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A Cottage by the Sea

by Ciji Ware (Goodreads Author)

3.65 of 5 stars 3.65 · rating details · 1,149 ratings · 181 reviews

Some might call it running away . . .

But after a scandalous Hollywood divorce, Blythe Stowe considered it damage control for body and soul. The pain, the humiliation, the daily tabloids shouting details as her famous husband dumped her for her own sister demanded a serious getaway: to the wild coast of Cornwall and a cottage by the sea that her Wyoming grandmother claimed...more

Paperback, 532 pages

Published June 1st 2010 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published 1997)

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Dual Time Romances

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Apr 19, 2011 KatLynne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: g-contemporary-romance, kindle-freebie, g-historical-romance, g-paranormal-romance, g-romantic-suspense, time-travel, 2011-reads, kindle-lendable

First Published – 1997
Re-issue with a few minor adjustments by author - 2010

I knew very little about this book when first starting to read. The synopsis from the cover is as follows: After a scandalous Hollywood divorce, Blythe Barton Stowe considered it damage control for body and soul. The pain, the humiliation, the daily tabloids shouting details as her famous husband dumped her for her own sister demanded a serious getaway: to the wild coast of Cornwall and a cottage by the sea that her Wyo...more First Published – 1997
Re-issue with a few minor adjustments by author - 2010

I knew very little about this book when first starting to read. The synopsis from the cover is as follows: After a scandalous Hollywood divorce, Blythe Barton Stowe considered it damage control for body and soul. The pain, the humiliation, the daily tabloids shouting details as her famous husband dumped her for her own sister demanded a serious getaway: to the wild coast of Cornwall and a cottage by the sea that her Wyoming grandmother claimed had been home to her ancestors. But Blythe encountered more than just a quaint retreat nestled amid vivid skies and gorgeous ocean. And she had the odd sensation that her wickedly handsome neighbor Lucas Teague was more than a British gentleman going broke. He might be her destiny . . .

This was a free offer from Amazon for the Kindle, and after a brief view and liking the cover and even the name, I thought I’d give this one a try. I had not read anything previous by this author and began thinking this would be a simple romance, a quick read.

At the beginning, this book was slow for me and I found myself lightly skimming. Liking both Blythe Barton Stowe and the handsome Lucas Garrett Barton Trevelyan Teague, there still wasn’t that connection that held me and I was just about to give this one up when to my surprise I encountered brief spells of time-travel and a family mystery that involved the past lives of the Garrett’s/Barton’s/Trevelyan’s.

These three families were thrown together in the 18th century; sharing love, hate and tragedy. This is what held my interest and kept me reading. I was as much involved with the families from the past as the present day characters. I found myself anxiously wanting to know if the past in someway connected with the present and if so, how. The time travel was well done in small doses – just for a few minutes or hours. I liked that about this book and how we would be given just a little more info into the mystery. And as they unearthed one shocking family secret after another, I couldn’t wait to find out more.

Also, as the past was being revealed, the romance between Blythe & Lucas heated up. Overall, I liked this one and was glad that I continued. I will probably try another by this author.
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Jun 06, 2012 Lynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, dual-timelines, book-club-read

This was a good book with a duel timeline (current year and 1789) with most of the story taking place off the Cornish coast. As much as I liked this book, for some reason I felt like I couldn't connect with the characters from the story. Blythe, the main character takes a trip to the Cornish coast to escape after a devastating divorce and during her stay she begins to have episodes/flash backs of times from the past. Blythe also meets the handsome Lucas Teague the owner of the manor house that s...more

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Apr 11, 2011 Katherine Coble rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: abandoned

I didn't make it all the way through.

I hung on through the anti-feminist "you stole my man, ho" opener, replete with every negative cliche a romance novel can take. I really don't enjoy having the first ten pages hit you over the head with how beautiful/famous/wealthy/tragic the main character is. THIS book hits you with ALL FOUR.

I read books like this to go on vacation in my mind. To go to a place where people don't have to work lousy jobs for low pay to eke out an existence. This author had a...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 15, 2010 Kelly Moran rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-reviews

Author Ciji Ware has been an Emmy-winning television producer, reporter, writer, and radio host. Also a Harvard graduate, she has written several fiction and non-fiction books. She enjoys Scottish history and is a dancing enthusiast. Other titles include: Island of the Swans, Wicked Company, Midnight on Julia Street, A Light on the Veranda, and A Race to Splendor. She resides in San Francisco, California with her husband.

After a brutal and highly publicized divorce, Blythe Barton Stowe thinks...more Author Ciji Ware has been an Emmy-winning television producer, reporter, writer, and radio host. Also a Harvard graduate, she has written several fiction and non-fiction books. She enjoys Scottish history and is a dancing enthusiast. Other titles include: Island of the Swans, Wicked Company, Midnight on Julia Street, A Light on the Veranda, and A Race to Splendor. She resides in San Francisco, California with her husband.

After a brutal and highly publicized divorce, Blythe Barton Stowe thinks the remote cottage on the Cornwall coast is just what she needs to get over the humiliation, shock, and pain of her husband's affair with her sister, not to mention the press in Hollywood hounding her. But once in Cornwall, Blythe seems to find a strange connection to her long ago ancestors, and appears to be reliving a centuries-old tragedy. It also looks as if the handsome owner of the manor house on the hill is entwined in her destiny. Blythe finds herself not only determined to help Lucas Trevelyan Teague save his ancestral home, but to uncover the mysteries of their past. Lucas has been shrouded in painful loss as well, and begins to see Blythe as a lifeline from his bleak existence. Is their unbridled passion and new love enough to conquer the past tragedies, and is it enough to transcend the complexities of time and place?

I cannot throw enough positive adjectives at this book to give it justice. And I cannot even begin to fathom how much research it must have taken to write such a stellar work of fiction, crossing language and lifestyle barriers between the States and England, not to mention landscape, environment, gardening, psychology, history and supernatural research. Also to notably mention the varying array of secondary characters which brilliantly added to the story immensely: Chloe, Richard, Valerie, and Mr. and Mrs. Quiller, plus the ghosts of the past: Kris, Ennis, Blythe, and Garret.

This is a book for everyone. From supernatural and history buffs to romance lovers and garden experts, this book will capture you beginning to end. Written in an eloquent and poetic format, this powerful story relays a harrowing tale of overcoming pain and loss to righting the wrongs in history. Often bringing the reader to a varying degree of emotions, one will find themselves, laughing, weeping, and sighing. The setting was downright astounding and never will you root for a hero and heroine so emphatically. The perfect book to read while sitting by the fire with a box of tissues and a cup of tea.

Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
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Sep 22, 2011 Patricia Burroughs rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: british-isles, romance, science-fiction

I downloaded the e-sample from Amazon because I saw that this was about a woman who seeks solace and healing in a cottage in Cornwall after an emotionally devastating divorce. Frankly, all I wanted was the Cornwall experience. So when I started reading and it started off as an LA/Hollywood/media frenzy story, it didn't grab me, nor did the heroine's early life on a ranch in Wyoming. None of this was the vibe I'm looking for.

Fortunately the story got to Cornwall just before the sample ended. I wa...more

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Apr 12, 2011 Kerr rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: free-kindle, found-boring, dont-recommend, deleted

What a load of codswolop!

Seriously. In the end I was only reading it so that I could complain about it, I'm glad it was a free ebook and I didnt pay for it. If the writer ever visited england I'd be damned surprised. several times "English Phrases" were translated for the American, phrases that, being English I've never heard in my life! There was something about "bill of quality", but what they REALLY meant was an estimate... and 'sacked' from school, what?!
Several times things were 'translated...more

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Feb 03, 2012 Staci rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: blame-it-all-on-kaye, kindle-booklist, 2012-reads

Why I wanted to read it: I have several reasons......

My awesome blogging friend Jen @ Jenny Loves to Read, sent me a copy a LONG time ago because I expressed interest in the book after she reviewed it.
I am drawn to all things Cornwall...I swear one of my ancestors is from this area!
Kaye@Pudgy Penguin listed this as one of her favorite reads for 2010 and I made up a challenge for myself to read some of my favorite bloggers favorite books!
It was C in my 52 Weeks 52 Books Alphabetical challenge!

Sou...more

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May 16, 2010 Terra rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Cottage by the Sea by Ciji Ware is what I consider a true romance novel with a smattering of suspense. The storyline is as solid as a brick wall and captures you from the beginning and keeps you ensnared in it's net of interest right up till the very last words. A book by all accounts that could be a classic in years to come takes you on an emotional journey that will have you wondering if you are not playing the heroine in this vivid sensory tale.

Blythe Barton Stowe needs to escape from the...more

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May 26, 2010 Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

This is a delightfully fun novel that contains essences of romance and history and modern times all expertly crafted into a cohesive and addictive narrative. Blythe Barton whisks herself to Cornwall to escape the prying reporters and her ruined marriage, and the reader gets to know and like Blythe as she rediscovers herself during this much needed respite. Complete with a captivating historical atmosphere of a misty Cornwall, author Ciji Ware does a fabulous job of recreating the nuances of epic...more This is a delightfully fun novel that contains essences of romance and history and modern times all expertly crafted into a cohesive and addictive narrative. Blythe Barton whisks herself to Cornwall to escape the prying reporters and her ruined marriage, and the reader gets to know and like Blythe as she rediscovers herself during this much needed respite. Complete with a captivating historical atmosphere of a misty Cornwall, author Ciji Ware does a fabulous job of recreating the nuances of epic authors such as Daphne Du Maurier and Mary Stewart.

I was one of the readers of the recent reissue of Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware (reviewed here) and I had fallen in love with Ware's writing style. While the last novel was more about a true historical character, A Cottage by The Sea offers a modern tone with flashback settings to 1700's England. The novel mentioned Daphne Du Maurier several times, and there were many times especially during the flashback settings that the gothic style was prominent within the book.

Blythe Barton finds herself with an uncanny ability to see into the past, and this past contains her probable ancestors of the Barton/Trevelyan clan of the eighteenth century. While renovating Cornish property Blythe comes across a framed family tree that beckons her soul. The owner of the Cornish property where Blythe finds her quaint English retreat is of course a handsome sexy man who Blythe falls for immediately. She goes into business with him, among other things, and along the way tries to recuperate and heal from her messy divorce. Strong family ties are a theme in this novel, with the past family members invading her thoughts as well as Blythe's present-day family; such as her grandmother's quotes and her immature, conniving and betraying sister. Since the novel echoes with themes of gothic romance novels, this one made me want to delve into Du Maurier and Mary Stewart again. I really enjoyed the details of the land and the old estate which featured a castle, of course.

Blythe needs to find the missing link of the past and find contentment in the present, and readers are taken through a haunting love triangle of the past that reverberates mystery and intrigue throughout the novel. I loved the past day revelations the most, and the characters of the past deserve a novel all their own. The supernatural elements were believable and added much to the story without becoming outlandish. Ciji Ware does a splendid job of merging the two stories into a suspenseful family saga that I loved getting lost in. Prudish readers like me who are not accustomed to ardent loves scenes may find themselves blushing at a few intervals in the novel. I would have appreciate a lot more depth to the characters overall, but I was totally entertained by the novel and that's all I would ask for in this type of read. This was a very enjoyable adventure that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to history lovers, romance readers and even those who like a little trip to the past via ghosts. The story was written so well with the links of the past to the present complete with the genealogy chart that had me wishing that the story was true.
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Jun 05, 2010 Kathleen Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

This story by Ciji Ware is an enjoyable read. I was not sure what to expect as I had not read anything by her before. Once I started reading it I was hooked. I enjoyed the characters and I am always up for a little supernatural or reincarnation in a story. There is enough mystery, romance and history to keep the reader enthralled to the end. Blythe is a fan of Daphne du Maurier's novels and renting a cottage on the Cornwall coast, where a lot of Ms.du Maurier's novels take place, is just what sh...more

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May 31, 2010 Christy B (Readin' and Dreamin') rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs-and-galleys, fiction, historical-fiction, georgian, historical-romance, time-slip-and-travel

When I finished with A Cottage By the Sea, I realized that I had just finished my first time-travel book. The time traveling was interesting, here. Blythe would put her finger on a name on a genealogy tree and say the name and... BOOM! She was back in time, 200 years ago, seeing things from that person's perspective.

Let me tell you how Blythe got to this genealogy tree. First of all, her scumbag husband cheated on her, with her own sister! The present day story opens with Blythe divorcing her hu...more

1 like · like · see review

May 26, 2011 Jolie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I normally avoid chick lit like the plague but for some reason, this one really called out to me. Don't know why, but it did and I am glad I read it.

This book had me from the first chapter, when Blythe and her lawyer were riding to the court for her divorce proceedings to the last. I got teary eyed when she drank herself into a stupor the first night in Cornwall and laughed when she met Luke the next day.

The parrell story (the one with Blythe, Kit, Ennis and Garrett) really tugged at my heartstr...more

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May 31, 2011 Laurel rated it 2 of 5 stars

Free Kindle book. I am usually pretty liberal-minded about paranormal activity but was not able to make a few of the necessary leaps to make this book work for me. The level of melodrama is off the charts. Every few pages there is some fresh emotional quandary that makes it impossible for any issue to be dealt with in a meaningful way (actually the barrage is so outrageous you need to be reminded lest you forget about the earlier ones). Also, the present-day heroine (as opposed to her historic c...more

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Mar 20, 2013 Carole Lehr Johnson rated it 1 of 5 stars

Blythe Stowe has been jilted by her famous movie director husband. After years of marriage—and their successful business relationship—Blythe’s marriage is over because of her husband’s infidelity with her younger sister. Following a bitter divorce settlement, she goes for a sabbatical to a picturesque cottage in Cornwall where her ancestors were thought to have lived before immigrating to America.

Blythe’s summer cottage by the sea is located on the property of Lucas Teague’s centuries old estat...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Leya rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Ever have that deja vu feeling while you are reading. Well that happened to me when I really got engrossed reading A Cottage by the Sea. I kept on thinking this sounds really familiar, but I couldn't remember if I had read this book before...until I did a little research online and found the original book cover and then it hit me. Yep, I had read the book. But that didn't stop me from re-reading it again and enjoying it.

I truly felt for both the main characters Blythe and Luke. What Blythe had g...more

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Oct 16, 2012 Cristina rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 13, 2013 Kristin Foti rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was easy to get into. From the start, you feel the pain of the main character because of her awful divorce.

Blythe moves to Cornwall, where she believes she may have history, after a nasty Hollywood divorce. Upon arriving at the cottage by the sea, she meets the owner of the estate. Together they explore the history of the estate, their common heritage, and attempt to save both.

There are several time travel sequences, where Blythe experiences the life of her namesake from several hund...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Falina rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book isn't really my type, but it was well-written, the characters were interesting and believable, and though it wasn't dark, there was a lot of angst to it. It's also got multiple narratives (one thread in the past, one in the present). I normally don't like that because there's inevitably one narrative thread I like more than the other, and I spend half the novel impatiently skimming. However, the two threads intersect enough in A Cottage by the Sea so that my interest didn't wane too mu...more

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Feb 04, 2011 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: english

Meh...A little too Wyoming folksy meets Mr. Darcy.

1 like · like · see review

Mar 27, 2012 Darlene rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Yvensong, Cher-lynn Maynard, S. Michele, Tom

Recommended to Darlene by: Kindle, Kobo freebie

Shelves: feminism, history, horses, i-ve-read, kindle, kobo, strong-fem, england, cornwall-england

Floundering between books and the computers are off I found this old one (one of the first freebies downloaded to my Kindle and to my Kobo desktop app. Loved the title but just couldn't get into the book. Too much Hollywood/divorce crap and not enough Cottage by the Sea. Couldn't find a reason to like the characters. The plot seemed to be heading for romance territory. Meh.

***
After I posted this review I read other reviews on Amazon and feel maybe I should go back and try to read this.

***
This wa...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Laurie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really got into this book more than I had expected. It had the usual entanglements of unnecessary jealousies and petty misinterpretations that seem to be mandatory in romances, and I find so tedious to read through to be honest. Sometimes I just want to shake the simpering "heroine" and scream for her to chill, so he's talking to another female, so what?! Even through all that, I was riveted to the story.

Cottage by the Sea is more than your typical romance, there is also an element of drama...more

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Sep 03, 2011 Natasha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Blythe Barton is an American production designer. After she divorces her unfaithful, English, director husband, she travels to Cornwall, England for a month of healing and peace. There she rents a cottage by the sea on a family estate that might or might not have ties to one of her ancestors. During a visit to the main house one night she touches the old family genealogy chart and has a strange vision of another Blythe Barton who lived hundreds of years before. As she continues to have visions o...more Blythe Barton is an American production designer. After she divorces her unfaithful, English, director husband, she travels to Cornwall, England for a month of healing and peace. There she rents a cottage by the sea on a family estate that might or might not have ties to one of her ancestors. During a visit to the main house one night she touches the old family genealogy chart and has a strange vision of another Blythe Barton who lived hundreds of years before. As she continues to have visions of the past, she uncovers that the romantic situation of the 18th century Blythe eerily mirrors her own past.

When I was a child, we spent summer holidays in Cornwall. My family had a flat in Looe and I spent many happy hours exploring rock pools and scaling cliff paths. As a result, Cornwall remains one of my favorite places and I enjoy reading books that are set there. When I searched Ciji Ware on my Nook it was with the intention of purchasing and reading Island of the Swans. Unfortunately, that book is not available on Nook and so, intrigued by the name and the setting, I purchased this book instead. I found the book enjoyable and the plot interested me. However, I also found it to be incredibly frustrating. There were many "British" terms that were misused by supposedly "British" characters. For example, one is sacked from a job. Not a school. I also found it rather annoying that in a small, Cornish village, everyone is watching CNN. I can honestly say that I have never watched CNN while in England with family. It appears that the author took a few quintessentially British phrases and sprinkled them in to the vocabulary of her British character to make them seem authentic. Unfortunately, the opposite was achieved. I also found it awkward when the Blythe would use a "typically" American phrase and then explain what it meant to her British host when many of those phrases are also very common in Britain.

I gave this book 3 stars because the plot did keep me interested and once I started reading it, I wanted to continue. I didn't give it a higher rating because I found the glaring errors in grammar and the continued references to CNN distracting. (less)

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Jul 01, 2012 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction, romance

This historical fiction, fantasy, romance novel reminded me of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. The story takes place in contemporary times and in the 18th century. Blythe Barton Stowe is visiting Cornwall after a humiliating divorce. Her grandmother had always told her that her ancestor's came from Cornwall. Blythe stays in the Painter's Cottage at the Barton Hall estates, where she meets Lucas Teague. While in the library of the estate studying a large framed genealogy map, she is transporte...more

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Apr 23, 2011 Marsha rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Adult Paranormal Romance Lovers

"Cottage By the Sea" is an interesting tale of betrayal,healing, forgiveness and renewal. Where is the paranormal twist? Well, it is definitely in the storyline.

Blythe Barton is divorcing her Hollywood Director husband of eleven years after discovering him in bed with her very own sister. On the final hearing of their divorce, Blythe boards a plane to an area of England, Cornish that her grandmother had spoken so of so fondly for all of her life. She stays at a little cottage by the sea, owned b...more "Cottage By the Sea" is an interesting tale of betrayal,healing, forgiveness and renewal. Where is the paranormal twist? Well, it is definitely in the storyline.

Blythe Barton is divorcing her Hollywood Director husband of eleven years after discovering him in bed with her very own sister. On the final hearing of their divorce, Blythe boards a plane to an area of England, Cornish that her grandmother had spoken so of so fondly for all of her life. She stays at a little cottage by the sea, owned by Luke Teague. Luke also owns the adjoining manor which has fallen on hard times.

While visiting the manor, Blythe has an out of body experience when she touches the glass covering the family tree mural.This experience causes Blythe to travel back in time to the late 1700's where she meets the original Blythe Barton, one of her descendants. What Blythe does not know is that her life will not change forever.

I enjoyed many aspects of this story. The humorous quotes of Blythe's grandmother brought back memories for me of many quotes of some of my relatives. The relationship between Blythe and Luke's son is tender and precious. The villains really made me despise them. But, I also had many problems with this story.

Ciji Ware expects us to believe Blythe is from Wyoming but constantly has her speaking using English colloquialisms. Additionally, the author is too wordy most of the time and it does not enhance the storyline by adding helpful information. It is just plain prattle. She goes on and on about DNA, or repeats aspects of the story that she could have just referred to.The strangest thing of all is that for all of Ms. Wares wordiness, she fails to have the characters say the most important words of all, "I love you," and that is just a shame. The final thing that bothered me is that for all of those 500 plus pages, Ms. Ware left us hanging as to what happened to some of the characters while hinting at what happened to others.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but at times I was not sure if I would continue with it to the end. Read it for yourself. You might truly enjoy it. (less)

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Aug 12, 2010 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Blythe decides to spend her summer, alone in Cornwall, in order to sift through her thoughts and emotions regarding her recent public divorce and humiliation at the hands of her now ex-husband (the cheeky bastard). Blythe picks Cornwall because her Grandmom always said she had roots there. Turns out to be true and apparently things did not go well with Blythe's ancestors either. They also had some trouble in the love department, to put it mildly. Without giving the story away, Blythe realizes yo...more Blythe decides to spend her summer, alone in Cornwall, in order to sift through her thoughts and emotions regarding her recent public divorce and humiliation at the hands of her now ex-husband (the cheeky bastard). Blythe picks Cornwall because her Grandmom always said she had roots there. Turns out to be true and apparently things did not go well with Blythe's ancestors either. They also had some trouble in the love department, to put it mildly. Without giving the story away, Blythe realizes you can learn from the past to correct present difficulties. It's all about forgiveness and acceptance.

Blythe embarks on a passionate relationship with Lucas Teague, and although he seems like a rebound guy, he is exactly what she needs and vice versa. Lucas has experienced tragedy in his past and needs to forgive and accept himself and past events. It's not worth it to stay angry at the past. No use crying over spilled milk, right? Lucas is a doll and a hot one to boot, so Blythe has it made. Ah romance!

With respect to the secondary characters they are fun and well placed. Ware's descriptions and dialogue enhanced their roles in the story, and I was able to picture them with ease, the ex-husband, Blythe's sister, and especially the godmother.

The time travel element is executed well in the story. I like the explanation that Ware employs when Blythe tries to seek some answers regarding her "experiences". I thought it was plausible considering the circumstances, and it's quite creative. As to the setting, Ware represents Cornwall in all it's splendor with descriptions of the coast, the surrounding foliage, and village life. Yes, Cornwall is now on my list of places I must visit some day.

This book was a good read, and I think it is unique as opposed to other time travel romances I have read. It's different. For those of you, who have read Island of the Swans, at the end of the story you will recognize some of the names and places that are mentioned. I thought that was a great touch, and pretty creative. Don't worry if you haven't read Swans, you'll still know what's going on. Ware just gave a nod to her other book, which I would highly recommend.
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Jul 19, 2010 Wisteria Leigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

A COTTAGE BY THE SEA[return]by Ciji Ware[return]Sourcebooks Landmark[return]9781402222702[return]June 2010[return]$15.99US/$18.99CAN[return]544 pages[return][return][return][return]Blythe Barton, desperate and mortified following her highly publicized Hollywood divorce from the flamboyant director Christopher Stowe, flees to England, the land of her ancestors for solitude and rest. Even the millions that become hers in the settlement will not assuage the humiliation she suffered when she discove...more A COTTAGE BY THE SEA[return]by Ciji Ware[return]Sourcebooks Landmark[return]9781402222702[return]June 2010[return]$15.99US/$18.99CAN[return]544 pages[return][return][return][return]Blythe Barton, desperate and mortified following her highly publicized Hollywood divorce from the flamboyant director Christopher Stowe, flees to England, the land of her ancestors for solitude and rest. Even the millions that become hers in the settlement will not assuage the humiliation she suffered when she discovered the steamy affair between her husband and sister. To add salt to the festering wound, upon leaving court she learns with added embarrassment that the two have wed. [return][return]Arriving at Barton Hall in Cornwall, she meets the owner, her landlord Lucas Teague. He informs her that her attorney Lisa, has extended her lease by three months. When she calls Lisa she is told that the media is in a frenzy after the announcement that her sister is pregnant and it would be best for her to stay put. [return][return]Resigned to her fate she begins to build a new life, with hope of erasing her past. She settles into Painter� s Cottage by the sea surrounded by lush plantings and incredible views of the sea. Lucas, she admits When she meets her landlord and the owner of Barton Hall she notes how attractive and British he is and her curiosity rises, but with reserved caution she maintains her distance. Lucas shares his recent financial troubles with Blythe and she uses her skills as a production designer to generate a business plan that she hopes will make Barton Hall solvent. [return][return]She falls in love with Lucas, but his inability to share his life with his son disturbs her. Through some anomaly in the Barton genealogy chart, she discovers the linkage between her present and ancestral past life. She has vivid visions that uncover the buried history of her namesake leaving her confused with many unanswered questions. Then an unwelcome surprise visit by her ex-husband infuriates her as she is forced to deal with her psychologically unbalanced sister and a life changing plea from her remorseful ex. [return][return]With a mystical allure, the story slowly teases the reader as the present, past and future are plaited together. Through the lives of Blythe Barton and her forbears who lived in the 18th century, the history of Barton Hall emerges with a surprising twist. Blythe and Lucas are sensually hot, passionate lovers who were destined for each other. Each character is so compellingly real and touchable the story breathes believability. Once again, Ciji Ware has written an absorbing romance of historical fiction. Cottage by the Sea is a scintillating summer read offering pure enchantment.(less)

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Aug 21, 2010 The Readings of a Busy Mom Riaz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

This is the first novel I have ever read by Ciji Ware and I am sure it won't be my last. A Cottage by The Sea is an addictive read that took me through every page with a comforting ease while I got hooked on the life like characters along the way...a novel of true romance with droppings of suspense and humour in all the right places and if that wasn't enough then the hunk Lucas was!!

Ciji wrote her characters with great thoroughness and I admire that..I loved Blythe she was a strong and spunky ch...more

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Jul 11, 2010 Lori rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Cottage by the Sea was my first book by Ciji Ware and I am so grateful I had the chance to read this incredible book. It had everything that normally interests me - - a Hollywood background, an English setting, a bit of history and touches of the supernatural. So good was this book, it kept me up until after 3 a.m. to find out what was going to happen.

I was entranced from the first page, between author Ciji Ware's enchanting writing and a heroine that I not only really liked but could relate...more A Cottage by the Sea was my first book by Ciji Ware and I am so grateful I had the chance to read this incredible book. It had everything that normally interests me - - a Hollywood background, an English setting, a bit of history and touches of the supernatural. So good was this book, it kept me up until after 3 a.m. to find out what was going to happen.

I was entranced from the first page, between author Ciji Ware's enchanting writing and a heroine that I not only really liked but could relate to. I found Blythe to be a spunky character without being pushy or overbearing and while she was also soft, she wasn't a pushover. Her emotions and the impact on her self esteem were raw and cut through every page - - I could feel Blythe's despair in the pit of my stomach, so gripping and understandable was her pain.

Lucas Teague was a satisfying and masculine hero, from the first moment he appears as Blythe's new landlord in Cornwall to his mucking through his estate in his Wellies and dented Land Rover to his customary tea taking at 4 p.m. daily. One of my favorite aspects of Lucas was his vulnerability, showing that underneath that stiff British upper lip, he did have his flaws. In fact, several times during the course of the book, I felt strong parallels to Mr. Darcy's interactions with Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, where both parties are so strong willed and determined they can't see what is so obvious to the bystander (like this reader).

I found the historical aspects of the novel to be thoroughly enjoyable. They made up only perhaps an eighth of the book overall but they were so rich in detail and so engrossing to have put the whipped cream on top of this slice of literary pie. In fact, the flashback scenes of the original Blythe, Kit, Ennis and Garrett could have made a stunning story all on its own.

The cherry on top of this confection would have to be the incredible locale. I have never been to Cornwall (or to Britain, in fact) but Ms. Ware's beautifully descriptive writing gave me the most gorgeous mental images of this lovely coastal area of England. As Blythe described walking from Painter's Cottage to Barton Hall, I could shut my eyes and see the wooded walk, hear the waves behind me and prepare to see the rhodedendrons as tall as trees as Barton Hall came into view. This book only served to whet my appetite to see this amazing country.

Cottage by the Sea is one of the best books I have read this year, hands down, and one of my favorite historical fiction pieces overall. This book has romance, it has drama, it has history and it has the supernatural. There is something for every reader to enjoy and savor. I could not recommend this book highly enough and feel that any reader taking a pass on this delightful novel would be missing out on an incredible and worthy experience.
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Jun 21, 2010 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical, romance

From My Blog....[return][return]A Cottage by the Sea by Ciji Ware is an intriguing, enticing, complex and romantic novel that will keep readers up long into the night. Blythe Barton Stowe grew up in Wyoming, married and became famous in California and is facing a humiliating divorce and scandal in Hollywood. Blythe decides it is time to get away from the media circus and heads to Cornwell for some peace and quiet and to research some of her ancestors who are from Cornwall. She manages to rent a...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Blythe Barton Stowe has just endured a terrible Hollywood divorce, made more terrible by the fact that her famous director husband cheated on her with her sister Ellie while she tended to their dying grandmother back in Wyoming. Determined to put the past behind her, Blythe travels to Cornwall to find out if she is connected to the past of a Blythe-Trevelyans manor home, which is currently owned by Luke Teague. Once at the manor house, Blythe finds herself attracted to Luke and also experiencing...more

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About Ciji Ware

Ciji Ware, a graduate of Harvard University in History, is a New York Times & USA Today bestelling author of historical and contemporary fiction, and two works of nonfiction. A former radio and TV broadcaster for 23 years in Los Angeles, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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