Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

If you would have asked me a few years ago if I was a fan of Irene Hannon's books, I would have said "no." In fact, I remember reading a few and then realizing they weren't in my preferred genre. It wasn't that they weren't great stories, but I didn't like the mystery. I'll admit it. I'm easily scared so I have to guard my mind more so than others. With that said, I decided to give her previous series a try after reading the synopsis of the book. I loved that series and realized that I do enjoy Irene Hannon! I'm so glad I gave her a second chance. This book does have some mystery, but I think the romance and the main message of the book spoke louder to me than the mystery. I really enjoyed this book and how she has once again told a beautiful story of  forgiveness.


Michael and Tracy have experienced what it feels like to have their heart ripped out of their chest... something that many people can relate to. They have both lost their spouse and have to figure out how to move on. They both deal with their grief in different ways.

I appreciated how Hannon was able to weave the characters into the story so effortlessly. All of the characters were strong with characteristics that made it easy to relate to. They took on real-life issues and it was neat to watch their story played out on the pages. There were several times where they story took a turn that I wasn't necessarily expecting, but it made me keep turning the pages.

I am looking forward to more by Irene Hannon now!

_____________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Irene Hannon is a bestselling, award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut!

Since then, she has written more than 45 romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels. She is a seven-time finalist and three-time winner of the RITA award—the “Oscar” of romantic fiction—and a member of Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Her books have also won a Daphne du Maurier award, a Carol award, three HOLT Medallions, a National Readers’ Choice award, a Retailers Choice award, two Booksellers’ Best awards and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. One of her novels was also named by Booklist as a top 10 inspirational fiction books of 2011. In addition, she is a two-time Christy award finalist.

Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full. She is happy to say she has no regrets!

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and singing. A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She is also a soloist at her church.

When not otherwise occupied, Irene and her husband enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

Fan favorite Irene Hannon brings a whole new cast of characters to life in a charming Oregon seaside village. Emotional and heartwarming, this story invites readers to come home to Hope Harbor, where love and hope bloom--and hearts heal.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Hope Harbor, go HERE.
_____________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon

I really like this side of Irene Hannon.  I like her mystery books, but I think these are my favorite books by her.  Part of that is because I'm not a huge fan of mystery/suspense books, though.  These books are right up my alley and leave me feeling like I've jumped into real life scenarios.

One thing that I appreciate about Hannon's books are that the story is never predictable. Just when you think you may have an idea, there's a twist.  I find myself battling (and usually losing) not to turn to the end to see how it ends so that I'm not all worried if I'm going to be sad at the end!  Yes.... I'm one of those people.

Keith annoyed me at first, to be completely honest.  I figured that there was no way I would ever come around to like him!  I really like how real Claire is as a character and how easy she was to picture in my head.  I felt like I jumped in her shoes and saw her struggles.

I've enjoyed these past 2 contemporary novels so much. I really hope there's more!  I'm impressed by authors that can jump around to different style of writing so easily.

____________
"Irene Hannon is one  great storyteller." -Debbie Macomber,
#1 New York Times bestselling author
Independent single mom Claire Summers is doing her best to make  lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Workaholic Keith Watson is interested only in the bottom line--until a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk and changes everything.

As the executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman, Keith is used to fielding requests for donations. But the girl isn't asking for money. She wants help finding the long-lost son of a neighbor. As Keith reluctantly digs into this assignment in his usual results-oriented style, he has no idea how involved he and Claire will become--nor how unusual the results will actually be. Who could have guessed that a child's kindhearted request would bring love and hope to so many lives . . . including his own?

Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers this tenderhearted story that demonstrates how life is like lilacs--the biggest blooms come only after the harshest winters.


