That Summer Place by Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, Jill Barnett... QC #267

That Summer Place by Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, Jill Barnett ~ Mira
Ratings:
Excellence: Excellent
Steaminess Factor: Romantic

Old things by Jill Barnett

Rating: Excellent

Catherine decides to bring her daughters on a summer vacation to a very special spot.  This was the same place Catherine went to with her parents when she was younger.  It was where she first fell in love with Michael, the handyman’s grandson.  By coincidence, Michael also happens to be there.  Catherine assumes he’s still the island handyman so she gets him to fix her toilet and all kinds of other things.  They get a unique opportunity to talk about what happened in their past.  Did they really forget about one another over the years?  Would they reconnect?

Both characters are adorable.  The development of their relationship is great.  The daughters were very well written.  Catherine’s family situation was believable and as a mother, it was easy to relate to.

Michael had two challenges.  He not only had to get to know Catherine again but he had to find a way to get to know her daughters, too.

I’ve had a great year finding treasure books that have touched me.  This story will definitely count in my favourites.

Private Paradise by Debbie Macomber

Rating: Excellent

Beth was supposed to spend a month with her best friend at Rainshadow Lodge but due to an unfortunate accident, Mary Jane couldn’t make it.  A replacement was sent by Mary Jane’s husband’s company.  That replacement would be staying at Rainshadow Lodge.  Since Beth and her son were already there when Jim and his troubled daughter arrived, the two adults came to an agreement.  Beth could stay but she would cook the meals and look after Jim’s troubled daughter, Nikki.  Both adults were single parents.  Mary Jane is convinced that Jim is perfect for Beth and that Beth’s been a cooped up widow for long enough.  Will time spent in this paradise bring them together?

It would be impossible not to like these characters.  They both had suffered so much in love before that it made it difficult to want to try it again.  The story of Beth and her son, Paul, was very touching.  The way they both protected one another was very touching and when the truth eventually came out, it was beautifully written.

What I liked most about this story was the realizations both leading people made during the story.

I loved the little snippets of phone conversations between Beth and Mary Jane that the author included at the beginning for each chapter.  It added a lot to the story.

Another great story to add to my pile!

Island Time by Susan Wiggs

Rating: Excellent

Rosie goes to work for Mitch.  During that month, they stay at Rainshadow Lodge.  These two are so different.  He runs a big corporation and she can’t balance her checkbook.  She really knows how to relax and tune out but he doesn’t know how to dance.  Can they get along for a whole month?  What else is possible for them?

This anthology ended as well as it started.  Here we have two easy to like characters who are opposites and we would never imagine that they would ever get along.  Yet, throw two people in heaven and the gaps between them seem to shrink.

The addition of Rosie’s dogs was cute.  It added a little to the story.

Rosie and Mitch also grew and changed during their month together.  Both were easy to respect and love.

Favorite Scene:

Many scenes touched my heart in this book but one stands out for me.  It’s not a love scene but it was so well written that I could really picture this scene in my mind.

In Old Things, Catherine and her daughter are chasing their umbrella in the rain.  Catherine lunges for the umbrella, slides in the mud and lands at someone’s feet.  Then she looks up and realizes that she knows this person and all she says is his name.

Personal Totals:

Harlequin / Silhouette / Etc: 39

Others: 5

Total Books Read: 44

Kel (scoobie)
Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog