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Whispering Cove #4
Burned
Vic Hayes is content with life in Whispering Cove. She owns a successful salon, has great friends and her perfectly manicured nail is on the pulse of the town’s gossip. For real happiness, she’s only missing one thing—a man. Settling for less than the perfect man, though, isn’t in her nature. He just has to see her as more than his best friend.
Widower Hauk Michaelsen always dreamed of escaping Whispering Cove, until single fatherhood, too young, made it impossible. He enjoys his life as owner of the small town pub. Friends, gossip, and his young daughter keep things jumping. He would do anything for his little girl, but he can’t give her the one thing she desires most—a mother.
When Vic and Hauk are teamed up for a Fall Festival project, sparks ignite suppressed flames. Testing boundaries they’ve never crossed, they find themselves eager to risk more—if Vic can convince Hauk that history won’t be repeated if he takes another chance on love.
Widower Hauk Michaelsen always dreamed of escaping Whispering Cove, until single fatherhood, too young, made it impossible. He enjoys his life as owner of the small town pub. Friends, gossip, and his young daughter keep things jumping. He would do anything for his little girl, but he can’t give her the one thing she desires most—a mother.
When Vic and Hauk are teamed up for a Fall Festival project, sparks ignite suppressed flames. Testing boundaries they’ve never crossed, they find themselves eager to risk more—if Vic can convince Hauk that history won’t be repeated if he takes another chance on love.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2012
5 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Duncan
44 books113 followersMeet Nikki Duncan, Author of Small-Town Romance and Second Chance Love
Looking for emotional healing romance with strong female leads and second chance love stories? Nikki Duncan writes small-town romance novels and romantic women’s fiction about healing that go deeper than the surface. Her books explore the kind of love that repairs what’s broken, fuels self-discovery, and lingers long after the last page.
Nikki’s journey started in secret, writing her first story while devouring Harlequins. That quiet beginning led to a career of more than twenty novels and a fan-favorite debut, Sounds to Die By. The book began as a challenge to create a blind hero without drowning him in angst. It became a contemporary romance series readers still return to.
Over the years, Nikki’s work has appeared alongside romance icons like Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Sylvia Day, and Cathryn Fox. Her stories blend emotion, resilience, and unexpected twists. Whether it’s laughter or heartbreak, Nikki’s characters push through life’s messes and find connection on the other side.
Off the page, she’s touched nearly every part of the book world. She’s designed covers, built websites, written for romance magazines, and hosted reader parties. One even featured a surprise cameo by EL James. After years of creative burnout, Nikki took a step back to care for her family and rekindle her spark.
Now, she writes from her restored farmhouse in Texas Horse Country. Her home, once dubbed “Dump to Dream,” inspires the kind of hope she weaves into every book. Whether it’s a reclusive star in Healing His Heart or a grieving sister in Her Twelve Miracles of Christmas, Nikki’s stories are layered with meaning.
When she’s not writing, she’s sipping tea, reworking her website (again), or dreaming up the next love story that just might change a life.
Looking for emotional healing romance with strong female leads and second chance love stories? Nikki Duncan writes small-town romance novels and romantic women’s fiction about healing that go deeper than the surface. Her books explore the kind of love that repairs what’s broken, fuels self-discovery, and lingers long after the last page.
Nikki’s journey started in secret, writing her first story while devouring Harlequins. That quiet beginning led to a career of more than twenty novels and a fan-favorite debut, Sounds to Die By. The book began as a challenge to create a blind hero without drowning him in angst. It became a contemporary romance series readers still return to.
Over the years, Nikki’s work has appeared alongside romance icons like Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Sylvia Day, and Cathryn Fox. Her stories blend emotion, resilience, and unexpected twists. Whether it’s laughter or heartbreak, Nikki’s characters push through life’s messes and find connection on the other side.
