Finished Reading . . . #79: Sea Glass Island (more sweet)

Sea Glass Island
Ocean Breeze #3
Sherryl Woods

9780778314462
Mira
June 2013
378 pages
print
Age range: 14+
 

romance
source: private library
(Amy wanted to send me the ebook but I bought the print so it would match the other two books she sent me to review)

Grade: B+


With her two younger sisters heading for the altar, will Samantha Castle exchange old dreams for new ones? Lately she'd rather be on the North Carolina coast with family than in New York with agents and actors. Though she vows not to let her teenage crush on Ethan Cole influence her decision, it's hard to ignore her feelings for the local war hero.

Ethan lost more than his leg in Afghanistan. He lost his belief in love. Even being surrounded by couples intent on capturing happily-ever-after won't open this jaded doctor's heart. It's going to take a sexy, determined woman—one who won't take no for an answer.

~*~*~

I'd like to say this is all about Samantha. About her lost love of acting, the high school crush that she never got over, her love of family. Except, Emily hasn't gotten married yet. Samantha is Maid of Honor and Ethan is Best Man. They are consistently thrown together because of wedding stuff, add in a meddling Grandmother who just wants to see her girls happy and you have a LOT of drama.

Still it is Samantha's story so while the wedding is a "character" it is Samantha's viewpoint we see it from.

I'm just at 200 pages and so far their Dad has had some very insightful comments. The love the sisters have for each other really shows through. I'm really looking forward to finishing the book but am sad that the trilogy will be over.

back to reading. . . .

I thought the book wasn't totally about Samantha and Ethan. Turns out that while Emily's wedding and a whole lot more are happening, Samantha and Ethan are up to their necks in almost everything.

I love the twists, the unexpected situations, the interactions between friends, family and town folk.

Ms. Woods does leave us hanging about a couple of things concerning B.J. but I'm very satisfied with the trilogy.

As for sex. . . it does happen, over halfway through, after tension for most of the book but it isn't in your face or pages and pages of it.

Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Outdo Yourself
In the Middle
ARC
Monthly Key Word
Spring Reading Thing
52 in 52
Men in Uniform
Monthly Mix-up Mania

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #60: Wind Chime Point (mostly sweet)

Wind Chime Point
Ocean Breeze #2
Sherryl Woods
978-0-7783-1442-4
Mira
May 2013
393 pages
print
Age range: 14+
warning: the main character is pregnant and unmarried. 

romance
source: Amy Bromberg affiliated with McAllister PR

Grade: B+


Facing a personal crisis, ambitious and driven Gabriella Castle retreats to the welcoming arms of her family. Everything she's worked for has been yanked out from under her, and she seeks the serenity of her grandmother's home on the North Carolina coast. With difficult decisions to make about her future, the last thing she wants is an unexpected love.

Wade Johnson fell for Gabi the first time he saw her. It's not the only time he's found himself in the the role of knight in shining armor, but Gabi isn't looking for a rescuer. To get her to stay, Wade will need a whole lot of patience and gentle persuasion...and maybe the soothing sound of wind chimes on a summer breeze.

~*~*~

Gabi was a good girl all through school. She didn't have time to get in trouble, she was too busy planning her future in hopes of making her father proud of her, even going so far as to work in the same field. She's done well for herself but the 60 hour weeks are starting to take their toll and when she comes up pregnant (and still single) she's demoted. Not because she's pregnant, noooo, that would have been illegal. It was still a demotion and she took the severance package.

So, she come to her Grandmother's house. No, to Grandmother's home. She's already been there a lot because of the storm damage but now she has decisions to make. Will she keep the baby? Go back to her old life? Find something new? Someone new?

Now there are two dads in the picture. Her Father and the father of her child. Her Father is improving, I'm happy to say but the baby's father gives new meaning to the phrase sperm donor.

"I'm afraid I'm a work in progress, Gabriella. I imagine there will be a few setbacks when I'll revert to my familiar, self-absorbed ways."

I love the support she receives from the family. I love the spirit she displays when dealing with her Grandmother's meddling, her ex-boyfriend and her Father's "help". You know how sometimes you get a wow feeling when the title makes sense. I got that with this one. Wind Chime Point may be the middle book in a trilogy but it is a satisfying read all on it's own.

Then again, I can't wait to see what happens to the third sister. Hey, Sea Glass Island is on my reading pile :-)

Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Way
Outdo Yourself
contemporary romance
In the Middle
ARC
Monthly Mix-up Mania

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #54: Sand Castle Bay (more sweet)

Sand Castle Bay
Ocean Breeze #1
Sherryl Woods
978-0778314363
Mira
April 2013
384 pages
print
Age range: 14+

romance
source: Amy Bromberg affiliated with McAllister PR

Grade: B+


In a trade-off she's lived to regret, Emily Castle left home years ago to become an interior designer. The youngest of three sisters, Emily desperately wanted to prove herself. Success, though, came at the cost of leaving behind the man she loved.

For Boone Dorsett, losing Emily left his heart shattered, but another woman was waiting in the wings. Now a widower with a young son, Boone has a second chance with Emily when a storm brings her home. But with his former in-laws threatening a custody suit, the stakes of loving her are higher than ever.

Will fate once again separate them—or is the time finally right for these two star-crossed lovers?

~*~*~

I haven't gotten very far in reading yet but have to tell you that in-laws and custody suits don't mix well. Boone seems to be a very level headed man just trying to make a living for him and his son. To have the in-laws come in and take a son away from his only parent (Mom is dead) just doesn't sit well with me. As if having the grandson will replace losing the daughter. shudder.

Okay, off my soapbox and off to read . . .

Oh, man!  First off, it isn't grandparents, just the mother-in-law.

I don't recall much about the town other than "beach" and "peaceful" - sounds great!

I've got at least five sticky notes to tell you about and just hope they can convey the love of family, importance of compromise and communication, and dealing with grief and disappointment.

I got to page 137 before I went to find my stickies and my copy is an uncorrected proof so while I'm sure the sentiment is there, don't hold me to specific quotes.

1) If Boone had needed a role model for the type of father not to be, Sam Castle would have been it. Even so, he'd wandered dangerously close to being exactly like him.

-Sam and his lack of being there for his family carries through the whole novel and I'm sure it will continue to play a part in the other two, especially Gabi's book.

2) ". . . Men are always trying to find the right balance between the truth, diplomacy and what a woman really wants to hear. We get tripped up on that a lot."

B.J. shook his head. "Sounds way too complicated. I'm thinking girls might not be worth it."

-Well, B.J. is 8 and this just shows how there Boone is for him.

3) "I don't like leaving the important stuff to chance," Cora Jane said in frustration.

"Think of it this way." Jerry suggested. "You're putting it in God's hands. Last time I checked, He was even better than you at making sure things turn out hte way they're supposed to."

Cora Jane could hardly deny that, but she sure as heck didn't have to like it.

-This isn't a preachy novel, just accepting that there is a higher power. It also illustrates a grandma's need to see all is right with her grandchildren.

4) "I think Boone and I are agreed that boring doesn't enter into what we have," Emily said with a chuckle.

"Some details you can keep to yourself, young lady." Cora Jane scolded.

Emily laughed. "I'm definitely not planning to discuss my sex life with you. You might be inclined to turn around a tell me about yours."

For an instance her grandmother looked shocked, but then a grin spread across her face. "As if I'd do such a thing," she muttered indignantly.

But Emily noticed she didn't deny that there was a sex life to be discussed. Just thinking about that kept a smile on her face all the way to the airport.

-Yes, the main couples are having sex but most of it is off screen, except for kisses, and Cora Jane's is complete speculation at this point.

5) "The Farmers (in-laws) aren't the only family you and B.J. have," she reminded him.

She thought she saw some of the tension in his shoulders ease at her words.

"You have no idea how much I count on that," he said.

She grinned at him. "Doesn't need to be legal to be real," she told him. ...

-Isn't that the truth! Sometimes we're blessed with a blood family that is wonderful and sometimes we're blessed with circle of friends that are family.


I haven't mentioned Boone's parents have I? They're there but still not. I'm looking forward to meeting them. Also crossing my fingers that things improve with the in-laws. Otherwise I'm going get out my wet noodles!

Lucky me, book two (Wind Chime Point) is on my shelf and book three (Sea Glass Island) should be here on the 28th :-)

Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
contemporary romance
In the Middle
ARC Clean Sweep
Monthly Mix-up Mania
Where are you reading/50 States

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #29: The Wanderer (sexy but sweet)

The Wanderer
A Thunder Point novel (book 1)
Robyn Carr
978-0778314479
Harlequin MIRA
April 2013
377 pages

romance
source: Public library

Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land's unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he's been left an old friend's entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community's destiny in his hands.

Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful.

With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.

~*~*~

I expected to like this book because of past experience with the author. I didn't. I ended up loving it. It took me a little time to get into it but that was mainly because of other reading material and I ending up going 20 to finished overnight!

There are some loveable characters, some I didn't like, several story lines going on at once, and one really creepy high school kid.

I expected the realtor to try more with Cooper and was prepared to really hate her but she backed off. Maybe she'll be a side romance in another book but I hope it's after the other couples get together.

There were a couple of spots I was afraid were going to be cliffhangers but there were resolved enough that I didn't need to throw the book.

Luckily for us, Ms Carr (or her publisher) is not making us wait a whole year before we can read more from Thunder Point. Book 2: The Newcomer is coming late June and book 3: The Hero is coming late August!


Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
Where are you reading/50 States
52 in 52
In the Middle
Library Books
Contemporary Romance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013