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Banksia Bay #2
Misty and the Single Dad
Teacher Misty Lawrence has lived her whole life in Banksia Bay, cherishing a secret list of faraway dreams. Just as she's finally about to take flight, Nicholas Holt--tall, dark and deliciously bronzed--turns up in her classroom with his little son Bailey and an injured stray spaniel in tow.Misty soon falls head over heels for all three--but her scrapbook of wishes keeps calling. Misty must decide: follow her dreams, or her heart? Because a girl can't have it all--can she?
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Marion Lennox
782 books137 followersWriting romance sounds fascinating. Huh?
I'm a writer. I'm boring. Day after day I sit behind a word processor making up people in my head. Why do I do it? I love it. My husband, Dave, gets up in the morning, puts on a suit and heads out into the ice and cold of Ballarat's winter. (Sadly I live in one of the tiny parts of Australia that qualifies as cold.) I make myself another cup of coffee, head up to my study, choose what music I want and sit and daydream. And I get paid for doing it. Hooray!
My first attempt at writing romance, 'Dare To Love Again', a Medical Romance, was published by Harlequin Mills and Boon in 1990. It still stands today as a monument to my family's ability to survive on cheese sandwiches and spaghetti.
Since then I've written over 80 Romances for Harlequin Mills and Boon, with more on the drawing board. (I used a pseudonym - Trisha David - for the first few Romances but suffered with a split personality and have since reverted to being Marion Lennox all the time.) In between romances, I've co-authored a non-fiction history, (I love local history) done the odd (very odd) spot of housework and done a heap of travelling - research :-)
I come from a farming community. You can probably tell this from my books. There's not a skyscraper in sight. I'm very much a pets person. Chloe and Harry were my constant canine companions for many years as I wrote, demanding walks and air freshener at frequent intervals. Sadly I lost them, and for a while I vowed not to get another. My heart was broken and my study smelled so clean! But.. The cat and I missed them so badly we weakened and bought Mitzi. Mitzi's a black and silver mini-schnauzer who makes me and the cat laugh. Expect to find her in future stories.
If you're interested in formalities, I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a teaching diploma. I have a couple of kids and a huge extended family who look on me with affectionate tolerance. Marion? The crazy one who talks to people in her head... I've had nine nominations for the Rita, winning twice, and fourteen for the Australian Book of the Year. After years of thinking of my writing as a hobby I guess I finally now qualify as a `real' writer.
Thank your for taking the trouble to check out my web page. Now try my books. We might even end up having fun together. And write to me. I show my family - `See? Real people do like the things that go in in my head.'
I'm a writer. I'm boring. Day after day I sit behind a word processor making up people in my head. Why do I do it? I love it. My husband, Dave, gets up in the morning, puts on a suit and heads out into the ice and cold of Ballarat's winter. (Sadly I live in one of the tiny parts of Australia that qualifies as cold.) I make myself another cup of coffee, head up to my study, choose what music I want and sit and daydream. And I get paid for doing it. Hooray!
My first attempt at writing romance, 'Dare To Love Again', a Medical Romance, was published by Harlequin Mills and Boon in 1990. It still stands today as a monument to my family's ability to survive on cheese sandwiches and spaghetti.
Since then I've written over 80 Romances for Harlequin Mills and Boon, with more on the drawing board. (I used a pseudonym - Trisha David - for the first few Romances but suffered with a split personality and have since reverted to being Marion Lennox all the time.) In between romances, I've co-authored a non-fiction history, (I love local history) done the odd (very odd) spot of housework and done a heap of travelling - research :-)
I come from a farming community. You can probably tell this from my books. There's not a skyscraper in sight. I'm very much a pets person. Chloe and Harry were my constant canine companions for many years as I wrote, demanding walks and air freshener at frequent intervals. Sadly I lost them, and for a while I vowed not to get another. My heart was broken and my study smelled so clean! But.. The cat and I missed them so badly we weakened and bought Mitzi. Mitzi's a black and silver mini-schnauzer who makes me and the cat laugh. Expect to find her in future stories.
If you're interested in formalities, I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a teaching diploma. I have a couple of kids and a huge extended family who look on me with affectionate tolerance. Marion? The crazy one who talks to people in her head... I've had nine nominations for the Rita, winning twice, and fourteen for the Australian Book of the Year. After years of thinking of my writing as a hobby I guess I finally now qualify as a `real' writer.
Thank your for taking the trouble to check out my web page. Now try my books. We might even end up having fun together. And write to me. I show my family - `See? Real people do like the things that go in in my head.'
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 20, 2014
I really loved this book! Nick and Misty made such a great pair and the romance was sweet, Nick’s young son Bailey was so cute, and the two dogs were irresistible in this wonderful story about finding love and making dreams come true.
October 7, 2011
If you want a warm, heartfelt read tinged with humour and poignancy, this book is for you.
Dogs, kids, gorgeous hero, smart heroine, this book has it all.
Loved it.
Dogs, kids, gorgeous hero, smart heroine, this book has it all.
Loved it.
November 1, 2022
Great first half, sleeper of a second. Misty and the "single dad", the dogs, and the kiddo are great until Lennox lets exposition take over from action and emotion.
July 24, 2018
Misty and the Single Dad is the second book in the Banksia Bay series by Marion Lennox. It can also be found in the Six More Hot Single Dads e-book collection from Mills & Boon.
Misty Lawrence is a teacher in Banksia Bay. She has always felt held back by responsibility, but for the most part has been happy with her life. She does plan to eventually leave the bay to live out her lifelong dream of travelling and having some adventures before she is ready to settle down properly. Her grandmother is in a nursing home after having two strokes, and when the sad day arrives that she passes away, Misty will say her goodbyes to her gran and to the town. Or that was the plan. But you know what they say about all good plans...
The first inkling that Misty has that she probably won't ever leave town is when she falls in love with a stray dog that she knows she can't say no to living with her. There's one big responsibility right there. The second is that she meets new to town single dad Nicholas Holt. She could easily see herself falling for him and loving his darling young son Bailey. But she fights the attraction every step of the way, she needs to live her dreams, doesn't she??
Nicholas moves to Banksia bay with his son because his son needs stability and security and after a lot of research he finds that the bay is one of the safest places that he could move to. His now deceased wife was an adventure seeker, living life to the max, and it was that which finally saw her getting killed and their son shot. Thankfully Bailey survived, but Nicholas is determined to give him a nice staid life, hence the move. When he meets Misty he is instantly attracted to her. He loves how 'safe' she is, how reliable, and not knowing her ultimate dreams he can't help but start to fall for her. What will he do when he finds out she doesn't want to be safe, that she wants adventure. Can they have a future, or is she entirely the wrong type of woman for him yet again?
I adored this story, not least because of the large part a beautiful injured rescue dog played in it. Did you ever watch The Littlest Hobo about a dog that travelled around bringing joy to the lives he touched before moving on? Well, 'Ketchup' the dog doesn't move from town to town, but he is definitely a healing balm to all that have dealings with him, especially young Bailey. But forgetting 'Ketchup', I really enjoyed the romance developing between Misty and Nick, they seemed so right for each other even though it also seemed like it could all go so wrong. I wondered how the story could end happily with neither of them feeling as if they were missing out on anything, or losing anything. I wasn't disappointed with how it all worked out, they definitely had their happily ever after.
Misty Lawrence is a teacher in Banksia Bay. She has always felt held back by responsibility, but for the most part has been happy with her life. She does plan to eventually leave the bay to live out her lifelong dream of travelling and having some adventures before she is ready to settle down properly. Her grandmother is in a nursing home after having two strokes, and when the sad day arrives that she passes away, Misty will say her goodbyes to her gran and to the town. Or that was the plan. But you know what they say about all good plans...
The first inkling that Misty has that she probably won't ever leave town is when she falls in love with a stray dog that she knows she can't say no to living with her. There's one big responsibility right there. The second is that she meets new to town single dad Nicholas Holt. She could easily see herself falling for him and loving his darling young son Bailey. But she fights the attraction every step of the way, she needs to live her dreams, doesn't she??
Nicholas moves to Banksia bay with his son because his son needs stability and security and after a lot of research he finds that the bay is one of the safest places that he could move to. His now deceased wife was an adventure seeker, living life to the max, and it was that which finally saw her getting killed and their son shot. Thankfully Bailey survived, but Nicholas is determined to give him a nice staid life, hence the move. When he meets Misty he is instantly attracted to her. He loves how 'safe' she is, how reliable, and not knowing her ultimate dreams he can't help but start to fall for her. What will he do when he finds out she doesn't want to be safe, that she wants adventure. Can they have a future, or is she entirely the wrong type of woman for him yet again?
I adored this story, not least because of the large part a beautiful injured rescue dog played in it. Did you ever watch The Littlest Hobo about a dog that travelled around bringing joy to the lives he touched before moving on? Well, 'Ketchup' the dog doesn't move from town to town, but he is definitely a healing balm to all that have dealings with him, especially young Bailey. But forgetting 'Ketchup', I really enjoyed the romance developing between Misty and Nick, they seemed so right for each other even though it also seemed like it could all go so wrong. I wondered how the story could end happily with neither of them feeling as if they were missing out on anything, or losing anything. I wasn't disappointed with how it all worked out, they definitely had their happily ever after.
December 30, 2018
Too overdone for me .. but nice dogs and HEA.
In An Unlikely Match [Harlequin c2018 Must Love Dogs] Combo.
Setting=Australia: Banksia Bay (2nd story)
1st story=Nikki and the Lone Wolf. That one was better. (4star)
Originally published 2011- both tales.
In An Unlikely Match [Harlequin c2018 Must Love Dogs] Combo.
Setting=Australia: Banksia Bay (2nd story)
1st story=Nikki and the Lone Wolf. That one was better. (4star)
Originally published 2011- both tales.
July 13, 2012
We start off with the elementary school teacher, Misty Lawrence, who has a list of dreams she plans on going through once her responsibilities in Banksia Bay ends. However, Misty can’t help but be a good, dependable person despite her wishes to get away and live life.
Enter Nicholas Holt. He moved to Banksia Bay with his son, Bailey, to get away from excessive excitement, adventures and dangers. He wants to put down roots and make a safe haven for Bailey. Maggie is attracted to Nicholas and it seems inevitable they end up in a relationship, especially with the not-so-subtle meddling of the town veterinarian.
For a short Harlequin novel, Lennox certainly delivers. Misty is captured perfectly. While characterized as a dependable person, Lennox is able to accurately convey Misty’s feelings of unease and dissatisfaction. She grapples with trying to settle with her life without leaving any regrets of forgoing her dreams to pursue a happy relationship with Nicholas.
Nicholas likes Misty. But in his zealous efforts to secure a safe home for Bailey, he misses Misty’s unease in her attempts to stifle her dreams. The way Lennox plays out their relationship is fast paced but not overwhelmingly so. It is easy to follow. This is a good read for anyone looking for a short, sweet romance.
For this review and others, check out Book Munchies.
Enter Nicholas Holt. He moved to Banksia Bay with his son, Bailey, to get away from excessive excitement, adventures and dangers. He wants to put down roots and make a safe haven for Bailey. Maggie is attracted to Nicholas and it seems inevitable they end up in a relationship, especially with the not-so-subtle meddling of the town veterinarian.
For a short Harlequin novel, Lennox certainly delivers. Misty is captured perfectly. While characterized as a dependable person, Lennox is able to accurately convey Misty’s feelings of unease and dissatisfaction. She grapples with trying to settle with her life without leaving any regrets of forgoing her dreams to pursue a happy relationship with Nicholas.
Nicholas likes Misty. But in his zealous efforts to secure a safe home for Bailey, he misses Misty’s unease in her attempts to stifle her dreams. The way Lennox plays out their relationship is fast paced but not overwhelmingly so. It is easy to follow. This is a good read for anyone looking for a short, sweet romance.
For this review and others, check out Book Munchies.
December 16, 2012
To take the taste of Waking Up Married out of my mouth, I went on to reliable Marion Lennox and her Banksia Bay series, which I'd already enjoyed last year.
The dilemma of the heroine, elementary school teacher Misty who was raised by her grandparents because her selfish mother couldn't be bothered, and who is stuck in her small community because her grandfather and now her grandmother need her help and support, rings very believably true.
So now that the hero and his son (awww) and a dog from the pound (awww again) show up, all three victims of some horrible events in their past and just looking for emotional stability, safety and care - well, Misty has always done what was expected of her - the only rebelling the filling of 12 scrapbooks with her dreams of other places.
