cover image Love Letters: A Rose Harbor Novel

Love Letters: A Rose Harbor Novel

Debbie Macomber. Ballantine, $26 (320p) ISBN 978-0-553-39113-8

Prolific author Macomber’s mastery of women’s fiction is evident in her latest (following Blossom Street Brides). Jo Marie Rose is the proprietor of Rose Harbor Inn, a bed-and-breakfast in Cedar Cove, Wash. Jo Marie has been taking solace in her work at the Inn since her husband died two years ago. Maggie and Roy Porter are planning an anniversary weekend at Rose Harbor, to be paid for by Roy’s parents. Sheltered young Eleanor “Ellie” Reynolds also reserves a room, only to cancel and then rebook her reservation. While preparing for the weekend, Jo Marie tries to learn something about her gruff handyman Mark Taylor’s past. But after meeting her guests, she realizes that satisfying her curiosity will be the least of her worries. Ellie is meeting a man against her mother’s wishes, and Roy Porter doesn’t appear to be enjoying his “idyllic” getaway. Macomber breathes life into each plotline, carefully intertwining her characters’ stories to ensure that none of them overshadow the others. Yet it is her ability to capture different facets of emotion which will entrance fans and newcomers alike. [em]Agent: Theresa Park, Park Literary Group. (Aug.) [/em]