One Summer-JoAnn Ross

One Summer
JoAnn Ross
Signet, Jul 5 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451234001

Former Marine Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Gabriel St. James arrives in Shelter Bay as a favor to a Semper Fi besotted battle buddy Cole Douchett (see The Homecoming). When he and Harborview Veterinary Clinic veterinarian Charity Tiernan meet at the nuptials he works a mission, they are attracted to one another. However, she considers a short fling with the visiting veteran as she has no time for anything permanent while running her “no-kill” shelter.

A rolling stone, he shocks himself as he wants much more from the animal doctor than a week-night stand though he agrees to a tryst to buy time in order to campaign for more. Although Gabe completed his mission that brought him to town and his head orders him to retreat, his rebellious heart delays his leaving hoping to persuade Charity they belong together. However as kids and a dog enter their lives he lacks the courage to move to the next level while she bravely embraces the change in their relationship.

The newest Shelter Bay contemporary romance (see On Lavender Lane) is an engaging tale that hooks the audience from the time the lead couple meets as the relationships matures over the course of the well written story line. Although there is some suspense brought by the kids but for the most part the plot is character driven straighter than the Bonneville Flats yet the talent of JoAnn Ross shines as readers will enjoy visiting Shelter Bay.

Harriet Klausner