Reviews for The House on the Shore
Victoria Howard has painted her readers a beautiful picture of Scotland with her words and descriptions. Set in modern times, she tells a wonderful love story that is riddled with suspense.
Anna MacDonald moves to the Scottish Highlands to make a fresh start. After ending a bad relationship and leaving her job, Anna moves into a croft that was left to her by her grandmother. She is tired of the city and wants some peace and quiet so she can spend her summer writing a book and also reconnect with her childhood friends.
The last thing on Anna’s mind is meeting a man. Not only does she meet a very good looking American man whose boat breaks down near her croft, but she instantly feels an emotional and physical connection with him. Trying her best to ignore these feelings, Anna finds herself in a heap of trouble. She gets a letter offering a hefty sum of money to sell her croft, which she quickly declines. Soon after, she appears to become a target to someone. This someone is pretty adamant that he wants her dead. She gets shot at, her home gets broken into, and her car is tampered with, among other things. Fearing for her safety, Anna’s friend convinces her to allow Luke, the dreamy American with a heart melting smile, to stay with her until she can find out who wants to hurt her.
As the days go on, Anna and Luke form a special bond and cling to each other. At the same time, Anna’s stalker is upping the ante and Luke will stop at nothing to find the man so that Anna will be safe.
Victoria Howard does a wonderful job with her character creations. In fact, I found myself falling for Luke! She allows you to see inside their world and form a bond with them. I also liked the description of the landscape. Victoria Howard gives just enough description without going overboard.
The suspense of the story was what really captured my interest. I adore a good love story, so with the added suspense Victoria Howard has created an amazing story that will captivate her readers until the very end. I would recommend this story to any romance and suspense lovers. The romance is not too over the stop, so it will not spoil the story for all of the suspense lovers out there!
Reviewed by Ashley Merrill
www.frontstreetreviews.com
Rating: 4 Cups
Anna
MacDonald has had enough backstabbing and betrayal to last her a
lifetime. When her longtime lover and coworker passes her up for some
‘blonde bombshell,’ she decides to cut her losses and go on sabbatical.
As a creative writing professor, she has all the knowledge she needs to
write a book of her own, so she heads to the one place she has a
connection to, Tigh na Cladach.
Luke
Tallantyre is a landscaping artist from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. When
his portraits start to look like one another and there is no special
quality in them, he takes his yacht and sets sail with no special
destination in mind. Weighing anchor in the rugged northwest Highlands,
he does not expect to find himself in Loch Hourn, otherwise known as
the Loch of Hell.
Finding
himself stranded until he can get a part for his yacht, Luke soon
discovers a peaceful serenity in the village and the people within it.
For Anna, having a rugged man such as him practically in her backyard
becomes harder for her as she finds herself fighting an attraction for
this handsome stranger. When her home is broken into and then she is
later shot at, Anna must turn to Luke for help in hopes of finding the
protection she needs. As the accidents escalate, a dear friend will be
harmed, and Anna must decide if Luke is helping her, or if he is the
evil force behind the attacks.
The
House on the Shore is a sensually suspenseful story filled with
non-stop action, romance, and mystery. The facts of Scotland are told
with brilliant description that bring the land to life and leave you
feeling as if you have stepped out of your world and into the pages.
Ms. Howard uses such passion and emotion when telling her story, making
the tale flow right along until the last page is turned. With many
different characters that will keep you guessing, this novel is the
perfect example of how a suspenseful story should be told. Thrilling
until the very end, this book has a who-done-it attitude with such an
aching tone of sensuality and love, it will keep you up all night just
so you can finish this fantastic tale.
Cherokee
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Anna MacDonald is looking to start over. She’s just been passed over for a promotion that she’s eagerly awaited – and, to make matters worse, her own boyfriend is the supervisor that snubbed her. To top it all off, the lucky recipient of her desired position just happens to be – of all things – his new lover…ouch…
So, in an effort to wipe the slate clean, she retreats to the Scottish shore, establishing her new residence in an old, yet sturdy house owned by her grandparents. Her only plans? Soak up the splendor of her rustic surroundings and fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Joined by her trusty Border collies, Ensay and Rhona, Anna couldn’t ask for a more opportune chance to start fresh while mending the broken pieces of her still-aching heart.
Little does she know, though, she won’t have the chance to enjoy her solitude for long. Shortly after her arrival, she makes the acquaintance of the handsome, charming Luke, a successful artist from across the pond, and the chemistry between the two of them can’t be denied for long. Soon caught up in the throes of a passionate love affair, Anna appears to be on the cusp of lasting happiness – but, alas, she eventually learns that bliss and trouble are often flip sides of the same coin, and when an unseen stranger begins escalating his efforts to end her life, she’s suddenly thrust in the midst of a sinister mystery that leaves her wondering just who wants her dead – and why…
The House On The Shore is an enjoyable read. In it, Victoria Howard presents a well-crafted page turner that unfolds at just the right pace, ensuring that the reader’s attention is held captive with each new mysterious development. Howard also does a commendable job of infusing her characters with vivid, palpable personality, framing their inclinations and reactions in the three-dimensional, thus making it easy for readers to relate to them in very real, practical terms.
A quick but compelling read, The House On The Shore is a can’t miss suspense thriller with a surprisingly potent punch, and one that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.
Renee Washburn
Apex Reviews