What do you think?
Rate this book
The Calhoun Chronicles #5
A Summer Affair
A gifted but troubled physician, Blue Calhoun runs a thriving medical practice from his Nob Hill mansion in San Francisco while raising his son alone after an unthinkable tragedy. Then one day a female fugitive with a gunshot wound appears in Blue's surgery. Even though she holds a pistol aimed at his heart, the desperation in her eyes awakens Blue's compassion. Reluctantly he is drawn to her fragile beauty, her nerves of steel and the mystery surrounding her circumstances.Isabel Fish-Wooten has spent most of her life on the run, but everything changes when she forces a stranger to save her life. Yet her rescue comes with an unexpected price. As Isabel recovers from her wounds, she finds herself touched by this remarkable man and yearns to reach out to him and his rebellious son.From danger-filled back alleys to the glittering ballrooms of high society, Isabel and Blue confront the violence and corruption that threatens their newfound passion. Theirs is an unforgettable quest to discover a rare and special love, and the precious gift of a second chance at happiness.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2003
168 people are currently reading
1029 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wiggs
198 books7,398 followersSusan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 14, 2022
Un romanzo leggero,che però mi ha scaldato il cuore. Non è sicuramente un'opera innovativa di alta letteratura,ma è stato un libro coccola per me: avevo bisogno di ritrovare il piacere della lettura spensierata, e questa storia senza troppi fronzoli,con uno stile diretto e un ritmo scandito mi ha decisamente fatto passare bei momenti. Cosa desidera di più nelle sere invernali? Una bella storia d'amore ambientata in epoca vittoriana, non troppo scontata e che sullo sfondo cela entusiasmanti misteri.
Read
February 21, 2016Aborted #TBRChallenge read. Read first 50 pages and it just wasn't grabbing me. I don't think it's any fault of the book - more my own fault for taking years to finish reading this series. I read The Horsemaster's Daughter so many moons ago that Blue's backstory is less than a vague memory now - and the appearance of his surly teenage son left me cold. The heroine is normally the sort I cannot get enough of (she's hiding Big Secrets and arrives on Blue's doorstep with a gun shot wound) and the San Francisco setting is the bee's knees - but meh. None of it was cooking for me. So I'm setting aside and heading back to the TBR Pile....
April 5, 2024
***MINOR SPOILERS ***
This is book 5 of 5 in the Calhoun series. From the brief descriptions available, it appears that the other books may be about past generations in the Calhoun family. I read this book without reading the others and I think it can be read as a standalone. The story takes place in San Francisco sometime before the end of the 19th century though the date is not specified that I noticed. The references about the history of San Francisco were interesting.
Blue Calhoun had a mostly good childhood though his mother died when he was young and he did not speak for 2 years (I think this was a part of the book about his father). He had a difficult adulthood. He was in the Civil War and nearly died. His wife was killed. He lives in a permanent state of guilt about not saving his wife and spends time helping the poor in San Francisco. As a result, he is distant from his son, Lucas, though he loves him. He is 43 when this book occurs. I thought the author could have tied his mother’s death in a little more to his wife’s death and into his relationship with his son. His son also lost his mother as a child. When the book starts, Blue believes that love is not something that anyone should want because of the pain it brings. It makes him cutoff and distant from most people. His entire household staff (cook, housekeeper, nurse, stable hand) is made of rescued women. Blue is a doctor. His attitudes were probably realistic, but I had a pretty mixed impression of him throughout most of the book.
Lucas believes that his father disapproves of everything he does and, as the book begins, he is tired of trying to seek his father’s approval. He both wants his father’s approval and resents him at the same time. Small spoiler… during the story, there is some resolution to their conflict brought about in part because of Isabel. Lucas also has a relationship with the Chinese American daughter of their cook, June Li. This type of relationship was forbidden at the time across the country. Lucas rescues Isabel when he discovers her when she needs a doctor which showed he had a good heart. It is also implied that he thought she might appeal to his father. It is not the first thought I would have had if I discovered someone weak and slightly delirious from a gunshot wound. The story about the relationship between Lucas and his father was sad. Blue constantly upbraids Lucas and I did not think this showed Blue in a good light.
