On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Sweet Melody(Seabrook Romance #1)
By Heidi McCahan
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 242 Pages
August 1st 2019
When a struggling bakery owner is rescued by a wannabe songwriter with hidden culinary talents, they discover they can make sweet harmony … if they can only learn to work together.
Rhett Foster longs to change the world with his music, yet he can’t even finish writing one song. Battered by a string of failures and disillusioned, he returns home to Portland, Oregon. While he desperately wants to create a chart-topping hit, his dad mandates a new mission: move to coastal vacation hotspot Seabrook, Washington and expand the family’s successful restaurant chain.
In danger of destroying her late parents’ legacy if she doesn’t diversify her menu, Lindsay Carmichael will try anything to save her bakery. But with a tiny budget and an injured employee who can’t work, she has no choice but to sink the last of her savings into buying a dilapidated food truck and hiring Rhett as a part-time barista. What she doesn’t know is that the handsome songwriter has a secret … one that could destroy her business and her heart.
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My Thoughts
Sweet Melody is the first book of what
I hope develops into a series set in idyllic Seabrook, Washington. On the one hand,
the plot is a familiar one – girl meets boy, attraction and friendship soon grow
into something more, but certain facts are held back that could crush any
chance for a positive outcome – yet the skill and execution of author Heidi McCahan
elevates the story to so much more. It’s a fun, heartwarming, emotionally
engaging read with compelling spiritual truths gently woven in. I was hooked
from the beginning and enjoyed every minute spent with these characters.
One striking thing about this book is the beautiful backdrop
of Seabrook, Washington – a peaceful, idyllic setting that becomes a tourist
hotspot during certain seasons. It’s the perfect location and community for the
story of Lindsay and Rhett, and I think readers will fall under its spell –
maybe even visit there if ever in the area.
Rhett and Lindsay are appealing, relatable lead characters, both with past situations that make them not quite ready for a relationship. This story blends the careers of baking/food truck with music/song writing, and they were totally believable. I longed for Lindsay to succeed with her business and for Rhett to finally be able to write the song on his heart. I didn’t even mind waiting for things to come crashing down when Rhett’s family secret was revealed, the author’s writing was that good.
Past experiences had given both Rhett and Lindsay reasons to question the goodness of God, which touches most of our lives at times. Communication, forgiveness, restoration and redemption play key parts in the story. Whether mistakenly or not, Rhett felt that what he had to offer would never be enough for his Dad. Everyone needs someone like Rhett’s friend, Jae, in their lives – a friend who can speak truth in gentle ways. Jae reminds Rhett that God doesn’t see failure when He looks at us, and that He uses circumstances to teach important truths. Jae’s words – that his life was “everything I never knew I wanted” – especially spoke to me.
As I said earlier, I do hope for more Seabrook stories because the story of two secondary characters begs to be told – that of Catherine and Micah. Catherine, a close friend who helps Lindsay in her bakery, is a successful author who just happens to have a politician father with presidential aspirations. Micah obviously cares about her, but past issues or addictions make him feel unsuited and unworthy. Now there’s a story to be told!
Sweet Melody is “a cut above” within the contemporary romance genre. A recommended read and an author I want to follow.
I received a copy of this book through Prism Book Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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| Seabrook, Washington |
Rhett and Lindsay are appealing, relatable lead characters, both with past situations that make them not quite ready for a relationship. This story blends the careers of baking/food truck with music/song writing, and they were totally believable. I longed for Lindsay to succeed with her business and for Rhett to finally be able to write the song on his heart. I didn’t even mind waiting for things to come crashing down when Rhett’s family secret was revealed, the author’s writing was that good.
Past experiences had given both Rhett and Lindsay reasons to question the goodness of God, which touches most of our lives at times. Communication, forgiveness, restoration and redemption play key parts in the story. Whether mistakenly or not, Rhett felt that what he had to offer would never be enough for his Dad. Everyone needs someone like Rhett’s friend, Jae, in their lives – a friend who can speak truth in gentle ways. Jae reminds Rhett that God doesn’t see failure when He looks at us, and that He uses circumstances to teach important truths. Jae’s words – that his life was “everything I never knew I wanted” – especially spoke to me.
As I said earlier, I do hope for more Seabrook stories because the story of two secondary characters begs to be told – that of Catherine and Micah. Catherine, a close friend who helps Lindsay in her bakery, is a successful author who just happens to have a politician father with presidential aspirations. Micah obviously cares about her, but past issues or addictions make him feel unsuited and unworthy. Now there’s a story to be told!
Sweet Melody is “a cut above” within the contemporary romance genre. A recommended read and an author I want to follow.
I received a copy of this book through Prism Book Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
About the Author
Heidi secretly dreamed of writing a book for most of her childhood, but a particularly painful rejection letter in middle school convinced her to tuck that dream away. Instead, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband Steve, then she dusted off her big dream of becoming a published author and launched her first contemporary romance into the world in 2014.
A huge fan of coffee, dark chocolate, and happily ever after, Heidi currently lives in North Carolina with Steve, three active boys and one amazing Goldendoodle.
After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband Steve, then she dusted off her big dream of becoming a published author and launched her first contemporary romance into the world in 2014.
A huge fan of coffee, dark chocolate, and happily ever after, Heidi currently lives in North Carolina with Steve, three active boys and one amazing Goldendoodle.
Tour Schedule
Bookstagram Tour
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive a signed paperback with bookmark, $10
Amazon gift card, Sticky Fingers Strawberry Scone mix and a Seabrook Sea, Salt
and Surf 100% soy wax candle from Hometown candle company.
US only
Ends September 18, 2019
Thank you very much for being a part of this tour. I am thrilled to hear you loved Sweet Melody!
ReplyDeleteThis story looks like a winner with the beautiful setting of Seabrook, Washington. Starting out in food trucks to save a catering/restaurant business is something one of my friends does.
ReplyDeletethe book and info is great and then i like the wy you did it thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely! My favorite sweet is pecan pie.
ReplyDelete