Title: Share the Moon (Blue Moon Lake #1)
Author: Sharon Struth
Publisher: Lyrical Press (Kensington)
Rating: 3.5 stars
From the book:
Sometimes trust is the toughest lesson to learn.
Sophie Shaw is days away from signing a contract that will fulfill her dream of owning a vineyard. For her, it’s a chance to restart her life and put past tragedies to rest. But Duncan Jamieson’s counter offer blows hers out to sea.
Duncan still finds Sophie as appealing as he had during boyhood vacations to the lake. Older and wiser now, he has his own reasons for wanting the land. His offer, however, hinges on a zoning change approval.
Bribery rumors threaten the deal and make Sophie wary of Duncan, yet she cannot deny his appeal. When her journalistic research uncovers a Jamieson family secret, trust becomes the hardest lesson for them both.
Sophie Shaw is days away from signing a contract that will fulfill her dream of owning a vineyard. For her, it’s a chance to restart her life and put past tragedies to rest. But Duncan Jamieson’s counter offer blows hers out to sea.
Duncan still finds Sophie as appealing as he had during boyhood vacations to the lake. Older and wiser now, he has his own reasons for wanting the land. His offer, however, hinges on a zoning change approval.
Bribery rumors threaten the deal and make Sophie wary of Duncan, yet she cannot deny his appeal. When her journalistic research uncovers a Jamieson family secret, trust becomes the hardest lesson for them both.
My review:
Struth weaves a tale of unimaginable loss, grief, regret, hope and redemption in the first of her new Blue Moon series.Duncan and Sophie are very realistic characters; Sophie cannot overcome her grief from losing her son, and Duncan, still recovering from the sudden death of his first wife, is weighed down by the regrets he has from his earlier life decisions.
I wasn't as connected to the characters as I wanted to be - usually, I strongly dislike reading about such horrible events in a person's life. I prefer light-hearted romances that leave me feeling happy and elated and full of hope. But this story is so well-written that I felt I needed to go on, to see how it played out - how could two such damaged characters really ever come to a happy place, when their lives are so upside-down? (I'm not going to spoil it. You have to read it to find out!)
I was pleasantly surprised at the mystery in this story - I have to admit, I wasn't expecting it. And when I closed the book, although I still wasn't connected to the characters, I did feel a sense of satisfaction and an interest in reading the next in the series. The secondary characters are well-rounded and I'm looking forward to what Struth has in store for us with Blue Moon Lake #2!
Three and a half stars.
(Disclaimer: I was provided a digital Advanced Reader Copy (e-ARC) from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review.)
About the Author
Sharon Struth is an award-winning author who believes it’s never too late for a second chance in love or life. When she’s not writing, she and her husband happily sip their way through the scenic towns of the Connecticut Wine Trail. Sharon writes from the small town of Bethel, Connecticut, the friendliest place she’s ever lived. For more information, including where to find her other novels and published essays, please visit her website.
Contact Sharon:
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
