Stormy View Reviews

Kennalyn and David Stevens are getting ready to celebrate ten years of marriage when Kennalyn is visited by the Coast Guard. David has been in a boating accident and is at the hospital in a coma. Kennalyn rushes to see David only to discover his mother has taken her son to a private hospital. When Kennalyn arrives to see David, Mrs. Stevens is in complete control of the situation of her son’s wellness. She has never liked Kennalyn and intends to use her clout to her advantage. After David dies in the coma, Mrs. Stevens immediately demands a rapid funeral and insists upon a closed casket. Once again Kennalyn is faced with a manipulating mother-in-law who continues to inform her that she is not welcomed and never will be. With no where to turn, Kennalyn, and the children, little Davie and Brittany, return home to her dad’s lighthouse but the more she dwells on the loss of David, her heart tells her that something just doesn’t appear right on the surface.

Stormy View is a must read. Once I began reading, I couldn’t put this roller coaster ride down. The intensity between the mother, son and Kennalyn can be felt throughout the story as Hilda tries her utmost to erase Kennalyn from David’s life. The character of Kennalyn is strong in the way she handles the conniving, manipulative mother-in-law, who is worse than any wicked witch. Ms. Leigh pulls the reader immediately into the story. I could feel everything that the characters endured, even Hilda’s reactions each time she pointed that bony finger. This is one witch who certainly doesn’t require any broomstick for flying. Her evilness transcends through the pages. This is an incredible tale with great direction and a plot that spins a remarkable read that is absolutely visual in this page-turner. Whew, a recommended read that you don’t want to miss! Nikki Leigh incorporates a believing story with characters that ignite with incredible hope and prove that no matter how much spinning deceit revenge wishes to spin, true love and a rare romance blossoms to overcome any tornado destruction that tries to come in its path.

Reviewed by: Linda L

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/April/LindaL-StormyView.htm

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Kennalyn and David have just been married. After meeting David's mother Kennalyn realizes she will never be welcomed into the family. David does not care that Kennalyn's family does not come from wealth, and plans a long and happy life for the two of them with many children. On their tenth anniversary David is involved in a boating accident and taken to the hospital. Before Kennalyn can arrive David's mother has him transferred to a private hospital owned by her family. Kennalyn has difficulty getting any information when she arrives, being always consulted after David's mother. Although this is beyond aggravating and demeaning for Kennalyn, her only concern is David's wellbeing. When David dies while in a coma a quick funeral is arranged with a closed casket. Kennalyn is in shock; everything is being controlled by David's mother. David's mother soon tells Kennalyn she is not welcome and Kennalyn finds herself moving back home to her father's lighthouse in Misty Cove, Massachusetts. But everything is not as it seems and there are secrets that will change everyone's life when they become known.

Stormy View by Nikki Leigh is a wonderful story that shows how far people will go to get what they want. This story shows how a selfish person can manipulate and make everyone unhappy. It also shows how a true love will survive and conquer all obstacles. It contains some wonderful characters. Even the villains in the story are so evil that they just make everything better around them. I could go on and on with all the derogatory words to describe how I feel about David's mother, but I won't. Just trust me, she is pure evil. The history of the lighthouse is fascinating. The most development in a character would involve Captain Bart, Kennalyn's father. He was never happy having daughters instead of sons and sees them as useless, especially in carrying on the legacy of the lighthouse. It is interesting to see how his opinions change. Although the basic outline of the story was predictable there was many surprises along the way. This story is an emotionally stirring book that goes through all the stages of grief and survival. The romance is sweet and the revenge in the end is even sweeter. I find the reason behind everything was believable. In fact the whole story can be pictured as something that could actually happen. This seems to make a big impact on how you can look at this story especially as you picture the story from Kennalyn's perspective and that is easy to do through the descriptive writing of Nikki Leigh. Stormy View is sure to become a favorite of many.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Anita

http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/stormyviewleigh.htm

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4 Magical Wands - Enchanted Ramblings

Kennalynn is nervous as her fiancé takes her to meet his wealthy, social-climbing parents. David has warned her that his mother is a bit highly-strung, but when the two women meet, it's clear that Hilda Stevens hates her. Undeterred, they marry in secret – but when they announce the happy news, David's mother curses Kennalynn, accusing her of being a gold-digger.

Some years later, David is killed in an accident. Kennalynn, pregnant with their second child, must struggle with her young daughter's grief and her own unhappiness against the machinations of her spiteful mother-in-law. She seeks refuge in her hometown, where her father is the lighthouse keeper. Their relationship has never been easy, but soon Kennalynn starts to rebuild her life. Another chance at love comes her way in the shape of an old friend, Rick, who is eager to be with her – but then she realises that her mother-in-law's hatred is far deeper and more unbalanced than she could ever begin to imagine…

A memorable cast of characters – Ebbie was my favourite – and the truly villainous Hilda makes this a story worth reading. Full of pain, betrayal, hope and love, this book has all the ingredients of a good romance – plus it has one hell of a twist. The author has more books set in the world of Misty Cove, so be sure to check them out – if they're like 'Stormy View' then they're sure to be winners.

http://www.enchantedramblings.net/reviews/review0251.html

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Rating: 4 Beacons - Lighthouse Literary Reviews

Kennalyn, the Stormy View Lighthouse keeper’s daughter naively takes on the most powerful woman in her husband’s life—his vengeful mother. The woman is not having her little boy wasting his life married to a nobody. She works like a viper to drive them apart.

Nikki Leigh’s tightly woven saga of the David Steven’s family slowly unravels to reveal the suspense hidden behind the vindictive manipulations of David’s mother and the heartbroken Kennalyn, who even as the years slid by cannot give up her love for her deceased husband. By herself, she struggles as a lawyer in a small coastal town to provide for her children until one fateful day when a familiar stranger turns up at a local diner. Then the whole picture changes for the Steven’s family.

Although the story moves slowly, the conclusion is very satisfying.

Reviewed by: JoEllen

http://www.lighthouseliteraryreviews.com/December2005Reviews.html#anchor_284

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A wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter…Kennalyn Stevens thought she had it all. Then a horrible accident takes her husband, David, from her, leaving her a pregnant, grieving widow, and at the mercy of a vindictive mother-in-law.

It’s time to return home to Storm View, and to a father whom she never got on with. But Kennalyn is slowly rebuilding her life, and after mending bridges with her father, and opening her own business, the future is looking a little brighter. She even has an old friend, Rick, who is sweet on her, and who wants to be more than just friends.

Now there are explanations to be made, deceptions to be uncovered, and the discovery of (a) diabolical plan to be faced. Can Kennalyn ... stand the storm that blows around (her)?

A romance with a difference, this story will have you teary-eyed for a family torn apart – and renew your faith in love that ...weathers the storms.

Angela Verdenius
futuristic romance
Love's Bewitching Thief - June 2004
http://angelaverdenius.freeservers.com

*****

Misty Cove is a New England town brought to life with beautiful strokes by author Nikki Leigh. It is also the setting for her novel, Stormy View. This work shows us the strength Kennalyn Jones, draws from a long heritage of lighthouse keepers.

Kennalyn is an attorney, as is her husband. They are making a beautiful life with their daughter in California on her husband’s turf, complete with a childhood housekeeper, a vicious, controlling mother and an ineffectual father. A tragic accident claims her husband’s life. This sends her back to Misty Cove, a pregnant widow with her child.

She must craft a new life. This new creation unfolds with surprising twists and turns that resolve in a surprising and satisfying manner that makes this a must read book. It also hooks the reader into what is a series to anticipate.

By CMF Kosai - author of "Surviving (Mont Pelee)"

*****

With colorful words, Nikki Leigh paints a breathtaking picture of life, from the shores of Los Angeles to the small fishing town of Misty Cove, Massachusetts. The struggles of her heroine, Kennalyn Jones Stevens, dealing with her spiteful mother-in-law, being a single parent and learning to love again is truly a realistic view of life. The emotional upheavals, agonizing decisions, along with the deceit and fraud perpetrated against Kennalyn and her family throughout the book, keeps your eyes glued to the pages until the very end. Joan McNulty Pulver http://www.epress-online.com - Acquisitions Coordinator http://www.thewritersezine.com - Columnist http://www.writersvillage.com - Writing Course Developer & Facilitator

*****

Nikki Leigh has outdone herself with this tapestry of interwoven words and lives.

Kennalyn’s family blossoms in the hearts of the reader, only to be broken by a vicious twist of fate. Her Mother in law sends her packing. Picking up the pieces she finds what she believes is her true home and family, but is it?

Returning to Misty Cove, Nikki's residents come alive under the ministrations of her storytelling gift. Gruff Captain Bart, dear, devoted Ebbie and others help keep her together. Rick, a friend from her youth wants back on the scene, but how can Kennalyn betray her husband’s memory?

A true page turner that sets the stage for more to follow.

Maggie Eaves, Author

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Kennalyn Jones loves David Stevens with all her heart and soul.  David adores Kennalyn even more.  Together, despite the opposition of his mother, they marry and make a life for themselves.  Soon a daughter rounds out the family.  Kennalyn and David are happy, life is easy.

Kennalyn's life is turned upside down when David is killed in an accident.  Alone dealing with her young daughters grief, another pregnancy, being on her own, and mourning the loss of her soul mate, she moves back to Misty Cove.  Here, where she grew up, everything settles into a routine.  She is on an even keel even if her father doesn't always make it easy.

Kennalyn moves forward moment by moment, day after day, taking the highs and lows of single parenthood and dealing with guilt.  She even reconnects with Rick, an old friend, who wants to love her.  Can she move forward? Does she have the strength to really live life?  Is her loss too great to overcome?

A remarkable story with many unexpected twists and turns, Nikki Leigh paints a picture brimming with love, pain, loss, and hope.  Stormy View is a definite must read for anyone who loves romance.  Only sleep kept me from reading this masterfully crafted story straight through from beginning to end.

Lori Libby

Now and Forever Dec 04
Hunter's Arrow Feb 06
www.lorilibby.com
www.Wingsepress.com
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Kennalyn and David met in school, and Kennalyn couldn’t have been happier with anyone else. When David takes her home to meet his parents, and they announce their plans to wed, David’s mother takes an immediate dislike to her and tries to send her away -- in David’s best interests, of course. Instead of giving Kennalyn up to please his mother, David defies her and weds Kennalyn in secret.

David and Kennalyn are happily married and have welcomed a daughter, Brittany, into their happy family, when things go wrong. David leaves on a fishing trip with a close friend, and Kennalyn and their daughter stay behind. There is an accident with the boat, and Kennalyn struggles to watch as her husband fights for his life. She is extremely distraught when he is pronounced dead. More distraught, because she never got to tell him the news of their impending second child.

Kennalyn takes Brittany to the small town, Misty Cove, that she was raised in and looks to her father for help. She doesn’t inform David’s family of her pregnancy and struggles to come up with a way to take care of her family on her own. She opens her own law office and runs into an old college friend, and starts a relationship with him. Kennalyn is not sure she is ready to be married again, and just when she’s about to give in, she sees David. In Misty Cove. Alive.

Stormy View is an unusual tale of romance and lies. Kennalyn is a strong woman, and she worked very hard to make a new life for her children and herself without David. To find out that it wasn’t truly necessary was very heart wrenching for her, and for myself as a reader. There were several twists and plot turns that had me reeling, I never knew what to expect next. Kennalyn and David’s relationship was very intriguing from the beginning and following up when he found her again. When the truth unfolded about David’s disappearance, I was very angry with the perpetrators and felt so bad for both of them. As the saying goes, absence does make the heart fonder, and David and Kennalyn could never forget what they had meant to each other, even though things were different this time. In the end, I was glad that things worked out the way they did. The one thing I didn’t care for was the fast jump in time in the first few chapters, but in the end, it didn’t affect my final feelings about the book.

Reviewed by: Kristen

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/June/Kristen-StormyView.htm

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Rich, sophisticated, haughty, influential, controlling, Los Angeles society matron, Mrs. Hilda Stevens who brooked no disloyalty from anyone was about to meet her future daughter-in-law, a lightkeeper's daughter from a small Massachusetts fishing village called Misty Cove. The clash between two different society levels was bound to start sparks flying. It mattered little to Mrs. Hilda Stevens that Kennalyn Jones Stevens was the woman her son David was desperately in love with, or that Kennalyn was desperately in love with him. She had other plans for her son and Kennalyn Jones Stevens was not a part of it regardless of how her son felt. It was inexplicable hatred at first sight on the part of Mrs. Stevens, not even the birth of her granddaughter could stop the animosity that existed in her heart. So incensed was she, that instead of diminishing with the passing of years, the hatred she held exploded exponentially. Kennalyn was completely unaware of the heartache, hardship, disappointment and pain she would have to endure because of this hatred and how it could turn devious, dangerous and malevolent.

It would all begin on her tenth wedding anniversary. Kennalyn and David were about to renew their wedding vows, and she had a secret she was waiting to tell him at the party that evening. But fate and Mrs. Hilda Stevens had a different idea. Critically injured in a boating accident and lying in a coma, Kennalyn never got the chance to tell him she was pregnant again. Whisked to a private hospital by his mother, to see to his care, Kennalyn was relegated to second place by the hospital and staff due to Mrs. Stevens' demands. Later, Kennalyn was informed that her husband had succumbed to his injuries. Devastated, pregnant, and emotionally distraught at his death, Kennalyn was no match for her devious, despicable, malevolent, cunning, twisted and controlling Mother-in-Law.

Even at the funeral of her beloved husband, Kennalyn's wish to see her husband for the last time was forbidden by her mother-in-law. She wouldn't allow the sealed casket to be opened so that Kennalyn and his young daughter could say goodbye. Alone, pregnant, and completely depressed, Kennalyn, at the insistence of her mother-in-law, returns to Misty Cove to be with her family and await the birth of her son.

The years pass, and Kennalyn in an effort to support her family, opens a small lawyer's office. But her David is constantly in her thoughts, to the extent that no one else is allowed to enter. Marriage is far from her fancy, although she comes close something stops her from taking that final step…that is…until a familiar stranger enters her life.

Stormy View is a wonderful, powerful and explosive love story. Nikki Leigh brings the reader through a rollercoaster of emotions that leaves one spinning. The many twists and turns encountered throughout the book causes one to want to reach in and exact retribution. It is an enjoyable and poignant story that will keep you turning page after page until the end. Stormy View is a must read for everyone.

Elena Dorothy Bowman - http://elenadb.home.comcast.net
The House On The Bluff – Available now at – www.ebooksonthe.net
http://www.ebooksonthe.net/catalog/eBooks_Catalog_NewBooks2.html