Anchor Island - Book 3
By Terri Osburn
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Release Date: May 1, 2014
I have grown very attached to the characters at Anchor
Island, and the transient Will Parsons is no exception. She belongs there in a
way she hasn’t belonged anywhere else—but there’s a reason why Randy calls her
gypsy. Will Parsons is used to doing for herself and knows better than to
accept help from anyone, a lesson she learned the hard way after the death of
her mother. Now her code is to lay low and not make a scene; however, when a
magazine journalist and a photographer come to the island to feature Anchor
Island for some much needed tourist publicity, it’s very hard for Will to stick
to the code. The usually unflappable, competent Will becomes very, very
flappable, which lends itself to Terri Osburn’s signature humor.
Randy Navarro is sublime beefcake, if you go for that sort
of thing, and the most beta of betas in the best of all possible ways. He’s Zen.
He’s vegetarian. He’s athletic and happy go lucky and just an all-around nice
guy. Lately the only thing that’s actually making him mad is the fact that
every time he gets around Will Parsons, she behaves as if he’s seconds away
from doing a Hulk imitation and destroying everything around him, including
her. He certainly can’t think what he’s done to merit such a reaction.
Tying the two together is Beth, the heroine from MEANT TO
BE, who is now planning her wedding and is giving a credible rendition of a
Bridezilla. (Honestly, Will should be far more afraid of her.) Will takes on
the task of keeping Beth’s wedding on track when Beth has a little health scare
(she’s pregnant—terrifying!) and needs to relax. Randy helps Will, whenever,
that is, Will is willing to be helped, frankly as little as possible, but the
man is irritatingly handy. The wedding itself is going to take place in an area
that Randy owns and has already detailed. Those people that Will doesn’t know, Randy
does. She doesn’t want to spend time with him, as she makes clear time and
again, but she’s not going to get far without his help. Will gets some rude
awakenings that Randy is not some he-man Goliath without
thoughts that don’t revolve around sports. The man’s helpful; he’s sensitive;
and God help her, he’s incredibly hot.
As a scene involving a jet ski will attest.
HOME TO STAY is a bit darker than its predecessors, but because
it’s a contemporary romance, it stays true to its roots and doesn’t skive off
into major romantic suspense and thriller episodes. Although Will came from an
abusive relationship, there is not a black moment where the bad guy sneaks into
her room while she’s sleeping, there’s a tussle, and he falls off the balcony
to his death. Contrary to television fiction, that doesn’t always happen. But
what it doesn’t have in overly dramatic showdowns, it makes up for with sweet
and sassy characters, a spicy romance (did I mention the jet ski? The jet ski
is important), and a satisfying ending. Well, mostly. I am glad that there will
be a fourth book to show us what Beth is going to have and a little more
entertainment among our favorite cast of characters. Anchor Island is a lot
like the desserts at Opal’s—there’s no such thing as too much of a good thing.
~Hellie
Hellie Sinclair (a.k.a. Fran) was one of the founding members of the Romance Writer's Revenge, where she frequently got to satisfy her love of good books and her need to expound by writing reviews. Hellie loves to craft on projects she rarely finishes, watch British dramas as a sort of Olympic marathon event, and do most anything that fits the description "indolent and pleasurable." Fortunately reading falls into that category. Connect with Hellie on Facebook.
The best reviews are those like this one in which the reviewer has the intelligence and insight to give an opinion with which I am in total agreement. :) I love this book! Randy is my newest book boyfriend and one of my all-time favorite beta heroes. Like you, Hellie, I can't wait for another visit to Anchor Island.
ReplyDelete*LOL* I feel that way about the best book reviews myself. "Hey that person is BRILLIANT. They totally loved it too." Randy was a very exceptional romance book hero. I think Terri might be redefining betas and how to use them in fiction...
DeleteI wouldn't mind a little jaunt to Ocracoke myself! But I'm all about ocean and beach and rum drinks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. But it isn't nice to make a girl tear up while she's sitting in the airport. Thank you to all the Randy lovers. And yes, definitely book a trip to Ocracoke Island. You won't regret it. :)
ReplyDeleteDitto what Janga said! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Hellie. Randy is one of the reasons why I enjoy my visits to Anchor Island so much. I hope we'll continue to see more of him in future books.
I just read this book, too & loved it! Great series!
ReplyDeleteHaven't visited Anchor Island yet, but it sounds like a worth while "trip."
ReplyDelete