Category Archives: Fiction

50 Harbor Street

4 Replies

366340

50 Harbor Street by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever lived/experienced small town life? Did living in a small town remind you of Mayberry on the Andy Griffith Show?

This book had a nice, small-town feel. There were a lot of characters with problems. Reading this novel reminded me of watching a soap opera. The story focused on Olivia, the judge of Cedar Cove, and her newly-wedded life with her husband, Jack. They suffer from a traumatic event. Grace also has problems with her love life since Cliff, her love interest, ignores her, and appears unable to forgive her for her indiscretion. Then there’s Linette, a teen-aged girl who has a huge crush on her boyfriend, Anson. Anson is from the wrong side of the tracks, from the wrong side of the law, and she’s been forbidden to see him. There’s also Cecilia, who is pregnant. She’s worried about this pregnancy because her first child (born in a previous book) only lived a short time. Her first baby died from a heart ailment and she’s worried about the life of her second child. Her husband, Ian, is in the military and it’s hard for her to go through this pregnancy while her husband is at sea. However, she had a nice network of military wives to which she goes to for strength during her pregnancy.

Then there’s Justine and her husband Seth who own the Lighthouse Restaurant. The Lighthouse Restaurant is a popular seafood place in Cedar Cove. MaryEllen is also going through a difficult pregnancy and her husband Jon is struggling to help her. They have a two-year old daughter, Katie. Needing assistance, MaryEllen tries to convince Jon to reach out to his family, but, he can’t forgive his family for lying against him, forcing him to go to prison for a crime he did not commit.

In the small town of Cedar Cove, a lot of the residents know one another. The setting reminded me a Mayberry on the Andy Griffith Show. This book had a huge cast of characters. I can understand why it was made into a Hallmark Channel TV series. I’ve never watched it, though. I’ve been meaning to give it a try, but, time has just gotten away with me.

Have you ever lived in a small town where a lot of the residents knew one another? Do you like small-town life?

 

The Inn At Rose Harbor

1 Reply

13414594

The Inn At Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever had a best friend or a spouse to die unexpectedly? If so, how did you deal with your grief?

Jo Marie is still reeling from the recent, unexpected death of her military husband, Paul. She needs a change in her life, so, she opens a bed and breakfast in the small friendly town of Cedar Cove. She names her place The Rose Harbor Inn. One of her first two guests are Joshua Weaver, a man who has been called back to town by Michelle, a woman he befriended in high school. Michelle beckons him back to town because his step-father is dying. Joshua wants nothing to do with his step-father since the man treated him so horribly while he was growing up.

Her second guest is Abby Kincaid. Abby was driving the car which killed her best friend in high school. She can never forgive herself for the accident and she cuts herself off from her friends and family, shunning their offers of friendship and love. After being absent for several years, she’s back in Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. Can she find the courage to move forward with her life and forgive herself for the accident?

I liked this book. I think one of the unique aspects that I liked about it was that it touched upon the realm of the supernatural, just a little bit. Overall, a nice, heartwarming read.

So, have you ever had a best friend or a spouse to die unexpectedly? If so, how did you deal with your grief?

 

Christy Award Nominations!

Leave a reply

Below is a list of the Christy Award nominations! Have you read any of these books? 

CONTEMPORARY
Farewell, Four Waters by Kate McCord (RiverNorth, an imprint of Moody Publishing)
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon (G.P. Putnam’s Sons)
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate (Tyndale House Publishers)

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert (WaterBrook Multnomah)
Firewall by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House Publishers)
Undetected by Dee Henderson (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

CONTEMPORARY SERIES
The Amish Blacksmith by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner (Harvest House Publishers)
Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney (Abingdon Press)
When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers)

FIRST NOVEL
Feast for Thieves by Marcus Brotherton (RiverNorth, an imprint of Moody Publishing)
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
House of Living Stones by Kate Schuermann (Concordia Publishing House)

HISTORICAL
The Advocate by Randy Singer (Tyndale House Publishers)
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (Viking)
The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot (Tyndale House Publishers)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE
A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer (WaterBook Multnomah)
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

SUSPENSE
The Color of Justice by Ace Collins (Abingdon Press)
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks (Thomas Nelson, a division of Harper Collins Christian Publishing)
Sky Zone by Creston Mapes (David C Cook)

VISIONARY
Once Beyond a Time by Ann Tatlock (Heritage Beacon Fiction)
Shadow Hand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes (Enclave Publishing)

YOUNG ADULT
Failstate: Nemesis by John W. Otte (Enclave Publishing)
This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof (Independently Published)
Storm Siren by Mary Weber (Thomas Nelson, a division of Harper Collins Christian Publishing)

There’s Something About Christmas

Leave a reply

669644

There’s Something About Christmas – Youtube Video

There’s Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever stopped celebrating Christmas because it was too painful?

Emma’s mother has died, and she no longer celebrates Christmas because it reminds her of the good times she’s shared with her mother, making her feel sad. When Emma meets Oliver, her life changes. He’s cocky, arrogant, and is hired by her boss to fly Emma to three interviews that she has to do for the newspaper. She has to interview finalists for a fruitcake competition.

The flights and the interviews prove interesting.

This was a lighthearted book that you’d enjoy if you want a story without a lot of drama or conflict.

So, have you ever stopped celebrating Christmas because it was too painful for you?

Barefoot Summer

1 Reply

16122786

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

This was a good, enjoyable book. I believe it’s the first book I’ve ever read by this author. Madison is still grieving for her identical twin brother who died from a diving accident ten years ago. Her brother had a dream of winning the sailing regatta in their small town of Chapel Springs before his 27th birthday. Madison is about to turn 27, and she wants to win the regatta in her brother’s memory, hoping the win will make her feel better.

If she wins, the nightmares about her dead brother might stop. Maybe, she can now rest and get a full night’s sleep instead of being tired all the time.

Due to a strange set of circumstances, Beckett, someone whom Madison has been crushing on for years, has been assigned to give her boating lessons. Beckett kissed Madison once in high school, but, he knows she’s way out of his league. Madison is from a “normal” supportive, happy family. Her family isn’t twisted and dysfunctional like his. She doesn’t have an imprisoned alcoholic dad or a grandfather who suffer’s from memory loss. He can’t act on his attraction to Madison, can he?

I like how the characters in this book were two polar opposites who were attracted to one another. This book is also about conquering your fears, learning to move forward after tragedy. Overall, a wonderful read.

 

The Lawyer’s Luck

Leave a reply

22602009

The Lawyer’s Luck

When future lawyer Lawrence accidentally shoots Realie for stealing his horse, his life drastically changes. Realie is an escaped slave and she’s so close to freedom, but now, she has a major setback. She’s been shot and now she’s injured. She’s in no condition to travel.

For some strange reason, Realie finds herself drawn to Lawrence, whom she calls Lawyer. He seems determined to help her, plus he’s a free and educated man. What would he want to do with the likes of her? Besides, they’re from two opposite worlds – all Lawyer seems to know about slavery is what he’s read in the newspapers, he’s never been a slave.

This book had me mesmerized from the first page. It’s well-written and the characters really came to life. Lawrence’s and Realie’s attraction is deep and real (no pun intended), and in spite of their being total opposites, you can see how they suit one another.

This book is the prequel to the Milford College Series! Can’t wait to read the rest of them! 🙂