Maybe you recognize the name: Doctor Harrison. If you
do, then you’re familiar with the Sedona West Mysteries, a three book murder
mystery series. In it, our heroine, Sedona West, is recovering from a nasty
divorce, and then also has to handle being involved in not one murder, but too
many murders. She also is in a candy store phase of meeting possible love
interests. Doctor Harrison Oakdale is a serious contender for Sedona’s hand,
but as it so happens (spoiler alert!) he loses out to Doug Marino, sheriff.
Harrison is a really good guy, and many readers...
including to myself... felt that he deserves his own book. After a few years, I
decide to tackle the good doctor’s story. Here’s what I came up with:
A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE
Over
a year ago, clinical psychologist Doctor Harrison Oakdale came in second with
the woman of his heart, Sedona West. Determined to move on from his deeply felt
loss, he agrees to be the celebrity star on a luxury cruise to the Mexican
Riviera. By chance--or is it?--the temporary radio producer for his “Ask Doctor
Harrison” radio talk show is a woman he’s extremely attracted to. The more he
sees Luisa, the more he wants her. However, Luisa turns out to be the woman
whose life was unalterably destroyed one year ago because of his off-the-cuff
professional advice. How can Harrison convince his Lovely Luisa that she and he
are meant to be together?
A SECOND CHANCE AT TRUST
Life hasn’t been good to Luisa Perrine. Dumped by her cheating fiancé two weeks before the wedding, fired from her job, forced to move from her apartment, she is ready for a fresh start. Two temporary jobs suddenly fall into her lap: being an assistant cruise director for an ocean liner and working as a radio producer for the ship’s celebrity guest: Doctor Harrison Oakdale. Harrison is a dream to work for... well, truthfully, he’s a dream come true. And, surprisingly, he’s interested in her. Except... there’s something about him that is too good to be true. He’s hiding something--something big. Can Luisa put the past behind her and learn to trust her new lover?
Check out these wonderful reviews:
* 5 Stars! Take a cruise to the Mexican Riviera and find true love? Sign me up! While REDEMPTION isn’t in the mystery genre, the book’s main character, Doctor Harrison Oakdale, is also a main character in the Sedona West Mystery series. Spoiler alert: he wasn’t the man Sedona West chose. He’s a great guy, and I always wondered if Ms. Knight would revisit his character. She does, and in REDEMPTION, he receives his redemption, and also a new love, however the dear man might possibly screw things up. This is a stand-alone read; no need to read the three-book Sedona West collection, but naturally, I’m partial to this 5 star series. REDEMPTION is a perfect completion for these wonderful characters --Mystery Maven’s Reviews
* 5 Kisses! Fate works in strange ways in the contemporary romance, REDEMPTION. Doctor Harrison Oakdale (one of the main characters in the Sedona West Mystery series) is asked by a less-than-honorable man to give free advice concerning an upcoming marriage to an unwanted fiancée. Harrison reluctantly offers his opinion. A year later, he runs into this discarded fiancée on a luxury cruise to Mexico. He falls for Luisa before he learns her identity. When Luisa finds out Harrison was the one responsible for her aborted marriage, well... all hell breaks loose! For a delicious second chance at love, pick up your copy of REDEMPTION!--The Romance Guide
This book is part of the Romantic Contemporaries line.
REDEMPTION: Doctor Harrison's Second Chance features Doctor Harrison Oakdale, a major character in the three books of the Sedona West Mystery series. This is a stand-alone novel however, for full enjoyment of Doctor Harrison's situation, be sure to read: the Sedona West Mysteries, available in one collection at Amazon or read the three books of the series: SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES, BREAKS AN EGG, and PUSHES UP DAISIES.
Real life tidbit: Okay, for various reasons, I haven’t been on a cruise for many years. But I want to. Fingers crossed it will happen soon. So when crafting REDEMPTION: Doctor Harrison’s Second Chance, I chose a cruise to Mexico for the setting. I combined my experiences on my very first cruise (to Bermuda) and also a cruise to Mexico, with ports of call in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas as Harrison also travels to.
On my first cruise, the Captain’s welcome aboard party was formal, with a queued up line for the passengers to shake the officers’ hands. I have a picture of me, doing this very same thing. In my version of the events, the Assistant Cruise Director (a man) “bought” the photographer’s picture of me shaking the Captain’s hand. Later in the cruise, he presented me with the photo.
In Harrison’s version of the event, he buys the photographer’s picture of him shaking the Assistant Cruise Director’s hand (a woman, heroine Luisa Perrine). He also later presents the photo to her.
Here’s how it goes:
Evidently, the Captain’s welcome aboard party was the place to be at this time in the evening. Passengers queued up in the hallways on Festive Deck Seven outside of the Dionysus Dining Room and loudly celebrated in the hallways while they waited to be introduced to the Aurora Favonius’ officers.
Harrison waited in line with his fellow travelers. Standing by the entry door was Luisa, in her role of Assistant Cruise Director. He could only see the top of her. Her rich hair was piled high into a curly bun on her head. From his view, the rest of her was hidden by the door. She shook each person’s hand, leaned forward to ask the name, and then turned to announce the passenger to the ship’s officers, who most likely were queued up in a receiving line.
Harrison wiped his sweaty hands on the tuxedo trousers. Soon he would have his moment in the sun with her. Eight minutes later, he had his turn. She looked over at him and flashed a quick smile.
As Luisa shook his hand, her impish eyes flashed at him. “Ah, Doctor Harrison. You look irresistible tonight.”
As did she.
He gave her a genuine smile. “I hope you’re right, Ms. Perrine. I’d love to dance with you when you’re free.”
“I’m never free, Doctor Harrison.” She primly lifted her nose. “How would you like to be introduced?”
He gave her a wink, then proceeded to shake Captain Gianakis’ hand. After running the gauntlet, Harrison made his way over to the photographer who diligently captured images of many of the handshakes. Selling photos was a lucrative endeavor for the photographer, and also the ship, with its percentage of the profits.
Harrison arranged to buy two of the photo shot with him and Luisa. That would be a little gift for her to keep in her memorabilia box, and for him to remember her by... if their acquaintance terminated in a dead-end.
Now that his business was concluded he wandered over to the open bar where he procured a double strength old-fashioned.
I hope you enjoy this fun-filled second chance at love!
Susanne Marie Knight
http://www.susanneknight.com
Read outside the box:
Award-winning Romance Writing with a Twist!
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