Denise HunterDenise lives in Indiana (like me!) with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped.
Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
When Sam’s estranged step-father dies, she inherits his ocean-front cottage in Nantucket–not because he kindly bequeathed it to her, but because he neglected to ever create a will. Sam returns to the island she left 11 years ago with her daughter Caden to fix up the house and sell it, but she isn’t counting on is the fact that Landon Reed still lives two doors down from her childhood home.
As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Sam must face the fact that Landon still doesn’t know why she really left the island. Will the secrets she’s hidden all these years tear them apart? Or is Landon’s love really as unconditional as he claims?
This book captured my heart immediately. I could identify with the little girl in Nantucket, swinging her legs off the side of the pier the way I used to in the Lake of the Ozarks. I have never been to Nantucket, but I know I'd love it. Any spot by water is a spot for me! And I have always thought love stories set by the sea are the most romantic. (Wuthering Heights and The French Lieutenant's Woman come to mind but trust me, you'll like the ending of Surrender Bay much better!)
I had no trouble enjoying the personality of Sam, the heroine of the story. She is a single mom of gritty self-reliance. Yet, inside, she is very afraid to trust the man who loves her most. She is afraid to give her heart away. It's much safer, and easier, to keep it hidden and to herself.
There is an allegory in this book that we can all identify with. We all struggle, as Sam does in the story, with self-talk that isn't healthy. Well, okay, if you don't -- I do! We all need to learn to trust. We all know Who we need to trust our heart to -- the One Who loves us more than anyone.
The setting, the story, even the dog in this book won my heart. I hope you'll read it because I really think it's a book you'll enjoy!
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