Stranger on the Shore (Mirabelle Harbor, Book 4)

STRANGER ON THE SHORE is Book 4 in Marilyn Brant’s Mirabelle Harbor series, but this story and all of the contemporary romances in this series can be enjoyed as stand-alone novels.On the verge of turning forty and having just lost her job, Marianna Gregory flees Mirabelle Harbor for the summer with little more than a suitcase, her beat-up car, and the blessings of her good friend Olivia Michaelsen. Her ex-husband is living a new life in California. Her college-aged daughter is spending her vacation with her boyfriend in Michigan. And the house Marianna once called her own finally sold, so she has nowhere to live in Illinois now anyway.However, her wealthy sister Ellen owns an empty bungalow on the beach in Sarasota, Florida, so Marianna turns to the sea for a chance to go shelling, regroup, and figure out what to do with this new chapter in her life. She doesn’t bargain on having to face down several family crises while she’s away, nor does she count on meeting a handsome beachcomber who bears a striking resemblance to Elvis. Just as surprising is the craft project she gets roped into volunteering for and the new group of friends who might just change the way she views the world and her future.The most unexpected gifts can be found where the land meets the sea. STRANGER ON THE SHORE, a Mirabelle Harbor story.  Books in the Series:TAKE A CHANCE ON ME (July 2015)THE ONE THAT I WANT (July 2015)YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME (January 2016)STRANGER ON THE SHORE (June 2016)Story Excerpt:“So—” he began. Then stopped. “Have you heard of the Sunday night drumming at the beach?”“No.”He explained something about how a bunch of local folks got together and beat on their drums to an extemporaneous rhythm of their own making, while people of all ages danced on the sand. “It’s fun,” he assured me.“Sounds like it,” I said, though, to be honest, I was having a hard time imagining myself at an event like that. Seemed a little hippyish.“So, after the Craft Festival is over tomorrow, would you like to go with me? Usually starts around six o’clock.”“Sure. Are Joy, Abby, or Lorelei planning to come, too?”He shook his head and, just to torment me, licked both his top and bottom lips. “I don’t, um, generally bring my sister on my dates…and definitely not her coworker or her married friend.” He grinned, but there was an endearing look of nervous self consciousness that he seemed unable to hide. “Still want to go, Marianna?”Then his words sank in. “On a date? With you?” I had to ask, just to make sure I wasn’t misunderstanding his question.“Yeah.”“Well, yes, Gil—of course.” And I nodded for emphasis. Then, in a rare bolt of audacity, I even added, “What took you so long to ask?”He laughed loudly, the tension in the space between us dissolving. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” And then, ever so tenderly, he brought those wet, luscious lips of his down toward my face and brushed my mouth with a light kiss.A kiss that, after just a few seconds of our lips touching, turned deeper, harder, wilder.A passionate kiss that promised so much more…My breath caught at the surprising intensity of it, and the tension between us returned with a heat that spiked like a fever.Now I was the one trying to mask my own nervous self consciousness. “Um.”“Goodnight, Marianna,” Gil said, taking a deliberate step back from me and toward his own car. “Until tomorrow.”