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Sanctuary Cove: A Cavanaugh Island Novel, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Rochelle Alers (Author), Nicole Small (Narrator), Urban Audiobooks (Publisher)
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Sometimes love is the simplest choice of all.

Still reeling from her husband’s untimely death, Deborah Robinson needs a fresh start. So she decides to pack up her family, box up her bookstore, and return to her grandmother’s ancestral home on Cavanaugh Island. The charming town of Sanctuary Cove holds happy memories for Deborah, and, after she spies a gorgeous stranger in the local bakery, it promises the possibility for a bright new future.

Dr. Asa Monroe is at a crossroads. Ever since the loss of his family, he has been traveling from one town to another on a quest for faith and meaning. When he meets Deborah, the beautiful bookstore owner with the warm eyes and sunny smile, Asa believes he has finally found a reason to stay in one place.

As friendship blossoms into romance, Deborah and Asa discover they may have a second chance at love. But small towns have big secrets. Before they can begin their new life together, the couple must confront a challenge they never expected.

Rochelle Alers, with nearly two million copies of her novels in print, is a regular on the Essence best-seller list. She has received numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the EMMA Award, the Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.

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  1. Book 1 of 5
    Cavanaugh Island
  2. Listening Length
    8 hours and 32 minutes
  3. Author
    Rochelle Alers
  4. Narrator
    Nicole Small
  5. Audible release date
    July 15, 2012
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Urban Audiobooks
  8. ASIN
    B008LO7028
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
  11. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 32 minutes
Author Rochelle Alers
Narrator Nicole Small
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 15, 2012
Publisher Urban Audiobooks
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B008LO7028
Best Sellers Rank #107,295 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1,451 in African American Literature
#1,616 in Contemporary Christian Romance
#2,209 in Family Life Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
535 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the storyline sweet and romantic. They also describe the writing style as beautiful and vivid. Readers love the characters and the linkages to characters and events. They find the atmosphere inviting and quaint.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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StorylineReadabilityWriting styleCharactersAtmospherePacing
30 customers mention "Storyline"27 positive3 negative

Customers find the storyline sweet, believable, and romantic. They also say the plot and format are important. Readers also mention that the trilogy about life, love, and historical lessons is a great beginning to a new series.

"...The region is very scenic and romantic, so I had high hopes for a "romance" novel set in the area...." Read more

"...Love after tragedy is possible and necessary. Whether it is four weeks, four months or four years. Loved it!" Read more

"...It is a rather sweet story set in an ideal world where everyone looks out for everyone else, children are perfect, money is not an issue and small..." Read more

"A easy read. The characters come to life and your there. A touching story where the heart knows before you do...." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very awesome, quick, and vividly descriptive. They also say it's beautifully written.

"...Great beach read and great for those who seek another chance at love." Read more

"...situations out of the equation, Sanctuary Cove was entertaining and "cute."..." Read more

"This was a nice read just like I thought it was. I really enjoy this book as I did The Coles...." Read more

"...I love a good romantic, love story and this book did not disappoint. Just enough about so you get the idea in your mind" Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style vivid, well written, and relatable. They also say the personal baggage is realistic and the choices made are reasonable. Readers also mention that the region is very scenic and romantic, and that additional details are added.

"This book is somewhat relatable to my experience. I lost my husband and the love of my life. We were together for over 39 years." Read more

"...The region is very scenic and romantic, so I had high hopes for a "romance" novel set in the area...." Read more

"...I like when an important fact is repeated and additional details are added. Love after tragedy is possible and necessary...." Read more

"...Ms. Alers is good at composing sentences and at other basic writing skills...." Read more

9 customers mention "Characters"9 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters and references to them in the book.

"...It has some nice ambiance and the h is a likeable character in most ways. Oh, and she has nearly perfect children...." Read more

"A easy read. The characters come to life and your there. A touching story where the heart knows before you do...." Read more

"Beautifully and vividly descriptive, bring all characters immediately to life, and emotionally arousing!..." Read more

"Liked the characters and the island setting. Liked the strong female character and her story of survival. There are 2 other books in the series...." Read more

5 customers mention "Atmosphere"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the quaint, slow-paced town very inviting and has some nice ambiance. They also say the character is likeable in most ways.

"...With those two situations out of the equation, Sanctuary Cove was entertaining and "cute."..." Read more

"...This quaint slow paced town is very inviting. I like when an important fact is repeated and additional details are added...." Read more

"...It has some nice ambiance and the h is a likeable character in most ways. Oh, and she has nearly perfect children...." Read more

"Enjoyable to read. The author really brings the people and places to life. I look forward to reading more of her work." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow at first. They also say the ending is a bit slow.

"...It’s the timing that was skeptical." Read more

"...I asked a friend how it ended because the beginning was a bit slow, but then the pace soared all of a sudden...." Read more

"Very good storyline,Moves a little slow for me but I still enjoyed the book can’t wait to read book 2 in the series...." Read more

"Started off a little slow but loved the reading. I love a good romantic, love story and this book did not disappoint...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Alicia Harris-Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars second chance love
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
I like that it was a love story about two widows that were mature in age. A love story that helped to heal and build friendships. Friends make the best partners. I recommend to his book to all ages to show that love is meant for everyone and love concurs all. Two thumbs up rating. Once you start reading you don’t want to put it down until you finish.
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Twiggy
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this story!
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023
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This story grabs your attention from beginning to ending!! Deborah and Asa's characters were reflective of real life mourning and the Blessing of being given a second chance for happiness.
One person found this helpful
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1traveler
4.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming read.
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2023
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I found this to be a heartwarming, inspirational, never give up on love and life type of read. Great beach read and great for those who seek another chance at love.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer MariaD
5.0 out of 5 stars I could not put this book down!
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023
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This book is somewhat relatable to my experience. I lost my husband and the love of my life. We were together for over 39 years.
One person found this helpful
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J. Blue
3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat Disappointed; But Entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2012
Verified Purchase
I am familiar with the moss covered trees and the charm of Charleston as well as the nearby island of Kiawah. The region is very scenic and romantic, so I had high hopes for a "romance" novel set in the area.

Sadly, I was somewhat disappointed...

There were two situations (leading to the inevitable "Man Beds Woman") in the book that were unsettling to me. First, if Louis Robinson had "Erectile dysfunction (ED)" and could not perform sexually, why did he not come forth and defend his honor and the honor of his family (let's not forget that his teenage children were impacted as well) against the allegations of impregnating one of his students? Although the author attempted to explain this "tidbit" I found this to be very unrealiatic of him to put the needs of his student ahead of his own family?

Next, what recently widowed women (Deborah Robinson), or better question...in this day and age, what physician (Dr. Asa Monroe) would have "unprotected sex?" Again, even in the heat of passion, at their educational levels, ages, and with teenage children looking to them to set examples...how realistic is that?

With those two situations out of the equation, Sanctuary Cove was entertaining and "cute." I could almost smell the ocean and feel the breeze as she described the island and its surroundings. The descriptions of the towns people were rich with characterization and charm. I could visulize everything from the town meeting in the book shop to the nosey neighbor "running" into Deborah and Asa as they took a stroll in the park.

With that said, I am new to Rochelle Alers' work and have pre-ordered and look forward to "Angels Landing" to be released in August!
4 people found this helpful
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LL Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars Sanctuary Cove
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2012
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Rating 4.5

Dr. Asa Monroe is a newcomer to the island, Asa is waiting for his assignment Doctors Without Border to be approved but in the mean time the island is a place for him to heal his heart. Asa lost his wife and son in a tragic accident.

Deborah Robinson is a widower who decided to move to the island after her husband death. Deborah and her kids (Whitney & Crystal) moves in her grandparent's home. Deborah comes home to heal after all of the investigation regarding her supposing improper behavior with a fellow student. Louis Robinson was a high school teacher.

This is a story of Charleston, South Carolina where the towns peoples know everybody and is there to lean there support. Deborah opens a book store and hires Asa to help. As time goes on Asa & Deborah realize that they have feeling for each other and slowly begin to fall in love. Although they wasn't looking for a relationship Asa still questioning why he no longer has his wife and son, and Deborah who is still grieving but in the midst of it all they become friends who would become lovers.

The story takes you through South Carolina the wonderful business the restaurant. I tell as I reading this I decided that I need to take a trip to South Carolina to experience some of this hospitality.

I am waiting for the next installment of Cavanaugh Island.

Smooches,
Louise
5 people found this helpful
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Burndean Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars so refreshing
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2023
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I love that the book keeps you from wanting to put it down. I love this southern culture and the closeness of the people
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020
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I actually give this story a 4.5 rating. The bible scripture was wrong. (Ecclesiastes 3:4) As usual the author enchanted me with her vivid description of Sanctuary Cove. I was fascinated by the step back in time when there was libraries and bookstores. This quaint slow paced town is very inviting. I like when an important fact is repeated and additional details are added. Love after tragedy is possible and necessary. Whether it is four weeks, four months or four years. Loved it!
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2014
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A very good read and would reommend this book to my friends. Looking forward to more books for the collection
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2014
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Happy customers
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macshac
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2015
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great series
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