Hope's Watch

Safe Harbors #1.5

by Donna K. Weaver

Surviving was just the beginning…

Elle Reinhardt barely escaped the nightmare at sea—a dream excursion turned deadly at the hands of modern-day pirates. Now, as families cling to hope and fear the worst for their missing loved ones, she struggles to keep them afloat while her own grief threatens to pull her under.

Malcolm Armstrong arrives searching for answers about his missing friend, stepping into a storm of sorrow and unanswered questions. Elle doesn’t want his help. She doesn’t want his pity. And she definitely doesn’t want the unsettling pull she feels toward him.

But as the weight of tragedy threatens to break her, Mal becomes the one person strong enough to hold her together. Accepting his steady presence means letting down her walls, trusting someone else to help carry the burden. But can she allow herself to lean on him when standing alone feels like the only way to survive?

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Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Novella

41 pages, ebook

First published December 31, 2013

About the author

USA Today best-selling and award-winning author - wife-mother-grandmother-Navy brat-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd-online gamer.

Reviews

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I'm biased, but I love Elle's little story. Such a tough time in her life.

[NaDell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read the other books in this series, but found this one to be easy enough to get into without the others. I liked the emotion the characters had and felt their heartache during parts of the novella. Might need to go and read the rest of the series now.

[Nanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in the Safe Harbor series feel like people you know, people you care about. So reading Hope’s Watch was like checking in on an old friend, Lyn’s best friend Elle, who felt like my friend too. When a story pulls you in so deep; you feel you’re part of it, you care what happens to everyone. In Hope’s Watch, you walk through this harrowing ordeal with Elle. You watch her come to grips with a situation she has no control over, and you see how becoming vulnerable can give you strength you never knew you had. It reminds you that love grows even when hope seems lost. Thank you, Donna K. Weaver, for letting the reader into your safe harbor

[M R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the Safe Harbors series! This story adds an insight and depth to Elle's character as she struggles to hang on to hope against all odds. It was great to see how the events right after the trauma unfolded for those not lost at sea.

And the cover is just gorgeous! Definitely a good companion to A Change of Plans.

[Elsbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished A Change of Plans yesterday and just had to read Elle's story. To know what happened to her, just after the disaster.
Knowing what life looks like for the main characters of this story after 2 years (from Safe Harbors #1), makes it easier and more difficult to read. This might be a short read, but it is just as touching and heartbreaking as A Change of Plans.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Elle’s story right after the incident. It was sweet to see how Mal and her connected. I just wish there had been more. Obviously we know their story from Change of Plans, but I wanted more of the courtship.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story that shows another side of the story from "A Change of Plans."

[Franki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story about Elle and how she deals with the aftermath of being kidnapped by pirates and waiting for news about her friends. Elle tries to be strong for those around her as she watches the harbor for the return of her best friend and tries to get information from the hospital about a friend who risked his life for her. Thankfully, family spokesperson, Malcolm steps up to offer her the courage and strength she needs.
This is a wonderful look at what takes place when Elle is separated from her best friend, Lyn in the story ‘Change of Plans’. I received this audiobook as an ARC through Storyorigin. I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Vibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoping with Hope

This is a follow up to the 1st book, "A Change of Plans", that lets you know what happened to the rest of the group after they were separated.

Not surprisingly, Hope has been pretty traumatized by all that happened, and is worried about what happened to her friends, especially Lyn.

The story felt a little grim initially, but as they get more info, Hope begins to find the healing & peace that she needs to deal with it. And with Max. It's a quietly satisfying story that fills in some secondary gaps from book 1 & sets things up for book 2

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic

[Pennie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize until this finished but I had tears running down my cheeks! This is an emotional novella that takes place immediately after the rescue from pirates who captured and caused harm to some of the travelers from the cruise from the first book in this series. Elle convinced Lyn to take the cruise and she and Braeden are still missing but she is rescued and Jori (his book is up next) is in the hospital. But wait there is more. Braeden's family is with her along with Mal, the family spokesman, to keep vigil. Mal seems to know what she needs and when. This one is just right to whet the appetite for Jori's story.

