Searching for Elsie: A small town contemporary suspenseful romance

Susan Stoker

Jun 2022 · Eagle Point Search & Rescue Book 2 · Susan Stoker

About this ebook

When trust has been broken, it will take a special man to heal the rift and her heart.

Once upon a time, Elsie Ireland thought she’d found the man of her dreams, only to learn her fairytale romance was just another cautionary tale. Beyond a perfect family image, her husband had little interest in Elsie, and even less in their son. Years later, she and nine-year-old Tony have landed in Fallport, Virginia. She’s working two jobs and living in a motel, but Tony has a roof over his head and plenty of love. For Elsie, however, love isn’t in the cards. She doesn’t have the time to spare…or the trust.

After serving his country as a Green Beret, Zeke Calhoun was happy to get out of the military and settle into small-town life as a bar owner. His position with Eagle Point Search and Rescue fulfills his need to serve and provides some of the best friends he’s ever known. He didn’t realize anything was missing until it was right under his nose every day—his sweet, shy waitress, Elsie.

It isn’t easy to convince the independent, gun-shy single mom to let him in, and with memories of his own disastrous marriage still plaguing him, Zeke isn’t fully certain he’s the best bet for a healthy relationship. But one stolen kiss in a heightened moment, and he’s a goner. Vowing that Elsie and Tony’s lives are about to change for the better, Zeke is up for the challenge of proving not all men are like her ex.

A task made significantly more difficult when a complication throws the couple’s fledgling relationship off course—then quickly spirals into a life-or-death situation no one saw coming.

** Searching for Elsie is the second book in the Eagle Point Search & Rescue Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

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Read what others are saying about New York Times bestselling author, Susan Stoker:

"Susan Stoker is the master of military romantic suspense. She's my go-to author for sexy alpha hero and strong, sassy heroines." Riley Edwards, USAT Bestselling Author

“Susan Stoker never disappoints. She delivers alpha males with heart and heroines with moxie.” Jana Aston, NYT Bestselling Author

No one does military romance like Susan Stoker!” Corinne Michaels, NYT Bestselling Author

“Susan Stoker knows what women want. A hot hero who needs to save a damsel in distress…even if she can save herself!” CD Reiss, NYT Bestselling Author

“When you pick up a Susan Stoker book you know exactly what you’re going to get…a hot alpha hero and a smart, sassy heroine. I can’t get enough!” Jessica Hawkins, USAT Bestselling Author

“I love reading about men in uniform and Susan always delivers…the full package!” Kayti McGee

“Susan writes the perfect blend of tough, alpha heroes and strong yet vulnerable heroines. I always feel emotionally satisfied at the end of one of her stories!” Meghan March, NYT Bestselling Author

 “One thing I love about Susan Stoker’s books is that she knows how to deliver a perfect HEA while still making sure the villain gets what he/she deserves!” T.M. Frazier, NYT Bestselling Author

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Read the entire Eagle Point Search & Rescue romance series, starting with the USA Today bestselling start!

Searching for Lilly

Searching for Elsie

Searching for Bristol

Searching for Caryn

Searching for Finley

Searching for Heather

Searching for Khloe

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Other readers of Stoker's books enjoyed books by: Riley Edwards, Caitlyn O'Leary, Maryann Jordan, Dale Mayer, Lynn Raye Harris, Cat Johnson, Alexis Abbott, Meli Raine, Nicole Elliot, Lori Ryan, Meghan March, Kristin Ashley, Kris Michaels, Brittney Sahin, Sharon Hamilton, Catherine Cowles, Lexi Blake, Piper Davenport, Abbie Zanders, Lani Lynn Vale, and Kristen Proby.

Ratings and reviews

Zeke & Elsie: (triggers: child abandonment, kidnapping, assault). So far I'm not sure I like this series. First, the men who will be the stars of the series are in search and rescue but we don't even get to see them do their job. Which is frustrating because Susan Stoker books normally put some focus on what the men do and why they are the best. I.e. the military based series where they are either finding someone while saving someone in another country or rescuing someone from a baddie from another country. It brings the excitement to the story. These books have just been blah. This book is a slow burn but I was happy to see that we got a story about Elsie and her son quickly after meeting her in the first book. Zeke is get boss at the restaurant/bar he owns and he is holding a torch for her. But she's struggling to get back on her feet and keeps her herself and her son. I didn't really feel too much for the characters as well so it makes the whole book a flop got me. It does get a little exciting towards the end but it's a little anticlimactic. I'm a little disappointed. 🤷🏾‍♀️

The first 10 pages are off-putting. They read like a dry, impersonal plot outline rather than the actual story text. I want to read a story about older couples but this is like slogging through dry, shifting, sand dunes with nary a drop of water anywhere for relief.

Really? Can't people write a book without so much profanity any more? And it seemed like it was going to be a good story. So disappointing.

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, #1 Amazon Bestseller, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last eighteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She's married to a retired Army man (and current firefighter/EMT) who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

Connect with her at www.StokerAces.com

Happy Reading!