Friday, July 5, 2013

CASTAWAY COVE by Joann Ross

Publisher:   Signet
Date published:   August 6, 2013
ISBN:  978-0451240002
Genre:   Contemporary Romance
Book format: Paperback
Obtained via:  Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Gina@loveromancesandmorereviews.com


Out on a routine mission escorting a journalist and her cameraman down Disney Drive in Afghanistan Mac Culhane’s world is blown apart. First of all, Disney Drive isn’t named for the Magic Kingdom, but in tribute to a serviceman who died in that faraway place. As a deejay on the local military radio station he shouldn’t be so near the fighting, but Mac often crosses the wire in support of his fellow soldiers. In the aftermath of the life changing explosion Mac is transported first to Germany, ultimately arriving in Colorado planning to keep his promise to his wife and stay stateside. When he arrives though his life is once again upended when she greets him at the door, suitcase in hand and the message that she is done. Not only is she done, but she is leaving their five year old daughter Emma behind with him as her only parent. When Mac turns to his father, Dr. Buchanan, he is encouraged to join him in Shelter Bay, Oregon.

Shortly after Mac arrives he lands a job as the night time deejay at the local KBAY. As Midnight Mac he has a huge following. As the newest single guy in town he has a bevy of women all with designs on the single dad. But his commitment is to little Emma and nothing is going to stop him from being the best parent ever. And then he meets the owner of the local scrapbook store, Annie Shepherd. While their initial encounter isn’t exactly friendly, Mac can’t stop thinking about her. He soon finds himself feeling the same attraction to a caller to his radio show, Sandy. As he ponders how he can have the same reaction to two women at the same time Mac soon finds his heart isn’t quite as closed as he thought.

When Joann Ross’s CASTAWAY COVE arrived in my mailbox I couldn’t wait to dig in. I love everything about this series – the town of Shelter Bay, the characters, the emotions Ms. Ross evokes through those characters and the unique storylines. It is the kind of series that has something for everyone from a teen being first introduced to romance to a senior citizen who knows love can be found at any age. Men as well as women will find something in each of the books that they can relate to.

I was a tad disappointed and let down by CASTAWAY COVE. Not because it isn’t a great story, but as with SEA GLASS WINTER, the story has shifted from the core characters readers met in THE HOMECOMING.  Those main characters do make an appearance and because of what a fantastic writer Ms. Ross is, their scenes flow naturally and truly enhance the story. But the story could easily be told without them. A “Dillon” is mentioned early on in CASTAWAY COVE as being a friend of Mac’s. At first I thought it was the hero from SEA GLASS WINTER although no last name is given and he doesn’t appear again. It would have been fun to catch up with Dillon and Claire, although their son, Matt, is mentioned.

The story line of an overnight deejay brought back memories of a favourite TV show of mine, Midnight Caller and while Mac doesn’t go on to solve crimes, I could easily picture Gary Cole in the role. It’s a great job for a character to have and unique in what I’ve read. Added to that is the flesh and blood woman he finds himself attracted to and the female caller he can’t stop thinking about.

I always dig right into Joann Ross’s Shelter Bay books and then have to wait for the next in the series. The happy news for me is at the end of CASTAWAY COVE is a sneak peak of CHRISTMAS IN SHELTER BAY. Happily it looks like I’m not going to have to wait too long for that next book.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

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