Take Your Time

by Shar Dimick

Content to hide behind her camera, Maddy Adams often feels more comfortable observing life rather than actively participating in it. For the past five years she’s focused only on her studies and building her photography career. The summer after her college graduation, Maddy returns to Lake of the Pines for her sister Liv’s wedding. While happy her sister has found love again, Maddy wonders if she’ll ever find love herself. Meanwhile, her college roomie pressures Maddy to go out with her older brother, who happens to be vacationing at the same lake. Maddy doesn't want to go on another blind date, but after blowing it with the gorgeous man she met on the beach she figures she doesn't have anything to lose. Or does she?


Mason Ellis finds himself on a beautiful house boat docked at Lake of the Pines after finally taking his best friend’s long-standing invitation to visit. He has two long weeks away from his fast-paced software development business to relax and unplug if he can. Six months ago the woman he'd lived and hoped to marry left him for someone else. Tired of meaningless hookups, Mason wants more, but is afraid of getting burned again. When he spies a woman on the beach taking his photo, he's intrigued. However, when he finally meets the mystery photographer, she brushes him off. Meanwhile, his little sister keeps pestering him to go on a blind date with her old college roommate. Mason decides a blind date is just what he needs to get back into the dating scene. It's not like it will lead to anything more. Or will it?

ebook

First published February 4, 2013

About the author

Shar Dimick started writing stories and poems as a grade-schooler. Her passion for writing continues to grow. Whether writing a blog entry, a software manual or a chapter in her next novel, not a day goes by where she isn’t writing something. Cousin to her love for writing, Shar’s also an avid reader of romance novels from contemporary to historical. Drawn to the genre from an early age, it seemed natural that her first novel, Take a Deep Breath, be a contemporary romance.

Shar holds a Master of Arts in English from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She lives in Northwest Ohio with her two daughers and their dogs.

Reviews

[Sue Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book of the Lake of the Pines series features the youngest sister's romance. Socially awkward Maddy is content to stay in the background and let other's shine, guarding herself from rejection, second nature. So when she meets handsome Mason, Maddy is convinced she is setting herself up for rejection. But, Mason's had it with superficial women and thoughtful, sweet Maddy is a breath of fresh air. Rejecting her is the last thing on his mind, but Maddy needs to be convinced that it's alright to take her time.

Shar Dimick writes the progression of their romance with authenticity, each character evolving naturally. Falling in love really does give courage to the shy and focus to the undecided. It's a pleasure to read a romance based on not only chemistry and attraction, but emotion and vulnerability too.

After reading Take a Deep Breath and Take Your Time, I'll buy the next for sure.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. If you have read the first one you will surely love this one. Maddy and Mason are so much alike yet so different. They're both deep emotional feeling characters and I like that. Neither if them really is set out on finding true love over vacation; Maddy especially since she is so career focused and shy, ad is Mason, o. the career front. He just wants to be careful to nor get hurt again. Together these two will find and learn what true love is and that you find it when you're least expecting it. I seriously cannot wait for the 3rd book. I just purchased this book yesterday and finished it today. A definite must read.

[DCT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this follow-up story to Take a Deep Breath, which I also enjoyed. This tale is about the youngest sister Maggie, who is described as the "plain" sister of the 4. She is a little shy and reserved and loves photography, hasn't dated much and very inexperienced. She is spending the Summer with her sister Lisa and her 2 adorable kids, and for the August wedding of her sister Liv and fiance Cam (who we fell in love with in book one). One day while on the beach with the kids, Maggie is taking pictures when she sees a gorgeous guy and his dog on a house boat and starts snapping away. Now here is where you need to get the book and see how it all plays out, lol!
I love feel good romances that get you vested in the characters, builds up the relationship so it feels real, gives the guy a sexiness yet a gentle heart, and a heroine that just can't believe this is happening to her. Oh yeah, and add in just a little angst for good measure, and you have the perfect ingredients for a sweet romantic story, which is what I found in Take you Time. It appears that the next story is about the oldest daughter Jen, so I am looking forward to her story. Would also like to see what is going on with Lisa's husband Bob, and will Bella stay with Luke, or will Travis appear again (and not for zip lining, lol). I guess it remains to be seen, looking forward to more tales from Lake of the Pines. Thanks Shar!

[Kelley Hazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet, charming story! 'Maddie Adams' is the stories heroine and I immediately identified with her awkwardness as she carefully navigates the path of becoming a woman. The man she falls for is every woman's dream. Her path to find herself as a photographer and artist is very familiar and inspiring and heartbreaking. Author Shar Dimick has such a delicate touch. She has created a series about the Adams sisters and I love bringing them to life in TAKE YOUR TIME.

[Kelley Hazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet book, an effortless read, an innocent story. It was a pleasure to record the audiobook for the author, Shar Dimick, and to get to tell this sweet
story of first love.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining. I don't usually listen to contemporary romance, but the narrator did such a good job that I found it very enjoyable. The characters and the situations are believable. There is a little bit of suspense and lots of humour. Definitely a good combination of author and narrator. Well worth listen too.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a very pleasant read. Not too much angst but an enjoyable story of two relationship-shy people (he coming out of a bad relationship and she very insecure and unsure of herself just coming out of college). It takes awhile for them to find each other but love happens fairly quickly. The side story of the wedding and all the different family members took away from the story a little for me so the three star rating.