After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room — until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn’t worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.
Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it’s least expected?
Irene Hannon is the best-selling author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mystery/suspense. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri, USA. Irene invites you to visit her at her website, http://www.irenehannon.com.
My Impressions:
Driftwood Bay, the 5th book in Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series, brings the reader back to the small Oregon town with a big heart. I absolutely love the seaside setting with its sea stacks, quaint harbor town, and lavender and cranberry farms. The people are special too. Each book in the series focuses on a different couple in the town, but there are a number of recurring characters that add more than extras for the stories. They add heart and soul. Romance and real life issues combine to make this series and Driftwood Bay winners. Recommended.
Driftwood Bay has two story lines that intersect. In each, the characters are dealing with loss, displacement, and grief. I really liked how Hannon explored the varying ways the characters dealt with their circumstances. Some, like Mariam Shabo hold fast to their faith, trusting God for His promises. Others, like Jeanette and Thomma retreat — from the world or their own family. Hannon’s inclusion of the struggles of the two young girls brought a deeper dimension as well. The varying reactions were very real and relatable. At the heart, though, was fear — of further loss and rejection. Hannon’s small town is a great vehicle for exploring how people of faith can reach out to others. The whole town gets involved. I loved that! Love is very much at the forefront of the story, in the depiction of love for others and the sweet romance that builds between main characters Logan and Jeanette. And for fans of the romance genre, you are going to love this one.
Driftwood Bay is a great addition to a wonderful series. It can be read as a standalone, but don’t do it! LOL! Begin at the beginning. And with 5 in the series already published you are in for a real binge-reading treat. I am excited that there will be more to come. Can’t wait!
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
To purchase, click HERE.
(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Recent Comments