Irene Hannon: Blackberry Beach

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted--fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to calm the storm inside.

Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss--and he has no plans to change the life he's created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. He's had enough drama to last a lifetime. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. And as their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected . . . and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites you to come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

 

 

My Thoughts:

Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon is a quintessential contemporary romance. Two characters, Katherine and Zach, must interact and fight the growing emotions inside themselves against all the external dilemma forcing them apart. In this next installment of Hope Harbor, readers familiar with Hannon’s Hope Harbor’s series are brought back to the sandy beaches with Charlie’s taco truck lining the way. The romance is obviously the reader’s draw to this series. It sparks, pops, and blossoms into something beautiful by the end of the story. Of course, if readers enjoy predictable, yet the happy ending moment between the two characters, then Hannon hit it right on the nose. I believe fans of Hannon’s other contemporary romances would love this novel too. It is nice to return to a familiar town with familiar characters. Fans of Becky Wade, Johnnie Alexander and other contemporary romances would love Blackberry Beach.

I received a complimentary copy of Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

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Irene Hannon: Driftwood Bay

By Kelly Bridgewater

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?

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites readers back to the charming seaside town of Hope Harbor, where they are sure to find peace, healing, and a second chance at happiness.

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Irene Hannon visits her iconic Hope Harbor with a new-to-him single father and a woman trying to flee her past with her Lavender garden. With a hint of romance, Hannon flows through the pages of Driftwood Bay with flair and hints of love. The predictable plot moved along at a nice rate. I really liked the idea of the community coming together to support a Syrian refugee family who needed to learn English, have a place to stay, and earn their own money. Hope Harbor appears to be a wonderful place to live. If you are a fan of contemporary romance with a feel good ending, then this might be just the book for you. If you are fans of Courtney Walsh, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, or Kara Issac, then Driftwood Bay might be right up your alley.

I received a complimentary copy of Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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About the Author:

From Amazon

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, www.irenehannon.com (Taken from Amazon.)

Irene Hannon: Pelican Point

By Kelly Bridgewater

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. And as they work together, might Hope Harbor heal the hearts of these two romance-wary souls?

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites readers back to their favorite town for a story that will light a beacon of hope within their hearts.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Pelican Point is another addition to Irene Hanon's Hope Harbor series. With it being contemporary romance, I knew the couple in question would fall in love through a number of obstacles and overcome them to be together for their happily ever after moment.

Hannon doesn't disappoint with creating her setting. As someone who has never seen the ocean, I can imagine the lighthouse on the shoreline and imagine the beautiful images captured by the mind. I had no problem coming right back into the story and the familiar settings since I have read all the other 

 three Harbor Point novels.

A romance is going to have sparks flying and jumping around everywhere from the main characters. Marci is a strong heroine who fled something two years ago and is looking for a haven for her new life. She is succeeding quite well. Then walks in Ben, who has arrived in down to settle his grandfather's assets. Ben is a bland character, but may be just what some women like. But not me.

The plot has two main set of couples who share the limelight in the story. Both characters struggle. One is married and learning to live with their choices while Ben and Marci flirt with the idea of becoming a full-fledge couple.

The main problem I have with the plot is the death of Ben's grandfather. This grandfather meant A LOT to him. He can't stop mentioning when I first met him all his grandfather had done for him. As someone who lost her Dad 2.5 years ago, I was in a depressed mood for over a year and really couldn't move past it. I still think of my Dad and cry. Not Ben. Important up to the funeral, then he moved on. I wish Ben would have thought more on his grandfather and made the hurt more real. The renovation of the lighthouse and the romance between Marci and Ben took center stage.

Second, problem is the idea of Nikki. She makes a huge rift in the story, and Hannon makes important for a while, then Marci kicks in and ends the problem. Not Ben, whose problem it is anyways. The ending of this issue didn't satisfy me either. It was downplayed to end a lot to end the novel.

Overall, Pelican Point by Irene Hannon is a top notch contemporary romance happening in a romantic setting, but two issues with the plot keep me from rating it higher. I believe fans of Melissa Tagg, Becky Wade, and Karen Kingsbury would love this novel. It just didn't hit the mark for me.

I received a complimentary copy of Pelican Point by Irene Hannon from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars