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Barefoot Bay #1
Barefoot in the Sand
Pack this one in your beach bag and get ready for nonstop fun (Susan Mallery) in the book that kicks off New York Times bestselling author Roxanne St. Claire's beloved Barefoot Bay series!
When a hurricane roars through Lacey Armstrong's home on the coast of Barefoot Bay, she decides all that remains in the rubble is opportunity. A new hotel is just what Mimosa Key needs, and Lacey and her teenage daughter are due for a fresh start. And nothing, especially not a hot, younger architect, is going to distract Lacey from finally making her dreams a reality.
Love has already cost Clay Walker everything. And if he's going to have any chance of picking up the pieces of his life, he needs the job as Lacey Armstrong's architect. What's not in the plans is falling for the headstrong beauty. Her vision of the future is more appealing than anything he could have ever drafted for himself. Will Clay's designs on Lacey's heart be more than she can handle, or will she trust him to build something that will last forever?
When a hurricane roars through Lacey Armstrong's home on the coast of Barefoot Bay, she decides all that remains in the rubble is opportunity. A new hotel is just what Mimosa Key needs, and Lacey and her teenage daughter are due for a fresh start. And nothing, especially not a hot, younger architect, is going to distract Lacey from finally making her dreams a reality.
Love has already cost Clay Walker everything. And if he's going to have any chance of picking up the pieces of his life, he needs the job as Lacey Armstrong's architect. What's not in the plans is falling for the headstrong beauty. Her vision of the future is more appealing than anything he could have ever drafted for himself. Will Clay's designs on Lacey's heart be more than she can handle, or will she trust him to build something that will last forever?
418 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 24, 2012
105 people are currently reading
2149 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne St. Claire
266 books1,833 followersI don’t know about you, but when I check out an author's bio, it’s usually because I’ve read a book I liked and wondered about the person behind it. Let's skip the formal bio and I'll give you the inside scoop on who Roxanne St. Claire really is.
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
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August 19, 2019
Barefoot in the Sand is the first book of the Barefoot Bay trilogy.
The first chapter was pretty good. I liked Lacey’s mentality and “insane optimism” as she was dreaming about building a new home while she was hiding with her daughter in a bathtub in the middle of a hurricane, and even their survival was unsure. But the story went downhill from there.
The characters
• Lacey is a single mom with a teenage daughter, with plans and dreams: starting a new hotel and catering business, and with not one but three best friends, whom I’m unable to distinguish from one another.
• Clay is an architect, with an earring and a single tattoo on his shoulder that makes him hot, dangerous, unreliable and irresistibly hot (*rolling eyes*). He also has some rivalry issues with his father both in business and in his love life.
The romance
Hot chick (Lacey) and hot guy (Clay) meet. The “commitment-free sex” becomes love.
The conflicts
The age difference: Lacey is 36, Clay is 29.
Lacey’s ex (and Ashley’s father) is back after 14 years, and wants her and his daughter back, right after her first date with the hot architect guy.
Lacey's plans and dreams are threatened by a disagreement with the town authorities, and some malignant inhabitants.
The storyline is nonsensical, full of clichés, and exaggerations. I have to admit that I gave up at page 111, at the shark-attack scene.
After that, I just skimmed it, still, I’ve read enough to make sure that I wouldn’t have loved this book even later as it ends with public love declaration.
Lacey and Clay are insincere with each other, and keeping secrets, but as Clay expresses his undying love for Lacey publicly, her doubts and uncertainty vanish, as if they have never existed.
Also, the thunderous chemistry between Lacey and Clay was ridiculous: she almost had an orgasm when he touched her knuckles...
Apart from some ill-fitting pop-culture references, the book seems to be set in the 90s.
Honestly, I don't remember what had gotten into me when I picked this book to read... it was just a waste of time for me.
No favorite quotes this time. :/
The first chapter was pretty good. I liked Lacey’s mentality and “insane optimism” as she was dreaming about building a new home while she was hiding with her daughter in a bathtub in the middle of a hurricane, and even their survival was unsure. But the story went downhill from there.
The characters
• Lacey is a single mom with a teenage daughter, with plans and dreams: starting a new hotel and catering business, and with not one but three best friends, whom I’m unable to distinguish from one another.
• Clay is an architect, with an earring and a single tattoo on his shoulder that makes him hot, dangerous, unreliable and irresistibly hot (*rolling eyes*). He also has some rivalry issues with his father both in business and in his love life.
The romance
Hot chick (Lacey) and hot guy (Clay) meet. The “commitment-free sex” becomes love.
The conflicts
The age difference: Lacey is 36, Clay is 29.
Lacey’s ex (and Ashley’s father) is back after 14 years, and wants her and his daughter back, right after her first date with the hot architect guy.
Lacey's plans and dreams are threatened by a disagreement with the town authorities, and some malignant inhabitants.
The storyline is nonsensical, full of clichés, and exaggerations. I have to admit that I gave up at page 111, at the shark-attack scene.
After that, I just skimmed it, still, I’ve read enough to make sure that I wouldn’t have loved this book even later as it ends with public love declaration.
Lacey and Clay are insincere with each other, and keeping secrets, but as Clay expresses his undying love for Lacey publicly, her doubts and uncertainty vanish, as if they have never existed.
Also, the thunderous chemistry between Lacey and Clay was ridiculous: she almost had an orgasm when he touched her knuckles...
Apart from some ill-fitting pop-culture references, the book seems to be set in the 90s.
Honestly, I don't remember what had gotten into me when I picked this book to read... it was just a waste of time for me.
No favorite quotes this time. :/
March 30, 2012
I absolutely loved this book, I fell in love with it right away. I thought Lacey was was a strong, resilient heroine, and she felt very real and honest to me. Her relationship with her daughter Ashley was a lot like many single mothers and daughters, including myself; both the conflicts and the strenghts of it showed incredible reality to it. And when a hurricane literally turns her house (and her life) upside down, her relationship with her daughter always remains a priority.
Clay Walker, the hero, has his own depth and complexity. He comes into Lacey's life and just stays around for it. The connection is instant and inevitable, and it's imporssible not to fall in love with him. I thought the romance rigged true and that the best thing about it was that, despite all the differences, Lacey and Clay completed each other, they weren't the avreage romance couple that just match because they're the same, but it's their differences that make them perfect together.
Last, but not least, the friendship with Zoe, Tessa and Jocelyn added the humor and the companionship. It showed a very important aspect of a woman's life and gave balance to the book in a way that made it just perfect. Each with their own unique personalities, they make the book light and fun, and give Lacey the love and support that she needs to get through the challenges in her life.
I got this as an ARC, but it quickly became the best book I've read this year. I've already started another read, and I recommend it to everyone. I just cannot wait for Barefoot in the Rain.
Clay Walker, the hero, has his own depth and complexity. He comes into Lacey's life and just stays around for it. The connection is instant and inevitable, and it's imporssible not to fall in love with him. I thought the romance rigged true and that the best thing about it was that, despite all the differences, Lacey and Clay completed each other, they weren't the avreage romance couple that just match because they're the same, but it's their differences that make them perfect together.
Last, but not least, the friendship with Zoe, Tessa and Jocelyn added the humor and the companionship. It showed a very important aspect of a woman's life and gave balance to the book in a way that made it just perfect. Each with their own unique personalities, they make the book light and fun, and give Lacey the love and support that she needs to get through the challenges in her life.
I got this as an ARC, but it quickly became the best book I've read this year. I've already started another read, and I recommend it to everyone. I just cannot wait for Barefoot in the Rain.
April 8, 2012
A quick light read that won’t tax your thought processes, which is great for an easy beach read. This had a chick-lit feel to it, especially in the beginning as so much is about Lacey and her friends, life, dreams…etc., but in the end it does pull out a good romance story too.
There were some enjoyable parts of this book, but unfortunately they were too far and few between for my liking. I would have liked more humor and more focus on the romance with Clay. I felt he got washed away with too many other side stories, especially in the first half. I would have also liked a few less implausible moments. My disbelief can only stretch so far, and at times this story took it took the max ‘stretch’ level. Overall I did enjoy it, but it was easy to put down.
I got this as an ARC copy from Netgalley for review.
There were some enjoyable parts of this book, but unfortunately they were too far and few between for my liking. I would have liked more humor and more focus on the romance with Clay. I felt he got washed away with too many other side stories, especially in the first half. I would have also liked a few less implausible moments. My disbelief can only stretch so far, and at times this story took it took the max ‘stretch’ level. Overall I did enjoy it, but it was easy to put down.
I got this as an ARC copy from Netgalley for review.
July 23, 2012
Barefoot In The Sand by Roxanne St. Claire is the perfect summer read. What a fantastic book! I am so glad I came across it! The story begins when Lacey Armstrong is victim to a hurricane that completely obliterates all her and her teenage daughter's material possessions, including their home. Lacey takes the opportunity of a clean slate to take a chance and build the hotel she's always wanted to have. All she needs is the best architect to build her dream. The architect that arrives, though, isn't the one she wanted.
Clay needs this job more than anything. He has to persuade a suspicious Lacey that he's the best man for the job. As the two work together on the hotel, they can't ignore the sparks flying between them. But Clay is eight years younger than Lacey and had an awful relationship that has put him off them for life. Added to that, Lacey's ex-boyfriend is back and he wants Lacey.
Is there any hope for Lacey and Clay?
I really enjoyed Barefoot In The Sand. Lacey and Clay's story was perfect. I was really invested in them. What stands out to me the most were all the scenes on the beach! Amazing. Lacey and Clay had a lot of problems to work through, not just their own problems, but problems with getting the hotel even started! I was rooting for them as the pseudo-leader of the town was gunning for them! There was never a dull moment.
St Claire's writing was fantastic! Very easy to read and visualise. I can't wait to read the next three books in the series; stories about Lacey's friends- Jocelyn (Barefoot In The Rain, October 30 2012), Zoe (Barefoot In The Sun, April 2013) and Tessa (Barefoot In The Sky, October 2013).
I would recommend Barefoot In The Sand to fans of Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgins.
Clay needs this job more than anything. He has to persuade a suspicious Lacey that he's the best man for the job. As the two work together on the hotel, they can't ignore the sparks flying between them. But Clay is eight years younger than Lacey and had an awful relationship that has put him off them for life. Added to that, Lacey's ex-boyfriend is back and he wants Lacey.
Is there any hope for Lacey and Clay?
I really enjoyed Barefoot In The Sand. Lacey and Clay's story was perfect. I was really invested in them. What stands out to me the most were all the scenes on the beach! Amazing. Lacey and Clay had a lot of problems to work through, not just their own problems, but problems with getting the hotel even started! I was rooting for them as the pseudo-leader of the town was gunning for them! There was never a dull moment.
St Claire's writing was fantastic! Very easy to read and visualise. I can't wait to read the next three books in the series; stories about Lacey's friends- Jocelyn (Barefoot In The Rain, October 30 2012), Zoe (Barefoot In The Sun, April 2013) and Tessa (Barefoot In The Sky, October 2013).
I would recommend Barefoot In The Sand to fans of Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgins.
May 12, 2012
As a hurricane sweeps through Mimosa Key it takes everything single mother, Lacey Armstrong owns and almost takes the life of her and her daughter. When the storm breaks Lacey and her daughter emerge to see their life in shambles but Lacey also sees something else. Lacey sees an opportunity to start the business she has always dreamed of, a Bed and Breakfast.
Clay Walker is stepping out from his successful fathers shadow and Lacey’s Bed and Breakfast is the perfect architectural job for him to start with. It will give him the credibility he needs to disassociate himself from his father’s business. However, there are a few obstacles in the way like a sexy mother with small plans and a town full of busy-bodies who don’t want the competition Lacey’s Bed and Breakfast might bring. Oh and let’s not forget the complication of a certain ex and long-lost daddy stepping back into the picture to claim the woman Clay has his eyes on.
Things heat up in Barefoot Bay as Lacey mixes it up with Clay but can their relationship survive the hounds that are circling? Will Lacey’s dream come to fruition or will she buckle under pressure?
Roxanne St. Claire hits a homerun with Barefoot in the Sand her first installment of the new Barefoot Bay contemporary romance series! It is impossible not to be completely enthralled from page one of this outstanding story. After a hurricane rips apart the life of the heroine and her daughter the reader gets a front row look at how Lacey puts it back together. One of the themes throughout Barefoot in the Sand is second chances. After the destruction Lacey has the chance to do what she has always wanted if she is brave enough to go after it. I love Lacey’s journey throughout the story. Not only does she get a chance to realize her dreams of her own B&B but she also gets a second chance at love. But will that chance be with the man that left her so long ago to chase his dreams or the young stud out to make a name for himself? Lacey’s inner battle is so real, “should she do what seems right or should she do something for herself that might not make everyone else happy?” I love this aspect of the story!
Let’s not forget the drop dead gorgeous men that prowl around Barefoot Bay. Clay is sexy and smart he thinks he wants a fling but his heart seems to have other ideas. I also like the fact that Clay’s life is also in transition. In a sense, he is also rebuilding his life only it wasn’t a hurricane that took everything he owned. I love his struggle with his feelings regarding his situation…and yes, I’m being purposefully vague. You just have to read this beautiful story to find out why I love these characters so much! For goodness sake I even like the ex-David. He’s hot, adventurous and as much as I wanted to hate his guts I couldn’t!
If that isn’t enough to have you curious let me tell you a little about the coolest girlfriends a girl could ask for. Lacey has some really cool chicks as friends and they each have mysterious pasts that I cannot wait to dig into. Jocelyn, Zoe and Tessa bring on the laughs in Barefoot in the Sand. Every time these ladies make their way onto the page be prepared to giggle! I felt a part of their group while reading. They remind me of my friends the ones you turn to when in trouble or when you need to cry or when something amazing happens. Basically I can’t wait to see who they fall in love with in the series!
Ms. St. Claire does an excellent job of creating endearing characters that feel like family by the time you hit the last page. I eagerly anticipate my next trip to Barefoot Bay.
Barefoot in the Sand is a modern heartwarming romance with style!
Reviewed by Miranda for Joyfully Reviewed
Clay Walker is stepping out from his successful fathers shadow and Lacey’s Bed and Breakfast is the perfect architectural job for him to start with. It will give him the credibility he needs to disassociate himself from his father’s business. However, there are a few obstacles in the way like a sexy mother with small plans and a town full of busy-bodies who don’t want the competition Lacey’s Bed and Breakfast might bring. Oh and let’s not forget the complication of a certain ex and long-lost daddy stepping back into the picture to claim the woman Clay has his eyes on.
Things heat up in Barefoot Bay as Lacey mixes it up with Clay but can their relationship survive the hounds that are circling? Will Lacey’s dream come to fruition or will she buckle under pressure?
Roxanne St. Claire hits a homerun with Barefoot in the Sand her first installment of the new Barefoot Bay contemporary romance series! It is impossible not to be completely enthralled from page one of this outstanding story. After a hurricane rips apart the life of the heroine and her daughter the reader gets a front row look at how Lacey puts it back together. One of the themes throughout Barefoot in the Sand is second chances. After the destruction Lacey has the chance to do what she has always wanted if she is brave enough to go after it. I love Lacey’s journey throughout the story. Not only does she get a chance to realize her dreams of her own B&B but she also gets a second chance at love. But will that chance be with the man that left her so long ago to chase his dreams or the young stud out to make a name for himself? Lacey’s inner battle is so real, “should she do what seems right or should she do something for herself that might not make everyone else happy?” I love this aspect of the story!
Let’s not forget the drop dead gorgeous men that prowl around Barefoot Bay. Clay is sexy and smart he thinks he wants a fling but his heart seems to have other ideas. I also like the fact that Clay’s life is also in transition. In a sense, he is also rebuilding his life only it wasn’t a hurricane that took everything he owned. I love his struggle with his feelings regarding his situation…and yes, I’m being purposefully vague. You just have to read this beautiful story to find out why I love these characters so much! For goodness sake I even like the ex-David. He’s hot, adventurous and as much as I wanted to hate his guts I couldn’t!
If that isn’t enough to have you curious let me tell you a little about the coolest girlfriends a girl could ask for. Lacey has some really cool chicks as friends and they each have mysterious pasts that I cannot wait to dig into. Jocelyn, Zoe and Tessa bring on the laughs in Barefoot in the Sand. Every time these ladies make their way onto the page be prepared to giggle! I felt a part of their group while reading. They remind me of my friends the ones you turn to when in trouble or when you need to cry or when something amazing happens. Basically I can’t wait to see who they fall in love with in the series!
Ms. St. Claire does an excellent job of creating endearing characters that feel like family by the time you hit the last page. I eagerly anticipate my next trip to Barefoot Bay.
Barefoot in the Sand is a modern heartwarming romance with style!
Reviewed by Miranda for Joyfully Reviewed
August 24, 2012
When 36-year old Lacey Armstrong lost her home and all its contents in a Florida hurricane, she thought it was a chance to not only start over again with her 14-year old daughter but an opportunity to fulfill one of her dreams. Lacey decided to use her insurance proceeds to build her Bed & Breakfast, something she'd wanted to do since inheriting the house from her grandparents. The architect who showed up was not the elder gentleman on the website but his son, 29-year old Clay Walker, a man on a mission to get this project no matter what. And, he's got a much bigger vision for Lacey and the project.
This is the first story in the new Barefoot Bay series and it is a winner. I loved everything about it, from the four women who have been best friends since freshman year of college, the setting in the town of Mimosa Key off the Gulf Coast, the offbeat people who live in the town to the conflicts Lacey faced following the loss of her home. Her romance with Clay is unconventional, fraught with issues and off-the-charts steamy, all the while juggling the challenges of a teen-aged daughter and a relationship from her past. Clay is pretty complicated and figuring him out was an interesting journey, too. I loved how the friendship between the women is so embedded in each of the characters without being inauthentic and predictable. They share a lot and support each other but they still have a fair amount of secrets individually that are yet to be discovered.
I'm really not a fan of love triangles but the one in this story was maturely presented. I always knew everyone's true feelings but wasn't always certain of the outcome because of outside pressures and factors. Lacey and Clay were pretty honest with themselves, if not always as open and straightforward with each other. I also liked how their age difference was handled, sometimes messy and at other times it being inconsequential.
There are a lot of characters in the story but all were pretty well fleshed out and strongly contributed to the storyline. The town is pretty small so everyone knows each other, their back stories and private agendas, which made them even more interesting. The story is really well written without falling into the trap of using well worn love triangle angst. I loved the story, am really excited about the rest of the series and cannot wait to start the next book.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
This is the first story in the new Barefoot Bay series and it is a winner. I loved everything about it, from the four women who have been best friends since freshman year of college, the setting in the town of Mimosa Key off the Gulf Coast, the offbeat people who live in the town to the conflicts Lacey faced following the loss of her home. Her romance with Clay is unconventional, fraught with issues and off-the-charts steamy, all the while juggling the challenges of a teen-aged daughter and a relationship from her past. Clay is pretty complicated and figuring him out was an interesting journey, too. I loved how the friendship between the women is so embedded in each of the characters without being inauthentic and predictable. They share a lot and support each other but they still have a fair amount of secrets individually that are yet to be discovered.
I'm really not a fan of love triangles but the one in this story was maturely presented. I always knew everyone's true feelings but wasn't always certain of the outcome because of outside pressures and factors. Lacey and Clay were pretty honest with themselves, if not always as open and straightforward with each other. I also liked how their age difference was handled, sometimes messy and at other times it being inconsequential.
There are a lot of characters in the story but all were pretty well fleshed out and strongly contributed to the storyline. The town is pretty small so everyone knows each other, their back stories and private agendas, which made them even more interesting. The story is really well written without falling into the trap of using well worn love triangle angst. I loved the story, am really excited about the rest of the series and cannot wait to start the next book.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
May 6, 2012
My Review:
Okay, I'll admit it. I was really upset when Roxanne said that she was going to start writing a contemporary series versus her normal romantic suspense. Not because I don't love contemporaries, because I do, but because I've always loved Roxanne St. Claire's romantic suspense writing. But I am OKAY WITH IT NOW, because this book WAS SO GOOD!
Lacey, the heroine of the story...OMG, I love her. I want to be friends with her!! She's thirty-seven years old and the mother of a fourteen year old teenage girl. Clay is much younger than her and nothing that she ever expected. He's gorgeous and sexy and their chemistry is through the roof. She wants him...desperately, but she's scared of what she feels for him and the way that he pushes her to go after her dreams. She's lived a quiet sedate life for the last 14 years and she wants and NEEDS some adventure, but finds it so hard to let go of her safety net and leap to where she wants to go...directly into Clay's arms. And of course, there are all kinds of other distractions pulling her in a million different stressful directions.
Then there is Clay...seriously, sexy, sweet Clay. He has been really, really hurt and NEVER wants to be in that situation again. He's very upfront about that fact too. He wants sex from Lacey, but nothing else...at least that's what he's telling her and himself. I love that his true feelings come through in his art...such a gorgeous little detail of the story. I loved how much his passion for architecture came through in this story. He is truly passionate about his designs for Lacey. He loves architecture and the heartbreak about his career is such an emotional part of the story...both for him and for me as a reader. I loved that connection to his character. I adore architecture and even studied it in college for a while so that was a fun aspect to the story for me.
There's a huge cast of characters in this book and they all add great dimension to the story. I love Lacey's three friends and look forward to learning more about their stories. There are some serious secrets among these girls and we have just seen hints about them so far. I definitely look forward to more from this series...enough so that Roxanne St. Claire is officially forgiven for changing genre's. She writes contemporary romance just as well as she writes romantic suspense....PERFECTLY!
Okay, I'll admit it. I was really upset when Roxanne said that she was going to start writing a contemporary series versus her normal romantic suspense. Not because I don't love contemporaries, because I do, but because I've always loved Roxanne St. Claire's romantic suspense writing. But I am OKAY WITH IT NOW, because this book WAS SO GOOD!
Lacey, the heroine of the story...OMG, I love her. I want to be friends with her!! She's thirty-seven years old and the mother of a fourteen year old teenage girl. Clay is much younger than her and nothing that she ever expected. He's gorgeous and sexy and their chemistry is through the roof. She wants him...desperately, but she's scared of what she feels for him and the way that he pushes her to go after her dreams. She's lived a quiet sedate life for the last 14 years and she wants and NEEDS some adventure, but finds it so hard to let go of her safety net and leap to where she wants to go...directly into Clay's arms. And of course, there are all kinds of other distractions pulling her in a million different stressful directions.
Then there is Clay...seriously, sexy, sweet Clay. He has been really, really hurt and NEVER wants to be in that situation again. He's very upfront about that fact too. He wants sex from Lacey, but nothing else...at least that's what he's telling her and himself. I love that his true feelings come through in his art...such a gorgeous little detail of the story. I loved how much his passion for architecture came through in this story. He is truly passionate about his designs for Lacey. He loves architecture and the heartbreak about his career is such an emotional part of the story...both for him and for me as a reader. I loved that connection to his character. I adore architecture and even studied it in college for a while so that was a fun aspect to the story for me.
There's a huge cast of characters in this book and they all add great dimension to the story. I love Lacey's three friends and look forward to learning more about their stories. There are some serious secrets among these girls and we have just seen hints about them so far. I definitely look forward to more from this series...enough so that Roxanne St. Claire is officially forgiven for changing genre's. She writes contemporary romance just as well as she writes romantic suspense....PERFECTLY!
April 25, 2012
Is love the one thing that can never be taken away?
Lacey Armstrong has spent her life chasing dreams that seemed so close yet like the horizon so far away. She was running a small but successful baking business until a hurricane came and took everything she owned away. Lacey is grateful that she and her daughter survived to build another day, but now the question looms what is she going to build and where?
A dream does answer her call in the form of Clay who is offering to help her build an expanded version of her original idea and he is offering his architectural services free. What on paper appears to be too good to be true, especially since he will not sign any papers probably is. Lots of questions and unanswered details about his past have red flags going up but Lacey is taking them all down and choosing to trust her opinion about Clay. Getting involved with your architect is bad business yet Lacey has had enough second-guessing it is time to storm the castle and let the bricks fall where they may.
As Lacey and Clay move forward with her resort plans, maneuver around the obstacle of small-minded citizens allot of ghosts show up in both of their lives. You can move to the left or right of your past but for some reason it always finds you. Lacey and Clay are both challenged with deciding how to deal with the latest disaster and what the future holds for them together. Neither is running away from the challenge of a relationship but they are also not embracing it without an internal emotional fight to the bitter conclusion.
Roxanne St. Claire is a prolific writer who tells a story so well she has you falling in love with the characters from page one. It is difficult to lay the groundwork for a new series yet somehow Ms. St. Claire has a gift of doing just that and making you want for the next book, right now.
Lacey Armstrong has spent her life chasing dreams that seemed so close yet like the horizon so far away. She was running a small but successful baking business until a hurricane came and took everything she owned away. Lacey is grateful that she and her daughter survived to build another day, but now the question looms what is she going to build and where?
A dream does answer her call in the form of Clay who is offering to help her build an expanded version of her original idea and he is offering his architectural services free. What on paper appears to be too good to be true, especially since he will not sign any papers probably is. Lots of questions and unanswered details about his past have red flags going up but Lacey is taking them all down and choosing to trust her opinion about Clay. Getting involved with your architect is bad business yet Lacey has had enough second-guessing it is time to storm the castle and let the bricks fall where they may.
As Lacey and Clay move forward with her resort plans, maneuver around the obstacle of small-minded citizens allot of ghosts show up in both of their lives. You can move to the left or right of your past but for some reason it always finds you. Lacey and Clay are both challenged with deciding how to deal with the latest disaster and what the future holds for them together. Neither is running away from the challenge of a relationship but they are also not embracing it without an internal emotional fight to the bitter conclusion.
Roxanne St. Claire is a prolific writer who tells a story so well she has you falling in love with the characters from page one. It is difficult to lay the groundwork for a new series yet somehow Ms. St. Claire has a gift of doing just that and making you want for the next book, right now.
May 29, 2013
Barefoot In The Sand
Barefoot Bay Series #1 by Roxanne St. Claire
I have to be honest in saying that I was a tad skeptical jumping from St. Claire's romantic suspense series' Guardian Angelinos and Bullet Catchers (my personal favorites in this genre) to her foray into contemporary romance. But I should have had more faith in her ability to bring brilliantly written characters to life on the page, sexual chemistry that has you anticipating and holding your breath like a teenager, and pulse pounding excitement from the very first page that hooks you in to the story line until before you know it, you've become so invested that you can't put the book down until the very end! A particular specialty of Ms. St. Claire ;)
The story pulls you into the lives of single mother Lacey Armstrong and her teenage daughter Ashley fighting to survive the ravages of a hurricane that has completely decimated everything they have ever had in terms of material possessions. As they begin trying to rebuild they their lives, enter onto the the scene one very determined and super sexy architect, Clay Walker, who is a tad younger than Lacey, but manages to push all of her hot buttons while also helping to envision a life of what "could be" if only she can continue to fight what appears to be insurmountable obstacles including those within herself.
I like that St. Claire touches on the topic of the age difference of the slightly older woman, but doesn't drag it out throughout the book. Lacey is a strongly written heroine to Clay's "don't take no for an answer" hero. The two together light up the page as both characters are full-dimensional with the authenticity so prevalent in St. Claire's books you feel an instant connection.
St. Claire singes the pages with her writing style and also introduces us to Lacey's closest friends, Jocelyn, Zoe, and Tessa from college who come in like the cavalry to help Lacey and Ashley recover their lives but add so much fun and laughter to the book you'll find yourself laughing, crying, and wishing you were the fifth wheel in this entourage of characters. But each friend, thankfully, has their own powerful story in the Barefoot Bay series, with Barefoot in The Rain, Barefoot in The Sun, and Barefoot By The Sea! Like any great series....I highly recommend you start at the beginning and then kickback and enjoy the ride! It is truly St. Claire at her absolute FINEST!
Barefoot Bay Series #1 by Roxanne St. Claire
I have to be honest in saying that I was a tad skeptical jumping from St. Claire's romantic suspense series' Guardian Angelinos and Bullet Catchers (my personal favorites in this genre) to her foray into contemporary romance. But I should have had more faith in her ability to bring brilliantly written characters to life on the page, sexual chemistry that has you anticipating and holding your breath like a teenager, and pulse pounding excitement from the very first page that hooks you in to the story line until before you know it, you've become so invested that you can't put the book down until the very end! A particular specialty of Ms. St. Claire ;)
The story pulls you into the lives of single mother Lacey Armstrong and her teenage daughter Ashley fighting to survive the ravages of a hurricane that has completely decimated everything they have ever had in terms of material possessions. As they begin trying to rebuild they their lives, enter onto the the scene one very determined and super sexy architect, Clay Walker, who is a tad younger than Lacey, but manages to push all of her hot buttons while also helping to envision a life of what "could be" if only she can continue to fight what appears to be insurmountable obstacles including those within herself.
I like that St. Claire touches on the topic of the age difference of the slightly older woman, but doesn't drag it out throughout the book. Lacey is a strongly written heroine to Clay's "don't take no for an answer" hero. The two together light up the page as both characters are full-dimensional with the authenticity so prevalent in St. Claire's books you feel an instant connection.
St. Claire singes the pages with her writing style and also introduces us to Lacey's closest friends, Jocelyn, Zoe, and Tessa from college who come in like the cavalry to help Lacey and Ashley recover their lives but add so much fun and laughter to the book you'll find yourself laughing, crying, and wishing you were the fifth wheel in this entourage of characters. But each friend, thankfully, has their own powerful story in the Barefoot Bay series, with Barefoot in The Rain, Barefoot in The Sun, and Barefoot By The Sea! Like any great series....I highly recommend you start at the beginning and then kickback and enjoy the ride! It is truly St. Claire at her absolute FINEST!
May 11, 2012
Roxanne St Claire’s Barefoot in the Sand is the perfect Summer time read! There is nothing I didn’t love about this book, from the wacky secondary characters to Lacey and Clay themselves. Barefoot in the Sand comes in with a roar, when Lacey’s because house is blown to bits by a hurricane. Rather than falling apart Lacey sees this as a chance to rebuild her life for herself and her teenage daughter, so she decides to take a chance and do what she has always dreamed of doing, running a bed and breakfast right there on the shores of Barefoot Bay. In walks Clay the “architect” or so he attempts to make Lacey believe. Clay is full of his own family secrets and commitment issues, that he’s willing to give Lacey her dream for free. With a cast of zany troubled friends and neighbors this book will have you dreaming of love all while picturing yourself on a sandy beach with the waves tickling your toes. Barefoot in the Sand is such a delightful departure from Ms. Claire’s previous books. After reading this delightful book I cannot wait to return to Barefoot Bay and the following stories.
June 6, 2013
Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot in the Sand is one of those books I fell into. I loved all the characters, and I could relate to them in some way. This story is the first in St. Claire's Barefoot Bay series. It is about Lacey Armstrong and Clayton "Clay" Walker. The opening scene blew me away, pun intended. I lived that scene as if I was present in that storm. The emotions and questions Lacey had and felt we're realistic, and I could see each move that she made. Re-reading Barefoot in the Sand after watching the news coverage of the damages and tremendous loss people suffered in Moore, Oklahoma made the scene even more poignant; even though the natural disasters differed, the emotions people felt were probably synonymous.
Lacey Armstrong is a very strong female character, but when we first meet her, she lacks the confidence she needs to pick up the pieces. It wasn't until meeting Clay, that she found a new sense of purpose and developed a drive to follow through, to fight for what she wanted. As their relationship grew, you, the reader got to experience the changes Lacey goes through. You got to see her shed that meek demeanour, and put on her own armour. She became an intrepid force. It was great watching the love between her and Clay grow and blossom like that mimosa plant that survived the hurricane. The conflicts in the novel were driving forces throughout the whole plot line. St. Claire wove them in expertly, leaving no loose threads, and she didn't make it easy for Lacey and Clay to overcome them. Her relationship with her daughter was very realistic as well. I could hear the angst from the teenager and the little girl who still needs her mom in Ashley. Her choices and motivations were very much like those I have experienced in real life. She is also a likeable character, but oh is she a burgeoning teenager. She added another necessary dimension to Lacey's character. Ashley is the reason why Lacey is the person she is when we first meet her. It was great to watch Lacey grow and change through her relationship with Ashley as well.
When you first meet Clay, you weren't sure what you were going to get. Was he some scavenger looking for treasures he could sell for profit? Was he a predator or another lost soul trying to come up for air after the storm? It wasn't until you turned the pages, and watched him grow and develop as a character, that you got to see him for who he truly was, a caring individual who felt deeply, a man who knew what he wanted, and wasn't afraid to dream. Clay is a talented architect and designer whose hidden talent is what I found most intriguing. I won't ruin it by telling you what that talent was; you have to read the book to find it out. I fell in love with him upon first meeting him. I mean, who wouldn't? :) Clay was the perfect hero choice for Lacey, and despite his best qualities, he was a bit scarred. And when juxtaposed to the ex, he was a diamond in the rough. He is a much deeper well than first believed, and I loved how when St. Claire peeled away the layers, the more we got to know him.
Together, both Lacey and Clay were explosive. From the first moment they meet, the tension between them was quite palpable. St. Claire used this attraction expertly. The sexual tension pervaded the scene, and just knowing how much they sparked off each other, made you anticipate them coming together, it also helped to bind the foundation of their newly discovered love for each other. When they both came to the realisation of that love, their attraction became more potent. It took tragic circumstances for both to realise the depth of their feelings for each other. The major external conflict, to me, the overarching one, was a good way to drive the plot of the book. It forced Clay and Lacey to work together, and caused the reader to wonder and question his motives, when Lacey faces an unforeseen opponent in her desire to build a new life, rife with possibilities. I loved that they had to fight for what they wanted, and when they did it together, it was hard to defeat Lacey and Clay.
I really enjoyed Barefoot in the Sand, and the girlfriend theme throughout made it even better. Having the support system of her girlfriends around created an interesting tapestry in this book. They are all unique and different in their own ways, and I can't wait to read their stories.
Lacey Armstrong is a very strong female character, but when we first meet her, she lacks the confidence she needs to pick up the pieces. It wasn't until meeting Clay, that she found a new sense of purpose and developed a drive to follow through, to fight for what she wanted. As their relationship grew, you, the reader got to experience the changes Lacey goes through. You got to see her shed that meek demeanour, and put on her own armour. She became an intrepid force. It was great watching the love between her and Clay grow and blossom like that mimosa plant that survived the hurricane. The conflicts in the novel were driving forces throughout the whole plot line. St. Claire wove them in expertly, leaving no loose threads, and she didn't make it easy for Lacey and Clay to overcome them. Her relationship with her daughter was very realistic as well. I could hear the angst from the teenager and the little girl who still needs her mom in Ashley. Her choices and motivations were very much like those I have experienced in real life. She is also a likeable character, but oh is she a burgeoning teenager. She added another necessary dimension to Lacey's character. Ashley is the reason why Lacey is the person she is when we first meet her. It was great to watch Lacey grow and change through her relationship with Ashley as well.
When you first meet Clay, you weren't sure what you were going to get. Was he some scavenger looking for treasures he could sell for profit? Was he a predator or another lost soul trying to come up for air after the storm? It wasn't until you turned the pages, and watched him grow and develop as a character, that you got to see him for who he truly was, a caring individual who felt deeply, a man who knew what he wanted, and wasn't afraid to dream. Clay is a talented architect and designer whose hidden talent is what I found most intriguing. I won't ruin it by telling you what that talent was; you have to read the book to find it out. I fell in love with him upon first meeting him. I mean, who wouldn't? :) Clay was the perfect hero choice for Lacey, and despite his best qualities, he was a bit scarred. And when juxtaposed to the ex, he was a diamond in the rough. He is a much deeper well than first believed, and I loved how when St. Claire peeled away the layers, the more we got to know him.
Together, both Lacey and Clay were explosive. From the first moment they meet, the tension between them was quite palpable. St. Claire used this attraction expertly. The sexual tension pervaded the scene, and just knowing how much they sparked off each other, made you anticipate them coming together, it also helped to bind the foundation of their newly discovered love for each other. When they both came to the realisation of that love, their attraction became more potent. It took tragic circumstances for both to realise the depth of their feelings for each other. The major external conflict, to me, the overarching one, was a good way to drive the plot of the book. It forced Clay and Lacey to work together, and caused the reader to wonder and question his motives, when Lacey faces an unforeseen opponent in her desire to build a new life, rife with possibilities. I loved that they had to fight for what they wanted, and when they did it together, it was hard to defeat Lacey and Clay.
I really enjoyed Barefoot in the Sand, and the girlfriend theme throughout made it even better. Having the support system of her girlfriends around created an interesting tapestry in this book. They are all unique and different in their own ways, and I can't wait to read their stories.
April 27, 2012
The sultry Florida weather has nothing on Roxanne St. Claire when it comes to cranking up the heat!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Heat: Hot!
Lacey Armstrong and her 14-year-old daughter barely survived when a Gulf of Mexico hurricane slammed into their home. They lost everything they owned.
Six months later, with only an insurance check and a dream, Lacey contacts an architect to help her rebuild her home and turn it into a B&B.
When hot-as-hell Clay Walker - son of the architect she wanted to hire - shows up and offers to do the work for free, Lacey is full of misgivings but eventually gets swept up in his vision of building a resort.
Unfortunately, the island Lacey lives on is firmly stuck in the 1950s with one family influencing all zoning decisions - a family that owns the only tourist accommodation on the island and wants to keep it that way.
I've been looking forward to Barefoot in the Sand for months, ever since I wandered onto Roxanne St. Claire's website and saw she was bringing out a contemporary romance series. As a fan of her romantic suspense novels, I couldn't wait to see what she would do with my favorite romance genre. And I wasn't disappointed.
Roxanne St. Claire writes some of the hottest heroes in romance, and Clay Walker's no exception. A southern boy with the soft accent to prove it, Clay is a charmer with a kind and gentle heart.
Lacey felt incredibly real to me. She's resilient enough to save her daughter from a hurricane, yet vulnerable enough to gain the reader's sympathy. She's been on her own since having her daughter. At nearly 37, she longs for a partner, and maybe another baby. Being a single mom is hard enough, but losing everything and having to completely rebuild her life leaves absolutely no time for romance.
Both Lacey and Clay have been seriously burned by loved ones, and both find it difficult to believe they could have a lasting relationship. Add the fact that Lacey's seven years older than Clay, and the conflict mounts quickly.
But so does the sexual tension. Yowza! Book me a flight to the Keys!
Lacey has three friends with equally painful pasts, and I'm really excited to see how they get their happily ever afters as this series progresses.
This week, you could win a copy of Barefoot in the Sand - leave a comment on my interview with Roxanne St. Claire for your chance to win!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Heat: Hot!
Lacey Armstrong and her 14-year-old daughter barely survived when a Gulf of Mexico hurricane slammed into their home. They lost everything they owned.
Six months later, with only an insurance check and a dream, Lacey contacts an architect to help her rebuild her home and turn it into a B&B.
When hot-as-hell Clay Walker - son of the architect she wanted to hire - shows up and offers to do the work for free, Lacey is full of misgivings but eventually gets swept up in his vision of building a resort.
Unfortunately, the island Lacey lives on is firmly stuck in the 1950s with one family influencing all zoning decisions - a family that owns the only tourist accommodation on the island and wants to keep it that way.
I've been looking forward to Barefoot in the Sand for months, ever since I wandered onto Roxanne St. Claire's website and saw she was bringing out a contemporary romance series. As a fan of her romantic suspense novels, I couldn't wait to see what she would do with my favorite romance genre. And I wasn't disappointed.
Roxanne St. Claire writes some of the hottest heroes in romance, and Clay Walker's no exception. A southern boy with the soft accent to prove it, Clay is a charmer with a kind and gentle heart.
Lacey felt incredibly real to me. She's resilient enough to save her daughter from a hurricane, yet vulnerable enough to gain the reader's sympathy. She's been on her own since having her daughter. At nearly 37, she longs for a partner, and maybe another baby. Being a single mom is hard enough, but losing everything and having to completely rebuild her life leaves absolutely no time for romance.
Both Lacey and Clay have been seriously burned by loved ones, and both find it difficult to believe they could have a lasting relationship. Add the fact that Lacey's seven years older than Clay, and the conflict mounts quickly.
But so does the sexual tension. Yowza! Book me a flight to the Keys!
Lacey has three friends with equally painful pasts, and I'm really excited to see how they get their happily ever afters as this series progresses.
This week, you could win a copy of Barefoot in the Sand - leave a comment on my interview with Roxanne St. Claire for your chance to win!
May 29, 2013
I have read several romantic suspense books by Roxanne St. Claire and was excited to hear she was writing a contemporary romance series. Barefoot in the Sand was a great book to read. Starting with the hurricane that wiped out Lacey's house in Barefoot Bay, this book jumped right in to the recovery and new life for Lacey and her daughter after the hurricane. Lacey's dream to own a bed and breakfast face many challenges and grows into reality along with her romance with Clay Walker. This is a great story, with strong main characters and very entertaining secondary characters that make the book fun to read. Lacey and Clay seem perfect for each other and they earn their happily ever after together. Roxanne has the ability to describe the setting to allow the reader to picture everything in vivid color and feel like you are actually in Barefoot Bay. Looking forward to the rest of this series.
September 3, 2015
3/9 - This was a lot of fun to read. Also a very fast and engaging read that kept me off the computer all day, I started and finished the book instead. I thought the relationship between Lacey, Tessa, Zoe, and Jocelyn was what made the book. I loved the banter they had while they were encouraging Lacey to give Clay a chance. Clay's ideas about what he and Lacey could create in terms of the Casa Blanca resort sound idyllic and like a wonderful place to work as well as holiday. I would love to see it in real life. This was quite a simple, easy read with not much to hate or comment on. I was lucky enough that when I was at the library on Monday, just browsing the shelves while I was in there to return some books and check to see if any of my holds had become available, that I was able to pick up the full Barefoot Bay series. I look forward to being able to get straight into Barefoot in the Rain ASAP.
August 4, 2013
I enjoyed reading Barefoot in the Sand. Even if I wasn't a devoted fan of Roxanne St Claire (which I most definitely am) I would have picked this contemporary romance after reading the book description. She is a prolific & gifted writer.
This isn't the first contemporary romance she has written, however it's a bit of a departure from what she has been writing the last few years. Many of her fans know her best for her incredibly popular romantic suspense Bullet Catchers series. I believe a good writer can tell a first-class story in a variety of genres. St Claire proves me right.
Barefoot in the Sand takes place on the gulf coast of Florida on the fictional barrier island of Mimosa Key and the pristine beach called Barefoot Bay. A romantic setting indeed!
From the very first page the story spirals to life as Lacey Armstrong and her fourteen year-old daughter, Ashley, batten-down to survive an imminent hurricane. The storm destroys their family home and all of their belongings in a matter of minutes. St. Claire reminds us material belongings, regardless of how sentimental or treasured, are not what truly matters...they are alive and unhurt. And have to move on and rebuild.
The two main characters Lacey Armstrong and Clay Walker have immediate chemistry. He is definitely a hottie.
The story strays from the "traditional romance" older male - younger female dynamic. Lacey is 36 and Clay is 29. I like the idea of an older woman romancing a younger man as long as there is an acceptable age difference. In this case, Clay is a man, not a boy, thus avoiding the possible `ick' factor. Good for Lacey. (By the way, I feel the same way about a much older man with a very young girl.)
Three of Lacey's college friends, her ex and several townsfolk are among the many secondary characters sprinkled in to make a very fun, layered story which is well constructed. The author implants just enough information to tickle our interest and have us anxious for the next book(s) in the series. Barefoot in the Rain (Barefoot Bay)
Note: If you haven't already read the Bullet Catchers series, do yourself a favor and do so.
Kill Me Twice
Thrill Me to Death
Take Me Tonight
First You Run
Then You Hide
Now You Die
Hunt Her Down
Make Her Pay
This isn't the first contemporary romance she has written, however it's a bit of a departure from what she has been writing the last few years. Many of her fans know her best for her incredibly popular romantic suspense Bullet Catchers series. I believe a good writer can tell a first-class story in a variety of genres. St Claire proves me right.
Barefoot in the Sand takes place on the gulf coast of Florida on the fictional barrier island of Mimosa Key and the pristine beach called Barefoot Bay. A romantic setting indeed!
From the very first page the story spirals to life as Lacey Armstrong and her fourteen year-old daughter, Ashley, batten-down to survive an imminent hurricane. The storm destroys their family home and all of their belongings in a matter of minutes. St. Claire reminds us material belongings, regardless of how sentimental or treasured, are not what truly matters...they are alive and unhurt. And have to move on and rebuild.
The two main characters Lacey Armstrong and Clay Walker have immediate chemistry. He is definitely a hottie.
The story strays from the "traditional romance" older male - younger female dynamic. Lacey is 36 and Clay is 29. I like the idea of an older woman romancing a younger man as long as there is an acceptable age difference. In this case, Clay is a man, not a boy, thus avoiding the possible `ick' factor. Good for Lacey. (By the way, I feel the same way about a much older man with a very young girl.)
Three of Lacey's college friends, her ex and several townsfolk are among the many secondary characters sprinkled in to make a very fun, layered story which is well constructed. The author implants just enough information to tickle our interest and have us anxious for the next book(s) in the series. Barefoot in the Rain (Barefoot Bay)
Note: If you haven't already read the Bullet Catchers series, do yourself a favor and do so.
Kill Me Twice
Thrill Me to DeathTake Me Tonight
First You RunThen You Hide
Now You DieHunt Her Down
Make Her Pay
May 9, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/05/09/...
I am an absolute sucker for small town contemporary romances, and when the fairly new-to-me Roxanne St. Claire’s contemporary was posted on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read and review this book. I’ve only read a few things by her, but everytime I put down one of her books, I immediately want to pick up another.
Lacey lost her entire life in a hurricane and is forced to start over with her teenage daughter. Her lifelong dream of building a B&B on her grandparents land finally seems within her grasp. She wants none other than Clayton Walker to design and build it. However, she wasn’t expecting the younger Clay Walker to show up on her beach half naked and looking undeniably sexy.
Clay needs a second chance to get his life back, and the project with Lacey seems to be the best way to get that second chance. But as he begins working closely with her to get the B&B underway, Clay realizes that there is more to life than just work. But with the zoning issues on the island, Clay’s family drama, and an unexpected visitor from Lacey’s past, will she and Clay be able to build more than just a B&B?
I loved and adored this book. I couldn’t put it down, didn’t want to put it down! It was such a fun and lighthearted and super sexy read. This would be the perfect book to curl up with under the sun on the beach (or in the bathtub). One of the things that appealed to me the most in this story was the side relationships between Lacey and her best friends, Lacey and her daughter Ashley, and even Ashley and her father and Clay. St. Claire does a wonderful job of creating real and life-like situations between her characters, and those interactions were so wonderful to read. I’m super excited that we will get to see more and more of Lacey and her BFFs, especially since they were all so well developed, with their secrets and dreams.
I also thought that Lacey’s relationship with her teenage daughter was super realistic. I don’t have any kids, but my siblings are still teenagers, and I could absolutely relate to Ashley and her mannerisms and attitude in this book. I thought that St. Claire did an incredible job portraying the teen. I also really liked the differences in the dynamics between Ashley’s relationship with her mother, her absentee father who shows back up for a short period of time, and even Clay. Bravo!
I would have liked to get a little more alone time with Lacey and Clay, since it seemed like the time they had together was spent half on the page and half off. That being said, I loved their interplay together. They joked and laughed and shared so many little details with each other that it was easy to feel their connection. Although they both kept some pretty big secrets (well, really Clay kept the big secrets), he was also the kind of hero that you could tell felt every emotion deeply. His drawings of the future had me almost in tears. So sweet and romantic and beautiful!
