Dipping In A Toe

by Linda Carroll-Bradd

Jessa Landers has a secret crush on her teens’ years-younger swim coach. A widow for three years, she’s managing her life and enjoys her freedom—except for the long, lonely evenings when she craves the attentions of an affectionate man.
Coach Rick Grant loves being a high school teacher and swim coach. Surrounded by families has him yearning for his own romantic connection—and his eye is on Jessa.
Will Jessa protect the balance of her family life, or take a second chance on love?

Genres: Contemporary

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2013

About the author

As a child, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about characters having exciting adventures in places far away. Upon reaching a landmark birthday, she decided to write one of those romances she loved so much. Easier said than done. Perseverance paid out and twelve years later, she received her first call from a publisher and a confession story was published. Now Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor, and many have a tie to her previous home of Texas.
Linda enjoys writing from her cabin in the mountains among the cedar and pines with her husband of 34 years and their two much-loved dogs.

Reviews

[Jennifer Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was just floored by this short story. This little tidbit did everything it was meant to do. It wet my appetite, and left me screaming for more.

Normally, I don’t like shorts, because I always feel like there is more to the story that I have not been told. To an extent, this is no exception to that. However, this was so superbly written that I was left feeling satisfied with the ending, and not wanting to chuck my E-reader at the wall.

This is a very simple story about a single mother being attracted to her kid’s much younger swim coach, and what happens when he returns her attention.

While this is a very sweet story. (Not even any kissing) I found myself submersed in the heat between these two characters, and feeling every sensory perception relayed by the author.

My only fault is how short it is (I read it in two nights, but I could have gobbled it in one sitting if I wanted to) I would love to read more about this new couple, and if there is a part two, I am reaching for it.

In general, I like fantasy or chase novels, and romance bores me. This story, though, just blew my socks off without any TNT. For the first time in a long time, I am looking up an author to see what else she’s written.

I can’t find any reason in this book not to give it five stars. This is sweet romance at its utter and complete best.

[Leslie Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Carroll-Brad's short story about widow Jessa Langdon and her secret crush on her kids' swim team coach Rick Grant perfectly captures the difficulties a suddenly single woman encounters trying to find love again.

When Jessa's husband died suddenly, Jessa forced herself to rearrange her life around her kids, giving them stability and all of her time. Staying impossibly busy eases the hurt, and when Jessa realizes that she is infatuated with Rick, she struggles to act on her fantasies.

Handsome and fit from his years coaching, Rick is much younger than Jessa, maybe impossibly young. Surrounded by his own family, happy in his single life--why would an older woman with an almost-teen and a teen figure into his plans?

The story is truthful, short, and satisfying, making it perfect to fit into the busiest of schedules.

I look forward to reading this author's other works.

[Amey Zeigler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story of a single mom finding love again.

[Becky Condit · Rating 3 out of 5]

LADY MCNEILL’S OPINION: In Dipping in a Toe by Linda Carroll-Bradd, widowed swim mom Jessa Landers seems to be finding her way back after the death of her husband. She’s found herself attracted to her kids’ swim coach Rick. Unfortunately, she is worried what her friends and kids will think if she starts dating again much less their swim coach. Rick finally makes the first move at a team pizza party and Jessa finally starts to feel like a woman again. As a mother of two swimmers I was curious to read a book based around a swim family. It was super short and read more like a prologue to a potentially longer love story. We only get Jessa’s POV so we read about her constant worry and concern over what her children think. As a mom who is still happily married I can only imagine how difficult it would be to start dating again so I could totally relate to all of her emotions. Rick appears to be an upstanding guy, but I can only imagine what happened next in their story. It’s been a while since I’ve read a story where the most erotic scene is a kiss on the check but to have tried to throw in any sex into this short story would have made in unbelievable. This story would make a great free read as an intro to a longer book.

Lady McNeill's 3 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Widower Jessa Landers has been harboring a secret crush on her teens swim coach. He is the first man to ignite any interest since her husbands death, what she doesn't realize is the feeling is mutual and Coach Rick Grant plans to let her know.

This was a very quick read and more like an introduction than anything. The story really didn't have time to develop and your left wondering if there will be anything or not. I was excited about this one because you can't find many swim stories out there, wish it had been longer.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is one I picked up for free, so, in that regard, it was worth a read through. The story wasn't very complex and the characters were only so-so. A nice short read, only 35 pages or so, but didn't really show me anything about the author that would induce me to go out an buy a full length novel. A pleasant read, but I finished the book last night and I've already forgotten the names of the characters. I would have returned it if I'd paid the full 1.99 - for less that 40 pages, its way over priced for a novella without even a real ending.

[Leanne Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking this as the short story it is meant to be it's a small page # that packs a big punch. Jessa is a widow with 2 teenagers and a crush on her kid's swim coach. Essentially it's more a story about a woman trying to date again. We get a hint she will date Rick but no real view into it. Honestly, I loved the start and writing and characters and wish this was a full length story because I want to read about them starting date and how the kids handle it and especially how Rick handles the ready-made family.