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Pelican Pointe #8
Lavender Beach
There is courage in each step no matter how small
After losing her leg in Iraq it’s been an uphill battle for Eastlyn Parker. When Nick and Cord decide to confront her in Bakersfield, the ex-helicopter pilot reluctantly agrees that starting over in Pelican Pointe might be the only option for her. It won’t be easy though. She has addiction problems that go beyond her low self-esteem.
After a long absence, Cooper Richmond has come back to his childhood home. In an attempt to escape his own painful memories, he’s traveled the world over as a photographer. But no matter where he goes, he’s locked in an emotional void. His approach to life is merely to get along. He does that with his books and his train store.
But when Eastlyn shows up at Cooper’s shop, their brief encounter blossoms into attraction. Both are cautious. Both have trust issues. But if these two have the courage to leave behind their baggage once and for all, and set their sights on the future, there may still be hope for a happy ending.
After losing her leg in Iraq it’s been an uphill battle for Eastlyn Parker. When Nick and Cord decide to confront her in Bakersfield, the ex-helicopter pilot reluctantly agrees that starting over in Pelican Pointe might be the only option for her. It won’t be easy though. She has addiction problems that go beyond her low self-esteem.
After a long absence, Cooper Richmond has come back to his childhood home. In an attempt to escape his own painful memories, he’s traveled the world over as a photographer. But no matter where he goes, he’s locked in an emotional void. His approach to life is merely to get along. He does that with his books and his train store.
But when Eastlyn shows up at Cooper’s shop, their brief encounter blossoms into attraction. Both are cautious. Both have trust issues. But if these two have the courage to leave behind their baggage once and for all, and set their sights on the future, there may still be hope for a happy ending.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2015
418 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Vickie McKeehan
57 books466 followersVickie's novels have consistently appeared on Amazon’s Top 100 lists in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense and mystery / thriller. She writes what she loves to read -- heartwarming romance laced with suspense, heart-pounding thrillers, and riveting mysteries. Vickie loves to write about compelling and down-to-earth characters in settings that stay with her readers long after they've finished her books.
She's the author of twenty novels and numerous short stories with no plans to slow down. She's looking at a busy 2017, adding a new book, Beneath Winter Sand, to her Pelican Pointe Series and releasing a fifth Skye Cree book, Truth in the Bones. Plus, she has plans to begin a brand new series, in a brand new setting. Stay tuned for updates by subscribing to her mailing list.
Vickie writes full-time. But when she does take a break from banging out the next novel, she loves to get outside. Even though hanging out at the beach is at the top of her list, there's nothing quite like a long, soul-searching walk through the woods, daylight preferred, of course.
To get up-to-date news about what's happening, join Vickie's mailing list at vickiemckeehan.com. Follow her on Facebook.
There's always Twitter. And don't forget her blog, Romance, Suspense, & Chocolate. To check out her books, swing by here.
Check out her website: http://www.vickiemckeehan.com/
Visit her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VickieMcKeehan
Follow her on Twitter: @vickiemckeehan
She's the author of twenty novels and numerous short stories with no plans to slow down. She's looking at a busy 2017, adding a new book, Beneath Winter Sand, to her Pelican Pointe Series and releasing a fifth Skye Cree book, Truth in the Bones. Plus, she has plans to begin a brand new series, in a brand new setting. Stay tuned for updates by subscribing to her mailing list.
Vickie writes full-time. But when she does take a break from banging out the next novel, she loves to get outside. Even though hanging out at the beach is at the top of her list, there's nothing quite like a long, soul-searching walk through the woods, daylight preferred, of course.
To get up-to-date news about what's happening, join Vickie's mailing list at vickiemckeehan.com. Follow her on Facebook.
There's always Twitter. And don't forget her blog, Romance, Suspense, & Chocolate. To check out her books, swing by here.
Check out her website: http://www.vickiemckeehan.com/
Visit her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VickieMcKeehan
Follow her on Twitter: @vickiemckeehan
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
June 29, 2021
A 3 1/2. I got bored with parts of the story. But I did like it and will read more in the series.
May 2, 2016
Good characters, good plot, good ghost :).
January 25, 2019
Another great Pelican Pointe story
Although I have enjoyed all the books in this series so far, there are a few that stand out above the others. Lavender Beach, book #8, is definitely one of those.
Many of the previous installments have delt with issues faced by soldiers returning from Iraq, and I have been impressed that the subject has been handled with appropriate honesty and respect. Keeping in line with the realistic portrayal, I particularly enjoyed the Vet in this episode - a female former Black Hawk pilot, amputee - struggling to find her confidence and purpose since returning from combat. This story does a good job of handling the issues she faces as a former soldier, not giving undue bias as a 'female soldier'.
An outstanding story in an enjoyable series.
Although I have enjoyed all the books in this series so far, there are a few that stand out above the others. Lavender Beach, book #8, is definitely one of those.
Many of the previous installments have delt with issues faced by soldiers returning from Iraq, and I have been impressed that the subject has been handled with appropriate honesty and respect. Keeping in line with the realistic portrayal, I particularly enjoyed the Vet in this episode - a female former Black Hawk pilot, amputee - struggling to find her confidence and purpose since returning from combat. This story does a good job of handling the issues she faces as a former soldier, not giving undue bias as a 'female soldier'.
An outstanding story in an enjoyable series.
September 24, 2017
Fragrance of Lavender
A woman veteran and helicopter pilot got wounded and lost her leg flying out wounded soldiers. Painful rehab and being on powerful pain meds led to an addiction and then losing her license to fly. Saved by her fellow veterans who moved her to a small town after release from the rehab, gave her a new way of life, with friends as well as a touch or romance.
Powerful story of a veteran who rehabilitated herself, and made a big contribution to the community and to her own personal image, and ultimate goal of flying again. A must read.
A woman veteran and helicopter pilot got wounded and lost her leg flying out wounded soldiers. Painful rehab and being on powerful pain meds led to an addiction and then losing her license to fly. Saved by her fellow veterans who moved her to a small town after release from the rehab, gave her a new way of life, with friends as well as a touch or romance.
Powerful story of a veteran who rehabilitated herself, and made a big contribution to the community and to her own personal image, and ultimate goal of flying again. A must read.
December 17, 2024
Heartwarming & Captivating!
This is the 1st book review I've EVER written, and I worked in a public library for 16+ years!
I have loved each installment of the Pelican Pointe Series, by Vickie McKeehan; however, Lavender Beach is my absolute favorite. The combination of romance & suspense over the course of several different story lines is what kept me captivated throughout. I really like the gradual progression of the relationships and the action they created before the eventual HEA that was sure to come.
I can't wait to read the next in this fabulous series!
This is the 1st book review I've EVER written, and I worked in a public library for 16+ years!
I have loved each installment of the Pelican Pointe Series, by Vickie McKeehan; however, Lavender Beach is my absolute favorite. The combination of romance & suspense over the course of several different story lines is what kept me captivated throughout. I really like the gradual progression of the relationships and the action they created before the eventual HEA that was sure to come.
I can't wait to read the next in this fabulous series!
October 28, 2019
Lavender Beach (A Pelican Pointe Novel Book 8)
The love story of Eastlyn and Cooper. Eastlyn is a rescue helicopter pilot who has fell in on hard time. She lost her leg in Iraq and started to use drugs. So Nick and Cord go and get her to bring her back to Pelican Pointe. Can she change her life?
Cooper has start in Pelican Pointe and his mother is in prison and cal him to see her. Now that Eastlyn is in Pelican Pointe and can he find love? Great story.
The love story of Eastlyn and Cooper. Eastlyn is a rescue helicopter pilot who has fell in on hard time. She lost her leg in Iraq and started to use drugs. So Nick and Cord go and get her to bring her back to Pelican Pointe. Can she change her life?
Cooper has start in Pelican Pointe and his mother is in prison and cal him to see her. Now that Eastlyn is in Pelican Pointe and can he find love? Great story.
April 7, 2019
How much better and more complex can these series get? In Lavender Beach we have an unlikely pair; a wounded warrior, veteran copter pilot whose license has been yanked and a wounded survivor of childhood domestic and emotional violence. What could become of their story? How does the insidious meth problem that is plaguing part of the PNW factor into this riveting tale? It is to the author's credit that she kept my interest from the very first sentence. I cannot get enough of this series.
May 31, 2020
Finding peace
As an ex navy medic pilot and coming back state side with a prosthesis on one leg and and a pain killer addiction, scott decided she needed to be in his town. When she finally arrived it didnt take long for her to enjoy the small town and one major reason was cooper. Cooper had a hard time with his past and they both helped each other to make this small town home.
As an ex navy medic pilot and coming back state side with a prosthesis on one leg and and a pain killer addiction, scott decided she needed to be in his town. When she finally arrived it didnt take long for her to enjoy the small town and one major reason was cooper. Cooper had a hard time with his past and they both helped each other to make this small town home.
June 15, 2017
Great
This was a great book and pretty clean. It is about wounded souls that find their lives back again with the help of a ghost. This was a great feel good read and I will add to my read again list.
This was a great book and pretty clean. It is about wounded souls that find their lives back again with the help of a ghost. This was a great feel good read and I will add to my read again list.
December 28, 2018
Great continuation
Great continuation of the town of Pelican Pointe. This town is very community oriented place although trouble is fingering always below the surface. Sometimes trouble boils to the top
Great continuation of the town of Pelican Pointe. This town is very community oriented place although trouble is fingering always below the surface. Sometimes trouble boils to the top
January 25, 2019
Really interesting characters
This story in the series is about a pilot going through a rough time and the town rallying around her. Nice for her to be matched with Cooper. The evil his mom is still capable of is scary. Looking forward to see what happens next.
This story in the series is about a pilot going through a rough time and the town rallying around her. Nice for her to be matched with Cooper. The evil his mom is still capable of is scary. Looking forward to see what happens next.
July 28, 2019
My Review
This story flowed beautifully without getting bogged down in the details. Eastlyn overcomes her disability with courage and hope, but also finds love. An encouraging and loving community for our returning veterans is a necessity in this world.
This story flowed beautifully without getting bogged down in the details. Eastlyn overcomes her disability with courage and hope, but also finds love. An encouraging and loving community for our returning veterans is a necessity in this world.
April 22, 2025
love this series
I’ve read them out of order and only when free. Each is a wonderful story of second chances for good people that are hurting. A ghost that has a good heart and is a real spirt guide makes for good stories.
I’ve read them out of order and only when free. Each is a wonderful story of second chances for good people that are hurting. A ghost that has a good heart and is a real spirt guide makes for good stories.
April 26, 2017
very interesting story, lots of twists and turns
August 8, 2018
Fun reading.
I read most of the books by Vickie McKeehan and I have enjoyed them all. I am a person of few words
I read most of the books by Vickie McKeehan and I have enjoyed them all. I am a person of few words
January 25, 2019
Loved it!
Eastlyn and Cooper are perfect together, they lift each other and share some special moments. I really like this series of stories. Try at least one!
Eastlyn and Cooper are perfect together, they lift each other and share some special moments. I really like this series of stories. Try at least one!
August 16, 2019
Much better
This book feels more along the lines of the original books in the series. I’m loving being a part of this growing little town.
This book feels more along the lines of the original books in the series. I’m loving being a part of this growing little town.
September 4, 2019
Loooveee
Here I am at the end of the eighth book and still my heart just can’t handle all the emotions I get when I get to Scott’s message at the end♥️ I never want this series to end
Here I am at the end of the eighth book and still my heart just can’t handle all the emotions I get when I get to Scott’s message at the end♥️ I never want this series to end
March 25, 2020
Warm story of hope.
Great characters and lots of mystery. Add to that helping others as growing both plants and a community this is a no fail great read.Honestly
Great characters and lots of mystery. Add to that helping others as growing both plants and a community this is a no fail great read.Honestly
January 16, 2024
Terrific to read a female vet's story and loved how it ended. Hope this is the end of Eleanor, she's used up and worn out. Happy endings are enjoyed, and this message from Scott was certainly unique!
May 10, 2024
these get better and better
I love this series. Intriguing and romantic. The best characters with the most beautiful place. I want to move there!
I love this series. Intriguing and romantic. The best characters with the most beautiful place. I want to move there!
January 6, 2019
Love Pelican Pointe!
August 2, 2019
Great story with interesting characters
December 25, 2019
Book Worth Reading
Have followed the entire collection so far. Each story gives you some good life lessons and keeps you wanting to read more.
Have followed the entire collection so far. Each story gives you some good life lessons and keeps you wanting to read more.
June 12, 2025
I didn't realize that this was the 8th book in a series when I started reading this book. 😳 O'well still turned out good and spicy.
June 13, 2020
This is a great book!
It's a heartfelt, intriguing & very moving romance.
The story will pull in from the first word to the last.
Cooper & Eastlyn, along with the other wonderful
characters in it, & the small town charm make it the perfect read.
I loved everything about it!!
It's a heartfelt, intriguing & very moving romance.
The story will pull in from the first word to the last.
Cooper & Eastlyn, along with the other wonderful
characters in it, & the small town charm make it the perfect read.
I loved everything about it!!
May 3, 2016
Lavender Beach is book eight in The Pelican Point series by Vickie McKeehan. It is an excellent romance but also includes some serious things to consider: PSTD, chemical imbalances, drugs, and recovery. The plot isn’t that of a stereotypical romance which makes it all the more interesting. The characters are extremely realistic and well-developed.
Captain Eastlyn Parker came home from a six week stay at a rehab place when she was picked up by Nick Harris and Cord Bennett. Eastlyn was the medivac pilot who flew Nick out of the battlefield and got him to a field hospital in time to save his life. Now Nick intended to do the same for Eastlyn. He and Cord wanted her to leave Bakersfield and go with them to Pelican Pointe to start her life over. After saving Nick, she was on another mission that resulted in her getting her leg blown off and a prosthetic put on. This put an end to her career as a pilot. She became hooked on the prescription drugs she was given and had tried to get off them numerous times. Maybe going to Pelican Pointe would work.
Her life at Pelican Pointe became routine with her working three jobs to make money. Her life takes the beginning of several major turns when she meets Cooper Richmond, the owner of a train and toy store. Search and rescue, stealth spying on a drug making facility, getting involved with the town’s community garden, getting involved with girly activities again, and dealing with a person in prison all makes for an exciting book.
It was so exciting and interesting that I had to complete it in one sitting. Now I need to go back and read the other seven in the series.
Captain Eastlyn Parker came home from a six week stay at a rehab place when she was picked up by Nick Harris and Cord Bennett. Eastlyn was the medivac pilot who flew Nick out of the battlefield and got him to a field hospital in time to save his life. Now Nick intended to do the same for Eastlyn. He and Cord wanted her to leave Bakersfield and go with them to Pelican Pointe to start her life over. After saving Nick, she was on another mission that resulted in her getting her leg blown off and a prosthetic put on. This put an end to her career as a pilot. She became hooked on the prescription drugs she was given and had tried to get off them numerous times. Maybe going to Pelican Pointe would work.
Her life at Pelican Pointe became routine with her working three jobs to make money. Her life takes the beginning of several major turns when she meets Cooper Richmond, the owner of a train and toy store. Search and rescue, stealth spying on a drug making facility, getting involved with the town’s community garden, getting involved with girly activities again, and dealing with a person in prison all makes for an exciting book.
It was so exciting and interesting that I had to complete it in one sitting. Now I need to go back and read the other seven in the series.
March 22, 2016
I wish I could find a lavender beach or Pelican Pointe for that matter!
I've read all eight books released in this series with pleasure! Although the same or similar theme is used in each book, the stories and characters are still fresh and varied enough in each book they kept and held my attention and interest. I would finish one, couldn't wait to read the next one, finished that, and I still wanted more!
You truly have only one way go when you hit rock bottom. I know for a fact that place is downright terrifying. Staying there, however, seems far easier than fighting your way back to enjoying life again; actually achieving your dream from that place seems absolutely impossible -- with the right help, guidance and support, it can be done, and is everyday -- that is a big part of these stories. If you have help from the residents of Pelican Pointe and Scott Phillips (a very permanent resident) you will definitely get there.
My favorite books have nearly always been complex thrillers mixed with murder mysteries and action. This series was quite different for me -- one I was surprised I enjoyed so much. Reading these lighter hearted, leaning-toward-romance novels, that are mixed with: fascinating characters, who have struggles like most of the rest of us, with some mystery and action thrown in, too, has been a fun change from my "norm". Her formula just really worked for me!
I've read all eight books released in this series with pleasure! Although the same or similar theme is used in each book, the stories and characters are still fresh and varied enough in each book they kept and held my attention and interest. I would finish one, couldn't wait to read the next one, finished that, and I still wanted more!
You truly have only one way go when you hit rock bottom. I know for a fact that place is downright terrifying. Staying there, however, seems far easier than fighting your way back to enjoying life again; actually achieving your dream from that place seems absolutely impossible -- with the right help, guidance and support, it can be done, and is everyday -- that is a big part of these stories. If you have help from the residents of Pelican Pointe and Scott Phillips (a very permanent resident) you will definitely get there.
My favorite books have nearly always been complex thrillers mixed with murder mysteries and action. This series was quite different for me -- one I was surprised I enjoyed so much. Reading these lighter hearted, leaning-toward-romance novels, that are mixed with: fascinating characters, who have struggles like most of the rest of us, with some mystery and action thrown in, too, has been a fun change from my "norm". Her formula just really worked for me!
April 27, 2016
This is a great read with a number of subplots. I enjoyed both the main characters and those who reappear from previous Pelican Pointe stories. There are a couple points when one has to suspend reality and simply go along with the plot, but that's ok.
I would suggest reading the previous books in the series so you understand who the characters are, especially Scott, but I guess this could also be a stand alone.
I would suggest reading the previous books in the series so you understand who the characters are, especially Scott, but I guess this could also be a stand alone.
May 21, 2016
Small towns
I love this series! Loved seeing that Scott, our towns neighborhood ghost, is still around and helping when he can. Living in a small town is great, everyone is for you or... Yup, against you as everyone knows everything going on. No secrets for anyone in town. Ah the joy and pain of small towns. And getting the drug dealers out of business and out of town becomes a top priority. Loved it!!!
I love this series! Loved seeing that Scott, our towns neighborhood ghost, is still around and helping when he can. Living in a small town is great, everyone is for you or... Yup, against you as everyone knows everything going on. No secrets for anyone in town. Ah the joy and pain of small towns. And getting the drug dealers out of business and out of town becomes a top priority. Loved it!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews