Mariner’s Cove by E. Ayers

Do you believe in fate? Nikki Winchester, a young widow with children, wasn’t looking for romance. All she wanted was two glorious weeks of solitude before starting a new job. “Brook” Brooklyn was picking up the pieces of his life after a costly divorce, and Mariner’s Cove was the perfect place to do it. He wasn’t expecting his first renter to be everything he wanted or for his cousin to ruin it.

Start with a house at the beach. Stir together a widow who still felt married, an irresponsible cousin, a misconception, an opportunity of a lifetime, a few tears, and a little humor. Add a generous amount of rain, plenty of sunshine, a love of sailing, and three children with very different problems. Put it all together in Mariner’s Cove, then watch the friendship grow, and true love blossom.

Chapter 1

(Excerpt)

“Be good for Grandma,” Nikki Winchester admonished her daughter.

“Yeah, whatever.” Hannah frowned then rolled her eyes at her younger brother.

Logan shrugged and started to turn away.

“Don’t I get a hug before I leave?” Nikki asked.

Logan threw his arms around his mom and almost towered over her. Skinny, yet sinewy, he was going to be tall like his dad. He wasn’t her baby boy anymore.

That terrible empty feeling filled Nikki. Her heart pounded against her lungs. It was all she could do to keep from crying. She reached out and pulled her daughter into the embrace. When she let go of her children, Nikki turned to her mom and forced a smile. “I’m going to be fine. I need this.”

“I know you do. I just hope you find the peace you’ve been looking for since…”

Nikki nodded. “So do I.”

Nikki gave her mom one last kiss and walked out the front door. She’d never done anything like this in her life, and if she had to start over she was determined to make it a positive experience. Tears welled. She swiped her fingers across each eye wiping away the moisture that had collected and forced herself to focus on the long drive ahead of her.

Darkness was descending over the little town of Mariner’s Cove as Nikki drove through it. Past the anchored fishing boats and across the water, she could see the twinkle of lights emanating from houses that surrounded the cove. Certain she didn’t have much further to go, she took several deep breaths and allowed her body to relax for the first time all day. She turned off the main road onto an unmarked macadam lane that barely looked wide enough for two cars. Dotted along the way were mailboxes next to driveways that cut between the trees and scrubs. A cluster of mailboxes clung together in one clump as the macadam lane turned into a dirt road.

She wanted an adventure, a real change of pace. Was it a huge mistake? Weary from the all-day drive worry crept up her aching back and into her neck. What if she had paid all her money and it was a scam? What if there were no house waiting for her? She shuddered and fingered her cell phone on the seat beside her. Would she even have a signal in this remote place? Her fingers gripped the steering wheel even tighter.

She slammed on her brakes. Gravel slapped the underside of her car. Two little eyeballs glowed in the center of the road then slowly turned and moseyed into the scrub on the far side. It wasn’t much bigger than a cat, but she didn’t recognize it in the dark. Fear slithered over her. Her heart pounded in her chest. She was insane for coming here.

The passenger seat held the confirmation email she had printed. She flicked on the dim map light and read the directions on more time. Drive to the very end of the road and there will be a small bungalow. A sign says, Welcome to the Point.

Reviews

This book would be the perfect summer beach read, even if I did read it by the pool in October in Southern California. I loved the setting, especially the beach house (which I wanted to own.) Reading the story was like floating on gentle waves. It wasn’t full of tension or suspense, just a lovely unfolding as a young widow learns she can find love again.

I really enjoyed this book. There is a definite twist to the story which I loved. I also loved the setting of the book. I connected to the main character of the story because she was real. She is a real woman with real problems that must be over come despite what life throws at her. She is not your typical plastic beauty. I highly recommend this book.

Sweet. Nothing was obvious in the beginning and that is a fun way to begin a story. Hmm, first you meet Nikki looking to make sense of her life by a private vacation in Maine leaving family and friends behind. Then you meet Brooklyn, don’t bother pondering the name because he is a lawyer running away from his marriage and his job. What can these two possibly find interesting about each other. Can’t be Nikki’s two children who are still trying to deal with the death of their father – a police officer. Nor is Brooklyn’s cute but very spoiled daughter. But there they all are in this little lobster pot town looking for a better life.

About the Author

E. Ayers is an avid reader and loves a good romance. A true believer in love at first sight because it happened to her, she thinks everyone should find that special someone. When it happens, it’s magical. Writing about true love is what she enjoys doing and when she’s not spending time with her two dogs and waiting on his royal highness (the cat), she’s busy writing. The official matchmaker for all the characters who wander through her mind, she likes finding just the right ones to create a story.

She writes a slice-of-life novel – the romantic slice in two characters lives. In today’s world, most people have careers and responsibilities. Figuring out how to blend two separate lives into one can be a huge dilemma. No one is perfect. She brings that into what she writes.

The fantasy of a handsome hunk who will sweep the damsel off her feet and carry her off to a castle in the clouds is still there, but that castle is probably a condo. And that damsel isn’t going to be persuaded by a few smooth lines.

Read more about E. Ayers on her website.