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Captiva Island - A Novel
Atlanta columnist and Buckhead resident Julia Parks is invited to the lush South Florida island of Captiva to interview and write the biography of renowned romance novelist and Georgia native Helen Van Buren. No one had ever been granted the opportunity to interview the 86-year-old recluse throughout her 21-book career, though fans remained curious why she abruptly stopped writing decades ago. Julia’s intrigue as to why she’s the chosen one sends her packing and on a plane headed South in a hurry—a brewing stew of secrets await her arrival...
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2009
About the author
Kathy Lee Sumner
1 book6 followersAfter receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Auburn University, Kathy Lee Sumner wrote and freelanced for several publications along Florida's gulf coast, from her hometown of Pensacola to Naples where she resided from 1993 to 2018.
While living in Naples, in 2003, she began writing novels as a hobby while raising her two children and working on her Florida teaching certification. In 2006, her father was diagnosed with lung cancer. This motivated Sumner to finish one of the manuscripts she had been creating, chapters of which she would send him to read as entertainment while he was ill to help get his mind off of the cancer. Also a native Floridian, he would add character traits and suggest setting locations--several are used throughout the storyline. Sumner was able to share the final chapters with her father before he passed in 2006.
The manuscript CAPTIVA ISLAND - A NOVEL was chosen as a semi-finalist in the very first 2008 Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Contest (ABNA), and when published in late 2009, Sumner dedicated the book to her father.
Kathy continues to write and enjoy life on Florida's coast.
While living in Naples, in 2003, she began writing novels as a hobby while raising her two children and working on her Florida teaching certification. In 2006, her father was diagnosed with lung cancer. This motivated Sumner to finish one of the manuscripts she had been creating, chapters of which she would send him to read as entertainment while he was ill to help get his mind off of the cancer. Also a native Floridian, he would add character traits and suggest setting locations--several are used throughout the storyline. Sumner was able to share the final chapters with her father before he passed in 2006.
The manuscript CAPTIVA ISLAND - A NOVEL was chosen as a semi-finalist in the very first 2008 Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Contest (ABNA), and when published in late 2009, Sumner dedicated the book to her father.
Kathy continues to write and enjoy life on Florida's coast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 22, 2020
Don't ask me why I am surprised. I honestly couldn't tell you. This was a very enjoyable read. Romance, mystery, intrigue, interesting and well written characters. I figured out one part, but not the end. Liked it!
May 18, 2019
Awesome!
Honestly I don’t read a lot of romance or chick-lit but needed a break from heavier/darker reading and chose this based on the cover & blurb.
This is a truly beautiful heartwarming and wrenching at times story..I loved it!
Honestly I don’t read a lot of romance or chick-lit but needed a break from heavier/darker reading and chose this based on the cover & blurb.
This is a truly beautiful heartwarming and wrenching at times story..I loved it!
August 22, 2021
The book was quite good; title a bit misleading
The historical depth, scenarios, characters, and events were well done. The overall story was realistic and engaging. Much (not all) of the ending became fairly predictable after a number of surprises that exceeded expectations.
However, there was just enough description of Captiva Island to give something of a skimpy-but-realistic feel for the location. I’ve been to Captiva and Sanibel many times, and was disappointed there was not more about the Islands. Nevertheless, the story was worth the read!
The historical depth, scenarios, characters, and events were well done. The overall story was realistic and engaging. Much (not all) of the ending became fairly predictable after a number of surprises that exceeded expectations.
However, there was just enough description of Captiva Island to give something of a skimpy-but-realistic feel for the location. I’ve been to Captiva and Sanibel many times, and was disappointed there was not more about the Islands. Nevertheless, the story was worth the read!
March 26, 2024
I enjoyed the book, especially the fact that it was set in Captiva, as the Captiva/Sanibel area is one of my favorite vacation spots. I thought the story was well written and enjoyed the character development as the novel went along. I did guess one of the major plot developments before it happened, but that did not spoil it for me. I thought there was an awful lot of adultery going on in the book, which is why I gave it four stars instead of five. Overall an enjoyable read!
October 25, 2016
Captivating Story
I've always had a yearning for the beach and a longing to visit Captiva Island! Kathy Lee Sumner captures the essence of island life while weaving a story of love, secrets and generations of hiding the truth. But in the end the truth sets this family free to love and be loved.
I've always had a yearning for the beach and a longing to visit Captiva Island! Kathy Lee Sumner captures the essence of island life while weaving a story of love, secrets and generations of hiding the truth. But in the end the truth sets this family free to love and be loved.
November 29, 2018
Sweet characters
One part of the story line cause me a little trouble, but then again that particular problem always causes me trouble in any book or movie. Other than that I like the book the way the descriptions were done the descriptions of the people places truthfully it made me homesick as I'm from Florida myself.
One part of the story line cause me a little trouble, but then again that particular problem always causes me trouble in any book or movie. Other than that I like the book the way the descriptions were done the descriptions of the people places truthfully it made me homesick as I'm from Florida myself.
February 23, 2020
A truly captivating story, a must read!
Not familiar with this author I only hoped I would enjoy this book. But from cover to cover It was totally immersed with characters that were life like, a story with intrigue, romance & history, so well written, the last words left me with goose bumps.
Not familiar with this author I only hoped I would enjoy this book. But from cover to cover It was totally immersed with characters that were life like, a story with intrigue, romance & history, so well written, the last words left me with goose bumps.
August 12, 2021
DNF halfway through. I wanted to like it, but found the main character, her lover, and her husband all pretty unlikable. It got lots of 5 star reviews so I understand that the story might have been super satisfying for some, but I couldn’t get past the fact that I didn’t care for Julia, Bruce, and Darrell. 🤷🏼♀️
August 17, 2021
5 **** This was fantastic! I usually read cozy mysteries and because of my love for Captiva and Sanibel— I decided to read this one. It was so suspenseful and at the same time sweet with some bite. Loved it and have already researched to see if there were any more by Kathy Lee Sumner. Thank you — hope to read more from you.
July 8, 2022
I loved this cute book. I thought the characters were well written and I love reading about my favorite beach, Captiva. I live in the area and thought it was well done. So proud of myself for figuring out one section of the story but that ending threw me for a loop. Super read for the beach, even better if you are reading it on Captiva and lunch at the Bubble Room!! Grab yours today!!
November 21, 2023
DNF
Did not finish. Writing was very childish. Read like a high school writing assignment. Characters very unlikable. Hated the fact that Julia was blaming her husband for something she was doing.
The only reason I gave this book 2 stars is because I read that the author would send chapters to her father while he was sick. For that reason, and that reason alone, I gave it the 2 stars.
Did not finish. Writing was very childish. Read like a high school writing assignment. Characters very unlikable. Hated the fact that Julia was blaming her husband for something she was doing.
The only reason I gave this book 2 stars is because I read that the author would send chapters to her father while he was sick. For that reason, and that reason alone, I gave it the 2 stars.
January 9, 2017
Kathy does a great job in the book combining several story lines and making them all come together at the end. I loved the twists and turns and unpredictable events at the end. Great fast, fun read! Hope all my friends and people reading this will read this book!
March 8, 2020
Spellbinding
What an incredible story teller Kathy Sumner is. There is nothing about this book that is status quo but instead its full of rich history, love, loss, pain, intrigue and unexpected happiness.
What an incredible story teller Kathy Sumner is. There is nothing about this book that is status quo but instead its full of rich history, love, loss, pain, intrigue and unexpected happiness.
August 6, 2020
Quick read.
This an easy read during this pandemic. Secrets in everyone’s lives. Recovered love. Happy ending. Worked for me. There are a few spelling errors but didn’t effect the story
This an easy read during this pandemic. Secrets in everyone’s lives. Recovered love. Happy ending. Worked for me. There are a few spelling errors but didn’t effect the story
June 26, 2024
Family secrets, love and honesty
I just finished this beautiful story, and absolutely loved it. It has some heartbreaking moments, with secrets, and so much more.
A very good read!
I just finished this beautiful story, and absolutely loved it. It has some heartbreaking moments, with secrets, and so much more.
A very good read!
November 25, 2017
Read it all in one day, so good!
This book kept me in suspense all of the way through with all the twists and turns it took. Very enjoyable!
This book kept me in suspense all of the way through with all the twists and turns it took. Very enjoyable!
January 20, 2018
Great read
I enjoyed the book even though I figured out some of the plot about third of the way through. The ending was a surprise and I enjoyed it
I enjoyed the book even though I figured out some of the plot about third of the way through. The ending was a surprise and I enjoyed it
March 14, 2018
Great read.
This was the best book i have read in a long time. Didn't want to put it down. A story that was so touching
This was the best book i have read in a long time. Didn't want to put it down. A story that was so touching
June 2, 2018
Suprise
Well written many times and twists. Enjoyed the tempo. Always moving to a good end. Nice ending family together fori
Well written many times and twists. Enjoyed the tempo. Always moving to a good end. Nice ending family together fori
June 9, 2018
A great beach read set in a beautiful place filled with very happy memories.
August 7, 2018
Total surprise!
Suspenseful, well written with many twists. Loved all the references to places I'm familiar with! Will be looking for more books by Kathy Lee Sumner!
Suspenseful, well written with many twists. Loved all the references to places I'm familiar with! Will be looking for more books by Kathy Lee Sumner!
June 30, 2019
Pretty predictable and the ending was a little crazy (almost like a different author wrote the ending) but overall an easy, enjoyable read.
October 6, 2019
Great book
This book started as a slow start and as the surprises started unwinding, gripped to the point where I didn't want to out it down.
This book started as a slow start and as the surprises started unwinding, gripped to the point where I didn't want to out it down.
February 20, 2020
Loved this book. Secrets from 50 years ago. Julia Parks is invited to Captiva to interview and write the biography of renowned romance novelist and Georgia native Helen Van Buren.
February 23, 2020
Secrets
This novel is as captivating as it's name. You were left with as many unanswered questions as answered ones. I loved this book.
This novel is as captivating as it's name. You were left with as many unanswered questions as answered ones. I loved this book.
March 27, 2020
Good
This book is one that is a story about how one famous writer is related to a young woman who.
This book is one that is a story about how one famous writer is related to a young woman who.
May 30, 2021
Great read
This was a good read. I liked the story and I liked how it all worked out in the end. I whole recommend this book to my friends.
This was a good read. I liked the story and I liked how it all worked out in the end. I whole recommend this book to my friends.
June 8, 2021
It's thAt good
Affairs are never good for a marriage. The evil around us . Read Captiva Island a novel! I loved it!
Affairs are never good for a marriage. The evil around us . Read Captiva Island a novel! I loved it!
May 14, 2023
Really enjoyed this book.
February 10, 2024
Awesome story
This book kept me interested, so much so that I read it in only one session! Highly recommended for those who believe in love.
This book kept me interested, so much so that I read it in only one session! Highly recommended for those who believe in love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews