This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

SUNSET COVE

ANJ Press, First edition. December 2021.

Copyright © 2021 Amelia Addler.

Written by Amelia Addler.

Cover design by CrocoDesigns

Maps by MistyBeee

Dedication

For the hope of new beginnings

Introduction to Sunset Cove

A six-million-dollar inheritance, and a chance at a new life...

At 52, Claire Cooke gets the shock of a lifetime when she’s named the sole heir of a distant uncle. As a single mom, she’s already had to watch her kids grow up and leave the nest, so Claire decides to keep the money and take a risk: she buys The Grand Madrona Hotel on beautiful Orcas Island and prepares for a new chapter in her life.

Chip Douglas didn’t put in ten years as manager of the hotel just to watch a stranger run it into the ground. So imagine his surprise when Claire turns out to be the exact opposite of what he’d expected. She’s charming, wise, and beautiful – someone he could easily see himself falling in love with. If only his divorce hadn’t convinced him that falling in love again was impossible…

When the FBI shows up at Claire’s door asking questions about a dangerous criminal with close ties to her past, it’s not long before Claire is forced to face her history or lose her potentially happily ever after with Chip. Will she make the right choice?

San Juan Islands Map

Orcas Island Map

Chapter One

A blast rang out and Claire popped up from her pillow. It was dark in the unfamiliar hotel room as she strained to listen through the hollow silence.

Voices carried through the door and a moment later, she heard the clamoring of dishes. Her heart was still racing as the room service cart clanked by.

Claire let out a sigh. The sound had been real, not imagined. She hadn’t startled herself awake from a dream this time, the same one she’d dreamt a thousand times.

It had variations, of course. Sometimes she was onboard the small single-engine plane, screaming as she felt a force pulling her down, down, down, before exploding in a flash of light.

Other times, she dreamt she was on the ground, watching as the little aircraft’s wings clipped the tops of the trees before slamming into the side of a mountain.

No matter how it started, the outcome was always the same – fire, confusion, and a lack of survivors. Just like it had been in real life.