Isabel has had a difficult life and there are several times when she thinks that Blue’s handling of her injuries as a doctor are the nicest any man has ever been to her. She likes it when Blue touches her with care as a doctor as she has not experienced it. Small spoiler… when their relationship turns more personal, she is very touched by his care. She is a traveler (how she gets her money is not explained except for a reference to winning a shooting contest). She calls the money her fortune though it seemed like that was her perspective rather than a statement of the relative value of the money. One night, she is in the wrong place at the wrong time and gets shot. Blue, in his endless quest to rescue people, helps her. Small spoiler… later in the book, when she tries to get her money back, she uses poor judgment, and it was also a bit of a surprise as she seems to have a highly developed talent for assessing a situation and manipulating her behavior and those of others.
Isabel comes across as a bit of a managing type and a bit of chameleon. She thinks about the role she should play for the person she is with and how to manipulate the situation. The way it was written gave me a bit of a negative first impression of her. She quickly develops a good relationship with everyone in the household. They tell her stories about Blue and she falls in love with him as a result of hearing about him from their perspective. It was a way for her to learn about him but it was not relationship development. When she first arrives, she reveals she wants to marry a millionaire. She then decides she wants to become a millionaire on her own but it did not feel good to know that history given that Blue is a rich man. There is a saying that it is just as easy to marry a rich man than a poor one, but it calls your motives into question. She also sleeps in the bedroom that belonged to Blue’s deceased wife and freely uses her clothing and other items.
When Isabel’s history is revealed, it is sad. She was given to a workhouse as a child. She does not know anything about her parents. What is unclear is what her s*xual history is. You know that she is not a virgin but how that came about was not told and I think it should have been. Was it the result of violence? Did she have s*x as part of her need for survival? It was nice that Blue was so caring about her in intimate moments.
It is unclear how old Isabel is but there are a few references to her being quite a bit younger than Blue.
In the second half of the story, Blue is visited by his family, and it was nice to see the relationship between all of them. There is an interesting dynamic between his sister and his best friend that I enjoyed. As far as I know, the author did not write a book about them which would have been interesting and several other reviewers have said the same thing. It would have also been interesting to have a follow up book about the relationship between Lucas and June Li.
Most of the book is from Blue or Isabel’s point of view but there are a few scenes from Lucas’ and June Li’s point of view.
This likely applies more to a previous book in the series (the one between Lucas’ father and his stepmother, Eliza), but Eliza reveals to Isabel that she is the daughter of a Negro freewoman. Eliza’s skin is porcelain white and so is the skin of her children. It felt more like a manufactured issue that Hunter married someone of mixed blood as a result.
One small nitpick: in one visit when Blue is checking up on Isabel as doctor, he checks her heart rate twice.
I have read books by the author before but it has been a while. I do not plan to continue reading her books.
This is book 5 of 5 in the Calhoun series. From the brief descriptions available, it appears that the other books may be about past generations in the Calhoun family. I read this book without reading the others and I think it can be read as a standalone. The story takes place in San Francisco sometime before the end of the 19th century though the date is not specified that I noticed. The references about the history of San Francisco were interesting.
Blue Calhoun had a mostly good childhood though his mother died when he was young and he did not speak for 2 years (I think this was a part of the book about his father). He had a difficult adulthood. He was in the Civil War and nearly died. His wife was killed. He lives in a permanent state of guilt about not saving his wife and spends time helping the poor in San Francisco. As a result, he is distant from his son, Lucas, though he loves him. He is 43 when this book occurs. I thought the author could have tied his mother’s death in a little more to his wife’s death and into his relationship with his son. His son also lost his mother as a child. When the book starts, Blue believes that love is not something that anyone should want because of the pain it brings. It makes him cutoff and distant from most people. His entire household staff (cook, housekeeper, nurse, stable hand) is made of rescued women. Blue is a doctor. His attitudes were probably realistic, but I had a pretty mixed impression of him throughout most of the book.
Lucas believes that his father disapproves of everything he does and, as the book begins, he is tired of trying to seek his father’s approval. He both wants his father’s approval and resents him at the same time. Small spoiler… during the story, there is some resolution to their conflict brought about in part because of Isabel. Lucas also has a relationship with the Chinese American daughter of their cook, June Li. This type of relationship was forbidden at the time across the country. Lucas rescues Isabel when he discovers her when she needs a doctor which showed he had a good heart. It is also implied that he thought she might appeal to his father. It is not the first thought I would have had if I discovered someone weak and slightly delirious from a gunshot wound. The story about the relationship between Lucas and his father was sad. Blue constantly upbraids Lucas and I did not think this showed Blue in a good light.
Isabel has had a difficult life and there are several times when she thinks that Blue’s handling of her injuries as a doctor are the nicest any man has ever been to her. She likes it when Blue touches her with care as a doctor as she has not experienced it. Small spoiler… when their relationship turns more personal, she is very touched by his care. She is a traveler (how she gets her money is not explained except for a reference to winning a shooting contest). She calls the money her fortune though it seemed like that was her perspective rather than a statement of the relative value of the money. One night, she is in the wrong place at the wrong time and gets shot. Blue, in his endless quest to rescue people, helps her. Small spoiler… later in the book, when she tries to get her money back, she uses poor judgment, and it was also a bit of a surprise as she seems to have a highly developed talent for assessing a situation and manipulating her behavior and those of others.
Isabel comes across as a bit of a managing type and a bit of chameleon. She thinks about the role she should play for the person she is with and how to manipulate the situation. The way it was written gave me a bit of a negative first impression of her. She quickly develops a good relationship with everyone in the household. They tell her stories about Blue and she falls in love with him as a result of hearing about him from their perspective. It was a way for her to learn about him but it was not relationship development. When she first arrives, she reveals she wants to marry a millionaire. She then decides she wants to become a millionaire on her own but it did not feel good to know that history given that Blue is a rich man. There is a saying that it is just as easy to marry a rich man than a poor one, but it calls your motives into question. She also sleeps in the bedroom that belonged to Blue’s deceased wife and freely uses her clothing and other items.
When Isabel’s history is revealed, it is sad. She was given to a workhouse as a child. She does not know anything about her parents. What is unclear is what her s*xual history is. You know that she is not a virgin but how that came about was not told and I think it should have been. Was it the result of violence? Did she have s*x as part of her need for survival? It was nice that Blue was so caring about her in intimate moments.
It is unclear how old Isabel is but there are a few references to her being quite a bit younger than Blue.
In the second half of the story, Blue is visited by his family, and it was nice to see the relationship between all of them. There is an interesting dynamic between his sister and his best friend that I enjoyed. As far as I know, the author did not write a book about them which would have been interesting and several other reviewers have said the same thing. It would have also been interesting to have a follow up book about the relationship between Lucas and June Li.
Most of the book is from Blue or Isabel’s point of view but there are a few scenes from Lucas’ and June Li’s point of view.
This likely applies more to a previous book in the series (the one between Lucas’ father and his stepmother, Eliza), but Eliza reveals to Isabel that she is the daughter of a Negro freewoman. Eliza’s skin is porcelain white and so is the skin of her children. It felt more like a manufactured issue that Hunter married someone of mixed blood as a result.
One small nitpick: in one visit when Blue is checking up on Isabel as doctor, he checks her heart rate twice.
I have read books by the author before but it has been a while. I do not plan to continue reading her books.
May 11, 2020
Susan Wiggs has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I have read several of her contemporary works and just discovered that earlier in her career, she wrote historical fiction and romance.Her research is impeccable and her characters are infused with life. This is a book that I stumbled upon on the shelves at the infusion center that I go to for cancer treatment. I liked it so much that I looked up all her other earlier works and have bought them. I am ready to settle in for the long haul.
December 7, 2008
As far as romance novels go, I love Susan Wiggs. She writes really good stories. This is really good so far. Because of the characters stories, read her books in this order: The Charm School, The Horsemasters Daughter, Halfway to Heaven, and then this one. All were excellent.
June 20, 2024
Wonderful book
This author has become one of my favorites. All of her books are good but I especially like the ones set in the 1800's. This particular book is romantic, sweet and also has a touch of mystery and adventure. This is a very good book.
This author has become one of my favorites. All of her books are good but I especially like the ones set in the 1800's. This particular book is romantic, sweet and also has a touch of mystery and adventure. This is a very good book.
July 30, 2019
Best book
I love reading about the Calhouns. Wish a book about his sisters would come out. Or one about his son
I love reading about the Calhouns. Wish a book about his sisters would come out. Or one about his son
May 8, 2023
This story in the series moves west. We met Blue Calhoun when he was a young boy in Virginia and did not speak for two years. Then his father moves him and his sister out west.
Now Blue is a grown man in his thirties. He is a doctor practicing in San Francisco. He has a fifteen-year old son, Lucas. His wife, Sancha, was killed in a tragedy ten years earlier when Blue was serving in the army. Lucas and Blue are sometimes at odds.
Blue and his good friend, Rory, a lawyer created a Rescue League that helps down and out people of all ages and color. He also has a thriving practice on Nob Hill. One night he encounters two crimps hauling off a person to be pressed into service on a ship. He pays off the crimps and takes the person back to his office. He discovers it is a woman and she has been shot. She pulls a gun on him and takes off. She does not get far because she is in bad shape and Lucas and his friend June discover her in an old garden shed. She is brought back to Blue's house where she remains to recover.
The woman is Isabel Fish-Wooten (we met her in an earlier Calhoun story). Isabel has spent most of her life running. Her mother abandoned her in London and she has been making up her life story as she moves along in life.
There is a spark between Blue and Isabel. Blue does not want to get close to her; he still loves Sancha and can't move along in his life.
Along the way, we learn more about the life in San Francisco, the haves and have nots in society.
I really enjoye this book.
Now Blue is a grown man in his thirties. He is a doctor practicing in San Francisco. He has a fifteen-year old son, Lucas. His wife, Sancha, was killed in a tragedy ten years earlier when Blue was serving in the army. Lucas and Blue are sometimes at odds.
Blue and his good friend, Rory, a lawyer created a Rescue League that helps down and out people of all ages and color. He also has a thriving practice on Nob Hill. One night he encounters two crimps hauling off a person to be pressed into service on a ship. He pays off the crimps and takes the person back to his office. He discovers it is a woman and she has been shot. She pulls a gun on him and takes off. She does not get far because she is in bad shape and Lucas and his friend June discover her in an old garden shed. She is brought back to Blue's house where she remains to recover.
The woman is Isabel Fish-Wooten (we met her in an earlier Calhoun story). Isabel has spent most of her life running. Her mother abandoned her in London and she has been making up her life story as she moves along in life.
There is a spark between Blue and Isabel. Blue does not want to get close to her; he still loves Sancha and can't move along in his life.
Along the way, we learn more about the life in San Francisco, the haves and have nots in society.
I really enjoye this book.
June 15, 2021
ehhhh.... this one was just okay. yet another dude who has become an emotionally-stunted asshole who uses his dead wife (killed violently, of course) as an excuse for why he's such a goddamn jerk. and once again, the only reason he gets better at all is because another woman came along and forced him to do so, using her own emotional labor. it wasn't BAD, just... kind of obnoxious. it didn't help matters that I very much disliked the voice actor reading the book. Her British accent was not quite right and very stilted, resulting in our heroine sounding like she was constipated and angry 24/7. And I get that the dude speaks in a monotone because of all the aforementioned emotional pain, blah blah blah, but that doesn't mean he should have no inflection whatsoever. Monotone doesn't have to mean slow-paced ROBOT. So the result is two main characters who sound like wooden caricatures of who they're supposed to be, making neither of them very likeable. It's probably better as just a book-book, not an audio-book, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
December 1, 2024
I enjoyed this entry in the Calhoun Chronicles. Both Blue and Isabel are complicated characters, defined by events of the past and eventually, together, struggling to overcome the results of the past. The strained relationship between father and son add to the tension. But some "continuity blips" -
In chapter 28 -
"He took her by the shoulders and gently turned her to face him. Then he grazed his knuckles under her chin so that she had no choice but to look at him. . . . ."
"Everything in her simply stopped. She didn't move a muscle, didn't breathe, didn't blink. Perhaps even her heart stopped beating. She could sense him standing close behind her, could feel the smooth painted concrete beneath her elbows. . . . ."
First, he's behind her, then facing her, and then behind her - how? When did she turn around again? This was the third instance of this type of thing happening and something that should have been caught by a proofreader, editor, someone.
Other than those, very well done.
In chapter 28 -
"He took her by the shoulders and gently turned her to face him. Then he grazed his knuckles under her chin so that she had no choice but to look at him. . . . ."
"Everything in her simply stopped. She didn't move a muscle, didn't breathe, didn't blink. Perhaps even her heart stopped beating. She could sense him standing close behind her, could feel the smooth painted concrete beneath her elbows. . . . ."
First, he's behind her, then facing her, and then behind her - how? When did she turn around again? This was the third instance of this type of thing happening and something that should have been caught by a proofreader, editor, someone.
Other than those, very well done.
May 26, 2017
This book was an ok read. A little slow and unbelievable at first. A gunshot wounded lady comes to Blu Calhoun a San Francisco doctor and forces him at gun point to look after her. He wants her to stay at his his home for a few days to heal but once he is out of sight she takes off. She is later found hiding in an old tool shed by Blu's son Lucas with a high fever and is quite delirious. Lucas and his little friend June put Isabelle in a wheel barrow and carry her up to Lucas's dead mothers bedroom. Blu and Isabelle eventually fall in love against their own wishes. After some further trouble with the law and when Blu finally finds out who Isabelle really is, Isabelle takes off again. This time Blu goes after her and finds her in Hawaii and all is happy ever after. The story is somewhat better towards the end. This is not my usual kind of reading but the book was in our house.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2018
Finally finished this one and this series. With Christmas and traveling and being sick it took me awhile. This one was ok. I liked the characters well enough but it just didn't draw in like the 2nd and 3rd books in the series. I am glad to be done with it.
June 22, 2022
It’s been a while since I’ve read a romance book. This one was your typical scenario-man/woman attracted to each other but there’s still 3/4 of the book to go! I finished it but wasn’t impressed. Early Susan Wiggs. She definitely has gotten better as the years have gone on.
December 16, 2020
6/15 - dragged a bit but not bad
9/17 - read again
9/17 - read again
January 3, 2021
Interesting variety of characters.
April 4, 2022
Final book in series - interesting story line. Good easy read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2023
I like reading about different members of the Calhoun family and the unconventional women they fall in love with.
February 12, 2024
I like the supporting cast of characters and would love to see more books in the Calhoun Chronicles, though the ending would've been more satisfying if it were less abrupt
Read
April 1, 2024Victorian Historical Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Regency Romance
Miniseries
The Calhoun Chronicles (Book #5)
Miniseries
The Calhoun Chronicles (Book #5)
May 20, 2024
I do not like the way the author wrote about Arabs. It really made me quite offended.
January 21, 2025
A great ending to the series, loved the character and plot. I wish there were more...
March 17, 2017
Entertaining story of a widower and a woman who has reinvented herself. Interesting family and interesting times in San Francisco.
January 10, 2015
San Francisco, 1885. Trovarsi una pistola alla tempia vuol certo dire non saper scegliere i pazienti o esserne sorpresi. Siede al tavolo e sa di non esser solo. L'individuo si è introdotto furtivamente nella sua casa, è in cerca d'aiuto e Blue non può non visitarlo. Ha paura, non abbandona l'arma e la ferita appare profonda. Tutto accade velocemente: agisce perché il ragazzo si salvi, si impadronisce della pistola, si fida del proprio istinto. Prende ago ricurvo e filo, un rotolo di garza, lo adagia e poi la verità risalta. «Quello che giaceva sul suo tavolo chirurgico era... una donna»…
Rischi d'origine, bruschi ingressi e notti buie. Cominciano così, con determinazione, le prime pagine del romanzo di Susan Wiggs. Anzi, è una premessa tutta maschile, di natura volitiva, («Se volessi sedurre una donna, ne cercherei una che non ha la vostra propensione per le pistole»), a cominciare appunto dalla figura di Blue Calhoun; nientemeno che un richiamo ai costumi, al caldo conforto del più distinto gentil sesso. In una parola, la signorina Fish-Wooten, sconosciuta, armata, e non del tutto appagante, è la paziente più inattesa del dottor Calhoun. Quindi, insospettato, se si vuole, è il fascino della donna ferita e assai improvviso quel tono di romance che assumerà la vicenda di un'avventuriera americana di fine Ottocento - già pubblicata nel luglio 2005 con il titolo Il fascino di Isabel. Ma si dirà che l'attrazione non arrischia mai poco, e in definitiva che i misteri l'accrescano. E che altro? Le illusioni convivono con le identità e le verità. Perché sublimare l'intrigo fa di una storia di passione, alla quale pur sempre l'autrice animatamente richiama, una rappresentazione insperata di desideri sopiti.
Mangialibri
Rischi d'origine, bruschi ingressi e notti buie. Cominciano così, con determinazione, le prime pagine del romanzo di Susan Wiggs. Anzi, è una premessa tutta maschile, di natura volitiva, («Se volessi sedurre una donna, ne cercherei una che non ha la vostra propensione per le pistole»), a cominciare appunto dalla figura di Blue Calhoun; nientemeno che un richiamo ai costumi, al caldo conforto del più distinto gentil sesso. In una parola, la signorina Fish-Wooten, sconosciuta, armata, e non del tutto appagante, è la paziente più inattesa del dottor Calhoun. Quindi, insospettato, se si vuole, è il fascino della donna ferita e assai improvviso quel tono di romance che assumerà la vicenda di un'avventuriera americana di fine Ottocento - già pubblicata nel luglio 2005 con il titolo Il fascino di Isabel. Ma si dirà che l'attrazione non arrischia mai poco, e in definitiva che i misteri l'accrescano. E che altro? Le illusioni convivono con le identità e le verità. Perché sublimare l'intrigo fa di una storia di passione, alla quale pur sempre l'autrice animatamente richiama, una rappresentazione insperata di desideri sopiti.
Mangialibri
March 14, 2016
It is rare that romance begins at gun point. But that is precisely how lady adventurer Isabel Fish-Wooten and Dr. Blue Calhoun meet. In A Summer Affair Susan Wiggs brings these unlikely, damaged characters together and lets the sparks fly. After Isabel forces Blue to treat her gunshot wound, she ends up convalescing at his house even though he suspects that she might be involved in the shooting a policeman. This mystery draws them into the drug and sex trade of the seedy underbelly of fin de siècle San Francisco.
While the plot is full of suspense and twists, the draw of A Summer Affair are the characters. Both are deeply flawed and deeply human. Despite their disparate backgrounds, their demons make them perfect for each other. Isabel has spent her entire life running away from the horrors of the workhouse. She is outgoing and charming, but never stays in one place long enough to let anyone get close Blue has spent the last decade battling guilt over his first wife’s death. Because of this he has drawn himself into his work to the detriment of all other personal relationships, including the one with his son. In A Summer Affair Wiggs gives her readers hope for a second chance at happiness.
While the plot is full of suspense and twists, the draw of A Summer Affair are the characters. Both are deeply flawed and deeply human. Despite their disparate backgrounds, their demons make them perfect for each other. Isabel has spent her entire life running away from the horrors of the workhouse. She is outgoing and charming, but never stays in one place long enough to let anyone get close Blue has spent the last decade battling guilt over his first wife’s death. Because of this he has drawn himself into his work to the detriment of all other personal relationships, including the one with his son. In A Summer Affair Wiggs gives her readers hope for a second chance at happiness.
October 9, 2014
Una donna misteriosa e un seducente medico di provincia sono pronti ad incontrarsi ed innamorarsi nella San Francisco del 1835. Niente di più romantico. SUSAN WIGGS è un’autrice con un talento straordinario. Riesce a raccontare l’amore come se non avesse tempo. L’amore è possente, splendente, sorprendente.
Ci si innamora anche quando non si è più disposti a farlo. Blue Calhoun, infatti, ha chiuso le porte all’amore. Non si innamorerà mai più. È convinto di questo, finché nel suo ambulatorio medico non irrompe la bellissima Isabel con una ferita d’arma da fuoco e lo minaccia impugnando una pistola.
In ACCADDE UN’ESTATE, l’amore è un brivido forte, oltre l’abituale componente passionale. La storia è narrata con uno stile sapiente, fluido ed elegante.
È un romanzo meraviglioso che parla al cuore, suscitando emozioni inimmaginabili.
http://youtu.be/M0H_By7fRrc
December 18, 2016
To be honest I only got through about 2/3 of the book. I marked as finished because I was tired of seeing it on my feed.
Susan Wiggs is my favorite writer right now. I love her modern stuff, so I thought I would give her historic work a chance.
This book is part 5 of a 5 part series. The first 4 were not bad. This was the one I was most looking forward to reading, and for some reason could not bring myself to finish.
The story drags, which is not like Ms. Wiggs. And, as much as I liked Blue as a child, I actually cried when he told his story of why he was silent for so long, I really didn't like him as an adult.
I read my books on an e-reader and I wished I had a paperback book so I could flip through the pages.
This is the only book of the year that I did not finish. And I have read 43 other books.
Susan Wiggs is my favorite writer right now. I love her modern stuff, so I thought I would give her historic work a chance.
This book is part 5 of a 5 part series. The first 4 were not bad. This was the one I was most looking forward to reading, and for some reason could not bring myself to finish.
The story drags, which is not like Ms. Wiggs. And, as much as I liked Blue as a child, I actually cried when he told his story of why he was silent for so long, I really didn't like him as an adult.
I read my books on an e-reader and I wished I had a paperback book so I could flip through the pages.
This is the only book of the year that I did not finish. And I have read 43 other books.
February 9, 2008
Yeah, it's a formulaic romance novel with a troubled guy and spitfire girl with a secret. I haven't read one in years. When did they stop putting sex scenes in these books? They are usually readable if forgettable but the good parts were my prime motivation for reading them. Well, maybe the clothes. So I probably won't read any more.
The two stars are for the shamefully tame and sentimental characteristics of the formula. The book is as fine example of the genre as any. I got it from my aunt to fill out the handmade book cover that was the real gift.
It was a very nice book cover. Four stars!
The two stars are for the shamefully tame and sentimental characteristics of the formula. The book is as fine example of the genre as any. I got it from my aunt to fill out the handmade book cover that was the real gift.
It was a very nice book cover. Four stars!
July 19, 2015
Dr. Blue Calhoun has a thriving medical practice on Nob Hill in San Francisco. He is raising his son alone after his wife's death. Isabel Fish-Wooten has been shot and she enters Blue's surgery room with a pistol in desperation to get medical attention. As he saves her life, he has become drawn to her. Isabel never stays in one place too long, but with Dr. Blue she has the feeling that she is falling in love with this man and maybe it would be nice to stay with him. From the dangers of back alleys to the ballrooms of high society, Isabel and Blue meet the violence and corruption that threatens them. A good story!
April 25, 2016
Surly teenage boy, cold distant father, icky H/h age gap - what's not to loathe love? This is the final book in the Calhoun Chronicles. Unfortunately, it came across as Book Five rather than Blue Calhoun's story. It was difficult to connect with the characters, and the pacing dragged. By the time I reached the last page, I didn't even care that the ending was less than satisfying. A Summer Affair adds nothing positive to the Calhoun Chronicles, and when I read the series again, I won't be including this book.
Read
June 18, 2012"Isabel continuava a mantenere un insolito silenzio, ma rmai Blue cominciava a capire anche quelli, così come lei capiva i suoi. (..) Bastava il silenzio insieme a un desiderio reciproco che per tutta l'estate aveva tessuto fra loro un filo sempre più resistente."
Questo romance ha due lati interessanti: un protagonista maschile già vedovo e con un figlio adolescente e l'ambientazione negli Stati Uniti della frontiera...
di negativo (secondo me) ha il ritmo un po' lento...
Questo romance ha due lati interessanti: un protagonista maschile già vedovo e con un figlio adolescente e l'ambientazione negli Stati Uniti della frontiera...
di negativo (secondo me) ha il ritmo un po' lento...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews