Book Review for: "Summer Love" Written by: Linda Swift Desert Breeze Publishing ISBN: 978-1-61252-27-8 eBook format only 4 Stars Reviewed by: S.
Burkhart Swift pens an engaging contemporary romance with mature characters in "Summer Love.
" Taking place over the course of a summer, Paula Howard has to start all over again.
Over fifty, Paula finds it a challenge she's determined to master.
Will the handsome Derek Vogel have Paula yearning for the past or hoping for the future? Set in Alabama, Paula Howard is recently divorced with little prospects.
Realizing Paula has to make her own way in the world, she goes back to college with the intention of getting her teaching credentials.
Upon her arrival at Winthrope Hall, Paula makes several friends, Sharon, Louise, Ruth, and Derek who are all taking classes during the summer.
Paula finds herself attracted to Derek, but is still nursing her wounded heart after her divorce.
As Paula dives into her studies, she realizes it's demanding work.
On top of her schedule, Paula has to deal with her ex-husband, Quent, who is in the throes of a mid-life crisis, Amy, her adult daughter who insists on getting married at Paula's house which is for sale, and a department head that is overly critical of her.
On a visit to the Winthrope business, she meets Gregory Winthrope, heir to the estate who finds Paula's honesty refreshing.
Paula is assigned a student to tutor, as are her friends, Ruth and Derek.
The students, teenagers, come from the school of hard knocks, giving Paula more challenges.
The highlight of summer is Amy's wedding.
When Paula sees her ex-husband will the pull of what's familiar override her heart's desire to explore the attraction between her and Derek? Swift engages the reader with interesting characters and a compelling plot.
She uses a good economy of words to paint the setting and descriptions.
Paula enjoys gardening and roses are her favorite.
The Christopher Columbus rose is dear to her and symbolic of love - love of family, heart, and home.
Paula is a mature heroine, over fifty, but struggles with problems everyone can identify with - loss, betrayal, guilt, and hope.
Derek is also a mature hero.
There's no denying his honor and nobility since he's a retired military man.
The supporting cast is a delight and compliment Paula and Derek well.
Each of them have interesting lives, and the reader will come to root for them as naturally as they do Paula and Derek.
There were several typos that while noticeable, did not take away from the enjoyment of the story.
The novel is sophisticated for romance readers.
The love scene is tender and heartwarming.
"Summer Love" will have the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next.
Burkhart Swift pens an engaging contemporary romance with mature characters in "Summer Love.
" Taking place over the course of a summer, Paula Howard has to start all over again.
Over fifty, Paula finds it a challenge she's determined to master.
Will the handsome Derek Vogel have Paula yearning for the past or hoping for the future? Set in Alabama, Paula Howard is recently divorced with little prospects.
Realizing Paula has to make her own way in the world, she goes back to college with the intention of getting her teaching credentials.
Upon her arrival at Winthrope Hall, Paula makes several friends, Sharon, Louise, Ruth, and Derek who are all taking classes during the summer.
Paula finds herself attracted to Derek, but is still nursing her wounded heart after her divorce.
As Paula dives into her studies, she realizes it's demanding work.
On top of her schedule, Paula has to deal with her ex-husband, Quent, who is in the throes of a mid-life crisis, Amy, her adult daughter who insists on getting married at Paula's house which is for sale, and a department head that is overly critical of her.
On a visit to the Winthrope business, she meets Gregory Winthrope, heir to the estate who finds Paula's honesty refreshing.
Paula is assigned a student to tutor, as are her friends, Ruth and Derek.
The students, teenagers, come from the school of hard knocks, giving Paula more challenges.
The highlight of summer is Amy's wedding.
When Paula sees her ex-husband will the pull of what's familiar override her heart's desire to explore the attraction between her and Derek? Swift engages the reader with interesting characters and a compelling plot.
She uses a good economy of words to paint the setting and descriptions.
Paula enjoys gardening and roses are her favorite.
The Christopher Columbus rose is dear to her and symbolic of love - love of family, heart, and home.
Paula is a mature heroine, over fifty, but struggles with problems everyone can identify with - loss, betrayal, guilt, and hope.
Derek is also a mature hero.
There's no denying his honor and nobility since he's a retired military man.
The supporting cast is a delight and compliment Paula and Derek well.
Each of them have interesting lives, and the reader will come to root for them as naturally as they do Paula and Derek.
There were several typos that while noticeable, did not take away from the enjoyment of the story.
The novel is sophisticated for romance readers.
The love scene is tender and heartwarming.
"Summer Love" will have the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next.
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