44 Cranberry Point

Rating:
Summary: Some mystery thrown in
Review: Bob and Peggy Beldon, owners of Cedar Cove's Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast, are featured in this fourth book of the Cedar Cove Series. They are puzzling over the death of one of their guests who turned out to be one of Bob's fellow servicemen during his tour of duty in Viet Nam. He and Bob shared a terrible secret and Bob is afraid that his life may be in jeopardy too. Woven into this mystery are the everyday relationships of the people in the town--newlyweds Olivia and Jack Griffin, about-to-be-wed Jon Bowman and Maryellen Sherman, the widowed Grace Sherman and her love interests, and Olivia's mother Charlotte who has a new male friend. As usual author Debbie Macomber keeps all of these threads going as she weaves them into an interesting plot. The setting is a beautiful seacoast town near Seattle, but the real draw is the interesting cast of characters who continue to develop as the series progresses.

Rating:
Summary: Welcome back...
Review: Cedar Cove is the the fictional town that Debbie Macomber has created for this series and 44 Cranberry Point centers around the mystery of the death that occurred one rainy night at the Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast that is owned by town residents Bob and Peggy.

As in the previous books in this series, you will also get the chance to meet up with all the past towns people that have been highlighted. Just to name a few you have....

Ian and Cecilia from 16 Lighthouse Road
Grace Sherman from 204 Rosewood Lane
and
Rosie and Zach Cox from 311 Pelican Court

I would never say that this series should be considered literary classics, but they are an enjoyment to read and I am looking forward to 50 Harbor Street that comes out in September 2005.




Rating:
Summary: Cedar Cove - a small town favorite
Review: Debbie Macomber has created a destination that makes us want to pack our bags and become frequest guests. Maybe not at the Thyme and Tide B&B where a murder took place - but we'd love to be invited to dinner at the home of the young chef and the lovely wife he almost didn't marry, or stop by for a breakfast muffin as the grandmother and her daughter the Judge chew on the latest gossip. Though the stories sometimes skip over juicy details I'd rather have enjoyed, Debbie makes us feel there is a basic goodness in life, and that if we use our intuition and allow ourselves to be guided by a higher purpose, we will bring an inherent rightness into our lives, just as her characters do. Both for the heartfelt goodness and for the smart, funny reality of her people, I'll be visiting Cedar Cove again and again!

Rating:
Summary: Like a trip back home!
Review: Debbie Macomber takes her readers on a return trip to her lovely fictional town of Cedar Cover in "44 Cranberry Point." Book four in the series, this story focuses on Bob and Peggy Belden's story, but also updates readers on the events in the expansive cast of characters as well. A true fall treat!

Sharon Galligar Chance
Wichita Falls Times Record News

Rating:
Summary: A perfect combination of mystery and romance
Review: Debbie Macomber's 44 CRANBERRY POINT will appeal to both her longtime fans and new readers. Some of the characters here are from her other books, such as 311 PELICAN COURT, 204 ROSEWOOD LANE, and 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD.

The novel focuses on Peggy and Bob Beldon, owners of the Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast. The Beldons are trying to figure out who murdered one of their B and B guests, who happened to be a former platoon member of Bob's squad during Vietnam. The storyline brings in Roy McAfee, a retired cop turned private investigator who is looking into the murder.

There are several other storylines going on. Olivia and Jack Griffin are newlyweds who are trying to get used to being married. They both have jobs; she's a judge and he's a newspaper editor. But Olivia is a health nut and neat freak, while Jack is a junk food loving slob. This puts some strain on their new marriage.

Marriage is also a topic of discussion for Maryellen Sherman and Jon Bowman. They are due to be married shortly and are already parents to Katie. However, family issues of Jon's threaten to get in the way of their living happily ever after. Maryellen's mother, Grace, is trying to put her life back together after breaking up with her boyfriend, Cliff Harding. A dog and bachelor auction is the vehicle for Grace's friends to try to get her back with Cliff, but will it work?

Cecilia and Ian Randall are a young couple trying to get over the devastating grief of losing their infant daughter to a birth defect. Cecilia wants another baby badly, but Ian is scared to try again. He is in the Navy and his fear of Cecilia getting pregnant puts a damper on his being home on leave.

Macomber's characters are realistic and so well drawn that her audience will have no problems keeping track of them. Readers will be concerned that the Beldons may be at risk, hopeful that the newlyweds will work through their adjustment period, anxious to see Maryellen and Jon finally marry, root for Grace and Cliff to reunite, and cry with Cecilia and Ian in their anguish. The mystery and romance weave together a plot that will keep readers engaged, and there are twists and turns that readers will not see coming at all.

Macomber has written over a dozen novels and has not lost any steam. Her writing style is incredible. This is not "just" a romance. It is so much more. This is a series that will be successful for years to come; the next installment, 50 HARBOR STREET, is due out in September 2005.

--- Reviewed by Melissa Palmer

Rating:
Summary: Love this little town
Review: I was so excited to get the book from the library. I sat down in one seating and read it. I want to move to Cedar Grove, Washington. But I love the stories about the small town. I would highly recommend it especially if you have liked the other books in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Always happy to return to Cedar Cove!
Review: I was thrilled when I got my copy of 44 Cranberry Point, and I couldn't wait to curl up with an afghan and enjoy a warm reunion with old friends. Within minutes, I was enthralled with the daily happenings of Cedar Cove.

I am only giving it 4 stars, because I feel that it not completely up to Debbie Macomber's standards. As someone else has already suggested, it seems as though some details have been glossed over. However, this by no means that it's not worth reading, because it most definitely is. And, I'm very much looking forward to the 5th book in the Cedar Cove series!

Rating:
Summary: Something Different. ** Grade: B **
Review: If you were a fan of the passé night-time soap opera craze, you will probably love Debbie Macomber's 44 CRANBERRY POINT. This is book four in Macomber's "Cedar Point saga" and I found I enjoyed it. Of course, I was THE FAN of the "Dallas, Knot's Landing, Falcon Crest" etc. television era.

Granted, the story's start was difficult because I missed the author's previous entries, therefore, I relied heavily on Macomber's entrance list of characters. Nevertheless, I soon settled in and before long I was a regular occupant of Cedar Cove, Washington.

Skillfully, Debbie Macomber writes each chapter akin to a television episode and from chapter to chapter I was caught up in the lives of the Cedar Cove citizens -- lives with no beginning and no end, just a continuing existence.

Macomber does a good job blending the residents -- all age groups dwell and all forms of predicaments arise. Macomber's "Cedar Cove series" is truly a different approach and it is neatly packaged! So why not a higher rating? Just like year four in the series "Dallas", it was fun the first time around, but I wouldn't repeat the viewing. 5 Star ratings are for the supreme keeper shelf -- books that earn a repeat reading. Grade: B

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Rating:
Summary: Never A Dull Moment in Cedar Cove
Review: This is the fourth installment of the Cedar Cove series. It is like visiting a favorite vacation spot and catching up with friends you've been missing and wanting to get together with.
I gave it three stars because it seems to be a bit lacking in zippy dialogue and personality....However,it is a warm family atmosphere Ms. Macomber always offers up and I so appreciate her wholesomeness and values that come through in her stories.
I will wait to read the next installment and know the residents of Cedar Cove will love and support each other in very interesting ways~!

Rating:
Summary: A definite page-turner!
Review: Words are not enough to express how much I enjoyed this book; there are many plots and subplots that intrigued me. Ms. Macomber has a magnificent writing style that mesmerized me from start to finish. I felt that I was a member of the community as the characters came to life. It is going to be extremely difficult to wait until September 2005 for the next book to come out.