Sand Castles [NOOK Book]

( 261 )

Overview

WINNING A LOTTERY ... who hasn't dreamed of it?

Wendy Hodene, for one. She has always been one of those people for whom just enough is plenty. She's married to a charmer, has a young son she loves, and lives close to family in a small New England house that her great-grandfather built. True, she'd love to have room for a three-cushion couch (and of course more closet space),...
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Sand Castles

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More About This Book

Overview

WINNING A LOTTERY ... who hasn't dreamed of it?

Wendy Hodene, for one. She has always been one of those people for whom just enough is plenty. She's married to a charmer, has a young son she loves, and lives close to family in a small New England house that her great-grandfather built. True, she'd love to have room for a three-cushion couch (and of course more closet space), but all in all, she's happy with her life.

Happy, until her husband Jim goes and wins a lottery, upending every reassuring aspect of Wendy's existence. The man she thought she was married to for a decade turns out to be someone else entirely; the house she thought she wanted renovated turns into a stress-inducing pile of dust and demolition; the son who once desired nothing more than a new video game now wants a big new house on the beach; and the mysterious contractor who shows up among the crew on a fine June morning turns out to be a man who's both able and willing to destroy all that Wendy holds dear.

Zack Tompkins has better things to do than to knock down walls and put in floor joists, but his fragile and heartbroken sister Zina is convinced that the lottery winner whose photo she's seen in a newspaper is the man who once married and then abandoned her. It doesn't take long after he's signed on as crew in the Hodene renovation for Zack to see that Zina was right. His choice then becomes all too clear: wound his sister, or tear apart a family.

As dreams and schemes are washed away like sand castles from an incoming tide, one truth remains: some hearts, not fully broken, can mend and still be whole again.
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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
"Well-drawn, sympathetic characters, exceptional writing, and an intriguing premise that puts a new spin on a classic plot combine to produce a riveting story of selfishness, betrayal, and love that readers will find hard to put down. Stockenberg is a RITA Award-winning author and is noted for her compelling, emotionally involving stories.
BookBrowser Reviews - Harriet Klausner
"A powerful suspense thriller ... the characters are a superb group, especially the key foursome. The plot is filled with twists and turns ... fans of taut thrillers with a romance will want to read this strong intrigue."
Old Book Barn Gazette
"This book was wonderful! In fact, I was so caught up in the story, I forgot to analyze anything. Twists, good dialogue and a question to answer at the end .... Kudos ... an excellent read.
The Word on Romance - Kimberly Lightfood
"A beautiful story filled with imagination, complexity, and sweet love, SAND CASTLES had plot twists that had me tearing through the pages to find out what happened next. A keeper and a must-have for all lovers of romance."
Booklist - Maria Hatton
"Moral dilemmas abound in this intriguing and compelling tale."
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Product Details

  • BN ID: 2940014704397
  • Publisher: Antoinette Stockenberg
  • Publication date: 6/15/2012
  • Sold by: Barnes & Noble
  • Format: eBook
  • Sales rank: 4,181
  • File size: 2 MB

Meet the Author

USA Today bestselling novelist Antoinette Stockenberg grew up wanting to be a cowgirl and have her own horse (her great-grandfather bred horses for the carriage trade back in the old country), but the geography just didn't work out: there weren't many ranches in Chicago. Her other, more doable dream was to write books, and after stints as secretary, programmer, teacher, grad student, boatyard hand, office manager and magazine writer (in that order), she achieved that goal, writing over a dozen novels, several of them with paranormal elements. One of them is the RITA award-winning EMILY'S GHOST.

Stockenberg's books have been published in a dozen languages and are often set in quaint New England harbor towns, always with a dose of humor. She writes about complex family relationships and the fallout that old, unearthed secrets can have on them. Sometimes there's an old murder. Sometimes there's an old ghost. Sometimes once-lovers find one another after half a lifetime apart.

Her work has been compared to writers as diverse as Barbara Freethy, Nora Roberts, LaVyrle Spencer and Mary Stewart by critics and authors alike, and her novels have appeared on bestseller lists in USA Today as well as the national bookstore chains. Her website features sample chapters, numerous reviews, many photos, and an enchanting Christmas section. www.antoinettestockenberg.com
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 261 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(97)

4 Star

(81)

3 Star

(35)

2 Star

(31)

1 Star

(17)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 261 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 18, 2012

    Didn't want it to end

    I've read several of this author's books and every one has been hard to put down. Some are more lighthearted and some are less. This one asks the question what would you do if overnight you became a millionaire? The answer is "be careful what you wish for." The characters are so real you feel you know them. Zina, the hero's sister who cares for animals in a shelter, was especially sympathetic. A touching, charming read.

    38 out of 41 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 1, 2012

    Good Beach Book

    First, I have a question, why do people post a review, when they haven't read the book? This is not fair to people interested in the book nor to the author. Reading someone else's review, then saying I don't think I would like this story and giving it one or two stars is rude, cruel and pompous. Please read or if you chose not to read, simply don't post a rating. This book was a fun read. The heroine, Wendy was a woman, satisfied with her life, family and home, when a lottery win turned her life upside down in unexpected ways. Zane, was a nice addition to the story and played the strong male role, a must in fluff fomance and angst books. At first I thought the husband would end up being the hero, because he played the role of victim so well. Zane's sister came across as a vapid, nut case, sweet, but unable to face reality. In the end, she had a bit more depth to her character. My favorite person in this story was the son, he was as exactly what he should be, created perfectly. I wish he played a larger role in the book. This book taught the lesson, be careful what you wish for, if your wish comes true, you may also get unwanted consequences. I think the fate of one of the main characters was just a little too neat and tidy, as if the author did not know what else to do with the role at that point. All in all, this book was enjoyable, held my interest and I archived it, so at some point I can reread it. It was well edited as well.

    33 out of 33 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 22, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Only by Your Touch
    The Host
    To Die For (Blair Mallory Series #1)
    Nine Coaches Waiting
    Perfect

    An Okay Read That Was Rather Predictable

    This is the second book I've read by Antoinette Stockenberg (A Month at the Shore being the first). I was not as impressed by this book as I was by the first book I read. The characters in Sand Castles were somewhat inconsistent, although the main hero and heroine were quite likeable. The plot was not nearly as suspenseful as I had hoped. I would recommend the author again, but I don't think I would recommend this particular work.

    20 out of 33 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 21, 2012

    Who Wants To Be A Millionaire??

    Love Antoinette's books, though this one was not as good as her others. Still deserves 4 stars. Not many likeable characters in this one. Wendy and Zach, yes, but Zinna is too frail of mind and body, and Jim is just downright terrible. Didn't like him even before I knew more about him. Did not have many twists or turns in this book as per usual for Ms. Stockenberg. Makes you think twice though about becoming an overnight millionaire though. All in all a good read for the buck. It shows 1148 pages, but Sand Castles is only 848 pages, the rest is this and that about her upcoming and previous books. I will continue to read her books.

    13 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 26, 2012

    Great Summer Read

    Figured I'd take a chance on this book since it was on sale for 99 cents. So glad I did. It's a great read that's so hard to put down. Read it in just a day. Afterwards I bought 2 more of her books.

    12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 19, 2012

    Great beach read

    Entertaining and kept my interest. Nice setting, and the heroine is very down to earth and you can completely relate to her. As for Zack, there's nothing sexier than a guy with a tool belt!

    11 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 6, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Loved this book

    Another winner by this author…this was the fourth book I've read of hers. I’m still enjoying the experience of a get-away “beach read” that is entertaining AND well written—I have to say, Stockenberg’s well-crafted writing beats out many a book I've read on the NYT bestseller list! As with her previous books, all the elements of a good read hold up in this story…characters, language, story line, romance, mystery. Keep them coming!

    8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 4, 2012

    great read

    love the book

    8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 29, 2012

    Very good

    Was shocked by how good this book actually is! Had a slow start but it was worth it! Must read

    8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 27, 2012

    Great Book

    Great Book

    8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 16, 2012

    Highly Recommend

    She did it again. Great story line. Kept me going all the way. Really enjoyed this book.

    Great summer read..........

    6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 14, 2012

    Kept me guessing

    Really enjoyed this book. Good plot and good characters. Couldn't put it down at times. I enjoy this author's work and have read several of her books.

    6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 1, 2012

    Made me want to finish it

    I liked the characters and the plot. Just the right amount of romance too.

    6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 18, 2012

    Looks good

    I read the summary it looks like something i would want to read

    6 out of 71 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 15, 2012

    Great story!

    I really enjoyed this book. Great characters; very realistic. This could happen. Makes you think and go hm..........sw

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 6, 2012

    Enjoyable

    Another great read

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 5, 2012

    An easy, feel good read.

    As comforting as a cup of tea on the veranda. Easy to read, good story line and well executed. If you've ever dreamed of winning the lottery, you will enjoy this story.

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Excellent

    I love this author. Her stories are great, clean, and interesting.

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 8, 2012

    Captured my interest from the first page

    As others have commented, this story has a very likeable hero and heroine and enough twists and turns to keep you reading. I was glad to see that the hero's sister Zina ended up okay. I'll be looking for other works by this author.

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 28, 2012

    Great author and wonderful book! I recommend very highly!!

    Great author and wonderful book! I recommend very highly!!

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 261 Customer Reviews
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