New beginnings take courage… on the huge South Texas ranch just outside of Corpus Christi since their father carried her over the threshold. She’s raised them on the massive McIntyre Ranch—one of the largest, wealthiest in Texas. It’s been her home and theirs. Will they understand that it’s time for her to leave? Time for her to move on?
Jackson McIntyre is shocked by his mother’s announcement. Guilt-ridden in the aftermath of his father’s accident, Jackson is determined to do whatever it takes to help his mother find her way to move forward. But this new idea of hers has him reeling.
Nina lives next door to the inn and is living a quiet life, keeping a low profile. She has her reasons. Will the opening of the inn and her new neighbors, especially the oldest son of the new innkeeper, tempt her to step back into the light and out of the shadows of her past?
Lisa, Alice’s best friend and recent divorcee, has been traveling the world since the breakup that left her shaken and feeling just as lost as Alice. A brilliant cook with a flair for entertaining, she loves Alice’s idea and joins her to open the inn. But Lisa has her own secrets.
Can these two friends, and their new neighbor Nina, find fresh starts as they ready the Star Gazer Inn for its new beginning?
Will Nina find the courage to take one more chance on love with her new friend’s son?
Three women find friendship and courage on the shores of Corpus Christi Bay. Come visit the Star Gazer Inn, with a side trip to the McIntyre Ranch, as Alice finds her way between two worlds.
This new series follows Alice, her sons, and her friends—and new loves—on the South Texas coast with its sparkling topaz water.
You’ll want to dip your toes in and stay awhile.
Heartfelt women’s fiction: faith, family, love.
Next Books in series
WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
WHAT HOPE IS MADE OF
Book 4 coming soon.
more
Quick, sweet, easy to read book.
I always enjoy Debra Clopton’s books! Great stories and clean reads!
Great story. It is clean.
A touching story of the struggle of loss and new beginnings told in a beautiful setting. The characters’ stories grab you from the start and you can’t put the book down until you see how they handle their pain and fears.
Alice McIntyre is a fifty-five year old widow with four cowboy sons and plenty of money! You’ll laugh at her sons’ shock when Alice buys a closed down inn on the coast without their knowledge! Alice has fun decorating the inn nothing like the ranch which also amazes her sons! Alice decides her new neighbor would be perfect for her oldest son, Jackson, and does a little matchmaking! Oh, but what about the handsome widower contractor she hires to help update the inn!! What New Beginnings Are Made Of is a delightful read that I recommend to others who enjoy contemporary romance. I received a complimentary e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Can a woman start over after 55?……… Clopton has written a winner in this new series. ….. Alice, now a widow who lost her husband, a wealthy rancher, even after 18 months she is still struggling with his death. She’s having a hard time dealing with his death even though she has wealth and the support of her four sons. She feels so useless and decides she needs a change and decides to revisit the Star Gazer Inn. This is the place where she met her husband and fell in love . She buys the coastal inn property that is in need of repair and begins a new life choosing colors and furnishings completely different from the ranch and it’s furnishings. Alice begins to be a business lady as she intends to open the inn back up. Something she has never done before as her husband made all the decisions for the ranch. She meets the young lady who is renting the cottage nearby and they quickly become close friends. She senses that Nina is keeping secrets especially about her past. As the sons begin to visit their mom, they begin to understand her need to start a new beginning. Plus a certain handyman who is helping with the repairs is becoming an interesting friend. Clopton has created great characters in this beginning novel. Alice, Nina, Seth the construction guy and of course her sons. It’s a story about family and learning to trust again. Finding new beginnings in life and the possibility of opening one’s heart a second time around. Can’t wait for number two in this series…..I was given a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
What New Beginnings are Made Of by Debra Clopton
Star Gazer Inn of Corpus Christi Bay Series Book One
Jackson McIntyre is the oldest of four boys…now men. After a year and a half, he’s still struggling with his dad’s tragic death. Blaming himself for not being able to save him. And now…Mom bought an inn that she wants to fix up and open. She’ll be moving out of the house as well. Too many changes for a man with the burden of being the head of the family.
Nina Hanson has been hiding from the world for three years now. She lives quietly in a lovely little cottage on the bay. Finally, Nina feels comfortable enough to take the step of getting a companion, a dog. And, she’s going to have a new neighbor too. Nina had no idea how much her life was going to change.
Alice McIntyre found peace in the memories on the beach. Being near the inn that she first met her beloved William, and that very inn is now for sale. Hello, new life.
I just loved this story. Incredible characters that were easy to fall in love with. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series. There’s more than one story going on. Not only Jackson and Nina but also Alice’s life and her friend Lisa’s. The reader also gets a little glimpse into the other brothers’ lives, too.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/07/her-rodeo-cowboy-debra-clopton-mule.html
What New Beginnings Are Made Of by Debra Clopton is book 1 of Star Gazer Inn of Corpus Christi Bay series. This is a story about loss, dealing with loss, family, friends and dreams. Alice McIntyre lost he husband and needs a spark to get back to living . Her four sons love her and are protective as they continue the family ranch with one still doing the rodeo. Alice buys the Star Gazer Inn,where she had met her husband. You get to met the neighbor of the Inn, Nina, and an old friend , Lisa who she hires as the chef for the Inn. Debra Clopton does a wonderful job of showing in the details how the choice to go forward is not always smooth. I enjoyed this as it is a story that has an older woman dealing with loss and concern for her sons and friends with dreams and living to do. I look forward to the next book in the series.
This wonderful story is full of several new beginnings at the Star Gazer Inn. First, Alice McIntyre needs to desperately start again after she becomes a widow at fifty-five. She buys the Star Gazer Inn and begins renovations with intentions of it becoming a first class bed and breakfast inn and restaurant. Next, her good friend Lisa, is looking for a new purpose in her life and agrees to join Alice in her adventure and share her talents as a chef. Then, there is the next door neighbor, Nina, who is a talented artist living in isolation. I loved the new adventures for these women and heartily recommend this story.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
Three women with different pasts become friends. This book made me think and feel some many different things. Loved how the author introduced many characters and let us see possible future books in this series. Did a great job of keeping it all straight and not at all confusing. Romance is brewing for more than one character. Several story lines with some hard issues. Looking forward to book 2. Really can’t wait for Lisa’s book – her ex sounds despicable.
Such a great start to this series that has multiple storylines going on – the start of a new chapter in Alice’s life, her rekindling of her friendship with Lisa, new friendships with Nina and Seth, and the possible romance between Nina and Jackson. And there’s also some dogs that play a part in the story.
It never ceases to amaze me when an author is able to write a story that touches on some sad topics but you get to the end of the book and feel uplifted and eager for next book to see what will happen. You will feel as if you are a part of this new community and these are your friends.