Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Point Surrender - Anne Carter (Kindle)


There is nothing more romantic, breathtaking, haunting, regal and historic than a lighthouse. As some of you may have deduced from my months of lighthouse photos on Wordless Wednesday, I have a fascination with them that goes beyond owning a coffee table book or wall calendar. These majestic guardians put me in a zen, hypnotic state. When I noticed a recent blog tour of an author that appeared to have the same obsession, I started following her around the tour and her website like a homeless puppy. Turns out, Pam Ripling (writing as Anne Carter) has just released a new novel titled "Point Surrender", where an abandoned lighthouse is the cornerstone of the plot. I grabbed my Kindle, and in 3.2 seconds, the book was mine.

Amy has just discovered that her fiance (and unsuspecting father of her newly-conceived baby) has been cheating on her. She packs her few possessions, and runs from their shared condo in Carmel to her brother's apartment in San Francisco for respite. She learns that her brother has recently become engaged, and has purchased an old abandoned lighthouse, located in a small town a bit north of S.F., that he will refurbish and eventually call home. (Let's just call this one of my uber-fantasies!) Before one can of paint is purchased, though, her brother is involved in a boat accident that leaves him comatose.

Amy takes charge, renting a room in a B&B in the small town, getting a job as a waitress in the local rib joint, and starts to renovate the lighthouse while waiting for her brother to regain consciousness. She meets the handsome Case McKenna, a man who has taken a leave of absence from his work, and is running from demons of his past. The two find chemistry and maybe more, but are fighting an uphill battle of secrets kept hidden, misunderstandings, and bad timing.

And while all of this drama is unfolding around us, subtle mysteries of the lighthouse begin to drift gently through the cracks of the storyline. Tales of tragic lovers leaping into the ocean, an unsettled keeper's wife, deadly accidents, unrequited love, unexplained sightings of a presence on the cliffs, a matchbox car rolling unaided from a closet.

Eventually, both plot threads crash headlong into each other all full speed, in an exploding climax. All is revealed, and though it was a bit predictable, it was thoroughly satisfying.

What we have here is a thoroughly enjoyable and swift read, with equal parts romance, drama and supernatural. The romantic interactions are current and not too sticky sweet, there is a bit of sex but not explicit, there is little (if any) bad language, and the spooky parts are very subtle. This is a one-book-pleases-all comfort read for snuggling up in bed, a day at the beach, or a few hours on a plane.

For those interested, the photo on the front of the book is the Heceta Head Lighthouse on the coast of Oregon. It is this lighthouse, and many others on the west coast, that have inspired Pam Ripling to write about them. Check out her website here.

4 out of 5 stars

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lighthouses have always fascinated me and I love stories that revolve around it. Would definitely look out for it.

Unknown said...

I love the fact you bought a book just because of the light houses! I don't think I've ever done that sort of thing before. I'm pleased it worked out for you!

Melody said...

I find lighthouses intriguing. This book sounds right up my alley! I'll have to check it out.

Sandy Nawrot said...

Violet - yeah, it didn't take much persuasion. Plus the author is totally friendly and cool.

Jackie - it was totally impulsive, but you know me. I gravitate towards books that have setting I connect with.

Melody - oh, it is great, easy reading. You would enjoy it!

Catherine Uible Morgan said...

This sounds like a good read if I ever make it through Virginia Woolf's quite challenging (and somewhat depressing) To The Lighthouse which is one of my summer goals. In Woolf's novel the lighthouse is in the Hebrides off the coast of Scotland.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I agree with you about lighthouses but I wonder why that it is so? I've never thought about it before...

Anna said...

I like stories about haunted lighthouses. Does that count? :) Not sure if this book is my cup of tea, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Andreea said...

I'm glad you liked this book. Romance and mysteries - sounds good:)

bermudaonion said...

I love seeing lighthouses, too. I think a story written around one would be fascinating. Thanks for the review.

ds said...

Sounds like you've found a kindred spirit in this author! Well done!

The Bumbles said...

Staying in a lighthouse would be neat. Andy came across some place that would let you stay and be the light-keeper for a fee or some such thing. I myself would rather not pay to work. But still. I don't know what the one was that he saw, but here's a list I found:

http://www.lighthouse.cc/links/overnight.html

Me - I think I'd rather stay in a treehouse.

david mcmahon said...

I certainly DID wonder about the image of the lighthouse ... thanks for the details.

Sandy Nawrot said...

Catherine - let me know how you feel about it when you're done. Sounds like a potential read for me!

Jill - lighthouses are historic, and spooky, and magestic, and romantic...I could go on. It is amazing how many people are drawn to them.

Anna - absolutely it counts! Lighthouses are SUPPOSED to be haunted. The one in this story is!

Andreea - I'm not usually a big fan of romance, but this one worked for me!

Kathy - the cool thing is that she has another one coming out soon...Cape Seduction!

Bumbles - how cool would that be? I'm pretty sure there aren't any in Florida offering something like that. The lighthouse featured on the cover I believe has a deal like that though. I'll have to make it one of those things I do before I die...

David - I know, it just captures your heart. Sure wish it wasn't on the other side of the country!

Beth F said...

I loved Pam's link between writing and photography and her other guest posts when she was touring. I'm not surprised that the book was a nice read. I'll be giving it a try too when I whittle down the TBR a bit.

caite said...

You might not believe it, but I share your love of lighthouses. And your fanasty of living in one. ..or near one..or with a view of one...

My lighthouse posts might be a give away.

I can totally see buying a book just because it involves a lighthouse! Gosh, I guess I might have to
put this on the To Be Bought list..darn...lol

Literary Feline said...

I'm so bad. I bought a copy of this at the book festival last year and haven't gotten to it yet. I was so glad to come across your review, Sandy, and I'm especially glad to know you enjoyed it. Hopefully it won't be too long before I can get to it too.

Sandy Nawrot said...

Beth - this will help...the read is very quick. I love those kinds! Pam is such a nice person and very friendly, which makes it very easy to jump on her bandwagon.

Caite - well, I had gotten a tiny hint that you might like lighthouses! Ha! You were the first person I thought of when I saw this book.

Wendy - it is a short, pleasurable read. You could knock it out on a mid-length plane ride. I'm looking forward to her next book coming soon!

Iliana said...

Lighthouses are so beautiful aren't they? This book sounds like a great comfort read. Thanks for the review, Sandy!