The Cottage (Zebra Book) [Paperback]

Sandra Steffen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Book | Publication Date: August 1, 2001

When Cale Wilder crashed his Cessna into Dawsons Hollow, Georgia during a thunderstorm, it seemed as if another piece of his life had shattered. His beloved wife had died and his grieving son, Daniel, had run away, yet Cale wasn't about to give in to despair. Finding Daniel was all that mattered to Cale-but his fourteen-year-old son was convinced that revisiting the place where his mother had spent part of her childhood would fill the aching hole her death had created. Was it chance or fate that brought Cale and Daniel to the quiet shelter of Miranda Sinclair's cottage? In the tranquil isolation of her mountain home, Miranda was a healer who understood that emotional wounds often cut deeper that physical ones. Reaching out to Cale and his troubled son was natural, yet with Cale, Miranda sensed the painful memories of her own past returning-and a new determination to banish them, once and for all. For if an open heart was the first step in healing, together Miranda, Cale, and Daniel had begun a journey that would end when they discovered the meaning of family, the power of faith, and the pure magic of love...

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Grieving his mother's death, 14-year-old Daniel Wilder runs away to Dawsons Hollow, Ga., a mountain village that embraces old traditions and folklore. The secluded town was his mother's favorite place, and Daniel hopes to learn more about her early life and the birth father he never knew. His stepfather, Cale Wilder, is on his way to find Daniel when a sudden storm forces his plane to crash-land conveniently close to the town and the cottage of beautiful recluse Miranda Sinclair. Miranda, a natural healer who is able to cure almost everything except the fears that have haunted her since she was raped years before, nurses Cale back to health and finds herself in danger of falling in love with him. Fascinated by Miranda yet distracted by his still-fresh grief for his wife and his concerns for Daniel, Cale decides to stay in the area for a while, at least until he and Daniel sort out their problems. Although Steffen's (Quinn's Complete Seduction, etc.) characters are thoroughly and thoughtfully conceived, the story's pacing lags after the first few chapters, and the truth about Daniel's birth, when finally revealed at the end of the book, is strained and unlikely. Regardless of these flaws, the charm of this tale lies in its lovely portrayal of complex family relationships, and those who desire a heartfelt, inspirational romance need look no further. (Aug.)Forecast: Steffen, author of 17 Silhouette series romances, has a modest following, but print advertising in the Romantic Times and a cover quote by Stella Cameron will boost this novel's appeal to fans of Debbie Macomber and Barbara Delinsky.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821771302
• ISBN-13: 978-0821771303
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,389,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Love Story, October 29, 2002

By 

Christine "loves to read" (Setauket, NY, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cottage (Zebra Book) (Paperback)

THE COTTAGE is a book that explores the love that blossoms between a man and a woman, the true meaning of family, and new beginnings.

Widower Cale Wilder flies his Cessna through a raging thunderstorm over the Appalachian mountains of Georgia in search of his obstinate stepson Danny, who just ran away. Teenager Danny is still reeling after the death of his mother, and although Cale is the only father he has ever known, he has escaped to her hometown in search of his biological father. Cale has to crash land his plane in a nearby field and is rescued by the genteel Miranda Sinclair and her quirky friend Ruby. Miranda is the town's nurse practitioner and healer ( a term used loosely in this book and not covered in any depth). As she discovers Cale, and the tremendous losses he has endured, they begin a very special journey that frees them physically and emotionally.

I was initially attracted to this book because of its beautiful cover; a bucolic scene featuring a charming country cottage set in the middle of a luscious garden, and surrounded by a white picket fence; its open gate beckoning you to come in. Once I finished the book I realized that this cover is a perfect depiction of Miranda; a down-to-earth, quiet character of understated elegance. Contrast this sharply with her best friend and neighbor Ruby, a brash, outspoken woman who can handle a rifle better than most seasoned male hunters. The range of characters, their depth of emotions, and the wonderful depictions of life in the foothills of Georgia round off this sweet story. I should mention that a good portion of the story is quite predictable, but that does not take away from its emotional depth.

A stunning delivery by Sandra Steffen which bewitched me right from the beginning to the very shocking (well, maybe not so shocking!) end.

PS. You'll be able to figure out how this book ends long before you finish it, but trust me, you'll enjoy it anyway.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Enjoyment, December 17, 2001

By 

Amy Leemon (North Fond du Lac, WI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cottage (Zebra Book) (Paperback)

I read this book in one afternoon. The writing is solid, the characters engaging and the storyline flows gently to its finish. What I liked most about it is the relationship between Daniel and Cale. Even tho they're going through the most difficult of situations, the love and respect for each other shines through. Ruby adds humor and Miranda adds gentleness. The mountain lore was new to me and very interesting.

The cover is beautiful and so is the book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying relationship novel, December 2, 2006

By 

Julie L. Mink "higirl" (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cottage (Zebra Book) (Paperback)

This is the second Sandra Steffen novel I have read and I enjoyed this as much as the first, Just Between Friends. The author's books can usually be found in the Romance section but they are so much more than just a contemporary romance. They explore relationships. The characters are deep and the stories full of many emotions. I compare this author's books to my favorite Mariah Stewart earlier books before she went into suspense. I am now looking for some other Sandra Steffen books.