I know that romance novels are considered to be not quite worthy of folks' attention. This despite the fact that more than 50% of paperbacks purchased are romance novels. It doesn't matter that 13% of all books bought in 2009 were romances. It doesn't matter that the only books on the bestseller list that beat romance fiction are movie tie-in books. Many people from my mom to even some romance readers do not treat these books with respect. And I will admit that I am unlikely to recommend any book from the romance genre to most book clubs.

But I do like to read them. I read for many reasons, but one of the main factors is to find a different world, one I can get lost in. And romances often take place in worlds that I will never enter. I can disappear into the fantasy world of a romance and not have to worry about anything for a few hours.

So Sherryl Woods is one of those novelists that can regularly "take me away" from my usual life. She creates interesting characters and communities; she sprinkles her books with humor and she often has a little bit to teach her readers.

Harbor Lights is set on the Maryland side of the Chesapeake Bay - one of my favorite bodies of water. Woods has written about 7 books set in the community of Chesapeake Shores. The main characters are the O'Briens and there are plenty of them so the books should keep on coming. And I will plan to visit this community again soon. This was a fun book.