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Isle of Man Romance #2
Island Inheritance
Carly Munroe is perfectly happy with her life.She has a small house she adores, a great job teaching first grade, and the same boyfriend she's had since she was nine years old. She's expecting a marriage proposal at any moment, and already has the chapel near her home reserved for a Christmas Eve ceremony.When her grandmother asks her to travel to the Isle of Man to sort out an unexpected inheritance, everything changes.Her long-term boyfriend decides that it's the perfect time for them to start seeing other people, and Carly starts to wonder if she really does want to spend the rest of her life in the same small town where she grew up.Handsome lawyer, Doncan Quayle, is another complication. He's charming and sophisticated and he seems to be going out of his way to make her happy. Is he simply being nice or does he have other motives? Falling in love with the Isle of Man is bad enough. Carly also finds herself falling in love with the rundown cottage that her grandmother now owns. As if that weren't enough, she loses her heart to the handsome lawyer, too. Can Carly find a happy ending or is she destined to end up alone in the same way that the cottage's former owner, Bessie Cubbon, did?
216 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2013
About the author
Diana Xarissa
275 books271 followersDiana started self-publishing in 2013 and over a decade later she now has over a hundred books available for readers. Writing remains her passion and she has no plans to stop writing in the foreseeable future.
Diana grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and earned a history degree from Allegheny College. She met her husband, an Englishman, while living and working in Washington, DC. Following their marriage, she moved to Derbyshire. A short while later, the happy couple moved to the Isle of Man.
During their years on the island, Diana and her husband welcomed two children, and Diana completed a master’s degree in the history of the island. In 2008, the family made the decision to move to the US. Now empty-nesters, Diana and her husband are living in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, and contemplating moving somewhere that doesn’t get snow.
Diana also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and Young Adult fiction as D.X. Dunn.
Diana grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and earned a history degree from Allegheny College. She met her husband, an Englishman, while living and working in Washington, DC. Following their marriage, she moved to Derbyshire. A short while later, the happy couple moved to the Isle of Man.
During their years on the island, Diana and her husband welcomed two children, and Diana completed a master’s degree in the history of the island. In 2008, the family made the decision to move to the US. Now empty-nesters, Diana and her husband are living in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, and contemplating moving somewhere that doesn’t get snow.
Diana also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and Young Adult fiction as D.X. Dunn.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 25, 2019
Carly sets off from Pennsylvania to visit the Island to sort out an inheritance left to her grandmother by her grandmother's aunt. Her journey is not made easier by her long-term fiancé suggesting, on the way to the airport, that they regard her trip as a break from their relationship... so much for the Christmas wedding Carly had set her heart on!
Here are the roots for the 'Aunt Bessie investigates' series - as the dead relative of 2012 is the Aunt Bessie whose stories are set 20 or more years earlier.
We meet Doncan Quayle, the advocate handling her estate, son of Doncan senior who is Aunt Bessie's trusted Advocate in the later series. This current Doncan is, of course, the same Doncan Quayle who handles Fenella's inheritance in the Ghostly Mysteries Series set in the current day. There are complications to their relationship - is it a working one or a romantic one, for example.
But things reach the expected HEA and now I will have to go through the Ghostly Mysteries again to see if Doncan's wife is ever mentioned!
Here are the roots for the 'Aunt Bessie investigates' series - as the dead relative of 2012 is the Aunt Bessie whose stories are set 20 or more years earlier.
We meet Doncan Quayle, the advocate handling her estate, son of Doncan senior who is Aunt Bessie's trusted Advocate in the later series. This current Doncan is, of course, the same Doncan Quayle who handles Fenella's inheritance in the Ghostly Mysteries Series set in the current day. There are complications to their relationship - is it a working one or a romantic one, for example.
But things reach the expected HEA and now I will have to go through the Ghostly Mysteries again to see if Doncan's wife is ever mentioned!
February 4, 2020
Carly Munroe isn't thrilled when her Granny asks her to fly over to the Isle of Man to settle the details of the inheritance left to her by her mother's sister, Elizabeth Cubbon, or "Aunt Bessie." She had plans for the summer: she was going to paint the little house she had just purchased, and she fully expected her long-time boyfriend, Tom, to propose to her. That dream is dashed when Tom breaks up with her while driving her to the airport to fulfill Granny's wishes.
