NEW RELEASE
Magnolia Park - Kate McCabe (2012)
The story is set in beautiful Magnolia Park in Fuengirola on the Spanish Costa del Sol. Amy and her partner Sam arrive at Magnolia Park for a much-needed holiday. Amy has been unhappy with the relationship and hopes that the holiday will change things. Sam, however, has other priorities apart from Amy. In the complex they meet Betty, who has been married for more than 30 years but has spent the majority of that time living apart from her husband. She meets Nigel and she too has to deal with changes in her relationship. Betty's son Josh, who was heartbroken when his last relationship ended, comes to stay with her and a chance encounter changes his life too. Although somewhat predictable, I found the characters to be memorable and felt like they were old friends by the end of the book. It's a great story with a wonderful feel-good ending. (BS)
Magnolia Park, by Kate McCabe, is a story centred around a Spanish holiday complex. The summary says: "Magnolia Park is an idyllic holiday complex set in the middle of Fuengirola on the Spanish Costa del Sol. It has gardens with beautiful flowers and splashing fountains, and the sun shines all day long. Into this beautiful setting comes Amy Crawford and her partner Sam Benson, one of the most sought-after men in Dublin. But their relationship is heading for trouble and once their holiday is over, she plans to confront the handsome Sam and demand that he change his ways. Meanwhile Sam has problems of his own in his job as an advertising executive. He has just completed a lucrative campaign but the client isn't happy and is threatening to take the contract elsewhere. Amy becomes friendly with long-term resident Betty Parsons who is undergoing a reappraisal of her strange marriage of 34 years. Betty is joined by her son, Josh, who is reeling after the breakup of a love affair with a beautiful actress Nina Black. And finally, there is Nigel Smyth, a charming retired car-dealer who has suddenly taken a romantic interest in Betty. Strange things can happen in the Spanish sun and before Amy's holiday is over all their lives will be changed forever." Magnolia Park is out in April.