Hope Harbor #4

 

Published April 3rd 2018 

 by Fleming H. Revell Company  

In the midst of life's storms, unexpected love is a beacon of hope.

A crumbling lighthouse is not part of the inheritance Army doctor Ben Garrison expects to claim when he journeys to Hope Harbor. Fresh out of the service, he wants only to unload the tower of bricks, decompress from years of treating battlefield trauma, and prepare to launch his civilian career.

Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber has other ideas. She may not be a Hope Harbor native, but the small Oregon seaside town has become home--and she's determined to save the Pelican Point landmark.

Sparks fly as the two go head-to-head over the fate of the lighthouse. But when they start to cooperate, a different kind of fire ignites. Can Hope Harbor heal the hearts of these two romance-wary souls?

  

Book Trailer:

 

My Thoughts:

This is the fourth installment in the Hope Harbor series, but with that being said I feel this is a stand alone story. The author brings us a touching story. The author takes us to the Oregon coast where we meet Ben Garrison, an army surgeon, who has just flown from the middle east to prepare a memorial service for his grandfather, to settle the estate and to start his civilian life. Ben has fond memories of the area from the summers he spent with his grandfather. Nothing prepared him for the news of his inheritance of Pelican Point Lighthouse and the total shambles it's fell into.
Marci Weber has lived in Hope Harbor for two years where she owns and runs Hope Harbor Herald. She had became friends with Ned Garrison and his death has hit her hard. Her first introduction to his grandson was not what she had expected or even hope for. Both have a common interest, Pelican Point Lighthouse, but for not the same reasons. Ben wants to sell it and Marci wants to save it.
This is a well written book and it makes me want to visit Hope Harbor. It has a sweet plot that immediately pulled me it. It includes elements of mystery, intrigue, humor, grief, love, and faith. The characters are both engaging and endearing to me. I could see myself sitting on a bench having a conversation with both. The setting is both realistic and perceptive so it captured both time and place for me. The character is this entire series that intrigues me the most is Charley and is scrumptious food. I have never had a fish taco, but would definitely try one of his while getting some life advice from him.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who love a good, clean read. It touches on the tough subject of PTSD, but I think it is written with a realistic view. I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Available for Purchase:

 

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK 

BAKER BOOK HOUSE 

 

 

Hope Harbor #3

Come to Hope Harbor-

where hearts heal....and love blooms. 

 

 Published April 4th 2017 

 by Fleming H. Revell Company 

Synopsis:

Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities--including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn't looking for love either--but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.

Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam's help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different--and better--future planned for them than either could imagine.

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

BOOKS-A-MILLION  BAKER RETAIL

Meet the Author:

Irene Hannon is a bestselling, award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut!

Since then, she has written more than 50 romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels. She is a seven-time finalist for and three-time winner of the RITA award—the “Oscar” of romance fiction—and a member of the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Her books have also won a Daphne du Maurier award, two Carol awards, three HOLT Medallions, a National Readers’ Choice award, a Retailers Choice award, two Booksellers’ Best awards and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. One of her novels was also named by Booklist as a top 10 inspirational fiction books of 2011. In addition, she is a two-time Christy award finalist.

Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full time. She is happy to say she has no regrets!

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and singing.  A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She is also a soloist at her church.

When not otherwise occupied, Irene and her husband enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.

My Thoughts:

This is the third installment in the Hope Harbor series, but is easily a stand alone story.  I do encourage you to read the first two books to feel the full impact of the series though.  

This story takes place in a seaside village along the Oregon coast and the community literally comes alive.  The characters are very strong, but complex.  This story centers around Lexie Graham and Adam Stone.   
I love stories that show love can bloom between the most unlikely of characters so this book was perfect.  We all of guilty of making bad decisions, but what if that one bad decision has a lasting impact on your life.  As a young man, Adam Stone, did just that, made a bad decision.  That decision landed him in prison where he spent 5 years paying for his crime.  Reverend Baker from Grace Christian had ministered to him during prison and offered to help him get settled in Hope Harbor once he was released.  Adam has lived on  a lonely stretch of beach for 18 months working in construction, but his life is about to change. 
Lexie Graham, Chief of Police, has been dealing with a rash of vandalism in the area.  She must check into all possibilities and that includes Adam Stone.  She has heard nothing but good things about Adam, but he was an ex-con and  needs to be ruled out as a suspect.  Her arrival at his rental reveals more than she anticipated.  First he has also been a victim and second she finds a clue to who the perpetrator might be.
I really liked both of these characters.  Lexie and Adam have a past that has shaped them into the people they are, but are trying not to let their past define them.  Lexie doesn't let others opinions influence her, but instead seeks the truth out.  She stands firm on what she believes in.  She has a job to do and doesn't let her personal feelings get in the way.  She reaches out to help a young man that she feels is not only deserving, but also feels that it will prevent future grief.  I just loved how Adam was willing to open up about his past mistakes in order to help others. 
This is a book I would recommend to anyone.  
*I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.