Treasure Coast Christmas

Emerald Bay #3

by Leigh Duncan

It’s Christmas at the Dane Crown Inn, but can this family overcome the challenges they face in time for the holiday?

It’s Christmas at the Dane Crown Inn and the much-needed renovations at the resort once known as “the gem of Florida’s Treasure Coast” have been put on hold for the holidays. Amy Sommer Peterson and the rest of the family deck the halls with festive garland, decorate towering Christmas trees and hang sparkling lights. When surprise guests arrive to share the season, everyone soon gathers in the kitchen to decorate cookies, sing Christmas carols, reminisce about the past and make new memories.

But while the rest of the family celebrates, Amy faces a host of challenges. At her bakery in Emerald Bay, a staffing emergency might just put Sweet Cakes out of business. Amy’s hopes for a second chance at love falter, and a new problem threatens the family’s ability to fulfill Aunt Margaret’s final wish. Family members hold the keys to overcoming every obstacle … if Amy can only trust the closeness they once treasured.

The Emerald Bay Series

After a lifetime of running the finest inn in Emerald Bay, Margaret Clayton has to make a decision … sell the Dane Crown Inn to a stranger or put her hopes for the future in her family’s hands. For most people, the choice would be simple. But nothing about her family is simple … especially not with her daughter and four nieces whose help Margaret needs now more than ever.

The five cousins know the inn as well as Margaret does. As young girls and teenagers, they spent every summer keeping the cottages and suites spotless, and enjoying the gorgeous beach as a tight knit family. Thirty years later, though, these five women have complicated, important, distant, and utterly packed lives. The last thing any of them can do is drop everything and save the inn. But, when it comes to family, the last thing is sometimes the only thing.

As the once-close cousins come together on the glorious shores of Florida’s Treasure Coast, they learn that some things never change, but others can never be the same. And the only thing that matters is family which, like the Dane Crown Inn, is forever.

Treasure Coast Homecoming, Book 1
Treasure Coast Promise, Book 2
Treasure Coast Christmas, Book 3
Treasure Coast Revival, Book 4
Treasure Coast Discovery, Book 5
Treasure Coast Legacy, Book 6

Genres: Fiction

428 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

Leigh Duncan is an Amazon best-selling author and a National Readers' Choice Award winner, the author of more than two dozen novels, novellas and short stories. However, the biggest thrill of her career--so far!--came when she saw her book, Journey Back to Christmas, featured on the Home and Family Show after Hallmark Publishing chose Journey to introduce its new line of romance novels. Her newest Hallmark Publishing release, A Simple Wedding, and her upcoming A Cottage Wedding (6/2/20) are the first of several books in Leigh's Heart's Landing series. These sweet, contemporary romances take place in a small town known as America's Top Wedding Destination, and each book centers on one couple who fall in love in Heart's Landing.

Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she loves to stay in touch with readers through social media. Find her at www.facebook.com/LeighDuncanBooks, or visit her website at www.leighduncan.com.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series is better than the previous one, and that's saying a lot, since the first one was outstanding. This is a series you won't want to miss.

[Pj Ausdenmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series leaves me eagerly awaiting the next. Fully-developed characters, complicated relationships, a vivid sense of place, strong family bonds, and plenty of heart make this a book - and series - not to be missed.

I'm enjoying the way Duncan weaves the journeys of the cousins/siblings together into a family saga while also giving readers each individual's story along the way. The characters are multi-layered, interesting, and relatable, even if I've not walked their particular path. They're at different stages of life with with a variety of challenges and yet I'm just as invested in the mother whose marriage is in trouble and teen is rebelling as I am in the young influencer who shows up for Christmas with a mysterious secret in her pocket, the two cousins about to take a scary leap in business, and the aging pop star who may have lost her career but is discovering that life - and possibly love - aren't quite done with her yet. I want to know more about all of them. I've come to care for them. I want them to succeed. I want them to be happy. And, I'm so eager to discover what happens to them next.

If you enjoy heart-tugging family sagas sprinkled with humor, heartache, hope, and love, give this series a try. I strongly recommend reading the books in order as each new book builds upon the prior ones. The books (so far) are: Treasure Coast Homecoming, Treasure Coast Promise, and Treasure Coast Christmas.

4.5 Stars
ARC received. Fair and unbiased review.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure Coast Christmas ~ Emerald Bay #3 by Leigh Duncan
Simply... Brilliant, just brilliant. I have been following this series from the very beginning and I'm totally in love with the whole series. What's not to love about it?
Leigh's writing is just magnificent and you know from the very beginning it's going to be a great story. The story continues from the previous books which follow the Dane family dramas in Emerald Bay. I suggest you purchase books 1 & 2 just so you know the background for each of the Danes.
Each chapter is written for one of them and tells their story, you cannot help but fall in love with them and feel for them.
I found Treasure Coast Christmas to be written brilliantly and I felt that I was there too.
Thank you, Leigh, for another brilliant story to add to this series, and I am looking forward to reading the next chapter in the lives of the Danes.
I highly recommend this book to all, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed in it.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Inspirational, Original, Page-turner, Realistic, and Wonderful characters

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue Negrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emerald Bay Florida,
So much extra verbiage, some is ok but every subject/person had so much.
Diane brings her daughter to Emerald Bay she got kicked off her soccer team and kicked out of school she had a party at her house. Diane’s husband comes back from his cruise to teach her a lesson, that she works to much. She stands up to him, that things aren’t going back the way they were. He’s shocked she took off work till the end of the year. But really quit.
Amy girl is going to quit, but Amy offers her a partnership and she takes it.
Kim is getting ready for Christmas and all the family coming and starting her catering business.
Belle is moving to Emerald Bay after her singing career is coming to an end. Jason takes her out on a night to remember NYC, take the bike ride cart, go ice skating, horse buggy ride, Macy windows. He promised to come see her in Fla. he sends her the lamp she wanted from the market in Central Park.
Jen makes it to EB for Christmas with no plans to leave.
They are all worried about Natalie Kim’s daughter why is she there.
Aunt Margaret is just happy everyone is there.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome back to Emerald Bay, FL. It's Christmas at the Dane Crown Inn. Amy Sommer Peterson, along with her family, are making the inn look festive for the holidays. Amy runs Sweet Cakes bakery, and things are not running smoothly; plus, Amy wishes for another chance at love, but problems arise and the family is put to the test of whether or not they are able to fulfill their Aunt Margaret’s final wish. Five cousins have to decide what is best for the Inn and different members of the family members hold a key to solving a problem. The once tight group of cousins each have issues and thirty years have passed since the last time they all were together. Even though they learn that some things haven't changed, other things can never be the same. Other books in this series: Treasure Coast Homecoming, Book 1. Treasure Coast Promise, Book 2. Treasure Coast Christmas, Book 3. Treasure Coast Revival, Book 4. Treasure Coast Discovery, Book 5. Finally, Treasure Coast Legacy, Book 6.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to the author who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

This book is actually book number three in the ‘Emerald Bay’ series.

I really love this series of books as they are so heartwarming and family orientated and of course, written so well too.

The authors style of writing is absolutely beautiful and she honestly makes the reader feel as though they are immersed in all of the heartwarming goodness!

Treasure Coast Christmas was definitely a family orientated story that was heartwarming, festive and full of drama and i loved it all!

This is definitely a very addictive series and now i really cannot wait for the next instalment…….

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Lots of family in this one and some of the families are mending bonds that were strained or broken. Belle discovered her love of music again, Amy got a new partner and a special guy to date. Diane's kids were growing up and her husband Tim, is realizing what he is missing. Aunt Margaret got hurt but is recovering and the inn is getting into shape. More family showed up for Christmas that surprised everyone and they realized how important family was. I loved the new relationships that were happening. I can't wait for the next installment to see what goes on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun to spend Christmas with the Dane family at the Dane Crown Inn. I liked meeting more of the family and how all of the cousins and siblings were reunited at the Inn with Aunt Margaret. So much had changed for the cousins as they decorated the Inn for one last Christmas together and reminisced about past Christmases.
There were many ups and downs, happy and sad times, budding romances, and loads of fond memories for everyone. Amy had a major decision to make regarding her Sweet Cakes Bakery, This book reminded me of past Christmases with my family. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Linda Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The act of gathering as a family strengthens the connections made long ago...

Christmas has arrived in Emerald Bay and the Dane family reunite to make what could possibly be their last Christmas at the Dane Crown Inn special. But it's not all Merry and Bright. The five cousins experience further drama in their personal lives in the midst of their family reunion. There are more than a few surprises that are dropped as they struggle to get the Inn back to its former glory.

This series is captivating and addictive. I am anxious to see what happens next.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from Booksprout.

There a lot going on as the cousins prepare for Christmas. Throw in a few rumors and a surprises and you get a great story.

It's a bit frustrating that we get just bits of each cousin's story... but at the same time, I LOVE getting bits of each cousin's story in chronological order instead of having each book focus on one cousin and cause the narration to jump through time.
I am really enjoying this series!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you mix cousins reuniting for the holidays, some surprises and a few rumors? You get a great, entertaining story you can't put down. The characters are fun, enjoyable and easy to get to know. The farther you get into the story, the more you feel like you're part of the family and sitting right there with them at their holiday reunion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really gets you in the spirit of the holidays. It's a heartwarming read as we continue to follow the Dane family drama. It's mostly lighthearted with coastal beach town charm and the characters are easy to love. This book is as well written as the rest and a delightful feel good Christmas story. Looking forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! It's a beautifully written story that the author brings to life with her words. It plays out like a movie in your mind while you are reading it. Treasure Coast Christmas is an entertaining read when all the cousins get together at the inn for Christmas. This is a book you don't want to miss.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure Coast Christmas is the third book in the Emerald Bay Series which features Aunt Margaret’s family with a special focus on Amy who is having business problems as well as romantic relationship difficulties. This book provides you with the family and holiday heartwarming feelings of the holiday season. The next book in the series is Treasure Coast Revival.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaylee Nizza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. They way family comes together and help each other like families are supposed to do. This book is so heartwarming so be sure to grab your snacks while reading.
I was not ready for this book to end. I got to the end of the book and yelled No. I need more of this series.
I highly recommend this book.

[Elizabeth Hanrahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

the holidays

Love how this series is going. Can’t wait to see the next part of this lovely family. They are all coming together with everything. Patiently waiting for the next part.

[Medenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good, but oh the cliffhanger!

Sure wish it hadn’t ended in a cliffhanger. I want to know what’s going on. I know the ending I’m hoping for. We will see.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on audio. This was a 3.5 for me

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first novel by Leigh Duncan, and it was atmospheric. The Christmas atmosphere, the setting, and the family dynamics. Everything is well put together but I would have liked more backstory for each character. I am looking forward to finding the other books in the series.

Thanks to Leigh Duncan.

3-3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.