Category Archives: Liz Flaherty

November 17, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Healing Summer by Liz Flaherty

Title: The Healing Summer by Liz Flaherty
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 251 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

When Steven Elliott accidentally rides his bike into Carol Whitney’s car at the cemetery, the summer takes on new and exciting possibilities. Long friendship wends its way into something deeper when their hearts get involved. Feelings neither of them had expected to experience again enrich their days and nights. But what happens when the long summer ends? When Carol wants a family and commitment and a future, Steven isn’t so sure. He’s had his heart broken before—can he risk it again?

Review:

The Healing Summer by Liz Flaherty is a captivating romance that is also a little bittersweet.

Carolina “Carol” Whitney is a compassionate and caring woman who has suffered more than her fair share of heartache and loss. She is a successful business owner and student with a close circle of friends. Carol is not looking for a relationship when she reconnects with Dr. Steven Elliott but their unexpected friendship takes a decidedly romantic turn. Carol cannot deny how much Steven means to her, but will their romance fade when summer ends?

Steven never imagined he would move back to his small hometown. However, after  a tragic professional loss, he returns to Peacock for some much needed downtown with his sisters and friends.  Although Carol has long been on periphery of his life, their acquaintance has always been somewhat casual. Which is why Steven is rather surprised by how much he enjoys spending time with her. What he finds even more shocking is his unexpected attraction to her.

Carol and Steven are beautifully developed, three dimensional characters. Steven is a well liked, sought after cardiothoracic surgeon and Carol is concerned small town life will eventually bore him. She goes into their relationship with few expectations but she does not count on falling in love.  Steven is willing to commit to a short-term romance and he is stunned when his feelings for her deepen. Carol is strong enough to make a tough decision but will Steven decide to risk his heart again?

The Healing Summer is a heartwarming novel of friendship, love and healing. Steven and Carol are vibrant, charming characters with relatable fears, shortcomings and admirable strengths. Their friendship provides a strong foundation for their eventual romance but both of them bring plenty of emotional baggage to their relationship. Steven and Carol have wonderful relationships with their friends and family who give them plenty of love and support.  I highly recommend Liz Flaherty’s emotional and uplifting novel to readers who enjoy wholesome, small town romances.

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Filed under Contemporary, Liz Flaherty, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Healing Summer, The Wild Rose Press

January 14, 2013 · 3:59 am

Review: Jar of Dreams by Liz Flaherty

Title: Jar of Dreams by Liz Flaherty
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 74,000 words
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For as long as she can remember, Lucy Dolan has been jotting down her hopes on slips of paper and saving them in a pickle jar–her jar of dreams. It was the first thing she saved when the beloved family diner went up in flames, and it’s safely buckled in her beat-up minivan when she lands in Taft, Indiana, to start over. She rents a room and goes into business with her landlady, but then Gert’s nephew comes charging in to “rescue” his aunt.

Boone Brennan will be damned if he’ll let Lucy take advantage of Aunt Gert, who raised him and his sister. Believing that she’s just passing through, he’s deeply suspicious of her–despite the sparks that fly between them.

Just as Boone and Lucy are starting to open up to each other, a series of fires throws Lucy under suspicion. Boone wants to trust her and his feelings, but with the whole town against her, will he stay by her side? Or will Lucy move on and find another place to make her dreams come true?

74,000 words

The Review:

Liz Flaherty is, hands down, one of my favorite authors. She has an amazing ability to weave together stories that touch the heart as her characters overcome tragic losses and find happiness. Her latest release, Jar of Dreams is a poignant yet humorous novel that is heartwarming and sweetly romantic.

Lucy Dolan and Boone Brennan have experienced more than their fair share of tragedy in their lives. Instead of sinking into the depths of despair, they both maintain cheerful outlooks and move on with their lives. Their losses provide them a common bond and when their budding relationship sneaks up on them, Lucy and Boone must come to terms with their pasts before they can embrace their future.

What I like most about Ms. Flaherty’s characters is how optimistic they are despite the adversity in their lives. Lucy is literally beginning her life over in a new place with total strangers, yet she maintains a positive attitude. Yes, her hopefulness occasionally falters, but she quickly regains her equilibrium and continues working toward her goals. Lucy does not let her fears control her future and she is quite willing to risk her heart for a shot at happiness.

