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Paines Creek Beach #1
The Seacrest
An alternate cover edition can be found here.
They say it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Finn McGraw disagrees.
He was just seventeen when he had a torrid summer affair with the girl who stole his heart—and then inexplicably turned on him. Finn may have moved on with his life, but he’s never forgotten her.
Now, ten years later, he’s got more than his lost love to worry about. A horrific accident turns his life upside down, resurrecting the ghosts of his long-dead family and taking the lives of the few people he has left.
Finn always believed his estranged brother was responsible for the fire that killed their family—but an unexpected inheritance with a mystery attached throws everything he knows into doubt.
And on top of that, the beguiling daughter of his wealthy employer has secrets of her own. But the closer he gets, the harder she pushes him away.
The Seacrest is a story of intrigue and betrayal, of secrets and second chances—and above all, of a love that never dies.
They say it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Finn McGraw disagrees.
He was just seventeen when he had a torrid summer affair with the girl who stole his heart—and then inexplicably turned on him. Finn may have moved on with his life, but he’s never forgotten her.
Now, ten years later, he’s got more than his lost love to worry about. A horrific accident turns his life upside down, resurrecting the ghosts of his long-dead family and taking the lives of the few people he has left.
Finn always believed his estranged brother was responsible for the fire that killed their family—but an unexpected inheritance with a mystery attached throws everything he knows into doubt.
And on top of that, the beguiling daughter of his wealthy employer has secrets of her own. But the closer he gets, the harder she pushes him away.
The Seacrest is a story of intrigue and betrayal, of secrets and second chances—and above all, of a love that never dies.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2013
243 people are currently reading
854 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Paul Lazar
42 books188 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. Author of 28 books, including three addictive mystery series, writing books, a romantic suspense series, and a new love story series, Aaron enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his website at http://www.lazarbooks.com. Aaron has won 21 book awards for his novels and finds writing to be his form of "cheap therapy." Feel free to network with him on Facebook or his website; he loves to connect with readers!
Visit his website at www.lazarbooks.com.
more about the author:
Aaron Paul Lazar wasn’t always a mystery writer. It wasn’t until eight members of his family and friends died within five years that the urge to write became overwhelming. “When my father died, I lost it. I needed an outlet, and writing provided the kind of solace I couldn’t find elsewhere.”
Lazar created the Gus LeGarde mystery series, with the founding novel, DOUBLE FORTÉ (2004), a chilling winter mystery set in the Genesee Valley of upstate New York. Like Lazar’s father, protagonist Gus LeGarde is a classical music professor. Gus, a grandfather, gardener, chef, and nature lover, plays Chopin etudes to feed his soul and thinks of himself as a “Renaissance man caught in the 21st century.”
The creation of the series lent Lazar the comfort he sought, yet in the process, a new passion was unleashed. Obsessed with his parallel universe, he now lives, breathes, and dreams about his characters, and has written eleven LeGarde mysteries.
One day while rototilling his gardens, Lazar unearthed a green cat’s eye marble, which prompted the new paranormal mystery series featuring Sam Moore, retired country doctor and zealous gardener. The green marble, a powerful talisman, connects all three of the books in the series, whisking Sam back in time to uncover his brother’s dreadful fate fifty years earlier. (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLY MOORE; TERROR COMES KNOCKING, and FOR KEEPS) Lazar intends to continue both series, in addition to three contemporary new series including Tall Pines Mysteries, set in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, Paines Creek love stories series, set on Cape Cod, and Bittersweet Hollow romantic suspense series, set in Vermont.
Lazar’s books feature breathless chase scenes, nasty villains, and taut suspense, but are also intensely human stories, replete with kids, dogs, horses, food, romance, and humor. The author calls them, “country mysteries,” although reviewers have dubbed them “literary mysteries.”
“It seems as though every image ever impressed upon my brain finds its way into my work. Whether it’s the light dancing through stained-glass windows in a Parisian chapel, curly slate-green lichen covering a boulder at the edge of a pond in Maine, or hoarfrost dangling from a cherry tree branch in mid-winter, these images burrow into my memory cells. In time they bubble back, persistently itching, until they are poured out on the page.”
Lazar lives on a ridge overlooking the Genesee Valley in upstate New York with his wife, mother-in-law, beloved Cavi-poo, Balto, Cavi-bichon, Amber, and four cats. He and his wife, Dale, now have seven grandchildren to spoil and they enjoy every second of it!
Visit his website at www.lazarbooks.com.
more about the author:
Aaron Paul Lazar wasn’t always a mystery writer. It wasn’t until eight members of his family and friends died within five years that the urge to write became overwhelming. “When my father died, I lost it. I needed an outlet, and writing provided the kind of solace I couldn’t find elsewhere.”
Lazar created the Gus LeGarde mystery series, with the founding novel, DOUBLE FORTÉ (2004), a chilling winter mystery set in the Genesee Valley of upstate New York. Like Lazar’s father, protagonist Gus LeGarde is a classical music professor. Gus, a grandfather, gardener, chef, and nature lover, plays Chopin etudes to feed his soul and thinks of himself as a “Renaissance man caught in the 21st century.”
The creation of the series lent Lazar the comfort he sought, yet in the process, a new passion was unleashed. Obsessed with his parallel universe, he now lives, breathes, and dreams about his characters, and has written eleven LeGarde mysteries.
One day while rototilling his gardens, Lazar unearthed a green cat’s eye marble, which prompted the new paranormal mystery series featuring Sam Moore, retired country doctor and zealous gardener. The green marble, a powerful talisman, connects all three of the books in the series, whisking Sam back in time to uncover his brother’s dreadful fate fifty years earlier. (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLY MOORE; TERROR COMES KNOCKING, and FOR KEEPS) Lazar intends to continue both series, in addition to three contemporary new series including Tall Pines Mysteries, set in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, Paines Creek love stories series, set on Cape Cod, and Bittersweet Hollow romantic suspense series, set in Vermont.
Lazar’s books feature breathless chase scenes, nasty villains, and taut suspense, but are also intensely human stories, replete with kids, dogs, horses, food, romance, and humor. The author calls them, “country mysteries,” although reviewers have dubbed them “literary mysteries.”
“It seems as though every image ever impressed upon my brain finds its way into my work. Whether it’s the light dancing through stained-glass windows in a Parisian chapel, curly slate-green lichen covering a boulder at the edge of a pond in Maine, or hoarfrost dangling from a cherry tree branch in mid-winter, these images burrow into my memory cells. In time they bubble back, persistently itching, until they are poured out on the page.”
Lazar lives on a ridge overlooking the Genesee Valley in upstate New York with his wife, mother-in-law, beloved Cavi-poo, Balto, Cavi-bichon, Amber, and four cats. He and his wife, Dale, now have seven grandchildren to spoil and they enjoy every second of it!
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December 4, 2013
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How many do-overs does it take until love conquers all, or does there come a point when two people can love, but not be together? The Seacrest by Aaron Paul Lazar is a contemporary love story written from a man’s point of view, through the eyes and from the heart of Finn, as a devastating tragedy causes him to reflect back on his life and the events that led him to the man was today. From a loving and hardworking family, Finn found the love of his life as a teenager, but just as he realizes he will always love “Sassy” she rips his world out from beneath his feet in a fit of rage, leaving him alone and clueless as to what happened.
The hole in his heart was never filled, not even by marriage, alone now, widowed and without a family, Finn questions so much about his life and the lives of those around him, discovering, in particular a past deceit that altered his life forever. Was his brother, the family’s black sheep to blame for Finn’s life today or must Finn learn to let go of the past and live for the future, hopefully spent with the woman Sassy has become?
Aaron Paul Lazar has built a world entwined within another, past and present, filled with joy, love, pain and loss that is haunting, yet beautifully presented with rich detail and the inner emotions of its main character Finn on full display. There is angst, regret, an even hatred for events and people that, at first blush appear well-deserved, but upon each turn of the page, like a good mystery the story unfolds and reveals “the rest of the story.” Seeing things through Finn’s eyes makes each revelation feel real as I began to question how I would react, were I him.
A beautiful, intense romance that will rip you apart before revealing its healing secrets.
I received a review copy from the author as part of The Seacrest Virtual Tour stopping at Tome Tender December 1st.
Publication Date: October 20, 2013
Publisher: Aaron Lazar
ISBN: 1493548670
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 314
Connect with Aaron Paul Lazar
Available to Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
November 25, 2013
This novel is emotionally charged. Lazar maintains a very personal contact with his audience through his writing. He keeps you coming back for more, while you experience each and every feeling and event right alongside the main character. Lazar writes about the type of love that you want. The type of love that you don’t mind going through hell and back to get.
Lazar melds the past with the present in this remarkable tale. By flipping between the two in ‘flashback mode’ we get the full experience of the main character’s love life. You can feel life coming around in a full circle. As a reader, you feel like it’s something that’s happened to you. Not necessarily the exact storyline, but the past haunting your present. The writing style also changes with the flashbacks. You can feel the difference between the teen and the adult.
Also, telling the story from the male POV adds an element of calm and realism. You get all the romance without the craziness, and cars definitely make a play in the story. I also have to thank Lazar for his honesty and accuracy in this novel. His horses are real horses, not some idealized version thereof. I really appreciated seeing an author take the time and effort to do this. It allowed me to fully immerse myself in this story without worry.
This is one of those stories you can’t put down. I was holding on to it like a lifeline. Lazar is a brilliant author who evokes all of your emotions and makes the best and the worst of situations shine.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Lazar melds the past with the present in this remarkable tale. By flipping between the two in ‘flashback mode’ we get the full experience of the main character’s love life. You can feel life coming around in a full circle. As a reader, you feel like it’s something that’s happened to you. Not necessarily the exact storyline, but the past haunting your present. The writing style also changes with the flashbacks. You can feel the difference between the teen and the adult.
Also, telling the story from the male POV adds an element of calm and realism. You get all the romance without the craziness, and cars definitely make a play in the story. I also have to thank Lazar for his honesty and accuracy in this novel. His horses are real horses, not some idealized version thereof. I really appreciated seeing an author take the time and effort to do this. It allowed me to fully immerse myself in this story without worry.
This is one of those stories you can’t put down. I was holding on to it like a lifeline. Lazar is a brilliant author who evokes all of your emotions and makes the best and the worst of situations shine.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2016
I'm a big fan of Mr. Lazar's books and the audio version of this release brings the words to life--a satisfying, at times harrowing movie playing out in my mind. Finn's tale is heartbreaking and I couldn't help but love this character.
This first class recording, rich with layers and visuals, is worthy of more than one listen. I found the audiobook to be the perfect companion to the print version of the book. George Kuch's voicing kept me on the edge of my seat for much of the recording. The fire scene was particularly compelling. Intense and terrifying, I could all but feel the flames.
I would have listened to the recording in one sitting if I possibly could have. I found Finn's journey from teenager to adulthood quite fascinating. The characters, locations and settings are rich and visual. Another Winner From Aaron Lazar!
This first class recording, rich with layers and visuals, is worthy of more than one listen. I found the audiobook to be the perfect companion to the print version of the book. George Kuch's voicing kept me on the edge of my seat for much of the recording. The fire scene was particularly compelling. Intense and terrifying, I could all but feel the flames.
I would have listened to the recording in one sitting if I possibly could have. I found Finn's journey from teenager to adulthood quite fascinating. The characters, locations and settings are rich and visual. Another Winner From Aaron Lazar!
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October 27, 2013
Loss is one of life’s greatest challenges. To lose someone you love is like having a piece of your heart sliced away, and unfortunately the heart heals slowly. But how does the heart survive at all when the losses are seemingly unending, one after the other, and how does one not just lay down and give up when every time hope appears it is shot right down again? Finn McGraw has reached that point where he doesn’t know how much more he can take. After years already suffering from horrible losses, his wife and estranged brother are taken from him in a flash. To add to his pain, old memories and suspicions come to the surface, reopening wounds that have festered for years, and new secrets are slowly uncovered. Does Finn have the strength to withstand more loss? Will he find the fortitude to pursue that one true love that makes a person complete and fulfilled? Will he ever find the happiness that he has fought so hard for and truly deserves?
I really don’t want to give any specifics about the plot because it is so clever the way it seamlessly slides back and forth between past and present, filling in the unknowns to complete the picture of Finn’s life, but often causing you to make assumptions along the way that may or may not be correct. I don’t want to spoil the experience for other readers because Lazar is so talented at his craft that your mind can easily lead you down one path only to be shocked when you find out you were fooled.
Once again, Aaron uses a setting he is familiar with, this time Cape Cod, so that the descriptions and observations are real and enticing. His descriptions involve all of the senses, so that you can close your eyes and see, hear, touch, smell, and taste everything that Finn does. Emotions are also conveyed in such a way that you feel like you are experiencing everything yourself, from the tender and shy moments of first love to the earth shattering devastation of rejection. He has also dug deep into his bag of writing tricks to create another memorable cast of characters, each very real and unique in his or her own way, and each with events and decisions from the past, right or wrong, that have shaped their destiny. You can’t help but cheer them on as they bravely try to mould their future into the dream they have had since day one. It wasn’t just the main characters that I grew to love either because this story just wouldn’t be complete without the supporting characters, like Finn’s grandfather, Dex, who had such a huge impact on Finn’s life, and Fritzi, the cook, a caring and loving woman, who sees and understands more than Finn knows.
Aaron’s novels, whether mystery or now romance, always have a feel good quality to them – there may be problems, but there are also lessons learned and growth for the characters that leave me with a positive feeling and a smile on my face. As well, there are always surprises in the plot waiting around every corner, so that what could be an average story becomes truly memorable, and in The Seacrest, those surprises kept me on a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish and made my jaw drop more than once.
This book is about love – first love, young love, unrequited love, lost love, and rediscovered love. Simply put, it’s a good old-fashioned love story with an ending that will make your heart swell with happiness as Finn’s life finally comes full circle to the point he wanted to be years ago, and all of the anger, lies, misunderstandings, and guilt fall away making room for forgiveness and much deserved happiness. I would liken The Seacrest to a Nicholas Sparks book, and with the worldwide success of Sparks’ numerous novels, I obviously mean that as a huge compliment. I highly recommend The Seacrest for anyone in need of a hard to put down read that will leave them with a warm and fuzzy feeling as they turn the last page.
I really don’t want to give any specifics about the plot because it is so clever the way it seamlessly slides back and forth between past and present, filling in the unknowns to complete the picture of Finn’s life, but often causing you to make assumptions along the way that may or may not be correct. I don’t want to spoil the experience for other readers because Lazar is so talented at his craft that your mind can easily lead you down one path only to be shocked when you find out you were fooled.
Once again, Aaron uses a setting he is familiar with, this time Cape Cod, so that the descriptions and observations are real and enticing. His descriptions involve all of the senses, so that you can close your eyes and see, hear, touch, smell, and taste everything that Finn does. Emotions are also conveyed in such a way that you feel like you are experiencing everything yourself, from the tender and shy moments of first love to the earth shattering devastation of rejection. He has also dug deep into his bag of writing tricks to create another memorable cast of characters, each very real and unique in his or her own way, and each with events and decisions from the past, right or wrong, that have shaped their destiny. You can’t help but cheer them on as they bravely try to mould their future into the dream they have had since day one. It wasn’t just the main characters that I grew to love either because this story just wouldn’t be complete without the supporting characters, like Finn’s grandfather, Dex, who had such a huge impact on Finn’s life, and Fritzi, the cook, a caring and loving woman, who sees and understands more than Finn knows.
Aaron’s novels, whether mystery or now romance, always have a feel good quality to them – there may be problems, but there are also lessons learned and growth for the characters that leave me with a positive feeling and a smile on my face. As well, there are always surprises in the plot waiting around every corner, so that what could be an average story becomes truly memorable, and in The Seacrest, those surprises kept me on a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish and made my jaw drop more than once.
This book is about love – first love, young love, unrequited love, lost love, and rediscovered love. Simply put, it’s a good old-fashioned love story with an ending that will make your heart swell with happiness as Finn’s life finally comes full circle to the point he wanted to be years ago, and all of the anger, lies, misunderstandings, and guilt fall away making room for forgiveness and much deserved happiness. I would liken The Seacrest to a Nicholas Sparks book, and with the worldwide success of Sparks’ numerous novels, I obviously mean that as a huge compliment. I highly recommend The Seacrest for anyone in need of a hard to put down read that will leave them with a warm and fuzzy feeling as they turn the last page.
October 23, 2013
“Life can change in the blink of an eye,” says Finn in the opening line of Aaron Paul Lazar’s gently romantic mystery/drama, Seacrest. The boss’s daughter falls from her horse, a cop car pulls up to the house, and bad news turns life, love and promises to dust.
Finn’s marriage isn’t great but it seems good enough, until Finn’s wife and his brother die in a car accident. Then Finn has to wonder, why were they together when he and his brother had been estranged so long.
Past hurts are easily blamed on other people, especially when someone to blame stands close at hand. But present pain is perfectly balanced by memory's balm, in writing where chapters switch seamlessly between Finn’s childhood and the present day. Evocative scenes of a quiet small-town boy’s first steps toward love are interspersed with present mystery and loss. Two American eras stand clearly defined and beautifully drawn. Finn is convincing as both child and man. And the twin mysteries of past and present tragedy combine into a fascinating tale of a young couple, overcoming life’s misunderstandings and reaching for truth.
Two romances grow in this tale, between boy and girl, and now between man and woman. Families, thrown together by love and torn by false assumptions, rise from the ashes. Present-day, large-world drama meets small-town affection, and the result is a well-structured, deeply evocative, and pleasingly emotional tale. By the final page, I’m falling in love with Finn’s community, and looking forward to further books in the series.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to read an eARC of this book before publication.
Finn’s marriage isn’t great but it seems good enough, until Finn’s wife and his brother die in a car accident. Then Finn has to wonder, why were they together when he and his brother had been estranged so long.
Past hurts are easily blamed on other people, especially when someone to blame stands close at hand. But present pain is perfectly balanced by memory's balm, in writing where chapters switch seamlessly between Finn’s childhood and the present day. Evocative scenes of a quiet small-town boy’s first steps toward love are interspersed with present mystery and loss. Two American eras stand clearly defined and beautifully drawn. Finn is convincing as both child and man. And the twin mysteries of past and present tragedy combine into a fascinating tale of a young couple, overcoming life’s misunderstandings and reaching for truth.
Two romances grow in this tale, between boy and girl, and now between man and woman. Families, thrown together by love and torn by false assumptions, rise from the ashes. Present-day, large-world drama meets small-town affection, and the result is a well-structured, deeply evocative, and pleasingly emotional tale. By the final page, I’m falling in love with Finn’s community, and looking forward to further books in the series.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to read an eARC of this book before publication.
November 27, 2013
I'm always eager to read love stories from a man's point of view. I think that a man should write the male characters POV because who better would know what the male was thinking, than a male himself? And since love stories are commonly written by female writers, it's rare to get ahold of a well male-written romances.
I loved everything about the main character,Finn McGraw. He seemed human. All that rage he held for his brother Jax and then feeling bad for hating him. Plus everything that's happened to him, all the things he was forced to deal with... I wanted more than anything for things to work out for Finn.
I liked how Lazar had the book laid out. Every other chapter is present time and the other chapters explained the story, in the past, of Finn and his first love, Sassy. He timed all of the events perfectly for the climax and finally for the end.
Why I gave this book a fine 4 instead of a fantastic 5 is because Lazar didn't quite get the sexual scenes on point. And to be honest this is where a female writer might be handy. But other than that the book was great!
I loved everything about the main character,Finn McGraw. He seemed human. All that rage he held for his brother Jax and then feeling bad for hating him. Plus everything that's happened to him, all the things he was forced to deal with... I wanted more than anything for things to work out for Finn.
I liked how Lazar had the book laid out. Every other chapter is present time and the other chapters explained the story, in the past, of Finn and his first love, Sassy. He timed all of the events perfectly for the climax and finally for the end.
Why I gave this book a fine 4 instead of a fantastic 5 is because Lazar didn't quite get the sexual scenes on point. And to be honest this is where a female writer might be handy. But other than that the book was great!
September 7, 2015
I haven't read many love stories written by a man but this story was fantastic.
I was given this by the author to read & review. I jumped into it without reading a description about the book. I was hoping for a good read that kept my interest & I wasn't disappointed.
This is a lovely romantic story. I felt as if I was there with the way the author described the scenery so well. The cover caught my eye as well. It's lovely.
This author has pure raw talent & I hope he writes some more romantic stories.
I was given this by the author to read & review. I jumped into it without reading a description about the book. I was hoping for a good read that kept my interest & I wasn't disappointed.
This is a lovely romantic story. I felt as if I was there with the way the author described the scenery so well. The cover caught my eye as well. It's lovely.
This author has pure raw talent & I hope he writes some more romantic stories.
September 10, 2015
A complicated second chance love story shrouded in misery of loss with spouses and brothers that are less than desirable to downright mean.
Switching from the past to present accented the sweetness of first love then loss with the betrayal & hatred held onto too tightly.
I enjoyed the journey & will look for more of this author.
Switching from the past to present accented the sweetness of first love then loss with the betrayal & hatred held onto too tightly.
I enjoyed the journey & will look for more of this author.
March 3, 2020
If you like love stories with mystery, real life characters, and a beautiful locale, then Seacrest by Aaron Paul Lazar Is perfect for you. Written in first person from the viewpoint of Finn McGraw, the readers rides along with Finn through heartache after heartache, searching for love and closure. Full of plot twists and turns and real emotion, Seacrest was a very good read.
October 27, 2013
Life can change in the blink of an eye . . . One isn’t meant to know the day or the hour, the very moment change will come. That answer is fate’s cruel secret. Or, is it fate’s sublime intervention?
So starts Aaron Paul Lazar’s contemporary romance, THE SEACREST (ISBN13: 978-1493548675; ASIN: B00G1TDBRI; 286 pp), and an affair of hearts between Finn McGraw and the love of his life that spans more than a decade, weathers bliss and turmoil, and even marriage to other partners.
THE SEACREST opens on July 2, 2013 as police deliver the devastating news to Finn that his brother’s car has plunged over a cliff, killing both occupants. Both occupants? That’s right. Finn’s brother Jax, dead. Finn’s wife Cora, dead.
But wait, Cora in the car with Jax? That’s impossible. They hardly knew each other. Why, Finn and his brother haven’t spoken in years. Not since . . .
Using the date as his catalyst, author Aaron Lazar artfully transports Finn’s thoughts to another sultry July 2nd afternoon thirteen years earlier - when the first life-altering tremor of change shook his world. The day he fell in love.
Finn McGraw wasn’t looking for love on that crowded beach in 1997. Being seventeen was all about school, working his father’s blueberry farm, and Finn’s art. There were some who claimed he had a talent for sketching and portraits.
But love is what Finn found that day - or perhaps, as fickle fate would have it, love found Finn.
For his first venture into the romance genre, Aaron Lazar captures the essence of young love with all its sweetness, naïveté and splendor. And he paints those scenes with as tender a hand as young Finn has for his girl.
Until her love turns to loathing and she heads off to her exclusive boarding school in Switzerland. Why? What did Finn do to spur such hatred?
In THE SEACREST, Lazar encapsulates the heartbreak of young love with equal finesse - the loss and longing, the confusion - while inviting readers along as he weaves in layers of mystery and lingering questions. Who was responsible for the fire that killed Finn’s parents and younger sister? What vile act caused Finn to turn his back on his brother, his one remaining family member? To let hatred fester? To set his art aside?
And what of Cora and Jax? The idea of an affair is unthinkable. Though it’s true that Cora’s death opens an avenue of rekindled love for Finn.
At first, I wasn’t sure I would like Aaron Lazar’s technique of alternating the past and present from chapter to chapter. But as THE SEACREST progressed, this methodology developed a rhythm. I knew what to expect and found myself looking forward to delving further into Finn’s past, and perhaps answering some of those lingering questions.
I found THE SEACREST an enjoyable read and a tender love story worth relishing. I’m giving this one four stars and sincerely hope it will not be Lazar’s only foray into the romance genre. Now . . . I’m off to purchase another of this talented writer’s books.
~ ~ ~
Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. This bestselling Kindle author of three addictive mystery series enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Readers can learn more about this talented author and read an excerpt of THE SEACREST by visiting his website at http://www.lazarbooks.com/ and be sure to watch for his upcoming Twilight Times Books releases: SANCTUARY (2014) and VIRTUOSO (2014).
For a more personal connection, join Aaron Lazar on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aplazar2) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/aplazar).
~ ~ ~
Reviewed by Sharon Cupp Pennington, author of HOODOO MONEY and MANGROVES AND MONSTERS
So starts Aaron Paul Lazar’s contemporary romance, THE SEACREST (ISBN13: 978-1493548675; ASIN: B00G1TDBRI; 286 pp), and an affair of hearts between Finn McGraw and the love of his life that spans more than a decade, weathers bliss and turmoil, and even marriage to other partners.
THE SEACREST opens on July 2, 2013 as police deliver the devastating news to Finn that his brother’s car has plunged over a cliff, killing both occupants. Both occupants? That’s right. Finn’s brother Jax, dead. Finn’s wife Cora, dead.
But wait, Cora in the car with Jax? That’s impossible. They hardly knew each other. Why, Finn and his brother haven’t spoken in years. Not since . . .
Using the date as his catalyst, author Aaron Lazar artfully transports Finn’s thoughts to another sultry July 2nd afternoon thirteen years earlier - when the first life-altering tremor of change shook his world. The day he fell in love.
Finn McGraw wasn’t looking for love on that crowded beach in 1997. Being seventeen was all about school, working his father’s blueberry farm, and Finn’s art. There were some who claimed he had a talent for sketching and portraits.
But love is what Finn found that day - or perhaps, as fickle fate would have it, love found Finn.
For his first venture into the romance genre, Aaron Lazar captures the essence of young love with all its sweetness, naïveté and splendor. And he paints those scenes with as tender a hand as young Finn has for his girl.
Until her love turns to loathing and she heads off to her exclusive boarding school in Switzerland. Why? What did Finn do to spur such hatred?
In THE SEACREST, Lazar encapsulates the heartbreak of young love with equal finesse - the loss and longing, the confusion - while inviting readers along as he weaves in layers of mystery and lingering questions. Who was responsible for the fire that killed Finn’s parents and younger sister? What vile act caused Finn to turn his back on his brother, his one remaining family member? To let hatred fester? To set his art aside?
And what of Cora and Jax? The idea of an affair is unthinkable. Though it’s true that Cora’s death opens an avenue of rekindled love for Finn.
At first, I wasn’t sure I would like Aaron Lazar’s technique of alternating the past and present from chapter to chapter. But as THE SEACREST progressed, this methodology developed a rhythm. I knew what to expect and found myself looking forward to delving further into Finn’s past, and perhaps answering some of those lingering questions.
I found THE SEACREST an enjoyable read and a tender love story worth relishing. I’m giving this one four stars and sincerely hope it will not be Lazar’s only foray into the romance genre. Now . . . I’m off to purchase another of this talented writer’s books.
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Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. This bestselling Kindle author of three addictive mystery series enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Readers can learn more about this talented author and read an excerpt of THE SEACREST by visiting his website at http://www.lazarbooks.com/ and be sure to watch for his upcoming Twilight Times Books releases: SANCTUARY (2014) and VIRTUOSO (2014).
For a more personal connection, join Aaron Lazar on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aplazar2) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/aplazar).
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Reviewed by Sharon Cupp Pennington, author of HOODOO MONEY and MANGROVES AND MONSTERS
August 13, 2016
Some loves never die. Such an appropriate tagline for a wonderfully told love story.
I've never read a romance written by a man before. I'm also not typically a fan of 1st person, nor of a single point of view in a book. This story sold me on all three.
Finn is a tragic character, suffering through numerous heartbreaks through the course of this book. Lost loves, betrayals, lies and guilt were all things he had to deal with and overcome in order to find ultimate happiness.
"Sassy," as Finn nicknames her, is the true love of his life. Strong and determined, she's as taken with him as he is with her. They met as teens, but were almost immediately swept into a torrid love affair. Over time, however, things change their relationship and Finn wonders if he'll ever have his chance to reunite with her.
This story is wonderfully told by flashing between current time and the past. Separated by chapters, there's never any confusion as to what is happening, nor any of the participants. I found my self at times anxious to get to the next flashback, but other times more interested in the present time period. The author does an excellent job of drawing the reader in.
As in any story, reality needed to be suspended for some aspects. And some of the answers to questions made me like characters a little less. But as a whole the love story was very nicely done and I was happy to see how things worked out.
The only reason this book didn't rate a perfect 5 stars from me is because I was unfortunately left with several lingering questions after the end of the story.
As a reader, I'd like answers to these types of questions, and was hoping everything would be wrapped up at the end. There also needs to be a reason for major plot twists, otherwise they just come off as plot points.
Despite the negatives, this was a very enjoyable read. I liked Finn very much (though I do wonder what he looked like - not sure we ever really found out). He was strong and resilient, through many events that would have broken a lesser man.
I'd recommend this one highly.
I've never read a romance written by a man before. I'm also not typically a fan of 1st person, nor of a single point of view in a book. This story sold me on all three.
Finn is a tragic character, suffering through numerous heartbreaks through the course of this book. Lost loves, betrayals, lies and guilt were all things he had to deal with and overcome in order to find ultimate happiness.
"Sassy," as Finn nicknames her, is the true love of his life. Strong and determined, she's as taken with him as he is with her. They met as teens, but were almost immediately swept into a torrid love affair. Over time, however, things change their relationship and Finn wonders if he'll ever have his chance to reunite with her.
This story is wonderfully told by flashing between current time and the past. Separated by chapters, there's never any confusion as to what is happening, nor any of the participants. I found my self at times anxious to get to the next flashback, but other times more interested in the present time period. The author does an excellent job of drawing the reader in.
As in any story, reality needed to be suspended for some aspects. And some of the answers to questions made me like characters a little less. But as a whole the love story was very nicely done and I was happy to see how things worked out.
The only reason this book didn't rate a perfect 5 stars from me is because I was unfortunately left with several lingering questions after the end of the story.
As a reader, I'd like answers to these types of questions, and was hoping everything would be wrapped up at the end. There also needs to be a reason for major plot twists, otherwise they just come off as plot points.
Despite the negatives, this was a very enjoyable read. I liked Finn very much (though I do wonder what he looked like - not sure we ever really found out). He was strong and resilient, through many events that would have broken a lesser man.
I'd recommend this one highly.
Read
July 29, 2016I think it’s probably fair to say that Aaron Paul Lazar is one of the most readable of authors. His books are engaging, warm, and moving in a way that, if it’s a tad old-fashioned, still retains a modern sensibility and drama that comes from the real issues the work tends to address. I’ve been reading his mysteries for a long time now, and as someone who doesn’t tend to like genre novels, have always been drawn in by the way the plot is shaped by a deep sense of character development. His work is also rich with sensual details and a strong sense of place. His latest novel is a romance, and like his mysteries, is not hampered by a formulaic approach to genre. Instead, Seacrest follows the personal development of Finn McGraw as he is thrust into painful awakening. When Finn’s wife and brother die in a tragic car accident, Finn is left wondering what happened. It also brings up a range of negative feelings he’s been carrying for years about the death of his parents and younger sister, and the role his brother played in that.
The story alternates between two timeframes – Finn’s coming of age at sixteen in 1997 and Finn’s present tense at thirty two in 2013. In the present tense, Finn is a broken man. He’s dirt poor, and living as the stablehand at the Vanderhorns, a wealthy family. Many years earlier Finn had a serious relationship – his fist – with Libby Vanderhorn, aka Sassy, who spurned him and went away to school in Switzerland. Though Finn never understood why his affair with Libby ended suddenly, he’s managed to make enough peace with the Vanderhorns to work for them, though Libby is always cold to him, until his wife Cora and his brother Jax have their fatal accident. Libby, whose husband is missing in Iraq, begins to soften towards Finn as their shared tragedy brings them back together.
Though the plot structure is relatively simple, Lazar’s skills as a mystery writer shows, because he develops a tightly knitted mystery seamlessly woven into the story. Finn’s increasing desire to work out what happened to his family all those years ago, and what happened to his wife and brother and why they were together drives the story forward quickly, creating tension and a basis for Finn’s growth, which provides a strong thematic undertone to the story. The Seacrest is set in Cape Cod, and Lazar describes the environment in full sensual detail, from aromatic clam and corn chowder flavoured, of course, with fresh herbs from Finn’s garden, to the salt-scented air, the local architecture, and the flora and fauna of New England:
The Seacrest is an emotionally satisfying story about the enduring and healing nature of love – a classic romance theme which Lazar handles beautifully, but it’s also a story about the damaging nature of secrets, about suppression and loss, and about how we can submerge our happiness into the fictions we create around ourselves.
The story alternates between two timeframes – Finn’s coming of age at sixteen in 1997 and Finn’s present tense at thirty two in 2013. In the present tense, Finn is a broken man. He’s dirt poor, and living as the stablehand at the Vanderhorns, a wealthy family. Many years earlier Finn had a serious relationship – his fist – with Libby Vanderhorn, aka Sassy, who spurned him and went away to school in Switzerland. Though Finn never understood why his affair with Libby ended suddenly, he’s managed to make enough peace with the Vanderhorns to work for them, though Libby is always cold to him, until his wife Cora and his brother Jax have their fatal accident. Libby, whose husband is missing in Iraq, begins to soften towards Finn as their shared tragedy brings them back together.
Though the plot structure is relatively simple, Lazar’s skills as a mystery writer shows, because he develops a tightly knitted mystery seamlessly woven into the story. Finn’s increasing desire to work out what happened to his family all those years ago, and what happened to his wife and brother and why they were together drives the story forward quickly, creating tension and a basis for Finn’s growth, which provides a strong thematic undertone to the story. The Seacrest is set in Cape Cod, and Lazar describes the environment in full sensual detail, from aromatic clam and corn chowder flavoured, of course, with fresh herbs from Finn’s garden, to the salt-scented air, the local architecture, and the flora and fauna of New England:
On one side, the quiet bay beaches glistened, hidden behind clusters of historic old homes with white picket fences covered with the heavy blooms of blue hydrangeas. I never tired of the view, and drove with open windows, enjoying the sea breeze.
The Seacrest is an emotionally satisfying story about the enduring and healing nature of love – a classic romance theme which Lazar handles beautifully, but it’s also a story about the damaging nature of secrets, about suppression and loss, and about how we can submerge our happiness into the fictions we create around ourselves.
October 28, 2013
See excerpts, pics and vids on my blog...
Lazar opened another part of himself to his many readers in his latest novel, now out! You know, though, that this is not so surprising because his books always includes some romantic ties within a family setting. But those family members were once teenagers, finding their first interest in the opposite sex... And this writer remembers that....verrrrry well!
Two brothers were part of the family that lived on Blueberry Hill. As the name implies, they farmed blueberries and were constantly selling the best berries around--people came from all over to pick the fruit, keeping the entire family busy from dawn to dusk... But after that and in the little bit of free time, both boys were out--looking. Early on, their parents had seen the difference between the two boys and tried to keep the younger one, Finn, from too much "brotherly love...teasing that he got" Still, Jax eagerly announced to their parents that Finn had a girl!
The love that Jaxson wanted was with as many of the town girls as he could find... And that caused problems for everyone!
But the love that Finn found was more precious to him...than anything... He was just 17 when he met her. She wouldn't tell him her name so he gave her a nickname--Sassy. They spent most nights on the beach, even after her father had once found them there...and wanted him arrested!
Embarrassed maybe, but nothing was going to stop them from seeing each other and they were soon meeting in the loft of the barn at Seacrest...
Moving back and forth between the present and that time when they first met, the novel opens with a scene also at the Seacrest, where Finn now works, taking care of the horses, the garden and other things needed. He and his wife, Cora, both worked and lived in a cottage on the property...
But almost immediately, Cora and Finn's brother are killed in a vehicle accident...
Anybody reading that is automatically going to think the worst, I am sure... And it was true. Cora had been having an affair with Finn's brother...
Trust, Lies, Deceit are all twisted up within the lives of that young couple after their early teen romance. The only thing that remained was the love between them--but was it enough? More characters are brought in as ten years elapse from the time they first fell in love. Jax, Finn and Libby all marry and heartbreak grows...
In many ways, this was a romantic suspense that even closed with another surprise, closing out the novel wonderfully. I very much enjoyed Lazar's trip to the more sensual side. If you are a romance reader and have never read Lazar, this is the perfect novel for you to start! Highly recommended!
GABixlerReviews
book provided for review
Lazar opened another part of himself to his many readers in his latest novel, now out! You know, though, that this is not so surprising because his books always includes some romantic ties within a family setting. But those family members were once teenagers, finding their first interest in the opposite sex... And this writer remembers that....verrrrry well!
Two brothers were part of the family that lived on Blueberry Hill. As the name implies, they farmed blueberries and were constantly selling the best berries around--people came from all over to pick the fruit, keeping the entire family busy from dawn to dusk... But after that and in the little bit of free time, both boys were out--looking. Early on, their parents had seen the difference between the two boys and tried to keep the younger one, Finn, from too much "brotherly love...teasing that he got" Still, Jax eagerly announced to their parents that Finn had a girl!
The love that Jaxson wanted was with as many of the town girls as he could find... And that caused problems for everyone!
But the love that Finn found was more precious to him...than anything... He was just 17 when he met her. She wouldn't tell him her name so he gave her a nickname--Sassy. They spent most nights on the beach, even after her father had once found them there...and wanted him arrested!
Embarrassed maybe, but nothing was going to stop them from seeing each other and they were soon meeting in the loft of the barn at Seacrest...
Moving back and forth between the present and that time when they first met, the novel opens with a scene also at the Seacrest, where Finn now works, taking care of the horses, the garden and other things needed. He and his wife, Cora, both worked and lived in a cottage on the property...
But almost immediately, Cora and Finn's brother are killed in a vehicle accident...
Anybody reading that is automatically going to think the worst, I am sure... And it was true. Cora had been having an affair with Finn's brother...
Trust, Lies, Deceit are all twisted up within the lives of that young couple after their early teen romance. The only thing that remained was the love between them--but was it enough? More characters are brought in as ten years elapse from the time they first fell in love. Jax, Finn and Libby all marry and heartbreak grows...
In many ways, this was a romantic suspense that even closed with another surprise, closing out the novel wonderfully. I very much enjoyed Lazar's trip to the more sensual side. If you are a romance reader and have never read Lazar, this is the perfect novel for you to start! Highly recommended!
GABixlerReviews
book provided for review
November 29, 2013
Finn McGraw has done his best to live a good life. He's successful, in his own way, and is able to provide for his family. His wife means everything to him, and he'll do everything possible to make sure she's content. Though, he'd love nothing more than to expand their family, he knows he needs to be patient. Cora isn't quite ready, and he willing to give her the time she needs.
His perfect world is soon shattered when he receives the news that Cora and his brother, Jax, were involved in a horrific car accident. The fact that his life has changed in more ways than one in so short a time isn't lost on him. Deep inside, he knows he shouldn't dwell on the past. Unfortunately, he can't rid himself of the questions tumbling through his mind as he tries to make sense of things.
Forced to confront the circumstances that now surround him, Finn realizes that there's a lot he never knew. The secrets involving Cora and Jax are mind-boggling. So much so, that he continuously struggles to understand everything. How could things have changed so quickly for him? Is there a way for him to come out on top once everything is said and done?
To his surprise, he finds himself leaning on the beautiful Libby for support. She's always been his saving grace, even if he won't admit it. Granted, he's never forgotten what she means to him. Part of him wonders if she remembers their past. Another can't help but to think that it's best for him to let things go. Sadly, that's easier said than done. Most especially, when she's standing there by his side in hopes of helping him move on.
Determined to get to the bottom of things, Finn dives head-first into the sea of uncertainty he now finds himself in. He needs answers, and knows exactly where to find them. The question is, is he ready to open up a new can of worms in order to set the record straight? Unwilling to let his grief consume him, he does the only thing he can - survive amidst the chaos that he now calls life.
A bittersweet love story, The Seacrest is one of those books that will have you crying by the very end. Trust me, keep a box of tissues ready. This book is that emotional! Aaron has done a beautiful job of telling the story via past flashbacks and present storytelling. We get to see just how much the characters have grown along the way, and how they get to where they are now. This is a book that will capture your heart, and never let it go.
His perfect world is soon shattered when he receives the news that Cora and his brother, Jax, were involved in a horrific car accident. The fact that his life has changed in more ways than one in so short a time isn't lost on him. Deep inside, he knows he shouldn't dwell on the past. Unfortunately, he can't rid himself of the questions tumbling through his mind as he tries to make sense of things.
Forced to confront the circumstances that now surround him, Finn realizes that there's a lot he never knew. The secrets involving Cora and Jax are mind-boggling. So much so, that he continuously struggles to understand everything. How could things have changed so quickly for him? Is there a way for him to come out on top once everything is said and done?
To his surprise, he finds himself leaning on the beautiful Libby for support. She's always been his saving grace, even if he won't admit it. Granted, he's never forgotten what she means to him. Part of him wonders if she remembers their past. Another can't help but to think that it's best for him to let things go. Sadly, that's easier said than done. Most especially, when she's standing there by his side in hopes of helping him move on.
Determined to get to the bottom of things, Finn dives head-first into the sea of uncertainty he now finds himself in. He needs answers, and knows exactly where to find them. The question is, is he ready to open up a new can of worms in order to set the record straight? Unwilling to let his grief consume him, he does the only thing he can - survive amidst the chaos that he now calls life.
A bittersweet love story, The Seacrest is one of those books that will have you crying by the very end. Trust me, keep a box of tissues ready. This book is that emotional! Aaron has done a beautiful job of telling the story via past flashbacks and present storytelling. We get to see just how much the characters have grown along the way, and how they get to where they are now. This is a book that will capture your heart, and never let it go.
November 24, 2013
When author Aaron Lazar contacted me with an invitation to read and review his latest novel, The Seacrest, I said yes, even though my to-be-reviewed stack is a bit overwhelming, and I’m glad I did, because I’m a fanatic for “beach books,” and this qualifies.
I should clarify that when I say “beach book,” I mean anything with a coastal flavor. Elin Hilderbrand’s work is my typical summer addiction, and as I was reading The Seacrest, I was mentally comparing Lazar to Hilderbrand, and thinking, “This book could easily be a male POV equivalent.” I stand by that, but I mean it in a good way, except that where some of Hilderbrand’s characters (mostly the men) seem to be pastel-clad cardboard cutouts, ALL of the characters in this novel are fully realized.
I particularly liked the way the book alternates scenes in the present with flashbacks of first love, and young love. I enjoyed the way the characters flaws and personal issues not only served the story, but also made them seem more real. Love is messy and crazy and earthy, and Lazar does a really good job of capturing that – the conflict, the indecision, the hopes and dreams – in a way that is never smarmy, and ultimately very satisfying.
Finn and Libby, the central characters of the story, are people I wouldn’t mind buying blueberries or art from, or meeting in the local diner. I love that Finn’s dog Ace is such a stalwart companion, as are Libby’s horses. I love the tease in the first several flashbacks, when you’re not quite certain who “Sassy,” – Finn’s first love – is.
The characters whom we meet ONLY in flashbacks (ome more recent than others), Finn’s wife Cora and brother Jax, are no less real, and no less dimensional. Their story is as compelling as the central tale, and provides both counterpoint and balance. (Also, as an amateur cellist myself, I had to grin at Cora’s choice of instrument.)
I haven’t read any of Aaron Lazar’s other work, but if all of his writing is as interesting and entertaining as The Seacrest he’s found a new fan in me.
I should clarify that when I say “beach book,” I mean anything with a coastal flavor. Elin Hilderbrand’s work is my typical summer addiction, and as I was reading The Seacrest, I was mentally comparing Lazar to Hilderbrand, and thinking, “This book could easily be a male POV equivalent.” I stand by that, but I mean it in a good way, except that where some of Hilderbrand’s characters (mostly the men) seem to be pastel-clad cardboard cutouts, ALL of the characters in this novel are fully realized.
I particularly liked the way the book alternates scenes in the present with flashbacks of first love, and young love. I enjoyed the way the characters flaws and personal issues not only served the story, but also made them seem more real. Love is messy and crazy and earthy, and Lazar does a really good job of capturing that – the conflict, the indecision, the hopes and dreams – in a way that is never smarmy, and ultimately very satisfying.
Finn and Libby, the central characters of the story, are people I wouldn’t mind buying blueberries or art from, or meeting in the local diner. I love that Finn’s dog Ace is such a stalwart companion, as are Libby’s horses. I love the tease in the first several flashbacks, when you’re not quite certain who “Sassy,” – Finn’s first love – is.
The characters whom we meet ONLY in flashbacks (ome more recent than others), Finn’s wife Cora and brother Jax, are no less real, and no less dimensional. Their story is as compelling as the central tale, and provides both counterpoint and balance. (Also, as an amateur cellist myself, I had to grin at Cora’s choice of instrument.)
I haven’t read any of Aaron Lazar’s other work, but if all of his writing is as interesting and entertaining as The Seacrest he’s found a new fan in me.
March 24, 2014
Exquisitely told in the manly voice of Finn McGraw, and charged with intrigue and emotion, this is a story of love, wrapped up in a riddle. The closer we come to solving it, the more reachable is the promise of gaining a second chance at that first love. It is that combination—the soft, romantic note and the sharp, quick one of finding a way to solve that mystery—that is essential in the story telling of The Seacrest. At the romantic mode, Aaron Paul Lazar infuses his descriptions with sensual details, such as the scent of the sea. “A fresh breeze laden with the scent of the sea rustled blue flowers…” At the mystery writing mode, he sounds a shrill note of alarm, for example in the very first sentence: “Life can change in the blink of an eye. This blink came when…”
The story keeps alternating between two frames: the past, when Finn first fell in love with Libby and lost her, and the present, when his wife, Cara and his brother Jax are found dead as her car goes off a cliff. Are these events, separated by time, connected? Can Finn put together the clues and gain an understanding, perhaps even redemption, so that love can blossom over the ruins of his past, as once it did? “I held her, realizing with a start that in spite of the horror of what happened, our future now lay open…”
I was first drawn to The Seacrest because of its cover, which is unabashedly romantic. Against the golden background of a sea suffused with golden light, the silhouettes of two lovers are just about to kiss, and the letters of the title are just about to embrace each other. Aw… So lovely—and so is this story.
Enjoyed the voice of George Kuch as Finn. After listening to him reading Seacrest I checked out some of his other work, and I can hear that even when he does non-fiction, such as in Write Like the Wind: Volume 1 and Volume II, he can be lift the text from the page and make it personal. even intimate. That, to me, is the mark of good narration.
Five stars.
The story keeps alternating between two frames: the past, when Finn first fell in love with Libby and lost her, and the present, when his wife, Cara and his brother Jax are found dead as her car goes off a cliff. Are these events, separated by time, connected? Can Finn put together the clues and gain an understanding, perhaps even redemption, so that love can blossom over the ruins of his past, as once it did? “I held her, realizing with a start that in spite of the horror of what happened, our future now lay open…”
I was first drawn to The Seacrest because of its cover, which is unabashedly romantic. Against the golden background of a sea suffused with golden light, the silhouettes of two lovers are just about to kiss, and the letters of the title are just about to embrace each other. Aw… So lovely—and so is this story.
Enjoyed the voice of George Kuch as Finn. After listening to him reading Seacrest I checked out some of his other work, and I can hear that even when he does non-fiction, such as in Write Like the Wind: Volume 1 and Volume II, he can be lift the text from the page and make it personal. even intimate. That, to me, is the mark of good narration.
Five stars.
January 27, 2014
I can't do this book justice.
I am all about family. I love them in stories too, because let's face it, even though my family (and maybe yours too) gets on my ever lovin' last nerves,I love to hang out with them. They care about me, even if I can't stand to be around them at times.
Finn just seems to be moving along in life. He has a job not related to his college degree. He struggles to pay the bills. He works for the father of the girl he had a deep and abiding love for since he was a teenager. Something happened years ago and she left. But she is home where he works. Finn is married, he has tried to move on, he thought he had. But he has just been going through the motions of life. Then when his wife dies in a car with Finn's brother who Finn hasn't seen in years, he is left with his family's farm and money that his brother made. He doesn't know what to do with it. But as he looks deeper and deeper, he learns things about his family and wife that will rock his world. But, now, Finn may have a chance with the girl who took his heart so long ago!
This book is realistic. The book goes back and forth in time, slowly unraveling the past into the present. So you slowly find out what happened long ago and how it pictures into the present.
I thought I had it all figured out but then some other curve ball would be thrown and dang, it kept me going and I wanted to know how they would get past this next obstacle and I wanted Finn to be happy. I didn't think it would ever happen.
By the end, I was in tears. They throw a huge curve ball in there and I lost it! Family is everything. We need them.
Well done!I will be reading more from Aaron Lazar.
If you like family with all the drama, second chances, learning to forgive, being a hero, trying to do what's right(even if it depresses the hell out of you),The Notebook by N Sparks, then this is a book for you.
I am all about family. I love them in stories too, because let's face it, even though my family (and maybe yours too) gets on my ever lovin' last nerves,I love to hang out with them. They care about me, even if I can't stand to be around them at times.
Finn just seems to be moving along in life. He has a job not related to his college degree. He struggles to pay the bills. He works for the father of the girl he had a deep and abiding love for since he was a teenager. Something happened years ago and she left. But she is home where he works. Finn is married, he has tried to move on, he thought he had. But he has just been going through the motions of life. Then when his wife dies in a car with Finn's brother who Finn hasn't seen in years, he is left with his family's farm and money that his brother made. He doesn't know what to do with it. But as he looks deeper and deeper, he learns things about his family and wife that will rock his world. But, now, Finn may have a chance with the girl who took his heart so long ago!
This book is realistic. The book goes back and forth in time, slowly unraveling the past into the present. So you slowly find out what happened long ago and how it pictures into the present.
I thought I had it all figured out but then some other curve ball would be thrown and dang, it kept me going and I wanted to know how they would get past this next obstacle and I wanted Finn to be happy. I didn't think it would ever happen.
By the end, I was in tears. They throw a huge curve ball in there and I lost it! Family is everything. We need them.
Well done!I will be reading more from Aaron Lazar.
If you like family with all the drama, second chances, learning to forgive, being a hero, trying to do what's right(even if it depresses the hell out of you),The Notebook by N Sparks, then this is a book for you.
December 2, 2013
I adored this novel, it was superb. Not my usual read; but, it won me over in less than four chapters. While Aaron has several other books published, this is his debut novel in the genre of Romance. I must say, he did a fantastic job! The back story for ALL of his characters is lanced with tragedies, deceit, love and fate. Each one intertwined in this novel.
In the beginning I was unsure of having the novel switching between the past and present every other chapter or so, giving readers more insight into the characters. But, having it in the present form, helped bring everything to life for me. After the second switch, I was hooked. Each chapter has so much emotion into it, whether it’s sadness, anger, love or hate; it is all palpable.
This book has many characters most of which their stories are based on lies and stubbornness when you read between the lines. Two brothers are torn apart because of a tragedy and an unwillingness to forgive. Marriages and relationships are both torn and sewed back together with lies, truths and forgiveness. There is so much going on that it is quite astounding. Aaron weaved a complex, multitude of life stories, tastefully into one novel. I finished this book in one setting, having lost track of time as I was sucked into the world that is The Seacrest.
If you love a good romance, and a story where fate will not be deterred by any means, you will love The Seacrest.
4-Stars
An ARC was provided for an honest review
In the beginning I was unsure of having the novel switching between the past and present every other chapter or so, giving readers more insight into the characters. But, having it in the present form, helped bring everything to life for me. After the second switch, I was hooked. Each chapter has so much emotion into it, whether it’s sadness, anger, love or hate; it is all palpable.
This book has many characters most of which their stories are based on lies and stubbornness when you read between the lines. Two brothers are torn apart because of a tragedy and an unwillingness to forgive. Marriages and relationships are both torn and sewed back together with lies, truths and forgiveness. There is so much going on that it is quite astounding. Aaron weaved a complex, multitude of life stories, tastefully into one novel. I finished this book in one setting, having lost track of time as I was sucked into the world that is The Seacrest.
If you love a good romance, and a story where fate will not be deterred by any means, you will love The Seacrest.
4-Stars
An ARC was provided for an honest review
January 21, 2016
First loves. First loves are the sweetest, the most intense, and the most heart-wrenching relationships imaginable. The majority of these relationships don’t last a lifetime but they remain with you forever. The heartbreak fades with time, leaving just the magic of the relationship. The first innocent and somewhat hesitant and timid explorations of another body; so different from your own, stay in your memory long after so much time has passed, haunts your memories. Dates often hold a special place in these memories.
July 2, 1997, is the date that Elizabeth (Sassy / Libby) Vanderhorn and Finn McGraw first met and July 5, 2013, is the date that Finn’s wife Cora Mae dies in a car accident with his older brother, Jax. A revelation leads to an epiphany and missing pieces suddenly appear and the puzzle becomes whole. Two lives have stood still but now slowly begin to move forward. Rather than dates signifying a beginning and end, it signals a rebirth and a beautiful love story is reborn. Sometimes first loves never die and two people find each other again. It’s all a question of timing, if the timing is right the rest will follow.
The Seacrest is an iconic mansion on Cape Cod by the sea and is the location where this tale plays out. This isn’t just a story of love or even a story of a life but a personal reminder of what lays in the past of just about everyone. It is written in prose but reads like poetry, as it should. I am sure many readers will like this story and I warmly recommend it.
July 2, 1997, is the date that Elizabeth (Sassy / Libby) Vanderhorn and Finn McGraw first met and July 5, 2013, is the date that Finn’s wife Cora Mae dies in a car accident with his older brother, Jax. A revelation leads to an epiphany and missing pieces suddenly appear and the puzzle becomes whole. Two lives have stood still but now slowly begin to move forward. Rather than dates signifying a beginning and end, it signals a rebirth and a beautiful love story is reborn. Sometimes first loves never die and two people find each other again. It’s all a question of timing, if the timing is right the rest will follow.
The Seacrest is an iconic mansion on Cape Cod by the sea and is the location where this tale plays out. This isn’t just a story of love or even a story of a life but a personal reminder of what lays in the past of just about everyone. It is written in prose but reads like poetry, as it should. I am sure many readers will like this story and I warmly recommend it.
October 28, 2013
I am always a bit skeptical when I read a love story written by a man but I was pleasantly surprised with The Seacrest. The story starts out with a tragedy, where Finn McGraw's wife and brother die in a car accident. Alternating chapters tell the story from when Finn was 17 and the affair that he had with a girl whom he fell madly in love with, but because of their different backgrounds, can never hope to have. The author goes into the Finn's marriage and the fire that killed his parents and little sister. Finn feels that his brother was responsible for this fire, which has caused a huge rift in their relationship. With the accident Finn is left wondering why his wife and brother were together in the first place, since he didn't think that his wife had ever met his estranged brother. There are a lot of questions that need answers and Finn is determined to figure it out. Until he does he will not be happy.
This is a story of unrequited love, long buried secrets and anger, hope and forgiveness. The story is written in such a way that the reader is pulled right into the story. Can a teenage love last over a ten year period?? Will Finn finally come to terms with his losses and have the woman that he has never forgotten and get over his anger? This is a fast paced story that will keep you turning the pages. I really enjoyed this novel and hope to read more of this author's work.
I received a copy of this book and was not monetarily compensated for my review.
This is a story of unrequited love, long buried secrets and anger, hope and forgiveness. The story is written in such a way that the reader is pulled right into the story. Can a teenage love last over a ten year period?? Will Finn finally come to terms with his losses and have the woman that he has never forgotten and get over his anger? This is a fast paced story that will keep you turning the pages. I really enjoyed this novel and hope to read more of this author's work.
I received a copy of this book and was not monetarily compensated for my review.
February 1, 2014
Lazar’s The Seacrest is a romantic story told from the viewpoint of Finn McGraw. Finn has not had an easy life. He met the love of his life at seventeen but then she dumped him without explanation. Only a few short years later he lost most of his family and now, ten years later, a horrendous accident turns his life upside down again. He hasn’t managed to recover from any of the tragedies in his life. How will he handle the latest tragedy? Will he finally move on and find love?
I enjoyed reading a romance novel written by a man from the man’s point of view. It was fun watching the man fumble around in the dark without a clue as to what he did to lose his teenage love – even if in this case he actually had a reason for not having a clue. Although the novel is a quick read, Lazar also deals with a lot of heavy issues in this romance. Grief and forgiveness are central themes, which add depth to the story.
Lazar’s first attempt at romance is definitely a success. My only complaints have to do with the obviousness of certain aspects of the story, which of course I can’t comment upon without giving anything away. Let’s just say I was waiting for the event at the end of the story to happen for a while. The lack of surprise, however, was not to the detriment of the story in its entirety.
I recommend this novel for romance readers interested in the male perspective on romance.
*I received a free copy of this novel from the author in return for an honest review.*
I enjoyed reading a romance novel written by a man from the man’s point of view. It was fun watching the man fumble around in the dark without a clue as to what he did to lose his teenage love – even if in this case he actually had a reason for not having a clue. Although the novel is a quick read, Lazar also deals with a lot of heavy issues in this romance. Grief and forgiveness are central themes, which add depth to the story.
Lazar’s first attempt at romance is definitely a success. My only complaints have to do with the obviousness of certain aspects of the story, which of course I can’t comment upon without giving anything away. Let’s just say I was waiting for the event at the end of the story to happen for a while. The lack of surprise, however, was not to the detriment of the story in its entirety.
I recommend this novel for romance readers interested in the male perspective on romance.
*I received a free copy of this novel from the author in return for an honest review.*
November 3, 2013
I recieved a copy of this for an honest review
Finn gets news that his wife and brother are killed in a car crash. He can’t help but wonder what his wife was doing with his brother, since he hasn’t spoken to his brother for ten years. He blames his brother for the death of his parents and baby sister ten years ago. As the story goes on it seems he has more and more reasons to hate his brother. Or does he really? Could he have been wrong about what happened? Who is Libby and why does she hate him? I’m not telling but you should read the book to find out.
This is like getting two stories in one. It starts out with a chapter in the present then the next will be of the past and it continues this way throughout the book. At first I found it a bit confusing then once I got the hang of it I liked it. I have to say the first chapter is one heck of a hook and the next one gives your insight as to what is going on. I really loved the story though by the time it was over, I was stressed to the max from the entire trauma. There is so much angst, so many twists it will make your head spin, but the hidden romance is so wonder, so beautiful.
I highly recommend this story if you like a beautiful hard to gain romance, twists and turns, coves, blueberries, horses and sensual sex.
Finn gets news that his wife and brother are killed in a car crash. He can’t help but wonder what his wife was doing with his brother, since he hasn’t spoken to his brother for ten years. He blames his brother for the death of his parents and baby sister ten years ago. As the story goes on it seems he has more and more reasons to hate his brother. Or does he really? Could he have been wrong about what happened? Who is Libby and why does she hate him? I’m not telling but you should read the book to find out.
This is like getting two stories in one. It starts out with a chapter in the present then the next will be of the past and it continues this way throughout the book. At first I found it a bit confusing then once I got the hang of it I liked it. I have to say the first chapter is one heck of a hook and the next one gives your insight as to what is going on. I really loved the story though by the time it was over, I was stressed to the max from the entire trauma. There is so much angst, so many twists it will make your head spin, but the hidden romance is so wonder, so beautiful.
I highly recommend this story if you like a beautiful hard to gain romance, twists and turns, coves, blueberries, horses and sensual sex.
October 25, 2013
The Seacrest by Aaron Paul Lazar
Finn McGraw grows up on the cape in MA where his family runs the blueberry farm during the summer months.
I feel like this is two books in one because each chapter tells of a different age of the characters.
The chapters alternate in time and that is sometimes confusing. There are mainly two people-when they first meet on the beach and spend time to get to know one another. First love and sex scenes.
And the present day where the woman has died along with his brother and he now owns everything his brother had.
He is living and working at the manor of Seacrest and Libby is the one that gets him up and moving rather than just lying around the cottage on the estate after he learns of his wife's passing.
Through each of the time frames we learn of the family's past and how the others had died...
So much pain when he finds out what his brother did that broke he and Sassy up from dating.
Love the location of the sea and the cape and journeys throughout the book. Love the story line but not all the sex scenes-was a bit much.
I received this book from Vickie Dold I.O. Book Tours via the author for my honest review.
September 12, 2021
DNF at 65%.
I tried to stick it out. I truly did. But in the end I just couldn't keep wasting my time with this.
Here's a short list of some of the things that drove me to give up:
-Young Finn was such a pansy. It was all flowery feelings and overthinking every single little detail. It got repetitive and boring really fast.
-The dialogue was weird, wooden and unrealistic. All I did was keep thinking 'who speaks like this in real life'?
-The whole bit where she was all secretive was useless. It was completely obvious the teen girl and the older girl were the same person. And what reason did Finn have to assume that Libby was poor?
-The whole thing felt really slow.
-This book kinda reads like something written by a overly enthusiastic embellisher, who's also a teen girl.
-Up to the point I read, it was all so pointless and meaningless. And I couldn't muster any interest for what happened to the characters.
I just don't know who the intended target audience was for this book. For someone young it' just so boring, and if the reader is older everything feels so childish.
Maybe someday I'll decide to finish it, and hopefully it'll prove to be better than up to the point I got to.
I tried to stick it out. I truly did. But in the end I just couldn't keep wasting my time with this.
Here's a short list of some of the things that drove me to give up:
-Young Finn was such a pansy. It was all flowery feelings and overthinking every single little detail. It got repetitive and boring really fast.
-The dialogue was weird, wooden and unrealistic. All I did was keep thinking 'who speaks like this in real life'?
-The whole bit where she was all secretive was useless. It was completely obvious the teen girl and the older girl were the same person. And what reason did Finn have to assume that Libby was poor?
-The whole thing felt really slow.
-This book kinda reads like something written by a overly enthusiastic embellisher, who's also a teen girl.
-Up to the point I read, it was all so pointless and meaningless. And I couldn't muster any interest for what happened to the characters.
I just don't know who the intended target audience was for this book. For someone young it' just so boring, and if the reader is older everything feels so childish.
Maybe someday I'll decide to finish it, and hopefully it'll prove to be better than up to the point I got to.
July 10, 2014
THE SEACREST BY AARON PAUL LAZAR
Aaron Lazar has ventured into an area where you don’t see too many men; Romantic fiction. He has done it well. While he has infused romance into his mysteries, this is a work of pure romance without chasing evil doers and protecting a family we get a great story of romance spanning sixteen years.
Finn has just lost his brother and his wife in a tragic car accident, and has discovered some unhappy truths about his marriage. Meanwhile he is trying to figure out why the object of his teenage affection hates him years later.
The author has told the story by going back and forth in the characters history between his teen years and present day to tell the story. This method I normally find distracting but in THE SEACREST it is a great way to tell the love story between Libby and Finn throughout the years and reveal the truth about a McGraw family tragedy. I loved the very adult love scenes which screamed out romance from all corners.
Definitely a 5 star romance and I encourage the author to write more of these.
Aaron Lazar has ventured into an area where you don’t see too many men; Romantic fiction. He has done it well. While he has infused romance into his mysteries, this is a work of pure romance without chasing evil doers and protecting a family we get a great story of romance spanning sixteen years.
Finn has just lost his brother and his wife in a tragic car accident, and has discovered some unhappy truths about his marriage. Meanwhile he is trying to figure out why the object of his teenage affection hates him years later.
The author has told the story by going back and forth in the characters history between his teen years and present day to tell the story. This method I normally find distracting but in THE SEACREST it is a great way to tell the love story between Libby and Finn throughout the years and reveal the truth about a McGraw family tragedy. I loved the very adult love scenes which screamed out romance from all corners.
Definitely a 5 star romance and I encourage the author to write more of these.
October 27, 2013
A love story that is beautiful and fresh and deals with some very sensitive issues. Aaron Paul Lazar, wrote a very pleasant and enjoyable book. First love is one which is most memorable. What a pleasure to read a book with love scenes that are sensual and sexy while remaining tasteful and beautiful.
There are lots of surprises and twists, and when you wonder what more can go wrong in the life of such a caring and wonderful young man,Finn McGraw,how much more can he endure, the final twist is one that makes this so worthwhile reading. Love does conquer all in the end.
I really recommend this book and if you want to read a beautiful love story,that is well written, and leaves you with a good feeling at the end, this is the one.
There are lots of surprises and twists, and when you wonder what more can go wrong in the life of such a caring and wonderful young man,Finn McGraw,how much more can he endure, the final twist is one that makes this so worthwhile reading. Love does conquer all in the end.
I really recommend this book and if you want to read a beautiful love story,that is well written, and leaves you with a good feeling at the end, this is the one.
December 9, 2014
OMG! I don't give away 5 Stars lightly, I LOVED this book! To have a love so strong at such a young age, only to be torn apart drastically. A love that's virtually seamless, almost picking back up like they were never apart. So many obstacles to overcome...Finn's love is everlasting, and amazingly strong through it all. This story covers so many issues...so many points where I thought how could anything else possibly go wrong? Bouncing back and forth through time, the reader finds out how their love began, all while he's going through a devastating event that turns his life upside-down that makes him question everything he thought he knew. I hope this author steps outside the box of his normal genre more often!
December 30, 2013
A romance and a mystery, told in Lazar’s signature sensitive and compassionate voice, Seacrest eludes the sordid yet shimmers with passion. Having read and enjoyed many of Aaron’s mysteries, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I learned that he’d tried his hand at romance. The discomfort I felt disappeared as soon as I recognized that the same Aaron who writes mysteries was at work here. This is a love story textured by strong characters who must grapple with betrayal and the subsequent pain which thwarted love arouses. Violence, death, anger and misunderstanding, in Arron’s hands, give rise to resolution and healing. Any author who can bring such warmth and light into the pages he writes is a gift to those who read his work. To read Aaron’s work is to meet an author you’d love to know.
March 12, 2014
*I received this book in a giveaway, which makes absolutely no difference in my review.
The Seacrest, written by Aaron Paul Lazar, is a book of romance, forgiveness, and redemption. This book flowed well, with no need for additional editing, a welcome surprise! (I hate the fact that I edit as I read, but it’s something that I just can’t seem to shake.) His imagery was very good – I could see it as the author described. He made me cry. I loved the ending, and I wish there was another story of Sassy to read. I don’t do recaps in my reviews – that’s what others do, and although that’s great, I always want to be surprised!
*I will say for those who wish to read this book that the “f” word is used more than once, and sexual encounters are somewhat vividly described.
The Seacrest, written by Aaron Paul Lazar, is a book of romance, forgiveness, and redemption. This book flowed well, with no need for additional editing, a welcome surprise! (I hate the fact that I edit as I read, but it’s something that I just can’t seem to shake.) His imagery was very good – I could see it as the author described. He made me cry. I loved the ending, and I wish there was another story of Sassy to read. I don’t do recaps in my reviews – that’s what others do, and although that’s great, I always want to be surprised!
*I will say for those who wish to read this book that the “f” word is used more than once, and sexual encounters are somewhat vividly described.
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