Summerlin Groves + Giveaway

Elizabeth Camden’s first Contemporary Romance!

Jenny Summerlin is struggling to save her dying orange grove when a baffling mystery upends her world. A skeleton buried with a priceless treasure has been found on her land, which brings of flood of investigators onto her property to study a decades old crime.

Captain Wyatt Rossiter is charged with solving the puzzling discovery. Unfortunately, he is also the man who broke Jenny’s heart two years earlier. Plagued with regrets and unresolved feelings for Jenny, Wyatt resists getting drawn back into her world, but he cannot rest until he solves the unusual crime.

The former lovers are trapped on a case neither of them want. Soon they awaken a fifty-year old mystery involving Cold War espionage and a forbidden romance. Will resurrecting the old secrets endanger the survival of her grove and everything she holds dear?

My Review:

Wow, this story delivered so much more than I expected! The emotional depth, the complex layers, the seemingly impossible chasm between the hero and heroine. Whoa, compelling stuff! I’m kinda gobsmacked by how good Elizabeth Camden’s first contemporary romance is! And I really shouldn’t be since her historical novels are just as amazing. Maybe it’s the deceptively serene cover that lulled me into a false sense of cozy security? While we do reach a happily ever after there’s plenty of angst (including some gasp out loud moments) before we get there.

So, meet Jenny, an overcomer to the nth degree. Her back story! Her determination! Her ability to keep getting up when life knocks her down! She’s in no way perfect, but she’s so likeable! Even when she’s her most tenacious, stubborn self. Wyatt can’t even resist her though he has a lot of solid reasons too.

Which brings me to their doomed Second Chance / Enemies to More Romance. There is so much I want to say but I can’t without spewing major spoilers which I would never do. But when you meet Wyatt and Jenny and see what they are up against you’ll totally understand why my sensitive reader’s heart had conniptions. And the way Camden brings redemption into their relationship is sheer masterful storytelling. I might have teared up a time or two.

I really enjoyed the look at the real life struggles for a farmer’s life (not an occupation for the faint of heart!) and I could feel Jenny’s desperate tie to the land of her ancestors and their way of life. Again…so much to talk about here but not in a review! This would make a great book club selection for all the talking points.

There’s even a cold case mystery that’s revealed in the first chapter of the book when a decades old skeleton is discovered in on Jenny’s land. Enter Captain Wyatt Rossiter and the sparks start flying. Loved the way the author wove the mystery throughout their day to day lives and the significance it plays in the restoration themes of the story. Brilliantly done.

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition of this book narrated by Lisa Larsen. She did a great job creating distinctive voices for these characters and conveying the emotional depth of their story. Definitely recommend the audio for discerning listening readers like me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a brand new paperback copy ( I originally bought the print version in December but it languished so long on my TBR that the audio edition released at a crackerjack price so I couldn’t resist buying it too. and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Summerlin Groves, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 22 2025.

53 thoughts on “Summerlin Groves + Giveaway”

  1. I listened to this book on hoopla, because I didn’t want to commit to a different genre by her without trying it out first. Oh my goodness! I enjoy her historical books, but this contemporary was top tier! I wouldn’t have recognized her writing, although I did love the historical bits in this book! I do hope she’ll continue to write contemporary.

    Karen Rhoades (kcrhoadesATroadrunnerDOTcom)

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  3. It’s always interesting when an author leaps genres. I’ve found most of them do it wonderfully well!

    I love Camden’s historical fiction & it sounds like this one is just as good as the rest of her books. 😊

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  5. Yes, from the cover I would have thought it a light summer time romance, but so thrilled to find out it’s so much more. Knowing the author, I really shouldn’t be surprised. Sounds like a totally amazing story. A big hint to that is when it’s hard to figure out a review when there’s so much you want to say but not giving any spoilers makes it very hard to do. SUMMERLIN GROVES sounds like a fabulous read and one I just know I’m going to very much enjoy reading.

    Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Yes, there’s a bit of disconnect between that peaceful scene on the cover and all the angst in the story — though Jenny loves her orchards and I can totally see her pausing in the middle of a busy day to savour the beauty all around her. 🙂 Good luck, Kay!

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  6. I loved this one too! Elizabeth Camden did an awesome job with her first contemporary. Wyatt and Jenny were great together and their relationship was very realistic. The cold case was excellent too. I can hardly wait for the next book. I’m keeping a lookout on her FB page but no news so far. Happy Reading Tuesday 🙂

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    1. I just got Camden’s newsletter and here’s what she’s working on:

      Contemporary-Meet me in Virginia, set in Williamsburg, Va. and it’ll be out this summer, yay!

      Next in Midtown series historical-Beyond the Clouds, coming in January

      Intrepid reporter’s work for for the day is done, lol

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      1. The story was just so much…bigger…than I expected. Woohoo — I’m going to have to think about giving you.a raise before some other blog snatches you up to be there inside scoop reporter! Woohoo — a summer contemporary set in Virginia — this sounds promising. And a bonus historical early next year. Woohooo!!!! I love your intrepid investigative skills. Thanks for sharing, Tracey!

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    1. Happy Tues, Kav! Thanks for the beautiful review! Yesterday was double Kindle rewards points day and I had points saved up. So got Summerlin Groves for only $2.99! It was a choice between this one & a couple of others & I’m glad I picked this after reading your review. No need to enter me. After I finish my review for Nancy Mehl I plan to dig in!

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      2. Ha, you ended up in Melanie’s thread, I think. Diane. We’ll see once I post this comment. That’s a great deal — hope you’re enjoying Summerlin Groves! Happy Reading!

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      3. That happened before on my phone. It didn’t say “reply” or I could see why it would end up on her comment. It said “leave a comment”. Crazzeee. But you didn’t have to comment back, I was just messing with you. But I DO feel seen now. 👀😁

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  11. I don’t usually like my authors to jump genres but this book was exceptional! I highly recommend it. It was a top read for last year. I would love a copy for my keeper shelf.
    paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom

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  12. I have a bunch of Elizabeth’s historicals on my shelf, but have only read one or two of them… not sure why. I always hear good things about them! Maybe a contemporary is what I need to get into her writing.

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  14. I greatly enjoy Elizabeth Camden’s historical novels but was a bit unsure about how she’d make the transition to a contemporary time period. I should not have doubted since Summerlin Groves is also very well written.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  16. Elizabeth Camden is one of my favorite historical fiction authors but I haven’t read her first contemporary novel. You’ve certainly shown me that I need to change this! Thanks for the giveaway.

    Connie

    cps1950ATgmailDOTcom

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  18. Appreciate Tracey’s reporting as to upcoming releases! Enjoyed the enlightening review, as I evidently was asleep at the wheel – perhaps I had forgotten she was going to enter the contemporary market. Always have enjoyed her excellent stories.

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  19. i have so so wanted to read this book! And it seems like an ever increasing amount of trad authors are also indie publishing works now. I like it. Better diversity with them also publishing instead of the publishing houses holding all the reins of what’s published.

    Thanks Kav! sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes, and I wonder, if in the end, they actually get paid more by publishing indie? I know there’s a lot of investment put into launching a new book that the author would have to cover but the flip side is they don’t share any royalties with the publisher. I’m guessing it works better for established authors who already have a following. Plus, it gives them.the freedom to write what they like. Good luck, Sarah!

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