Off the page, she’s touched nearly every part of the book world. She’s designed covers, built websites, written for romance magazines, and hosted reader parties. One even featured a surprise cameo by EL James. After years of creative burnout, Nikki took a step back to care for her family and rekindle her spark.
Now, she writes from her restored farmhouse in Texas Horse Country. Her home, once dubbed “Dump to Dream,” inspires the kind of hope she weaves into every book. Whether it’s a reclusive star in Healing His Heart or a grieving sister in Her Twelve Miracles of Christmas, Nikki’s stories are layered with meaning.
When she’s not writing, she’s sipping tea, reworking her website (again), or dreaming up the next love story that just might change a life.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 17, 2012
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
Burned by Nikki Duncan is book 4 in the Whispering Cove anthology and it is a great friends to lovers story. I really enjoy these types of stories but this one is even more special because of how these two wind up together.
Victoria (Vic) Hayes is a successful business owner, loving daughter, great friend, and hometown girl. She’s content in her life but she wants to marry a man who can fulfill all her dreams. The problem is her perfect man is her best friend and that’s all he sees her as. With a little prodding Vic decides it’s time to make a move.
Hauk Michaelsen is a widower, single dad, pub owner, and volunteer. Raising his daughter and running his pub take up a lot of his time and because of his past; he’s resigned himself to being alone.
Vic and Hauk have been friends forever. They’ve seen each other through ups and downs including deaths, lost loves, and everything in between. Yet, they’ve never crossed the boundary of friendship because it’s meant so much to them. Spurred by a request that the two of them work together to find replacement entertainment for the town’s fall festival and a heartfelt report by Hauk’s daughter, Sophie, Vic decides it’s time to make a move.
So begins the fun “wooing” of Hauk by Vic. She manages to entice him in all sorts of ways and it’s interesting and sexy to watch. Hauk is resistant, because of his past, but Vic just doesn’t let up and it’s delightfully entertaining.
I very much enjoyed Burned by Nikki Duncan. Both Vic and Hauk were great leading characters and the cast of supporting characters were interesting and amusing. While the story line is a familiar one in romance novels, the pursuit was different, engaging, and down right fun! From this one book, I am already invested in Whispering Cove and am truly looking forward to the next two books.
Burned by Nikki Duncan is book 4 in the Whispering Cove anthology and it is a great friends to lovers story. I really enjoy these types of stories but this one is even more special because of how these two wind up together.
Victoria (Vic) Hayes is a successful business owner, loving daughter, great friend, and hometown girl. She’s content in her life but she wants to marry a man who can fulfill all her dreams. The problem is her perfect man is her best friend and that’s all he sees her as. With a little prodding Vic decides it’s time to make a move.
Hauk Michaelsen is a widower, single dad, pub owner, and volunteer. Raising his daughter and running his pub take up a lot of his time and because of his past; he’s resigned himself to being alone.
Vic and Hauk have been friends forever. They’ve seen each other through ups and downs including deaths, lost loves, and everything in between. Yet, they’ve never crossed the boundary of friendship because it’s meant so much to them. Spurred by a request that the two of them work together to find replacement entertainment for the town’s fall festival and a heartfelt report by Hauk’s daughter, Sophie, Vic decides it’s time to make a move.
So begins the fun “wooing” of Hauk by Vic. She manages to entice him in all sorts of ways and it’s interesting and sexy to watch. Hauk is resistant, because of his past, but Vic just doesn’t let up and it’s delightfully entertaining.
I very much enjoyed Burned by Nikki Duncan. Both Vic and Hauk were great leading characters and the cast of supporting characters were interesting and amusing. While the story line is a familiar one in romance novels, the pursuit was different, engaging, and down right fun! From this one book, I am already invested in Whispering Cove and am truly looking forward to the next two books.
