He moved on from heartbreak in the only way he knew how. She trusted him with her heart, mind, body, and soul. When secrets from the past resurface, life as they know it will be destroyed.Josie Michaels loves single-father Alex and his adorable daughter, Hannah. She completes their family in ways the heartbroken duo could never have imagined.Alex Biggs needs solace from the torturous pain of his … the torturous pain of his wife, Claire’s, disappearance. He finds sweet relief in the arms of kindhearted, beautiful Josie.
When the truth about Claire’s disappearance surfaces, the secluded bubble of happiness Josie and Alex have forged implodes.
Will these loveable characters find a way to heal and move on from tragedy, or has their path to happiness been crushed beyond repair? Find out now in Shining Pearls.
Fans of Bella Andre’s Sullivans Series and Marie Force’s Gansett Island Series are sure to enjoy this page-turning romance series.
While this book can be read as a standalone novel, the author suggests reading Shattered Diamonds (Book 1) first for the ultimate reader experience. These exciting contemporary romance novels have been known to make readers desperate to binge the next book in this addictive series. You’ve been warned!
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Another wonderful book from Ann Omasta. This is the 2nd book in the series and is equally as good or better than the first. Definitely need to read these in order to get the full story but what a story!! Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop. Just when you think there is no way that things could actually work out well…Ms. Omasta works it out and then you think it’s going to be HEA and the book ends with a whole other story opening up. All I can say is…WRITE FASTER MS. OMASTA!!
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Suspenseful love story with a twist here and a turn there. What will Alex, Claire, Josie and Dean do in the next book.
Book two in the Brunswick Bay Harbor Gems series this book picks up where the last one left off. Claire is now back after a year because she was kidnapped. What happens with Alex and Josie, will she let Dean, her best friend help her. I want to read the next book to find out what happens with the accident. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Shining Pearls is book 2 in the series and can be read as a stand alone book. While you don’t have to read book 1, Shattered Diamonds, before reading this one, the authors suggests reading book 1 first to get the full reader experience from the series.
A story of heartbreak and healing, tragedy and happiness, Shining Pearls is a love triangle romance, is an easy read and has a story line that holds your attention.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Awesome writing in the second book of this series, Ann Omasta is a great writer…Kept my interest from beginning to end, I can’t wait till the next and last of this series. I’ll be sad to see it end.
This book left me a bit of an emotional mess. After spending the previous book investing in Josie and Alex as a couple, it hurt my heart to see the devastation and venom that Josie had to deal with this time around. It was all of that, mostly unjustified, bitterness and bile that had me giving this book the side-eye and I spent a large portion of this book going “b*tch, please.” Alex is just clueless about the emotional stuff. He spends a lot of time hurting the women in his life when I don’t think that’s what he meant to do. I liked the author’s solution in the end, it was just a roller-coaster getting there. Now I can’t wait to see what this latest twist brings into their lives.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
This is the second book in the series and they really do need to be read in order. After reading and enjoying the first book in the series I could not wait to read this one and it was another really good well written interesting book. I was sucked right in and just could not put it down now I can’t wait for the next one to see what happens next.
This is the second book in the Brunswick Bay Harbor Gem series and brings Claire’s return (after everyone thought her dead) and discovering her husband Alex is having a relationship with Josie. Surprises and twists abound in this story with the author doing an amazing job developing her characters and story line as well as her detailed scenes. You can feel the emotions pouring from the pages in this captivating read. I was so caught up in the story that when I reached the end I was left with wanting more. What a cliffhanger! I can’t wait for the next book! There are so many thoughts crossing my mind and all I can say is I loved this book / series and would highly recommend reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Whoa…..I have to admit I was hesitant to start this one because I love Josie and Alex so much! No reason to hesitate, the heartache and joy that accompany Claire’s return will warm your heart, even if you want to scream! Thus begins triangle that is Alex, Claire and Josie. Josie is still stinging from the loss of Alex when she finds out some startling news. As usual, her best friend Dean is there for her, in more ways than one. The 3 of them must learn to exist together for Hannah, and what is to come….such a great story!
Once again Ann Omasta has hit a home run. Shining Pearls is the second installment of the Brunswick Bay Gems series. The first book introduced the reader to the town of Brunswick Bay and its residents. The two main characters have been brought together to heal each other from their losses. Josie lost her dream of Olympic gold, and Alex had to deal with accusations about his missing wife Claire Together, they begin to rebuild their lives with each other. Then the other shoe falls.