"Hannon's multithread plot is woven beautifully together to create a tapestry that will enchant romantics of all ages."--Publishers Weekly


Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of over forty-five books, including That Certain Summer. Her romance and suspense fiction has won many awards, including two coveted RITAs, a Carol, two HOLT Medallions, a National Readers' Choice, a Daphne du Maurier, a Retailers Choice, and two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.
____________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Trapped by Irene Hannon

IIrene Hannon has remained my favorite and only suspense author that I read.  I don't tend to like suspense books because I can't stand the suspense (corny, I know!) but for some reason Hannon is able to capture me with the first page.  I think that because there is a romance going on helps me because I can focus on the romance side and not just the full-blown suspense.

This is the second book in the Guardians of Justice series.  I like how the part of the story is told in the view of the villain.  That always intrigues me for some reason.  I think it's because I like knowing what's going on inside their heads because I can't even fathom thinking like them.  However, he was very nice and friendly but it goes to show that a person may not be all that they
appear to be.

Time is something they don't have as the search for Darcy heats up.  Bad winter weather is coming in fast so they have to find Darcy before the trails are erased.  The problem is, there aren't many leads.

I am looking forward to the next installment in this series to come out.  I'm interested to see if some of the characters resolve the way I think they should!

____________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon

I have never read a book by Irene Hannon that was not suspenseful.  I had no idea that she had a history of writing contemporary romance novels, too.  I must say that I was quite impressed with how she is able to write so well in both genres.  She seems incredibly comfortable to write in two completely different styles of writing.  I liked her before, but I like her even more now and am looking forward to her next romance novel coming out in the summer of 2014.

The characters in this book are so real and have such normal difficulties in their lives.  They are easy to relate to and your heart can't help but go out to them.  The book covers mostly 4 different people, even though Karen and Val's mom is a big player in the book, as well as Scott's mom.

In the prologue, I had difficulty seeing how these seemingly 4 different people would even cross paths.  However, as the story unfolded, I liked watching them learn new things about themselves, forgive, and even learn how to deal with manipulative mothers and ex-husbands.  Margaret, Karen and Val's mother, was the hardest person for me to like, as well as Karen's ex-husband.  I hated the constant criticism that their mother dished out, but I liked watching Karen stepping out of her comfort zone and hold her ground.  I found those parts quite funny because I could see the annoyance that her mother had at that moment!

I hope that Irene Hannon continues to write more romance novels in the future.  They aren't the sappy novels, but they are easy to relate to and refreshing.  I have a hard time calling them romance because this wasn't your typical romance book.  I think it follows life and love in a way that many people go through today.

______________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Vanished by Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon is responsible for getting me to like suspenseful books.  When I first began writing reviews, I couldn't do suspense.  However, after reading the last series by Hannon, I am now an avid fan or hers and of others in the suspense genre.

 

Although in most of her books you typically know who is the bad guy/killer, it has certainly never taken away from the suspense of the book.  I still find myself flipping the pages and get that nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.  This book was fast-paced and captured me from the very first sentences.

 

This is the first book in her new series, Private Justice.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest in the series.  I know I won't be disappointed in this series!

___________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

The third book in the Guardians of Justice series, this book is full of suspense.  I was kept turning pages....and yes, sometimes even looking ahead because I am sadly, that type of reader.  I like to prepare myself for what lies ahead.  (I hate admitting that about myself, but that's the only way I can read a suspense novel!)  I had read the first book of hers and now the third, but I want to go back to read the second one.  I don't feel like I was missing anything, but I know that reading all the books in a series definitely helps complete the story.

Kelly's father is dead and Detective Cole is certain it was just another suicide.  Kelly feels strongly that something else is wrong and that her father was actually murdered.  If Kelly is correct, is her life put in danger, too?  Will she reveal a secret that just might provide more information on her father's death?  If so, will Cole be able to protect her?

I don't read very many suspense books, but I have read hers and a few others.  I feel like it's an honor for me to say that I liked an author's suspenseful novel because of how much I tend to avoid them!  Even if you don't tend to like these type of books, Hannon writes with such wonderful skill that it becomes a book that is extremely hard to put down and out of your mind.  I'm still thinking about it!

___________________

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.  Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.