Amazon.com Review
The San Juan Islands in Washington State come alive in
That Summer Place, an anthology set on fictional Spruce Island. In "Old Things" by Jill Barnett, California divorceé Catherine Winslow seeks to recreate the magic of her childhood with her two daughters on the island where her family spent many happy summers. She has no idea that she is about to revive a teenage romance as well.
In Debbie Macomber's "Private Paradise," widow Beth Graham is invited to stay on an island with friends. But when a last-minute accident keeps her friends from the island, Beth and her son end up sharing quarters with a handsome single father, John Livingstone, and his teenage daughter. Close quarters cause tempers to flare, but Beth and John just may manage to find love before the trip is over.
"Island Time" by Susan Wiggs finds workaholic Mitch Rutherford and Dr. Rosalinda Galvez busily conducting an environmental impact study of the island, although Mitch wonders if he will ever get anything done with the beautiful doctor around.
Barnett's trademark humor, Macomber's poignancy, and Wiggs's expert storytelling all combine to create the perfect summer beach book. --Maudeen Wachsmith
Review
Question: What do you get when you mix a victorian summer house just off the coast of Washington with three of the most talented Romance authors today? Answer: An anthology that all of us who ever experienced summer love will want to add to our keeper shelves. In Old Things, when Catherine Wardow Winslow decides to take a well-deserved vacation with her two daughters on Spruce Island, she doesn't count on being neighbors with her first love, Michael Packard - whom she assumes is the island handyman. The two rekindle their romance in Jill Barnett's funny, sexy tale about appearances not being all they seem. Debbie Macomber's Private Paradise proves that vacation plans are subject to drastic change. When disaster befalls her best friend's husband, widowed Beth Graham makes a deal to share the old summer house with a hunky, divorced businessman and his rebellious daughter rather than disappoint her son. Attraction and healing are given equal time in this lovely tale about two people who are oh-so-right for one another. Opposites attract in Susan Wiggs, Island Time. When developer Michael Baynes Ruterford III advertises for a marine biologist to do a environmental study for his proposed marina, he didn't expect Rosie Galvez. With her dark good looks, two Chihuahuas named after deceased Latin singers and her own distinctly laid back, but professional way of doing things she is just what the work-obsessed, analytical man needs in the worst way. Although Barnett's contribution to this collection is highly laced with humor, I was bitterly disappointed when I discovered that she fell back on the 'big misunderstanding' plot. That, combined with the incredible coincidence that the hero's company just happens to be the one that the heroine is hoping to sign a contract with, weakened a story that had so much initial inventiveness and passion. The other two stories more than make up for this. Both Macomber and Wiggs completely capture the feel of island life. Macomber attacks her tale with her classic combination of wit and sweet wisdom making the reader feel certain that all will work out for her hero and heroine. These are mature people who gently work their way closer to one another, conscious of their responsibilities and the challenges of a blended family. Every character is developed and honed to a fine edge, and the phone conversations between the heroine and her best friend add a much loved spark of humor. Susan Wiggs' novella is flawless! Her completely original heroine and sexy hero make this a steamy, sultry, laugh-out-loud perfect ending to That Summer Place. Jill Barnett's stories are as pleasing to the funny bone as to the heart! Macomber consistently delivers top rate romance to her legions of devoted fans! One of the best-loved writers of our decade, her stories are like old friends - sparking with genuine emotion and wry humor and always a delight to visit! Readers have only one question for Susan Wiggs - 'Why can't you write faster?' Susan's excellent storytelling and witty, yet sultry style have made her a must-read author among romance readers everywhere! That Summer Place will whisk readers away to an island paradise where hearts come together and love reigns supreme! Phoebe Imel --
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