Relaxing in summer, with romance and mystery
Richness of silk is in a novel Tulip Chowdhury has read
Are you looking for a book that holds rich romance and is spiced with mystery? If you are, then Summer in Eclipse Bay is your book. There can be two types of summer books; the vacation type and the beach type. Summer in Eclipse Bay is a book that makes for both, a vacation and a beach reading. The book, with its revealing characters and deeply absorbing plot, is a sure catch for readers who wish to relax and enjoy a good romance. And yet there is just the right amount of mystery to set the reader's nose go sniffing. Jayne Ann Krantz has come up with a sparkling romance that is bound to find its way into several beach bags this summer. Summer has come to Eclipse Bay, Oregon. The people of this small town find themselves in for a rich, gossip tangled summer. The family feud between two old famous families, the Hartes and the Madisons, seems to find new lights as Nick Hartes and Octavia Brightwell come to Eclipse Bay for the summer. Octavia is a relative of Claudia Madison, who once rocked the town with scandals. Nick has not been involved in any serious commitments with women since his wife Amelia died. He is too busy with his writing and bringing up his son Carson in Portland. But when he comes to spend the summer in Eclipse Bay he finds himself sort of taken up with Octavia, who owns two art galleries, one in Eclipse Bay and the other in Portland. Nick calls up Octavia only to be rejected repeatedly. But that does not deter Nick. Octavia is putting up a children's art show. Carson wants his picture in the show. When Carson goes to her with his dad he seems to feel the edging remarks his dad and Octavia make. At home Carson tells his dad not to make the lady mad because then she might not take his picture. Nick wonders if the child's words hold some angels' warning. And yet the more the beautiful Octavia tries too shake him off, the more determined Nick feels. He has been on and off with women in the past and when he wants to see Octavia he himself is not sure why there is an uncanny feeling that he has to be with her. Somewhere deep inside he feels something he has not felt for the women he has been seeing. Nick Hartes is not a person who gives up easily and he continues to ring Octavia for a date. Gradually she gives in to the promise of a single date with Nick, making sure that it is a pure, friendly one. But the chemistry between the two seems to get the better of them and they end up staying together until the soft dawn breaks with a new touch to the day. Octavia, resolute to stand far away from this man, is thrown into confusion. After all, what can she make of Nick Hartes, the man who is well known to women as "take them and leave them?" There comes between them Michelle Madison, determined to keep Octavia safe from Nick's philandering. Michelle threatens Nick with dire consequences if he fools around his relative. While the town is busy in "The Talk", for in a small town like Eclipse Bay news of Nick and Octavia's date is gossip. Octavia is horrified. And yet she is surprised to find that an inner self within her is not so offended at all at being called "Nick's next woman". Even so, something in her warns her of an impending heartbreak. She wants to escape from her own feelings and decides to sell out her business at Eclipse Bay and move out. And precisely then a precious piece of art, an Upsall, disappears from Octavia's gallery. Octavia has been keeping it for the original owner, a local from Eclipse Bay. The tale goes on, in all its twists and turns. There is Jeremy whom Octavia has been dating since her arrival in Eclipse Bay. They have been having a wonderful time together. In fact, the town has just started talking about them. When news leaks out about Octavia and Nick, Jeremy does not take it well. Here the writer shows how jealousy can maim a person's character. Jeremy has been a perfect gentleman all along. However, once Nick enters the scene Jeremy starts cornering Octavia about her activities. The novel seems to teem with life as the other interesting characters are drawn into the picture There is Sullivan Harte, who is all wise and wonderful and thinks Nick should finally settle down with Octavia. The couples Hannah and Rafe are childhood sweethearts and are expecting their first child. They do not appreciate the gossip surrounding Nick and Octavia for they know that Nick is still hurting from the death of his wife. Gabe Madison's passion is Lilian and they live for each other. Being Madisons they are on the look out for Octavia's well being. There is Gail, the single mother who comes to assist Octovia with her little daughter. Gail is totally absorbed in her work knowing that Octavia has given her the job because she needs it so badly. And then there is Carson, Nick's little son who is eventually taken up with Octavia. When the gallery owner chooses his picture for the art show he is deeply touched. The romance brewing between Octavia and Nick holds a richness of silk and is filled with compassion that touches the heart. The story takes the reader on roller coaster rides with the ensuing happenings of the small town, happenings that are mysterious. Who would want to involve Octavia with the art theft? And, indeed, does Nick have an enemy who does not want all the best for him? Summer in Eclipse Bay holds a story that seems to be pulsating with life. The reader is completely absorbed in the goings-on around town. And there are other wonderful and witty characters that the writer has skillfully sewn into the storyline, making the story fastidiously delightful. There is a feeling of belongingness to the small town story. The reader is absolutely taken in by the book for its tender wisdom, brawling insight and sharp-edged humour. It is a novel that seems to transform the reading hours into a golden passage of time. Tulip Chowdhury is a teacher and critic.
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