[Nancy Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first story that I have read by Ms. Weaver & I will be reading more from her. I would have given it 5 stars but it ended in a cliff hanger. I don't normally read SS or Books that have cliff hangers but this one peaked my interest from reading the intro. Elle Reinhardt & her BFF Lyn were taking a month long cruise but things turned out badly when modern-day pirates kidnapped several of the passengers & injured others. The story details how Elle handled the situation & her relationship to the other passengers & Lyn's family members. Recommend to all Romantics & Suspense readers.

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Hope's Watch Is a good introduction to Elle and Mal's romance.
I received a free copy and this review was given freely.
Hope's Watch Is a good introduction to Elle and Mal's romance. It is best if you read it after A Season of Change as this short novel picks up with the people being rescued off the Pirates' ship,Jori's hospitalization, and the wait for the rescue of the 4 lost friends. Unfortunately, to know if Elle and Mal's attraction turns into a romance with a happy ending you have to read the first book in the series, A Season of Change.

[Joan Arning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope's Watch is a novella in the Safe Harbors series. I have not read the other books in the series but enjoyed the story involving modern day pirates! Elle, who is rescued, is a strong female character. Mal, whose close friend is missing, is a well-written male protagonist. While Hope's Watch is a stand alone, it will make you want to read the rest of the series to see if the others are found. I received a complimentary e-book of Hope's Watch from the author. This is my honest opinion.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about waiting to find out about what happened to the ones that were rescued after a boat was captured by pirates. The emotions that are unraveled as the waiting to hear about those that were taken by the pirates. Elle waits while her family comes to gather around her. Malcolm is the spokesman for Lyn's family, but he is drawn to Elle. For a novella, the emotions felt by these characters are very deep.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read A Change of Plans then you will want to read this story. It is a short story that fills in some of the gaps of what happened to Elle and Jori and they others that were abducted by pirates off their catamaran. It also introduces us to Malcolm who is a friend of Braedon and is the brother of D’Arcy who is married to Braedon’s sister Aislynn. We don’t get to see much of Elle’s and Malcolms romance but it does give more details of what happened to them all.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle and Mal bond over their shared worry about their missing friends Lyn and Braedon. This short story drops in the middle of A Change of Plans and I feel like you should read that book first to understand what’s going on. It was an emotional romantic suspense that leaves you hanging at the end.

In the Audible version, I was surprised the narrator is male since this story is told from Elle’s perspective, but he did a nice job with voice changes and emotional inflections.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Elle Reinhardt is left adrift after her best friend goes missing during a South Pacific Cruise. She relies on a friend’s brother, Malcolm Armstrong who is spokesman for the survivors from the cruise disaster. She finds comfort with him while waiting for word about her friends, and Malcolm’s sister-in –law’s brother. A touching story about surviving and moving on.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy in exchange for a honest review. This is the second book and Elle's story. A horrible time for her as she waits to hear news of her friends that were separated from them. I enjoyed this story but wished it was longer.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful short story full of raw emotions from a tragic illegal event. A touch of romance brightens and gives hope amidst other tumbling emotions. Very well written good short story.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the others in the series. This novella had a very abrupt ending though and lacked the depth displayed in previous works. Still, not bad.

[Lucinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between 3 and 3 1/2.
I read Safe Harbors and liked it a lot. I enjoyed reading the 'behind-the-scenes' about the rest of the characters once they returned to shore.
I'd like to read more about Hope and Mal once they got back to their 'real' lives.
Looking forward to Jori's story.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great addition to Safe Harbors. I could've used a little more character & story development (it moved a bit fast for my taste), but it's a novella so I guess that can be expected.

Fun, easy, super quick read!

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

I loved this story. It was very well written. I loved the fact it was a clean, Christian romance with a great storyline. I ended up buying the other 2 books in the series because the storyline was so good.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle struggles with the trauma of being captured, losing her best friend and moving forward. I'm guessing with how the book ended there will be another, it was a decent read.

I received a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like the story was just getting started when it was suddenly over. I could have used a continuation to this one but perhaps it comes in the next book?

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: flashback

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading Elle's perspective. This is a quick read and I like the way it adds to the story from 'A Change of Plans.'

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story. Nice to see how Elle and Mal met.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift from the author, and I loved this book. It's a suspenseful romance book, full of twists. I really enjoyed it. I want to read more books by this author. It has a well done and relevant plot for this time with all the things going on in our world piracy and hijacking.Check it out.You won't be disappointed.