The Gift At Sugar Sand Inn

Sugar Sand Beach #1

by Leigh Duncan

Escape to Sugar Sand Beach with Michelle Robinson and her best friends for a second chance at all life has to offer.

At forty-five, Michelle has a great life. A husband who loves her. Two children on the fast track to success. A beautiful home in the rolling hills of Virginia. And three of the best friends a girl could ever want.

But with the sudden death of Michelle’s husband of twenty-five years, her life turns upside down.

Forced to sell their forever home and at odds with her children, Michelle faces a bleak future. Until an unexpected inheritance starts her on a path paved with bright possibilities.

Join Michelle, Reggie, Nina and Erin as they journey to Sugar Sand Beach where fresh opportunities for life, love and happiness are as limitless as the blue Florida skies.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Friendship, Ebooks

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2021

About the author

Leigh Duncan is an Amazon best-selling author and a National Readers' Choice Award winner, the author of more than two dozen novels, novellas and short stories. However, the biggest thrill of her career--so far!--came when she saw her book, Journey Back to Christmas, featured on the Home and Family Show after Hallmark Publishing chose Journey to introduce its new line of romance novels. Her newest Hallmark Publishing release, A Simple Wedding, and her upcoming A Cottage Wedding (6/2/20) are the first of several books in Leigh's Heart's Landing series. These sweet, contemporary romances take place in a small town known as America's Top Wedding Destination, and each book centers on one couple who fall in love in Heart's Landing.

Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she loves to stay in touch with readers through social media. Find her at www.facebook.com/LeighDuncanBooks, or visit her website at www.leighduncan.com.

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Four friends find new lives in sunny Florida as they deal with their current heartaches. I enjoyed their close sisterhood. On to the second story!

[Pj Ausdenmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn launches Duncan's new women's fiction series about four women, best friends, each at a crossroads in her life, who are offered the unexpected opportunity to take a new path. It's heart-tugging, complicated, hopeful, and inspiring.

In this first book, Duncan introduces us to four fully-developed and complex characters. While Michelle takes center stage, we begin to know all four friends and dip into their individual stories as they are tested by complicated family relationships, workplace manipulation, and personal betrayal. I'm intrigued by each of them, already forming attachments, fully invested in their stories, and eager to discover where this new adventure will take them. It will be fun to watch them bring a forgotten, Florida-beachfront, Queen Anne home to life again with a new purpose as they - hopefully - do the same for themselves, with the possibility of new romance to sweeten the deal.

If you enjoy female friendships, mature characters (mid-thirties to mid-forties), new life adventures, and the beach (who doesn't love the beach?), give The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn a try. The remaining four books will all be released this year and I am eager to read all of them.

[Linda Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes what you're looking for comes when you're not looking at all...

The Gift of Sugar Sand Inn was a dream to read. It was so easy to relate to these four amazing women. Michelle Robinson at age 45 believed and felt lucky to have an amazing life. But the world came crashing down with the sudden death of her husband. She was at a loss at what to do. She knew she had to make some difficult decisions and her 2 children would definitely not be on board if she had to sell their home.

The one saving grace was her very best friends in the world. Reggie, Erin and Nina. They always had her back and were her support system. Michelle has been mourning her loss for over a year now. As if that was not enough to take an emotional toll on herself, unexpected news has her reeling even more. It could change her life forever. She is definitely in for a very bumpy ride.

I did not want this story to end, but knowing that there are more stories ahead for these women softened the blow.

[Kay Bratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leigh Duncan knows how to hook you for a series and this one is not any different!

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE GIFT AT SUGAR SANDS INN..
......LEIGH..Duncan
Michelle a life that was full,, a year later a list of three things to do for the day. Dress, brush teeth, check mail. Grief was different for the twins back at the university. A letter of inheritance if the DNA matched, a beach house that had been sitting vacant for years. With her friends and we’re they were at, the idea of independence to buy and restore as an Inn
Nina would start small, then later offer dinners, she would be her own chef.
Reggie seeing the possibility with the landscaping and what it could be.
Erin, the idea of all the tours that could be offered, being close to the beach. An opportunity to use their talents, and to greet mid life with new challenges. Beautiful story seeing things differently for these four friends.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

The four women in this story were close knit friends since childhood. They had each other's backs and were always only a phone call away. I really liked that. How lucky the main character, Michelle was to have them to help her navigate her new life and how remarkable they were there for her on the one year anniverary of her husband's death and the aftermath she was facing. Her husband had taken all of their savings and retirememt money and invested it in starting up his own business after he was layed off. Now everything was gone and she had to sell their house and get a job. She was a stay at home mom to their twins who were now twenty one and in college. I liked the surprises in the story and their road trip too. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Patricia Sue Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendships, loyalty, struggles , reality everything in life may not turn out the way you would have liked but, it’s going to be ok! Leigh Duncan has drawn me in to these characters from the start. Her descriptions throughout the book make you feel as if you are there with them. The Sugar Sand Inn sounds magical.

I am totally invested and can’t wait for book 2 and to see where Michelle, Erin, Regina and Nina go in their life journey at The Sugar Sand Inn.

These 4 friends are definitely friendship goals!

Cheers to Leigh and to the rest of this story! I can’t wait to see what happens with the handsome lawyer. Maybe life does begin in your 40’s

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the new series about Sugar Sand Inn. It is truly an introduction to all of the main characters. This book has a main focus on Michelle but I have a feeling her story has just begun as the end of this book is a cliffhanger leading on to the rest of the books in the series. The story kept me engaged and I stayed up to finish it on night 2. I almost wish this was done as a large hard back version so I could continue to read on for the rest of the stories. I feel like I may need to come back an re-read this one before the next book in May.
Leigh Duncan is a wonderful storyteller who draws you right into the setting of the story you are reading. If there was a Sugar Sand Inn I would be packing my bags now!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Friends supporting each other and starting new adventures was the basis, but the wording and how the story was told was wonderful. I don't know this author, but I'm preordering the next book in the series right now.
Michelle lost her husband a year ago, and now she's going to lose the house they had lived in forever. Her friends help her fix it up for a buyer, but her 2 college kids are not happy. When something unexpected happens, she is hestitant to hope for the best. Once again, her friends come to her aid and show her how her life could change for the better

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise - romance.movies.and.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written story. You can feel the emotion oozing off the page. The characters in this book are so relatable.

I know that this is the first book in the series and it is just setting the scene for upcoming books but if they are anything like this book they will be sensational.

This book is full of raw emotions and personal drama. This book shows the true meaning of friends.

I cannot wait to read more in this series and see how these women grow, support and guide each other through any rough seas at Destin, Sugar Sand Beach.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review.

[Delores · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful start to a new series in what seems to me to be more women’s fiction instead of romance as a genre. Four women, best friends, who have gone separate ways in their lives but still remain close. When tragedy strikes one, they rally to help her cope, and as their lives and situations play out, the bond continues to strengthen. Each character, her personality, occupation and conflict is well thought out, melding into a heartwarming story of friendships and challenges. I am absolutely looking forward to the next book in the series. I especially enjoyed the mention of Fairfax, VA as a setting, as I live just a county away.

[Pat Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book my flight! This is such a riveting book. I’m not sure which of the four heroines I liked best—Michelle, Reggie, Nina, or Erin, but I can identify with every one of them even though their life stories are very different. This is the first in a series of stories. The characterizations of each woman and their interrelationships are done so well that you barely notice that you are reading instead of meeting them. The background of Sugar Sand Beach set the stage for what’s coming—and I can’t wait! These stories take place in paradise and are so lifelike that I will be booking a flight soon for Destin. One of the most enthralling books I’ve read in some time.

[Katherine Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift At Sugar Sand Inn was a thought provoking story of a group of women who face their late 30’s and 40’s with troubles you hope never happen to you. Divorce, loss of a spouse, loss of a coveted job and a need to settle in one place. These are all issues that happen in real life to real people. I loved it! The story that is not the heartache suffered. Moving to a whole new state with your best friends is a good way to start your life over and see what comes next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cecly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this first in a series, The Sugar Sand Inn on a balmy Florida beach is the destination of four friends whose lives implode in cold dreary Virginia.
Leigh Duncan, (my first read of her novels) introduces four women, Michelle, Erin, Regina, and Nina, who have come to feel as though I have known them all my life, who are like me, battling through issues of friendship, loyalty in love, and most of all the reality of just being alive in today's toxic environment.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can understand what this family is going through as my father passed away when I was eighteen luckily for my mom her house got paid off when my dad died but she does have friends to help her through everything she's going through unlike my mother. Picking up the pieces can be hard but if you are strong like these four woman are you can get through anything. Great book and I will be recommending it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaylee Nizza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heartwarming story. The friends that have your back always are absolutely fantastic. Finding out who your birth mother is and what she left which a fresh start in a new town. You can't ask for more than that with your friends by your side.
Once you start this heartfelt story you won't be able to put it down.
If you haven't read any of Leigh Duncan you are missing out on great stories.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn ~ Sugar Sand Inn bk 1 by Leigh Duncan.
A great new book, to go with a brand new author to me, A well-written story that kept me entertained from start to finish Everything - the plot, the characters and the dialogue -made this story captivating.
Looking forward to book 2, 5*

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book without letting a spoiler slip out? It's well written and full of emotions. The author brings the story to life with her words; you can feel the emotions, see the scenery and you feel like you are there. I loved this book and can't wait to read the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula Dabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say. Again Lee Duncan it’s it out of the park with this book. It involves for women but the main character Michelle has lost her husband and her will. It really touches the persons heart. Each woman has struggles that they must overcome. I can’t give the best parts away so I will leave it at that. Again, I can’t emphasize enough what a good read this is.
I am a reader for this book

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the lives of four good friends in Fairfax VA unravel, an amazing opportunity for them opens up in Sugar Sand Beach, Florida.

This introduction to the series tells of their troubles and leads them to FL.

Great intro to the friends!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters with interesting dialogue and good interaction. Some twists and turns with plenty of drama thrown in. Complex relationships and characters. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shana Barmoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read! Couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen with each of the friends. Loved being able to see from each of the friend’s perspectives! I wish I could visit Sugar Sand Beach!! Can’t wait for the next one!!

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn is a sweet story about friendship and embracing life’s changes. This book was recommended by my mom, and I found the story to be well-written and an easy read. The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn is the first in a series, with this installment focusing on Michelle, a widow dealing with the one-year anniversary of the unexpected death of her husband, and the resulting financial troubles in her life. Her three friends come for an impromptu visit at the same time she learns something about her past, providing an interesting turn in all of their lives.

I honestly liked all of the women, and look forward to following their story in the next installment.

[Scherry at The Novel Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! This is my new favorite series by Leigh Duncan! Written in her same style of charismatic characters and descriptions so vivid you think you're right there sitting in the sand with them!

Four friends, each with different lives, come together in the way that true girlfriends do. This book was warm and captivating and leaves the reader feeling that even in the worst of times, life can turn around for the better. I didn't want the book to end and I can't wait to read the next book in this series!!

Thank you Leigh Duncan for making me smile!

*Disclosure: I received a complimentary advance copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift At Sugar Sand Inn ( Sugar Sand Beach #1 )
By: Leigh Duncan
The Gift At Sugar Sand Inn is the start of a brand new series by Leigh Duncan. Loved this story. Full of emotions, lost, and friends. There were times when i had tears in my eyes. Michelle at forty-five has it all till a sudden death happens. What will she do? What will she find as she and her friends travels to Sugar Sand Beach? Loved this and can’t wait till the next book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Donna Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book about friendship. Loved how the four friends lives had gone in different directions, but when one was in need, they all came together to help and support. Each friend having her own life issues to deal with. This book proves that friends can be forever.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A once in a lifetime

I so much enjoyed getting to know all the women characters , what a tight knit group that love and support one another as they go from one bad season to a wonderful new season. I look forward their next season .

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series start

I so enjoyed this book. The story of friendship and resilience of these 4 women was so heartwarming. I can’t wait to continue the series. Also the author is new to me and when finished with this series will check her other books.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from Leigh Duncan, but definitely not my last! I loved this story, these characters, the writing. It only took a few chapters for me to know I needed to add the entire series to my reading list, and I can't wait to get through this series. I am a new fan.

[Cynthia_entrelineas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un feel good book! Una luz siempre al final del tunel! Ademas me encantan esos pueblitos donde todo es posible! Pero quiero saber mas! 2 book! Siguiente!