On Episode 107 of the GSMC Book Review Podcast I welcomed Claire Marti back to the podcast. Claire originally joined me back in April on Episode 72 to talk about the second book in her Finding Forever in Laguna series, At Last in Laguna. For this episode we spoke about the final book in that trilogy, Sunset in Laguna.
Returning to Laguna Beach after four tours in the Middle East, Christian Wolfe leaves the military behind and buys a wine bar, vowing to keep his life simple. He fights to keep his devastating PTSD a secret and refuses to burden anyone else with his baggage. When stunning Kelly Prescott and her red stilettos saunter into town, she drives him past the bonds of his self-control.Successful in her father’s stuffy law firm, Kelly’s too compassionate to survive in the cutthroat world of corporate litigation. Leaving behind both family and courtroom drama, she moves to Laguna to become general counsel for a nonprofit veterans’ organization.She didn’t bargain on a gorgeous modern-day Heathcliff, and in Christian, she sees another kind of challenge—one she can’t resist. (Source)
This is the third book in a trilogy, but each of the three can easily be read as a standalone novel. If you prefer to read series, though, then this one is great in how all six of the characters appear in each of the three books, but each couple gets their own story. Kelly and Christian each bring issues from their past into the relationship in this installment, and both have to figure out if they can resolve those issues in ways that will allow them to move forward with that relationship.
Genre:
- Contemporary Romance
What I enjoyed:
- How Claire brought in veteran's issues, especially PTSD. She is able to shine a light on what many vets experience when they return home while making it a natural part of the story and Christian's character.
- How both Christian and Kelly have issues from their past to confront and find a way to deal with. We all bring our pasts with us into relationships, so I appreciated how the two of them worked, both individually and together, to find ways to not forget those pasts but learn to live with them so they wouldn't affect their futures.
- Olive the pug. Olive is a service dog who basically adopts Christian. She's goofy looking (people keep calling her a rat, poor thing), but she's totally besotted with Christian as well as fiercely loyal and incredibly good at helping him with some of his PTS issues.
- The meditation scene. It's hilarious, and reminded me so much of my own brain when I have tried to meditate.
Quotes:
- "'Nope. I'm trying something new.' And am hoping it wills solve every single excruciating headache, bone-chilling, sweat-inducing nightmare, and overall sense of survivor's guilt. No pressure, though."
- "She almost drooled over his immaculate kitchen. Could it actually be as organized as her own? Why was it sexy?"
- "She was short, plump, dressed in a navy sweater set and plaid skirt. Jesus, she looked like Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote. This was the doctor they'd sent him to?"
Where you can find Claire online:
Website: https://www.clairemarti.com/
Facebook: @ClaireMartiAuthor
Twitter: @clairepmarti
Instagram: @clairepmarti
Amazon Author Page: Claire Marti
GoodReads: Claire Marti
BookBub: @ClaireMartiAuthor
Author Bio:
Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.Her award winning debut novel, Second Chance in Laguna, won best unpublished contemporary romance in the Heart of the Molly and third place in the Maggie. Second Chance in Laguna is available now in print, ebook and audiobook at all major retailers.When Claire's not writing, she's teaching yoga. You can find her teaching at studios in sunny San Diego or enjoy forty-three online classes on the international website www.yogadownload.com. A breast cancer survivor, Claire is a sought-after speaker on the power of yoga and meditation for cancer. She's been published in numerous magazines with articles on wellness and is the author of a memoir on her experience beating breast cancer.
Claire is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the San Diego Romance Writers. (Source)
Love romance? Want to read Kelly's and Christian's story? Excellent! I have signed copies from Claire to give away! Just go to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and comment on Episode 107: Interview with Claire Marti. That's it! The giveaway goes through September 16 and winners will be announced September 17. US only.
No comments:
Post a Comment