Title: Courting Carolina
Author: Janet Chapman
First published August 28, 2012
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.17
Overview
Janet Chapman’s enchanting town of Spellbound Falls is the perfect place for love to blossom, even if it defies all odds. Alec MacKeage, an underachieving playboy, is building a new wilderness trail for a luxurious resort when he saves a woman from kidnappers.
He agrees to let her hide out with him for a few days, but as the days turn into weeks, Alec finds himself struggling against his growing feelings for the mysterious Jane Smith. Meanwhile, Jane is actually Carolina Oceanus, running from her own life and desperate to avoid her father’s plans for her marriage.
As competition for her hand heats up, Carolina must reveal her true identity to Alec, the man who has stolen her heart. Will their love conquer all, even ancient traditions and deceitful lies?
Find out in Courting Carolina.
About the Author
Hello everyone, it’s Jessica. I hope you’re all doing well.
I wanted to take a moment to update you on Janet Chapman, the author of twenty-two wonderful romance novels. She had been battling cancer over the past year and a half while working on her latest book.
Unfortunately, Janet passed away peacefully this past weekend with her family by her side. I know this news may come as a shock, as she preferred to keep her personal life private, but she considered her readers to be her family and wanted to share this news with you.
Janet’s books are all set in her beautiful home state of Maine, where she lived in a cozy log home with her husband. She found inspiration in the diverse wildlife that surrounded her and often incorporated them into her stories.
Her Highlander Series, which spans three generations, is perhaps her most famous work, but she also wrote two spin-off magical series and several contemporary family series set on the coast and in the mountains. Her books have been printed in six languages and regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
When Janet wasn’t writing, she and her husband enjoyed exploring Maine in their camper throughout all four seasons. They loved hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and immersing themselves in nature.
Janet was always on the lookout for colorful characters to include in her stories, both human and beast.
I know Janet’s passing is a great loss, but her legacy will live on through her books, which have brought joy and comfort to so many. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
Editoral Review
Courting Carolina by Janet Chapman is a contemporary romance novel that was first published on August 28, 2012. Chapman, a New York Times bestselling author, has written over twenty novels in her career, predominantly in the romance and fantasy genres.
Courting Carolina is set in the small town of Spellbound Falls, Maine, and focuses on the lives of two central characters, Carolina and Ethan. Carolina is a driven and successful corporate lawyer from New York who has returned to Spellbound Falls to sell her childhood home.
Ethan, a mysterious and rugged local, who is also one of the four hundred-year-old fountains of youth, finds himself drawn to Carolina despite his initial unwillingness to get involved in relationships. The novel examines the themes of societal expectations, belongingness, and self-discovery, all of which make for a compelling and engaging read.
Chapman’s writing style is both fluid and engaging, immersing readers in the story and keeping them hooked right from the start. Chapman has done an excellent job of creating fully realized, multi-dimensional characters that readers can deeply resonate with.
The development of Carolina and Ethan’s relationship is realistic and believable, and readers will find themselves rooting for them. The pacing of the novel is steady and effective, with no dragging parts or rushed resolutions.
Instead, the story builds steadily, allowing readers to invest in the characters and their storylines. The sense of place that Chapman creates through the setting of Spellbound Falls is poignant and adds to the overall ambiance of the book.
While Courting Carolina may not be a groundbreaking novel, it’s a well-executed and enjoyable read that will satisfy genre fans. However, it does have some weaknesses, the most notable being the lack of diversity within the cast of characters.
While Chapman’s writing style is accessible, it’s also somewhat formulaic, which may turn away readers looking for something more experimental. Overall, Courting Carolina is a fun and heartwarming romance novel that will be perfect for an afternoon in the sun or a cozy night in.
Fans of romance will undoubtedly enjoy this book, though it may not be for everyone. A good rating of 3.5 out of 5 would be appropriate for this title.
