Seaside Seasons Series by Gayle Roper

In this first book of the Seaside Seasons series, Leigh Spenser, a young teacher and the single mother of ten-year-old Billy, is thrown into conflict. Clay Wharton, the boy's estranged father, comes home to Seaside, New Jersey, to await his twin brother's death from AIDS. Threats against Billy's life ratchet the tension tighter, as Leigh wrestles with both tough and tender feelings for her old flame... moreIn this first book of the Seaside Seasons series, Leigh Spenser, a young teacher and the single mother of ten-year-old Billy, is thrown into conflict. Clay Wharton, the boy's estranged father, comes home to Seaside, New Jersey, to await his twin brother's death from AIDS. Threats against Billy's life ratchet the tension tighter, as Leigh wrestles with both tough and tender feelings for her old flame. Clay's own conflict, as he seeks to come to grips with his brother's lifestyle choices and the needs of the boy he fathered, underline the issue of God's forgiveness in the hearts -- and lives -- of this modern-day family. An emotionally gripping read! From the Trade Paperback edition. less

The car accident that killed Abby Patterson's husband and daughter has left her with a limp and chronic pain. Still, Abby strikes out, determined to build a new life for herself away from her overbearing parents. Her perfect cottage home on the beach has one tiny irritant: Marsh Winslow, her landlord. But when Abby witnesses a hit-and-run accident and events make it clear that Abby is now a target, she and Marsh join forces to uncover a dangerous secret... moreThe car accident that killed Abby Patterson's husband and daughter has left her with a limp and chronic pain. Still, Abby strikes out, determined to build a new life for herself away from her overbearing parents. Her perfect cottage home on the beach has one tiny irritant: Marsh Winslow, her landlord. But when Abby witnesses a hit-and-run accident and events make it clear that Abby is now a target, she and Marsh join forces to uncover a dangerous secret. Together they discover that God is in the business of putting broken lives back together so that they are more beautiful than ever. less

Somewhere between wishes and reality...lie dreams. Her mother, father, and nephew all need her—but have Cass's dreams gotten lost in the crunch? They call it the “sandwich generation.” Daughter, sister, auntie, innkeeper, employer—but has Cass herself gotten lost in the crunch? The proud proprietor of her own bed-and-breakfast in sleepy Seaside, New Jersey, Cass Merton is intrigued by Dan Harmon who arrives at SeaSong for an extended stay... moreSomewhere between wishes and reality...lie dreams. Her mother, father, and nephew all need her—but have Cass's dreams gotten lost in the crunch? They call it the “sandwich generation.” Daughter, sister, auntie, innkeeper, employer—but has Cass herself gotten lost in the crunch? The proud proprietor of her own bed-and-breakfast in sleepy Seaside, New Jersey, Cass Merton is intrigued by Dan Harmon who arrives at SeaSong for an extended stay. After witnessing the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City, the godly finance specialist is rethinking his life, career, and relationships—or lack of them. God, Dan laments, I can’t do this! Forty-four is too old to have no plan for the future! Whatever possessed me to think I could do this? Cass asks, questioning her consent to care for her easygoing nephew and feisty teenage niece for a whole year while their parents work in the Middle East. Add Cass’s four brothers, who don’t take Dad’s compulsive contest entries and Mom’s increasing dementia one bit seriously, and her emotions swirl like the quickly rising hurricane that’s fast approaching Seaside. But everyday cares aren’t Cass’s only problems. A troubled young employee unknowingly endangers her as well. When an alarm sounds in the middle of the night, bullets fly and Cass is taken hostage by a gunman. Dan looks urgently to the Lord for help and recognizes a new emotion within himself: love. less

After his guardian's severe illness, pastor Paul Trevelyan returns to his congregation in Seaside with a big surprise - a wife he's been estranged from for seven years. It was the old man's ailing wish that Dori and Trev return to each other, and they agree, as long as they can sleep in separate bedrooms. The dangers of a sinister luggage mix-up are compounded by discord within the church, as a highly opinionated elder proves he will stop at nothing to see Trev gone... moreAfter his guardian's severe illness, pastor Paul Trevelyan returns to his congregation in Seaside with a big surprise - a wife he's been estranged from for seven years. It was the old man's ailing wish that Dori and Trev return to each other, and they agree, as long as they can sleep in separate bedrooms. The dangers of a sinister luggage mix-up are compounded by discord within the church, as a highly opinionated elder proves he will stop at nothing to see Trev gone. This blizzard of difficulties leaves just a snowball's chance of a thaw between the stubborn spouses... Bitter winds... After a tragedy-riddled early life, Dori MacAllister has made a quiet place for herself on the West Coast, far from the landscape of her earlier heartbreaks. When she receives word that the man who raised her is gravely ill, she is drawn back to a place full of love and longing—and betrayal. Winds of love... Pastor Paul Trevelyan hasn't seen the woman he loves in six years. When he's given a second chance with her, he longs to make it work this time. The trouble is, if he doesn't win her back, it could cost him his job—and his happiness. Winds of danger... The charming town of Seaside now has its very own crime boss, and Officer Maureen Galloway would love to be the one to make charges stick. her investigation leads to Dori MacAllister, but is Dori an accomplice or a victim? And why is pharmacist Phil Trevelyan so bent on getting in Maureen's way? In Winter Winds , Gayle Roper concludes her delightful Seaside Seasons series with a tale of romance, crime, startling mix-ups, and a few hard hears that just might get a much-needed midwinter thaw. Story Behind the Book Over the years, both Gayle and her husband have been involved in the church. Chuck has been an elder for many years, Gayle has led the women's ministry, and they've both taught. They have experienced and observed the fights within a congregation. They've also witnessed believers coming alongside someone in need time after time after time. Gayle wanted to write about a church full of real people—some good, some selfish and troublemakers. She also wanted the fun of writing a marriage of convenience that turns into a love match. This story provided that opportunity. From the Trade Paperback edition. less

She serves him breakfast at her café every morning … but he never seems to notice her.   Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals … although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her... moreShe serves him breakfast at her café every morning … but he never seems to notice her.   Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals … although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her.   When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries … and into her life. But when Carrie’s own painful past becomes all to present, her carefully constructed world begins to sink.   Will the fragile relationship she’s building with Greg implode from the weight of the baggage they both carry? less

She serves him breakfast at her café every morning … but he never seems to notice her.   Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals … although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin... moreShe serves him breakfast at her café every morning … but he never seems to notice her.   Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals … although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin.   When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries … and into her life. But when Carrie’s own painful past becomes all to present, her carefully constructed world begins to sink.   Will the fragile relationship she’s built with Greg implode from the weight of the baggage they both carry? less