The Inn at Eagle Point: A Chesapeake Shores Novel

Launching the Chesapeake Shores series, Woods (Welcome to Serenity ) creates an engrossing but overly neat family drama. Divorced financial whiz Abby O' Brien Winters takes a short trip to her hometown of Chesapeake Bay at the behest of her youngest sister, Jess. When Abby realizes the extent of Jess's money troubles, she agrees to prolong her visit, even if it means seeing Trace, an ex-boyfriend who still carries a torch for her. As Abby attempts to help Jess salvage her finances and open an inn, she struggles with her quarreling family, Trace's irresistible attentions and a nasty ex-husband who suddenly wants full custody of their twins. Abby's relationship with Trace is full of chemistry, but it lacks conviction and depth, and Woods relies too heavily on contrivances to keep the story moving forward. (Apr.)