Book review: Slow Summer Burn (Star Harbor #4) by Elisabeth Barrett

Available August 12th 2013

blurb from Elisabeth Barrett's website

As the sizzling Star Harbor series concludes, the fourth sexy Grayson brother, a dedicated DEA agent, shows a high-society beauty the true meaning of love.

Cameron Stahl has everything, so why does she feel like her life is incomplete? A beautiful Boston socialite and a successful entrepreneur, she’s just opened her second boutique in Star Harbor and business is booming. But one searing look from Val Grayson sends fire through her body and shows her exactly what’s missing from her life: a real man who doesn’t play games and who makes her feel like the most desired woman on earth.

DEA agent Val Grayson has always looked after his brothers. Now it’s his turn to find love—though Cam is the last sort of woman he ever dreamed he’d fall for. When courageous Cam realizes she has the insider connections to help Val take down a major drug player within Boston’s political elite, he can’t stop her from putting herself in danger. But as the drug bust of his career looms, all Val cares about is saving the woman he loves before it’s too late.

This is the 4th and the last book in the Star Harbor series. I have loved this series and the Grayson brothers as well as the women they eventually would get together with. Each one was a mystery solved only when we read their individual books. For me Val was the most mysterious. He's the most quiet one the 4 brothers. Known not to really talk a lot. That all changes when he and Cameron finally get together. They are both attracted instantly intensely at the first touch. It's really kind of explosive. Val has doubts about whether he can fit into her high society world but the attraction he feels cuts through that and he goes for it anyway. The relationship burns hot but not without several issues that come up that have to be worked through. When Cameron finds out about the big case Val is working on involving drugs and possible connections to a Senator and his son that she knows well, she volunteers to help out against his wishes. Her night of spying goes well she thinks but later has huge consequences when she's found out and some things are not as they seem. Val races to save her. While i liked all the brothers there is something about Val that stands out a little more. He's a mature, capable man who puts everyone ahead of himself. In this book he finally takes something for himself that makes him happy. He's got that gruff alpha male thing going on but has a big soft spot just for Cameron and she's has a matching one for him.  The series that has involved a shipwreck and some keys as a continuing part of the 4 book series also comes to a conclusion as well. The perfect way to wrap everything up. I'm sorry to say I'll miss the Grayson brothers and Star Harbor. 5 out of 5 for Slow Summer Burn by Elisabeth Barrett.

Find out more about this series on Elisabeth Barrett's website here www.elisabethbarrett.com

Book review: Long Simmering Spring (Star Harbor #3) by Elisabeth Barrett

Available now!
Cole Grayson finally returns to Star Harbor, and now that he’s the town’s new sheriff, he’s upholding the law instead of breaking it. He and Julie Kensington, the local physician, have known each other since grade school, and she’s less-than-impressed with the bad boy he used to be. But after stints in the military and on Boston’s police force, the question isn’t whether he’s changed, it’s how much. It isn’t long before Cole realizes that his sweet, sexy doctor will force him to confront his past and help him to face the future

This is the 3rd book in the Star Harbor series. We finally get to the troubled military veteran brother Cole. As a combat vet myself it always gets to me when authors write about military people. There are so many things combat veterans can have issues with and PTSD is one of the most widely talked about. Cole suffers from it and is making headway when he finally get Julie his old classmate and the town's Dr to talk to him. She seems to calm him as they slowly start a relationship. Julie has always had an attraction for Cole but his player image didn't work for her. She smacks him a good one when he kisses her back in high school.  There are several things going on in this book but the main story is Cole and Julie. Both have issues they are working out and they try slowly to find their way through a relationship. I have enjoyed each book in this series. Elisabeth Barrett does a great job with each of the Grayson brothers. She continues  in this book as Cole strives to find his normal again after all he's been through. She also opens the eyes to PTSD and how it is to deal with it. Kind of a tough subject but Ms. Barrett takes it on with a lot of success.  5 out of 5 stars for Long Simmering Spring by Elisabeth Barrett.

