Beach Haven

Lowe (Lulu’s Café) opens her Carolina Coast series with this intriguing romance set amid the gales of a hurricane. Former Marine Lincoln Cole is fraught with both emotional and physical damage when he arrives in Sunset Cove, S.C., after a tour in Syria. Estranged from his father, he struggles to come to terms with combat injuries, including a leg injury and PTSD, that ended his military career and dispelled any faith he had in God. Opal Gilbert, the daughter of a wealthy senator, owns a local antique store and seeks independence, both financially and in her quirky, hippy-like lifestyle. Opal needs a delivery man, and a mutual friend suggests Lincoln for the job. Their first meeting goes awry, and every subsequent encounter seems to make matters worse. Then Hurricane Lacy hits and demolishes Opal’s store. Feeling guilty for his ill-mannered behavior toward Opal, Lincoln helps her rebuild her business. Simultaneously, Opal helps Lincoln recover a sense of calm and faith in God. As the pair try spend time together, they find healing for themselves and some unexpected common ground. This is a superb inspirational romance with a simple message: “nothing [is] too far gone to be restored.” Agent: Danielle Egan-Miller, Browne & Miller Literary Associates. (Apr.)