Serenity Bay [Paperback]

Bette Nordberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

A Riveting Tale of Two Women Whose Friendship is Stronger Than the Adversity it Endures

Patricia Koehler's life and marriage are crumbling around her. Confronted with a husband she can't trust, she faces a frightening decision. Into her life enters Susan with a compassion borne of faith. Will Susan provide the key to the serenity Patricia seeks?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Patricia Koehler, rather desperate for a husband and children, finally lands a doctor in Nordberg's Serenity Bay. A troubled man susceptible to mood swings and violent jealousy, Russell abuses Patricia. Through her friendship with a Christian woman, Susan, Patricia finds the courage to resist Russell's ways and divorces him but not without great sorrow. Nordberg's tone is serious and far from shrill; she effectively demonstrates how sorrow. Nordberg's tone is serious and far from shrill, and she effectively demonstrates how faith can help. Patricia's pain is nearly palpable, but Russell is not clearly motivated, and Patricia's blameless innocence is not altogether credible. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Inside Flap

Every once in a while a friendship comes along that becomes more than joy and laughter; it becomes a lifeline....

Quaint island life in the Puget Sound offers everything Patricia Koehler desired for her husband and children, including the chance to share the music of her beloved cello. But Patricia harbors a secret she can reveal to no one--until Susan drops into her life with a heart even larger than her love of life and laughter. But neither woman is prepared for the events set in motion when Patricia's secret is revealed....

A blinding realization brings Patricia to a crossroad, one with grave consequences at every turn. Can Patricia trust her instincts, or will the sacrifice be too heavy to bear?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764223968
• ISBN-13: 978-0764223969
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,332,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was really unexpected!, May 27, 2002

By 

Elaine K (Hooksett, NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serenity Bay (Paperback)

This one was really tough to put down and I'm glad I didn't have a schedule to follow over the weekend that I was reading it. I had to make myself get to bed!

The authors style is such that you like the likable characters and dislike the dislikable. Once you get over the slow-moving 80 some-odd pages of preliminaries - the introduction to Patricia and her career, the introduction and reintroduction to Russell and his career, their courtship, wedding and honeymoon, it takes off and doesnt let you down - not til the very end, anyway.

Despite Russells loving attentiveness, thoughtfully-planned dates and wonderful gifts during their courtship that would capture the hearts of many women, he undergoes a Dr. Jeckyl - Mr. Hyde personality once he and Patricia marry. Hes cruel and viscious one minute but loving and doting the next when he acts like the ugly side of him never took place.

Patricia is frightened for her life as he usurps control of it more and more. She blames herself for his evil actions and denies them to others.

Patricia literally bumps into Susan at the hardware store and they become fast friends. Susan is the epitome of what a friend should be. It is she who discovers Patricias secret and helps her anyway she is able and that Patricia will allow.

The end was more than a bit disappointing, but dont let that discourage you from this well-written, suspenseful novel. Im hoping after the letdown, there will be a second part to this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hard to put down, February 6, 2001

By 

Michele Engstrom (, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serenity Bay (Paperback)

Wow - what an excellent, quick read. I found myself drawn to the book - it's one of those that when you're not reading it, you're thinking about it and wondering what will happen next. The book flows very well and the author manages to put in some twists and turns that are not expected. I consider myself a woman of great faith, but as one other reviewer mentioned, God is not "pushed down" anyone's throats in this story - only mentioned subtly and when its appropriate. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book by Ms. Nordberg!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful first novel!, June 15, 2001

By 

Deborah Raney - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serenity Bay (Paperback)

Nordberg tells a haunting story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Handling an important social issue in a sensitive and well-researched manner, she has created an unforgettable family drama. The author's sense of place is one of the most notable things about this novel. I could feel the Pacific breezes and smell the rain through her prose. I will anxiously wait for her next novel.