Saturday, August 7, 2010

FORTUNATE HARBOR: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
FORTUNATE HARBOR

BY EMILIE RICHARDS

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Join five women connected only by friendship and the road that runs like a lifeline through a run-down development called Happiness Key.

Southern California socialite Tracy Deloche finally gets a chance to swap business for a romantic evening with down home environmentalist Marsh Egan, but dinner goes cold when she spots her ex-husband prowling outside her cottage. Janya Kapur, finally settling into an arranged marriage, envies every pregnant woman she sees, but Rishi, her husband, is suddenly reluctant to talk about children. Waitress Wanda Gray loses her job after new owners turn the Dancing Shrimp into a tapas bar. At the suggestion of wise neighbor, Alice Brooks, Wanda starts her own business, until Wanda starts Pie War I with the local bakery.

When the empty cottage at Happiness Key is rented by single mother Dana Turner, all the neighbors believe this spit of Florida Gulf Coast land will be a fortunate harbor for a mother and daughter who have moved far too often. Until they discover Dana's shocking secret.

As the women of Happiness key struggle to discover the whole truth in time to help their new neighbor, their only weapon is friendship. But will friendship be enough?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Emilie Richards began her writing career with a baby on her lap. Emilie, who has a master's degree in family development, finds family interaction fascinating and through the years, in many different ways, her four children have shown up in her books.

Emilie's daughter, who was adopted from India, emerged from a plane at age six, and was an instant addition to the family. Since then, Emilie has written several books about the trials and tribulations of adoption, as well as its myriad rewards. Wayward teenage boys have walked through Emilie's books, just the way they seem to walk through her life. The boys always turn out well and luckily her own have, too.

A long love affair with Emilie's minister husband convinced her that ministers can be heroes, too. Dragonslayer, a Silhouette Intimate Moments and RITA Award winner resulted from that realization. Endless Chain, the second book in her Shenandoah Album series for MIRA Books, did, as well.

Through the years — and through the writing of more than 50 books — the family has moved from state to state and traveled extensively. And each place deserved and got at least one story. Emilie's most recent move to Northern Virginia (and her love of quilting) provided the fodder most recently for the Shenandoah Album series, beginning with Wedding Ring in 2004 and continuing in Endless Chain, which debuts in 2005. Emilie believes there are stories everywhere. Frustrations abound for a novelist, just like in any other profession, but at the end of the day, when a story is finally beginning to unfold, she still thinks she's one of the luckiest people in the world.

MY REVIEW:

FORTUNATE HARBOR by Emilie Richards is the second book in the Happiness Key Trilogy and is filled with the interwoven lives, loves, losses, and friendships of five women who are the main characters in this series. The story is set on a twenty-five acre spit of land called Happiness Key on the Gulf Coast of Florida and so well researched and described by Richards that you will feel at home at once.

Emilie Richards centers FORTUNATE HARBOR around Tracy Deloche as she did in the first book, HAPPINESS KEY. Tracy owns the cottages that her friends live in. They are Wanda Gray, Alice Brooks and her granddaughter Olivia, and JanyaKapur. These residents welcome newcomer, Dana Turner, a single mother and her daughter Lizzie, and they help to calm her fears as they take her under their collective wings.

Tracy’s has to deal with C. J., her husband who was recently released from prison. Theirs is a relationship with all the ups and downs of a roller coaster. C. J. can be charming, while also making everyone anxious as they wonder what he is really up to. He says everything he does is to help make up to Tracy for his past mistakes but is that true? Before C. J. returned, Tracy had been dating Marsh Egan and just as Tracy was planning their first quiet time together, C. J. had popped back into her life and of course, wanted her back, thus scrapping her plans for Marsh.

Dana, and daughter Lizzie, seem to have their own mysterious past that they were running from prior to settling in the one vacant cottage on Happiness Key. Things now seem perfect for the pair until something from Dana’s past comes back that may cost her all that she treasures.

Janya Kapur very much wants to have a child, however, her husband, Rishi does not and so things are tense between them. After all poor Janya went through in HAPPINESS KEY with this relationship, will this be the last straw for her?

Meanwhile, there is the madcap Wanda who brings humor and good spirits to even the toughest of problems. She has worked at the Dancing Shrimp for a long time but now the owners are going to be turning the Dancing Shrimp into a fancy bar and letting go of some of their help. Unfortunately, one of those fired is Wanda. She is distraught until Alice gets involved. With Alice’s help, Wanda realizes she can try opening her own business. Her pies are delicious and famous already and so she opens Wanda’s Wonderful Pies.

Emilie Richards, Author of such books as A LIE FOR A LIE, SISTER'S CHOICE, and HAPPINESS KEY, gives readers stories rich with diverse characters as well as settings that often are as important as any character. And so it is no different when Emilie repeats this successful pattern in this latest novel, FORTUNATE HARBOR. One of the first authors who personally answered my plea for a review copy and interview was Emilie Richards. She has never let me down in any of her books and once again, Ms. Richards does not disappoint. With this second book of the Happiness Key Trilogy, Emilie’s smooth writing style makes for a quick read as she once again has woven together the lives of her characters to give readers a rich story filled with intrigues, emotional confusion, financial despair, and even a possibility of new love. Thank you once again, Emilie!

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO EMILIE RICHARDS, I
HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS SECOND
BOOK IN THE HAPPINESS KEY TRILOGY
TO GIVE AWAY. I ALSO AM GOING TO ADD
ONE COPY OF EMILIE'S FIRST BOOK IN THE
TRILOGY, "HAPPINESS KEY", TO THAT
LUCKY WINNER. HERE IS WHAT YOU
NEED TO DO TO WIN BOTH BOOKS!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE DESCRIPTION AND REVIEW OF "FORTUNATE HARBOR" AND WHY YOU WANT TO WIN THESE TWO BOOKS

+1 MORE ENTRY: "LIKE" EMILIE RICHARDS ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE HERE AND LEAVE A COMMENT THERE THAT YOU HAVE SEEN MY REVIEW OF HER BOOK ON BOOKIN' WITH BINGO

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER BOOK BY EMILIE RICHARDS, BESIDES THESE TWO, THAT YOU HAVE READ OR WOULD LIKE TO READ BY SEARCHING HER WEBSITE HERE


GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 22!

66 comments:

traveler said...

This novel sounds captivating and great. Such characters and their lives I would enjoy reading about. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I read Whiskey Island, Rising Tides and Iron Lace and they are wonderful. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

These books are intriguing and sound memorable because of their interesting families, lives and individuals.. Thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I have read Prospect Street but would read many of her books. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Steve Capell said...

Somehow my memory keeps telling me that I watch a movie similar to the synopsis of this book ... I just can't seem to place the name of movie. I find this review to be interesting and one that I would like to read. Thanks for the opportunity

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Suburban prep said...

the Friendship between women is what caught my attention and why I feel I would enjoy reading.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

I think the women sound very interesting and the comment about the Pie War certainly piqued my interest! I would love to be included in this giveaway! Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I think the Ministry is Murder series by Emilie looks really good. I haven't read any of the books listed on her website, I think I've been missing out!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

I'd like to read about the intertwined lives of these characters.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Blessed is the Busybody sounds good.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

jenna said...

This sounds like a great book. I look forward to learning about the characters - they seem like good ones. And I think the cover art seems fitting from the description. I'd love to win!

-Jenna
alackofcolor703(at)yahoo(dot)com

debbie said...

It sounds like the characters are well written and will draw you into their lives. I would like to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Margie said...

The relationships between the women and the family dramas sound intriguing.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Any book in the Ministry is Murder series looks fun.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5 Swag
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

The book sounds very intriguing and interesting. Would love to read it about the story of friends. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

degood said...

This sounds like a great beach read. Not too heavy, but interesting.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

degood said...

I would love to read some of hte books in her ministry is murder series

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Cindy W. said...

I loved your review! I love books that bring a lot of characters together...it usually means there will be a seaquel or two or three! :) Thank you for the chance to win copies of both book 1 & 2.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I would love to read Touching Stars and Lover's Knot.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

gcpeach17 said...

I so enjoyed reading about this book that I thought about how I hate to read a series starting with the 2nd book, so when I got further down & saw that this giveaway included the 1st book as well, I was elated. These sound like my kind of reading & I thought I had read 1 but, I ran around looking at what books I actually had access to & couldn't find one. I want o read these, thanks for this chance to win them.


gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I was anxious to go to her website to see if something looked familiar...still with the feeling that I had read something of hers but, no...I would love to read any of them, they sound so good but, especially "Iron Lace".

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

Jolee said...

Sounds like a sweet, tender look at female friendship. Nice. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

The Ministry is Murder series sounds fun! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Colleen Turner said...

I love stories about women bonded by friendship that still have secrets to hide. I would love to give this trilogy a try!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I liked this author on Facebook and wrote that I found her from Bookin with Bingo on her facebook wall.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I haven't read anything by this author before, but I would love to try Sister's Choice.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks.
candc320@gmail.com

scottsgal said...

I enjoy books with strong female characters in great settings - this one sounds perfect
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

I'd like to read her book called Iron Lace
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

I liked her on facebook and left a message
msboatgal at aol.com

Ruthie said...

There's alot to be said about the power of female friendships.
Please enter me, thanks

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

rubynreba said...

The smooth writing style and quick read make me want to read it.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I'd like to read Wedding Ring.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Emilie Richards books have always been a fun and satisfying read. Can't wait to add the Happiness Key to the
many other romance of hers I've read.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Lisa Ann Richards "LIKED" EMILIE RICHARDS ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE AND LEFT A COMMENT


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/20702985123

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I read Mail-order Matty many years ago plus probably 90% of her other/Harlequin/Silhouette books. It was fun reading what a woman will do when she thinks her shelf life is expiring.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Pamela Keener said...

I love stories about friendship between women. This book is one that I will add to my wishlist.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

Iron Lace sounds very interesting too.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

+5 Swagbucks
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

+5swag chirth7@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

+5 swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

+5swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi! I love the setting and the characters for this novel. This author is one of my favorite authors to read. Thank you for this giveaway! :)

Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I have read the following books by her: Whiskey Island and The Parting Glass. Whiskey Island was a really good book to read. :)

Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

CherylS22 said...

Great review! I'd like to win this set of books because I saw nothing but good things around the blogs about "Happiness Key".

Thanks for the chance ~
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

Became a FB fan of Emilie Richards & left a message on her wall.
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I haven't read any of Emilie Richards' books but I would love to read "Whiskey Island".
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

Teresa said...

I am interested in finding out about Dana's secret. All the characters sound very different I would like to see how they all fit together
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

StephTheBookworm said...

I LOOOVE books about women and friendship. This sounds like a wonderful trilogy. Please enter me in!

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

I want to read Sisters Choice.

Anonymous said...

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chirth7@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

https://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/21782765827

chirth7@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=142292962477808

chirth7@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

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chirth7@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=533391661&messageID=6680439031&hash

chirth7@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'd like to read the The Shenandoah Album Novels. But they all look good! chirth7@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love a book about friendship and I haven't read to many of them. I'm truly looking forward to reading these books!

chirth7@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Great review. I'd love to read this book about friends and their lives. Sounds like a fantastic book and to get both book one and two, How very lucky! shundelt@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

+1 MORE ENTRY: "LIKE" EMILIE RICHARDS ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE HERE AND LEAVE A COMMENT THERE THAT YOU HAVE SEEN MY REVIEW OF HER BOOK ON BOOKIN' WITH BINGO- Done

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/21785295629

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=154170471260061

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/45047462/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593519&messageID=6679460155&hash

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I've read Iron lace, but it was some time ago. I did enjoy it though. shundelt@yahoo.com

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