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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) by Rochelle Alers

This is a solid romance story in small town setting.
by Rochelle Alers
  • Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Forever (May 28, 2013)
  • ISBN-10: 1455501395
  • ISBN-13: 978-1455501397
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Home is where the heart is.
Architect Morgan Dane has always lived according to a plan, crossing off her achievements one by one. But when she's offered her dream job-the restoration of historic Angels Landing Plantation on beautiful Cavanaugh Island-Morgan's life takes an unexpected turn.
Carpenter Nathaniel Shaw once took a big chance on commitment-and lost. Needing the healing comforts of home, he returns to Haven Creek to join the family business. Nothing in the small town has changed-except for Morgan Dane. The wallflower he knew in high school has grown into a beautiful woman . . . and stirs feelings Nate isn't sure he's ready for.
Together Nate and Morgan find a happiness neither could have predicted. But when secrets from the past come to light, their budding relationship is threatened. Will they play it safe, or risk their hearts to build a life together?


Review:
Morgan turned into a beautiful woman after suffering as a gangly child and teen. In college and while studying abroad she suffered betrayal in her relationships. She returned to Haven Creek where she has worked to build her reputation as an architect and interior designer. Now she has her mind set on furthering her career by succeeding with the project to restore Angel’s Landing to its pre Civil War glory. She has put personal relationships on a back burner and besides... she has declared she would never marry a man from Haven Creek.

Nate moved away from Haven Creek when he was 15 after his mother died and his father quickly married her best friend and nurse. Nate lived with a beloved Aunt in California where he worked his way to success as a contractor before the real estate market died. Not only did Nate distrust his stepmother but he had an unsuccessful marriage to a high-profile and unfaithful model. Now, more than 15 years later, he has returned home to help his ailing father manage his local carpentry business and help to manage his 22 year old step brother who was heading for trouble.

Morgan had a crush on Nate as a young girl but he was older than she was and then he left town. She still finds him attractive but she is focused on engaging his carpentry skills for her project... not engaging his personal attentions. Nate had no intentions of ever marrying again but he wouldn’t mind some personal time with Morgan.

They begin to develop a friendship that leads to a working agreement and then more. The attraction between them is strong but they keep giving each other mixed messages about what their goals are when it comes to a personal relationship and future involvement.

I enjoyed the easy flow of this story and the strong characters. Morgan has to overcome her insecurities and be flexible to make room in her live for marriage and family as well as a career. Nate is really quite the gentleman and he just has to overcome his bad experience in order to see that he could love Morgan. It is a fun read to see if and when the two will admit their feelings before they lose the opportunity to have a future together.

This is all romance conflict with some sultry passion. It is a good choice especially for readers who like an easy, small town style, second time around, romance story.

I received this ARC from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.
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16 comments:

  1. This sounds like a very interesting story. I found it interesting that Rochelle is accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint. Also that she is currently taking instruction in the art of hand quilting.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  2. More than fifty titles and nearly two million copies in print. That makes me tired just thinking about it. I'm impressed.

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  3. This does sound like a good book to turn to for a fun romance. Thanks for your great review.

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  4. Rochelle is an award-winning author with over 50 titles in print. I also found it interesting that she is accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.

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  5. I found it interesting that Rochelle is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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  6. She has a Yorkshire Terrier names Oliver.

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  7. Thanks for the giveaway! She has nearly two million copies of her novels in print.

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  8. she enjoys cooking and traveling

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  9. She's a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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  10. she has been the recipient of numerous awards, the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

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  11. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

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  12. I like that the author does needle point, crochet, and knitting! I just recently taught myself how to knit so I love when I find anyone who does. Not many people do anymore!

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  13. I really like the author's web site. It is very unique and colorful. I also like the changing screen.
    suzieqaa@yahoo.com

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  14. I learned she has written over 50 novels! That's huge!

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  15. I learned that she enjoys gourmet cooking as well as traveling.

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  16. The website is attractive yet very simple and easy to locate things

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