Review - - Christmas at Sugar Sand Inn

Christmas at Sugar Sand Inn

by Leigh Duncan

Sugar Sand Beach - Book 5

Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing

Release Date: November 19, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Welcome to Christmas at the Sugar Sand Inn! Michelle and her friends have replaced the welcome sign on the front gate with one that reads “Closed for the Holidays.” The four women deserve a little break after spending the summer working non-stop to convert the house Michelle inherited from her birth mother into an inn. The past three months they’ve definitely been thrilled—and maybe a little overwhelmed—by the influx of guests who have alternately charmed and confounded them. Now with a wedding in the works, it’s no wonder the four friends need some time to kick back, help themselves to a glass of the inn’s signature cocktail and enjoy the warm winter breezes that blow off the Gulf.

Of course, no holiday would be complete without a few problems. A tight housing market makes it difficult for Erin and her fiancé to find a house to rent. Meanwhile Michelle, Reggie and Nina prepare a very special surprise for the newlyweds. Unexpected arrivals complicate matters, and soon every room of the “closed” inn is filled to overflowing. Despite the problems, laughter rings throughout the halls, and good smells drift from the kitchen where Chef Nina and her team whip up holiday treats and one very special wedding cake.

Join Nina, Michelle, Reggie and Erin as they enjoy the new lives they’ve built in Sugar Sand Beach, where fresh opportunities for life, love and happiness are as limitless as the blue Florida skies.

PJ's Thoughts:

Leigh Duncan brings her Sugar Sand Beach series to a satisfying conclusion with a story that had me laughing, sighing, shedding a few (happy) tears, and very grateful for the chance to take this journey with Nina, Michelle, Reggie, and Erin. 

Christmas is the perfect time to wrap up this series. Duncan fills this fifth and final book with all the joy, celebration, warmth, and inevitable glitches of the season. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these four women over the course of the series, watching their lifelong friendships continue to evolve and strengthen over time. They've each grown individually as well, finding their place in life, developing their self-confidence, learning to work together toward a common goal, and overcoming the obstacles life throws in their path. Duncan has skillfully created four memorable characters who are so realistic, so relatable, that I wish I could be friends with all of them. I want to be friends with them. I want to book a stay at their inn. I want to celebrate their achievements in life...and their newfound happiness in love. I want to go back in five years (thanks to the author for a lovely epilogue), relax on the inn's front porch, and raise a glass to life, love, and Florida sunsets. 

This is a series where I strongly encourage readers to read the books in order. Start with The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn. 

Review - - The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn

The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn

by Leigh Duncan

Sugar Sand Beach - Book 4

Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing

Release Date: October 15, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Escape to Sugar Sand Beach with Erin Bradshaw and her best friends for a second chance at all life has to offer.

Forty-five year old Erin has grown restless with her life. Which is odd because she’s spent the past twenty years roaming the globe. Between summers in Alaska and winters in the Florida keys, she’s climbed the steps of Machu Picchu, hiked long sections of the Great Wall of China, and kayaked down the Amazon. Lately, though, Erin has felt the urge to put down roots, strengthen her neglected relationship with her sister, Reggie, and reconnect with her two best friends, Michelle and Nina.

When Michelle inherits a run-down beach house in sleepy Sugar Sand Beach and invites her friends to help convert it into an inn, Erin jumps at the chance to settle down with the best friends a girl could ever hope to have.

But now that Reggie’s garden is flourishing, customers crowd the tables in the Cafe, and the first of the Inn’s guests are due any day, a figure from Erin’s past makes a surprising appearance. When he threatens the bonds of friendship that have deepened over the summer, Erin must choose. Will she return to her nomadic way of life? Or will she put down forever roots in Sugar Sand Beach?

Join Michelle, Reggie, Nina and Erin as they build new lives in Sugar Sand Beach, where fresh opportunities for life, love and happiness are as limitless as the blue Florida skies.

PJ's Thoughts:

Leigh Duncan continues her Sugar Sand Inn saga with book four, The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn. Our intrepid friends are in for some major events as they inch closer to opening the doors of their inn. There's the finalization of their partnership agreement (are they all ready for this?), the senior citizen takeover (they never expected that many!), the reappearance of Erin's ex-husband (after twenty years, no less), and, oh yes, let's not forget a major hurricane on the horizon. Yikes!

At this point of the series, I am thoroughly invested in these characters, in their lives, loves, and challenges. While Erin's personal story takes the lead in this book, there's still plenty of page time for the continuation of Michelle's, Nina's, and Reggie's journeys and I am here for all of them. I appreciate the time and care Duncan is taking with these relationships. They feel natural and realistic to me. Which leads me to a slight issue I had with Erin's romance in this book. It's very fast. I had no problem with the attraction but after twenty years of no contact, I had some trouble buying into the rest (trying to avoid spoilers here). I'm hoping the next book will tie things up for me and give me confidence in their relationship. 

The final book in the series, Christmas at Sugar Sand Inn, is scheduled to be released November 19. While I am eager to read it, I'm not ready to say good-bye to Michelle, Reggie, Nina, and Erin. They've become more to me than characters in a book. They've become friends and it has been pure pleasure to watch them soar. I guess I'll just have to set this series to the side where I can revisit it whenever I need a reminder that we're never too old to start over, to find a new passion, to open ourselves to love, and that we should always treasure and nurture the unconditional support and love among our best friends. 

If you enjoy women's fiction with mature characters, female friendships, starting over, and hard-earned happy endings, give this series a try. For maximum enjoyment, I recommend beginning with book one, The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn, and reading the rest of the books in order. 

Review - - The Cafe at Sugar Sand Inn and Birthday Giveaway #6

The Cafe at Sugar Sand Inn

by Leigh Duncan

Sugar Sand Beach - Book 3

Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing

Release Date: August 13, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Escape to Sugar Sand Beach with Nina Gray and her best friends for a second chance at all life has to offer.

At forty-five, Chef Nina has all but given up on her dream of having a kitchen of her very own. Once hailed as the fresh, new face on the restaurant scene, she saw her hopes for the future fall like an overbaked soufflé after the man she loved betrayed her and destroyed her reputation. For ten years, Nina has worked hard at regaining the trust of the top chefs in the DC area. But opening a restaurant of her own? That dream went up in a puff of smoke a long time ago.

Or she thought it had…until, thanks to the best friends a girl could ever want, Nina gets one more chance to make her dreams come true. While Michelle, Reggie and Erin concentrate on converting a run-down beach house into an inn, Nina tests out new dishes and recipes for the soon-to-be-opened Cafe at Sugar Sand Inn. But when rumors of Nina’s past threaten the Cafe, will diners and guests patronize the beautiful restaurant she’s always wanted? Or will history repeat itself?

Join Nina, Michelle, Reggie and Erin as they build new lives in Sugar Sand Beach, where fresh opportunities for life, love and happiness are as limitless as the blue Florida skies.

PJ's Thoughts:

Leigh Duncan continues her Sugar Sand Beach series with another heartwarming story about second chances and mature women who are at a crossroads in their lives. I'm really enjoying this new women's fiction series and the four women at the heart of it. This time around, it's Nina's turn to take center stage as she prepares for the opening of her new cafe. 

In this book, Duncan skillfully weaves the threads of all four women's lives together as they move forward with their new lives, strengthen the bonds of their already strong friendships, work together to open their new inn, and conquer the unexpected challenges thrown into their paths. Even though Nina is the primary focus of this book, we still watch the continuing growth of the other women, the new people entering their lives, and the progress toward making their dreams a reality. Nina is in for a rocky road with the appearance of the man who destroyed her career and seems determined to do so again. There's a bit of a mystery to solve while dealing with her adversary, an intriguing contractor who may play an important role in her life going forward, and a point where Nina has to decide if her dreams are worth fighting for. 

It's another page-turner that has me even more deeply enmeshed in the lives of Nina, Michelle, Reggie, and Erin along with the residents of their sleepy beachside town. Forty-five year old, world traveler Erin is next and I'm eager to find out what Duncan has in store for her. Her book, The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn is scheduled to release October 15, 2021. I already have it marked on my book calendar. 

This is a series where I recommend reading the books in order. They are The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn, The Secret at Sugar Sand Inn, The Cafe at Sugar Sand Inn, The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn (10/15/21), and Christmas at Sugar Sand Inn (11/19/21). While all five books have romantic threads, they are chaste women's fiction (no love scenes).  

Michelle, Nina, Reggie, and Erin are all starting over in a small beach town in the Florida Panhandle. If you were starting over with a group of girlfriends, where would you choose? The beach? Mountains? Country? City? Somewhere else? 

Birthday Giveaway #6

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, September 8 will receive a book from my home library (U.S. only). If the winner is international, you will receive one book of your choice (value not to exceed $10 U.S.) from bookdepository.com.

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Review & Giveaway - - The Secret at Sugar Sand Inn

The Secret at Sugar Sand Inn

by Leigh Duncan

Sugar Sand Beach - Book 2

Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing

Release Date: May 13, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Reggie has life all mapped out. The husband she put through law school has just landed his first big case. He’ll probably make junior partner within the year. In no time at all, they’ll move out of their cramped apartment, pay off the bills from the fertility clinic and buy a nice house in the suburbs, where they’ll raise the baby Reggie longs to hold in her arms.

Except…life goes seriously off course when Reggie’s husband walks out on their marriage the same day she receives the most devastating news. With her hopes and dreams for the future crumbling, Reggie turns to three of the best friends a girl could ever want.

Helping Michelle, Nina and Erin convert a run-down beach house into the Sugar Sand Inn is just the project Reggie needs to restore her self-confidence and heal her battered soul. A talented gardener, she volunteers to restore the neglected grounds around the inn to their former glory with the help of handyman Chris Johnson. In no time at all, Reggie’s world is filled with bright possibilities for the home and family she’s always wanted. But will the secret she harbors jeopardize Reggie’s new-found happiness?

Join Reggie, Michelle, Nina and Erin as they build new lives in Sugar Sand Beach, where fresh opportunities for life, love and happiness are as limitless as the blue Florida skies.

PJ's Thoughts:

The saga of the Sugar Sand Inn continues as best friends Reggie, Michelle, Nina, and Erin arrive in Florida with all their belongings and set about turning Michelle's inheritance into a lovely inn while also confronting the life issues that have put each of them at a crossroads. As in book one, this second installment of their journey is told from alternating perspectives of each woman, allowing us to discover more aspects of their stories and personalities. Each of them continues to evolve as they work through the process of restoring the inn, begin to forge relationships in the community, and settle in to their new home. The primary focus of this book, however, is on Reggie, the youngest of them and the one on the most tenuous emotional footing.

Like the gardens surrounding the Sugar Sand Inn, Reggie is just beginning to emerge from the tangled vines of her marriage and contentious divorce. It was such a joy to watch her begin to find her footing and reclaim her self-worth after enduring the emotional abuse of her controlling, almost ex-husband. I was in her corner, cheering her on the whole way, especially when closely-held secrets about the louse were revealed. Her journey is filled with humor, hope, self-reflection, an emotionally devastating secret, and the first steps toward healing and happiness. I have hopes that Reggie will continue to flourish and that, possibly, there is romance in her future with a single father who is deserving of her love...unlike her ex. 

Nina takes center stage next with book three, The Café at Sugar Sand Inn, due to be published on August 13. After the final sentence of The Secret at Sugar Sand Inn (who is the strange man Nina is clearly shocked to see?), I'm counting down the days!

If you enjoy heart-tugging and empowering women's fiction with mature female friendships, realistic issues, and drool-worthy food, set amidst the rugged natural beauty and scenic, soothing shores of the Gulf of Mexico on the Florida Panhandle, this series is for you. As each Sugar Sand Beach story builds upon the previous one, this is one time where I strongly recommend reading the books in order.

~~~~~~~~~

The food in this book had me drooling all over my Kindle, especially the appetizers Nina prepared for the inn's open house. They made me want to head straight to my kitchen and start cooking. 

What's your go-to appetizer (or dish) to prepare for guests? If you don't cook, what appetizer is your favorite to eat?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 15 will receive a signed print copy of The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn. 

*Must be 18

*U.S. only

Review & Giveaway - - The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn

by Leigh Duncan

Sugar Sand Beach - Book 1

Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing

Release Date: March 23, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Escape to Sugar Sand Beach with Michelle Robinson and her best friends for a second chance at all life has to offer.

At forty-five, Michelle has a great life. A husband who loves her. Two children on the fast track to success. A beautiful home in the rolling hills of Virginia. And three of the best friends a girl could ever want.

But with the sudden death of Michelle’s husband of twenty-five years, her life turns upside down.

Forced to sell their forever home and at odds with her children, Michelle faces a bleak future. Until an unexpected inheritance starts her on a path paved with bright possibilities.

Join Michelle, Reggie, Nina and Erin as they journey to Sugar Sand Beach where fresh opportunities for life, love and happiness are as limitless as the blue Florida skies.

PJ's Thoughts:

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn launches Duncan's new women's fiction series about four women, best friends, each at a crossroads in her life, who are offered the unexpected opportunity to take a new path. It's heart-tugging, complicated, hopeful, and inspiring. 

In this first book, Duncan introduces us to four fully-developed and complex characters. While Michelle takes center stage, we begin to know all four friends and dip into their individual stories as they are tested by complicated family relationships, workplace manipulation, and personal betrayal. I'm intrigued by each of them, already forming attachments, fully invested in their stories, and eager to discover where this new adventure will take them. It will be fun to watch them bring a forgotten, Florida beachfront, Queen Anne home to life again with a new purpose as they - hopefully - do the same for themselves, with the possibility of new romances to sweeten the deal.

If you enjoy female friendships, mature characters (mid-thirties to mid-forties), new life adventures, and the beach (who doesn't love the beach?), give The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn a try. The remaining four books will all be released this year and I am eager to read all of them.   

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn (3/23/21)

The Secret at Sugar Sand Inn (5/14/21)

The Cafe at Sugar Sand Inn (8/13/21)

The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn (10/15/21)

Christmas at Sugar Sand Inn (11/19/21)

~~~~~~~~

In their quest to restore their new property and open the Sugar Sand Inn, each woman takes responsibility for a different facet of the project. Michelle is the business mind, Reggie is in charge of landscaping, Chef Nina tackles the kitchen, and globe-trotting athlete Erin dives into water sports and other activities. 

If you and a group of friends decided to restore an old home and turn it into an inn, which part of the project would you claim?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 3 will receive a Kindle copy of The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn. 

*Must be 18

*Amazon US only