I am anxious to see how this series progresses. It reminded me a lot of Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series in that the relationship between the heroines is a close one, with plenty of fun sexy times thrown in. I can’t wait to find out why Jocelyn is so scared to see her father, the backstory of Eve and her married doctor… I just know that St. Claire is going to rock the rest of the series, especially if this first book is any indication.
All in all I can’t say enough good things about this book. It was such a lighthearted read. It put a smile on my face for hours and I am so anxious to dive back into these characters to see where life takes them next. Fans of Jill Shalvis, Carly Phillips and Susan Mallery will definitely want to check out this series!
I give Barefoot in the Sand an A!
I am an absolute sucker for small town contemporary romances, and when the fairly new-to-me Roxanne St. Claire’s contemporary was posted on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read and review this book. I’ve only read a few things by her, but everytime I put down one of her books, I immediately want to pick up another.
Lacey lost her entire life in a hurricane and is forced to start over with her teenage daughter. Her lifelong dream of building a B&B on her grandparents land finally seems within her grasp. She wants none other than Clayton Walker to design and build it. However, she wasn’t expecting the younger Clay Walker to show up on her beach half naked and looking undeniably sexy.
Clay needs a second chance to get his life back, and the project with Lacey seems to be the best way to get that second chance. But as he begins working closely with her to get the B&B underway, Clay realizes that there is more to life than just work. But with the zoning issues on the island, Clay’s family drama, and an unexpected visitor from Lacey’s past, will she and Clay be able to build more than just a B&B?
I loved and adored this book. I couldn’t put it down, didn’t want to put it down! It was such a fun and lighthearted and super sexy read. This would be the perfect book to curl up with under the sun on the beach (or in the bathtub). One of the things that appealed to me the most in this story was the side relationships between Lacey and her best friends, Lacey and her daughter Ashley, and even Ashley and her father and Clay. St. Claire does a wonderful job of creating real and life-like situations between her characters, and those interactions were so wonderful to read. I’m super excited that we will get to see more and more of Lacey and her BFFs, especially since they were all so well developed, with their secrets and dreams.
I also thought that Lacey’s relationship with her teenage daughter was super realistic. I don’t have any kids, but my siblings are still teenagers, and I could absolutely relate to Ashley and her mannerisms and attitude in this book. I thought that St. Claire did an incredible job portraying the teen. I also really liked the differences in the dynamics between Ashley’s relationship with her mother, her absentee father who shows back up for a short period of time, and even Clay. Bravo!
I would have liked to get a little more alone time with Lacey and Clay, since it seemed like the time they had together was spent half on the page and half off. That being said, I loved their interplay together. They joked and laughed and shared so many little details with each other that it was easy to feel their connection. Although they both kept some pretty big secrets (well, really Clay kept the big secrets), he was also the kind of hero that you could tell felt every emotion deeply. His drawings of the future had me almost in tears. So sweet and romantic and beautiful!
I am anxious to see how this series progresses. It reminded me a lot of Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series in that the relationship between the heroines is a close one, with plenty of fun sexy times thrown in. I can’t wait to find out why Jocelyn is so scared to see her father, the backstory of Eve and her married doctor… I just know that St. Claire is going to rock the rest of the series, especially if this first book is any indication.
All in all I can’t say enough good things about this book. It was such a lighthearted read. It put a smile on my face for hours and I am so anxious to dive back into these characters to see where life takes them next. Fans of Jill Shalvis, Carly Phillips and Susan Mallery will definitely want to check out this series!
I give Barefoot in the Sand an A!
June 4, 2012
I've read a lot of Roxanne St Claire's romantic suspense. In fact I've devoured it once i discovered it. Her romantic suspense is pure magic. Barefoot in the Sand in Roxanne St. Claire's foray back into contemporary romance something I've read some of as well. This is book one in what will be 4 books in the Barefoot Bay series. The series is about 4 women who have been best friends since college. You get a peak at all 4 of them and what their books might be about but Barefoot in the Sand is all about Lacey. The book opens with Lacey and her daughter Ashley riding out a vicious hurricane in their bathtub with only a mattress over it for protection. Somehow they survive but there is nothing left. The house and everything surrounding it is wiped out. Lacey has been a single mom for 14 years when her then boyfriend David Fox got her pregnant and wanted her to abort the baby. Lacey kept the baby and raised her. Now she wants her dream. If she was going to rebuild she figures now is the time to build the bed and breakfast she's always wanted. In trying to get the architect she wants she meets Clay Walker. She was expected a much older man though and Clay is several years younger than her. Turns out there is a Clay walker Sr and this is Clay Walker Jr. She brushes him off at first until she sees his ideas. Clay is attracted to Lacey but also is using her and her property to help himself get fully licensed as a architect. Betrayed more than once by his father he's got to find a way to make it on his own and become the architect he wants to be. I loved Clay his charisma shines through on the pages even though now and then he i kinda wanted to kick him. Lacey is this great mom with a confidence problem and Clay is the one to build that up and get her to stand up for what she wants. This is a fun and flirtatious story with some pain and hurt mixed in. Clay and Lacey each have their own hurts to let go of but can Lacey show Clay that's she's a good bet where love in concerned. I HATED to see this one end and 6 months when the next one comes out feels like a eternity already. lol I'm going to say that Roxanne St Claire hit it out of the ballpark with this one. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars. Be sure to read a excerpt to the next installment Barefoot in the Rain at the back of this book.
I have to add that i love the nickname Clay gives Lacey. Cute but still sexy when he says it.
I have to add that i love the nickname Clay gives Lacey. Cute but still sexy when he says it.
December 27, 2012
Taken from the author's own experience of the devastation a hurricane can bring, Barefoot in the Sand begins with a hurricane sweeping through Mimosa Key and taking every material thing single mother, Lacey Armstrong owns. When the storm breaks Lacey and her daughter emerge, ecstatic to be alive but devastated to see their life in shambles. The reader is invested, from the first page, in how Lacey puts her life and that of her daughter back together. After the destruction Lacey has the chance to do what she has always wanted, to build and run her own B&B on Mimosa Key. That is if she can overcome her fears and her natural tendency to over analyze as a means of procrastination for making final decisions. It is Lacey's journey that makes this story. The underly theme of second chances plays out again and again. Not only does she get a chance to realize her dreams of her own B&B but she also gets a second chance at love. Lacey's inner battles are very poignantly portrayed. She is always weighing how what she wants for herself impacts everyone else around her. It is the battle many women fight every day, though not on perhaps the grand scale of this book.
To help Lacy stick to her guns are the best BFFs any middle-aged woman could ever find. Tessa, Zoe, and Jocelyn provide laughs as well as a mirror to Lacey as she sometimes backs down from building her B&B or in pursuing true love. The shared giggles though these best friends make the story seem more real and closer. The reader feels like she is in on a secret gabfest among best friends. There were several times I wanted to jump in and offer my own advice. I suspect each of these friends will be getting stories of their own in the future.
This series is a heart-warming contemporary romance--one of those where you feel like family by the time you finish the book and you want to return again and again to Barefoot Bay to see how every character grows and changes.
To help Lacy stick to her guns are the best BFFs any middle-aged woman could ever find. Tessa, Zoe, and Jocelyn provide laughs as well as a mirror to Lacey as she sometimes backs down from building her B&B or in pursuing true love. The shared giggles though these best friends make the story seem more real and closer. The reader feels like she is in on a secret gabfest among best friends. There were several times I wanted to jump in and offer my own advice. I suspect each of these friends will be getting stories of their own in the future.
This series is a heart-warming contemporary romance--one of those where you feel like family by the time you finish the book and you want to return again and again to Barefoot Bay to see how every character grows and changes.
May 30, 2013
Roxanne St. Claire has done it again! I will admit I was skeptical when I heard she would be writing something other than romantic suspense - as I LOVED the Bullet Catchers and Guardian Angelinos. However, Roxanne did not disappoint with her debut contemporary novel. In fact, I found Barefoot in the Sand to be in my top five books ever! I could not love this book more! Barefoot Bay is a serene place on the island of Mimosa Key, just off the coast of Florida. The location was fabulous, and very original. The story tells of four best friends who met in college, and SAND features one as the protagonist - Lacey Armstrong. Lacey's entire house and all she loved was completely blown away by a destructive hurricane that ripped up Barefoot Bay. She decides to seize the opportunity, and rebuild a new, renovated resort in place of her rundown (and now destroyed) bed and breakfast. When Lacey meets the young, attractive architect named Clay Walker, who is perfect for the job, her life takes a drastic turn. Her three best friends - Jocelyn, Zoe, and Tessa - rally in Barefoot Bay to assist in Lacey's colossal project that she is taking on with the help of Clay. This story made me laugh, cry, and jump for joy. It beautifully set up the series, and I'm looking forward to the other three books. Thank you Roxanne for this wonderful ride! You never let me down!
June 12, 2013
I am a new fan of Roxanne St.Claire and thorough enjoyed reading Barefoot in the Sand an appropriate title for the setting. Lacy and Clay the heroine and hero are a perfect match. They love each other from the start but both have to overcome the past before they can fully commit to each other and the future. Lacy's friends are a great encouragement to her. Her daughter is somewhat antagonistic towards Clay and has secretly contacted her father whom she has not seen in six years. All adds up in the end for a perfect romance story.
May 2, 2012
First book of a new series from Roxanne St. Claire and another hit.
The book start in the middle of a hurricane and the whole story pick that pace right away. There is never a dull moment. It was a wonderful story and spectacularly told. Had enough twist that had me guessing what was going to happen next. Clay was perfect.
I’m sure of one thing. If Ms. St. Claire is writing, I’m sure will be reading it.
The book start in the middle of a hurricane and the whole story pick that pace right away. There is never a dull moment. It was a wonderful story and spectacularly told. Had enough twist that had me guessing what was going to happen next. Clay was perfect.
I’m sure of one thing. If Ms. St. Claire is writing, I’m sure will be reading it.
August 8, 2012
Roxanne St. Claire was recommended to me by one of the judges in a contest I entered recently. It was a great read. I loved the way the characters were developed, not just the main ones but the sub-characters also.
It was a definite feel-good love story that had some interesting little twists and turns. I certainly will read more of Roxanne's work.
It was a definite feel-good love story that had some interesting little twists and turns. I certainly will read more of Roxanne's work.
November 30, 2012
Great first book in the series. This is a book about Lacey the first of four best friends. Lacey, a single mother is strong, beautiful, and after a tragedy is ready to pick up the pieces and start again. Her hero, Clay also has had some rough spots in his life. This is a cute story of the two of them finding their way to each other. It was a fun, light read. I really enjoyed it.
May 13, 2012
*4.5 Stars*
Really enjoyed this one! The hero and the heroine were great together. I liked that the younger hero actually felt younger (in terms of lingo).
Full review to come.
Really enjoyed this one! The hero and the heroine were great together. I liked that the younger hero actually felt younger (in terms of lingo).
Full review to come.
May 14, 2012
4.5 Stars
I am so damn happy that Roxanne has a new series! I have been hooked on her books since the Bullet Catchers Series.
This new series is hot, humorous, and addictive.
I was hooked from the horrific, heart-pounding beginning of Barefoot in the Sand. Roxanne knows how to draw the reader in with such descriptive scenes. I felt like I had suffered along with Ashley and Lacey, huddled underneath the mattress as hurricane winds tore off the roof of her home.
The sexual chemistry is great between Lacey and Clay-instantaneous and scorching. What woman could resist a tattooed, dirty-blond-haired, ear-pierced, nekked-chest hottie with a killer smile? I could easily visualize Clay Walker in his board shorts and panty-dropping smile.
But it wasn't just about the sex, people. Although, it was good-VERY GOOD-and had me sticking my head in the freezer a few times, lol.
What I love about this book is the emotional tug at the heart. This is a story about the power of forgiveness, standing up for what you want and believe in, as well as rebuilding your life from the ground up after tragedy. It is also about owning up to past mistakes, as Lacey's ex-boyfriend struggles to come to terms with leaving Lacey alone and pregnant fourteen years ago.
There is some world building going on with the really likable secondary characters. And I am eager to read about each characters journey---bring it on, Rocki!
Lacey has three gals she has counted on since college...Jocelyn, Tessa, and Zoe. All have very distinctive personalities and an unshakable bond as friends. I so love a great story about gal pals that stick through the good and the bad. And those that know how to make a mean margarita are good to know, too, lol.
This book made me want to sit on the beach, sip on some fru-fru fruity drink, heavy on the Patron or The Captain, while listening to the waves and smelling the salty air. I'm a beach gal, born and raised, so maybe I'm a little bit partial. But for me, the beach is the life. And I can't wait to visit Barefoot Bay in the next installment of Roxanne's newest series. Barefoot in the Rain has an expected release date of November 2012.
For Barefoot in the Sand, I'm giving it a SPECIAL 4.5 Palm Tree Rating-to celebrate her new series and the approaching summer.
I am so damn happy that Roxanne has a new series! I have been hooked on her books since the Bullet Catchers Series.
This new series is hot, humorous, and addictive.
I was hooked from the horrific, heart-pounding beginning of Barefoot in the Sand. Roxanne knows how to draw the reader in with such descriptive scenes. I felt like I had suffered along with Ashley and Lacey, huddled underneath the mattress as hurricane winds tore off the roof of her home.
The sexual chemistry is great between Lacey and Clay-instantaneous and scorching. What woman could resist a tattooed, dirty-blond-haired, ear-pierced, nekked-chest hottie with a killer smile? I could easily visualize Clay Walker in his board shorts and panty-dropping smile.
But it wasn't just about the sex, people. Although, it was good-VERY GOOD-and had me sticking my head in the freezer a few times, lol.
What I love about this book is the emotional tug at the heart. This is a story about the power of forgiveness, standing up for what you want and believe in, as well as rebuilding your life from the ground up after tragedy. It is also about owning up to past mistakes, as Lacey's ex-boyfriend struggles to come to terms with leaving Lacey alone and pregnant fourteen years ago.
There is some world building going on with the really likable secondary characters. And I am eager to read about each characters journey---bring it on, Rocki!
Lacey has three gals she has counted on since college...Jocelyn, Tessa, and Zoe. All have very distinctive personalities and an unshakable bond as friends. I so love a great story about gal pals that stick through the good and the bad. And those that know how to make a mean margarita are good to know, too, lol.
This book made me want to sit on the beach, sip on some fru-fru fruity drink, heavy on the Patron or The Captain, while listening to the waves and smelling the salty air. I'm a beach gal, born and raised, so maybe I'm a little bit partial. But for me, the beach is the life. And I can't wait to visit Barefoot Bay in the next installment of Roxanne's newest series. Barefoot in the Rain has an expected release date of November 2012.
For Barefoot in the Sand, I'm giving it a SPECIAL 4.5 Palm Tree Rating-to celebrate her new series and the approaching summer.
June 29, 2012
I've always considered Roxanne St. Claire to be one of the finest Romantic Suspense authors in today's market. So, when she said she was going to try something a little different, I wasn't sure whether I'd like it or not. Well, I don't. I LOVE IT! Barefoot in the Sand has moved to the top of my all-time-favorite books. And I'm eagerly waiting watching for her next installment in the Barefoot Bay Series.
June 5, 2013
What a great contemporary romance by Roxanne St Claire. Loved the location, the characters, the conflicts, the romance, the resulting tears. Really good tears. Barefoot in the Sand is a fantastic heart-warming fulfilling read.
It's a romance so the following, while yes "spoiler" is just such a great line, all you can do is sigh. Yes this exactly.
"You are all that I need, all that I want and all that I ever have to have".
It's a romance so the following, while yes "spoiler" is just such a great line, all you can do is sigh. Yes this exactly.
"You are all that I need, all that I want and all that I ever have to have".
May 9, 2012
I love this book. It is the first book of Roxanne St. Clair's that I have read. It was really enjoyable. It had parts that made me cry and laugh. I really loved the ending. I will be reading othe books by Roxanne St. Clair. Thanks for an awesome read!
March 19, 2013
Loved it. Laughed, cried, sighed.....it was a very good read
July 15, 2012
Fun and sexy beach read. I loved it and can't wait for the next in the series!
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