“DuLong reminds me of a Southern Debbie Macomber but with a flair all her own.” --Karin Gillespie
Includes an original knitting pattern!
New York Times bestselling author Terri DuLong turns a new page in breezy Ormond Beach, Florida, where a woman looking for a fresh start discovers her dreams coming true in ways she never imagined… Chloe Radcliffe was ready to shake the dust of Cedar Key off her feet and sink her toes into the warm sands of Ormond Beach with her soon-to-be husband. But when tragedy struck, she found herself alone, unraveled—and unsure where she belonged…
A series of vivid dreams of a Victorian house with a beautiful fishpond convince Chloe totake a leap of faith andrent a condo in Ormond Beach. There, she makes fast friends with a group of knitters and the owner of a tea shop, who also happens to have a house nearly identical to the one in Chloe’s dreams—and she’s willing to rent her the property. Just as Chloe begins casting on her grand plans for the home, her tangled past comes back to haunt her—but her dreams and newfound friends just might point her toward the love she’s been missing all along…
Praise for Terri DuLong’s Cedar Key Novels
“A heartwarming story…Great for fans of Kate Jacobs’s ‘Friday Night Knitting Club’ series.” –Library Journal on Farewell to Cedar Key
“An intriguing premise, a cozy, small-town backdrop, and even the hint of some magic...A sweet story, set in a friendlycommunity.” --Kirkus on Postcards from Cedar Key “Tender and poignant, perfect for those who love knitting as well as the bonds between women.”–RT Book Reviews (4 Stars) on Sunrise on Cedar Key
“A delightful addition to that genre of needlecraft-inspired books.” --Library Journal on Casting About
NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of the Cedar Key Series. Debut novel, Lost Souls of the Witches' Castle, was released by a small press in 2002. Based on the mental facility north of Boston where I did my Psychiatric RN training, it weaves the story of a love both past and present. Since the press closed, Lost Souls is no longer in print, but is now available in eBook on both Kindle and Nook. Daughters of the Mill is a prequel to Lost Souls and focuses on the Mill girls in Lowell, Massachusetts and the lack of women's rights in that era. Also now available in Kindle and Nook.
On Feb. 26, 2008 I signed a two-book contract with Kensington Publishing in NYC. My first novel, SPINNING FORWARD, also women's fiction, was released October 27, 2009. CASTING ABOUT, book 2 in the Cedar Key Series was released Oct. 26, 2010, along with my Christmas novella, A CEDAR KEY CHRISTMAS, in the anthology, HOLIDAY MAGIC, with Fern Michaels headlining.
Book 3, SUNRISE ON CEDAR KEY hit bookshelves October 2011 and Book 4, POSTCARDS FROM CEDAR KEY, was released October 30, 2012. Book 5, SECRETS ON CEDAR KEY will be released Nov. 26, 2013 and book 6 in 2014.
I'm originally from the Boston area, but have resided in Florida for 26 years. Eight years ago we relocated to Cedar Key (the setting for my novels) off the west coast.
I’ve read a few of this author’s books and have generally enjoyed them for the light reads that they are. This book seemed to be taking the idea of a light read a bit too far. Everything is just perfect in the characters’ lives, and if it isn’t, well oops! All the food is delicious, all the people are caring, all the houses are beautifully decorated, all the flowers are just lovely, all the views of the ocean are breathtaking etc, etc. Even the dogs get along perfectly. The main character, Chloe, has some demons in her past, but of course she comes to terms with them in a healthy, healing way. Since this is the first book in a series, there are some unresolved plot points. I already have the other two books in the series on my Nook, but I’m in no no rush to read them. I want to build my IQ points back up first.
This book was a disappointment for me, in that I don’t remember this author’s writing style being so insipid. Either that or my tastes have changed since I last read one of her books. Either way, unless you are looking for a totally mindless light read, I can’t recommend this one.
A 3 1/2 stars really. I enjoyed the story. It is a light read, fairly predictable, however I would like to hang out in the yarn/tea shop with some of these ladies. There seemed to be a lot of different characters which I had a hard time keeping them all straight, but it wasn't too bad. Some parts were a little over the top fluffy-ish when it came to the love interests. I might have rolled my eyes a few times :-)
I felt I was missing the first part of Chloe's life..... was there a book before this one?? I did like the story and will continue the series. I hope to find out what happens with some of these characters whose stories were left hanging.
**I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is November 24th, 2015**
I am going to get it out of the way right up front that I struggled with this story. I swear it was a couple hundred pages more than suggested above. Here is the reason why...
For me there were simply too many characters and I couldn't keep them all straight. Between Chloe's old friends and family in Cedar Key to the new army of friends she makes in Ormond beach, I really did not know who anyone was half the time. Add to that the sheer number of people with names starting with M, Mavis, Maddie and Marta. It was too confusing for me. Also every character was so nice and welcoming that it made it difficult for me to differentiate them by their character traits. I found myself re-reading passages several times
If you can get past all of the names and keep them straight, this is a story of forgiveness, friendship and love. It is a story about jumping off the deep end and starting over. It is about forging a new path and new friendships. This aspect of the story was endearing and gave me a little bit of the warm and fuzzies.
If you are a person who can keep multiple characters straight then this could be a good read for you as it truly has a great heart to it. Oh, and did I forget to mention that one of the main characters is a dog? I can always tell when an author is a dog person (and if not then kudo's to the realism) when they have one as part of the daily part of a characters life.
Set in Ormond Beach Fl where Chloe Radcliffe along with her dog Basil decides to spend time after her fiancé dies unexpectedly. She finds a home and new community of friends when she needs them the most and she brings her knitting. Will she have the courage to take a risk and follow her dreams taking a chance on an opportunity and relationship? Given the chance to face the biggest trauma in her life, will she go for it or run away? + would make fun beach read whether you’re at the beach or not. The main character takes time to enjoy sunsets, a glass of wine, walks on the beach with her dog and new friends + main character is a woman about 50-60 years young with a vibrancy usually only reserved for 20 year olds in books. I want to thank the author for writing a real woman with life experiences, adult children and a mind of her own who is focused on living her life rather than on age, wrinkles or size!! Love it!! A romantic love story for grown ups!! + characters include a variety of ages and stages in life from teens to older adults. Includes a family from Poland + LGBTQ characters! A gay couple who are loved, accepted and an integral part of the narrative + dogs!! All 3 written so that I felt like I had met them too A fun intersection read with creative interesting people, lovely beach setting, good food & drink, knitting, a supportive circle of women at a pace you can sip. At the same time, characters deal with real life issues in a realistic way. Enjoyed it! BTW, you don’t have to be a knitter to appreciate the creativity , relaxation and bonds coming along with knitting. Reminds me of Debbie Macomber on the beach. Quotes: Patterns of Change.147
"It seems that you're unable to separate Chadwick from Aaron." *Id say that's exactly what the problem is. And while I might realize this up here"-I pointed to my head-_"there's no way I feel it in here," I said, pointing to my heart. Grace nodded. "I understand. I remember once when Aunt Maude told me it's one thing to logically know something in your head, but if you don't feel it in your heart, you can't go forward." I couldn't help but wonder if Aunt Maude had said that to Grace when she was trying to get her to reconcile with me. "Damn. Life is tough,” I told my sister. “That it is," she said, pulling me into an embrace. 161 I have no idea what I'm doing. Most days I feel like I'm spinning in circles. Haley is so obviously unhappy and I think she actually Blames me for the breakup with her father.” "But that's silly. He's the one who left you for somebody else, night?" "Yeah, but that doesn't 147 vang 47 * seems that you 're unable to separate Chadwick from Aaron" ew that's exactly what the problem is. And while I might real- so his up here"- I pointed to my head- "there's no way I feel it in we.*"I said, pointing to my heart. Crace nodded. "I understand. I remember once when Aunt Maude Wine it's one thing to logically know something in your head, but if we don't feel it in your heart, you can't go forward." Icouldn't help but wonder if Aunt Maude had said that to Grace den she was trying to get her to reconcile with me. Dann. Life is tough," I told my sister. That it is," " she said, pulling me into an embrace.
56 about Mavis’ rehab from mom polio: my father told me about Koi fish and how legend has it that they can climb the falls of the yellow river to become dragons. They symbolize personal strength or perseverance as one goes through difficult situations. He said they had become a symbol for people struggling to make it through rough times and overcome obstacles. My father told me that if I began to make an attempt to walk, if I faithfully did my daily exercises with my nurse, he would have a Koi pond built just for me. It was much harder than I thought it would be. There were days I just didn’t think my muscles would ever work well enough for me to walk. But when I was attempting to make this happen, my father hired a crew to dig the pond, make the wall and follow through on his promise. He had the upmost faith in me. And finally almost a year later, with the assistance of crutches at first, I was walking. I’ll never forget the day my father and I walked out here for the first time and I saw the fish. That was over 60 years ago and some of those fish you see today are the original ones. I have a strong feeling that it helped to form the person I would become. There were more disappointments, heartache and sadness over the years, combined with much joy, but I always found that coming here to my fish pond diminish the bad times and enhance the good ones
74 Maddie about opening a flowery shop after a career as a nurse: Sometimes life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself. So I made the choice to open blossoms of color and become my creative self. Architecture: the Casements owned by JD Rockefeller, Stetson Mansion owned by john B Stetson who sold the hats named after him-Deland Fl
161 Isobel: “I have no idea what I’m doing. Most days I feel like I’m spinning in circles. Haley is so obviously unhappy and I think she actually blames me for the break up with her father. “ Chloe: “But that’s silly. He’s the one who left you for somebody else, right? “ Isibelle: “Yeah, but that doesn’t matter to Haley. All she knows is that her life as she knew it is gone forever. Much like mine is." I thought back to when Parker left me and let out a sigh. "I remember those days well. It's so scary to feel like you're drifting. Nothing solid to hold on to. While your old life is gone, you have to realize that new chapters are waiting for you. You just have to be brave and strong enough to open the book.” Isabelle nodded and a smile crossed her lips. "I'm beginning to see Why Dad was attracted to you. You've been through a lot yourself, ad yet.." She gestured around the garden area. "It seems you' ve Ended up where you're supposed to be." I smiled and patted her hand. "And I have no doubt that eventually you will too." 180 part of loving is also forgiving. 187 I came to realize that resentment and anger or toxic. I may have even briefly hated Jackson for a while. But I came to understand that love is so much stronger than any other emotion. I looked at your if she grew and I saw only love, so how could I not forgive Emmaline and also Jackson? You are one remarkable woman, Mavis Anne overby
This is the first book I’ve read written by Terri DuLong but certainly won’t be the last. I usually read cozy mysteries and not a lot of women’s fiction but am very glad I read this wonderful book. The book is beautifully written, the storyline well plotted, and the characters well developed and relatable. I loved the characters and the setting. This is a great read if you like light reading, a bit of romance, with a hint of paranormal. This is a story of forgiveness, friendship, and love. Date rape and pre-marital relations are addressed with sensitivity. There is nothing explicit and there is no foul language.
Chloe Radcliffe is trying to get over the recent deaths of her Aunt Maude and Gabe, her significant other, who died suddenly. Looking for a change, Chloe decides to visit Ormond Beach, Florida. Before his death, Gabe and Chloe were going to move there. Henry Wagner rents his condo to Chloe and Mavis Anne Overby convinces Chloe to open a yarn shop in a cute building behind Koi House, her Victorian Home. The building will house the new yarn shop and the other half with be Yarrow’s tea and coffee shop.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
I’ve read a few of Terri DuLong’s Cedar Key series so I knew I’d want to read her novel set on the east coast of Florida. Patterns of Change is about Chloe who leaves Cedar Key for Ormond Beach and a new chapter in her life. I had to admire the guts it took to make such a change at age 52 but circumstances in Cedar Key made it easy for her to leave.
What Chloe didn’t know was what or who would be waiting for her in Ormond Beach. She certainly landed on her feet and was welcomed into the community by some of the pillars. A person couldn’t ask for more – perhaps it was because she was open to change and her personality reflected that. There were a few times when I wondered how someone could be so fortunate to have things work out the way they did for Chloe but I guess that’s how life can be sometimes.
I liked that the author continued the knitting theme from the previous series. I enjoy knitting and was pleased to see a pattern for a beautiful shawl included with the novel. I’d recommend Patterns of Change to fans of the author, knitting and novels about women’s friendship. 3.75/5 stars I received a review book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This one was an ok read for me. The good - a wonderful story of love, friendship, forgiveness, and bravery to forge ahead when life throws you obstacles. It's very well written with a wonderful host of characters. The characters however were part of the problem I had while reading this one. There are just so many of them. When reading be reading to flip back and forth to make sure you know who each one is. The other thing about this one that bothered me was the pace of the book. The whole thing just seemed a bit drawn out. So to me the overall story was good but I did struggle a bit to finish it.
Another enjoyable story from this author. This is the story of Chloe Radcliffe who has been in the novels set in Cedar Key. Chloe decides to shake up her life and moves to Ormond Beach,Florida and meets the man who is the one for her. She also moves into a Victorian house and becomes a co-owner of a yarn shop. Chloe also comes to terms with an event that happened to her in college some thirty years before. The book was a very quick easy read.
I wanted to like these books because of some reviewers' comparisons to Debbie Macomber, but all three of this series fell flat. Yes, I read all three. I did get engaged with some of the characters and the mysteries in the story lines, but the author's liberal bias and left-leaning political agenda was too much to deal with. There was one interesting character whose back story was alluded to, but then never fleshed out, so it was only there as a self-serving preaching of the liberal platform. I felt the mystic theme was unnecessary as well - too many stories competing with each other. Finally, as a Knitter, I found the repeated references to Ravelry and specific yarn and needle brands and yarns to be patronizing in an attempt to attract fiber artists to the books. Naming specifics like this is short-sighted and these books will definitely not stand the test of time. There were also references that a non-knitter wouldn't pick up on, but having knitalongs where every single knitter is using the identical yarn for the pattern is completely unrealistic, as well as instances where a completely inappropriate yarn choice is made, and another instance where the yarn store owner picks out needles for a new knitter without any comment as to gauge. Most of the knitting scenes were completely unrealistic.
My recommendation? Skip this author and read Debbie Macomber books.
Chloe Radcliffe, a single woman in her early fifties, is recovering from the recent painful situations in her life. But might the relocation to the Ormond Beach heal her pain (including the trauma from long-ago) and even offer a chance at love?
Read this when in the mood for something warm, what could drift you away from your daily duties. Because warm this book is - including the love for knitting, the tough and thick circle of (mostly female) family and friends, animals and nice café visitings. But beware, because some of the topics can be painful for the sensitive soul.
Yet the book needs a ruthless editor to cut off the unnecessary additional details and to highlight the true pains, hidden under the mass of words. The writing could be more mature, too.
Yet, having said all that, and while the story might go deeper, there still is certain amount of connectivity and relatableness for this story, so it will stay with you for a time.
My sister gifted me with autographed copies of Terri’s first two Cedar Keys books a few years ago. I loved that I could relate to the area through visits to my sisters. But what I loved most was the camaraderie of the characters and the setting around a yarn shop. This book provided the same comfort as those 2 books. After the death of her significant other almost a year ago, Chloe Radcliffe has been some what adrift. She and Gabe had planned to relocate to Ormond Beach prior to his death. She decides to rent a placed there for a month to see if it is still a move she is interested in. From her landlord, who she only knows as a voice on the phone, to a delightful group of women, fellow knitters of course, she discovers that Ormond Beach is where she belongs. If you are a crafter of any kind, embroiderer, quilter, knitter, etc., you will understand the close friendships that develop among like minded souls.
This started out to be relatable - losing a loved one, being single again, getting a flat tire in the rain, figuring out what to do next in life. And then everything works out - instant group of friends AND they are all knitters like you, everyone loves your dog, you manage to rent a gorgeous house for reasonable rent AND have someone happily clean it AND cook and bake for you and wants to open a yarn shop with you, a real fairy godmother I tell ya! and you meet 2 eligible men of your mid fifties age ... it was just too much rainbows and unicorns and none of life’s speed bumps. Yes, there is an event from college that has held back the main character from loving fully but that doesn’t get a lot of attention.
A delightful read! Characters were very likeable, although there were too many. It wasn’t necessary to have a detailed list of friends in Cedar Key carry over to Ormond Beach. However, the relationships of the main characters were well developed and they were people you’d want to meet. The adventure of moving to a new location, meeting new people, fitting in, was inviting. Only downside to the story was the whirlwind romance with Henry. I know the point was when you find true love it’s real, but really in this day and age it’s safer to go a bit slow. Henry could have appeared earlier in the book and been a part of Chloe’s settling in and it would have been just as enjoyable. Overall this was a satisfying read and I have recommended it to a knitter friend.
What a great book. I loved it! There was very little to dislike. One silly little thing for me was the name Mavis Anne, which doesn’t even flow well, and one spot in the book where Mavis seemed to take over as far as Chloe’s position in the yarn store, making all the decisions when Chloe had degrees in textiles etc. And it wasn’t made clear that they were actually partners. I found that annoying. Apart from some side stories that really weren’t relevant and overloaded it a little, the story was wonderfully told and easy to read. It was easy to guess that she would end up meeting and falling for Henry. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Although this is a sweet romance with touches of mystery, it is also so much more. It is a story about friendship and family, forgiveness and starting over, and taking chances. Chloe, a fifty-something divorcee, had planned to move to Ormond Beach with her significant other, but then he died. But when the yarn store where she works closes, she decides to visit Ormond Beach anyway, at least for a month. There she finds new friends, new adventures, and a new life. This is a feel-good story, full of interesting, believable characters; characters that are true-to-life, with faults as well as virtues. Recommended.
I enjoyed this book for what I needed it for - brain fluff. I loved that it took place in the area where I was born and where my parents and many relatives still live. I really liked the characters and the community. The plot lines felt choppy but I loved the community enough to keep returning to it like they were my friends. LOL I picked up the second book for super cheap so I'm looking forward to seeing what these ladies are up to next.
I wish that the schoolhouse coffee, tea, and yarn business was real. I'd make a beeline for it the very next time I'm in Ormond Beach. :)
So glad Terri, wrote another set of books this time about Ormond Beach. This I about Chloe's story and the shop in Cedar Keys closing and she is about to open a yarn story in Ormond Beach. You will be entranced by her story.
Love this book sorry to find out Cedar Creek has gone but can't wait to read more. Terri writes so well you feel like you are there with the characters!!!
I absolutely loved the 'Cedar Key' series that was written by Terri DuLong therefore, I thought I had to give the 'Ormond Beach' series a try. This series leaves off with a continuation from the characters that were introduced in the Cedar Key novels. This particular one focuses on Chloe, who decides to move-on from Cedar Key after a devastating loss. She then decides to start-over in many aspects of her life, from her professional career, to her living arrangements, and finally, romance. I loved the various characters that were introduced in this series, with each one of them bringing warmth to the pages as I read about how Chloe felt immediately comfortable in her new surroundings. I felt that Chloe was a well-rounded character, with DuLong exposing her deepest feelings regarding her life at the present-time. While reading, I was transported to Ormond Beach, feeling at peace, and wishing that I could also live amongst the individuals that Chloe had befriended. All in all, this series starts off on a light note, giving the reader a chance to experience happiness through Chloe's eyes. It is an easy read, and will definitely make you feel great after finishing! I can't wait to read the second book in this series!
Loved the new direction of Chloe! I didn’t start the shawl though I would love to make it, I have other beautiful shawls that I never wear! Can’t wait till the next book!