Sea Rose Lane

May 9, 2016
Hannon (Thin Ice) returns to Hope Harbor, Ore., with an introduction to two new characters. Eric Nash grew up in Hope Harbor but followed dreams of a fast-track law partnership to Portland. Unexpected downsizing forces Eric to return to his hometown to regroup. BJ Stevens is an architect who has left her own big-city dreams behind. She and her odd-lot crew are hired by Eric's father to turn Eric's childhood home into a bed-and-breakfast. Sparks fly immediately, but Eric's desire to join a large firm and BJ's contentment with the slower pace of Hope Harbor put their romance in a holding pattern. There are moments of prayer and church attendance, but Hannon integrates the faith element into character development rather than into the story line. Fans of Hope Harbor will recognize a few familiar faces, including Charlie, the coastal Oregon town's resident sage, fish taco maker, and artist, but this is a stand-alone story that welcomes first-time visitors as well. This quaint romance explores how aspirations and dreams may change, or still be fulfilled, when life takes a different course than initially expected.

June 1, 2016
Hannon takes readers to coastal Oregon in the second installment in her Hope Harbor series (Hope Harbor, 2015). Eric Nash just lost his dream job as a powerful attorney. Before seeking a new position, he returns home to visit his father. When he arrives, the town is not the calm oasis he had been hoping for; instead, his dad's house is undergoing a major renovation. He also discovers that the woman whose car he accidentally rear-ended, BJ Stevens, is his father's architect and contractor, making for a painfully awkward moment. BJ is emotionally guarded, but something about the way Eric crashes into her life makes her want to open up. As the house comes together, so do they, and both Eric and BJ take on meaningful projects within the community. Soon Eric realizes that a life that's all work is no life at all, but will he be able to start anew? Hannon portrays two individuals at a crossroads and shows the power of love and faith in choosing the right direction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)