Shining Pearls begins with the opening of the front door by Claire (the missing wife). She has returned from the nightmare of her kidnapping. Unfortunately, she walks in to find her soulmate getting hot and bothered withJosie (the nanny) on her living room sofa. Alex is thrilled for her return, but Claire is tormented by the jealousy that her husband has been moving on with his life while she was held hostage. Will Claire and Alex be able to put the past behind and renew their love? Will Josie be able to move forward from her lost love?
Get this book and become hooked on the residents of Brunswick Bay! Be forewarned that there’s another cliffhanger, but there are also some happy endings. I’m ready for the next installment of the Gems – now!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ugh! Another cliffhanger. Usually I would quit now but the story is so interesting I know I will have to read the next one. The characters in this book are more true to life than I expect from most authors but that is a good example of why I like this author. Reading the first book will make this easier to understand but this one holds up as a standalone. Alex, Josie, Claire, Molly and Dean. Who will end up being a couple? You’ll have to read to find out.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Shining Pearls is the second book in the Brunswick Harbor Gems series, these book most definitely should be read in order. Clair has returned after everyone has assumed she was dead for the past year, and that certainly puts a damper on the budding relationship between Alex and Josie. Josie is heartbroken and then finds herself pregnant how can this situation work out best for all those involved. I would certainly recommend this series to others.
Shining Pearls has Alex dealing with the return of his wife leaving poor Josie devastated because now she has lost the man she was beginning to love and the little Hannah as well. If that isn’t enough, as Alex and Claire rediscover their feelings and unite, Josie finds herself expecting as does Claire. There is a lot of drama in the air and a lot of jealous feelings. Will they be able to get along?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Claire had a life that every woman yearns for. She had a loving, doting husband and a beautiful, adoring daughter; life was Bliss…until the kidnapping.
Claire was held in a basement by her captor for close to a year. The only thing that kept her going was the thought of returning to the family she cherished. Finally the opportunity arose and she broke free.
Claire, running completely on adrenaline, reaches her beloved home. Her heart is pounding in her chest and ears as she opens the door and enters. Even in her worst nightmares she couldn’t have grasped the horror of what she sees.
Ann Omasta has added a new contemporary romance series to her already tantalizing collection of works.
“Shinning Pearls” is the 2nd installment in the Brunswick Bay Harbor Gem series. These stories have added another well deserved Jewel in her creative crown.
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.
Small town gossip at its best. Josie is getting the looks from the townspeople for having worked for and then fallen for Alex, the presumed spouse killer. And now that the towns theory has been disproven, and Claire has returned, where does that leave Josie.
Josie’s surprise pregnancy and Alex’s reunion with his previously kidnapped wife, Claire cause a lot of stress on many people within the town.
I never thought I would be so caught up in the small town drama, but the writing and character development in this series has totally pulled me in and I am moving from one book in the series t9 the next, biting my nails waiting for the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received this book as a gift and am voluntarily leaving a review. Another heartwarming story following the footsteps of Shattered Diamonds. The continuation of the beautiful story of the healing of broken souls but, as with Shattered Diamonds, the story ends with a cliffhanger and you must read yet another book to hopefully reach the conclusion. The story is engrossing but I’m not sure I’m going to get involved in another book just to possibly be disappointed again.
This is the continuation of the first book Shattered Diamonds that ends in a cliffhanger. I listened to the audio, and it didn’t add much to the book. I gave this 3 stars because the book caused some type of emotion, even if it wasn’t positive.
In book one, I felt sorry for Alex because people thought he had murdered his wife and treated him like a pariah. I was kind of glad he was able to find comfort with Josie.
In this book, Claire returns and we find out what happened to her. Claire immediately sees that there is something going on between Alex and Josie, but she expects everything to immediately return to normal. Her daughter has not seen it heard from her in over a year, but she gives no thought to how she will react? Claire’s sister was childish and completely unlikable in both of these books.
Also in this book, I did a complete about face regarding Alex. His wife returns and he treats Josie like crap throughout the book. He seemed to completely forget that she supported him and his daughter while his wife was missing and presumed dead while the rest of the town dismissed him and have her the side eye.
I felt sorry for Dean in the last book, because he loved Josie and she only saw him as her best friend. I was glad Dean was there to support her through everything she went through in this book. At least Josie did keep reminding Dean that they were just beat friends. Even when she realized she felt something when he started dating Holly, I never got the sense that she was using him.
On top of everything else happening, the situation became even more complicated by involving children. It provides Alex with even more opportunities to be completely selfish and insensitive. Plus, they still haven’t caught the person who kidnapped Claire. Then the book ended with another cliffhanger!
There is only so much drama and angst I can take. My journey with these couples and this town ends here. I was so turned off by Claire and Alex, I don’t even care what happens next.
I voluntarily listened and reviewed this audio book received from the author.
Shining Pearls, my seventeenth read from author Ann Omasta and the second book in her Harbor Gems series. Another entertaining and well-written read from her. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. It was intriguing to listen to the author that wrote the book narrate it herself. Will there be more books in this series? (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018).
Actually 2.5 stars.
Shining Pearls #2 – I missed Shattered Diamonds, which I think affected the story for me. I have enjoyed many books by this author until this one. I could not get past Claire’s stupidity. Her thoughts about her husband are ridiculous. He is supposed to act like nothing happened and mount her? This is after she inspects her daughter’s room and a toy instead of the looking for her sleeping child. I do not care what she went through. She knows him and treats him like a stranger. He is supportive and caring, but since he is not trying to have sex with her the first night, he is terrible. Have a conversation, for goodness sake, and find out what he and their child suffered through the past year, instead of doing stupid.
The book started wrong with her actions and thoughts, which actually made it difficult for me to continue. Add the descriptive writing style, which I found overboard and distracting. There is too much wrong with this story to consider it realistic, unless she acted this way with her husband before her trauma happened in the previous book. This is a c-rated Hollywood script, almost as if someone else wrote it.
Since reading this book, I have picked up a free Shattered Diamonds, but I probably will not read it since she is such a despicable, stupid person and I did not care for the writing style used to tell the story. I found this book on Booksprout. 2.5*
The Pet Set Series:
Goofy Newfies #1- Warning this book will hurt you! It’s been awhile since I belly laughed my way through a book. Every page had me rolling on the floor till my sides ached. The storylines are cute and interesting. I liked all the characters, some were actually cute and interesting and furry; the humans were likable and nice to have as neighbors. Everyone had their own personalities, whether two or four legged. This is a sweet, clean, wholesome read and it’s perfect for a kids’ bedtime story. I luckily got to chain read the second book. Not only was it great to read a good humor and love filled story, but it was well edited. 5*
Itty Bitty Kitties #2 – This book is almost as funny as Goofy Newfies. There still are plenty of belly laughs, but there’s a touch of gravity with a couple of issues. We’re still in the same neighborhood, just next door and with two new, scratch that, eight new main characters. Again there are the interesting storylines, interesting characters with a variety of personalities, and interesting happenings that are only to be expected. While this book would still work for a bedtime story, there are parts I would skip over depending on the ages of the kiddos. I contacted the author to review this book and received it through Booksprout. 5*
Funny Bunnies #3 – I fell in love with this clean, simple series. The same neighborhood with visits from the previous cast of characters as we watch a new romance unfold and the lovers meld into the bunch. Plenty of humor dispersed with storylines that keep the reader involved with the story. All the characters are likable, lovable, entertaining, even the ones without fur. Although Hope got under my skin with her thoughts about the people and their animals when she found her Honey; if they were that terrible, Honey would have been supper. This is a nice neighborhood to get lost in for awhile; with all the different personalities, a reader doesn’t stand a chance to get bored. Clean and wholesome, and very quickly read. 4*
The Pet Set end.
Things going the way they often do, after the unexpected return of his wife, Josie found herself not only heartbroken, but pregnant. And of course she and Dean ran into Claire and Alex at the obstetrician. Clearly the next doctor Alex needs to visit is to get a vasectomy! Par for the course, Dean claims the baby as his, and Claire realizes the truth. Fun times!
Alex demonstrates himself to be a complete butthead with every way he responds to the pregnancy. He is quite rude to Josie and insulting about the paternity- totally jerkfaced! Happily Claire is responsible and works to make sure they are involved in the pregnancy and birth.
Her sister Meg seems determined to make more trouble for Josie and her baby. Move on sis. The child has no control over its parentage and Josie was far from a hussy. She fell for a man she thought a widower. He was nearly twice her age and already a father. He should be ashamed of himself for blaming anyone but himself for fairly predictable results for having unprotected sex with a virgin twenty something athlete. Man up and quit being an insulting jerk. With the help of Claire, Alex promises to be a responsible part of the life of his son.
Small town life is predictably complex. Dean and Josie seem like they might finally connect, though a swim coach and substitute teacher will be strapped trying to raise a child, even with the help of Aunt Mimi. And if Alex the buttface finally gets responsible in practical terms of support, this will give Josie and Dean some ongoing challenges.
Intense and tangled love story! I just could not wait to read this and bumped it ahead of four or five other books on my reading list.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.