Boone is an endearing protagonist and my heart just ached for him as he worked through his grief. He is protective of his loved ones and extremely loyal, but he also does not hesitate to disagree with them when needed. Boone’s confrontation with his best friend Crockett forces him to re-examine his perception of past events and brings a measure of much needed peace their friendship.

Lucy and Boone’s relationship grows naturally out of their newfound friendship. Their romance builds slowly and I loved watching them get to know one another. Their dates are sweet, playful and full of friendly banter. Their sex scenes are sensual without being graphic.

The secondary cast of characters is quirky and vastly appealing. Aunt Gert is the heart and soul of the story and I want to be just like her when I grow up :). She is spunky, independent and she resists everyone’s efforts to coddle her (but she does give in gracefully on occasion). Boone’s sister, Kelly, is prickly and deeply suspicious of Lucy. Watching their friendship flourish is easily one of the richest and most satisfying aspects of the storyline. Crockett is working through his own issues and since they are not fully resolved by the conclusion of the novel, I am hopeful that Ms. Flaherty will bring us his story in the future.

Jar of Dreams is another captivating and emotional novel that fans of contemporary romances will not want to miss. It is a charming story of family, healing, and love that will resonate will readers. Liz Flaherty consistently delivers realistic stories that will make you laugh, cry and rejoice as the characters find their happily ever afters.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Jar of Dreams, Liz Flaherty, Rated A, Review, Romance

January 2, 2012 · 3:56 am

One More Summer by Liz Flaherty

Title: One More Summer by Liz Flaherty
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 88,000 words
Book Rating: A+ and a Recommended Read

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Grace has taken care of her widowed father her entire adult life and the ornery old goat has finally died. She has no job, no skills and very little money, and has heard her father’s prediction that no decent man would ever want her so often she accepts it as fact.

But she does have a big old house on Lawyers Row in Peacock, Tennessee. She opens a rooming house and quickly gathers a motley crew of tenants: Promise, Grace’s best friend since kindergarten, who’s fighting cancer; Maxie, an aging soap opera actress who hasn’t lost her flair for the dramatic; Jonah, a sweet, gullible old man with a crush on Maxie.

And Dillon, Grace’s brother’s best friend, who stood her up on the night of her senior prom and has regretted it ever since. Dillon rents Grace’s guest house for the summer and hopes to make up for lost time and past hurts—but first, he’ll have to convince Grace that she’s worth loving…

88,000 words

The Review:

Every once in a great while, a book comes along that captures my heart and makes me a better person for having read it. Liz Flaherty’s One More Summer is one of those rare novels. It is a wonderful blend of romance, friendship and family that is wondrously captivating. It is an all consuming novel that brings laughter and tears, often at the same time.

The heart of One More Summer is Grace Elliot. Grace’s life has not been easy, but she is unbroken by life’s tragedies. She is an incredibly strong and giving woman who opens her heart and home to anyone in need. She has a complex but loving relationship with her brother Steven and her sister Faith. But the relationship that is closest to her heart is her lifelong friendship with Promise Delaney. Along with unflinching honesty Promise and Grace provide one another unconditional love and support.

As Steven’s best friend, Dillon Campbell and Grace’s lives are irrevocably intertwined. Dillon has had his share of heartbreak and sorrow and he is still healing from a tremendous loss. Grace and Dillon forge an unlikely friendship that turns to love as they weather the latest storms in their lives.

One More Summer is a tightly plotted and compelling story. There is a wealth of intense emotions as the characters face devastating illnesses and family secrets are revealed. Ms. Flaherty brings the various characters vibrantly to life with their flaws and strengths along with their complicated and sometimes messy lives. There is angst, but there is also hope, happiness and a strong undercurrent of love.

One More Summer is a novel firmly based in reality with all of the joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams, anguish, heartache, and love that life has to offer. Liz Flaherty has written a beautifully poignant and moving story that is filled with deep emotions that will touch your heart. Be prepared to laugh and cry as Grace and Dillon’s romance unfolds in the midst of some of life’s harsher moments.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Liz Flaherty, One More Summer, Rated A+, Recommended Read, Romance