Lena Nelson Dooley - Reviews

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REVIEWS Never Say Never Now available at: http://www.heartsongpresents.com/book/detail/1597890561 Also available at: www.christianbooks.com and www.amazon.com Title: Never Say Never Author: Lena Nelson Dooley Publisher: Heartsong Presents ISBN: 1-59789-056-1 Review by: Janie Orman Great read Lena! Never Say Never--is simply a love story and I Iove it! And the Crusie ship is a wonderful setting! After her husband was killed by a drunk driver--Charlotte vowed never to love again. Captain Gareth, of the "Pearl of the Ocean" Cruise ship, lost his wife years before and he never wanted the pain of loving again. BUT---GOD---has other plans. Never Say Never is a heartwarming read! Don't miss it! This is the kind of book that brought me to Heartsong to begin with many years ago. A beautiful heart-tuggin love story with a wonderful spiritual message. And love the setting on the cruise ship! Thank you for writing this one, Lena!
The past year has been difficult for Charlotte Halloran and her daughter. With the first anniversary of her husband’s death approaching, Charlotte is hoping a cruise will help them shake the melancholies and give her and daughter Chelle some happy times. As they are waiting to board the Pearl of the Ocean, Charlotte’s gaze collides with that of ship’s captain, and she experiences an awareness she never expected to feel again. But Charlotte isn’t ready for another relationship and has her hands full with an angry, rebellious teenager. Captain Gareth Van den Hout knows the pain Charlotte is feeling, having lost his wife three years earlier. But he can’t deny the sparks that sizzle whenever he and Charlotte are together. Not wanting to endure the pain of loss like when he lost his wife, he planned to never fall in love again. But that was before he met Charlotte. Now he finds himself re-evaluating his decision. Charlotte knows there is something special growing in her relationship with Gareth, but Chelle is angry and afraid her mother is already forgetting her father. Can there be any hope for a budding romance when both sides have experienced so much pain and a hurting teen is thrown in the mix? I really enjoyed NEVER SAY NEVER. Shipboard romances are always fun, given the tropical, romantic setting, but this one was especially interesting. Lena Nelson Dooley does an excellent job showing the caution both Gareth and Charlotte feel. I liked how they didn’t deny their attraction but slowly felt their way along, trying to figure out what to do and what was best for all involved. Ms. Dooley nailed Chelle’s character. The troubled teen makes havoc as she feels her mother is starting to forget her father. I loved Gareth’s character. He’s such a noble, gallant hero, just as concerned for Chelle’s feeling as her mothers. For a sweet love story with a romantic setting, try NEVER SAY NEVER. Reviewed by: Vickie McDonough Dancing Word Reviewer
Never Say Never By Lena Nelson Dooley Published by Heartsong Presents ISBN 1-59789-056-1 Charlotte Halloran will never love again. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver, Charlotte's heart died, too. Now, one year later, Charlotte and her teenaged daughter are boarding a cruise ship to take their minds off their loss. But when the Pearl of the Ocean's captain catches her eye, Charlotte wonders if "never" was God's idea or—hers. Captain Gareth Van den Hout knows the pain of losing love. Three years ago, he lost his precious wife to cancer. His time aboard the cruise ship created a chasm of secrets between them, and he's vowed it will never happen again. But when he sees Charlotte, Gareth is compelled to risk his heart and get to know the petite, black-haired beauty, even if only for a short time. Could the Lord have plans to heal and unite two broken hearts convinced "never" is forever? I really liked this book. Lena Nelson Dooley is one of the best romance writers in the industry. Her characters are authentic, their problems real, and the stories are interesting. I like the way her characters are flawed and the way they react to things. Just like you and me. I never roll my eyes or have the urge to gag as with many romance books. Dooley's plots are not predictable; she throws a number of unexpected twists in that propel her romances to the top of my list. I can get lost in any book by Lena Nelson Dooley, while a lot of other romance books get tossed aside after a chapter or two. Never Say Never is warm, it's believable and superbly well-written. If you're a romance fan, this is a must read. I recently read another of Lena Nelson Dooley's romances, Move a Mountain. Packaged with three other romances in Windswept Weddings, it's also in the same category as Never Say Never. Superb. Each plot Dooley pens is different and never formulaic. A favorite romance writer, her books receive a high recommendation. Reviewed by Ane Mulligan www.novelreviews.blogspot.com Another review appears on this web site: http://www.roadtoromance.ca/reviews0608/reviewneversaynever.htm
Readers Comment's
Lena! I must tell you ---I love this new one--Never Say Never! This is the kind of book that brought me to Heartsong to begin with many years ago. A beautiful heart-tuggin love story with a wonderful spiritual message. And love the setting on the cruise ship! Thank you for writing this one! Bless ya, Janie I felt like I was on the cruise with Charlotte and Gareth. R.B. I could so relate to Charlotte’s problems with her teenage daughter. They were so realistic. M. H.