There really is only one word, Wholesome ... Vitamin and mineral fortified with just the right amount of sweetness to make it palatable. If you are already aquatinted with Ms. Anderson’s brand of storytelling, than Sun Kissed will be a treasure trove overflowing with good old fashioned family values. Nevertheless, this was my first C. Anderson novel, and I must admit, the heavy, unremitting dose of Anderson’s brand of “morality” was slightly overwhelming.

Okay ... Before you start branding me an amoral fiend, allow me to redress and unashamedly admit that I am a great proponent of old fashioned values, offering a solid foundation as any to govern ones life pursuits. Indeed, it is lamentable that today’s society no longer looks upon honesty and integrity as valuable attributes of ones character. Indeed ... Quite the opposite could be argued. I have noted that a certain moral ambiguity appears the norm; and demonstrating an artful talent for delivering verbal fabrications with gentile ease and believability, is all the rage. However, I digress ̵my apologies.

Notwithstanding my objections toward being lectured from a pulpit, I did find the overall story very enjoyable. The primary characters were well drawn, believable and accountable; and their growing affection of one another was engaging and sweet. Even though this was my first venture into the Kendrick / Coulter montage, I did not feel lost, or muddled by the endless members of both families that populated this series. All the secondary characters were comfortably embraced, effortlessly becoming an integral part of the story line. Actually, the numerous population of family members ̵ all contributing their unconditional love, support, and protection was ... Dare I confess, quite covetous.

Periodically, the author imbued her audience with her knowledge concerning the law and animal abuse, as it stands in the Pacific NorthWest of the US. Being a lover of animals myself, I found the not so subtle interjections, to be enlightening instead of hindering the plot. Finally, and sadly, it had been the last note, more precisely the Epilogue, that I could have done without. I found the authors closing as irritating as a hair-shirt, altering what would have generously been labelled a 4 star story, a 3 star review.

Is it not always the case that how something ends is unfortunately how the whole of it is defined? Mournfully, once the author took hold of the pulpit, it became unrelenting. Hence, as my edition came with a second helping of the author’s continued counsel on her particular brand of morality; I confess I found it necessary to refrain for fear of overindulgence. After all ... I had already succumbed toward jealousy, I thought it best to abstain from gluttony too.