Lessons of a Lowcountry Summer

By Rochelle Alers

Book Overview

From national bestselling author Rochelle Alers comes the unforgettable story of three strangers whose lives are forever changed on a sultry island off the South Carolina coast.... DR. HOPE SUTTON has everything she's always wanted: a winning career as an advice columnist and a hard-lovin' man who is not afraid to commit. But just when she's ready to settle down she finds out her man's been living a double life. Now she has to get a new one of her own -- starting with a soul-searching trip to McKinnon Island. REBECCA OWENS is a devoted wife and stay-at-home mother in desperate need of a vacation -- alone. But will spending the summer on McKinnon Island help her to get it together...or will she be tearing her family apart? THEODORE HOWELL has had a lot of success as a screenwriter. But his personal life? It's a mess. Suddenly the guardian of two half brothers and a half sister, how will this tried-and-true bachelor find room in his life for surrogate fatherhood and his demanding career? Their answers lie somewhere on sandy shores....

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743470311
• ISBN13: 9780743470315
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

***Lessons Learned!!!***

After reading "Pleasure Seekers", I knew Ms. Alers was gonna be one of my favorite authors and this novel confirms it. This was an awesome read. I started reading and the next thing I knew, I was on McKinnon Island. Ms. Alers' descriptions of the island and it's surroundings are so beautiful, that I want to go home for a visit. I thought Hope and Theodore were just great together, I was actually pushing for Rebecca and Ezra, I wanted to take care of Noelle myself, and Christian, Ashlee and Brandon....sequel,sequel!! Excellent storytelling, a great book.

Lowcountry Resident Learns About Gullah Traditions

Rochelle Alers is a great storyteller! She writes with passion, ease, and excitement! I am a white woman living in the Southern Lowcountry and I learned much about this group of Black people and their traditions from reading this book. As a bonus I found a great author and I would like to recommend her to any of you that like realistic fiction. She writes about three characters that have problems, help each other and renew/find love. I will be reading more of her work and I urge you to do the same.

A Nice Summer Read!

Three strangers meet at the Sea Islands off the South Carolina coast. Dr. Hope Sutton, an advice columnist gets the shock of her life when she finds the man she was going to marry is leading a double life. With some unsettling news from her doctor she heads to her family home on the Sea Islands. Her main mission is to write a book, heal and move on with her life. Rebecca Owens is a rich stay at home mom. Sick of being wife and mother she longs for a vacation... while enjoying the Sea Islands she learns of the rich culture and heritage of the Gullah people. She learns that it's not the label inside of your jacket that makes you who you are. Theodore Howell is a screenwriter who suddenly finds himself the guardian of two half brothers and a half sister. Needing to finish a script he heads to the Sea Islands. This was a wonderful story of moving forward. I liked how the the three met and I found the end to be refreshing. With such a sultry back drop of the Sea Islands and the legacy of the Gullah people through out the plot I was left longing for a vacation to a remote place rich in culture and heritage... Outstanding Novel! reviewed by Dawnny Mahogany Book Club Albany, N.Y.

The magic of the islands...

When life and all its surprises and unpleasantries become too much to bear, three people from three different cities all seek refuge in the secluded haven of McKinnon Island, a small island off the coast of South Carolina. When they all converge on McKinnon Island, the magic of the island immediately envelopes them, causing them to reflect upon their lives and re-evaluate their priorities. Before they know it, their lives become indelibly intertwined, and to their surprise it's for the better.Hope Clark, a much sought after advice columnist, gets the shock of her life when she catches her boyfriend in a compromising position...with another man. And this is just as she's ready to accept his marriage proposal.Rebecca Owens, a stay at home mom, has dedicated her entire life to ensuring the happiness and well-being of her husband and children, while neglecting her own needs. One day, she realizes that she's finally had enough, so she decides that for the sake of her marriage and her peace of mind, she needs a vacation...alone.Theodore Howell, famed screenwriter and confirmed bachelor, finds his life suddenly turned upside down when he becomes the guardian of his teenage half brothers and sister. Will Theo be able to open his heart his siblings or will he let past hurts stand in the way?LESSONS OF A LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER was a delightful, wonderful read. I expected no less than perfection from this very talented author, and I was not disappointed. The characters are ones you can identify with, and the plot is realistic. I commend Rochelle Alers for penning another poignant read that I will cherish forever.Reviewed by Renee Williamsof The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Classic Rochelle Alers

Along with Brenda Jackson she is one of my favorite black romance authors. Although this is a mainstream book it is still a story centered around male and female relationships and of course some romance. I loved the story of the 3 characters all ending up on Mckinnon Island in South Carolina. You have Rebecca who is trying to shake-up her marriage and get her husband to appreciate her and then of course the main character, Dr. Hope who has all the answers except for herself. It is kinda predictable that Dr. Hope will fall in love with the male lead character Theo. But it is still heart-warming just the same to see them grow together and of course consummate their relationship. The steamy love scenes add to the story and are not at all too long or over-written. I just don't believe you can go wrong with a Brenda Jackson or Rochelle Alers book whether it be romance or mainstream and this book is just another one that proves that.