Briarwood Cottage

Castlelough #3.5

by JoAnn Ross

Return to Shelter Bay's sister city, Castlelough, Ireland, home to the beloved, award-winning Irish trilogy—A Woman's Heart, Fair Haven, and Legends Lake—for a new story about a woman overcoming tragedy and a man whose heart she once broke.

When burned-out war journalist Duncan McCaragh is assigned to cover a "sighting" of the Lady, Ireland's sea creature version of Scotland's Nessie, he decides to use his forced time in Castlelough to come up with a plan to win back his estranged wife.

What he has no way of knowing is that photojournalist Cassandra Carpenter is also on her way to Castlelough with the divorce papers Duncan's been refusing to sign. Can the magic of the Emerald Isle and the Lady reunite these two wounded hearts?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Cultural, Ireland

174 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2014

About the author

New York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross has written over a hundred novels for a bunch of publishers. Two of her titles have been excerpted in Cosmo and her books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Literary Guild, and Mystery Guild book clubs.

A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.

Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[Autumn Araujo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a fan of modern day romance only because most of it is cliche and predictable. This book was no exception to that opinion. The writing was good but the characters have zero personality. The macho brute style of man was like looking at a 2D version of a character. Flat, plain, and tasteless. The cute storyline added with a mythical creature? Bah. If you’re going to be modern be modern… if you’re going to be fantasy… be fantasy. But trying to mesh a realistic story then pop in a sea creature at the very end that ties up the whole story is annoying.

Quick read though.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

journalist Duncan McCaragh is assigned to cover a "sighting" of The Lady — Ireland's sea beastie version of Scotland's Nessie. Cassandra Carpenter is also on her way to Castlelough with the divorce papers Duncan's been refusing to sign.

[Carol Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brentwood Cottage: A Castlelough Novella

A great story full of action and love. It ended well as the characters gave love a real chance finally.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again a charming take from a master story teller

Ms Ross has an engaging way with character development that pulls one into a deftly crafted plot. A delightful escape.

[Eliana]

Old reads

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this return to Castleough. I'm quite excited that Ross has decided to extend the trilogy to a series. In this novella, we meet two new characters, Duncan and Cassandra, an estranged couple who meet up in Castleough--Duncan is there to get a story for his godfather but also figure out how to get his wife back. Cass finds out he's there and travels all the way to Ireland to get her divorce. But her plans go out the window as soon as she sees him again. This is a lovely tale--not so much of strife--but of love and patience. Of two people re-learning who their mate is. Of growth and change. And, of course, the fact that love can conquer all--though sometimes it needs a little help and the magic of the Emerald Isle is a great place to start! (I did find it a nice, humorous twist that Duncan is in fact Scottish . . .)

[Annie Kostyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first experience with this author in this novella. I'm a sucker for a love story. Enough said. Devastation, healing, growth and continuing on with life with a smattering of whimsy to make you smile.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and quick read

I'd read previous books in the series. I do like the way Ross writes and forms her characters. These characters were missing a bit but that is to be expected with such a short story.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story...loved it!

[Virginia Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

short sweet emotional and very evocative setting

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true fairytale

A really feel good book couldn't put it down. A must read can't wait for the next one. JoAnn's books are all good but really liked this one.

[Chris Brandstatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!!  The struggle to keep a marriage alive and the joy of reuniting.  Could not put this one down!!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story of fixing a wounded heart and soul. Highly recommend to all of the romantics out there. =)

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

great continuation of the series - very enjoyable