The Harbor Pointe Series is a collection of eight novellas by Story Empire authors. Each story takes place at the Harbor Pointe Inn in a fictional California town. See my reviews on this site for The Price of Atonement, The Gift, and The Destination (Books One, Two, and Three).
I am an unabashed fan of the author’s work and this novella did not disappoint. I could not stop reading!
The story opens in 1859 with a shipwreck off the California coast, where the Harbor Pointe lighthouse will be built in the future. Chained in its hold is a former slave, who beseeches a dark magic god to save him from death. He survives along with his Bible, crawling into an old hut that will become the lighthouse keeper’s home. Forward the story to 1972, when Tali, a young African American woman who drops out of college to pursue her passion for back activism and desire to make a difference in the world, comes to the Harbor Pointe Inn. Her parents send her there to take care of the Inn while her aunt and uncle, the owners of the Inn, take a trip. And to contemplate her future.
The Inn is under construction, and she has to meet head on the narrow-minded opinions of the contractor, Greg McBride, who is overseeing the renovation of the Inn. She settles into the lighthouse caretaker’s cottage and discovers an old, hidden Bible. When she deciphers some of the writing in the margins of the Bible, a dark portal opens and an ageless winged gargoyle named Zam emerges. Once she figures out how to communicate with him, Zam becomes a nuisance but an endearing character, and Tali must figure out how to return him to where he came from – the shipwreck. She enlists the reluctant assistance of Greg but faces risking her life and his, ultimately changing her future.
This story grabbed me from the first page. The backstory of the slave, Sam, is entirely believable, as is the time in which Tali’s story is told – the 70s, when much of the country was in turmoil because of black activism. The author handles these two sensitive story lines with understanding and grace.
The time travel is seamlessly woven into the story, and the details of the Inn, the black magic, and the shipwreck, drew this reader right into the scenes. The characters are emotionally compelling and you can feel the tension and the danger, which rarely slows.
I highly recommend this novella along with the previous ones I’ve read in this series. You are in for a treat!
About the author:
D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked. Diana lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rain forest with her husband, two dogs, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.
The author can be found
On twitter: @Dwallacepeach
On her blog: http://mythsofthemirror.com
On her website: dwallacepeachbooks.com
Good to see that you are enjoying this series, Noelle.
I am!
Thanks for taking a peek at Noelle’s wonderful review, Rosie. 🙂
I’m intrigued by the whole series. Thanks, Noelle. Great review!
Thank you, Olga. These books are fast reads, along with being good.
An excellent review, Noelle.
Thanks, John, much appreciated!
😊
Thanks, John. I’m delighted with Noelle’s review. She’s wonderfully kind. 🙂
Well she does tell the truth kind or not.
There are too many great books about!
Agreed. I need an extra month each year to just read!
Thank you so much for reading, Noelle, and for the wonderful review. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book and the characters. I had a wonderful time writing this, going for the thrills and danger, as well as a few laughs along the way. Thanks for your kind comment about my writing in general, and your support of the series. Huge hugs, my friend. <3 <3
Well deserved. I know any time I pick up a book written by you, I am in for a treat!
Such a kind thing to say. You’ve made my day with your review and the lovely support. <3
Noelle, I enjoyed your review. I’m never surprised to hear that Diana has done an amazing story. 🙂 It sounds like she really brought her “A game” with this one. Hugs to you both.
Thank you, Teagan. <3 It's always wonderful to hear that someone enjoyed a book, and Noelle made my day.
Thanks for stopping by Noelle’s, Olga. I was just tickled by her review. Hugs.
I know, Jemima. My kindle overfloweth too! Thanks for checking out Noelle’s review. 🙂
I know, Jemima. My kindle overfloweth too! Thanks for checking out Noelle’s review. 🙂
I’m also an unabashed fan of Diana’s books! I absolutely adored The Seas of Time. Fabulous review for a fabulous book. Thanks for sharing, Noelle, and congratulations to Diana on another masterpiece 💕🙂
Thanks for the wonderful support, Harmony. Noelle’s kindness shines. <3
Thanks, John.
Thanks so much, Harmony. I love reviewing Diana’s books because the are always superb.
Great review, Noelle, for a fascinating story.
Thanks for stopping by, Denise. I loved Noelle’s review. And I’m delighted that she’s enjoying the whole series! Hugs.
Hugs