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Second Summer
In Second Summer, first in the Four Seasons quartet, thriller novelist Taylor Harris seeks somewhere to settle in and work on his latest novel. When he chooses the Eastmark Hotel, he does not know that the hotel's manager and driving force is Evelyn Scot, the woman he loved and lost fourteen summers before.
In a series of painful and frustrating revelations, the separated lovers learn of all the things they have missed in one another's lives—and that someone intentionally kept them from communicating for many of those fourteen years.
As Taylor and Evelyn strive to explore and understand the years they spent apart and their lingering feelings for one another, Taylor's career and his renewed relationship draw unwanted attention from an anonymous fanatic who seems to know the author's every move—and who is bent on seeing that Taylor live up to his potential as a writer, even if it means eliminating all other distractions in the author's life. The writer's struggle with this new danger and the regrets of his past mirror Evelyn's own efforts to overcome the years of emotional uncertainty she experienced on her own and at the hands of her domineering and sometimes intimidating ex-husband, and the two learn they must depend on what they have together to help them through the troubles they each experience.
Featuring a colorful cast of primary and secondary characters and the insular beauty of the fictional Eastmark Hotel, Second Summer demonstrates the tenacity of true love and the lasting ways those who love and are loved touch one another's lives. Through Taylor's and Evelyn's relationships with one another and with their friends and family, this novel shows the intricacies of relationships and the bonds that transcend time and strife.
In a series of painful and frustrating revelations, the separated lovers learn of all the things they have missed in one another's lives—and that someone intentionally kept them from communicating for many of those fourteen years.
As Taylor and Evelyn strive to explore and understand the years they spent apart and their lingering feelings for one another, Taylor's career and his renewed relationship draw unwanted attention from an anonymous fanatic who seems to know the author's every move—and who is bent on seeing that Taylor live up to his potential as a writer, even if it means eliminating all other distractions in the author's life. The writer's struggle with this new danger and the regrets of his past mirror Evelyn's own efforts to overcome the years of emotional uncertainty she experienced on her own and at the hands of her domineering and sometimes intimidating ex-husband, and the two learn they must depend on what they have together to help them through the troubles they each experience.
Featuring a colorful cast of primary and secondary characters and the insular beauty of the fictional Eastmark Hotel, Second Summer demonstrates the tenacity of true love and the lasting ways those who love and are loved touch one another's lives. Through Taylor's and Evelyn's relationships with one another and with their friends and family, this novel shows the intricacies of relationships and the bonds that transcend time and strife.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2012
30 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Salem Patterson
3 books3 followers Salem Patterson is the pseudonym of co-writers Jennifer Patterson and Amanda Salem. Patterson and Salem, who live in North Carolina and Massachusetts respectively, have been writing together for nearly a decade, collaborating seamlessly despite their geographic distance and even writing all of their first novel, Second Summer, by online messenger. Patterson, a wife and the mother of two, draws from her day-to-day experience meeting and connecting with people through her career in the healthcare field to draw inspiration for characters and support for her creative endeavors. Salem, a newlywed just approaching her first anniversary, has a background in journalism and has enjoyed meeting colorful, inspiring people through her career in marketing and events. The co-writers are currently collaborating on Finally Fall, the second book in the Four Seasons quartet. It is slated for publication in Summer of 2013. For more information, visit www.salempatterson.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 28, 2013
I love the way that Patterson manages to combine a lifelong romance with mystery. The entire story is very captivating. I found myself on the edge of my seat more than once, or trying to give advice to the characters. You cannot stop yourself from trying to guess who did what or what will happen next, getting yourself further and further into the story and the mystery surrounding the characters.
Although Patterson switches between the present and flashbacks of the past, the two time periods are very clearly separated. The storyline remains clear and very easy to follow. There are no confusing transitions for the readers.
Patterson’s descriptions are almost as catching as the story itself. You get a complete picture of everything that she writes about without anything becoming drawn out or boring. The best part of the descriptions? She describes things that are relevant to a romance story. You know exactly what the dress or flowers in question look like. Every move made by the couple is visible. You fall in love right along with the characters because you know what they are looking at.
The major characters are all fairly well developed. You know who they are, where they came from, and what makes them what they are today. You love (or hate) them all appropriately. The minor characters are given just enough detail to make them seem real without taking over the story. It is the perfect balance.
Patterson did fall into a couple of clichés, but really, writing a romance novel, how do you not? We have the typical boy meets girl, everything goes wrong, and years later they get back together a live happily ever after storyline. This is coupled with a who-done-it mystery where an author lives out what he has written. Even with this, as a whole unit, the story remained quite original and very catching.
Although Patterson switches between the present and flashbacks of the past, the two time periods are very clearly separated. The storyline remains clear and very easy to follow. There are no confusing transitions for the readers.
Patterson’s descriptions are almost as catching as the story itself. You get a complete picture of everything that she writes about without anything becoming drawn out or boring. The best part of the descriptions? She describes things that are relevant to a romance story. You know exactly what the dress or flowers in question look like. Every move made by the couple is visible. You fall in love right along with the characters because you know what they are looking at.
The major characters are all fairly well developed. You know who they are, where they came from, and what makes them what they are today. You love (or hate) them all appropriately. The minor characters are given just enough detail to make them seem real without taking over the story. It is the perfect balance.
Patterson did fall into a couple of clichés, but really, writing a romance novel, how do you not? We have the typical boy meets girl, everything goes wrong, and years later they get back together a live happily ever after storyline. This is coupled with a who-done-it mystery where an author lives out what he has written. Even with this, as a whole unit, the story remained quite original and very catching.
January 5, 2013
My Rating: ★★¾
My Thoughts:
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
I was intrigued by the premise of the story because I enjoy contemporary romance thrillers, which is how the story is slated.
Let me begin with the good:
For more reviews, visit The BookChick with Kick blog
My Thoughts:
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
I was intrigued by the premise of the story because I enjoy contemporary romance thrillers, which is how the story is slated.
Let me begin with the good:
I think the authors could have a good series on their hand. The character backgrounds were unique, the story was not overly complex, and the romance was sweet and gentle.The not so good:
Authors, Jennifer Patterson and Amanda Salem, used very elaborative details throughout the story. People. Places. Things. At a certain point, I just wanted to skip over the details to get to the actual story. The italicized text at the beginning of each chapter seemed liked extended prose for the prologue, which was very long to begin with. The text did not do much to add to the contents of the actual details provided within the chapter. That text just felt superfluous to me.Although I did not particularly care for this story, I hope that my review would not deter others from wanting to read it. My likes on these types of stories are very precise and just because it wasn't my cuppa...it may happily be someone else's.
I also thought that the dialogue was too precise, rigid almost. I understand Evie's matter of speech because of her background but all the other characters spoke just too 'properly' for their stations in life. Most people use contractions in their every day speech. However, the loss (or reduced use) of contractions was very noticeable to me. Their loss made conversations seem drawn out.
Sadly, at about 65% into the story, I began to feel as if it were bogged down with more melodrama than intrigue. I actually found myself thinking that the story was a cross between As the World Turns and Misery. The intrigue portion of the story felt as if it was added to give the story bite but it just felt a bit too contrived...too easy. The story should have been an even balance of romance and intrigue but it was more about the romance and misunderstandings among the characters.
For more reviews, visit The BookChick with Kick blog
February 17, 2013
This book had a great background story. Complete with the summer love of Evie and Taylor, and a betrayal, devised by an unknown, that drives them apart. It was a sweet, young love story between two college kids from different worlds. While this was just the prologue it was pretty long, detailed and you couldn't help but fall in love with the two and root for them. Which made Taylor's "betrayal" and Evie's subsequent fleeing.
The main part of Second Summer opens with 14 years having passed. Taylor, now a bestselling crime/thriller novelist, is seeking solace to finish his latest book. He finds it in the Eastmark, the hotel Evie has been running for the past few years. She's become withdrawn due to her heartache over the loss of Taylor and her abusive marriage, enough so that the hotel has become her life, she's married to her job. They reunite and battle through the past to pick up where they left off. They also have to contend with a freaky stalker of Taylor's who's hell bent on making sure he gets his latest book published, and quick.
While I liked the prologue and was drawn in, falling in love with the main characters, things took a turn beginning with Chapter 1. The dialogue was stilted, awkward even. Maybe it was just too formal for me. It's one thing to not use contractions in the meat of the story, but within the confines of conversation, it's just hard to believe that even the most refined of people talk like that. It made it a bit of a difficult read.
That being said, the basic storyline was well devised. It had all the great elements of a sweet reconciliation along with intrigue. This book has all the makings of a great story, it just fell a little short. I did enjoy it, I just wasn't blown away. I just wish I could give a half star more. I'd say it's worth checking out.
The main part of Second Summer opens with 14 years having passed. Taylor, now a bestselling crime/thriller novelist, is seeking solace to finish his latest book. He finds it in the Eastmark, the hotel Evie has been running for the past few years. She's become withdrawn due to her heartache over the loss of Taylor and her abusive marriage, enough so that the hotel has become her life, she's married to her job. They reunite and battle through the past to pick up where they left off. They also have to contend with a freaky stalker of Taylor's who's hell bent on making sure he gets his latest book published, and quick.
While I liked the prologue and was drawn in, falling in love with the main characters, things took a turn beginning with Chapter 1. The dialogue was stilted, awkward even. Maybe it was just too formal for me. It's one thing to not use contractions in the meat of the story, but within the confines of conversation, it's just hard to believe that even the most refined of people talk like that. It made it a bit of a difficult read.
That being said, the basic storyline was well devised. It had all the great elements of a sweet reconciliation along with intrigue. This book has all the makings of a great story, it just fell a little short. I did enjoy it, I just wasn't blown away. I just wish I could give a half star more. I'd say it's worth checking out.
January 1, 2013
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
So I'll start off by saying how much I truly enjoyed the prologue - even though it was freakishly long. It wasn't one of those drab beginnings that make you want to fall asleep, nor was it short, mysterious, or hazy. It was long enough to be at least three chapters, but it gave tons of back ground information - hell, it gave us the main characters entire sordid past. I found it surprisingly refreshing to have everything about the characters explained right upfront in the intro of the novel. Kudos Salem Patterson!
Evie's eccentricities only make the story even more appealing; her differences promising not another cliche happily-ever-after but a unique romance of the likes never before imagined.
While the writing style tends to be more upscale than the common lightweight summer romance novel, it fits in perfectly with the main characters' superior intellect.
And the plot thickens... Around chapter four. You'd think that early enough if you didn't realize how LONG these chapters are! I started out absolutely loving this book... Now I feel guilty that I couldn't finish it. Its just too wordy. Yes, I realize, books are supposed to have words, ha ha.
I stopped enjoying the book after the prologue. It seems like never ending rambling from chapter one on. The author starts to give way too much detail about every little thing, and frankly, it frustrated me. If you're looking for a light summery read to brighten up these cold winter days - this is not your book. However, if you want a long, drawn out, dramatic read that has many twists and turns, pick up a copy!
So I'll start off by saying how much I truly enjoyed the prologue - even though it was freakishly long. It wasn't one of those drab beginnings that make you want to fall asleep, nor was it short, mysterious, or hazy. It was long enough to be at least three chapters, but it gave tons of back ground information - hell, it gave us the main characters entire sordid past. I found it surprisingly refreshing to have everything about the characters explained right upfront in the intro of the novel. Kudos Salem Patterson!
Evie's eccentricities only make the story even more appealing; her differences promising not another cliche happily-ever-after but a unique romance of the likes never before imagined.
While the writing style tends to be more upscale than the common lightweight summer romance novel, it fits in perfectly with the main characters' superior intellect.
And the plot thickens... Around chapter four. You'd think that early enough if you didn't realize how LONG these chapters are! I started out absolutely loving this book... Now I feel guilty that I couldn't finish it. Its just too wordy. Yes, I realize, books are supposed to have words, ha ha.
I stopped enjoying the book after the prologue. It seems like never ending rambling from chapter one on. The author starts to give way too much detail about every little thing, and frankly, it frustrated me. If you're looking for a light summery read to brighten up these cold winter days - this is not your book. However, if you want a long, drawn out, dramatic read that has many twists and turns, pick up a copy!
January 12, 2013
I read alot of fast read romance novels. That being said, this was not a romance so much as a love story and it was not a fast read. I enjoyed this book. The wording was elaborate and descriptions lengthy, so much so that I actually had to put it down twice to read something else to clear my head of it. All the characters seemed to come from high class families even though their job status would say otherwise. And it seems most of the action is towards the end of the book instead of during to keep my attention. The main characters are lovely. But I hoped for more out of them than constant consoling over the same thing. But over all I enjoyed this story and am actually looking forward to book 2 Finally Fall which is going to be about a character that caught my attention every time and intrigued me. Coming from new authors I was pretty surprised. Writers only get better and more experienced as they go and I can see them working the kinks out quickly. I see big things happening here.
March 19, 2013
bleurgh, I sorta hate doing this to a book but I just couldn't finish it. I got about 10% of the way through before I gave up. Of the bit I read I found it head hopped a major amount and confused me. I also found the pacing to be much slower than I normally enjoy in a book. There was a lot of description and characters thoughts and it meant the dialogue never really got going. For every spoken line there would be at least two or three sentences of thoughts or characters feelings and it just kept pulling me out of the moment. As such I really didn't feel like very much happened for what was quite a lot of words read. Maybe the book gets better but I picked it up for a third time after getting bored and still didn't get into the story. Just not for me.
February 8, 2024
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion and review:
I gave this book 4 stars and here is why:
'Second Summer' is brilliant and captivating, it has all the makings of a classic thriller...I loved the storyline between Evie and Taylor it is well and truly an epic romance that has played out over decades.
If you like reading about romance, stalkers and a lot of action then this book is most certainly for you! I can't wait for the second in the series....I honestly don't know what it is going to be about but the first was so well written and engaging that I don't care.
I gave this book 4 stars and here is why:
'Second Summer' is brilliant and captivating, it has all the makings of a classic thriller...I loved the storyline between Evie and Taylor it is well and truly an epic romance that has played out over decades.
If you like reading about romance, stalkers and a lot of action then this book is most certainly for you! I can't wait for the second in the series....I honestly don't know what it is going to be about but the first was so well written and engaging that I don't care.
March 3, 2016
This started off very well with a heartfelt romance but about half way through it failed to completely maintain my same enthusiasm. It has a number of turns that steer the story into a very different direction. A mystery emerges that although was interesting didn't completely win me over, yet it is a good story with intriguing characters that did manage to return my interest once again until the end. 3.5 stars
I received a copy for an honest review.
I received a copy for an honest review.
February 14, 2013
This is a tasty romance-thriller coupled into one and I like the way events of the past and present are presented in the book without confusing the reader. The romance element is sweet and touching considering it is over many years but I personally find too much details were dwelled into the romance of Evie and Taylor then the suspense component of the book.
January 17, 2013
omg wot an amazing and emotional story
full review coming up
ARC courtesy of Salem Patterson
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews