For Pete's Sake

Piper Cove Chronicles #2

by Linda Windsor

Ellen isn't sure true love exists. That is until she landscapes the estate of the widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all—at least on the surface. A successful businessman, he's engaged to a beautiful woman and he'll soon have a stepmom for his troubled son, Pete. Yet from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down. With his business under investigation for espionage and his son pushing for the tomboy next door as his new mom, Adrian's facade of happiness shatters. As Ellen and Pete bond, she realizes that Adrian is about to marry the wrong woman. Despite her resolve to remain “neighbors only,” Ellen is drawn to Adrian. But how can she be the one when he's engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn't? As Ellen's three best friends step in to help her navigate this uncharted territory, Ellen must ask herself whether she's ready to risk the heart that she's always held close. Will Ellen trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will fear cause her to turn away from God's plan and her one true chance at love?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Fiction, Romance, Christian, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

Linda Windsor is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than thirty novels, with more than a million books in print. Her most recent work includes Healer and Thief, the first two volumes in the Brides of Alba series, and the early Irish Celtic Fires of Gleannmara trilogy.

Reviews

[Rachel McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a huge contemporary romance fan; but I had heard good things about this book. I read it in one sitting while off sick from work this week.

In the hands of a lesser author, I would have been driven nuts by some of the conventions in the book: most notably the trope which pits the hero with a fiancee who is JUST THE WORST! But, because he is so well-developed and so well-meaning and because he changes so much, we are softly and genuinely led to believe in the validity of their relationship. His fiancee ( obviously not the woman for him) is a result of his own insecurities and his willingness to do what he can for his son.

His son, Peter, suffers from mild Aspergers and this is treated well and with great delicacy and tenderness. Indeed, it is the shifting nature of the relationship between father and son that is so delightful to watch unfurl.

I have to say that while I enjoyed the hero in the novel and the romance, all pales in comparison to the amazingly wonderful Ellen! One of the most sassy and funny and real heroines I have encountered in an age---certainly in the CBA contemporary romance genre. Ellen lives on a houseboat! Ellen kicks her motorcycle into high gear. Ellen is absolutely a hoot and it is so easy to fall for her.

The book has a few pitfalls--- a few glaring ones at that--- including unnecessary drama at the end. But, the heroine saves it. The heroine and her relationship with this lost little boy who just wants her love....

Glad I took this journey!

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tomboy woman thinks she'll never find a mate, but when she meets the man of her dreams--he's already taken. A bit of mystery thrown in for some spice.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters and a good story. An outdoorsy kind of
ellen woman and a successful computer programing business man who are polar opposites as well a young boy with Aspergers Syndrome and a potential kidnapping make for a great story.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, different kind of contemporary romance. I loved the unique storyline! A quick-read.

[Just - The romance reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Wedding Bell Blues, which is book #1 in the Piper Cove Chronicles I was eager to read For Pete's Sake. I knew when I read the epilogue and the main character Ellen revealed that she loved muscle cars I was in for a great book. Ellen is such a great and loving character. She's got a heart of gold and always stays true to herself. The fact that she's a tomboy and manages to capture the hearts of a very, very handsome man and a wonderful boy without even so much as trying make it a story worth reading. All the better that there are a few twists and turns along the way that you don't expect initially.

I have my fingers crossed that Windsor will continue the series and we will get to know the remaining two friends of the Bosom Buddies quartet.

[Larisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the second in Linda Windsor's Piper Cove Chronicles; though, it can be read as a stand-alone book.

Linda brings the characters to life and leads the reader on an emotional journey that will have you laughing, hurting and loving along the way. The main character is Ellen.

I must end by mentioning the musketeers. This group of four women - Alex, Jan, Sue Ann and Ellen - shares a lifetime of friendship, support and ice cream. It is beautiful to watch the dynamics of these women as they laugh together, support each other and speak the truth, even the hard truth, in love.

[Mirela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting when I randomly grabbed this book at the library, but after 48 hours of intense reading I have to say I was impressed. I expected the romance but the end to the security breach had thrown me for a loop. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and they were well developed and grew as the story progressed. I will definitely have to keep an eye out for more books by this author.

[CarolynB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I decided to follow up book one of the Piper Cove Chronicles with book two. I really liked this book. It had just enough romance and just enough tension between characters and just enough mystery to keep me reading every spare minute! I hadn't known much about Asberger's Syndrome, either, and I really enjoyed getting to know Pete. He's quite a character! I hope Ms Windsor will write another installment--Jan's story.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like when a female character is strong, yet self effacing. For Pete's Sake has many strong female characters, and shows the difference between good and evil in two of them. Very well written, interesting plot line, and kept me up until 3am at the end of the book! I will be getting more Linda Windsor books.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of Linda Windsor's historical novels I've been able to get my hands on and loved them but I've waited a while to read this contemporary love story. Lovable quirky characters, lots of intrigue, and a special treat to have one of the main characters be a young pre-adolescent boy with Asberger's syndrome.

[Cathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I had taken a moment to check previous goodreads entries, I would have remembered how I didn't care for the first book in this series. However, this one is better. The "Pete" in the title is an eleven-year-old boy with mild Asperger's Syndrome, and his character is the one worth reading.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. I always like this author's books. Light reading, enjoyable story line.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, Windsor delivers a fun book with great characters. I loved reading it.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to see what other books this author has written. Well written and easy to read.

[Samantha Sellers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really kept my interest the whole time which is normally difficult.....I tend to take a long time to finish a book but this one went pretty quickly.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but predictable.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, engaging, light read. Good characters & a story that leaves you with a smile.

[Becky Schoonover · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick easy read, not so much believable but entertaining. Would have been better if the kid was a bit younger and they eased up on the religion stuff.

[Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I liked this one. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I really hope she does Jan's story next. I think Jan's character relates to alot of people.