Heartbreak Hotel

April 15, 2005
When the sudden death of her developer husband leaves her penniless, Tracy Potter moves into the only home she now has, a small, run-down hotel on the California coast, determined to carve out a new life for herself and her nine-year-old son and college-age stepdaughter. Romance is the last thing on her mind, but when her first guest rides out of the rain on his Harley, Tracy is surprised to find herself attracted to this mysterious, sad-eyed stranger, who is not quite what he seems. But the hotel -and Tracy -has a strange, salutary effect on her guest, author Wade MacAllister, and as he begins to write again, he is more than surprised at the results. A guilt-ridden hero seeking anonymity and an optimistic, trusting heroine find unlooked-for love in a story filled with flashes of humor, magic, and Landis's heartwarming, down-to-earth charm. Though this third title in the author's popular Twilight Cove trilogy includes characters from previous novels, "Heartbreak" stands on its own. Landis ("Heat Wave") divides her time between Southern California and Hawaii.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 1, 2005
Landis returns to Twilight Cove, the setting of " Lover's Lane" (2003) and " Heat Wave" (2004), with the compelling story of widowed Tracy Potter and novelist Wade MacAllister. When Tracy's wheeler-dealer, real-estate-developer husband dies suddenly, Tracy is shocked to learn that their wealthy lifestyle was mortgaged to the hilt. The only way to provide for her college-age stepdaughter and young son is to make a go of the dilapidated historical hotel her late husband's father left in his name. Before the Heartbreak Hotel is even open for business, Wade rides in on his Harley, planning to end his life. But after drinking himself into oblivion, Wade has a strangely realistic dream and wakes up refreshed after the first decent night's sleep he's had in ages. The longer Wade stays, the more sense his eerie dreams begin to make. A resilient heroine, a guilt-ridden hero, and a touch of the paranormal are all appealing; but the warmth and generosity of spirit Landis' characters possess are what make this a wonderful feel-good read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)