Theo Grayson has been struggling with writer's block and has returned home to Star Harbor looking for inspiration. He's likes being near his brothers, but sharing a houseboat with two of them is a little too much closeness. On the advice of Emma Bishop, he decides to take a room at the Inn owned by her aunt and currently being run by her sister, Avery Newbridge. Her beautiful, single, red-headed sister whom Emma might just think needs a man in her life.

Avery is on a leave of absence from her job as a social worker in Boston after the death of a client. Avery isn't sure if and when she will go back to work. She's spending the holidays in Star Harbor helping around the Inn as her Aunt heals after treatment for cancer. The people and the town are helping Avery heal her own wounds and she's feeling more and more at home. Things are quiet and calm, just like she wants it, until Theo comes through the doors of the Inn. Handsome, rugged, and exuding sexiness, the instant attraction to Theo is the last thing she wants in her life. The funny thing is, sometimes we don't know what we need until we get it.

BLAZE OF WINTER is a tender, emotional, and sexy romance. Much of the appeal of small-town stories comes from all the interesting friends and family that surround the main characters, and getting to read about them from one book to the next. The second book in the Star Harbor series brings back lots of engaging characters and introduces some new ones. Theo and Avery have a nice chemistry and I was happy to see them find their way to their happily ever after. There was a slightly mysterious subplot that more distracting than interesting. I also struggled with understanding why Avery was so reluctant to get into a relationship. Her excuses weren't convincing and maybe need more development or weight. That said, I think fans of contemporary romance will enjoy a visit to Star Harbor.