Review: A Near Miss
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 6, 2013
Book Title Blaze of Winter by Elizabeth BarrettRating: 3 HeartsReview: This is the second book in the Star Harbor Novel series by Elizabeth Barrett.  In this book we get Theo's story (Theo is the identical twin brother to Sebastian, the hero of the first book).  Theo is a successful writer until his lifestyle exceeds his ability and he becomes stuck.  Theo moves back to his hometown of Star Harbor to rekindle his passion for writing.  While doing so, he awakens a passion in the heart of the local innkeeper's niece, Avery.I so wanted to love this book.  Deep Autumn Heat (book 1) received four stars from me; this one only gets three.  While the quality of the writing didn't change, the quality of the story did.  I understood why Lexie would want to resist Sebastian, and that conflict drove the story.  I did not understand why Avery would want to resist Theo, thus I spent the entire novel looking for a source of conflict.  The book just doesn't have it.  Avery is in Star Harbor to help her aunt recover from cancer treatment and figure out if she wants to return to her social work job.  While both of those issues require effort and thought, neither would stand in the way of meeting and falling for an incredible man.  And Theo is just that - gorgeous but not vain, successful at a job that he can do anywhere, and most of all totally and completely smitten with Avery.  I spent a lot of time reading this book wanting to kick Avery for telling herself she didn't want him.  What's not to want?!In addition, the sub plot of a large drug smuggling ring takes some awkward steps forward.  In book 1, Lexie and her line cook accidentally come across drug smugglers in a grange where vegetables are stored (huh?), and in this book the drugs are being stored in an unused section of basement underneath Avery's inn (which neither she nor her aunt notice.  Huh?).  Not only does that strain one's credulity - it also seems forced.  Books three and four center around the two brothers in law enforcement; I really hope it makes this plot line more logical and believable.One thing I DID like about this plotline is that Theo is a smart guy - thus he never tries to involve himself in the drug smuggling/dangerous people parts.  He hangs back and calls the cops, as he should.  That sort of calm and sensible behavior is seen too seldom in romances.  It was one more reason why I really liked Theo.  He is the shining star of this book.  One can't help but be charmed by him and root for him to get the girl.  He's very sweet.This book is worth reading, as long as your expectations aren't too high at the outset.  I will read book 3 to see how the story progresses, so this book didn't turn me off the series completely.  There are some terrific secondary characters that I enjoyed seeing a second time which helped bring this book to the "I liked it" rating.Favorite Quote:"Since when did we start doing room service?""Since we started spending the night with our guests, dear."