I loved the growth of self-confidence in the hero's son, the healing of the hero's mental wounds and the dogs' appreciation for their good fortune - and even though this is another short category, the decision Misty eventually makes for herself when she is confronted with everything she has dreamed of, except realising those twelve dreams - that really had me cheer!
And kudos for hero finally wiseing up, as well.
The dilemma of the heroine, elementary school teacher Misty who was raised by her grandparents because her selfish mother couldn't be bothered, and who is stuck in her small community because her grandfather and now her grandmother need her help and support, rings very believably true.
So now that the hero and his son (awww) and a dog from the pound (awww again) show up, all three victims of some horrible events in their past and just looking for emotional stability, safety and care - well, Misty has always done what was expected of her - the only rebelling the filling of 12 scrapbooks with her dreams of other places.
I loved the growth of self-confidence in the hero's son, the healing of the hero's mental wounds and the dogs' appreciation for their good fortune - and even though this is another short category, the decision Misty eventually makes for herself when she is confronted with everything she has dreamed of, except realising those twelve dreams - that really had me cheer!
And kudos for hero finally wiseing up, as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2012
[Insert thoughtful commentary here about how romance novels are feminist documents because they describe the complexity of keeping your own individual identity and also building a healthy loving relationship with another person.]
Marion Lennox is magic. She is some kind of Harlequin/Mills & Boon alchemist. Because a book about an obscenely wealthy, recently widowed marine architect and a small-town primary school teacher being brought together by an injured dog and the widower's adorable six-year-old son sounds like it ought to be melodrama plus, but somehow it's just right.
Also, an important detail that the cover copy leaves out - this book contains a whippet. Not that I would award 5 stars purely because there was a whippet, but the whippet is the icing on the 5 star cake.
Excellent book, would read again.
Marion Lennox is magic. She is some kind of Harlequin/Mills & Boon alchemist. Because a book about an obscenely wealthy, recently widowed marine architect and a small-town primary school teacher being brought together by an injured dog and the widower's adorable six-year-old son sounds like it ought to be melodrama plus, but somehow it's just right.
Also, an important detail that the cover copy leaves out - this book contains a whippet. Not that I would award 5 stars purely because there was a whippet, but the whippet is the icing on the 5 star cake.
Excellent book, would read again.
March 13, 2012
This book was really sweet!
Misty is a schoolteacher in a small town who has never traveled outside of it's boundaries. She has always wanted to go and see the world, but with taking care of her grandparents and an absentee mother she has never felt like she could. All of a sudden Nicholas comes into her life with child and dog and she is starting to question whether or not she really wants to live out her dreams or just to stay at home and enjoy what she has.
This book was just what I needed to get out of my reading rut. It was a quick short read that is sweet and has really well thought out character development. In all honesty the first chapter was basically poo, but after that the characters start to really develop and the story really comes to life.
Misty is a schoolteacher in a small town who has never traveled outside of it's boundaries. She has always wanted to go and see the world, but with taking care of her grandparents and an absentee mother she has never felt like she could. All of a sudden Nicholas comes into her life with child and dog and she is starting to question whether or not she really wants to live out her dreams or just to stay at home and enjoy what she has.
This book was just what I needed to get out of my reading rut. It was a quick short read that is sweet and has really well thought out character development. In all honesty the first chapter was basically poo, but after that the characters start to really develop and the story really comes to life.
May 1, 2016
Sweet story about a man who's done with adventure and risk, bringing his son to safe, small-town Australia. The heroine is a school teacher who's longed to travel all her life and will probably have the chance soon, since the grandmother she's cared for so long is now nearing death. So of course they fall for each other. And dogs. And the hero's little boy, who was in the hospital for the past year. There's angst which is handled very well and not skimmed over. I liked it a lot.
May 20, 2012
Very cute category romance. The tension/ big misunderstanding between the hero and heroine didn't rear its head until a bit late in the book but was resolved nicely. Really enjoy the Banksia Bay books.
February 26, 2015
Perfect escapism.
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Banksia Bay
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Banksia Bay
January 1, 2012
Sweeter than I usually go for, but the characters were adorable and the story made sense. Add in a couple of rescue dogs and this was a delightful way to spend a couple of hours.
August 7, 2012
Another lovely dog. And a plot moppet. Charming book, very emotionally satisfying. Sweet.
December 2, 2012
Perfect escapism.
August 11, 2013
Perfect escapism.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews