Coral Cottage: when one woman's life implodes, she heads to the one place that brings her peace

Coral Cottage is the first book in the Coral Cottage at Summer Beach series by Jan Moran. Marina Moore’s life implodes on national television. She heads to the family beach house to heal and figure out her next move. Never married after the death of her husband, Marina raised her children and worked as a news anchor, the Coral Cottage on the shores of Summer Beach has been a refuge for Marina and her sisters. Marina’s plans for a short, reclusive vacation turns into a course change in her life especially when she finds a disheveled dog and meets its owner. Jack Ventana is a visitor at the Seabreeze Inn for a sabbatical. As he prepares to leave, his beloved Labrador retriever goes missing, he cannot leave without her. His connection to the Coral Cottage is a revelation neither of them are prepared for. 

I have read the first book in the Seabreeze Inn series and enjoyed it. When the Coral Cottage at Summer Beach series was announced as a spin off, I was excited. Finally this book came up on my To Be Read list and I looked forward to it. Right from the start, my heart broke for Marina as her world fell apart for the world to see. However, my sympathy for Marina fell as she spends the majority of the book being rude and snarky. I was suspicious of Jack when he was first introduced and his romance with Marina seemed off. I liked the small beach community feel. I loved to see characters from the Seabreeze Inn series make an appearance. Overall, the story was ok and I, most likely, will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Coral Cottage. 

Coral Cottage is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Life is a Cabernet: a novella set in the romantic wine country of Napa Valley

Life is a Cabernet by Jan Moran is a companion novella to The Winemakers, a part of the Heartwarming Family Saga series. It is 1956 Napa Valley, Juliana Cardona is passionate about winemaking and wants to build her career as a wine publicist. She is also struggling with the death of her fiance killed in an army ambush during the Korean War. Juliana isn’t sure she has the strength or courage to risk love again. Until she holds a press event in San Francisco and meets the elusive Henri Laurent, a local winemaker. Their budding friendship turns romantic, Juliana learns Henri is hiding a secret that could devastate any future they may have together. Can she find the strength to face the troubled past of Henri and risk her heart once again? 

I’m not much of a wine drinker and I do not know the ins and outs of winemaking; however, the discussions about the wine and its process only added to the richness of this romance. Juliana is trying to avoid love and Henri is avoiding people all together. The two together have a chemistry that is as rich as the wine they are so passionate about. Together they find healing they didn’t think was possible. Life is a Cabernet is a fun read for an afternoon. I am looking forward to reading the companion novel, The Winemakers, which features Juliana’s friend Caterina Rosetta. Will Juliana and Henri make an appearance? If you enjoy second chance romance with the romantic backdrop of Napa Valley wine country, I recommend Life is a Cabernet. 

Life is a Cabernet is available in paperback and eBook

Flawless: financial troubles, a company take over and romance

Flawless is the first book in the Love, California series by Jan Moran. Verena Valent has been running the family company since her parents died tragically in a car accident. Their skincare company caters to the glamorous clientele in Beverly Hills. Along with taking care of her aging grandmother and younger twin sisters, Verena is in the midst of an international expansion into the Asia market. When the news of the sudden and suspicious death of the company’s banker and long time friend, Verena is faced with a financial situation that could break the company. To top it off, her ex-fiancé is acting as if nothing had changed in their relationship. As she tries to navigate this unsettling territory, Verena meets Lance Martel, the executive chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel, who opens her eyes to new perspectives on love, romance and relationships. Can she keep her family’s company afloat? Will she take another chance on love? 

I enjoy Jan Moran’s stories and I was excited to read Flawless. The story hooks readers in the first chapter as they are introduced to Verena’s glamorous world. However, as the story progressed, the story became bogged down with business and legalese. The romance between Verena and Lance was lackluster as well. Overall, I finished the book confused and underwhelmed. I didn’t care for the business plotline. I didn’t care for Verena’s constant ignoring the warnings from others as well as the ones in her own head, to be shocked when things start to fall apart. While I loved Lance’s character, I didn’t care for Verena’s constant pushing him aside or brushing off his concerns and Lance just steps aside. The story seemed longer than it was and I was grateful when it was over. I still love Jan Moran’s books’ however, I am unsure if I will continue the Love, California series in the future. 

Flawless is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Seabreeze Inn: an unexpected chance to start over

Seabreeze Inn is the first book in the Summer Beach series by Jan Moran. After discovering her late husband drained their life savings on a beach house in California, Ivy Marin’s life seems to implode. Desperately needing cash, she decides to sell the house. Only after arriving, she realizes that the historical home would be a hard sell. Along with her sister, Shelly, Ivy decides to renovate the house and open an inn. The only problem is her late husband left a sour taste in the mouths of the residents of Summer Beach. Bennett Dylan is the mayor of the tiny town and he, along with the resident, led a campaign to block Jeremy Marin’s original plans for a high-rise resort. He’s determined to fight Ivy as well. Butting heads is the least of their troubles when a cache of stolen artwork is found hidden deep in the house. Ivy must now deal with the FBI, the media and the residents that haven’t yet accepted her. She’s determined to make the house a successful business and build a new life in the community she has come to love. 

Seabreeze Inn is a fun, dramatic story with a dash of romance. The book is set up for a series. I could tell as I read that certain plotlines would be carried over into future books. As well as the introduction of a large cast of characters, some that are only introduced and then never seen again. Most likely to be brought back for future books. Ivy is a woman scorned, betrayed and left reeling after her husband’s sudden death. While I understand Ivy’s harshness, I found her to be rude and often jumped to conclusions even after learning the ugly truth about her husband’s activities in the town. I would think she would have treaded lightly with the town as she learned her husband’s original plans. My favorite character was Bennett, an honorable man who tries to do right by the community he loves. He seems gruff with Ivy; however, my defenses would be up too if the widow of the man who wanted to ruin their small town showed up. Overall, I enjoyed Seabreeze Inn and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend Seabreeze Inn. 

Seabreeze Inn is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.