Heart of Clay by Shanna Hatfield

Series: The Women of Tenacity #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Publisher: Wholesome Hearts 
Released: June 18, 2011
331 pages

About the Book:

Callan Matthews awakens one day to the realization her husband has taken a nose dive off the pedestal where he’s resided since the moment they met. As Clay unwittingly tugs at the last few threads keeping her from completely unraveling, she has to choose between walking away or running back into his arms.

Easygoing cowboy Clay Matthews works hard and plays even harder. He’s the last person to wade into emotional turmoil, but he’s up to his neck in it trying to decipher his wife’s suddenly frosty feelings toward him.

When tragedy strikes and a life-altering secret is revealed, this tender, sometimes humorous sweet romance embraces the beauty of letting go of the past and daring to fall in love all over again.

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story follows a married couple who are 13 years into the marriage. The early days of wedded bliss are over and are struggling with feelings of bitterness towards one another. We learn that secrets have been kept by one to the other. In addition to following the current day ups and downs of the marriage there are flashback scenes that show us them first falling in love. There was one scene that scared me for a certain character but thankfully what I thought had happened didn't. I loved Clay, he had such a good heart and was trying to do the best he knew how. I found Callen harder to connect with and was frustrated with her at times. When the secret was revealed I was shocked that it wasn't shared years ago so much heartache could have been dealt with earlier. The makeover scene was pretty funny. I enjoyed that this featured a married couple and dealt with their struggles in addition to their joys.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:    

Crumpets and Cowpies (Baker City Brides #1)

Thimbles and Thistles (Baker City Brides #2)

Corsets and Cuffs (Baker City Brides #3)

Bobbins and Boots (Baker City Brides #4)

Lightning and Lawmen (Baker City Brides #5)

The Christmas Bargain (Hardman Holidays #1)

The Christmas Token (Hardman Holidays #2)

The Christmas Calamity (Hardman Holidays #3)

The Christmas Vow (Hardman Holidays #4)

The Christmas Quandary (Hardman Holidays #5)

The Christmas Confection (Hardman Holidays #6)

The Christmas Kiss (Hardman Holidays #10)

Garden of Her Heart (Hearts of the War #1)
Home of Her Heart (Hearts of the War #2)

Valentine Bride (Holiday Brides #1)

A Christmas Dream (Hudson Holiday House #1)

Henley (Love Train #2)

Moonlight Cove (Love on the Beach #1)

Love on Target (Pink Pistol Sisterhood #2)

The Christmas Cowboy (Rodeo Romance #1)

Wrestlin' Christmas (Rodeo Romance #2)

Capturing Christmas (Rodeo Romance #3)

Barreling Through Christmas (Rodeo Romance #4)

Chasing Christmas (Rodeo Romance #5)

Racing Christmas (Rodeo Romance #6)

Savoring Christmas (Rodeo Romance #10)

Guiding the Grouch (Summer Creek #5)