If you like contemporary romance, check out “Southern Star” by Phyllis Humphrey and Carolann Carmillo (Avalon Books, hardcover, $23.95, 2010).
After her father dies, Marilee Shaw inherits his beloved ship, the Southern Star, and the enormous load of debt that goes along with it. In order to keep the ship that she loves afloat, Marilee agrees to do one last cruise in the Bahamas that her father booked before he died. Marilee needs a captain for the journey and is forced to turn to Gary Pritchard, the man that she once loved and left behind. Gary agrees to help Marilee with the cruise, but he demands that she go along as well to help him. Soon, the two of them are struggling to come to terms with old hurts and their continued attraction to each other.
Humphrey and Carmillo pen a tale that has a lush, island setting, and the details about the ship and life at sea are interesting enough to make the reader want to book his own tropical cruise. The romance is sweet, and the book is short enough to read in an afternoon. However, the misunderstandings and power struggles between Marilee and Gary take away from the book’s easy, breezy island charm.
» Perfect for: Those looking for a quick read with a sweet romance.
» Drawback: Some readers may be annoyed by Marilee’s constant struggle with her feelings toward Gary.
Jennifer Estep is a published romance, fantasy and young adult author. Visit www.jenniferestep.com.
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