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Friday, May 24, 2013

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Barefoot in the Sun by Roxanne St. Claire

This is a strong romance enhanced by a touch of mystery.
Barefoot in the Sun
by Roxanne St. Claire

  • Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Forever (April 30, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 145550825X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1455508259
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Book Description
Release date: April 30, 2013 | Series: Barefoot Bay (Book 3)
A Barefoot Bay Novel
When running is all you've ever known . . .
Caught between fight and flight, Zoe Tamarin has always picked flight. Since she was rescued from a nightmare childhood by her great-aunt Pasha, they've been on the move, never staying in one place long enough to risk exposing their precarious past. But now that they've reached the sun-baked shores of Barefoot Bay, Zoe may have to stay and fight-for her aunt's life . . . and for a love she ran from years before.
Sometimes the bravest act of all is to stand still.
Oliver Bradbury came to Florida to start over, as both a doctor and a father to his eight-year-old son. He never expected life to hand him a second chance with the woman he lost years ago-but one look at Zoe Tamarin and he knows he'll do whatever it takes to prove that this time, he can be the man she needs. But when demands of family and friendship threaten to shatter their rekindled passion, Oliver must heal Zoe's lifelong wounds with more than hot kisses . . . but will that be enough to keep her from flying off with his heart?


Review:
Zoe is a vibrant young woman who lives with her beloved “great-aunt” Pasha. Zoe was orphaned and facing danger in her early teens when Pasha rescued her. But Pasha and Zoe have lived ‘on the run’ ever since. Any time anyone starts asking questions or gets too close, Pasha moves them on to the next town. That was fine until Zoe fell in love. She decided to tell the truth to Oliver, whom she was head over heels in love with. She conned him into a balloon ride and took the risk of disclosing her past. But the reaction wasn’t good – Oliver wanted her to go to the authorities and straighten things out. When Zoe told Pasha, Pasha panicked and they ran again.

Nine years later Oliver discovers Zoe and Pasha living in Barefoot Bay. The immediate attraction and reaction makes it clear that the extreme feelings between Zoe and Oliver haven’t changed. Circumstances are much different though. Oliver has an 8 year old son with the woman he supposedly left when he first met Zoe. Zoe is relieved to discover that Oliver is divorced and she and Pasha are charmed by the super intelligent Evan.

Pasha is ill with cancer and Oliver is a partner in a clinic that specializes in experimental treatments. Zoe will do anything to get him to accept Pasha as a patient with no insurance and no questions asked. Zoe is willing to risk the pain of heartache for a fling but Oliver isn’t. He doesn’t want his son to be hurt when Zoe leaves and he wants her for life, not just for a fling. What will it take to convince Pasha and Zoe to stop running and take the greatest risks by staying?

Zoe might be a bit flippant and flighty for my tastes but she doesn’t sleep around and maybe that is why she wants to jump Oliver every time she sees him.  The romance is full of conflict and combustible chemistry. Ms. St. Claire is a masterful story teller and the strong, clear writing tone pulled me into the story.  The hints of danger and mystery enhance what might otherwise be just another romance. The college girlfriends who surround Zoe in Barefoot Bay are an interesting group and apparently have their own romance stories with a little intrigue in each. This book, and no doubt the rest of the series, would be great summer reads for anyone who likes strong romance.

Zoe’s gardener friend, Tessa, shares words of wisdom:
Roots don’t strangle if the plant is well tended, my friend. Roots nourish. They provide stability. They make sure the plant doesn’t merely survive, but thrives and grows and produces a fruit or vegetable. Page 171.
I received this book from Forever, division of Grand Central/Hachette, for an honest review.
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Review Copy:



For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

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WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 1, 2013.
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13 comments:

  1. Suspense, contemporary romance and young adult author.

    5 time nominee, 1 time winner RITA

    Call me Rocki

    ReplyDelete
  2. Her second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books

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  3. I think it's interesting that Rocki lost her home to a hurricane and in Barefoot in the Sand her heroine also loses her home in a hurricane. I haven't read it yet, but I'm sure the descriptions will be very real since she's experienced it for herself.

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  4. Roxanne St. Claire is a bestselling author of thirty novels of romance and suspense.
    While Roxanne tried acting and television broadcasting, she changed her last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told her Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality.

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  5. Before writing her first book she did some acting where she met Tom Hanks when she made an appearance on his show Bosom Buddies.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  6. She hopes to write at least 100 books in her lifetime.

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  7. Roxanne is the youngest of five.

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  8. I liked the 2 lessons her AP english teacher taught her. I have to pass it on to my 13 year old who has a knack for writing.

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  9. ROXANNA HAS WRITTEN 30 BOOKS AND IS THE YOUNGEST OF 5.THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

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  10. I didn't know she wrote YA :) Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  11. I learned that she grew up in Pittsburgh, PA...which is less than an hour away from me. :)

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  12. Roxanne graduated from UCLA with a degree in communications and appeared on the television show Bosom Buddies with Tom Hanks.

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  13. What a totally awesome and colorful website.

    Suzanne
    suzieqaa@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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