on fire and his padlock off the door. He finds Samantha on the floor and gets her out in time.
This is the second time Samantha has been to Knights Bridge. Last time someone saw her and talked to her new boss and she was fired for not revealing her secrets to him. Samantha does not lie but she is not forthcoming with everything either.
Justin does not trust Samantha and he is having her watched.
I really like Justin and Samantha's family they bring a lot of fun, and life to the story. Lots of family connections with the characters.
I like how they share history of the area as part of mystery with each book and drama with modern day couples. It makes the book so much more. It does make me want to eat apples. I wonder what the next book in the series will be.
Their is one love scene that I just skipped over.
I will keep reading books by Carla Neggers in the future.
I was given this ebook to review and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Harlequin.
publication: January 28th 2014 by Harlequin MIRA 384 pages ISBN9780778315889
December 30, 2013
I give this book an overall 3.5 stars. The story was interesting and complex, but the not as filled with action nor suspense as I would have believed from reading the blurb.
While this story has a relatively slow pace, it is still very well written. The main character has a lot of shadows in her past that must be dealt with before she can figure out what to do with her future, and Carla Neggers has always been good at spinning a good back story for her characters.
I didn't feel close to the main character in this story for the first two-thirds or so of the story. The way she is portrayed made me unsure if she were trustworthy or not and I had a difficult time warming up to her. There are also an abundance of other characters early on in the story and that made it hard for me to get to know any of them very personally.
What I did love about this story was the description. From the very first few pages, the author managed to capture my adventuresome spirit with her beautiful descriptions of New England and adequately make me feel like I was there.
The love story is slowly built and has a nice ending, not entirely expected.
This was a good book to read on an evening when the weather outside made me want to transport to somewhere else. I would recommend this to readers who like complex characters.
This review is based on a digital ARC from netgalley and the publisher.
While this story has a relatively slow pace, it is still very well written. The main character has a lot of shadows in her past that must be dealt with before she can figure out what to do with her future, and Carla Neggers has always been good at spinning a good back story for her characters.
I didn't feel close to the main character in this story for the first two-thirds or so of the story. The way she is portrayed made me unsure if she were trustworthy or not and I had a difficult time warming up to her. There are also an abundance of other characters early on in the story and that made it hard for me to get to know any of them very personally.
What I did love about this story was the description. From the very first few pages, the author managed to capture my adventuresome spirit with her beautiful descriptions of New England and adequately make me feel like I was there.
The love story is slowly built and has a nice ending, not entirely expected.
This was a good book to read on an evening when the weather outside made me want to transport to somewhere else. I would recommend this to readers who like complex characters.
This review is based on a digital ARC from netgalley and the publisher.
September 3, 2016
Samantha (Sam) Bennett comes from a long line of explorers. In fact, her grandfather was well-known for his travels. Sam was cleaning out his Boston apartment when she discovers a picture of the Cider Brook mill among his records, along with a handwritten manuscript,The Adventures of Captain Farraday and Lady Elizabeth.
She decides to return to Knights Bridge. The last time she was there, it ended up getting her fired from her job. And Justin Sloan was one of the reasons she got fired.
This visit? He saves her from a fiery death. Sam had taken shelter in the mill during a huge thunderstorm and barely avoids being hit by lightning.
The two do a cautious, fun-to-read dance around each other. Justin's family and friends get involved, including Olivia and Duncan from the first book in this series.
A fun read. One where the majority of the story is Sam and Justin falling in love, not just falling into bed. A nice change from most of the insta-lust books that seem to be around lately.
She decides to return to Knights Bridge. The last time she was there, it ended up getting her fired from her job. And Justin Sloan was one of the reasons she got fired.
This visit? He saves her from a fiery death. Sam had taken shelter in the mill during a huge thunderstorm and barely avoids being hit by lightning.
The two do a cautious, fun-to-read dance around each other. Justin's family and friends get involved, including Olivia and Duncan from the first book in this series.
A fun read. One where the majority of the story is Sam and Justin falling in love, not just falling into bed. A nice change from most of the insta-lust books that seem to be around lately.
November 11, 2013
From the blurb I assumed that the book would be a treasure hunt with action, adventure and bad guys trying to find the treasure first with the hero swooping in to save the day. The book isn't like that at all. The book follows Samantha who is on a personal journey to reconcile an incident from her past and discover her future. The author has very cleverly weaved a historical story throughout the book. Starting off with a pirate and his treasure and following on with a family who ran a cider mill. How do these two groups of people connect and where is the treasure now. This book is very much a drama; it is set in a typical small town and we see lots of interference from many sources. The book is slow paced, well written and keeps the reader guessing.
April 11, 2019
Disjointed, slow moving, and a weak premise for a conflict
June 4, 2025
Slow moving. Samantha Bennet has returned to Knight's Bridge, continuing her search for a 18th Century pirate. But while camping out in the abandoned cider mill during a storm, the mill catches on fire. Luckily, the owner, Justin Sloan dropped by to check on the property, saves her, and as a volunteer with the fire department, gets the fire out. But he knows who she is. He's the one who got her fired after he told Duncan McCaffrey she had been in town 2 years earlier. Duncan was a treasure hunter, and felt that since she hadn't told him she was A Bennet - a member of a family of archaeologists and a marine salvage company, she had deceived him. The rest of the story is Samantha and Justin dancing around their interest in each other. Have to say, I think the reasoning behind the whole firing issue is bogus. A. None of Duncan's business who her family is, B. All he had to do was ask. He was hiring her, not her family. And if he thought she was poaching on his ground for treasure, well, she had worked for him for a while. Didn't he know her better?
November 5, 2018
Unlikely partners bound by circumstance…or by fate? Being rescued by a good-looking, bad-boy firefighter isn't how Samantha Bennett expected to start her stay in Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. Now she has everyone's attention—especially that of Justin Sloan, her rescuer, who wants to know why she was camped out in an abandoned old New England cider mill. Samantha is a treasure hunter who has returned to Knights Bridge to solve a 300-year-old mystery and salvage her good name. Justin remembers her well. He's the one who alerted her late mentor to her iffy past and got her fired. But just because he doesn't trust her doesn't mean he can resist her. Samantha is daring, determined, seized by wanderlust—everything that strong, stoic Justin never knew he wanted. Until now�
April 14, 2019
Honestly, I bought this book from one of those bargain bins with signs like 'three for five dollars' and I got generally what I expected out of it. It was a little weird pacing wise and I felt like there was no sort of middle. It felt like the beginning then more of the beginning then it kind of just skipped over the middle and we went straight to the wrapping up the book. I also thought this was going to be not all that great with the portrayal of relationships but it was a pleasant surprise. It's the sort of book you read when you don't want to think to hard about the story and are just there for the pleasure of reading.
September 17, 2019
I submitted this review after listening to the audiobooks of this title.
Jason Sloan had family support and town support. Well respected for who he was, and his work capabilities, he had an arrogance and self-assuredness, all his own.
Samantha, Sam, had her world rocked by being fired for her treasure seeking job, because of investigating Knightsbridge, and not revealing her family ties.
That and the pirate that her grandfather had suggested that she investigate had brought her back to the small town.
Then fate stepped in, and we have an intriguing story, revealing various answers to the puzzle along the way.
Yes, an enjoyable experience, whether listening or reading this book.
Jason Sloan had family support and town support. Well respected for who he was, and his work capabilities, he had an arrogance and self-assuredness, all his own.
Samantha, Sam, had her world rocked by being fired for her treasure seeking job, because of investigating Knightsbridge, and not revealing her family ties.
That and the pirate that her grandfather had suggested that she investigate had brought her back to the small town.
Then fate stepped in, and we have an intriguing story, revealing various answers to the puzzle along the way.
Yes, an enjoyable experience, whether listening or reading this book.
March 5, 2021
This was a lot of "these country hicks" and "haha yes the family trait", with a healthy dose of "ah yes, the love/hate pragmatic gang of brothers notorious in our town" sprinkled EVERYWHERE, and I can't hate it. You've got a strong heroin, the hero...well, didn't grow as a person but HEY, comedic supportive family, and resolved issues between a side-plot lady and the heroin, the ending allowing both parties an HEA or HFN. Maybe not quite an intellectuals read, but a page turning slice of Hallmark brand diabetes flavored cheesecake...with the phrase "volunteer firefighters" every third sentence.
+p i r a t e s.
+p i r a t e s.
February 4, 2025
I just couldn't get any investment into the characters. Didn't see any real motivations, or realism in the girl being able to afford what see did without a job, nor explanations otherwise. But what really got me annoyed was the sudden switch to side characters that did nothing to truly push the story forward. It was more like having to read though needless filler.
The only thing I think this book actually did really, really well is the exchange of dialog. It was the part of the book I actually enjoyed. The rest was a drag.
I wouldn't recommend this book, and dread reading the other book I'd already picked up by this author.
The only thing I think this book actually did really, really well is the exchange of dialog. It was the part of the book I actually enjoyed. The rest was a drag.
I wouldn't recommend this book, and dread reading the other book I'd already picked up by this author.
December 15, 2017
It was a fun little read. I didn’t like it quite as much as the previous two, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I thought the pirate mystery that Samantha’s chasing was quite interesting. I liked all the pirate fun-facts scattered through the book. Justin could be the poster-child for the strong, silent type, but the sparks that flash between him and Sam are undeniable, and they light up the page from their very first meeting. I loved getting the chance to see Olivia and Dylan in action again, and the opportunity to get to know the Sloan family was not to be missed.
November 20, 2017
Way too much fuss and angst over absolutely nothing; everyone just needed to get over themselves. Everyone in town acted like it was a huge deal that Samantha was in town and that she didn't want to say why she was there. Apparently out-of-towners are not allowed to have privacy. And the reason she was fired from her last job, smh. Just too much fuss over nothing. Good setting, interesting history and I liked most of the characters when they weren't being idiots.
April 26, 2018
Exploring
There are any ways of exploring and many reasons to explore. So finds out Sam Bennett who was not what some thought she was and who she wished desperately wished she wasn't. When Sam finds something to really return to this river valley town, her past was catching up with her. Misunderstood and dedicated to following her grandfather's footsteps, she soon has her every footstep watched. Read Cider Brook by Carla, Meggers to find out why!
There are any ways of exploring and many reasons to explore. So finds out Sam Bennett who was not what some thought she was and who she wished desperately wished she wasn't. When Sam finds something to really return to this river valley town, her past was catching up with her. Misunderstood and dedicated to following her grandfather's footsteps, she soon has her every footstep watched. Read Cider Brook by Carla, Meggers to find out why!
November 28, 2024
This book was well crafted! Samantha had a mission to discover herself and a redemption from being fired . She ends up as an intrepid adventurer that is in her family genetic code getting nearly burned to death in an abandoned cider mill. This location is pivotal to the story as is her rescuer Justin. The story moves along nicely with a love story to mingle with the mystery in the story line. It is a book well worth reading!
May 18, 2019
This story is enjoyable over all. I enjoyed the Pirate hunting and the way the backstory unfolds. I wasn't as convinced of the romance part or why everyone should hate our main character. I was glad that the characters were able to work out differences amicably however. That was a nice development.
There is a detailed sex scene.
There is a detailed sex scene.
December 8, 2023
I was not sure about this book at first but by the end of Chapter 1 I was hooked. Carla Neggers is amazing author.
Samantha comes back to Knights Bridge, Massachusetts looking for pirates and treasure based on information from her deceased grandpa.
Justin rescues her from a fire and does not trust her nor her motives.
They fall in love along the way
Samantha comes back to Knights Bridge, Massachusetts looking for pirates and treasure based on information from her deceased grandpa.
Justin rescues her from a fire and does not trust her nor her motives.
They fall in love along the way
May 30, 2017
Samantha and Justin
I really enjoyed this book about a pirate hunting woman and a carpenter/firefighter who I initially didn't trust each other. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
I really enjoyed this book about a pirate hunting woman and a carpenter/firefighter who I initially didn't trust each other. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
December 4, 2021
Avast, Me Harties!
SwiftRiver3; 4.5 ⭐️
They start so slowly. But we know the bit players, though the main characters change from book to book.
Nice twists and turns to the story. Can’t wait for the next one!
SwiftRiver3; 4.5 ⭐️
They start so slowly. But we know the bit players, though the main characters change from book to book.
Nice twists and turns to the story. Can’t wait for the next one!
August 2, 2024
Cider Brook Book 3 Swift River Valley Novels
Another sweet romance by Carla Neggers. I enjoyed the story of a pirate and an apple mill. Set in the fall of the year, a beautiful story on unexpected surprises and how love finds a way.
Another sweet romance by Carla Neggers. I enjoyed the story of a pirate and an apple mill. Set in the fall of the year, a beautiful story on unexpected surprises and how love finds a way.
October 2, 2017
Fun! I was worried about how the pirate angle was going to work in a story about Quabbin, but it did in the end. Well enough, anyway.
January 30, 2018
Really enjoyed reading this book. It keeps pulling me deeper into the series. Can't wait to read the next one.
March 5, 2018
Good story and I love the treasure hunting. It makes me want to move to New England!
July 31, 2018
I am so glad to have discovered Ms Neggers. I am reading the Knights Bridge series now. A treasure hunter falls for a volunteer firefighter who saves her from a burning building and sparks fly!
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