Barefoot Bay Timeless - Book One
By Roxanne St. Claire
Publisher: South Street Publishing
Release Date: June 10, 2016
By her own admission, advertising copywriter Emma DeWitt is jaded, jilted, and jobless, but she goes over the edge when she learns that the resort villa that was supposed to be the site of her romantic honeymoon is occupied by a single man. But when the sexy silver fox who's staying in the villa surprises her with an irresistible offer to pose as his fake fiancée, Emma sees a way to have her week in paradise and begin healing her broken heart.
Mark believes every person has only one soul mate...and he's met, married, and buried his. Emma believes that love is a marketing concept created to sell fairy tales and expensive weddings. What if they are both wrong...and completely right for each other?
With Barefoot at Sunset, Roxanne St. Claire kicks off a new trilogy set within the Southwest Florida world of her popular Barefoot Bay series. This trilogy differs from the other Barefoot Bay books in that it features what many readers (including me) have been begging for: heroes and heroines with more years of life experience under their belts. But don't think that an almost 50-year-old hero and almost 40-year-old heroine mean fewer sexy-times! The Barefoot Bay Timeless stories are filled with all the humor, heart, depth of emotion, and delicious sizzle that I love and expect from a Roxanne St. Claire book.
Mark and Emma's story gave me all the feels I wanted. There are scenes that made me laugh out loud and others that had my heart clenching with compassion. Emma and Mark are both great characters and I was invested in them and their happiness from the start. I appreciated the slow journey they take, both individually and as a couple, from strangers who are closed off from the possibility of a new love to a chance at a happy life together. As a widower of 16 years, Mark is open to desire but he's had his "one love" and doesn't believe he can find that deep, forever kind of love again. Emma, a 37-year-old career woman, finally took a chance on marriage only to be jilted by her fiancé, who also happened to be her boss, and now finds herself single and unemployed, with not the slightest desire to throw her hat into that ring again. These two need time to get to know one another, build a foundation of friendship, and explore the desire that sparks between them and St. Claire wisely gives it to them...along with a little otherworldly nudge that adds a poignant element to the happy-ever-after they deserve.
Grab your beach bag and a cool drink and take another delightfully delicious trip to Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot Bay with her newest book, Barefoot at Sunset.
How do you feel about heroes and heroines in their 30's and 40's?
Do you like second-chance romances?
Have you explored Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot Bay stories yet?
I'm giving away a Kindle copy of Barefoot at Sunset to one person who leaves a comment on today's post. Deadline for leaving comments to be included in the giveaway is 11:00 PM (EST) June 17, 2016.
30's and 40's? - still chickens. Fine by me.
ReplyDeleteWith second chances I always like to know what drove them apart in the first place & if it is still a factor.
Spring chickens to me too, Mary but with enough seasoning to give them depths that make them more interesting. In this particular book, the hero and heroine are meeting for the first time. It's their second chance at a forever love but with a new person.
DeleteI like that this has an couple in there 30's & 40's. A little bit more relatable. Although I still have a few years on them.lol
ReplyDeleteI have years on them too, Kathleen but I found them very relatable!
DeleteI really liked this one, PJ! In fact, I'd be reading the last few chapters right now if my Kindle didn't shut down on me!!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteI like the older heroes and heroines. I also liked the way she showed them getting to know each other and falling in love. It wasn't about the insta-lust which I've never been a real fan of. I have nothing against great sex but you have to come up for air sooner or later and actually communicate with the person you tend to spend the rest of your life with. The banter and the revealing of hopes and fears felt very real and authentic to me. This was a fun read.
I'd be reading the last few chapters right now if my Kindle didn't shut down on me!!!!
DeleteLOL! Don't you just hate when that happens?
Like you, both the characters and their situations felt very authentic to me, especially Mark's. I had no problem identifying with him as my husband died 15 years ago. I thought he was portrayed very realistically.
I think it's great to have older heroes and heroines. Sometimes book characters are so young, I can't identify with them at all. I enjoy Roxanne's Barefoot series, and I look forward to reading this newest group, as well. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan too, LSU. Reading Barefoot at Sunset has really upped the excitement for the next two books!
DeleteI'm a fan too, LSU. Reading Barefoot at Sunset has really upped the excitement for the next two books!
DeleteI'm glad a few authors are writing older heroes and heroines - I like some reality in my reading choices.
ReplyDeleteThough if you think about it, there have been plenty of heroes in their 30s. Many historicals feature titled gentlemen who were in no hurry to marry until they meet that special girl who is much younger. . . .
You're right about the historical romances, Glenda. What I like about Barefoot at Sunset is that not only is the hero older but the heroine isn't twenty-two. She also has life experience and is closer to the hero in age.
DeleteI like that she has written stories in her Barefoot Bay series that are a little older. I love how she called them silver foxes. I think the age is a good age. It appeals to me because they are just a little bit younger than me. This story reminds me of my BFF who got remarried at 50 to a man 2 yrs younger than her.
ReplyDeleteGood for your friend, Pamela! In my opinion, it's never too late to find true love.
DeleteI love second chance romances because I'm the recipient of a second chance...and my second marriage is still going strong after 36 years. In today's world, second chances are realistic...and so are "silver foxes." I was older when I met my second husband and I'm even older yet now . . . :-) And I have purchased several Barefoot Bay romances by Roxanne, but just haven't read them yet. I better get on the ball, huh? jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteYou have some good reading ahead, Janice. What I like about the Barefoot Bay books is that they are divided into trilogies so a reader isn't overwhelmed by the number of books in the series.
Deletelove second-chance romances. I don't mind the characters being older. I'm also glad you gave it such a positive review.
ReplyDeletedenise
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Denise!
DeleteI love second-chance romances and I like older characters, too. There's something about a widower, too, that draws me in. I've read some of St. Claire's novels, but I need to get caught up!
ReplyDeleteThey draw me in too, Nikki. Probably because I've been a widow for the past 15 years. I feel I can relate to the characters.
DeleteI like the 30's and 40's its more acutate for me. BUT dont' you think the guy on the cover looks older than that? he looks (to me) more like early 60's. I want to get this book soon...
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the book! I think the cover guy would look good at any age! :) I do think he looks the age he portrays in the story though (48). Not as many wrinkles as most guys in their 60's that I've seen. But that's just my opinion.
DeleteCongratulations on the new release. I always like that trope, but I usually like the characters under 45. 48 isn't that far removed.
ReplyDeleteYes, to all the above questions! This looks like a great book, I'm anxious to get my hands on it.
ReplyDelete