ARC Review: Sanctuary Cove (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Sanctuary Cove" the 1st book in her Cavanaugh Island series by Rochelle Alers.

Sometimes love is the simplest choice of all.

Still reeling from her husband's untimely death, Deborah Robinson needs a fresh start. So she decides to pack up her family, box up her bookstore, and return to her grandmother's ancestral home on Cavanaugh Island. The charming town of Sanctuary Cove holds happy memories for Deborah. And, after she spies a gorgeous stranger in the local bakery, it promises the possibility for a bright, new future.

Dr. Asa Monroe is at a crossroads. Ever since the loss of his family, he has been on a quest for faith and meaning, traveling from one town to another. When he meets Deborah, the beautiful bookstore owner with the warm eyes and sunny smile, Asa believes he has finally found a reason to stay in one place.

As friendship blossoms into romance, Deborah and Asa discover they may have a second chance at love. But small towns have big secrets. Before they can begin their new life together, the couple must confront a challenge they never expected . . .


About the Author

With nearly two million copies of her novels in print, Rochelle Alers is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.

For more information, please visit Rochelle's website at www.rochellealers.com.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Forever; Original edition (January 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455501409
ISBN-13: 978-1455501403

My Review:

School teacher Louis Robinson is accused of improper misconduct with a female student.  He is suspended pending an investigation which he claims he was innocent just comforting a crying student.  The media, the school board and his peers believe he's guilty and he soon dies in a drowning incident.

His wife Deborah Robinson refuses to accept the false apologies from people feeling guilty of their accusations.  She decides to move to Cavanaugh Island with her son Whitney and daughter Crystal into a house she inherited from her grandma.  She also decides to open her bookstore there too.

Dr. Asa Monroe is a snowbird newcomer to Cavanaugh Island.  He's a widower who is grieving over the death of his wife and young son.  He's just waiting for an assignment from Doctors Without Borders and has come to Cavanaugh Island to forget his tragedy.

When Asa and Deborah catch each other's eyes there is a searing attraction between them.  She hires Asa as her assistant and they get to know each other.  They fall in love but she feels guilty at first that she is betraying the life she had with her husband Louis.  Her first priority is her children.

This book was very charming and I really enjoyed the romance between Asa and Deborah.  The supporting characters and The Islanders provided a wonderful blend to the mix.

4/5

Thanks Hachette Book Group for sending me this ARC to review, greatly appreciated!

Please come back later to win a copy of this book, thanks!