Home to Stay
By Terri Osburn
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: May 1,
2014
Willow Parsons thought Anchor Island would be just another
out-of-the-way spot that would offer a temporary refuge in her journey to
outrun her past. She never expected it to feel like home. But with the Dempseys
treating her more like family than like just the assistant manager of their bar
and grill and Beth Chandler and Sid Navarro teaching her just how great it is
to have best friends, Will is beginning to feel as if she belongs in this place.
She is even wondering if she dares to stay. Only Randy Navarro makes her
uneasy. At first, it was that his size made her uncomfortably aware of things
she would rather forget, but she’s has slowly come around to accept that Randy
is indeed the gentle giant his sister proclaims him and poses no threat to Will’s
physical wellbeing. Now it’s the effect he has on her brain, her libido, and
maybe even her heart that has Will reminding herself of all the reasons she can’t
afford the complications that a romantic relationship would bring.
Randy Navarro, owner of Anchor Adventures, which provides
watersports instruction and equipment to tourists, and Island Fitness, Anchor’s
only gym, is an adrenalin junkie, a super-size knight with a protective streak
to fit, a big brother who changed his life to take care of his kid sister, and
an all-around good guy. He’s straight-talking, tender-hearted, patient, and
tenacious, and he uses all of those qualities to persuade Will that she is safe
with him, safe enough to take down her walls and open her heart.
Just when an HEA for these two who really deserve one is
within their grasp, an ambitious reporter exposes Will’s identity, and Will
reverts to a familiar pattern of behavior—she runs, leaving behind Anchor
Island, the friends she cherishes, and Randy. Can Will learn that some things
are worth taking a stand and fighting for? Can Randy forgive that she left him
with only a note?
I loved Anchor Island from my first glimpse of it, and I
have only become fonder of it with each book in the series. The setting has a
warmth and a realness that only the best small-town series attain, and the
characters are people with whom I enjoy spending my time. Home to Stay is my favorite. Will is a phenomenal heroine who
demonstrates that love can heal even the deepest wounds and give the wounded
warrior the strength to fight and win the necessary battles. But Randy is the
reason this book is my favorite. He is true to type and yet distinctly
individual—and a testament to Osburn’s talent. Only a third of the way into
2014, and I’ve read an unusual number of books with extraordinary beta heroes.
Randy tops my list. In fact, I rank him right up there with Quinn Hunter (Till the Stars Fall, Kathleen Gilles
Seidel), Blue Reynard (In the Midnight
Rain, Ruth Wind) “Preacher” Middleton (Shelter
Mountain, Robyn Carr), and Cam Early (Red’s
Red Hot Honky-Tonk Bar, Pamela Morsi) as my five favorite contemporary beta
heroes.
If you like contemporary romance that blends a generous
serving of sweetness with just the right amount of spice and wraps it in
genuineness and likeability, you will love Home
to Stay. And although readers can’t stay on Anchor Island, they can return
at least one more time. I just hope Randy Navarro is around when I make that
return trip.
Let’s talk betas. Do
you like beta heroes? If so, what contemporary heroes are on your list of
favorites? If not, I’d love to introduce you to some that I bet can change your
mind.