October 4, 2012
BURNED by Nikki Duncan
Vic Hayes owns her own salon and is a successful businesswoman. Hauk Michaelson runs the local bar and is a widower raising a young daughter, Sophie, whilst trying to maintain his business. He is determined to be a success for his daughter and also to never fall in love again after loving and losing two women both in tragic circumstances. Vic and Hauk are best friends, she has stood by him during the good and bad periods of his life, she is terrified that admitting to her feelings for this man might ruin the perfect friendship that they have. Until they work together on the Fall festival together which effectively, with a little outside help, throws them together.
There has very rarely been a novel that could make me cry. In one chapter it is steamy and straight into heart and gut wrenching in the next. Nikki captures your heart by sharing with us an essay written for a competition by Sophie, it hits the soft part in your heart, thus putting you in the position of willing the characters to explore a love that you know would be good for both of the main characters. From the moment I read the essay, with tears in my heart you find yourself wishing for them to get together and have a happy ending. After all, with all the heartache that Hauk has gone through, you turn each page hoping that things work out for him. An enjoyable read from start to finish. Looking forward to reading more from Whispering Cove.
-Michelle, www.trindiebooks.com
Vic Hayes owns her own salon and is a successful businesswoman. Hauk Michaelson runs the local bar and is a widower raising a young daughter, Sophie, whilst trying to maintain his business. He is determined to be a success for his daughter and also to never fall in love again after loving and losing two women both in tragic circumstances. Vic and Hauk are best friends, she has stood by him during the good and bad periods of his life, she is terrified that admitting to her feelings for this man might ruin the perfect friendship that they have. Until they work together on the Fall festival together which effectively, with a little outside help, throws them together.
There has very rarely been a novel that could make me cry. In one chapter it is steamy and straight into heart and gut wrenching in the next. Nikki captures your heart by sharing with us an essay written for a competition by Sophie, it hits the soft part in your heart, thus putting you in the position of willing the characters to explore a love that you know would be good for both of the main characters. From the moment I read the essay, with tears in my heart you find yourself wishing for them to get together and have a happy ending. After all, with all the heartache that Hauk has gone through, you turn each page hoping that things work out for him. An enjoyable read from start to finish. Looking forward to reading more from Whispering Cove.
-Michelle, www.trindiebooks.com
July 17, 2012
3.5 Stars
This review was posted at Under the Covers
I enjoyed the previous Whispering Cove anthology so I was really excited to read about the matchmakers again and their antics. In this first short story they decide to pair up Vic Hayes with Hauk Michaelsen. They've been friends their whole lifes. Vic has a crush on Hauk and has been with him, supporting him, during every heartbreak he's had. Now a widower and a single father, he's been relying on her help with his daughter.
Of course with a little bit of meddling they are put in a situation where not only are they working together to find talented singers for the festival, but also some seeds are planted in Hauk's mind about Vic dating someone else.
I wasn't too happy about the fact that he never saw Vic as a woman but all it took was one comment about her having to go on a date after watching his daughter and Hauk was all over her. He admitted that he wasn't attracted to her before, consciously. So if the attraction was there, which obviously was, then it was pushed to the back of his mind.
Still hot and still sweet, a cute romance with a hometown feel. Sometimes I wish I could move to Whispering Cove!
*ARC provided by publisher
This review was posted at Under the Covers
I enjoyed the previous Whispering Cove anthology so I was really excited to read about the matchmakers again and their antics. In this first short story they decide to pair up Vic Hayes with Hauk Michaelsen. They've been friends their whole lifes. Vic has a crush on Hauk and has been with him, supporting him, during every heartbreak he's had. Now a widower and a single father, he's been relying on her help with his daughter.
Of course with a little bit of meddling they are put in a situation where not only are they working together to find talented singers for the festival, but also some seeds are planted in Hauk's mind about Vic dating someone else.
I wasn't too happy about the fact that he never saw Vic as a woman but all it took was one comment about her having to go on a date after watching his daughter and Hauk was all over her. He admitted that he wasn't attracted to her before, consciously. So if the attraction was there, which obviously was, then it was pushed to the back of his mind.
Still hot and still sweet, a cute romance with a hometown feel. Sometimes I wish I could move to Whispering Cove!
*ARC provided by publisher
December 22, 2013
This series has grown on my, each book is a sweet romance that reminds me of those beloved Harlequins, but spiced up with loads of open door bedroom action!!
I really like Hauk and Vic in the previous book and am thrilled they got together here. Sometimes a friends to lovers romance is just what a girl wants to read. Although, Hauk is one of those guys you want to smack in the face with a shovel and say wake up! It didn't take quite so drastic an action but still, he never noticed she was a sexy gal?
This book has some super sweet sappy moments, ya might need tissues handy. I am always a sucker for a heartwarming romance. While the plot is kind of formula, the execution is delightful.
Oh lordy, the smexy scenes are scorchers!! I needed to fan my face several times!! If those old romances had even a pinch of the steam in this book, I never would have stopped reading them!
*Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.*
I really like Hauk and Vic in the previous book and am thrilled they got together here. Sometimes a friends to lovers romance is just what a girl wants to read. Although, Hauk is one of those guys you want to smack in the face with a shovel and say wake up! It didn't take quite so drastic an action but still, he never noticed she was a sexy gal?
This book has some super sweet sappy moments, ya might need tissues handy. I am always a sucker for a heartwarming romance. While the plot is kind of formula, the execution is delightful.
Oh lordy, the smexy scenes are scorchers!! I needed to fan my face several times!! If those old romances had even a pinch of the steam in this book, I never would have stopped reading them!
*Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.*
September 3, 2016
Hauk is under the delusion that every woman that he falls in love with dies. It happened with Sophie's mother and with the woman he gave his heart to after. So he's unwilling to take that leap with Vic. Not only because of his curse but because she's his best friend.
This is a sweet best friends turned lovers romance story. However, unlike most romances, the female is the aggressor in this story. She's set on showing Hauk that they'd be perfect for each other. She definitely pulled some interesting stunts to get him to see the light.
The romance is fast building since they are best friends who've been harboring feelings for each other for a while. Heck even their friends see it coming and help Vic out as much as they can with convincing Hauk.
Whispering Cove is a great series to just jump in whenever a story interests you. Even though this was the fourth in the series, I didn't feel left out. Each story is written by a different author and is about a different set of characters.
This is a sweet best friends turned lovers romance story. However, unlike most romances, the female is the aggressor in this story. She's set on showing Hauk that they'd be perfect for each other. She definitely pulled some interesting stunts to get him to see the light.
The romance is fast building since they are best friends who've been harboring feelings for each other for a while. Heck even their friends see it coming and help Vic out as much as they can with convincing Hauk.
Whispering Cove is a great series to just jump in whenever a story interests you. Even though this was the fourth in the series, I didn't feel left out. Each story is written by a different author and is about a different set of characters.
November 22, 2019
Burned Book 4 by Nikki Duncan
This story is about Vic who's been teamed up with Hauk to work on the festival displays.
She runs the hair salon and hears all the gossip. He runs the bar and has a daughter that he cares very much for.
The mother is no longer in the picture and we learn how and why. Erotic sex scenes.
Love what the daughter, Sophie wishes for every festival.
About the author and her other works are highlighted at the end.
Excerpt from the next book in the series is excerpted.
This story is about Vic who's been teamed up with Hauk to work on the festival displays.
She runs the hair salon and hears all the gossip. He runs the bar and has a daughter that he cares very much for.
The mother is no longer in the picture and we learn how and why. Erotic sex scenes.
Love what the daughter, Sophie wishes for every festival.
About the author and her other works are highlighted at the end.
Excerpt from the next book in the series is excerpted.
July 7, 2012
I am moving to Whispering Cove!!! Hauk is HOT as all the men in Whispering Cove are (hence my move) and Vic is amazing and it is awesome to watch her go for what she wants!!
July 18, 2012
A great little story from The Whispering Cove series
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews