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70th out of 207 books
—
137 voters
Shadows on the Sand: A Seaside Mystery
by
Gayle Roper
She serves him breakfast at her café every morning … but he never seems to notice her.
Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals … although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality a...more
Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals … although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality a...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
July 19th 2011
by Multnomah Books
(first published July 2011)
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First reviewed here: http://overweight-bookshelf.blogspot....
This was an intriguing storyline that capitalizes on complex and soulful characters and a fast-paced, suspense filled plot. The cast of characters are all survivors of a past wrought with hurt and feelings of abandonment, but together they have forged a community of support and stability. Carrie is a nurturing heroine who selflessly gives of herself without becoming a pushover. Greg is plagues with feelings of guilt and mourning but ha...more
This was an intriguing storyline that capitalizes on complex and soulful characters and a fast-paced, suspense filled plot. The cast of characters are all survivors of a past wrought with hurt and feelings of abandonment, but together they have forged a community of support and stability. Carrie is a nurturing heroine who selflessly gives of herself without becoming a pushover. Greg is plagues with feelings of guilt and mourning but ha...more
I am not a religious person so I was a bit nervous when requesting a copy of Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper, a Christian writer. I don't like books that are loaded with bible verses. Some is ok but don't let it take up ALL of the story. I can honestly say this book had the correct balance of bible verses and story.
My Thoughts of the Book:
Like I said before, I am not religious but this book was able to have the right balance of story and bible verses and references. The only thing that was ki...more
My Thoughts of the Book:
Like I said before, I am not religious but this book was able to have the right balance of story and bible verses and references. The only thing that was ki...more
If your a fan of christian suspense/mystery with a nice romance woven in then your going to be in for a real treat with Shadows On The Sand by Gayle Roper. The book is set in Seaside New Jersey and revolves around the owner and staff of Carrie's Cafe. Carrie Carter and Greg Barnes both have issues from their past. Carrie overcame some major childhood issues and Greg is still dealing with the loss of his family that took place three years ago. Carrie secretly longs for a relationship with Greg bu...more
Carrie Carter's crush on ex-cop Greg Barnes is no secret to anyone except the object of her affection. As she serves him coffee every day, she yearns for him to notice her. After the untimely death of his family, Greg quit his job and closed himself off from the world around him. Hence, Carrie is no stranger to his indifference. When Jase, the dishwasher at Carrie's café, goes missing, Greg and Carrie are drawn into the case and into each other's lives. As they grow closer, secrets buried in the...more
I loved this story because it told two different stories of being lost and then found again, both in scriptural references with the Bible and through the unveiling of the characters pasts. In the story of Carrie, we learn how difficult her childhood has been caring for not only herself and her sister Lindsay at 16. She struggles with keeping up strength in dealing with any circumstance that she comes into contact with even though on the inside she's extremely fragile and broken on the inside.
The...more
While they've known each other a long time, Greg and Carrie are drawn to each other when Greg begins helping Carrie attempt to figure out mysteries occurring with her staff. Murder, a mysterious religious cult and twittering senior citizens make for an interesting and entertaining story. Add Greg's and Carrie's respective pasts and baggage and you have Shadows on the Sand. But, put it all together and it works. The plot moves along well and I enjoyed watching Greg and Carrie come to terms with t...more
I had a bit of trouble getting into this book, I found there to be way too much dialog in the beginning. Talking and discussions in the café really brought the flow to a halt. Once the characters moved away from the café the conversations were less and the book flowed better and the story started to take shape.
I like the characters and the little seaside village they live in. The residence of the village are sweet and each have their own little quirks. The main characters are flawed and need he...more
I like the characters and the little seaside village they live in. The residence of the village are sweet and each have their own little quirks. The main characters are flawed and need he...more
I don't know what it was about this story that resonated so well within me, but it did! Carrie Carter is somewhat of an underdog. She is strong, determined, and fights to protect the people she cares about (and fix all of their problems). After running away from her abusive home when she was 13, with little sister Lindsay in tow, she starts a new life in Seaside, New Jersey.
I love the character of Carrie. One would never guess her to have the strength she has, based on appearances. Yet when tro...more
I love the character of Carrie. One would never guess her to have the strength she has, based on appearances. Yet when tro...more
My Review: I would call this a comfortable novel. It is one of those that you can curl up in front of the fireplace with a cup of cocoa and just enjoy the story. I loved the characters, especially Carrie. She is a woman who faced horrible atrocities as a child at the hand of a mother who cared more about the next drink than her daughters. She was determined to protect her little sister and her strength lead her to Seaside. Carrie is a far from perfect which is another reason why I liked her. Gre...more
This book starts out like a fun beachy book with romance brewing between two very damaged people and a fun supporting cast of secondary characters that all congregate at "Carrie's Cafe" in the mornings. Then an employee of the Cafe turns up missing and is then found dead, then while that is being investigated another young employee turns up missing. Carrie and Greg find themselves in the middle of it all but can the duplicity of the people around them be found out before anyone else dies? It tur...more
At the age of 16, Carrie Carter ran from an abusive home, taking her little sister Lindsay with her. Though underage, Carrie managed to provide for them both by working at a seaside cafe, which 17 years later she is now leasing from the owner. Though neither sister has heard from or spoken to their mother since they ran, Carrie still struggles to forgive and forget her tormented past.
Despite her distrust of men, Carrie can't stop her heart from doing the "Snoopy dance" every time she sees Greg B...more
Despite her distrust of men, Carrie can't stop her heart from doing the "Snoopy dance" every time she sees Greg B...more
Exciting Romantic Suspense! There are two sad stories of two people who come together! Carrie and her sister are now running a small café after and are looking for happiness when danger comes lurking in to their lives. Greg is a regular at the café that is just struggling daily to live after the loss of his family! These two are struggling to survive the danger imposed on them as well as learning how to love and trust again.
I thought this book was really good!! There was quite a bit of suspense...more
I thought this book was really good!! There was quite a bit of suspense...more
Summary: Carrie Carter and her sister Lindsay run a small cafe in Seaside, a resort town on an island off the New Jersey coast. Things are just starting to wind down after the busy summer — the vacationing crowds are dissipating and the cafe is settling back into the company of their year-round regulars.
One of those regulars, Greg Barnes, makes Carrie’s heart do a happy dance every time he comes in. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to know she exists other than to serve his usual bacon and eggs in...more
One of those regulars, Greg Barnes, makes Carrie’s heart do a happy dance every time he comes in. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to know she exists other than to serve his usual bacon and eggs in...more
Jul 06, 2011
Cate
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
It is a good book club read. A nice book to accompany a pleasant afternoon.
Shelves:
first-reads,
2011-reads
This is a
Reading Good Books
review.
* In compliance with FTC guidelines, it should be noted that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I must admit, I had my doubts when I found out that this was in the Christian fiction genre. I am not the most religious person and I tend to keep my distance from conversations about religion. I was raised Catholic, did very well in my Religion classes, and even participated in a couple of bible studies and rosary crusades. But do not total...more
* In compliance with FTC guidelines, it should be noted that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I must admit, I had my doubts when I found out that this was in the Christian fiction genre. I am not the most religious person and I tend to keep my distance from conversations about religion. I was raised Catholic, did very well in my Religion classes, and even participated in a couple of bible studies and rosary crusades. But do not total...more
Shadows on the Sand is a Christian mystery/romance story about Carrie Carter, a strong-willed independent woman who runs a small cafe in Seaside, New Jersey. Her sister Lindsay is her pastry chef. Carrie has an unrequited crush on Greg Barnes, a regular in the cafe. Greg is a former police office who lost his wife and children in a terrible crime just a few years before the story begins.
As the story unfolds, Carrie's dishwasher, Jase, is tragically murdered, and more and more mystery surrounds n...more
As the story unfolds, Carrie's dishwasher, Jase, is tragically murdered, and more and more mystery surrounds n...more
Another author I haven’t read any of her books before. She is new to me and I really loved this book.
Right off I really liked/sympathized with one of the main characters Carrie. She is full of spunk, but also tender, but acts tough. It is hard for her to trust people after the way her mother brought her and her younger sister up.
It was very easy to get involved in this story and it was hard to put down. I couldn’t wait to read it, but didn’t want it to end.
This book Shadows on the Sand is fu...more
Right off I really liked/sympathized with one of the main characters Carrie. She is full of spunk, but also tender, but acts tough. It is hard for her to trust people after the way her mother brought her and her younger sister up.
It was very easy to get involved in this story and it was hard to put down. I couldn’t wait to read it, but didn’t want it to end.
This book Shadows on the Sand is fu...more
THIS BOOK WAS A VERY GOOD BOOK. IT HAD SOME ROMANCE AND THEN IT HAD SUSPENSE TOO. IT WAS ABOUT TWO SISTERS NAMED CARRIE AND LINSAY WHO HAD A TROUBLED LIFE ONE AS A TEENAGER AND ONE WHO WAS 10 YEARS OLD. THEIR MOM WAS AN ALCHOLIC AND THE GIRLS HAD TO HIDE IN THEIR ROOM SO THE MEN THAT MOM BROUGHT HOME WOULDN'T COME INTO THERE ROOM AND DO SOMETHING TO THEM THEY ALSO HID A KNIFE IN THERE. THEY FINALLY HAD ENOUGH AND RAN AWAY FROM HOME AND AT ONE TIME THEY WERE SLEEPING UNDER A BRIDGE. CARRIE WENT A...more
This is the first of Gayle Roper's Seaside books that I've read, even though there are four others set in Seaside, New Jersey. The good news is that I didn't feel I was missing anything by not having them read them. The main plot is taken from the headlines of the past year; a polygamous cult with a shady leader is at the heart of the matter.
The plot itself is straightforward. There's a murder and the locals are involved. There's also a romance, which is formulaic so you know you'll get a positi...more
The plot itself is straightforward. There's a murder and the locals are involved. There's also a romance, which is formulaic so you know you'll get a positi...more
Sometimes a story can catch you by surprise in it's quality. A book from a genre not known for it's serious tone can really catch your attention. This is the best way to describe my surprise upon reading *Shadows on the Sand* by Gayle Roper.
The story starts with a young restaurant owner, Carrie Carter (whose sister co-owns the restaurant), teasing one of her waitresses, Andi, about her boyfriend fighting with one of Andi's co-workers named Jase. As more customers hear about the boyfriend, more d...more
The story starts with a young restaurant owner, Carrie Carter (whose sister co-owns the restaurant), teasing one of her waitresses, Andi, about her boyfriend fighting with one of Andi's co-workers named Jase. As more customers hear about the boyfriend, more d...more
The plot was excellent but the style of writing didn't match it - I read about these horrible things that had happened to the main characters but I didn't feel anything for them. This is the first book by Roper I've read and judging from this one, I won't seek out anymore.
I didn't like the fact that the author used her characters to speak disparagingly about social network sites, especially Twitter. I couldn't find her on Twitter, so if she is not using the site, how can she pass judgement on i...more
I didn't like the fact that the author used her characters to speak disparagingly about social network sites, especially Twitter. I couldn't find her on Twitter, so if she is not using the site, how can she pass judgement on i...more
SHADOWS ON THE SAND by Gayle Roper was an enjoyable read.
Carrie Carter owns a little café that Greg Barnes frequents every day. Carrie waits for him every morning, though he doesn’t seem to know she exists. Carrie sympathizes with the tragedy that’s darkened his world because of her own tragic upbringing. She just wishes he would look up from his breakfast one day and notice she is there.
Greg Barnes is intrigued by the upbeat Carrie Carter, but is afraid to feel again. He loved once and lost, a...more
Carrie Carter owns a little café that Greg Barnes frequents every day. Carrie waits for him every morning, though he doesn’t seem to know she exists. Carrie sympathizes with the tragedy that’s darkened his world because of her own tragic upbringing. She just wishes he would look up from his breakfast one day and notice she is there.
Greg Barnes is intrigued by the upbeat Carrie Carter, but is afraid to feel again. He loved once and lost, a...more
Carrie ran away from home as a teenager. Carrie was a child but took on the responsibility of bringing her younger sister and raising her. Their mother was an alcoholic and her "boyfriends" were just a little too interested in Carrie. Fortunately, Carrie arrived at Seaside and was taken under the wing of some caring and loving people. She was given a job as a waitress in a local café and provided an apartment. Now Carrie owns the café and operates it with the help of her sister.
Greg used to be...more
Greg used to be...more
I remember growing up and hearing the bell choir perform at my church. I have to say that I really enjoyed it, especially when they were all synchronized and hit their notes in perfect unison. It made for a beautiful sound and it’s what I think of whenever I hear the phrase “ringing true”, you know that moment when something hits you as pure and sincere. Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper is one of those books that “rings true” in my mind and really did touch me with regards to the storyline, ch...more
Carrie and her little sister Lindsay escape an abusive home and with the help of others survive on their own. After Mary P retires, Carrie takes over her restaurant. Here their lives are intertwined with the citizens of the town. There's Greg - the handsome ex-cop that lost his family in a horrific explosion and is now working as a property manager. Andi - the young waitress who now lives with her eccentric Uncle Clooney and whose past everyone wonders about. Jase - the dishwasher who disappears...more
"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven." Eccl. 3:1
Seaside, New Jersey seems like a wonderful place to live and work. But, there are people here with hurts that run deep, hurts that may be their undoing. Carrie and Lindsey are sisters who have made their own way for years, escaping the abusive treatment of their drunken mother and her boyfriends. Greg was a police officer, but an explosion took away his heart. Yet, you wouldn't know they were hurting unless you...more
Seaside, New Jersey seems like a wonderful place to live and work. But, there are people here with hurts that run deep, hurts that may be their undoing. Carrie and Lindsey are sisters who have made their own way for years, escaping the abusive treatment of their drunken mother and her boyfriends. Greg was a police officer, but an explosion took away his heart. Yet, you wouldn't know they were hurting unless you...more
As a reader of many different types of fiction I'm not sure I've ever read a book that was classified as a cozy mystery until now, I've really been missing out. Shadows on the Sand, a Seaside Mystery by Gayle Roper will definitely please fans of mystery, suspense and Christian fiction. While there was a bit of romance I felt that it wasn't as strong and developed as other suspense novels with romantic elements that I've read so if you are strictly a reader of romance this might not be a favorite...more
Sep 27, 2011
Sheri Salatin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Sheri by:
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Seaside, New Jersey. Carrie Carter's haven of safety is shaken. When Carrie and her sister Lindsey arrived in Seaside, they were homeless and running scared. Now over ten years later, Carrie runs the local cafe and the women have made a new life for themselves. When one of their employees is found dead and a young waitress goes missing, Carrie's safety is in question.
Greg Barnes is nursing a pain from his past that threatens to keep him from any future happiness. However, when he sees Carrie's n...more
Greg Barnes is nursing a pain from his past that threatens to keep him from any future happiness. However, when he sees Carrie's n...more
GAYLE ROPER'S "SHADOWS ON THE SAND" (REVIEW)
This book was really good, with just enough romance and suspense to keep you turning the page. The ending was gripping and the love story was intense. It keeps you guessing at who the murderer is and there's heightened emotion as you get drawn into both Carrie and Greg's stories. Gayle Roper writes with intelligence and grace.
I would recommend this book to fans of romance and suspense alike.
-Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Book Club
Read more: h...more
This book was really good, with just enough romance and suspense to keep you turning the page. The ending was gripping and the love story was intense. It keeps you guessing at who the murderer is and there's heightened emotion as you get drawn into both Carrie and Greg's stories. Gayle Roper writes with intelligence and grace.
I would recommend this book to fans of romance and suspense alike.
-Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Book Club
Read more: h...more
Roper delivers a romantic suspense that does more than just entertain you for a brief moment. Through her delightful, but baggage heavy characters, she opens a world that will leave you delving into your own faith.
Carrie Carter and her sister own a café in Seaside, New Jersey. Though you are first met with her witty and sometimes sarcastic personality, she is carrying around the weight of a tragic past. Her and her sister ran away from their alcoholic mother and her all too friendly boyfriends....more
Carrie Carter and her sister own a café in Seaside, New Jersey. Though you are first met with her witty and sometimes sarcastic personality, she is carrying around the weight of a tragic past. Her and her sister ran away from their alcoholic mother and her all too friendly boyfriends....more
I received this book for review last August and I don't know why I let it sit on my shelf so long, it ended up being a perfectly delightful little mystery read. Shadows on the Sand takes place in the town of Seaside, New Jersey where Carrie owns a little cafe, working alongside her sister and a motley crew of Seaside residents. Trouble strikes, however, when one of her dishwashers is murdered and her young server's boyfriend becomes a suspect. Soon a whole cast of characters is woven together in...more
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Gayle Roper is the award-winning author of more than 40 books and has been a Christy finalist three times.
She lives with her husband in southeastern Pennsylvania where she enjoys reading, gardening, and her family.
More about Gayle Roper...
She lives with her husband in southeastern Pennsylvania where she enjoys reading, gardening, and her family.
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“Find a woman who makes you feel more alive. She won't make life perfect but she'll make it infinitely more interesting. And then love her with all that's in you.”
—
116 people liked it
“Remember that there's a time to hate and a time to heal.”
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10 people liked it
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Sep 25, 2011 08:34pm