Meet an ex-con & a police chief in
Irene Hannon’s
contemporary romance
Sandpiper Cove
Revell
*******
The Story
Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities–including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn’t looking for love either–but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.
Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam’s help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different–and better–future planned for them than either could imagine.
Introducing Adam & Lexie
Brief physical description
The hero, Adam Stone, works in construction, and his career keeps him in excellent physical condition. He’s tall, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. During the story, his physical appearance undergoes a dramatic transformation—but you’ll have to read the book so see how and why!
Lexie Graham, the heroine, is the Hope Harbor police chief. She’s tall and willowy, with lustrous dark hair that brushes her shoulders. She usually secures it at her nape while on duty. She has blue eyes.
Resembles…
I never base my heroes and heroines on celebrities, and I rarely find a photo that captures them. Sandpiper Cove is the exception. I found a shot that not only features a sense of the coastal setting, but is also exactly the way I pictured Lexie and Adam. In fact, here it is as it appears on the back cover of the book:
Strengths and weaknesses
Adam is dealing with a lot of baggage from his past that has hurt his self-esteem. So he has a difficult time believing anyone would welcome his friendship. On the plus side, the tough times he’s been through have taught him how to survive—and his strong faith is an anchor in his life.
Lexie grew up in a loving family and has no issues with self-esteem. But a tragedy in her recent past has left her wary of romance—and filled with guilt. A young widow with an almost five-year-old son, she’s a great mom but doesn’t think she deserves another chance at love.
Quirk (if any)
More a talent than a quirk, but Adam has amazing natural ability with woodworking. Lexie is quirkless—although she makes a mean omelette!
Your inspiration for the character
In this book, I wanted to bring together two characters who seemed completely unsuited to one another, then detail the challenges they faced as they found themselves falling in love. Who better than an ex-con and a police chief? There’s plenty of drama built into a story like that—but also great possibilities and hope. I think readers will be touched by the journey these two characters make during the course of the story.
Background to the story
As with all my Hope Harbor stories, I wanted to capture the day-to-day life in a small, Oregon coastal town filled with unique characters whose personal journeys intersect to create a beautiful tapestry. However…as the old saying goes, sometimes only God sees the top of the tapestry, where the picture is clear, while we see only the mess of loose, dangling threads underneath. Yet all those threads eventually intertwine in a grand design. So in Sandpiper Cove, readers will meet a diverse crew, from Charley—the taco-making artist—to the two town clerics (whose interactions are a ho0t) to Floyd and Gladys, the seagull couple. Plus, Lexie and Adam find themselves involved with a single mom and her troubled teenage son who are also struggling with challenges as they begin a new life. A reviewer once described Hope Harbor as Mitford by the sea, and I think that captures the small-town vibe of the book—with the addition of a delicious romance.
Thanks Irene!
Enjoy Irene’s gorgeous photos of the Oregon coast, the location of her Hope Harbor series and be sure to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a copy of Sandpiper Cove.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Hannon @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Irene’s website
Buy at Amazon: Sandpiper Cove or Koorong
You Might Also Like...
Character Spotlight: Irene Hannon’s Colin & Trish (with giveaway)
Character Spotlight ~ Maggie Brendan’s April McBride & Wes Owen
Bookchat with Irene Hannon (with giveaway)
Character Spotlight: Irene Hannon’s Cate Reilly & Zeke Sloan (with giveaway)
Character Spotlight ~ Irene Hannon’s Mark Sanders & Emily Lawson
April 12, 2017 at 11:12 pm
I live far from an ocean but have loved Ocean city, NJ the few times I’ve been able to visit it.
April 13, 2017 at 5:25 am
I don’t have one since the only time I get near the water is either on a cruise or the Gulf in Florida. But after seeing these beautiful pictures of the Oregon coast, my feet are itching to go to see it for myself.
April 13, 2017 at 5:54 am
I love San Diego, California. Also St. Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland, and Lisbon, Portugal are great places to visit. I love driving up the coast of California, Oregon and Washington–such beautiful scenery.
Irene Hannon’s books are fascinating. This one is going on my TBR list!
April 13, 2017 at 7:56 am
I live in the middle of Kansas. I haven’t visited any small coastal towns. I have been to San Diego so I saw the Pacific Ocean, but it’s too large of a city for me to like. The short answer is I don’t have a favorite coastal town.
April 13, 2017 at 8:02 am
I would say Beaufort, SC. Beautiful, quaint off the beaten path town. Loved spending time there.
April 13, 2017 at 9:27 pm
I don’t live near the coast, but I do love visiting Myrtle Beach, SC. Miles and miles of pristine beach!
April 13, 2017 at 11:38 pm
Beautiful pictures
April 14, 2017 at 12:19 am
My favorite coastal towns are on the Oregon coast. I love Pacific City, it’s small and quaint and not too many people visit it. I also love Cannon Beach because it has lots of shops. The only thing about it that I don’t like is that there are a LOT of people who go there and it’s really a one road kind of town. The beaches in both are beautiful and easily accessible.
April 14, 2017 at 2:09 am
Haven’t been to the coast since I was a teenager.
April 14, 2017 at 6:59 am
My favorite costal town is Charleston SC.
April 14, 2017 at 7:57 am
Hilton Head, SC! Right near Beaufort, SC that someone mentioned above.
April 14, 2017 at 11:25 am
I love Clearwater, Florida with its beautiful white sand.
April 14, 2017 at 1:51 pm
I’m blessed to live in San Diego, CA! Such a great place to live. I also love the coastal Redwoods and Seattle!
April 15, 2017 at 6:09 am
My favorite coastal town is St.Augustine, FL. Looking forward to Sandpiper Cove!!
April 16, 2017 at 6:00 am
I grew up along the Texas Gulf Coast. I love the white sand beaches in Destin, Florida.
April 16, 2017 at 3:47 pm
My favorite coastal town is the Jersey shore area of New Jersey. I liked Manasquan Beach the best and Seaside Heights.
April 17, 2017 at 12:13 am
It’s hard to choose just one, but I would have to say Charleston, SC
April 19, 2017 at 1:02 am
I have never been to a coastal town actually! I would love to visit San Deigo someday because my brother and his family live there, but then again, I have heard beautiful things about the northern east coast.
April 20, 2017 at 1:27 am
I live far from the ocean, so don’t really know…I’d love to take a vacation along the east coast, though, and find a favorite! 🙂
April 20, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Newport, OR..I have been in Oregon for almost 2 years now, and it’s my fave so far.
April 20, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Lincoln City, Oregon. With its cute shops,phenomenal scenery, the crashing waves.. ahhh
April 20, 2017 at 12:48 pm
Gulf shores al
April 20, 2017 at 1:09 pm
I love Panama City Beach, Florida 🙂
April 20, 2017 at 1:13 pm
My favorite would have to be Myrtle Beach, SC I love it their!