After her small son, Kevin, asked both God and Santa for a new daddy for Christmas, and then didn’t find him under the tree, school teacher, Jessica Lyons is starting the new year out with a very unhappy six year old on her hands. Kevin can’t understand that she’s only been a widow for 2 years and she can’t imagine marrying again—not yet at least. But, unknown to her Kevin has a plan and has … decided that if God and Santa won’t give him what he wants then maybe the police can!
When the very handsome Chief of Police, Levi Sinclair shows up as Kevin’s Show-and-Tell he believes, as does Jessica, that her son has asked him there to show him off as the “police chief”—it’s a little awkward when Kevin introduces Levi as his next daddy!
Things are getting a bit complicated on the shores of Windswept Bay! Come join the fun in With This Ring book 6 of this captivating series. You’ve watched the four Sinclair sisters fall in love now it’s time to watch the five Sinclair brothers find the women of their dreams.
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Loved this romance!
It’s disquieting to write a negative review in response to writing from a successful author. And I totally respect Debra Clopton’s ambition in offering us romance within the Christian genre, which is a passion of mine. But this is, simply put, a rather juvenile manuscript.
I’m responding from a male POV, which you can take into account any way you like. But here are my sincerely regretful criticisms.
First, the story is really thin. It takes maybe two hours to read the whole thing, and very little happens.
Second, it’s painfully unrealistic. The plot is unbelievable and hokey. The main characters lurch from one overreaction to the next one, breaking up over temporary hiccups and then rushing back into each other’s arms.
Third, Jessica’s son Kevin is six going on twelve in terms of dialogue.
Fourth, the author has the odd habit of relating some plot lines after the fact, in reminisce mode, which forces the character to put the word “had” in virtually every sentence. “He had said such-and-such when she had reached out and touched his hand.” Etc.
Fifth and most painful, this book falls into the familiar trap of being breathlessly romantic almost all the time. It jumps back and forth between the male and female protagonists, and both of them are gasping and tingling with throbbing pulses most of the time.
Here are some verbatim examples:
“Levi’s smile of genuine pleasure caused butterflies to erupt behind her ribs.”
“Her skin where his hand touched was on fire and her stomach had slipped to her toes.”
“She could feel his heartbeat thundering against her own, feel his muscles in his back tense at her touch and knew that he was fighting to hold in his emotions, just as she was.”
And there’s plenty more where that comes from. Again, I’m a guy invading this genre, and if my reactions are off-base, feel free to ignore my evaluation. But from where I sit, this writer could do a whole lot better than she did in this project.
This a sweet and entertaining romance. A easy read.
Liked the book funny at times.
I thought it was a good read. I enjoyed it.
LOVE the characters and like the family enter action. Ended the way it should! I love HAPPY endings!
Great book
A nice easy read with a young 6 year old taking center stage by announcing to his class at show and tell and that the police chief will be his new daddy.
Nice, family based story line, that follows expected lines. It is well written, with nice characters in a nice town.
Not sure if I like the back and forth on the young lady’s insecurities of whether she should tie the knot or not but finally they got it right at the end. I love all of Debra Clopton’s books.
Having never read any of the previous series, this author makes it very easy to jump in and join this family, and their son Levi’s own unique love story. But, because the character development was so well written, I do want to go back and read previous books, as well as the rest of the other brother’s love stories. Everyone wants a good love story that is realistic and wholesome. This book delivers. The author weaves real life complexities into this tale, and let’s readers believe that happily ever after can happen even when a heart feels like it can never love again.
4 stars
I really liked this story. I always enjoy reading Debra Clopton’s books, can’t wait to read another.
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the short novel With This Ring (Windswept Bay Book 6) by Debra Clopton and this review was given freely.
Easy to read with wonderful characters, this Florida based romance features a close knit family of nine siblings, some humor and a couple who find love when they least expect it. Moving from Kansa to Florida, widowed School teacher Jessica Price mourns the loss of her husband but her six year old son Kevin makes it his mission to find her a husband and him the daddy that he didn’t get for Christmas resulting in an awkward first meeting for her with Police Chief Levi Sinclair.
Ties in with the Ransom Creek, Texas series via teacher Lana Presley.
Debra Clopton’s books have been a joyous discovery. I like how she writes strong female characters who retain their feminity. At the same time, her male characters retain strength and masculinity without sacrificing the ability to show concern and respect to women. There’s plenty of room for each of the characters to learn and grow, to experience freedom, and to follow their dreams. She weaves each tale so wonderfully, I haven’t gotten tired of reading her books yet like I sometimes do with other prolific romance authors, especially in series.
This particular story touched my heart because of something recent that happened “close to home.” I felt like I could relate to the characters more easily and really immerse myself in the tale. The main characters – a widowed mother, her son, and a bachelor sheriff – find themselves in some tricky situations and I enjoyed seeing how they dealt with things and how they learned and grew together from the first chapter to the last. I honestly can’t wait to read more of the Windswept Bay novels.
If you enjoy sweet romance with relatable characters who tug on your heartstrings, then this is the book for you.
A very sweet romantic story. Though the way the story reads you don’t get too invested into the characters. It’s still entertaining.
This is a wonderful modern day romance with a twist. The child wants a dad for Christmas and has the perfect man picked out! His mother has no clue what her son is up too and when she discovers the truth, is truly embarrassed. A Must Read!
Such a sweet story!
I enjoyed it along with another one by the same author. Fun, enjoyable story.
This was a good story about trust and relationship building.