Book 11: His Eleventh Hour (Ivory Peaks Romance)

This might be strange to say, but I love that the characters in this author’s books have some “messy“ in their lives. Briar has quite a bit of baggage – from family issues to occupational hazards, she’s been burned on many levels. I loved watching the character development along with the relationship development. Tarr’s patience and perseverance were admirable.

One of my favorite parts was the spoken daily truths that they asked each other about. I felt like those often helped ground them, especially in times of turmoil or confusion. Another great installment to this series!

This book is part of a series that chronicles the Hammond family, their farm, and the characters/friends/employees that have become a part of their story in the small town of Ivory Peaks. I love the way this book (and others in the series) give big picture updates with many characters and how their lives intertwine while also focusing on one or two characters throughout each book. In this book, the spotlight is on Tarr, a friend, former champion bull rider, and employee of Tucker Hammond. Tarr works at Tucker’s ranch which is near the Hammond Family Farm. The onsite vet tech there is Briar, a beautiful young woman whose thorny disposition embodies her name. Tarr has a huge crush on Briar but she has constantly rebuffed his attempts to befriend her until Tarr insists that she come with him to Thanksgiving dinner and he refuses to allow her to stay home alone. Slowly Tarr finds ways to spend more and more time with Briar and they become close. Tarr was an amazingly patient man who demonstrated the term “long-suffering” before he was able to realize his dreams. I loved how the author helped them work through their individual and relationship challenges and particularly how she used Biblical wisdom and faith to help them find their way. This is a series that I wish never had to end as these characters have become like real friends. I hope that when it concludes, we can move on to the next generation of Hammonds—what do you say, Ms. Isaacson?

Absolutely loved this one! Another rich, full of emotion read. I loved Briar & Tarr together! His loyalty and patience with her, and she overcoming so much. And all the other little check-ins from past books makes my heart so happy!

Tarr, the animal trainer at Hammond Farm, is hardworking, handsome, and endlessly kind. He’s the most patient person Briar has ever met—nothing ever seems to ruffle him. Briar, on the other hand, is prickly as they come, yet Tarr can’t seem to get her out of his thoughts.

Briar has locked her heart away after being hurt one too many times. Her past has convinced her she isn’t loveable, and while she trusts herself completely with animals, she’s certain she doesn’t know how to love another human being.

But Tarr refuses to give up on her. He coaxes her into attending Thanksgiving dinner with the Hammond family, and somehow he’s always there each time she turns around—offering kindness, warmth, and above all, patience. Tarr is determined to win her heart. The question is, can Briar learn to love again… and more importantly, can she learn that she is worthy of love?

Briar lives up to her name, as she starts out “thorny”, with both physical and emotional wounds. Tarr comes along, and patiently breaks through her walls to show her that she can truly be loved. What a sweet picture of what true love is capable of. Liz has once again written a tale that’s hard to put down!