Publication Date: 03/04/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 042526887X
ISBN-13: 978-04205268872
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Sensation)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Virginia Kantra on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Dare Island
1. Carolina Home
2. Carolina Girl
3. Carolina Man
Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from, Carolina Man, courtesy of the author's website.
Synopsis:
A heartwarming new novel in New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra’s beloved series about family ties, second chances, and the power of love…
Marine Luke Fletcher is determined to do his duty—first to his country and now to his ten-year-old daughter, the unexpected legacy of a high school girlfriend. But his homecoming to Dare Island in North Carolina's Outer Banks challenges his plans for the future and forces him to face everything that's missing in his life. He wasn't prepared to lose his heart to this child he never knew. Or to fall hard for coolly reserved small town lawyer Kate Dolan.
Former military brat Kate knows Marines can make lousy fathers...and she's got the scars to prove it. Giving her heart to a man who's bent on leaving seems one sure way to have it broken.
Now, no matter what it takes, Luke must prove to Kate and to his daughter that Semper Fi is more than a motto—and to himself that there’s more than one way to be a hero.
Thoughts:
Author Virginia Kantra continues her popular Dare Island series, with her latest book, Carolina Man. The Outer banks is a perfect backdrop for this series about family and the ties that bind. Kantra draws the reader in with stories of everyday people and how they live their lives. Her fictional family the Fletchers have been through a lot and now their son, Luke must deal with learning he is a father with a ten year old daughter he never knew about. This a great feel good novel and a great romance all wrapped up into one.
What I liked:
First, let me say that I think Virginia Kantra is fast becoming one of favorite contemporary romance writers. I used to be fond of saying that I really didn't like contemporary romance, that I preferred a historical setting or a paranormal setting for my romance, but lately I have reviewed a ton of this kind of novel and I'm finding that maybe I made a snap judgement based on the few contemporary novels I had read. Virginia Kantra's book are going a long way toward changing my view of what makes a novel set in today's time period exciting and readable.
The Dare Island series, is one of my favorites. The Fletchers are such a great family. Readers would probably enjoy the latest book Carolina Man, much more if they have read the previous two books in the series, Carolina Home and Carolina Girl, primarily because of the relationships developed between all of the characters. Several make appearances in Carolina Man and there are several threads that are a part of the book that began in other books. It's my personal advice to read them in order. Not to mention the fact that all of the books in this series are feel good romances that have realistic characters and story lines that readers won't want to miss.
Kate Dolan is the attorney that gets in touch with Luke Fletcher, serving as a Master Sargent in Afghanistan, to let him know that he has a ten year old daughter. Kate is a hard nosed lawyer with her chip on her shoulder where military dads are concerned because her father was not the best example. She expected Luke to be sharp tempered and bitter, but she was got was a tender and expressive man who wants to know his daughter and bring her into his family. I loved watching Kate's walls begin to crumble as she realized that the entire Fletcher family made her long for that kind of a life and that Luke was not at all what she expected. I think Kantra really got to the heart of the matter with this one and I loved every part of it.
Luke is like all of the other Fletchers. He is the epitome of a good man. He loves his family, his country and now he wants to love the daughter he has never known. He is like men, he doesn't start too well but he eventually warms up where Taylor is concerned and develops a deep love of her. The relationship between Luke and Kate forms the romantic side of the story, but the love he has for Taylor is the real shining aspect of the book. Kantra gives readers a very real character in Luke, a man who wants to be a good father, but doesn't really know how. I loved watching him learn how to navigate the treacherous waters of parenthood and how his relationship with Kate developed as well.
What I didn't like:
Not one thing. This is a great book. It's a tender story about not only falling in love with a woman, but falling in love with a child as well. You can't beat that!
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a great romance about real people and a real family, this is it. Virginia Kantra gives readers everything they are looking for when it comes to a tender romance and a great love story featuring a father learning to love his new daughter.
Carolina Man is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Her favorite thing to make for dinner? Reservations.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Carolina Man by Virginia Kantra.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, April 8th.
1. Please leave a comment about how you think the military affects the family unit.
2. Please fill out the FORM.
16 comments:
High stress levels.
CABWNANA1@bellsouth.net
I am at a disadvantage since none of my close family have ever been in the military. But I imagine the stress and worry family have about their member being away, in dangerous situations really wears down on them. There is a chance they may never see that loved one again. They may come back wounded or dead.
the positive note, knowing this loved one is doing everything they can to keep them protected will earn them respect and pride.
being constantly on the alert and worried. requires so much strength. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
My father, step father and cousin all served in the military. My cousin was the only one with rank. He was a Major in Military Intelligence (on oxymoron if ever I heard). He moved his family all over this country and parts of the world in his 35 or so years of active duty.
I am sure my cousin's family would have loved to be settled in one place while he did his thing, so that the girls could put down roots.
It must be very difficult going through your daily life not knowing how your loved one is.
I think military families are a team. The entire family has to sacrifice.
When there are big time seperations, there can be all kind of issues. One I found was I had to be independant when he was gone but be more dependant when he was home. Just one of the issues.
It must be very stressful, but at the same time there must be lots of understanding, support and love present. Big sacrifice and lots of strength needed, too.
Just the separations, much less the dangers, must make it very difficult for military families - they deserve our support.
One of my brothers was a career army man. I know it was hard on his wife when he was gone but she stayed near her 2 families who lived in the same town. Later she joined him for a number of years in different state and in Germany. I'm sure it was easier getting to see him more often, but feel sure it was hard with her having so much responsibility. But, I never knew her to complain. I feel sure that the servicemen's wives helped each other cope. When they are in battle, it is very trying for their families. The wife has to take full responsibility for everything for her home and children. I wouldn't want to have to have done that. I would love to win this book. This is a new author to me. Thanks for the give-away. Maxie
Mac262(at)me(dot)com ( Please use this email for contact)
The military is very hard on a family unit. I know first hand because my husband and I went through it for 20 years. They have to be away so much, and it leaves the wife to take care of everything, be both mom and dad to the kids while he is gone, and you still miss and worry about him. After being though it myself, I really feel for those who are going though it right now.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
it makes it tough
I have not had the experience but I imagine it brings the ones left at home closer as they must work together to get everything done. The stress and worry about the one serving would also bring the family closer together.
lovesthemets@yahoo.com
Karen T.
I have no family in the military so I honestly don’t have a clue. But I would imagine that those that do are very close, loyal and stronger than most. They probably are always aware of current events more than others too.
I think that it would be a very hard thing to go through.
Thanks for the chance to win!
It is hard for all the family to deal with.
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