The first book in Mariah Stewart's Chesapeake Diaries series was released in March, Coming Home. I haven't read that one yet, and you don't need to have read it to enjoy Home Again. But, let me just tell you, that according to Stewart's website, in the first week it was out, Coming Home was "The #1 bestselling romance in Borders (#3 bestselling mass market overall);#11 bestselling mass market at Barnes & Noble;
#11 on Publisher’s Weekly bestselling mass market list;
#12 On the New York Times bestselling mass market list ~
AND spent 5 weeks on USAToday and 9 weeks on Bookscan's Romance list!" And, if Home Again is any example, deservedly so. I don't read a large number of romances during the year, but this one was wonderful. If you're willing to try romances, I hope you try Home Again.
Dallas MacGregor was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. But, she considered herself a mother first and an actress second. When her six-year-old son, Cody, came home from camp in tears because the other kids knew his sleazy father was on sex tapes with two women, Dallas, who had already filed for divorce, knew it was time to find a refuge. And, what better place than St. Dennis, a small town on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland? The town had been Dallas' own refuge when her father died suddenly when she was eleven. And, her great aunt, Beryl (Berry) Eberle, retired as an actress herself, took Dallas in then, and is willing to welcome Dallas and her son home now.
Now, back in her summer home, can Dallas rebuild a secure life for her son? And, what about Grant Wyler, her summer love from the time she was eleven? The boy that she left when she went for her dream as an actress, is back in St. Dennis with a practice as a veterinarian. And, Berry is quite skillful at finding a way to bring together a boy and a dog, and a woman with her ex-boyfriend.
This is a romance with strong, interesting characters, and left over stories that will make you eager to read the next book in the series. The minor characters have their own backstories to be told. Beryl's story is revealed in this one, but there are other interesting characters, beginning with Grant's sister, Steffie, who runs the local ice cream store. And, what's the secret behind Dallas' brother? There are more stories to be told.
In the meantime, Mariah Stewart's Home Again offers warmth, romance, dogs, and a beautiful setting. Is there anything else you expect from a romantic novel?
*****
The publisher is offering a copy of Home Again to one winner from each blog on Mariah Stewart's blog tour. If you'd like to enter to win, just comment below, and include your email address. Thursday night, after 6 p.m., I'll contact the winner to get the address where you want the book sent. If you win, you could also give the address of a friend, if you'd like to surprise them with the book. Good luck! You have just two days to enter.
*****
The publisher is offering a copy of Home Again to one winner from each blog on Mariah Stewart's blog tour. If you'd like to enter to win, just comment below, and include your email address. Thursday night, after 6 p.m., I'll contact the winner to get the address where you want the book sent. If you win, you could also give the address of a friend, if you'd like to surprise them with the book. Good luck! You have just two days to enter.
Mariah Stewart's website is http://www.mariahstewart.com/, and she can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mariah-Stewart/106000742764985?v=desc
Home Again by Mariah Stewart. Ballantine Books, ©2010. ISBN 9780345520357 (paperback), 464p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure - As part of the TLC Tour, the publicist sent me a copy of Home Again, so I could read and review it.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure - As part of the TLC Tour, the publicist sent me a copy of Home Again, so I could read and review it.
