Harbor of the Heart

Angel Island #5

by Katherine Spencer

Like the seashells that show up on the beaches, the people of Angel Island arrive from many places and with varied pasts. Yet they all find a safe harbor there…and the gift of hope.

Liza Martin and Daniel Merritt are closer than ever. She alone knows that he gave up his medical practice because he blamed himself for endangering a patient. But she is completely shocked to hear that Daniel is now considering returning to a medical career…which may mean leaving Angel Island—and Liza.

Daniel struggles to make this decision, but they are both put to the test when a sailor wrecks his boat in a vicious storm. Liza witnesses Daniel’s medical skills firsthand and finally understands why she must let him pursue his career. If only that didn’t mean sacrificing the love of her life…

The sailor, Nolan Porter, survives thanks to Daniel’s skill. But moments earlier he had considered ending his life due to losing his career and his family. Still, no matter how desperate he feels, the residents of Angel Island will not let him give up. Over the course of the summer, Nolan’s tragedy becomes a blessing. And what better way to celebrate than to share one’s blessings with others...

Genres: Fiction, Inspirational

293 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Katherine Spencer was a fiction editor before turning to a full-time career as a writer. The author of more than thirty books, she also writes the Angel Island series, as well as the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries under her real name, Anne Canadeo. She lives with her husband and daughter in a small village on the Long Island Sound. Outside of her office, she is active in many community charity projects.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I had read this series in between the books of the Cape Light series so that I would've read everything in chronological order, but I think I remember most of the stories. I definitely recommend these two series as nice, innocent, easy-to-read stories that remind us to be kind, compassionate, and generous.

[Eddi Drumheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about Chlare and Nolan and how fell in love and Liza and David and how their love fore each other kept them stronger and that helped them from drifting apart. The only thing that bothered me was there was a book to follow up Clare and Nolan to tell how their love led them to get married; I chose this rating because it so exciting with how they took care of their problems like the storms’

If you know off the book where Nolan and Claire get married, please give me the name so I can buy it, Thank you,
Eddi Drumheller

[Debbie Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

most of the book was very good but an incident between liza and daniel was very strange and out of character. Daniel gets an offer to work as a doctor at an indian reservation. He is very interested she is not so out of nowhere she decides to cancel their planned wedding. they later kiss and makeup but that is a time Reverend Ben should have said postpone the wedding you two need serious counseling

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harbor of the Heart

I enjoyed the book very much. It was so heart warming with Nolan and Edison I worried that Liza and Daniel wouldn’t work things out , but they did. I recommend this book.

[Pat Lukens · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable, bland

[Tammy]

9

[Beth Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

I have enjoyed this series. It was sweet and I loved all the references to God and verses quotes from the Bible.

[Trinity Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harbor of the Heart by Katherine Spencer is book 5 in the Angel Island series. I’ve read almost all of this series and totally love this one. I wasn’t asked to review it, but got it from the library.
It tells of the continuing love story of Liza owner of the Inn at Angel Island and Daniel former handy man but now wants to get back into medicine. Things are going so well for these two and than disaster strikes. How can they have a marriage and live so far apart.
Also at the beginning of the story Nolan appears in a ship wreck that Daniel helps to save. Nolan and Claire, cook, housekeeper and friend, become very close friends, even though Nolan and Claire are from very different backgrounds. So love is all around the Inn.
I don’t want to tell you to much about this story so I will leave it at that, but this book is very worth reading. It will keep you up late into the night.
Really loved Harbor of the Heart and highly recommend this new, interesting story.



This is a book I got at the library and no one asked me to review it.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liza Martin decides to take a walk on the beach for a short break from her duties as innkeeper. She spots a boat in trouble in the choppy waters so she calls her friend Daniel Merritt. Daniel contacted the Coast Guard, but realizes they won't arrive in time to save whoever is on board. He grabs a skif and rows out there. Daniel saves Nolan Porter and his dog, Edison from drowning. Nolan has been going through some challenging times and admits later that he might have preferred to die. Nolan is cared for by Charlotte and Liza at the inn. He even becomes their resident handyman and helper after Daniel realizes he wants to return to his original career as a doctor, and signs up for an intensive study course that will allow him to take necessary exams. Liza misses Daniel when he moves to Boston for the entire summer. On a rare weekend home, Daniel proposes to Liza. But first of all they must agree on their plans for the future. She wants to stay on Angel Island while he wants to practice medicine at a clinic on an Indian Reservation in Arizona.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice continuation of the Angel Island series with the inn front and center with Liza, Claire and Daniel. We met up with a few characters from Cape Light but they were unfortunately kept to a minimum. New characters besides guests were introduced and Nolan was a nice addition and a good friend to Claire.
Quite a few twists and turns to the story and my emotions were definitely involved - so much so that I even got a headache from my tears! Lots of love, friends, the beach, dreams, promises, arguments, sadness, loss, anger, good food, wonderfully vivid descriptions of the inn, the food, the island and the water, along with happiness, laughter, hope and prayers. Nice closure especially with the epilogue and a recipe for a peach tart, yum!
I for one hope there will be more stories in the Angel Island series or even the Cape Light one since there does seem more stories to tell!

[Regina Spiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

5th in the Angel Island series, Harbor of the Heart continues the storyline between inn owner Liza Martin and carpenter/EMT Daniel Merritt. With summer approaching Daniel is considering taking his board exams over to return to the medical field but it means a season away from Liza and the inn. Plus, it means facing and overcoming his old fears. Meanwhile as he and Liza consider the cost to their relationship, a small white sailboat flounders off the shore near the inn and the sailor is thrown into the churning water, nearly drowning - if not for Daniel's quick reactions, with Liza and Claire's help. Who is this sailor that reportedly has no family except for a huge friend named Edison?

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

After saying goodbye to her guest Liza goes for a walk on the beach and comes across Nolan and his dog who's boat has a whole is sinking.
With the help of Daniel and Claire, Nolan is recused and takes on the handyman job at the Inn.

Daniel struggles with his carpentry job vs going back to get licensed to be a full time doctor vs his on call EMT work.

While all this is going on Daniel proposed but when he wants to be a doctor away from the Inn problems occur as Liza believes the inn is the only place she can be happy.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Claire has someone new in her life and Liza is continuing hers with Daniel. Just like with all relationships and futures, finding jobs and deciding to change locations or not, is a major factor in this book. Also deciding on staying or leaving with Nolan. It hits us at anytime. The books shows that with faith in God and love for one another, anything is possible. And true love does stay together through thick and thin.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second time. This time, I was so bored with it, way too Hallmark Channel for me, even though I've read every book in the series, both Angel Island and Cape light, and enjoyed many of them. Couldn't even finish it, didn't care one whit about what happened with Liza and Daniel. Do like Claire, though, always have.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liza and Daniel help save man whose sailboat has been broken by a storm. This gets Daniel thinking about returning to being a doctor. Nolan, whose problems are many, besides his broken boat stays at the inn. Life is never dull on Angel Island.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far one of the best Angel Island books so far. Enjoy all of Katherine Spencers books. So glad they ended up having a wedding, next will be Nolan and Claire, but it all worked out for Liza and Daniel.

[Patricia Marvin Hilfiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Angel Island book. I enjoyed the story line of both Liza and Claire. I want to know if Claire finally gets the love of her life that she deserves. I am also glad that Liza and Daniel finally got things figured out.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Endings and New Beginnings

Great writing, as expected. Angel Island continues to be described with lush clarity and its inhabitants lovingly portrayed. The story line bogged down a bit and outcomes were predictably happy, despite the tensions between the characters.

[JennLynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice - albeit predictable - conclusion to the series. Liza and Daniel finally get together (with a bit of angst thrown in first), and a mysterious sailor brings a little romance into Claire's life - and she brings a few gifts of her own into his.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. A quick read.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Already waiting for the next one in the series.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable romance, but fun. Always enjoy visiting Angel Island.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

another amazing story from the Inn.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I really enjoyed the latest book in the Angel Island series. I am so happy that Ms. Spenser has continued to write additional books in this series after the death of Mr Kinkade.

[Jill K Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad this series has continued. I love the characters and their entwining stories.

[Kelli]

Not as good as the other books. It was a nice to meet up with other characters from previous books and meet new people. It does have a good storyline. Waiting for the next book.

[Michelle Rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming, wonderful relaxing stories.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the 5th book of the Angel Island series and I really loved them all. If you like the Hallmark channel, you will love these books. It is an easy read and quite relaxing.

[Culleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to go back to Angel Island. I loved this story line. It's about love and commitment and overcoming hardships. I hope Katherine Spencer writes another Angel Island story.

[Dorothy A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series. Very sweet and loving. I loved the setting and the characters. I wish it would continue.