"Beyond the Tides" by Liz Johnson

Beyond the Tides (Aug. 3, 2021) by Liz Johnson.*

The family’s lobster fishing business is going to be sold, but it isn’t a given that it will go to Walt and Sandra’s only child, Megan (Meg) Whitaker. It could easily go to Oliver Ross, who’s worked for Walt for years and has been a model employee, working to help provide for his mother after his own father walked out on the family 10 years earlier. Meg can’t stomach the fishing boat (she gets seasick) and has zero interest in owning and operating the one-boat fleet (called Just a Pinch or, usually, the Pinch), but she is loathe to let Oliver obtain it. She holds a long-held grudge against Oliver, because when he ruined her science project in high school 10 years prior, he obliterated her dreams of a science scholarship and an Ivy League education. Now, suddenly, they are forced to work together for the season. Oliver doesn’t want to walk away from this job he excels at and has passion for, and Meg quit her teaching job, so lobster fishing will be her sole income for now. Walt will decide who will take over the business at the end of the season. As it wears on, Meg will discover that Oliver isn’t the monster she perceives him as. But she’ll also learn her mother’s devastating diagnosis, and it’s her mom’s health decline that has prompted her dad to step away from the business. Dreams are wonderful things to have, but that doesn’t mean that dreams can’t change.

            “Beyond the Tides” is an inspirational fiction, contemporary romance novel that hits multiple positive notes for me. It is a tale with characters that you want to root for, but sometimes also want to roll your eyes at (like when Meg makes assumptions and spazzes out on Oliver), and appreciate all the same for their individual strengths and flaws. For example, while Meg is a grudge-holder and lets that fuel her mistrust, Johnson also crafted her to be exceedingly intelligent (she double-majored in physics and mechanical engineering). This first in the Prince Edward Island Shores series is charming and heartwarming, but also contains situations that are emotionally dramatic and tough. (Currently, there is no cure for progressive supranuclear palsy.) Faith is subtle, but themes of growth toward forgiveness are more obvious. Overall, it’s a tender story. However, light doesn’t exist without darkness, and this tale shows readers that through its enriching prose.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly 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.”

"A Dazzle of Diamonds" by Liz Johnson

A Dazzle of Diamonds (Aug. 4, 2020) by Liz Johnson.*

Being an event manager at one of Savannah’s premier historic venues suits Penelope Jean Hunter. She is amazing at her job and loves what she does … at least until the ex-fiancé who stood her up at the altar arrives at the Savannah River Hall with his new fiancée, Emmaline Adams, who’s as sweet as Southern sweet tea. It’s been over three years, and Penelope has moved on and certainly doesn’t need to prove that to Winston St. Cloud. Still, when Emmaline sees Penelope with her childhood best friend, the very handsome Tucker Westbrook, and assumes they are an item, Penelope doesn’t correct her. She and Tucker even go along with staging a romantic relationship.

            Tucker readily admits that Penelope (PJ only to him) brings out the best version of himself. He’s served two tours in the Middle East and is an entrepreneur who’s built up a thriving security company, but he’s never felt good enough or smart enough for PJ, Master’s degree-holding, valedictorian of their class. Tucker’s on the ballot for county sheriff, and PJ is consistently there by his side. Having her by him is especially helpful when the other candidate for county sheriff, Buddy Jepson, publishes a letter claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South in a smear campaign. Is there really a lost Civil War treasure? Were his ancestors traitors? Will Tucker and PJ give into their obvious love for each other or will another man in PJ’s life choose something over her?

            For those who enjoy a cutesy romance and enjoy reading along as the main characters comically stumble around each other, eventually discovering, in an unplanned way, of course, that kissing that character is the most wonderful thing, this is an adorable story (and final in the Georgia Coast Romance trilogy) and will suit said persons. It really is a cute story, and I enjoyed the intrigue around the letters from late 1864-1865 and the missing treasure. But the kissing and wanting to kiss and wanting to hold the other in her/his arms got old really fast for me once it began. Tucker’s Aunt Shirley was my favorite character. Imagine how fascinating her short stories would be; all that adventure crammed into a small space! While this tale isn’t wholly for me, it is an inspirational fiction novel that has charm that twinkles like diamonds and mystery to compel the soul with a happy ending that will make one sigh with contentment.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly 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.”

"A Glitter of Gold" by Liz Johnson

A Glitter of Gold (Aug. 6, 2019) by Liz Johnson.*

Hurricane Lorenzo certainly didn’t help Anne Norris’ (Anne Bonny, professionally) Rum Runners Tours guided tour business, which has already been struggling. Finding work is not easy when you’re a convicted felon, even when the judge believes that she took the fall over something she had no knowledge of, yet she spent five years and seven months in jail. She fled California to Savannah, Georgia, and Tybee Island to be free. Anne finds a sword hilt made of gold, and she takes her find to Dr. Carter Hale at the National Maritime Museum. He’s astounded by it, thinking it proves a shipwreck described in an 18^th-century family diary passed down through the generations. To date, he’s never been able to pinpoint where the Catherine may have sunk.

            Carter is attracted to Anne the first time he sees her, when she enters the museum before hours, having gotten in when Hazel, the museum’s only other paid employee, forgets to lock the front door. Locating the shipwreck is his life’s passion thanks to that diary he first read all those years ago. Somehow, almost impossibly, he convinces Anne to work with him. Her only request (demand, really) is that he never give out her name, though she doesn’t disclose why. She knows she should tell him, even Carter’s Aunt Tessie has figured out her past. (Granted, she’s a research librarian, “It’s what I do.”) After hurricane damage, Carter doesn’t have the money for the repairs, and the museum was already hemorrhaging money prior to that, and Anne doesn’t know if she’ll have two dollars next week. Will the search to find the shipwreck be a boon to their respective lives or a titanic sinking of their budding relationship?

            While this is the second in the Georgia Coast Romance series, this read as a standalone novel, which I appreciated, having not read the first one. “A Glitter of Gold” shows two main characters working to find acceptance of themselves through God’s grace. Anne has been bogged down these years past with the weight of perceived guilt and the burden of shame, while Carter has avoided “the Hale name” when he may have to suck up his own pride and reach out to his father. My favorite part of the story was reading excerpts from the diary; I found the high-seas adventures to be captivating. Johnson’s story has a strong constitution to hold up her swiftly-moving, inspirational, contemporary romance. It is part treasure hunt and part exploration-of-self. I didn’t love it, but I did like it. It has verve.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly 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.”

"Where Two Hearts Meet" by Liz Johnson

Where Two Hearts Meet (Oct. 18, 2016) by Liz Johnson.*

Rolling to the rhythm of her favorite Broadway soundtracks, Caden Holt is the master of the kitchen. And she really is. As executive chef of Rose’s Red Door Inn in North Rustico, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Caden is a picture of calm competency and culinary creativity who exudes an obvious love of her home, having grown up on PEI. Unfortunately, it’s been brought to light that the inn is in dire straits, according to her boss, Marie Sloane, proprietor of the inn. To help save the inn, she is tasked with involuntarily sharing her kitchen with a writer named Adam Jacobs. He is the supposed travel writer that a major travel magazine has sent, and they must impress him to land the coveted cover and gain attention from a vast readership. Adam thinks he’s on a forced sabbatical until he also learns he’s on assignment.

            Adam is not the writer Marie is expecting, but she doesn’t know it. When Caden figures it out and puts the pieces together, she recognizes that his article could do way more harm than good. It could ruin instead of redeem. And though it’d be unexpected to them, hearts could also be broken.

            Anne of Green Gables transported me, at a young age, to Prince Edward Island, so I have always been intrigued by PEI, though I’ve yet to visit. I will readily admit that I chose this book because of the story’s setting. And I loved the book. I don’t normally genuinely enjoy contemporary romance novels, but I thoroughly enjoyed “Where Two Hearts Meet.” Johnson created a storyscape that is whimsical without being fluffy and with relatable characters. She transports you to a town on an island that actually exists, which probably helps make it feel so real that you think you could make a reservation at Rose’s Red Door Inn, meet Marie and her husband, and enjoy Caden’s homemade cinnamon rolls. This story is a scrumptious delight – rich and sweet with depth of flavor!

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly 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.”