"love finds you in sunset beach, hawaii" by robin jones gunn

Well, this is an oldie! I was just going through my drafts folder and found this review—finished but never posted! I wrote it in July of 2013, in the middle of buying my house, which probably explains why I forgot to post.

Whatever happened to Sierra? If you grew up reading Robin Jones Gunn's Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen series, you may be wondering. Well, here's your answer ...

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Sierra came to Sunset Beach for relaxation--not for world-class surfing and certainly not for romance! When a wealthy friend offers Sierra Jensen a vacation at an oceanfront beach house, she envisions a quiet retreat where she can plan her next move. Instead, she arrives at the start of the noisy surfing competitions and is surprised to learn that her friend had an ulterior motive--namely, introducing Sierra to Jordan Bryce, the tenant staying below them. Jordan is a photographer whose lens and attention are focused on the surfers, and he is not willing to let anyone get in his way of landing the next cover shot for Surf Days magazine. Sierra and Jordan came to Sunset Beach looking for different things. But as the surf pounds the North Shore, will they discover something better than either of them had imagined? 

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When I look back on this book, I'm torn. Normally, I fly through anything Robin Jones Gunn writes. I read the Christy Miller series as a teen and borrowed my little sister's Sierra Jensen books after I was really far too old to be reading them. Gunn's Glenbroke series remains one of my favorite romance series, and the Katie Weldon series was spectacular. So naturally, I was thrilled to get my hands on Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii. Two years ago. But when I started reading the novel, I wasn't entranced like I anticipated, and I ended up putting it down.

I finally decided to give it another shot, and I read the whole thing in one afternoon. While I enjoyed the story, it seemed to drag on far too long. It was one of those cases where a simple conversation could clear up a misunderstanding and would have saved at least two days' worth of agony. I also didn't quite buy the romance, but maybe that's just me ...

While this wasn't exactly the return to Sierra's story I was hoping for, I am glad that I read it, simply because it gave some closure. 3 stars.

Buy the book.

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Robin Jones Gunn is the much loved author of over 85 books. With nearly 5 million copies of her titles sold worldwide, her popular Christy Miller series now continues in Christy & Todd: The Married Years. Her novels and non-fiction works have received multiple awards and are a favorite with book clubs and study groups. Robin and her husband have a grown son and daughter and live in Hawaii.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it by choice. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio" by Serena B. Miller

About the book: A mysterious outsider casts a long shadow on Ohio's Amish country. Policewoman Rachel Troyer has always looked after her three elderly Amish aunts, proprietors of a farmhouse inn near Sugarcreek, Ohio. The idyllic town is popular with tourists, who come to sample its famous Amish goods. But one thing is clear to Rachel—Joe Matthews is no tourist. When the bearded stranger lands on her aunts' doorstep, begging shelter for himself and his young son, Rachel is suspicious.

Will she be able to uncover Joe's secrets despite her aunts'—and her own—growing affection for him?

My take: Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio is an amalgamation of genres—Amish, romance, suspense, and mystery—that combine into a novel that's much better than I anticipated. Really, I don't know why I'm surprised, as I've enjoyed the other novels that I've read in the "Love Finds You" line. Still, I'm pretty tired of the Amish genre (with a few notable exceptions), so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this novel.
However, in Sugarcreek, the main characters are not Amish, no one decided to become Amish, and no one contemplated leaving the Amish—which shows you this isn't your typical Amish novel!

The plot is intriguing, and Miller throws in several plot twists that I didn't anticipate at all—especially as the novel neared the conclusion. Rachel and Joe are both compelling characters, and Rachel's aunts—especially Anna—are quite endearing. I really loved almost everything about the novel. The only thing I didn't care for was the Stephanie character. She's a pregnant teen who really seemed to be included solely to contribute to a major plot point. Neither her entrance nor exit struck me as particularly realistic, and I wish either she had played a more major role in the novel or she hadn't been included at all.

Overall, Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio is a great novel. It's mysterious, romantic, and thought provoking. I definitely recommend it! I also recommend the movie based on the novel. Though I haven't seen it yet (and probably won't for some time, as it's airing on Up TV, a channel I don't get), it sure looks good! Plus, it stars Tom Everett Scott ("Shades" on That Thing You Do) and Sarah Lancaster (Rachel on Saved by the Bell: The New Class)—two throwbacks to my teen years! Check out the trailer below, and if you happen to get Up TV, be sure to tune in on June 1.

