Amelia Duer runs charter boats off the eastern shore of
Virginia. She loves watching the shore birdlife, but just
now her thoughts are troubled. Her nephew has been ill,
which at five years old seems too much to bear, and since
her fiancé died she has no-one to share her troubles with.
A COAST GUARD COURTSHIP is about to begin however as
Braeden Scott walks into her life.
Braeden has been to a few postings in the Service, but
this
Chesapeake Bay town is amazingly full of redheads. He
knows
it'll take the local fishermen time to accept a new
officer, especially if he has to hand out notices of
safety
violations. So staying with a local family seems like a
good way to integrate himself in the community. Amelia
isn't so sure. She's the tough sister, always was, no time
for prettying herself up; Braeden is bound to focus on the
two girly girls in her family. Her dad Seth is forever
chasing men away from them. Either Braeden will wise up
and
leave them alone, or he'll be run out of Kiptohanock;
either way suits her fine.
I was interested in the vividly portrayed life of the
town.
Too many locals have died at sea over the years, and even
young Max, Amelia's nephew, has lost his family. This is a
love-hate relationship with the ocean. Amelia respects the
Coast Guard but distrusts the men who may be posted
elsewhere and have no roots in the town traditions. The
first tradition Braeden has to participate in is blessing
all the town's ships. When people's lives are at stake
every time they leave port, it's understandable that they
turn to prayer. As the fishing grounds have been
overfished, crews find it harder to make a living; hence
they diversify into nature tourism.
I found it impossible to believe that Amelia would jump
into water to rescue someone while wearing Wellington
boots. She'd know that they fill with water, and would
take
the couple of seconds to slip them off before jumping. She
wouldn't need to think about it.
The chat is constantly about crab pots, sea glass, bait
buckets and water safety. Braeden responds to emergencies
with the steadiness of a seasoned campaigner, and he looks
fantastic in uniform. No wonder Amelia starts to see him
differently. As fit and capable as she is, no wonder
Braeden looks twice when he realises she cleans up well.
Even if she is a troublesome redhead. With artistic talent
and a temper to match. I enjoyed the lively antics and
forceful personalities brought to life by Lisa Carter.
This
will be a great read for anyone interested in the setting
or an unusual love story. COAST GUARD COURTSHIP does what
it says on the pack. As it's an inspirational romance,
even
those who prefer gentler romances can dive in at the deep
end.
Coast Guard Officer Braeden Scott's life is all about
freedom and adventure. Being assigned to a tiny Virginia
coastal village is the last thing he wants. But thanks to
a feisty redhead, he's soon discovering the charms of a
small-town life. Amelia Duer is all about home and hearth.
Taking care of others is her whole world. As Braeden
spends more time with her and her nephew, his hopes for a
family begin to resurface. Could Amelia prove to be the
anchor this charming Coastie needs to stop wandering and
create a home for good?