Book: Unfortunate Homecoming

Author: Sherri Wilson Johnson

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release date: April 5, 2022

Renovating the old family home and living on the quiet Magnolia River in Magnolia Springs, Alabama sounded perfect to Shaun Bartley. But when trespassing treasure hunters threaten not only his life but his ex-wife’s life too, will he fight for what is his or forfeit the fortune in order to save their lives?

After ten years on the Okefenokee Swamp as a fishing guide, Shaun Bartley returns home to conduct tours on the Magnolia River and to renovate his great great-grandfather’s old home. When Deputy Fire Marshal and volunteer fire fighter Sierra Beaumont, Shaun’s ex-wife, warns him about deadly treasure hunters who will kill for a chance to explore his property, he thinks she’s trying to run him out of town. When he discovers she’s pregnant with twins by her recently deceased second husband, Shaun can’t help but want to be there for her. But Sierra’s heart has been broken twice, and she’d rather raise the children alone than be abandoned again.

Shaun must deal with his past and find a way for Sierra to forgive him or risk losing any chance he may have at winning back her heart. Since keeping her safe means keeping her far from his home and the trespassers, yet she is the Fire Marshal assigned to his case, it will take a miracle for them to survive.

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An Author’s Take Review

If you like Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense, you will definitely like Unfortunate Homecoming by Sherri Wilson Johnson.

The story revolves around two main characters, Shaun Bartley and Sierra Beaumont. The two used to be married but departed ways after a difficult marriage. They reconnect when Shaun returns home to Magnolia Springs after working for 10-years on the Okefenokee Swamp as a fishing guide. He purchased his great-great grandfather’s home, intending to turn it into a tourist destination. Unfortunately, Shaun’s hopes go up in smoke, literally, when trespassing treasure hunters set his home on fire. Sierra, the local deputy fire marshal, is assigned to Shaun’s case.

The story heats up when Sierra arrives on the scene. The author throws you into full adventure mode by forcing Sierra and Shaun to work together to figure out who the treasure hunters are and what they are after. Along the way and through many adventures, you discover the reason for their failed marriage and learn that love still exists despite their struggles.

My favorite part of the book was how the author tied in the themes of forgiveness and compassion. It was refreshing to see the author highlight how God can move even under challenging circumstances when all hope appears to be lost. Only God knows the final outcome.

I give Unfortunate Homecoming 5 out of 5 stars.

Note: I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for sharing my thoughts. I am disclosing this per FTC regulations.

About the Author

Sherri Wilson Johnson is an Inspirational Romance novelist and graphic designer. She lives in Georgia with her husband and their two dogs, and they are empty-nesters. Sherri loves spending time with family, vacationing at the beach, curling up with a good book or working on her current work-in-progress. She dreams of a second home on some beach somewhere some day, where she can plot romantically suspenseful novels all day and night.

More from Sherri

Unfortunate Homecoming is comprised of many of my favorite things: Historic houses, a water source (river, lake or the ocean—it doesn’t matter!), men with beards, strong female heroines who get things done while still being tender, a murder or crime of some sort, and faith! Oh, and a secret that takes until the end of the book to figure out. I love a good mystery and a page-turning suspense. I hope this story is that for you!

This is book three in my Jeopardized Reunions series, which is set in the Mobile Bay area of Alabama. This particular story is set in Magnolia Springs, Alabama, a gorgeous, quaint town with less than 1,000 residents. It’s a dreamy place that I was fortunate enough to visit while on my vacation in August of 2021, and I will return there next week for a book signing at the local library.

My heroine is a Deputy Fire Marshall and a Lieutenant in the Magnolia Springs Volunteer Fire Department. I was thrilled when a Lieutenant who helped me with my research invited me for a tour of the actual fire department in my book. What was even more exciting was the fact that while I was there on the tour, they got a call and left me at the station! I promise I didn’t get into too much trouble, haha! The smalltown charm was definitely present and so authentic that day.

You can see my pictures and video from my visit here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSuoaEVp53p/

I hope you will consider checking out Unfortunate Homecoming and the other books in the series, all set on Mobile Bay and all written as standalones. The common thread? They are all reunion romances. So while my characters have a past that tore them apart, they have the promise of a future.

I’d love it of you’d follow me on social media and join my subscriber list. I’m always excited to hear from readers!