Vulnerable and alone in a strange country, Carly is surprised to find herself attracted to Doncan Quayle, the advocate (Manx for "lawyer") who is settling the estate. He seems to be attracted to Carly, too, but she wonders: is that real, or is he just trying to get her to sign the paperwork to dispose of Bessie's belongings, including the seashore cottage that Carly is falling in love with?
Vulnerable and alone in a strange country, Carly is surprised to find herself attracted to Doncan Quayle, the advocate (Manx for "lawyer") who is settling the estate. He seems to be attracted to Carly, too, but she wonders: is that real, or is he just trying to get her to sign the paperwork to dispose of Bessie's belongings, including the seashore cottage that Carly is falling in love with?
August 31, 2020
A book to remember .if you love the aunt Bessie series you will love this romance that lets you peak into aunt bessie's past. And the romance of her dista t realitive.
to remember .if you love the aunt Bessie series you will love this romance that lets you peak into aunt bessie's past. And the romance of her distant realitive.
to remember .if you love the aunt Bessie series you will love this romance that lets you peak into aunt bessie's past. And the romance of her distant realitive.
October 26, 2018
Loved every page, after being an Aunt Bessie can over the past two years this was an excellent finish
After being an Aunt Bessie can for the past two years, this was a lovely ending or even, a new beginning x
After being an Aunt Bessie can for the past two years, this was a lovely ending or even, a new beginning x
August 27, 2021
Excellent!
Oh, another very sweet story from an author who really knows how to out words together! I love Carly and Doncan's journey to their happily ever after & look forward to the next book in this series.
Oh, another very sweet story from an author who really knows how to out words together! I love Carly and Doncan's journey to their happily ever after & look forward to the next book in this series.
March 11, 2018
Another fun adventure on the Isle of Man. Love all these books!
November 30, 2021
Fantastic book. I think I enjoyed this more than book #1.
November 5, 2023
A very enjoyable romance. Highly recommended.
March 31, 2015
Island Inheritance is book two of the Isle of Man Romance series by Diana Xarissa. This is the book in which Aunt Bessie appears for the first time, although she had passed away. The book is really good and deals with rejection, breaking promises, family, and romance.
Carly Munroe is a teacher in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She was born and raised here and intended to stay here forever. She had a boyfriend, Tom, who she has had since they were ten. She expects him to propose just any day. Meanwhile, she has purchased herself a small house and was looking forward to painting it over the summer. She then gets a phone call from her Mother telling her to get in touch with Granny as Granny wants her to do something for her. Intrigued but ready to tell Granny no, she heads for her Granny’s apartment.
For the first time, Granny tells her the story of her Mother’s family and how they came to the US from the Isle of Man. Granny’s mother, Katherine, married and had ten children of which Granny was the last. Katherine’s parents and sister Elizabeth went back to the Isle of Man, leaving Elizabeth’s love Michael behind. Michael eventually got on board a ship and was coming to see Elizabeth. He fell ill on the ship and died before it docked. He left everything to Elizabeth. Bessie (as Elizabeth was called) eventually purchased a cottage by the sea and gave up marrying. She became everyone’s Aunt Bessie and had all the love she could ask for. Now that she has died, her cottage must be gone through and readied for sale. Doncan Quayl is handling the legal things for the property. Instead of having him go through everything and sell the property, Carly gives in to her Granny’s request and goes to the Isle of Man to take care of the property. As she is leaving, Tom breaks up with her. Many hours later, with puffy eyes from crying and extreme exhaustion, Carly arrives in the Isle of Man.
As she goes through the cottage, Carly must be aware of the fact that through this, she will meet Aunt Bessie and then she will decide what to do with the Cottage. She also must figure out her attraction to Duncon.
Carly Munroe is a teacher in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She was born and raised here and intended to stay here forever. She had a boyfriend, Tom, who she has had since they were ten. She expects him to propose just any day. Meanwhile, she has purchased herself a small house and was looking forward to painting it over the summer. She then gets a phone call from her Mother telling her to get in touch with Granny as Granny wants her to do something for her. Intrigued but ready to tell Granny no, she heads for her Granny’s apartment.
For the first time, Granny tells her the story of her Mother’s family and how they came to the US from the Isle of Man. Granny’s mother, Katherine, married and had ten children of which Granny was the last. Katherine’s parents and sister Elizabeth went back to the Isle of Man, leaving Elizabeth’s love Michael behind. Michael eventually got on board a ship and was coming to see Elizabeth. He fell ill on the ship and died before it docked. He left everything to Elizabeth. Bessie (as Elizabeth was called) eventually purchased a cottage by the sea and gave up marrying. She became everyone’s Aunt Bessie and had all the love she could ask for. Now that she has died, her cottage must be gone through and readied for sale. Doncan Quayl is handling the legal things for the property. Instead of having him go through everything and sell the property, Carly gives in to her Granny’s request and goes to the Isle of Man to take care of the property. As she is leaving, Tom breaks up with her. Many hours later, with puffy eyes from crying and extreme exhaustion, Carly arrives in the Isle of Man.
As she goes through the cottage, Carly must be aware of the fact that through this, she will meet Aunt Bessie and then she will decide what to do with the Cottage. She also must figure out her attraction to Duncon.
February 20, 2014
Carly is pretty set with her life in America, and expecting to marry her boyfriend since third grade. Doncan is doing just fine as a wealthy lawyer on the beautiful Isle of Man. A cottage inheritance brings Carly to the Isle and right up against Doncan who is pretty eager to get Carly’s signature to tear down that pretty cottage. Diana Xarissa brings us back to this Isle with another story of one of its inhabitants and another newcomer to the island. Building on book one, we learn more of this historical and intriguing island, and get to know more of the locals.
While I prefer one central character with a defined goal, I can’t decide if the lack of a clear protagonist works in this instance. With two points of view offered, I had difficulty determining obstacles for either character.
As sweet and slow as this was set up, I was not expecting nor buying a proposal after one month. It didn’t go well with Doncan’s confirmed bachelor status nor was I convinced Carly would marry someone so soon, especially considering she was just coming out of a decades-long relationship. But setting that aside, going through the letters and documents of the prior resident added a nice layer to the overall story. I also enjoyed the repeat ghostly encounter and a brief run-in with a character from book one.
Brew a cup of herbal tea and settle in for a gentle tour of the Isle with a slow and sweet romance on the side. More book reviews at latteda.com .
While I prefer one central character with a defined goal, I can’t decide if the lack of a clear protagonist works in this instance. With two points of view offered, I had difficulty determining obstacles for either character.
As sweet and slow as this was set up, I was not expecting nor buying a proposal after one month. It didn’t go well with Doncan’s confirmed bachelor status nor was I convinced Carly would marry someone so soon, especially considering she was just coming out of a decades-long relationship. But setting that aside, going through the letters and documents of the prior resident added a nice layer to the overall story. I also enjoyed the repeat ghostly encounter and a brief run-in with a character from book one.
Brew a cup of herbal tea and settle in for a gentle tour of the Isle with a slow and sweet romance on the side. More book reviews at latteda.com .
July 14, 2015
i think this was my favorite by this author yet! I really enjoyed the story, and the plot and characters were well done and felt like old friends. I found it moved quickly and held my interest throughout. I loved the feel of being on the Isle of Man, some place I would love to visit personally, but alas, not something possible in this lifetime. Just enough romance without being overly sweet or cloying.
March 17, 2015
Author Diana Xarissa has found a great location for her series of books. I liked "Island Inheritance" more for the fascinating setting of the Isle of Man than the actual story line. Although, the premise was fine - local man meets visiting girl and they fall in love. Lots of problems ensue before the inevitable ending. A nice story that I picked up after reading one of the writer's "Aunt Bessie" mystery series. I'd read another romance by this author but for now I'll go back to Aunt Bessie.
September 18, 2016
Really liked this book
I was really sad to think of Aunt Bessie being dead, but the family ties and relationships were very entertaining. I like the way all these book by Diana Xarissa interlock. After about the middle I could barely put it down. Really good read
I was really sad to think of Aunt Bessie being dead, but the family ties and relationships were very entertaining. I like the way all these book by Diana Xarissa interlock. After about the middle I could barely put it down. Really good read
July 4, 2014
This is a sweet story. There is history of a different kind. A family history with its mysteries. And a clean romance to boot.
February 16, 2016
Beautiful story
This was really two stories in a way. I have read some of the Bessie's books and this book revealed another view of her. I loved carly story it was a bonus.
This was really two stories in a way. I have read some of the Bessie's books and this book revealed another view of her. I loved carly story it was a bonus.
April 27, 2017
it was a good story, made me sad though, didn't want to think of Aunt Bessie passing...
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews