Harbor Nights (Zebra Contemporary Romance) [Paperback]

Marcia Evanick (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Contemporary Romance | Publication Date: September 1, 2005

Twenty-four-year-old Norah Stevens is looking to start over after a frightening experience calls into question the faith she once had in the power of love. Landing her own column in the local paper, Norah dives right into the rhythms of life in Misty Harbor, though her first encounter with log home builder Ned Porter leaves her a bit shaken. A giant of a man, Ned usually feels awkward around petite women - and five-feet-nothing Norah, whom he discovers snooping around his yard in search of her mum's dog, is no exception. Norah's obvious fear of him is disconcerting at first, but Ned soon discovers that while Norah may be tiny, she has vast reserves of determination. And Norah realizes that Ned, who is as gentle in nature as he is large in stature, might just be the perfect man to help her rebuild her life - if she can let him into her heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The magic of everyday pleasures permeates Evanick's contemporary romance in which a young woman and her newly divorced mother find refuge in the town of Misty Harbor, Maine. It's difficult for 24-year-old Norah Stevens to trust men after the shattering incident that led to her parents' divorce, and her new job writing a controversial column for the local newspaper doesn't help win friends. However, her mother, Joanna, leads the way as she takes steps toward establishing a new life, and then there are the Porters, the large, loud, loving family next door. Ned Porter, who often visits his parents' home, always expected to fall for an outdoorsy woman like his brothers' wives, so he's caught off guard by the ultra-feminine Stevens ladies. Throw in a spoiled but lovable Pomeranian named Zsa Zsa, and the rough-hewn builder isn't sure what hit him. Evanick (Blueberry Hill) has a gift for finding the humor in small details, and her story of opposites who attract unfolds with endearing warmth. Supporting characters provide delicious forays, including one in which Ned's two sisters-in-law enlist Norah's help to restore a little spice to their marriages.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The ruggedly breathtaking landscape of fictional Misty Harbor, Maine, is the setting for another in Evanick's popular series of contemporary romances. Norah Stevens is a reporter, and a darned good one, which is why she has been asked to do a weekly column on controversial subjects for the local paper. She and her mother are new to town, having moved in next-door to the rambunctious Porters, and both are more than a little afraid of these towering male giants, and any other man. Ned Porter sets out to discover why, and in the process finds himself fascinated and captivated by Norah's many-faceted personality. Simultaneously, Norah's mother, Joanna, is taking steps to build a new life for herself, and to her delight she finds an interesting job in the local art gallery, where she and her neurotic Pomeranian, ZsaZsa, who assists her in entertaining the browsing customers' children, attract the interest of an enigmatic but extremely attractive local artist. Lynne Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821777084
• ISBN-13: 978-0821777084
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,192,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fine contemporary romance, August 26, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harbor Nights (Zebra Contemporary Romance) (Paperback)

Twenty-four years old petit Norah Stevens and her mom have relocated to Misty Harbor, Maine where she gets a job writing a weekly column for the Hancock Review that provides Views from the Other Side. Her mom's Pomeranian Zsa Zsa has moved under the next door neighbor's bush where Norah tries to get the canine diva. Ned Porter sees her and introduces himself. However, Norah fears his size as he seems even bigger than her father who beat her up last year.

As Norah adjusts to living amongst the Redwoods with even the females extended Porter family easily topping six feet, she finds herself attracted to Ned though remains afraid of him. Ned reciprocates, but believes the beautiful runt is wrong for him as he needs females like his outdoor hefty but beautiful sister-in-laws. Still as love connects them, their relationship cannot grow until she overcomes her phobia that giant males equate to abuse.

HARBOR NIGHTS is a fine contemporary romance that focuses on how abuse can potentially devastate a person's psyche and ultimately even relationships with a caring soulmate. The story line is character driven as neither Norah nor Ned is comfortable with the size gap, but their reasons greatly differ. He because he assumes a big outdoor guy needs a big woman; she because of her father's recent physical abuse. Though the resolution seems abrupt as love conquers all (this reviewer believes it would need time to heal the wounded), fans will enjoy the return to Misty Harbor (see BERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS and BLUEBERRY HILL).

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, March 25, 2006

By 

Melissa A. Headley (Lansdowne) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harbor Nights (Zebra Contemporary Romance) (Paperback)

I loved this book. I love Marcia Evanick as a writer and the misty harbor series is wonderful. The setting is calming and allows you to fall in love with the lives of Norah and Joanna Stevens. A great read I have shared with all of my friends.

4.0 out of 5 stars Small town romance with appealing characters..., March 8, 2011

By 

L. Burns "Bigdog Mom" (New England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Harbor Nights (Zebra Contemporary Romance) (Paperback)

Norah Stevens has moved to Misty Harbor, Maine to help her mother start over after a painful divorce. Between helping her mom get settled and landing a job at the town's only newspaper, Norah hasn't had time for much of a social life - and that's just fine with her. While trying to cajole her Mom's tiny dog out of the neighbor's back yard she finds herself face-to-face with handsome Ned Porter. Well, not exactly face-to-face - at 6' 2" Ned towers over Norah. Friendly and easygoing, Ned isn't used to making women nervous and he finds it unsettling. Why would this petite woman be afraid of him? Despite the fact that Norah seems intimidated by him, Ned finds himself attracted to her and is determined to find out if the feeling is mutual. Can Norah put aside her wariness long enough to give the relationship a chance?

This is a nice, straightforward contemporary romance. There's no huge conflict or big misunderstanding, just two people trying to figure out if they can make a go of it. The characters are nicely developed and come across as believable and likable. Being partial to the rugged, outdoorsy type I was bound to have a huge crush on Ned, but I was surprised to find that I was also intrigued by Norah's character. It's refreshing to find two leads in a romance novel that avoid being stereotypes. Ned and Norah are far from perfect, but they end up being perfect for each other.

The setting is enjoyable - a small town on the coast of Maine - and the supporting characters provide an interesting diversion. There's even a little "bonus" romance for Norah's Mom, Joanna. There are a couple of love scenes that were nicely done and on the pleasantly steamy side.

If this is your first trip to Misty Harbor then you should know that this book is part of a series that are rather loosely connected. I haven't read them in order and don't feel that it's necessary to do so, but if you want to start with the first book it's Catch of the Day (Zebra Contemporary Romance)