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Home Waters
On windswept Narragansett Bay, an oceanographer and his personal nemesis—linked by two little girls—fight ecological disaster and their own demons.
He has a deep hole in his heart … can his fight to protect the ocean fill it?
World-famous oceanographer Becket Fallon plunged himself into work after his son’s death. But just when he discovers toxic algae threatens the entire East Coast, his sharp tongue costs him his research funding. And as he struggles to find a solution, the three-year-old grandchildren he’s felt duty-bound to avoid show up on his doorstep… in the arms of their attractive step-aunt Lainey Carmichael.
When he refuses to take in the orphaned twins, Lainey makes him an irresistible offer: Let them stay for the summer, and she’ll secure fresh sponsors. Stunned when she succeeds, he loses himself in the environmental battle. He’s terrified he’ll only repeat past mistakes if he lets his new houseguests wriggle their way into his life and heart.
Can Becket save the ocean he loves … and the family he never felt he deserved?
He has a deep hole in his heart … can his fight to protect the ocean fill it?
World-famous oceanographer Becket Fallon plunged himself into work after his son’s death. But just when he discovers toxic algae threatens the entire East Coast, his sharp tongue costs him his research funding. And as he struggles to find a solution, the three-year-old grandchildren he’s felt duty-bound to avoid show up on his doorstep… in the arms of their attractive step-aunt Lainey Carmichael.
When he refuses to take in the orphaned twins, Lainey makes him an irresistible offer: Let them stay for the summer, and she’ll secure fresh sponsors. Stunned when she succeeds, he loses himself in the environmental battle. He’s terrified he’ll only repeat past mistakes if he lets his new houseguests wriggle their way into his life and heart.
Can Becket save the ocean he loves … and the family he never felt he deserved?
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2020
9 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Devlin
1 book9 followersElizabeth Devlin refuses to admit how long ago she decided to write novels, but it was a LONG time ago. She took several detours along the way, serving at US embassies around the world, earning a D.Phil. at Oxford, teaching senior military officers at the Naval War College in Newport, RI (USA), and building her dream house with a view of the water (she needed a place to write, didn't she?).
In her contemporary novel, Home Waters, Elizabeth shares her love of the ocean, family, suspense, and a chance at a happy ever after. She hopes to use her love of baseball in a book one day soon. When she isn’t writing or reading JD Robb books (yet again), she is active in several writing groups and runs a charitable non-profit foundation.
In her contemporary novel, Home Waters, Elizabeth shares her love of the ocean, family, suspense, and a chance at a happy ever after. She hopes to use her love of baseball in a book one day soon. When she isn’t writing or reading JD Robb books (yet again), she is active in several writing groups and runs a charitable non-profit foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 14, 2020
Home Waters is a contemporary novel, set the along coastal Rhode Island. I was immediately drawn into the story starting with the prologue, and I just kept reading through to a satisfying conclusion.
There are good summaries of the story elsewhere, so I will just share my personal reactions as a reader. The character development was excellent. I was able to relate to each of the characters, and appreciate their idiosyncrasies, and flaws. The interpersonal relationships were complex and messy. In the end, each character was still flawed, but had changed and grown. The storyline, focuses attention on environmental problems in coastal waters, with an emphasis on scientific research, and community involvement in solving problems.
In recent years, I have been reading mostly historical fiction. This contemporary novel was a refreshing change. I am not usually a fan of romance, but I was able to go with it because the story was overall engrossing.
Home Waters is an outstanding debut novel by Elizabeth Devlin. I rate it 5 stars.
There are good summaries of the story elsewhere, so I will just share my personal reactions as a reader. The character development was excellent. I was able to relate to each of the characters, and appreciate their idiosyncrasies, and flaws. The interpersonal relationships were complex and messy. In the end, each character was still flawed, but had changed and grown. The storyline, focuses attention on environmental problems in coastal waters, with an emphasis on scientific research, and community involvement in solving problems.
In recent years, I have been reading mostly historical fiction. This contemporary novel was a refreshing change. I am not usually a fan of romance, but I was able to go with it because the story was overall engrossing.
Home Waters is an outstanding debut novel by Elizabeth Devlin. I rate it 5 stars.
January 4, 2021
I read this over Christmas break and finished in three days. It was a page turner. I loved the two main characters and the push-and-pull dynamics of their relationship. The story is set in Rhode Island so that may have added to my love of the story since we spend summers as kids on RI beaches.
November 5, 2020
Elizabeth Devlin brings us a terrific contemporary read, her first time out of the gate! Heroine Lainey Carmichael and her twin nieces will capture your heart as completely as they do hero Becket Fallon's, only you won't want to fight it the way he does. Devlin adeptly blends a slow-growing romance between softhearted Lainey and thorny workaholic Becket with a race against time on two fronts: a potentially catastrophic ecological disaster and a custody battle that could have catastrophic results for the young girls. The result is an engaging page-turner that includes some scary real science along with the strong attraction and lessons-to-be learned for both main characters. I highly recommend this heart-warming, gripping, and highly original story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 17, 2022
About the Book: An invasive toxic algae threatens to decimate the entire Narragansett Bay and its surrounding shoreline. Reclusive oceanographer Becket Fallon is trying to stop the toxic algae threat while simultaneously dealing with an urgent family crisis. He needs help from a non-profit expert Lainey Carmichael who comes at a price. She’ll help get the funding critical to stop Black Tide, but only if he lets her and 3-year-old twins stay with him for the summer. The same twin granddaughters he’s felt duty-bound to avoid.
Home Waters explores the conflicting demands of work to save the bay’s future and a family who needs Becket now.
Our Review: It is rare when we find a book, then read it “cover to cover” in one sitting. Learning something new, no matter the topic, is always a treat—and something we look for to classify it a terrific read. We found that with Home Waters. The concept of a toxic algae, and Black Tide is no different, threatening our home waters is frightening. Author Devlin made this issue easy to understand, then root for Becket and his crew to solve the problem. At the same time, the escalating custody battle over two delightful little girls kept us going. The kids, along with their intrepid Aunt Lainey are forces to behold. And we are better for it.
Based on a scale of 1-5, Home Waters deserves an 8.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
Home Waters explores the conflicting demands of work to save the bay’s future and a family who needs Becket now.
Our Review: It is rare when we find a book, then read it “cover to cover” in one sitting. Learning something new, no matter the topic, is always a treat—and something we look for to classify it a terrific read. We found that with Home Waters. The concept of a toxic algae, and Black Tide is no different, threatening our home waters is frightening. Author Devlin made this issue easy to understand, then root for Becket and his crew to solve the problem. At the same time, the escalating custody battle over two delightful little girls kept us going. The kids, along with their intrepid Aunt Lainey are forces to behold. And we are better for it.
Based on a scale of 1-5, Home Waters deserves an 8.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
November 4, 2020
It's hard to believe this is the first published work by this author. The detail, emotion, and personal struggles are at times riveting yet heart warming. While there is much scientific drama to support the story, it doesn't overwhelm, and it didn't scare off a science-phobe, like me. The tension between hero and heroine grows with each chapter, and the interplay with the two little darling twins keeps the story moving with laughter and pleasure. Strong characters. Intriguing plot. Suspense. So many ingredients mixed to create a perfectly satisfying read. As I approached the last third of the book, I found myself almost out of breath at times, trying to anticipate "what next?" With a powerful ending, that did NOT disappoint, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Ms. Devlin has set the stage for a brilliant career as a novelist, one that I look forward to following.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 3, 2021
The story and characters were believable and interesting. Right from the beginning, I wanted to get to know them and see what happened next.
I loved the references to my home, Rhode Island and my favorite places to be... Narragansett Bay and our beaches.
I highly recommend this book. I've learned that 25% of the proceeds go to Save the Bay, an organization that is very important to the health of Narragansett Bay.
Thank you, Elizabeth Devlin, for writing this book and for helping Save the Bay!
I loved the references to my home, Rhode Island and my favorite places to be... Narragansett Bay and our beaches.
I highly recommend this book. I've learned that 25% of the proceeds go to Save the Bay, an organization that is very important to the health of Narragansett Bay.
Thank you, Elizabeth Devlin, for writing this book and for helping Save the Bay!
November 9, 2020
A well written story with a very good storyline, I was not putting this book down until I had finished reading it. This is a new Author to me and it looks like this is her debut book. This story makes you feel like you are there watching as it unfolds. World-famous oceanographer Becket Fallon, Lainey Carmichael, and his three-year-old granddaughters Angie and Brie's story. Well worth reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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November 12, 2020Home Waters is a wonderful book. It combines both science and romance in an exciting, believable story that is not resolved until the final pages. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it, as I knew I would not sleep without knowing what happened to the characters of whom I had grown so fond. It’s rare to find a novel that will appeal to both scientists and ordinary people, but this one does.
December 11, 2020
Home Waters is a rewarding distraction in these times. It is a well-crafted story with a can't-stop-reading plot. This novel will inspire you to renew and expand your personal endeavors, perspectives on life, and -- most importantly -- family connections. Full disclosure: I received a free copy of the book in advance of publication. This review is my honest opinion.
November 6, 2020
I've read Eco Suspense novels, but hadn't happened across an Eco Romance until Home Waters. It works - Becket is a satisfyingly troubled and irascible hero, and I loved the Black Tide concept. I'll be watching for more books by Elizabeth Devlin!
November 12, 2020
A great read! Elizabeth Devlin’s Home Waters engages readers in a dramatic and heartwarming story. For anyone who cares about family, loves the ocean, or just enjoys a good romance, this book is for you!
April 1, 2021
I love New England settings, and Home Waters is a fast-moving romance steeped in the Rhode Island coastline. I enjoyed the story of two imperfect people finding love, family and healing. This would be a perfect read to take on vacation or relax with at the beach.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews