Gansett Island Series-- Episode 1 Victoria and Shannon-- Marie Force

Gansett Island Episodes: Season 1, Episode 1

Gansett Island midwife Victoria Stevens loves taking care of people, in her job and in her personal life, especially when it comes to her boyfriend of one year, sexy Irishman Shannon O’Grady. Fueled by combustible chemistry, her relationship with Shannon has been H-O-T from the start. But she’s begun to wonder whether theirs is destined to be a short-term fling or possibly the love of a lifetime. When she goes looking for answers about his past, she learns something she was better off not knowing and isn’t sure what to do with her newfound information. What will happen when Shannon finds out she’s been asking questions about him, and will they be able to overcome the obstacles standing between them and happily ever after? Find out in this first Gansett Island Episode, which also includes the arrival of some long-awaited island babies.

Review

This is the first book in the Gansett Island Episodes by author Marie Force. The well-paced 106- page novella focuses on two secondary characters from the author’s Gansett Island series and takes place over a four-day period.

Victoria’s story appealed to me and drew me into the story immediately. Working as a Nurse Midwife, Victoria witnesses couples becoming families with the birth of their child. She sees how her patients work together and support each other through pregnancy and childbirth. She’s been dating Shannon for a year—and she longs for her happily ever after, too. Victoria asks Seamus, Shannon’s cousin, if he knows why Shannon can’t move forward. Seamus tells Victoria about Shannon’s past and she’s not sure how to approach Shannon with the information.

Victoria walks into a busy morning at the clinic-there are two Island moms in labor! She doesn’t have a minute to think about her problems as these moms are keeping her busy! Victoria doesn’t have a chance to talk to Shannon because of the surprise arrival of Gansett baby three. He finds out by accident and is not pleased. He knows he is stuck in the past but doesn’t know how to move forward. I emphasized with Shannon, his past was tragic, but was surprised that he didn’t relate his story to Victoria.

I enjoyed that the author wove in a total of three couples and their stories into this novella. It was great fun catching up with the characters and Victoria’s experience with one couple moved me to tears. I loved the couple’s book and was thrilled that they got their HEA! Several other much loved characters provided support to Victoria and Shannon and added to the fast- paced storyline. I enjoyed this short story and my ferry ride over to Gansett Island. Victoria and Shannon’s story is a poignant story about friendship, community, faith and love. The ending of this book was beautifully written and perfect for Victoria and Shannon.

Looking forward to the next full length Gansett novel and Episode 2!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by publisher
Photo of Celeste by Susan Gorman

About the Gansett Island Episodes . . .

From Marie:

My fictional island has become such a huge part of my life—and yours—over these last six years, and I’ve created so many characters who speak to me between books and during the writing of new ones. I can’t possibly give them all a new story in every book, but I still have so much to say about them. With that in mind, I’ll be launching a new “Gansett Island Episodes” series in 2017, featuring shorter stories about past characters who readers love and want more of. Mixed in with these episodes will be at least one full-length book a year. So we’ll have plenty more from our favorite island, with new stories for past characters as well as all-new stories, too. I’m looking forward to this new adventure and hope you’ll take the ferry to Gansett for the new episodes!

Read an excerpt!

Susan's review of Someone to Love by Donna Alward

Someone to Love is the second book in Donna Alward’s Darling Vermont series. It’s a thoughtful, character- driven novel which touches upon the importance of family, the grieving process and the ability to make hard decisions. The novel features Café owner Willow Dunaway and widowed firefighter Ethan Gallagher. Their unlikely opposites attract love story drew me into this fabulously written novel.

His wife had died. That gave a man an excuse to be grouchy, didn’t it? And Hannah knew him better than anyone, probably. Her face had softened, talking about him and how he loved his kids.
Willow’s heart ached for him. He had to be hurting so much. She knew what it was like to feel you’d lost everything.
On Sunday, she decided, she would be the epitome of kindness and tolerance. No matter how condescending he was. In her experience, a good dose of kindness went a long way.

Ethan and his late wife, Lisa, promised to love each other forever. They had a wonderful, simple plan; get married, buy a house and have children. The Gallagher’s picture perfect life ended when Lisa died of cancer leaving Ethan with two young sons to raise. The demands of raising two small children alone and working fulltime as a firefighter have brought Ethan to the breaking point. He is ill-tempered and rude to Willow when they sit next to each other at a Gallagher family dinner.

In contrast, Willow has chosen a peaceful existence; she meditates and practices yoga. She owns the Purple Pig café which provides healthy meals and treats to the community. She has reconnected with several friends; Laurel Gallagher, who is married to Ethan’s brother and his sister, real estate agent Hannah Gallagher. Willow’s mother made several decisions on Willow’s behalf when she was a teenager. These actions had long lasting emotional and physical effects for Willow.

Hannah asks Willow to watch Ethan’s sons for her so she can show a property to some clients. Ethan meets them and is furious. The couple finds common ground when the town’s food pantry is relocated in the storefront next to Willow’s café. Ethan and Willow try to fight their attraction but the physical pull is undeniable and a passionate relationship ensues. The author’s descriptive writing style shines in the novel. She does a fabulous job bringing Ethan’s children Ronan and Connor into the storyline. The two boys warm up to Willow immediately and I could hear Ronan say ‘Wil-low” and imagine Connor running after a soccer ball. Willow makes a choice which effects Ethan and the choice leads to a huge falling out between the couple.

The last few chapters were fast paced, exquisitely written— and kept me reading past my bedtime. I enjoyed how the author let Willow’s personal story unfold during the course of the novel and contrasted it with Ethan’s publically visual situation. I felt for Willow and came to understand Ethan as I read each page. The author stayed true to her characters Willow’s choice was heartfelt. Ethan’s reaction was pure Ethan; a boatload of angry words, finger pointing and denial. I preferred the open- ended conclusion to the novel as opposed to the traditional happily ever after ending that one might have expected. It was perfect!

Someone to Love is the best book that I have read in years!
Am so looking forward to the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Edited by Brian McGee
ARC provided by the publisher

Space in his Heart by Roxanne St Claire

Space in his Heart

by Roxanne St Claire

 

 

Commander Deke Stockard has a job to do. Check over

every square inch, every little tiny spot of the next

space shuttle launch. Every detail. Peoples lives depend

on his job. But something isn't just right. Reports, detailed

descriptions aren't exactly as they should be. Deke needs

to find out why.

 

Then, Jessica Marlowe arrives. She has a job too. Her career

depends on this advertising campaign going smoothly.

She is charged with making America fall in love with the

space program again. She knows next to nothing about space

travel. But she knows what sells. Sex. Sex sells.

Deke Stockard is the new sexy face of the space program.

 

The biggest road block so far, Deke. He has absolutely

no interest or intention of being the sexy face of anything.

He has to solve the mysterious entries and orders that

make no sense. There is something going on.

 

It soon becomes obvious that he can use Jessicas help.

And she needs him to cooperate. Soon, they cant keep

their hands off each other. And time is running out for

the shuttle. Now, Deke is manning the next flight out.

They have to help each other, using everything they

can think of to solve the mystery.

 

Space in His Heart is a wonderful love story that

will get you excited again. And not just excited

about romance. We have to hope that Jessica

and Deke can figure it out. We have to hope that the

shuttle will make it back in one piece. We have to

hope that two very stubborn people can let go

and love.

This is one of Roxanne St Claires older stories.

But I enjoyed it. And I hope you will too.

 

Review by Lisa Hutson