For Pete's Sake (The Piper Cove Chronicles #2) [Paperback]

Linda Windsor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

Ellen isn't sure true love exists. That is until she landscapes the estate of the widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all—at least on the surface. A successful businessman, he's engaged to a beautiful woman and he'll soon have a stepmom for his troubled son, Pete. Yet from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down. With his business under investigation for espionage and his son pushing for the tomboy next door as his new mom, Adrian's facade of happiness shatters.

As Ellen and Pete bond, she realizes that Adrian is about to marry the wrong woman. Despite her resolve to remain “neighbors only,” Ellen is drawn to Adrian. But how can she be the one when he's engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn't?

As Ellen's three best friends step in to help her navigate this uncharted territory, Ellen must ask herself whether she's ready to risk the heart that she's always held close. Will Ellen trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will fear cause her to turn away from God's plan and her one true chance at love?

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The characters are dynamic, funny, and endearing …. Piper Cove’s seaside setting is just as much a character as the people, and the pages of FOR PETE’S SAKE make for a top-notch reading escape. This book has more than earned a Perfect 10 award!” (Romance Reviews Today )

“Combines the perfect amount of romance with a touch of intrigue, as imperfect characters find their strength in God and each other. The setting is an exciting and fascinating part of the story.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

From the Back Cover

Can faith and friends transform a tomboy into Cinderella before love gets away? Ellen Brittingham, a Harley-riding tomboy, isn't sure true love exists until she contracts to landscape the estate of the sophisticated widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all--at least on the surface. He's engaged to the beautiful woman who helped him build a successful business and he'll soon have a mom for his troubled son Pete. Yet, from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down, cracking his thin facade of happiness and revealing the void of faith and love behind it. Even more, his son seems to have his own sights set on Ellen - as his new mom. As Ellen's friendship grows with Pete, she realizes that his father is about to marry the wrong woman for the right reasons. And despite her resolve to remain 'neighbors only' with the dad, the precocious boy works his way into Ellen's heart, drawing her and Adrian closer. Close enough for heartbreak, for Pete's sake! But how can her heart think that Adrian Sinclair is the one when he's engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn't? When Ellen's three best friends see she's been bitten by the love bug, they jump into action and submit her to a makeover that reveals the woman underneath her rough exterior and puts her in contention for Adrian's love. But Ellen must ask herself whether she's ready to risk the heart that she's always held close. Will Ellen be able to trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will her fear of getting hurt cause her to turn away from God's plan and her one true chance at love?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Avon Inspire (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061171387
• ISBN-13: 978-0061171383
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,274,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Linda Windsor is the author of twenty-nine contemporary and historical novels. Her first sixteen were secular historical romance for Zebra/Kensington Publishing, NY as Linda Windsor and Linda Covington. In 1999, she switched to the inspirational market, once she was assured that Christian characters were not only flawed, but did indeed have hormones. Her late husband used to tease that there was a little of Linda in each of her heroines. Windsor contends he must have been referring to her sense of humor, resourcefulness and stubborness. NOT the figure.

Her inspirational historicals have placed in the secular historical category of some RWA contests and Affaire De Coeur polls. Both her inpirational historicals and romantic comedies, dashed with suspense, have won a few National Reader's Choice Awards, Aspen Golds, Barclay Golds, and numerous other RWA contests as well as the CBA Christy Award for the Irish Celtic RIONA, #2 of the Fires of Gleannmara series.

Windsor resides in a "painfully" restored (as in never do that again!) historic home on the Eastern Shore of MD. She still enjoys singing and playing music (keyboard and guitar) after a ten year stint in an 80's professional band. Today she plays the organ in her church and frequently does special music with guitar at church and for various charities.

Then there are home improvements. She can paper, paint, refinish furniture, and renovate, but... Let's suffice it to say, this Red Hat Lady and AARP member doesn't enjoy them as much as she used to.

Windsor is currently contracted for a three book historical trilogy titled Brides of Alba. HEALER, book one, will hit the shelves this June.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging story with romance & suspense, April 2, 2008

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: For Pete's Sake (The Piper Cove Chronicles #2) (Paperback)

For Pete's Sake by Linda Winsor is the second book in the Piper Cove Chronicles. It isn't at all necessary to read the first book to feel comfortable in this terrific romance. Ellen Brittingham works for her family's landscaping business, but her heart is working with children. Adrian Sinclair works in the cutthroat world of cyber security and trying to connect with his son Peter, who has Asperger's Syndrome. This doesn't sound like a match made in heaven, especially when you throw in Adrian's fiance Selena, a walking Barbie doll. Ellen is a down to earth, Harley-riding, T-shirt and jeans kind of gal, not at all Adrian's type. Windsor's character's are wonderful; no stereotypes, great dialogue, well-defined personalities. The story has everything: romance, suspense, faith, and drama. I read a lot of books, and this is the rare book that I actually can I say loved, wholeheartedly.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional journey that will have you laughing, hurting and loving along the way, April 4, 2008

By 

J. Thomas "The Long and the Short Of It Reviews" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For Pete's Sake (The Piper Cove Chronicles #2) (Paperback)

This book is the second in Linda Windsor's Piper Cove Chronicles. If I hadn't already been a devout Windsor fan, this story would have won me over by itself. With the skill of an expert, Linda brings the characters to life and leads the reader on an emotional journey that will have you laughing, hurting and loving along the way.

Ellen Brittingham is a motorcycle riding landscape artist with a love for God and a heart for children. She is a confident, no-frills tomboy who often attracts disaster. Although I have a black thumb and would dare only to ride behind a skilled driver, I found myself able to relate to Brit, as she is called by her friends. She is real. She is believable. She will walk off the pages and into your heart.

Adrian Sinclair is one of those guys you just want to take home. A business success and millionaire, Adrian comes across as a confident, high society man. Upon closer look, you realize there is a lost soul lurking behind the expensive suit and you can't help aching as you watch the struggling relationship between him and his son, Peter.

And Peter. I can't remember when a child has so captured my heart, with the exception of my own, of course. Pete is hurting while he struggles with the difficulties of his condition. There is a loving boy locked behind the anger and formality he displays and it was pure joy to watch him slowly come out of his shell.

Now, this review wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention the musketeers. This group of four women - Alex, Jan, Sue Ann and Ellen - shares a lifetime of friendship, support and ice cream. It is amazing to watch the dynamics of these women as they laugh together, support each other and speak the truth, even the hard truth, in love. It had me longing to be a part of their group, and thanking God for the special friendships in my own life.

This book is packed with chemistry, emotion, action, laughter, fun, faith and love. It is truly one of a kind. There was not a boring moment among the pages and I found myself completely enthralled and drawn into the lives of these characters and the town of Piper Cove. I would suggest, however, that you pick up the first book in this series Wedding Bell Blues, as you won't want to miss a moment with this unique group of women.

Read this and other romance reviews here:
[...]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "For Pete's Sake"....get the book!!!!!, April 1, 2008

By 

Love 2 Read Novels "Sherry" (a small town in Kansas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Pete's Sake (The Piper Cove Chronicles #2) (Paperback)

The book centers around Ellen Brittingham (whom you met in "Wedding Bell Blues".) She is one of the bosom buddies and such fun to be around! She loves her friends, fixing cars, fishing, hunting, landscaping, driving a Harley Hog and Kids. She's a girl with a BIG heart.

On her way home one day she spies a sunset orange Corvette driven by a very handsome fellow named Adrian Sinclair. He also notices that it's a "she" driving that Hog. After he runs over something in the road, loses his breaks and ends up in a cornfield, Ellen gives him a ride home which just happens to be by hers. They both sense an attraction to each other and she soon finds out he is a widower, has an 11 year old son named Peter and is engaged to Selena. (Bummer)

As Ellen and Pete begin to form a friendship, Adrain is feeling more drawn to Ellen. She has an easy way with his son unlike Selena. But what's a fella to do? Adrain is where he is because of Selena. Ellen is only his neighbor...right?

Here is where things get complicated....and FUN! You will love all the secondary characters and of course you get to see all the bosom buddies again!!! I found myself laughing out loud in many places and several funny lines that will stay with me for a long time.

I love the way Linda writes. Her easy style makes you feel like you are right there in Piper Cove.

I highly recommend this book. You can read it as a stand alone but I think you will enjoy it much more if you read "Wedding Bell Blues" first. I'm looking forward to the next installment!!!! Great work Linda.