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Safe Harbor
Beneath the quiet charm of Martha's Vineyard, trouble is brewing. A beautiful con woman has brought her latest scheme to the exclusive island community and is wreaking havoc with several lives. Talented local artist Holly Anderson has a vested interest in exposing this conniving vixen who brazenly seduced her father into a scandalous affair and a reckless game of theft, blackmail, and possible murder. Then there's Sam Steadman, a man with a few secrets of his own. The darkly handsome photographer has come to the island to track down the thief who stole the only worthwhile possession his parents owned. Soon it's clear that Sam and Holly are after the same woman. And as lives and hearts collide, they've got to decide if they're enemies or allies, strangers...or something much, much more."Stockenberg is a fresh, exciting voice. Her writing is delicious!" --Jayne Ann Krentz"Ms. Stockenberg takes her place alongside LaVyrle Spencer as a writer of depth and perception." --Under the Covers Book Reviews"Antoinette Stockenberg is one of my all-time favorite authors...As far as I'm concerned, [she] is the only writer working today who could be an heir to Mary Stewart's romantic suspense crown." --Teresa Medeiros
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First published April 15, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 30, 2016
If SAFE HARBOR was made into a movie it would be right at home on the Lifetime channel. It is a light romance with some humorous moments, some mystery/suspense, and a carnival of family issues. Holly Anderson's father, Eric, left her mother, Charlotte, after thirty-plus years of marriage for a much-younger woman. He was a probate attorney for an old established firm. His family thought of him as a quiet man who preferred to talk business or about his hobby: ships. So when he told his wife that he was leaving her for Erin and wanted a divorce all in one swoop, her life fell apart.
At the same time, in another state, Sam Steadmon was listening to his elderly adopted parents tell him how Erin, his ex-wife, was suppose to have gotten a family valuable appraised but she never returned it to them. Sam knew Erin for what she was: a con-artist, someone who had a gift for b-s. He should know, he witnessed it often enough before finally divorcing her. With a little investigating he located where she might be and took off for Martha's Vineyard.
The nicest part of this piece of women's fiction was the constant quibbling between Sam and Holly. He has a habit of screwing things up when he opens his mouth and blurts out a white lie. He feels the need to keep her in the dark about his old relationship with Erin. And even though he tells himself he has been over his ex-wife for years, it appears as though he still might be attracted to her. In turn, Holly does her best to try to resolve her parents' issues while pursuing Sam. They walk a tightrope while trying to get their act together.
SAFE HARBOR was nicely written but like other reviewers made note, it was fairly predictable. And as much as I liked Sam and Holly, I did not bond with them. I have a nasty habit of rereading passages of a story if I am deeply interested in the main characters. It never happened with this romance.
At the same time, in another state, Sam Steadmon was listening to his elderly adopted parents tell him how Erin, his ex-wife, was suppose to have gotten a family valuable appraised but she never returned it to them. Sam knew Erin for what she was: a con-artist, someone who had a gift for b-s. He should know, he witnessed it often enough before finally divorcing her. With a little investigating he located where she might be and took off for Martha's Vineyard.
The nicest part of this piece of women's fiction was the constant quibbling between Sam and Holly. He has a habit of screwing things up when he opens his mouth and blurts out a white lie. He feels the need to keep her in the dark about his old relationship with Erin. And even though he tells himself he has been over his ex-wife for years, it appears as though he still might be attracted to her. In turn, Holly does her best to try to resolve her parents' issues while pursuing Sam. They walk a tightrope while trying to get their act together.
SAFE HARBOR was nicely written but like other reviewers made note, it was fairly predictable. And as much as I liked Sam and Holly, I did not bond with them. I have a nasty habit of rereading passages of a story if I am deeply interested in the main characters. It never happened with this romance.
April 17, 2011
Safe Harbor is an exquisite jewel shining brightly with characters that shoot off the page & engulf your heart with soul searing scrumptiousness.
Stockenberg is a brilliant wordsmith who crafts complex and enthralling characters – even her secondary characters stand out and compel the reader to take notice of their role in this captivating novel.
Safe Harbor is rich with laughter, love, intrigue and relationships that resonate the deepest part of your soul. The New England setting of Martha’s Vineyard is plush, atmospheric & a character all its own.
Safe Harbor is fast –paced, entertaining and touching. Safe Harbor showcases the intensity, awareness and fresh voice Stockenberg brings to the genre of women’s fiction, romance or contemporary fiction. Definitely one to add to your list of beach toting reads!
Stockenberg is a brilliant wordsmith who crafts complex and enthralling characters – even her secondary characters stand out and compel the reader to take notice of their role in this captivating novel.
Safe Harbor is rich with laughter, love, intrigue and relationships that resonate the deepest part of your soul. The New England setting of Martha’s Vineyard is plush, atmospheric & a character all its own.
Safe Harbor is fast –paced, entertaining and touching. Safe Harbor showcases the intensity, awareness and fresh voice Stockenberg brings to the genre of women’s fiction, romance or contemporary fiction. Definitely one to add to your list of beach toting reads!
June 13, 2018
I have enjoyed other books by this author but this one not so much. I found myself rushing and skipped parts just to get finished. The plot was just a little unbelievable. Holly looks at Sam and is in love! Please!
October 7, 2020
Nice story, but a bit too drawn out
While most of the characters were charming, the story could have been tighter. The characters seemed to be running in circles for much of the novel.
While most of the characters were charming, the story could have been tighter. The characters seemed to be running in circles for much of the novel.
February 24, 2020
This was a really good story set place in Martha's Vinyard. Really enjoyed it.
February 13, 2017
Sam Steadman discovers that his estranged wife of 7 years has taken a valuable engraving from his trusting adoptive parents in the guise of selling it for them. In fact, she plans to sell it and take the money. But, she gets involved with a shady dealer and now is on the run. She hooks up with an older married man with a yacht and hopes to escape with him. The married man is the father of Holly Anderson, folk artist living om Martha’s Vineyard. Sam and Martha cross paths and realize they are after the same woman; Sam to recover the money for his parents and Holly to knock some sense in to her father who has hurt her mother by escaping with a young woman. They do have a push-pull love tension throughout the story. I did like the story and the back drop of Martha’s Vineyard. Enjoyed the story, too. 8 stars. (1.29 to 2.11.17)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2020
I had completely forgotten that I'd read this book about 8 years ago. I rated it 2 stars then; I'd probably give it a 2.5 now.
Holly Anderson is a folk artist living on Martha's Vineyard. On her 30th birthday, her mother drops by to announce that her father is having an affair with a woman to whom Holly had rented the apartment above her studio. He's asked for a divorce and is sailing up and down the New England coast with his love interest, Eden.
Sam Steadman had married Eden 8 years ago, only to have her run off - she's a con woman with a warrant out for her arrest for bilking older people of their savings - a year later. Before she left, she told Sam she was pregnant. When Eden cons his parents out of money and a valuable engraving, Sam decides to track her down.
Sam and Holly don't hit it off. She's angry at her father and can tell that Sam, who first claims to be a lawyer, then a PI, is lying. She's also suspicious because he claims he barely knows Eden, but keeps slipping up and making comments about "that's just like her," etc.
When Sam finally tells Holly the truth about the engraving, they work together to find Eden and Eric, Holly's father. Of course, they fall in love, though I didn't get a lot of chemistry between the two. The plot was unrealistic and contrived and, at times, boring.
Holly Anderson is a folk artist living on Martha's Vineyard. On her 30th birthday, her mother drops by to announce that her father is having an affair with a woman to whom Holly had rented the apartment above her studio. He's asked for a divorce and is sailing up and down the New England coast with his love interest, Eden.
Sam Steadman had married Eden 8 years ago, only to have her run off - she's a con woman with a warrant out for her arrest for bilking older people of their savings - a year later. Before she left, she told Sam she was pregnant. When Eden cons his parents out of money and a valuable engraving, Sam decides to track her down.
Sam and Holly don't hit it off. She's angry at her father and can tell that Sam, who first claims to be a lawyer, then a PI, is lying. She's also suspicious because he claims he barely knows Eden, but keeps slipping up and making comments about "that's just like her," etc.
When Sam finally tells Holly the truth about the engraving, they work together to find Eden and Eric, Holly's father. Of course, they fall in love, though I didn't get a lot of chemistry between the two. The plot was unrealistic and contrived and, at times, boring.
January 17, 2014
Safe Harbor - New England Shore Stories - (Sam and Holly) - Beneath the quiet charm of Martha's Vineyard, trouble is brewing. A beautiful con woman has brought her latest scheme to the exclusive island community and is wreaking havoc with several lives. Talented local artist Holly Anderson has a vested interest in exposing this conniving vixen who brazenly seduced her father into a scandalous affair and a reckless game of theft, blackmail and possible murder. Then there's Sam Steadman, a man with a few secrets of his own. The darkly handsome photographer has come to the island to track down the thief who stole the only worthwhile possession his parents owned. Soon it's clear that Sam and Holly are after the same woman. As their lives and hearts collide, they've got to decide if they're enemies or allies, strangers...or something much, much more.
March 29, 2013
This Antoinette Stockenberg novel seemed more rushed and commercial than some of her other books but I enjoyed the characters and setting (Martha’s Vineyard) which is one of the stars of the book. The main character is Holly, a socialite turned folk artist. Her life begins to reel out of control when her father abandons her mother for a much younger woman who has been renting an apartment above Holly’s studio barn. The couple has taken off on Holly's father's half-million dollar sail boat. Holly learns that the woman is a chronic embezzler when an attractive professional photographer comes into the mix. The story was a bit predictable but I was quite absorbed. Being familiar with that Island and Cape Cod in general made picturing the various scenes a treat.
May 4, 2014
I have enjoyed every one of Antoinette Stockenberg's novels that I've read and I guess I'm just going to keep reading them. Holly is a somewhat naive, but fiercely independent, artist who falls for Sam pretty much at their first meeting. Sam is a former bad boy who came from a troubled childhood but has become successful. The setting is Martha's Vineyard and other NE coastal areas. It mixes romance and a little sex with some intrigue and suspense. It's an easy read but I couldn't put it down. Would make great beach reading.
October 23, 2012
Antoinette Stockenberg has a way of grabbing you from the very beginning and you just keep reading. I can't put this book down. Great story set in Martha's Vineyard and Cape Code. I am totally escaping daily life by reading this book.
August 23, 2014
Enjoyed the book and loved both Holly and Sam. It was a good beach read set in Martha's Vineyard. The book had a little of everything, romance, suspense, family issues. A light read but kept me coming back for more.
August 31, 2014
My favorite Antoinette Stockenberg novel of all. She is an excellent storyteller & you will love this book. I made the mistake of loaning this book to someone & never got it back. THIS is the one I want her to sign someday. I love love love it. Highly recommend.
January 13, 2015
Every cliche in the world was used in this book. Most of the time I was rolling my eyes at the conversations between the two main characters. Don't waste your time unless you're into really, unbelievably cheesy romance.
March 20, 2016
Slow start great ending.
I ended up liking all the good guys in the book. I even had a kind of respect for Eden the con. I loved the action at the end where they were trying to stop Eden in the open sea, during several squalls. Would she get away safe again? That would be telling.
I ended up liking all the good guys in the book. I even had a kind of respect for Eden the con. I loved the action at the end where they were trying to stop Eden in the open sea, during several squalls. Would she get away safe again? That would be telling.
March 31, 2016
Great read!!
This was the first book of Antoinette's that I have read. It was a great experience for me to find another author that can put into words the screwball way relationships sometimes go in life!
This was the first book of Antoinette's that I have read. It was a great experience for me to find another author that can put into words the screwball way relationships sometimes go in life!
January 14, 2017
Great setting. Enjoyed reading about Martha's Vineyard. Felt the dynamics of the relationship between the main characters was frustrating at times. Enjoy this author, but this was not my favorite book by her.
June 11, 2016
this was a really good book. The ending could have been a bit more climatic, but a good book nonetheless
July 6, 2012
good like her style. easy read.
July 28, 2013
Good beach/poolside read
September 16, 2012
This book needed a good editor.
October 6, 2012
Mystery romance. Matha's Vineyard. Sam and Holly fall in love. Sam's previous marriage to Eden causes conflict.
December 6, 2012
This is a fast read and light romance, not my favorite, but good to read this time of year with all the other things going on.
December 15, 2012
Wonderful mind mush!
June 26, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Good characters, plot and some suspense. Recommend this for summer reading.
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March 25, 2013This is the first book I read by this author. I really enjoyed the characters and Anotoinette's ability to weave a story.
April 2, 2013
Romantic suspense at it's best. Great storyline, Strong Characters. I couldn't put it down.
September 20, 2013
Long but good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews