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Oranges for Miranda
Miranda Porter, an award-winning businesswoman, leaves home to transition into retirement. Always in control, this is her time to have fun without plans and responsibilities. Enter Renato Monteiro, a considerate Portuguese tour guide with secrets. Miranda isn’t looking for a long-term relationship. Could her senses be finding love in this unlikely place? Can a vacation romance survive the distance?Renato Monteiro has decisions to make. Stay in his birth country where his female relatives want him to marry a young woman who can give him children. Or does he return to his second home, where he has a purpose and has built a life without children? The day Miranda and he bumped heads changes his perspective and his pursuit. Now he must decide which is most the family he was born into or the family he chooses.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2021
10 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Annette Bower
9 books184 followersAuthor of short stories published in anthologies and magazines in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Annette writes contemporary novels with a nod to social issues.
Her novel, Woman of Substance explores women's relationship to their body image and also being an adult orphan, and ends with love.
Her novel, Moving On explores grief, rehabilitation for a returned home Canadian soldier, and friendship growing into love.
Her third novel, Fearless Destiny, looks at adults discovering their own path in life and a community that accepts inclusion. This novel also explores intentional love.
Ponytails and Promises explore strong women needing assistance from a nurturing male.
Oranges for Miranda is a mature hero and heroine who have never met before. They do not have a history.
Follow the Swallow Home is heartwarming and cautious love.
Student of virtual book promotion.
Townie bicycle rider.
Traveller, soon to return to Portugal's Algarve.
Walker and short marathon walker whose fitness tracker tells her she has walked 8,400,000 steps since Sept. 2013. This indicates that sometimes she is a slug while her butt is in the chair and her fingers are on the keyboard.
She has a website at: www.annettebower.com and sends out a newsletter on the third Thursday of every month.
Annette writes contemporary novels with a nod to social issues.
Her novel, Woman of Substance explores women's relationship to their body image and also being an adult orphan, and ends with love.
Her novel, Moving On explores grief, rehabilitation for a returned home Canadian soldier, and friendship growing into love.
Her third novel, Fearless Destiny, looks at adults discovering their own path in life and a community that accepts inclusion. This novel also explores intentional love.
Ponytails and Promises explore strong women needing assistance from a nurturing male.
Oranges for Miranda is a mature hero and heroine who have never met before. They do not have a history.
Follow the Swallow Home is heartwarming and cautious love.
Student of virtual book promotion.
Townie bicycle rider.
Traveller, soon to return to Portugal's Algarve.
Walker and short marathon walker whose fitness tracker tells her she has walked 8,400,000 steps since Sept. 2013. This indicates that sometimes she is a slug while her butt is in the chair and her fingers are on the keyboard.
She has a website at: www.annettebower.com and sends out a newsletter on the third Thursday of every month.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 7, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5.0
A sweet contemporary romance, this book tackles a mixture of love found later in life, and major life changes after retirement.
Read full review in the 2021 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
A sweet contemporary romance, this book tackles a mixture of love found later in life, and major life changes after retirement.
Read full review in the 2021 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 1, 2021
Miranda is in transition. Her daily decisions are no longer about clients, contracts, and for sale signs. She’s left her business to her children. To keep from intervening in their new roles, she buys an open ended ticket to Portugal. She’s contemplating her future, when she meets Renato. Renato returns to Portugal when he inherits his grandmother’s house. His family wants him to stay. To marry. And, even though he’s only a decade away from retirement, to have children.
Miranda is very self-sufficient and very independent. So, is Renato. Drawn to each other, they both must decide what they are willing to risk and what they must leave behind. I love stories about real people in everyday situations. I think that’s one of the things Annette Bower does best. She gives us real characters in real communities that we enjoy getting to know because they are interesting and invested in people and what’s happening around them.
Oranges for Miranda is a sweet slow burn that encourages people to take a chance. To take a look around. To see the possibilities. And that it’s never too late to fall in love.
Miranda is very self-sufficient and very independent. So, is Renato. Drawn to each other, they both must decide what they are willing to risk and what they must leave behind. I love stories about real people in everyday situations. I think that’s one of the things Annette Bower does best. She gives us real characters in real communities that we enjoy getting to know because they are interesting and invested in people and what’s happening around them.
Oranges for Miranda is a sweet slow burn that encourages people to take a chance. To take a look around. To see the possibilities. And that it’s never too late to fall in love.
November 6, 2022
This is a story that starts a bit slowly, the author pulls the reader in slowly and before long, it becomes a book that has the reader’s full attention without realizing when it happened. I like the idea that both of our main characters are not in their 20s, but a middle aged couple that have to navigate both a cultural difference and their families. Miranda handing over the reins of the business to her very capable adult kids and vacationing in Portugal brings more than Miranda ever hoped for.
This isn’t the first book I’ve read from this author, and she’s able to describe the places and people so well, that you feel like you’re actually there. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day someone talked about Portugal and I would know what they were talking about! I have a habit of looking at images from different countries and areas described in books that I’m reading for better being able to picture it as I go along, and with this author, it was spot on. A nice, sweet romance that will warm your soul and the title is perfect, except I’m not telling.
This isn’t the first book I’ve read from this author, and she’s able to describe the places and people so well, that you feel like you’re actually there. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day someone talked about Portugal and I would know what they were talking about! I have a habit of looking at images from different countries and areas described in books that I’m reading for better being able to picture it as I go along, and with this author, it was spot on. A nice, sweet romance that will warm your soul and the title is perfect, except I’m not telling.
December 5, 2021
Oranges for Miranda is a beautifully written, gentle story about a woman at a transition point in her life. She’s retiring from a company that she inherited from her family, grew, and is happily handing over to her children. But, as is often the case, her identity is tied to her job. She embarks on a journey to idyllic Portugal to give herself time and space to contemplate what her next step will be. The vivid descriptions of Portugal take you there. When a stranger offers Miranda two oranges, Miranda carries them as a talisman – to remind her of beauty, caring, generosity, and, really, love. Miranda wasn’t sure if she would settle in Portugal but her heart takes her back to her native Canada – and love and life blossoms there. I loved that Miranda was open to adventure, but that she always stayed true to who she really is. The author takes you on a thought-provoking, lovely escape and gives you pause to reflect on identity, life, and love. Highly recommended.
January 13, 2022
Charming seasoned romance set in Portugal and Canada. Real Estate entrepreneur Miranda is used to having a map for her life. Retiring, and leaving her successful company to her two children was like a jump off a cliff. She moves to Portugal to give herself space and distance. Who is she now that she's no longer defined by career?
Renato Montiero has come home to deal with his grandmother's house and belongings. He has a career in Canada, but his family wants him home, married to a young woman who can give him babies.
When he meets Miranda, sparks fly. Their romance is set against the charms of the Algarve region of Portugal. When business calls them both back to Canada they have to decide what they really want for their lives. Great characters. I loved learning about Portugal and Saskatchewan. After reading it, I realized this was part of a series, but it is a great standalone.
Renato Montiero has come home to deal with his grandmother's house and belongings. He has a career in Canada, but his family wants him home, married to a young woman who can give him babies.
When he meets Miranda, sparks fly. Their romance is set against the charms of the Algarve region of Portugal. When business calls them both back to Canada they have to decide what they really want for their lives. Great characters. I loved learning about Portugal and Saskatchewan. After reading it, I realized this was part of a series, but it is a great standalone.
Want to Read
February 12, 2022Miranda Porter, an award-winning businesswoman, leaves home to transition into retirement. Always in control, this is her time to have fun without plans and responsibilities. Enter Renato Monteiro, a considerate Portuguese tour guide with secrets. Miranda isn’t looking for a long-term relationship. Could her senses be finding love in this unlikely place? Can a vacation romance survive the distance?
Renato Monteiro has decisions to make. Stay in his birth country where his female relatives want him to marry a young woman who can give him children. Or does he return to his second home, where he has a purpose and has built a life without children? The day Miranda and he bumped heads changes his perspective and his pursuit. Now he must decide which is most important: the family he was born into or the family he chooses.
Renato Monteiro has decisions to make. Stay in his birth country where his female relatives want him to marry a young woman who can give him children. Or does he return to his second home, where he has a purpose and has built a life without children? The day Miranda and he bumped heads changes his perspective and his pursuit. Now he must decide which is most important: the family he was born into or the family he chooses.
September 26, 2021
Oranges for Miranda is another one of Annette's books that will warm your heart. It's a book that you put your feet up, snuggle into a comfortable chair with a cup of tea and just enjoy. Miranda has retired and left the family business to her two adult children to run and has traveled to Albufeira to decide what the next chapter of her life will take her. Renato has returned to his homeland to settle family business, neither are looking for romance. Love finds you when you are least expecting it and at whatever age. This was a lovely story and brought back many lovely memories of my time in Albufeira.
March 10, 2022
Miranda after many years of working, decides to leave her real estate company to her children and go off to find herself. She lands in a small town in Portugal and that is where she meets Renato a native of the country who had gone to Canada to work. Can their summer romance lead to something more serious? Will their close family ties prevent them from having their happy ending?
A nice romantic story that proves that love wins out.
A nice romantic story that proves that love wins out.
February 9, 2022
Oranges for Miranda by Annette Bower is a gentle and beautiful story. Miranda is a business woman who has recently retired and set on a vacation to picturesque Portugal. Renato is a native Portuguese, who has come back home and looking to start a business. None of them are looking for love and romance though. But of course, things are life don’t always happen according to our plans.
July 4, 2022
A new locale from this writer. An enjoyable romance for us older gals.
June 9, 2024
Always love when I step out of my normal reading that I come across a good read. This was no disappointment! Very charming book!
April 29, 2024
Are you up for a good read that takes breaks free of the confines of the ordinary and predictable? Then Oranges for Miranda, by Annette Bower, is the book for you.
Picture this: Miranda Porter, a powerhouse in the business world, is stepping into the golden years of retirement. It’s not all about sipping tea and watching sunsets, though. She’s on a journey of self-discovery that takes a turn into adventure when she meets Renato Monteiro, a thoughtful tour guide with loads of irresistible Portuguese charm.
It isn’t all about mushy forget-me-nots whispered in their ears and scooting around Portugal. The author explores deeper themes about the family you’re born with versus the family you choose. It is about a journey of letting go of the reins, embracing the unknown, finding joy in the unplanned, and questioning if a vacation fling can stand the test of time and distance.
No story is perfect. Some might find this one a tad predictable or that Miranda and Renato need a little more depth. The pacing may be a bit slow in places and the ending leaves some wanting more.
In a nutshell, Oranges for Miranda is a heartfelt nod to the seasoned side of love and the crossroads we all face in life and love. It’s about finding new paths and asking, “What’s next?” So, if you’re up for a romance that’s as deep and satisfying as a well-aged wine, grab a glass, sit back, and sink into this read.
Picture this: Miranda Porter, a powerhouse in the business world, is stepping into the golden years of retirement. It’s not all about sipping tea and watching sunsets, though. She’s on a journey of self-discovery that takes a turn into adventure when she meets Renato Monteiro, a thoughtful tour guide with loads of irresistible Portuguese charm.
It isn’t all about mushy forget-me-nots whispered in their ears and scooting around Portugal. The author explores deeper themes about the family you’re born with versus the family you choose. It is about a journey of letting go of the reins, embracing the unknown, finding joy in the unplanned, and questioning if a vacation fling can stand the test of time and distance.
No story is perfect. Some might find this one a tad predictable or that Miranda and Renato need a little more depth. The pacing may be a bit slow in places and the ending leaves some wanting more.
In a nutshell, Oranges for Miranda is a heartfelt nod to the seasoned side of love and the crossroads we all face in life and love. It’s about finding new paths and asking, “What’s next?” So, if you’re up for a romance that’s as deep and satisfying as a well-aged wine, grab a glass, sit back, and sink into this read.
July 3, 2023
I purchased this book directly from the author. I've read Annette's other publications and have never been disappointed. Oranges for Miranda is a wonderful story of a woman in transition who finds love. It's a light story with hope and romance. A great summer read!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews