Review of Crossing Paths
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Sandra Smith 18
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Review of Crossing Paths
[Following is a volunteer review of "Crossing Paths" by Nina Purtee.]
The magnificent Porto Banus sets sail again, but this time it’s not solely a pleasure cruise. In Crossing Paths, the second book of her series, author Nina Purtee renders an entertaining and engaging tale rich in adventure, culture, emotion, challenges, and, of course, surprises! Now that Annie has accepted Ramone’s proposal and is determined to bravely face a new life alongside her matador, their wedding plans need to be determined. However, sudden geopolitical activity forces both of their families to seek safe harbor. The breathtaking Spanish island of Mallorca provides a refuge for the group. With all the exciting upcoming events, including the Copa del Rey regatta and the nighttime pilgrimage hike to the Lluc monastery, the timing of their arrival on this stunning island could not be any more perfect.
Once the threat is seemingly behind them, all the soon-to-be relatives agree to extend their stay for a respite and to explore all that this captivating land has to offer. Amid the flurry of activities, Annie dreams of a deeply spiritual setting and ceremony, but will her search yield the perfect wedding venue? What about Ramone’s feelings? Will they both need to compromise? Or will political unrest spoil their celebration? As more relatives and friends make their way to the island and new friendships are formed, what other surprises will surface? There are choices to be made that will also affect friends and loved ones. Will they have the strength and maturity to choose wisely?
As in the first book of the series, Beyond the Sea, the chapters in Crossing Paths are relatively short. Ranging from two to six pages in length, these brief segments allow the reader to quickly ingest a tasty portion of the narrative. This is a plus if you have a busy lifestyle. I also love that this is a continuation of the story around the characters introduced in Beyond the Sea. Being already familiar with and intrigued by the main personalities, I was thrilled to continue following along as their journeys progressed. While new characters emerged and familiar ones took on a more prominent role, the growth of character, spirit, and strength among them was both exciting and inspiring. Another attractive element of this book is the wisdom gently imparted by some of the more mature members of the group. For example, both Annie’s mother and grandfather can often be counted on to offer her insightful thoughts as she struggles with important decisions.
The only negative thing I can say about this book is that there are quite a few errors, significantly more than in the first book. I am surprised at the many typos that should have been caught by a routine proofread before the text was finalized and typeset. However, this did not diminish my thorough enjoyment of the novel.
Crossing Paths is full of activity and surprises, and the author’s skill comfortably holds the reader deep in the waters of historical narrative. It is a compelling story with loads of positive elements and emotional moments that combine to make a gratifying read. In my opinion, it is definitely a five-star work. And I look forward to reading the third volume in Nina Purtee's charming series. But because of the considerable number of unintentional mistakes, I must deduct one star. My rating for Crossing Paths is 4 out of 5 stars.
Readers who love sailing, traveling, history, and summertime activities will enjoy this book. Fans of romance will be delighted as well; there is plenty of chemistry brewing! So, strap on a life jacket, lace up your best walkers, pack a few tissues, and trail along to discover the miracles and surprises that only happen when you’re Crossing Paths.
******
Crossing Paths
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The magnificent Porto Banus sets sail again, but this time it’s not solely a pleasure cruise. In Crossing Paths, the second book of her series, author Nina Purtee renders an entertaining and engaging tale rich in adventure, culture, emotion, challenges, and, of course, surprises! Now that Annie has accepted Ramone’s proposal and is determined to bravely face a new life alongside her matador, their wedding plans need to be determined. However, sudden geopolitical activity forces both of their families to seek safe harbor. The breathtaking Spanish island of Mallorca provides a refuge for the group. With all the exciting upcoming events, including the Copa del Rey regatta and the nighttime pilgrimage hike to the Lluc monastery, the timing of their arrival on this stunning island could not be any more perfect.
Once the threat is seemingly behind them, all the soon-to-be relatives agree to extend their stay for a respite and to explore all that this captivating land has to offer. Amid the flurry of activities, Annie dreams of a deeply spiritual setting and ceremony, but will her search yield the perfect wedding venue? What about Ramone’s feelings? Will they both need to compromise? Or will political unrest spoil their celebration? As more relatives and friends make their way to the island and new friendships are formed, what other surprises will surface? There are choices to be made that will also affect friends and loved ones. Will they have the strength and maturity to choose wisely?
As in the first book of the series, Beyond the Sea, the chapters in Crossing Paths are relatively short. Ranging from two to six pages in length, these brief segments allow the reader to quickly ingest a tasty portion of the narrative. This is a plus if you have a busy lifestyle. I also love that this is a continuation of the story around the characters introduced in Beyond the Sea. Being already familiar with and intrigued by the main personalities, I was thrilled to continue following along as their journeys progressed. While new characters emerged and familiar ones took on a more prominent role, the growth of character, spirit, and strength among them was both exciting and inspiring. Another attractive element of this book is the wisdom gently imparted by some of the more mature members of the group. For example, both Annie’s mother and grandfather can often be counted on to offer her insightful thoughts as she struggles with important decisions.
The only negative thing I can say about this book is that there are quite a few errors, significantly more than in the first book. I am surprised at the many typos that should have been caught by a routine proofread before the text was finalized and typeset. However, this did not diminish my thorough enjoyment of the novel.
Crossing Paths is full of activity and surprises, and the author’s skill comfortably holds the reader deep in the waters of historical narrative. It is a compelling story with loads of positive elements and emotional moments that combine to make a gratifying read. In my opinion, it is definitely a five-star work. And I look forward to reading the third volume in Nina Purtee's charming series. But because of the considerable number of unintentional mistakes, I must deduct one star. My rating for Crossing Paths is 4 out of 5 stars.
Readers who love sailing, traveling, history, and summertime activities will enjoy this book. Fans of romance will be delighted as well; there is plenty of chemistry brewing! So, strap on a life jacket, lace up your best walkers, pack a few tissues, and trail along to discover the miracles and surprises that only happen when you’re Crossing Paths.
******
Crossing Paths
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Letters from the Olive Tree by Reese Balducci
