Angels Landing (A Cavanaugh Island Novel)
by Rochelle Alers
- Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: Forever; Original edition (August 28, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1455501387
- ISBN-13: 978-1455501380
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Book Description
Publication Date: August 28, 2012 | Series: A Cavanaugh Island Novel (Book 2)
Sometimes love can take you by surprise.
Kara Newell has a big-city life that needs a major shake-up. Her dedication as a social worker is unwavering, yet her heart tells her that there is more to life than just work. Kara gets the push she needs when she shockingly inherits a large estate on an island off the South Carolina coast. Now the charming town of Angels Landing awaits her . . . along with a secret family she never knew she had.
After surviving war, loss, and heartbreak, ex-marine Jeffrey Hamilton takes his position as sheriff of idyllic Cavanaugh Island very seriously. So he is the perfect person to watch over the beautiful, confident woman who has turned her new family's expectations upside down-and stepped into the crosshairs of angry local residents.
But soon Kara becomes more than just a job to him, and he begins to need her in ways he never expected. As Kara and Jeffrey confront the town gossips together, they'll learn to face their fears and forgive their pasts in order to find a future filled with happiness in Angels Landing.
Review:
Kara Newell is big city social worker who is intensely independent and self-reliant. She’s had a few failed relationships and figures it will be best to remain single and unentangled. She is summoned to Cavanaugh Island for the reading of the Will of a wealthy stranger, Taylor Patton. When she arrives she discovers that many people in town are related to Patton and are angered when they learn an unknown woman has inherited the bulk of Mr. Patton’s estate. The inheritance comes with conditions: Kara must restore the historic estate of Angels Landing and live there for the next five years.
Kara is a city girl and not accustomed to the quiet warmth of a small town. In spite of her hurt in learning family lies and secrets she isn’t willing to let the greedy relatives force her out or take over the property and sell it off to hovering developers. Kara is fascinated by the history of the property and is thrilled to find a local female restoration expert who shares her enthusiasm to preserve the area and the Gullah culture.
The local sheriff, Jeffrey Hamilton, is an ex-marine who’s serious love refused to be a marine’s wife. He has been fine being a loner and hasn’t planned on any woman in his life other than his aging grandmother who raised him. But he can’t ignore the gorgeous woman who has inherited Angels Landing. When she is threatened he is right there to protect her. Soon the chemistry between them is zinging and they are both struggling with emotions that they aren’t comfortable with.
I enjoyed the strong characters and the rich historical elements, as well as settings, in this book. The ‘greedy relatives’ plot isn’t particularly new and I kept waiting to see how they would attack Kara. There really wasn’t as much offensive as I expected so I was a little disappointed in the plot. The story focuses on the romance more than the inheritance issues. Ms. Alers does a very nice job building the romance between Kara and Jeff and I liked that they finally learned to trust and take the risk on love. There is a sweet little dog in the story - always a plus for me. The writing flows well and, as a romance, this is a satisfying read.
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Kara’s reluctance to accept the inheritance:I’m giving up a lifestyle I’ve come to like and a career I love despite all my bitchin’ and moanin’ to fulfill a dead man’s wish. Location 1613.Jeffrey’s ultimate recognition:
“Love is not about giving up what you want for the other person. It’s about sharing what you have.” Location 4466.I received this for review from Forever/Hachette. See the Author Interview in the next post for a chance to win copies of this fine romance.
This story is set in South Carolina for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author and ARC challenges.
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