My rating: 4 stars

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other "Love Finds You" books: Mackinac Island, Michigan by Melanie Dobson and Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss.

About the author: Prior to writing novels, Serena Miller wrote for many periodicals, including Woman's World, Guideposts, Billy Graham's Decision Magazine, Reader's Digest, Focus on the Family, Christian Woman, and The Detroit Free Press Magazine. She has spent many years partnering with her husband in full-time ministry and lives on a farm in southern Ohio near a thriving Amish community. Learn more about Serena at http://serenabmiller.com.

About the movie and viewing party: 

   

Guideposts Books is excited to announce the premiere of a new film based on the book Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio (Summerside Press) by Serena Miller. The movie, produced by Mission Pictures International and filmed last fall in the actual town of Sugarcreek, will premiere on Sunday, June 1, 2014, at 7:00 PM EDT on Up TV (formerly the Gospel Music Channel). Visit the movie website for more information.

Serena and Guideposts will be celebrating with a Facebook viewing party! 

Join Serena and readers on Facebook while you tune in to watch Love Finds You in Sugarcreek to share your thoughts about the movie, chat with other viewers, and win fun prizes. Just use hashtag #LFYSugarcreek to join the discussion on June 1st.

Check your local listing for UpTV (http://up.viewerlink.tv) to find out when it airs in your timezone.

Excited? Help me spread the word! Just share this link and information on your social media along with the hashtag #LFYSugarcreek! Plus, we'll be tracking the hashtag and giving away Amazon & Starbucks cards to people at random who help to promote all throughout the month of May. Winners announced at the Love Finds You in Sugarcreek viewing party on June 1st.
 

"This is so exciting for Serena Miller and Guideposts! We are thrilled that Up TV has chosen Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio to make into a movie,” said Lenore Lelah Person, vice president and editorial director of Guideposts Books and Inspirational Media. “With Serena’s wonderful story and a beautiful backdrop in Ohio Amish country, fans of the story and the series will enjoy seeing it on screen. For more information read the media release.

For those who are not familiar with the Love Finds You™ series, this will be a great opportunity to introduce them to these uplifting and engaging romances. Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio is one of more than 50 releases in the popular Love Finds You™ series uniquely titled after actual American towns with unusual but intriguing names and combines travel, romance and faith in one package. The series includes both historical and contemporary releases, and each fictional story draws on compelling history or the unique character of a real place. Stories center on romances kindled in small towns, old loves lost and found again on the high plains, and new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways. Mission Pictures has purchased the movie rights to the entire series and plans to produce additional films based on the series in the future.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"love finds you in mackinac island, michigan" by melanie dobson

About the book (from the back cover): As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette's once-wealthy family has nearly lost its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, where they will spend one last summer in the hope of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. But Elena is repulsed by the idea of marrying for money.

Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls, Elena spends most evenings escaping back into Mackinac's rugged forest. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who shares her love for the night sky. The two begin to meet in secret at an abandoned lighthouse, where they work together to solve a mystery buried in the pages of a tattered diary.

As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island's most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes' financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love.

My take: In Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan, author Melanie Dobson presents a heartwarming story of mistaken identity, romance, and mystery.

While I struggled to get into the story at the beginning (and probably would have given up had I not agreed to review the book), once Elena and Chase met, I couldn't put the book down. Though I had a pretty good idea of where the story was going, I definitely enjoyed the journey. Instead of this book being solely a romance, Dobson spends much time dealing with Elena's struggle between duty and her dreams and developing the relationship between Elena and her mother, a woman I disliked very much at the beginning of the book but grew to appreciate by the end. I also enjoyed reading about the various inventions Chase was interested in financing, and I adored Elena's father.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read, and I'll definitely keep Dobson on my list of authors to watch! 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Buy the book.
See what other bloggers are saying.
See my review of Dobson's Refuge on Crescent Hill.

About the author: Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside's Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).

Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.

Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.

When Melanie isn't writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

For more about Melanie Dobson and her books, visit www.melaniedobson.com.

About the giveaway:
Celebrate with Melanie by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Find out what the reviewers are saying here!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Signed copies of Melanie’s Love Finds You books: Love Finds you in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana.

But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4/12. The winner will be announced on 8/6/12 at Melanie's blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Melanie's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."