Friday, February 8, 2013

Mistletoe Bay by Marcia Evanick

As I reviewed all my old posts I realized that I have never reviewed books by Marcia Evanick and I love her books set in Misty Harbor, Maine.  I reread these books about once a year.  Maybe it is because I live in Maine that they hold so much appeal.
Her series begins with the story of Gwen Fletcher the first of three Fletcher sisters who all eventually end up in Misty Harbor.  Catch of the Day is Gwen's story.  Then Sidney becomes the town's doctor in Christmas on Conrad Street.  Jocelyn, who is an attorney and dissatisfied with her job, comes to Misty Harbor in the book Blueberry Hill to reevaluate her life and ends up staying.
The last book in the series is Mistletoe Bay and this one grabs at my heart.  Jenni Wright has bought an old rundown home just outside of Misty Harbor.  She is a young widow with three boys and her widowed mother-in-law and daughter also live with her.  Jenni bought the house because it had a well restored barn where she could begin her business The Mistletoe Bay Company.  She creates unique and natural lotions, soaps and other products.
The UPS delivery person is Cooper Armstrong.  Coop grew up in the area and has just returned to stay.  He makes the deliveries and pick up for the Mistletoe Bay Company and has learned to keep a close watch out for the boys as they are very active and one never knows when they might pop out.  In fact Tucker, the middle boy, gets into much mischief! The boys call him Mr. Brown!
I love the way Jenni and Coop met!  Jenni is trying to get the dog, Bojangles, out from under the porch as Coop is striding up for a delivery.  That scene has some very funny moments.  I really like the way that Coop took the family under his wing and started making some minor repairs to the house and came to really love Jenni and the boys.
Jenni and Coop are both strong characters and very likable.  The family is very close but as with any family there are issues and problems.  Evanick writes with a nice style and uses humor to help ,move the plot along.  These books of hers were the first contemporaries that I began reading.  While I am still a fan of historicals I have come to enjoy a few contemporaries and Marcia Evanick is the reason.
I love stories set in Maine along the coast.  Sometimes I think in another life I must have lived there or that it is my dream to live there.
I am sorry that Marcia Evanick does not seem to be writing any more and I am disappointed in that.  I highly recommend her series to anyone wanting a good read.