Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Book

I'm so glad I received a review copy of such a fun, light-hearted and thought provoking novel. I like Sandra's characters and found myself rooting for Annie to figure out what the Lord wanted her to do with her life. She's stuck in a rut and doesn't quite know how to get out. Annie temporarily moves in with her grandmother, who lives in Carmel. Annie's been a little envious of the exciting, glamorous and fun life her Gram has lived. Annie wants excitement too. She prays, "I don't want to be just one of the background players anymore. I want to star in my own life story. I want to really do something with my life."

Gram shares her favorite bible verse with her granddaughter, 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV), and says "I love that passage because it tells us that our destiny doesn't always have to be in the big, showy things Annie…Sometimes it's going to be in the softer, sweeter things of life, the ones that bring that soft feeling, like the comfort of home. Wasn't that what you said you were looking for the night you made your list?"

Annie wondered what Gram was saying! She looked over her Five-Point Plan for Change:
1. Get a really cool job. Something fun and exciting!
2. Get some great hair;
3. Move back to Monterey;
4. Work on smiling more to attract race car drivers or international spies;
5. A new car. Something sporty. Maybe a convertible?

Looked like a good list to her. One God would approve of for sure…wouldn't he? Maybe she had to think about this a little more. What were the really important things in life? Had she missed something here?

Annie does find a cool job full of action, adventure and suspense. Her friends and family think it's silly she's taken a job as a Private Eye's assistant, but she'd show them! This was something more than a secretarial job. Her boss, Mr. Dike, said he'd teach her the ropes. Annie would show him she was trustworthy and brave. Even when she found herself in dangerous and awkward situations, it won't stop her from doing her best. Now, if Annie were only that brave in the area of men. Three men wanted more than her attention. But could she really find love? Could any of these men be trusted with her heart?

Gram said this to Annie,"Life doesn't have to be huge and over the top to be fulfilling. Every day doesn't have to be out-of-the-ordinary spectacular to be inspiring…There is a-a joy in sharing simple things with someone special." This is good stuff and one of the reasons I enjoyed this book and the characters so much.

I enjoyed Annie's journey in discovering what really mattered in life and what God's five point plan was for her! This is the first book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last. I enjoyed the fact that she was funny, sensitive, and sincere. The message was simple, yet profound. You'll be pleasantly surprised by Love Finds You in Carmel by-the-Sea. I was!

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

Nora St. Laurent
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