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Cavanaugh Island #3
Haven Creek
Home is where the heart is. Architect Morgan Dane has always lived according to a plan, crossing off her achievements one by one. But when she's offered her dream job--the restoration of historic Angels Landing Plantation on beautiful Cavanaugh Island--Morgan's life takes an unexpected turn. Carpenter Nathaniel Shaw once took a big chance on commitment--and lost. Needing the healing comforts of home, he returns to Haven Creek to join the family business. Nothing in the small town has changed--except for Morgan Dane. The wallflower he knew in high school has grown into a beautiful woman, and she's suddenly stirring feelings Nate isn't sure he's ready for. Together Nate and Morgan find a happiness neither could have predicted. But when secrets from the past come to light, their budding relationship is threatened. Will they play it safe or risk their hearts to build a life together?
395 pages, Audio CD
First published May 28, 2013
96 people are currently reading
832 people want to read
About the author
Rochelle Alers
220 books1,053 followersRochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.
Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.
Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.
Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.
Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 6, 2013
Don't get the audiobook. The narrator is awful. Whining & mispronouncing words is just too much. I need to start listening to music while I workout, run errands or do chores. Some narrators can ruin a good story. Buying the ebook.
June 28, 2016
This narrator is horrible. I am completely turned off. The story line sounds like it may be good but this audio book is the worst. My life is super busy but I rather listen to books than music most times. This is one book that I will not be entertaining.
July 19, 2013
Took me awhile to finish this book. I was bored. Not enough conflict. Characters were bland.
September 26, 2013
Haven Creek is most likely the last book in the Cavanaugh Island series to have a title named after a place on the map. I doubt "Black Bay" makes a marketable title, and the sex between our hero Nathaniel Shaw and heroine Morgan Dane aren't incredible enough to shake the fault lines and raise some new landmarks from the sea. Mind you, I'd have this feeling that there will be more books in this series, as there are certainly ample sequel baits here hogging the scene like obnoxious wallpaper. At least, I hope they are sequel baits, because if they aren't, then the author would have lost the plot altogether in this padding-heavy story.
Our architect Morgan quit her job at the big city to open her own firm in Sanctuary Cove. Her plan is to restore the Angels Landing Plantation, a long-term plan that will earn her plenty of prestige and respect. To make her dream come true, she needs the help of carpenter Nathaniel Shaw. Oh, and he's a very rich owner of a business, so he's not some white collar hard-working dude if you are hoping for that kind of milkshake. Romance is dead without the dough, after all.
He knows her from way back, before he quit the island after some drama involving his father sleeping with the nurse hired to care for Nate's dying mother - I'm pretty sure there's a book by Nicholas Sparks with that plot - and now he's surprised by how she's filling those bra cups and what not. She's grown up, and hot now! Of course, given that she was thirteen the last time he saw her, she really should have grown up and filled those bra cups, or we've better get on the hotline to the endocrinology department at the nearest hospital ASAP.
So, these two meet and fall in love. But he has cheating-ex issues, although fortunately he'd meet many women here, of the shallow bitter bitchy brigade variety, to drive home how amazing Morgan is. She's truly incomparable as a Perfect Woman, and she even has a crush on him since she was thirteen! If that isn't true love, then what is?
The romance is pretty much that: they like each other, but they just move things at a snail's pace or else the story will end after 100 pages. Meanwhile, there are plenty of filler drama involving Nate's brother, friend-in-hospital subplot, making-up-with-the-parents fest, and the ever popular "the ex-is-whack and other bitches are so not worthy compared to the special heroine" nonsense. There are also dinner parties to attend, detailed description of everyone's clothes and hairstyle as well as their back stories (regardless of whether or not these details matter to the plot), so many people to stop by and talk to from Point A to B to C...
On top of everything, the author just has to adopt a style best described as "telling non-stop in the driest manner possible".
Even by the last page, I don't have a sense of what or who the main characters are. They are a laundry list of perfect virtues, and because the author tells instead of shows, their behavior to spark some tedious temporary conflict always feels out of character.
I'm so glad that at the end of day Nate gets to bury his face in Morgan's Haven Creek forever and ever, with many babies and sequels to come, but I am so bored out of my mind reading this story that hitting the last page is easily the most rapturous thing about the whole reading experience.
Our architect Morgan quit her job at the big city to open her own firm in Sanctuary Cove. Her plan is to restore the Angels Landing Plantation, a long-term plan that will earn her plenty of prestige and respect. To make her dream come true, she needs the help of carpenter Nathaniel Shaw. Oh, and he's a very rich owner of a business, so he's not some white collar hard-working dude if you are hoping for that kind of milkshake. Romance is dead without the dough, after all.
He knows her from way back, before he quit the island after some drama involving his father sleeping with the nurse hired to care for Nate's dying mother - I'm pretty sure there's a book by Nicholas Sparks with that plot - and now he's surprised by how she's filling those bra cups and what not. She's grown up, and hot now! Of course, given that she was thirteen the last time he saw her, she really should have grown up and filled those bra cups, or we've better get on the hotline to the endocrinology department at the nearest hospital ASAP.
So, these two meet and fall in love. But he has cheating-ex issues, although fortunately he'd meet many women here, of the shallow bitter bitchy brigade variety, to drive home how amazing Morgan is. She's truly incomparable as a Perfect Woman, and she even has a crush on him since she was thirteen! If that isn't true love, then what is?
The romance is pretty much that: they like each other, but they just move things at a snail's pace or else the story will end after 100 pages. Meanwhile, there are plenty of filler drama involving Nate's brother, friend-in-hospital subplot, making-up-with-the-parents fest, and the ever popular "the ex-is-whack and other bitches are so not worthy compared to the special heroine" nonsense. There are also dinner parties to attend, detailed description of everyone's clothes and hairstyle as well as their back stories (regardless of whether or not these details matter to the plot), so many people to stop by and talk to from Point A to B to C...
On top of everything, the author just has to adopt a style best described as "telling non-stop in the driest manner possible".
Even by the last page, I don't have a sense of what or who the main characters are. They are a laundry list of perfect virtues, and because the author tells instead of shows, their behavior to spark some tedious temporary conflict always feels out of character.
I'm so glad that at the end of day Nate gets to bury his face in Morgan's Haven Creek forever and ever, with many babies and sequels to come, but I am so bored out of my mind reading this story that hitting the last page is easily the most rapturous thing about the whole reading experience.
August 17, 2018
The story line is pretty good, but the narrator is God-awful! She mispronounces words throughout and it sounds like she’s reading. I’m sticking with it because I want to finish the series but my word!
On another note, it would have been great to actually have some Gullah dialect in the story. I’ve listened to the first two books as well and no-one sounds like they’re from the Lowcountry at all (Beaufort, SC born and bred, so I would know). We may not all speak Gullah all the time, but we definitely don’t sound like Texans (narration of Jeff in book 2).
On another note, it would have been great to actually have some Gullah dialect in the story. I’ve listened to the first two books as well and no-one sounds like they’re from the Lowcountry at all (Beaufort, SC born and bred, so I would know). We may not all speak Gullah all the time, but we definitely don’t sound like Texans (narration of Jeff in book 2).
December 1, 2015
Reading a description of everyones eye color is distracting and I don't get the point.
*"Is it just physical? 'I want him to say he loves me.'"
**How about stop having sex first, get to know the person, get married and then have sex.
***Answers that question.
Review to come.
*"Is it just physical? 'I want him to say he loves me.'"
**How about stop having sex first, get to know the person, get married and then have sex.
***Answers that question.
Review to come.
January 14, 2025
This was not the best of the series for me. I just couldn’t warm up to Nate or his family. Morgan has her work cut out for her.
April 2, 2019
I much prefer the earlier series of books from Rochelle Alers; especially the Hideaway Legacy. I'm finding that the Cavanaugh Island series and other recent books are not on par with her previous work. To me, it seems as if someone else is writing these books because the story is missing that special something that I've come to look for in Ms. Alers's books.
Haven Creek was an okay read. It did not stand out against other romance novels that I've read and lacked a quality that I'm used to getting from Ms. Alers's books. Morgan and Nate were forgettable characters with a mediocre storyline. I'd recommend reading her earlier series of books and passing on this one.
Haven Creek was an okay read. It did not stand out against other romance novels that I've read and lacked a quality that I'm used to getting from Ms. Alers's books. Morgan and Nate were forgettable characters with a mediocre storyline. I'd recommend reading her earlier series of books and passing on this one.
June 4, 2015
I just love this series. You do not have to read them in order, but it helps. The characters are very likable and you feel like you really know them. This book is a quick romance novel, great for summer reading.
January 17, 2015
Thoughts coming shortly
July 4, 2013
Not bad. Just felt like their issues bugged me. But it was a nice story.
June 21, 2015
3.5. Gullah...AA..cats..regional food....
April 24, 2018
The speaker's voice in the audiobook sounded shaky. It was very distracting. It would have been better had I read the book.
February 13, 2020
Haven Creek By Rochelle Alers
This is the 3rd book in the Cavanaugh Island series.
You can pluck any book out of this series and begin reading without being confused, based on references to past book selections. Although each story is different, there are some sprinkles of the other stories. The sprinkles can be the name of a restaurant, bookstore, event (daily siestas) or a character (like the town gossip). The ingredient that weaves the stories together is, of course, the South Carolina Low Country Island, the close-knit Gullah People and an insignificant character in another book, becomes a prominent character in the current book.
Haven Creek is a love story of two young people from the island, Nate and Morgan. Morgan was introduced in the previous installment of the series. Morgan recently opened an architecture firm and Nate is a furniture maker, which gave the author free rein to explore and offer a myriad of unwanted details. I guess it did offer imagery of the different locations and furniture pieces. I think that part was too much. The author was describing EVERYTHING house and furniture-related. Similar to the other books in the series, I noticed the girl always plays ‘hard to get’ and the guy is persistent.
I would say this is a nice beach read, a feel-good romance with substance. I enjoyed the book and will definitely read the remainder of the series. It’s neat-o peeking into the life and style of the Gullah people of South Carolina.
I recommend!
This is the 3rd book in the Cavanaugh Island series.
You can pluck any book out of this series and begin reading without being confused, based on references to past book selections. Although each story is different, there are some sprinkles of the other stories. The sprinkles can be the name of a restaurant, bookstore, event (daily siestas) or a character (like the town gossip). The ingredient that weaves the stories together is, of course, the South Carolina Low Country Island, the close-knit Gullah People and an insignificant character in another book, becomes a prominent character in the current book.
Haven Creek is a love story of two young people from the island, Nate and Morgan. Morgan was introduced in the previous installment of the series. Morgan recently opened an architecture firm and Nate is a furniture maker, which gave the author free rein to explore and offer a myriad of unwanted details. I guess it did offer imagery of the different locations and furniture pieces. I think that part was too much. The author was describing EVERYTHING house and furniture-related. Similar to the other books in the series, I noticed the girl always plays ‘hard to get’ and the guy is persistent.
I would say this is a nice beach read, a feel-good romance with substance. I enjoyed the book and will definitely read the remainder of the series. It’s neat-o peeking into the life and style of the Gullah people of South Carolina.
I recommend!
February 6, 2025
This book just was not for me. I am pretty sure I'll remember it for about 10 minutes and then it'll be gone because it was so boring and unimpactful for me. The book follows Morgan and Nate. She had a crush on him as a teenager, but he's older and it was never a thing. Now she's an architect in their hometown and he moves back to help his little brother and his dad in the family carpentry business. She needs his help to renovate an old property and he wants her to help design his house. They're instantly attracted to each other but theres that weird power imbalance because she's loved him for so long and he didn't. I didn't like him at all. He was pushy and presumptuous and just not cute to me. She has a friend who is a psychic and that was a weird addition to the book. It didn't have a ton of significance to THIS story, though it may in other parts of the series. To me it just added another element I didn't like. He has a LOT of mama drama about his dad remarrying so soon after his mother's death. I get it, but also, we're all adults. This happened 20+ years ago. HAVE A CONVERSATION. Furthermore, theres too much steam in this book. It takes awhile to get there but then its just too much. Finally, the 3rd act conflict comes in the last few chapters and was just dumb. He has an ex wife that hurt him and he's a turd because of it. She has insecurities because she's been made fun of for being skinny (as a kid). BOOHOO. My last complaint is that the writing is staccato and the audiobook was awful. Rant over!
July 4, 2024
This was number three in the series. Number two, Angel’s Landing, was so much better. I couldn’t wait to finish Haven Creek. There was no mystery and not enough involvement with the supporting characters. Morgan’s friend Francine would have been an interesting one to further develop but her role was so small, she will be quickly forgotten. All of the supporting characters should have had bigger roles. I get that it’s a love story, which is not my favorite genre in the first place, but this book was dull. And it was redundant. It was quite frustrating the way the main characters got in their own way, having the same thoughts about the same misunderstandings over and over again, postponing their own happiness because they couldn’t be honest. When the story finally concluded, it was anticlimactic, not only because you knew how it would end but because the author kept it brief. To me, it read like even she was bored and just wanted to finish up. The first book, Sanctuary Cove, was three and half stars rounded down. This one is two and a half rounded up. I am not sure why the author was able to do such a better job on Angel’s Landing which I thoroughly enjoyed and rated five stars.
February 13, 2023
The lands of Cavanaugh holds such love and secrets!
Nate a gifted wood worker now head of his family's wood working company broken hearted twice, reeling from the public humiliation by an ex wife too sleazy to have ever captured his heart. He now struggles with his feelings for the young girl now grown woman who has loved him since childhood! Morgan is suffering from her own hurts dealing with (in my opinion) girls jealous of her and boys intimidated by her that left lasting scars. So naturally she has no reason to believe Nate would be different until he proves her wrong! I like the close knit relationships of people in the Creek, the Cove and the Landing. On the one hand it makes me want to visit these areas and on the other hand everyone is too much in everyone's business to suit me! I do like Nate and Morgan's story and I am looking for the next story these isles produce!!!
Nate a gifted wood worker now head of his family's wood working company broken hearted twice, reeling from the public humiliation by an ex wife too sleazy to have ever captured his heart. He now struggles with his feelings for the young girl now grown woman who has loved him since childhood! Morgan is suffering from her own hurts dealing with (in my opinion) girls jealous of her and boys intimidated by her that left lasting scars. So naturally she has no reason to believe Nate would be different until he proves her wrong! I like the close knit relationships of people in the Creek, the Cove and the Landing. On the one hand it makes me want to visit these areas and on the other hand everyone is too much in everyone's business to suit me! I do like Nate and Morgan's story and I am looking for the next story these isles produce!!!
December 10, 2023
Morgan has been immersed in her career as an architect and interior designer specializing in historic preservation leaving no time to marry and raise a family. Now that she is running her own business and has landed the plum Angel's Landing Plantation restoration project, as she turns 33, Morgan still does not include marriage and family. Nate has returned to Cavanaugh Island and the family's woodworking business damaged from a disastrous marriage. He has vowed never to marry again. Morgan and Nate have trust issues, some even from wounds suffered 20 years earlier, but this being a contemporary romance, you know how it will end.
There is a lot to like here - setting, the Gullah culture and family histories woven in, the maturity of the characters, portrayal of strong women, and a couple of really hot steamy scenes!
There is a lot to like here - setting, the Gullah culture and family histories woven in, the maturity of the characters, portrayal of strong women, and a couple of really hot steamy scenes!
November 2, 2024
Morgan had a crush on Nate while in high school. He was a few years older and hadn't been checking for her like that. Now they are adults and Morgan wants him to work with her on a big restoration project. It doesn't take long for things to heat up between them. But Nate has trust issues. He has to work through those issues for them to get to their happily ever after.
This was a good book. Their relationship took some work even though they had so much chemistry. He really had to work through his issues. I enjoyed this story a lot.
This was a good book. Their relationship took some work even though they had so much chemistry. He really had to work through his issues. I enjoyed this story a lot.
May 9, 2020
A Fairy Tale
Love the storyline. Especially two professionals in unique career fields. Very descriptive story. Makes me wonder if these places truly exist! If so, would love to go. This is the third book in this series and I look forward to book four. Have and Morgan storyline is the epitome of a true relationship.
Love the storyline. Especially two professionals in unique career fields. Very descriptive story. Makes me wonder if these places truly exist! If so, would love to go. This is the third book in this series and I look forward to book four. Have and Morgan storyline is the epitome of a true relationship.
January 19, 2021
Smiling
I have enjoyed this author's style since reading, "A Younger Man". I like the connection and association of the books in each series. There is always a lesson to be learned in each book. Living in the past sometimes is good but , learning from and moving forward is paramount. One's life plans need a yearly update to keep current.
I have enjoyed this author's style since reading, "A Younger Man". I like the connection and association of the books in each series. There is always a lesson to be learned in each book. Living in the past sometimes is good but , learning from and moving forward is paramount. One's life plans need a yearly update to keep current.
March 30, 2025
I am liking this series. I struggled a bit with this book. Nate and Morgan were working my nerves. The come to Jesus moment with Odessa and Nate gave clarity but I still struggled with it. I blame the struggle on my socialization and the 'girl code' that we are taught to uphold. Looking forward to the next book.
April 11, 2025
Love with a slow burn!
I loved watching Morgan and Nate being attracted to each other and taking their time to build a relationship. I loved the romance and friendship because their love was the obvious outcome. I could visualize the.setting and I'd love to vacation on Cavanaugh Island!
I loved watching Morgan and Nate being attracted to each other and taking their time to build a relationship. I loved the romance and friendship because their love was the obvious outcome. I could visualize the.setting and I'd love to vacation on Cavanaugh Island!
June 26, 2017
I can't believe people actually talk like this. If a guy started calling me 'baby' right off the bat, I'd ignore him. It's one of those icky things that make you feel like he can't get his women's names straight, so just calls them all baby.
September 12, 2018
An easy summer read without much depth. I thought it rather predictable.
An architect meets a carpenter and they work together to restore Angels
Landing. The third book in this series. Both have baggage to overcome. It is a
warm charming quick read.
An architect meets a carpenter and they work together to restore Angels
Landing. The third book in this series. Both have baggage to overcome. It is a
warm charming quick read.
April 9, 2020
Good series
I would have given this book four stars, but I really did not like the hero. He moved fast in some areas, but put the breaks on in others. I just could't get into him. On the other hand, loved Morgan.
I would have given this book four stars, but I really did not like the hero. He moved fast in some areas, but put the breaks on in others. I just could't get into him. On the other hand, loved Morgan.
April 16, 2020
Most of this book is lovely, but the ending came way too soon without enough grovel from the hero. Unfortunately, this has tainted my experience of the whole book. It's a shame because 90% of the book was wonderful.
February 28, 2023
Great read
Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Morgan had a crush on Nate as a teen, now over a decade later they reconnected as friends. This is their journey from friendship to love.
Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Morgan had a crush on Nate as a teen, now over a decade later they reconnected as friends. This is their journey from friendship to love.
September 14, 2023
Easy and enjoyable read. The characters were well developed. The narrator had a nice voice but she spoke as if reading to a class of 3rd graders and I found it somewhat annoying. Definitely did not align with sexual scenes.
January 22, 2018
Love Nate and Morgans story, she was able to get her happy ever after ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews