DRIFTWOOD BAY
A Hope Harbor Novel, Book 5
by
IRENE HANNON
Genre: Contemporary / Christian / Romance
Publisher: Revell
Date of Publication: April 2, 2019
Number of Pages: 368
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After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room—until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn’t worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.
Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it’s least expected?
Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites readers back to the charming seaside town of Hope Harbor, where they are sure to find peace, healing, and a second chance at happiness.
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Driftwood Bay is a beautifully-balanced and uplifting read. I come into this aptly-named series quite late with this, the fifth book, as my introduction. It’s also the first Irene Hannon book I’ve ever read. I must say I need to read the first four now, especially if they’re as heartwarming as this one. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel good after reading it. It leaves you believing the best in people and strengthening your faith in God and in love.
The way Ms. Hannon blended heavy drama with canine-provided comic relief, steadfast spirituality, inclusive diversity, and wholesome romance worked for me. Her storytelling is evocative and involving. Her words are inspired, eminently quotable. Some of my favorites are:
- “Don’t let fear stop you from being everything God intended you to be. Go. Learn. Live. Love.”
- “… like a ship that never sails, a heart that’s never used isn’t living up to its potential.”
- “… love is better than lonesome.”
Most of these quotes are said to Jeanette who has been guarding her heart by isolating herself in her lavender farm. How her new neighbors Logan, the new town doctor; Molly, his grieving niece; and their rambunctious puppy Toby drew her out is the main story of Driftwood Bay. It was told in a way that is moving and highly relatable.
The other significant story, that of the Syrian refugees Mariam, Thomma, and Elisa was treated with sensitivity and respect. This is where the community of Hope Harbor shines in their coming together to provide a fresh start for a family trying to recover from a devastating tragedy. I could only hope such a community exists in real life for we need them now more than ever.
While all the main characters–both Americans and Syrians–are sympathetic, it is the little girls Molly and Elisa who brought tears to my eyes. They are the catalysts for everything that happened in the book. Their insta-friendship and their unspoken need to be loved by their respective fathers really touched my heart.
Finally, I cannot complete this review without mentioning Charley, the mystical fish taco food truck owner who dispenses wisdom that helps guide the actions of many characters in Driftwood Bay and possibly the series. He’s one of the reasons why I would like to read the other Hope Harbor books.
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including One Perfect Spring, Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, and Pelican Point, as well as Dangerous Illusions and the Private Justice and Men of Valor suspense series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers’ Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carols, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
Grand Prize:
A Copy of Driftwood Bay + Oregon Coast Rain Globe
1st Runner-Up:
A Copy of Driftwood Bay + Book Lover’s Coffee Mug
2nd Runner-Up:
A Copy of Driftwood Bay + $10 Starbucks Gift Card
April 2-12, 2019
(U.S. Only)
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From the first scene, A Tender Hope literally and figuratively takes the reader on a journey. Thea and Jackson travel separately to Cimarron Creek carrying their physical and emotional baggage: Thea with her heartbreak from losing her husband and son; Jackson with his hunt for the outlaw who killed his brother. An abandoned child, along with their respective jobs, brings them together in a way that aided their growing attraction to each other and hastened their discovery of what they really want in life. Amidst the danger posed by a vicious gang, they realized that what they want is to build a family in Cimarron Creek, their found home.
I love every aspect of Thea and Jackson’s romance: the constant desire to be in each other’s company, the honest conversations, their mutual respect, their belief in the other’s capabilities, and their support of each other’s careers. What had me swooning is their observance of proper courtship, something that is missing in contemporary romance and even in many historical romance these days. I enjoyed reading it here.
When the West was wild, and man’s law favored the few, extraordinary women could be found…in the heart of an outlaw.
Whenever I’m in the mood for a historical western romance, I go to my shortlist of favorite authors and Linda Broday is one of them. Her books always have plenty of action and lots of heart. She always takes me to the Wild, Wild West and makes me feel that I’m really there when I read one of her books.
In Linda Broday’s historical western universe, there is a clear delineation of who are in the good camp and who belong to the villainous camp. At the same time, the main characters have shades of gray. Clay and Tally both have strength of will and unbreakable spirit balanced with doubts and too much caution, sometimes making bad decisions. All of these qualities make them real flesh and blood people.
I’m a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty historical western romance novels and short stories. I reside in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and Comancheros once roamed, and at times if the breeze is just right, I can hear their voices whispering in the wind. Texas’ rich history is one reason I set all my stories here where cowboys are still caretakers of the land. I’m inspired every day by their immense dedication and love for the wide open spaces.
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A compelling speaker and storyteller, Marti MacGibbon delivers high-energy presentations and writes books on overcoming adversity, addiction and recovery, and inspiration, with humor and a genuine, down-to-earth style. She’s experienced critical situations that no human being should have to face. In the past, she hit rock bottom in every possible way as a hard-core drug addict, was homeless, and was trafficked to Tokyo and held prisoner by Japanese organized crime. Her story of triumph is testimony to the power of the human spirit. Marti lives her message. She reveals simple, effective strategies that anyone can use to get back on track, build resiliency, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of humor.
You didn’t stop him. He killed her.
Awarding winning author Dana Wayne is a sixth generation Texan and resides in the Piney Woods with her husband, (and biggest fan), a Calico cat named Katie, three children and four grandchildren. She routinely speaks at book clubs, writer organizations and other groups about writing and self-publishing.
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Ricki Sheridan traveled a long way to seek refuge at Wolf Den’s Lodge high in the mountains after a devastating betrayal. Heartbroken, she signed up for a survivalist backpacking trip to live off the land and forget.
Award Winning Author Patty Wiseman is a native of the Seattle, Washington area and attended The Wesleyan College in Bartlesville Oklahoma. Northeast Texas is home now, along with her husband Ron. She is the president of East Texas Writer’s Association, a Lifetime Member of the Worldwide Who’s Who for Professional Women (and named VIP for 2013), and a member of the Northeast Texas Writer’s Organization, East Texas Writer’s Guild, and Texas Association of Authors.
Hearts and dreams evolve in the shadow of the once-magnificent Penn Station.
ll-time writer. Along with her husband of 19 years, she enjoys raising their four children. She has a bucket list that is never-ending and uses her adventures to inspire her writing. She’s lived in Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California, and spends enough time in Hawai’i to feel like a local. She’s traveled to four continents (so far) and met Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. She just about fainted when she had a chance to meet her musical idol, Paul McCartney, too. Camille studied political science in college but found working on actual campaigns much more fun. She overdoses on goodies at farmer’s markets (justifying them by her support for local bakeries) and belts out Broadway tunes whenever the moment strikes. There’s almost nothing she wouldn’t try, so long as it doesn’t involve heights, roller skates, or anything illegal. The Memory of Us was Camille’s debut novel. Her second, Before the Rain Falls was released on May 16, 2017, and The Way of Beauty is her third novel.