Find out more about this series by Elisabeth Barrett here on her website www.elisabethbarrett.com

Elisabeth Barrett Excerpt for Long Simmer Spring!

  Long Simmering Spring by Elisabeth Barrett, A Loveswept eOriginal Excerpt by Romance At Random

Available May 13th 2013
Find out more about this series here www.elisabethbarrett.com

Five questions with Debut author Elisabeth Barrett ( Star Harbor series)

I am pleased to have been able to interview debut author Elisabeth Barrett. She has two books available right now from her Star Harbor series. I was lucky enough to read and review both here on the blog and loved both!! Below are 5 questions i asked her and her answers. I hope you'll check out her work. I am pretty sure you would enjoy it as much as i have.

1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? What there anything that influenced you to go after it?

I don’t know that there was a clear-cut time when I just knew I was going to write a novel. What I can tell you is that I was an avid reader. Jayne Ann Krentz and Nora Roberts were two of my favorites, but I read widely in most romance genres. One day in 2005, I began writing a story—the story that is now going to be published as Long Simmering Spring. At first, I was just writing for fun. And then, as I got closer and closer to finishing the draft, I thought, “Wow! There’s really something to this.” So I kept going and finished it.

As far as influence goes, I’ll give the credit to my husband, Mr. B, for encouraging me to find an agent and to pursue publication seriously once I’d finished the manuscript.

2. I love the titles to your books. Two published so far with the other two coming out next year. The play on words is great! I mean Blaze of Winter your current release sounds dramatic. You wonder though what the heck does it mean? Once you read the book if becomes pretty clear. How did you come up with the titles?

I’m such a title fiend! As a reader, book titles really matter to me, and I always try to analyze them in the context of the work as a whole. When I started thinking about writing the books in the Star Harbor series, I wanted to make sure that each title teased out some aspects of a particular book and that all of the titles used similar structure to ensure that readers would recognize the novels as belonging to a series. I decided that each title would have three facets:  a mention of the season, a reference to the sexiness (read: fire and heat) of the love story, and something to evoke a sense of passion and mystery. 

Here are the titles for those who might know what they are:

Deep Autumn Heat  (July 2012)

Blaze of Winter (September 2012)

Long Simmering Spring (coming in May 2013)

Slow Summer Burn (coming in August 2013)

3. What genre of books do you enjoy reading yourself and do you have any favorite authors?

I love romance (of course!), and I’ve already told you of my abiding love for Nora and Jayne. Some of my other favorites are Susan Mallery, Mariah Stewart, Emily March, Molly O’Keefe, and Jennifer Probst.

I also love swashbuckling stories of the type told by Arturo Perez-Reverte and Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

4. If you could use 3 words to describe yourself what would those 3 words be?

Oh, my, this is tough. I asked Mr. B to help me with this and here’s what he came up with: Trustworthy. Nurturing. Creative.                                           

5. Most everyone knows there are two more books in the Star Harbor series. Is there anything else in the works yet for after this series? If not can you tell us anything about your spring release Long Simmering Spring which will be Cole Grayson's story right?

I’m not sure about “most everyone,” but I’ll take that as a compliment! J

I’ll start with the upcoming Star Harbor books. You’re right that the May 2013 release will be Long Simmering Spring (how about that for timing!), and will feature Cole Grayson, who returns to Star Harbor as the town’s new sheriff. He and Julie Kensington, the local physician, have known each other since grade school, and she’s less-than-impressed with the bad boy he used to be. But after stints in the military and on Boston’s police force, the question isn’t whether he’s changed, but how much. It isn’t long before Cole realizes that his sweet, sexy doctor will force him to confront his past and help him to face the future.

And in August 2013, the final Grayson brother, Val, gets his HEA with Slow Summer Burn. I am incredibly excited about both novels!

I am working on another series right now, a contemporary series set in Connecticut (yay, New England!), so stay tuned for news and announcements.

 

About Elisabeth:

Raised in a sleepy little Connecticut town, Elisabeth draws on her upbringing to write small-town romances. Her summers spent living and working on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard were the inspiration for the Star Harbor series, which kicked off with Deep Autumn Heat and continues with Blaze of Winter. Currently, Elisabeth lives in Northern California with her husband and three children. Find her online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

About Blaze of Winter:

Winter heats up in this hot new Star Harbor romance, as another sexy Grayson brother, a wickedly handsome writer, plots his happily ever after with a sweet stranger.
Frustrated with her job in Boston, social worker Avery Newbridge welcomes the opportunity to reassess her life when family asks her to help manage the Star Harbor Inn. Trying to figure out her future is overwhelming enough, but she doesn’t count on distraction in the form of one Theo Grayson, the gorgeous, green-eyed author who she knows is trouble from the moment he saunters into the inn.
Not only does he have a talent for writing swashbuckling adventures, but Theo also has a soft spot for big-hearted damsels in distress, especially a woman who’s great at helping everyone—except herself. Avery’s demons challenge him, but for desire this hot, he isn’t backing down. With every kiss and heated whisper Theo promises her his heart . . . if only Avery is willing to open up and accept it.
Available now!!!

View an excerpt of Blaze of Winter on Scribd: Click here.

Order Blaze of Winter: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or the iBookstore (Apple)!

Book review: Blaze of Winter by Elisabeth Barrett

Winter heats up in this hot new Star Harbor romance, as another sexy Grayson brother, a wickedly handsome writer, plots his happily ever after with a sweet stranger.




BLAZE OF WINTER (Star Harbor #2 – Theo’s Story)


Frustrated with her job in Boston, social worker Avery Newbridge welcomes the opportunity to reassess her life when family asks her to help manage the Star Harbor Inn. Trying to figure out her future is overwhelming enough, but she doesn’t count on distraction in the form of one Theo Grayson, the gorgeous, green-eyed author who she knows is trouble from the moment he saunters into the inn.

Not only does he have a talent for writing swashbuckling adventures, but Theo also has a soft spot for big-hearted damsels in distress, especially a woman who’s great at helping everyone—except herself. Avery’s demons challenge him, but for desire this hot, he isn’t backing down. With every kiss and heated whisper Theo promises her his heart . . . if only Avery is willing to open up and accept it.

This is Elisabeth Barrett 2nd book. I read her first which is the first book in the Star Harbor series. Book 1 "Deep Autumn Heat" was Sebation or Seb's book. Book 2 is his twin brother Theodore or Theo's book. Theo comes back to Star Harbor in Book 1 for some R&R but also to write. Seems he's gotten a little stale and the words are just not coming right now. Theo was always the brains of the Grayson brothers. Who was always the one doing the plotting when they were up to something. Now back in Star Harbor he is staying with his two older brothers on their house boat. With no enough room to move he decides to take a room at the Inn.  This is where he smacks right in to Avery Newbridge. Avery is back in town trying to get own life together. She's a social worker for people battling substance abuse and when one of her patients turns up dead she questions whether she's fit for the job anymore or not.  Right away she's attracted to Theo but she's had some bad experiences in the past and with all her work problems and her aunt who is recovering from cancer she doesn't have room for men.

I didn't think i would care for Theo as much as i would the other brothers. He doesn't seem quite as alpha male as the others in book 1. He's comes across as brainy and boring a little. Wow was i wrong. The man is brainy alright but HOT and sweet and a gentleman too. He realizes what Avery needs and tries his best to be there for her and give her the room she needs. I just loved him to bits. I felt bad for poor Avery. Social work is not a easy field and i think Elisabeth Barrett portrayed that well here. I loved the bits of the other brothers lives and the bit of danger as well. There is a theme running though this series about some keys and a sunken ship. I really hope that that is brought out more in the next two books. I don't think it's getting enough time in the 2 books in the series so far. Can't wait for the remaining two brothers Val and Cole's stories. Unfortunately we're going to have to wait til spring of 2013 to find out what happens with the remaing two Graysons. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Picks stars for Blaze of Winter by Elisabeth Barrett. By the way. I love the titles to the books in this series. The play on words is awesome.
DEEP AUTUMN HEAT
BLAZE OF WINTER
LONG SIMMERING SPRING
SLOW SUMMER BURN

Find out more about Elisabeth Barrett and the Star Harbor series on her website here www.elisabethbarrett.com

Sneak Peek of Blaze of Winter! Book 2 in the Star Harbor series by Elisabeth Barrett

BLAZE OF WINTER by Elisabeth Barrett



Buy it here! www.randomhouse.com/blaze-of-winter
Find out more about Elisabeth Barrett here www.elisabethbarrett.com

Deep Autumn Heat( Book1 Star Harbor Seb's story) by Elisabeth Barrett

In this sexy new Star Harbor romance series, featuring the too-tempting Grayson brothers, a celebrity chef turns up the heat for a local café owner—and things start to sizzle.


Lexie Meyers decides there’s nothing sweeter than watching Sebastian Grayson’s perfect, wicked mouth devour her coconut cake. He’s hot, he’s hungry, and he’s sizing her up like she’s the best thing on the menu. But she’s been burned in the past and flings just aren’t her thing. Too bad Sebastian can’t resist a challenge.

Worldly, famous, and notorious with the ladies, Seb had planned a weekend of fishing and relaxation with his brothers. Until Lexie, with her kissable lips and frosty “get lost” attitude, makes him want to forget his culinary empire and create some magic with her. After he fires up his charm—including challenging her to a televised cook-off to break through her resistance—it’s now hotter in the bedroom than it is in the kitchen and Lexie isn’t sure whether she’s lost her mind . . . or just her heart.

This is Elisabeth Barrett's debut book for Loveswept. I loved the cover of course. Just look at it. I also liked the idea of four hot brothers. A no brainer there too. Now i just hoped the story would be good to go with all that and the great blurb i read. You get to meet the 4 Grayson brothers in the beginning of this book. They all come together once a year to remember and celebrate their dad's life. So sweet! There are two older brother's Val and Cole and then the twins Seb and Theo. All these are shortened versions of their full names. Seb or Sebastian is the main brother for this book. I wasn't sure about the shortened names but they grew on me by mid book. Seb is the world class chef. Has a restaurant in New York City and is trying to find a place in  Boston for a new one and starting a TV show.  He's back in Star Harbor for a few days to spend with his brothers and celebrate his dads life. Seb meets Lexie Meyer then in the restaurant she owns and promptly puts his foot in his mouth. lol He likes her and tries to insert himself in her life. It's fun to watch. Lexie though has a few problems. Her produce supplier is late all the time or doesn't show up. One of her employees is acting funny and then there are the threatening notes she thinks are from a competitor who wants her cake recipe. After she is attacked and Seb saves her though she starts to see that someone is after her. Quite possibly her ex boyfriend who was stalking her the last place she lived.  There's quite a lot going on in this book. It's the first is a series so some of it is just information you need to have although i didn't feel like it droned on at all like some books can. I didn't lose interest at all with that. In the beginning there is a poem about keys and a lock and treasure. You don't really hear much about it though until the end when Lexie finds a key. I would've liked to hear more about that in the story if it's going to be a bigger part of the series but we'll see how it goes in the next book. LOVED the brothers. All very interesting from what you get to see of them. Seb bothered me some because he was a bit immature but throughout the book he grows up a bit and takes things more seriously and that's because of Lexie. Lexie has to learn to love and trust again after her terrifying experience with her ex boyfriend. She's tough as nails though and takes care of herself. Lastly i want to mention a secondary character i really liked. Lexie right hand man in the kitchen Buster. He's kind of a mystery but you get to find out who and what he was before coming to work for Lexie and he's protective of Lexie like she's his daughter and i found that so sweet. I would love to see him meet someone somewhere in this series even as a secondary thing. Overall I enjoyed the book a lot. I am excited to see what the next installment Blaze of Winter brings for Seb's twin Theo. Love the play of words on the titles for this series as well. 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Deep Autumn Heat by Elisabeth Barrett.

On sale everywhere now. Get it at Amazon here www.amazon.com

Find out more about Elisabeth Barrett and this book including a excerpt here on her website www.elisabethbarrett.com