"A Haven on Orchard Lane," by Lawana Blackwell

"A Haven on Orchard Lane," by Lawana Blackwell

Famed actress Charlotte Ward stepped away from the Victorian London stage five years ago. Now in desperate circumstances, she tries to restart her career--only to experience a complete collapse. Against her better judgment, Charlotte's estranged daughter, Rosalind, comes to her mother's rescue and moves her to a quiet English coastal village where her mother can evade the gossip columnists, at least for a time. 

Charlotte is grateful to re-establish even tenuous family ties with Rosalind. As one with regrets over her own romantic past, she's happy to see love blossom for her daughter. For Rosalind, however, it's time away from teaching, and now she must care for the mother who wasn't there for her. And what could possibly be more complicated than romance?

But there can be no permanent escape from the threats of recent months. As the privacy they seek is threatened, mother and daughter must make some difficult decisions--ones that jeopardize those they care about most.

I found the start of the book a little confusing in part because more and more character's were introduced.  Now later in the book you got how their lives were intertwined, but when they first appeared you wondered why?  The setting of this book in an English coastal village and the picture on the cover of the book, made for a pleasant setting where the pace of life was slower.  I enjoyed that.

I read the book in just over a day.  It doesn't over tax the brain and it's a perfect book to read by the pool or in front of a fire.  I have never read anything by this author before; but will look for her other books.  I did find the relationship between Rosalind and Charlotte forced, as they went from estrangement to reconciled practically overnight.  Not sure that would happen in real life?

Stars out of 5 : 4 I will not remember this book next month, but it was a nice way to spend a few hours.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".