One house. Two people in need. On a winter night several years before, a young runaway, Kelli, stumbled onto the porch of an oceanfront cottage. The woman who lived there, Margie, took her in and gave her the gifts of safety and security. Twelve years later, Margie dies. Kelli continues living at the cottage until the day the woman’s nephew arrives for a Christmas visit. And he intends to stay. Dylan has been on the road for many years. He calls himself a traveler, but he’s tired of always being on the move. When he arrives at his aunt’s home, he learns that she has died. Who has the better claim? And how far will Kelli go to keep the house that has become her home?
Grace Greene writes fiction with romance, suspense and inspiration ~ The Emerald Isle, NC Stories Series includes Beach Rental, Beach Winds, Beach Wedding, along with the Christmas novellas, Beach Christmas and Beach Walk. Her Virginia books are Women's Fiction with romance, suspense and mystery. Most are set in rural Cub Creek and include her bestselling The Memory of Butterflies and The Happiness In Between which were released in 2017. Three new Cub Creek books were released in 2019 - The Wildflower House Series: Wildflower Heart, Wildflower Hope and Wildflower Christmas, and Wildflower Wedding, A Light Last Seen was released in Feb. 2020. A Barefoot Tide and A Dancing Tide brought a new character from Cub Creek to the beach at Emerald Isle with beloved crossover characters from both settings. Beach Heart and Emerald Heart are single titles set in Emerald Isle, NC. Grace's newest, A HEART BEYOND, will be released on September 3rd, 2024.
Grace is also an artist and photographer and these interests show up on the pages of the stories. She lives in central Virginia. You'll find Grace here:
“Margie was short, average in features and not much for style, but she did have a superpower. Margie Manning possessed kindness and innocence, cloaked in love.”
“I prefer walking. A beach walk doesn’t sound half bad.”
“To this day, the ocean represented a change in her circumstances. A change for the better.”
This was another pleasant Christmas beach read by Grace Greene. Having just read Beach Christmas by Grace Greene, I must say I definitely enjoyed this one more. Although the main character, Kelli, could be unpleasant at times, I did find her actions realistic and also appreciated that she often tried to do the best thing. Kelli was a teen runaway who found herself sleeping on the porch of a small oceanfront house in Emerald Isle. The owner of the house, Margie, an older woman with a heart of gold, takes her in for a decade until Margie dies. One day soon after, Margie’s nephew shows up on the same porch and thus ensues an interesting story about helping others. Although I felt like the ending might have been slightly rushed, I really liked the story overall and felt it was original.
I liked this until I didn't. Kelli is a runaway who ends up on Margie's porch in EI. Margie takes her in and Kelli stays for 15 years until present day. Margie has died and Kelli can't find a will/legal documents (not that she tried looking) to prove the house is hers.
One day a 30-something yr old man comes to see his aunt. He's a "traveler" or DRIFTER. It's odd but it connects the two of them. She was not particularly an enjoyable character in her actions... which in the beginning I chalked up to her grief, but then I realized she's not truly compassionate.
SPOILER
In what appears to be an effort by the author to be non-judgmental about Kelli's past, I was disturbed about Kelli's past, where she's an unwitting accomplice to an ARMED ROBBER and where someone was clearly severely wounded, if not dead. Even if she were underage, she knew it was wrong. She also knows by now that there may have been family who might want closure for the clerk's death. But then again, her general lack of compassion explains this. I found this all disturbing.
I'm never disappointed with a Grace Green book. This novella is a perfect read, especially this time of year, approaching the holidays. The story is both heartwarming, and heartbreaking at turns. A satisfying read, that leaves you longing to know what the future holds for these two lost souls. Perhaps they'll show up again when Ms. Greene revisits Emerald Isle.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and heartily encourage anyone considering this book to go for it. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
This was a quick read but interesting. Once again there were places from previous ones and I do enjoy seeing these in the books by Grace Greene. This are just little snips which make me feel like I know the people. And these things seem to have a lasting feel in the book which is read, rather like a community of people. It was a pleasant but quick read and more a novella rather than a fully written book.
Driven from her home as a teenager, finds Kellie alone on the porch of what she thinks is a deserted beach house. When the owner finds her the next morning, invites her in ,and befriends her, they become home to one another. We find Kellie, alone when her friend dies, and explore her feelings as she begins this new life.
A cute little novella. The main characters were likable. Both characters were mysterious in their back stories and the story shows their trust and friendship growing as they get to know each other. These characters do not show up in the rest of the series, but characters from the series do make an appearance in this story.
I have stayed at this beach, so I know the setting. Emerald Isle has the most beautiful water I have ever seen. I really liked the characters, wish I could have known Margie more.
Kelli left home as a teenager and Margie took her in. After Margie died Dylan, Margie's nephew shows up. Keli is not very trusting. I enjoyed this book but not as well as the others in the series.
This story reminds us that everyone experiences difficulties in their lives. We have within us the ability, with God's help, to change for the better and to make better choices. I would recommend.
Dry heart warming. I loved all the characters in the story,they’re caring and thoughtful of her and Dylan’s needs. I liked Dylan’s character at first you feel he not going to be a bad soul but in only a very short time I felt his goodness was going to bring the story to a great end.
Grace gets to the heart of the fear of loneliness!
This touched my heart! I know what being alone is like & all the fear of losing the one place you have that you can call home. I didn’t have the ending she did & this gives me hope someone may still be out there.
Likable characters, a setting I could almost imagine, and a story that drew me in. It was short but I knew that going in. I enjoyed the other books in this series and didn't want to miss out.
Mysterious chance meetings turn into love in the end. Thrilling, touching and heart felt story. A cross continuation of the series but a totally different story.
Easy to read. Great characters. Love how she blends the characters from one book to the next. Multigenerational read. Looking forward to the next book.