Seven years later, Brooke is given a once in a lifetime chance to create the stained glass windows for St. Mary’s Church, after it is sold and plans for a complete renovation get under way.  However, Brooke has no idea she will be working with her former art teacher, Nick Marcello, who lost his job at the high school after rumors  of a supposed affair between himself and Brooke circulated the town.  Both know the affair never happened, but the townspeople opted to believe the school superintendent’s bitter wife, Abby Hemphill.

Brooke is now twenty-four and Nick is now in his early thirties and neither can deny they are strongly attracted to each other after all this time.  With Abby staunchly against their project, will the needed funds for the renovation be reached?  Will Brooke find the strength to stand up for herself this time?

Having spent my life in small towns, I am so thrilled that I have never encountered townspeople like those in this fictional town.  Had I been in Brooke’s shoes, I would have NEVER returned to this town.  Everyone was hateful and hurtful for no valid purpose other than to please Abby.  While this story was hard to stomach because of Abby’s nastiness, the slowly developing romance between Nick and Brooke is so satisfying!!  They persevere and their strength brought much needed lightheartedness to the story.

The minor story revolving around Brooke’s teenage sister, Roxy, was handled beautifully.  Roxy finds herself in a predicament that she has a hard time escaping, and her growth and development from start to end was both realistic and aptly handled.

Fans of Ms. Blackstock already know that her books are packed with high emotions, well-developed characters and thrilling storylines.  Expect to find yourself totally entranced with EMERALD WINDOWS from its maddening town to its affable characters.  This is a highly emotional ride that I am glad I did not miss!