Tag: Winter in Paradise

Posted on

What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Sun, sand, blue skies and turquoise water. Sounds like a dream right about now as we shelter-in-place due to the Coronavirus, doesn’t it? That’s what’s so wonderful about books. They can take you places you can’t go in person . . . at least not right now.

Just about a year ago I wrote about Elin Hilderbrand‘s book Winter in Paradise that takes place in St. John (USVI). I just finished the sequel, What Happens in Paradise, and it didn’t disappoint. Between these two books I have gotten attached to the characters and fallen in love with the location. It will be difficult to leave it all behind when she finishes the series.

This installment focuses on the relationships that are developing between the Steele family (Irene, Cash, Baker and Finn) and the people living on the island (Huck, Maia, Ayers, and Mick). They may live in a tropical paradise with beaches, boat excursions, and beach bars, but they aren’t immune to the ups and downs in life we all experience. And then the FBI gets involved. They, along with everyone else, want to know what Russ actually did in his job before he died in the helicopter accident. And was it an accident? Hilderbrand masterfully weaves in just enough information on the investigation and leaves us with a major dilemma to keep the reader wanting more in the third book to come.

While you’re at home quarantined, why not lose yourself in a good book that will take you to paradise with Winter in Paradise and What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand. The final book of the series Troubles in Paradise will be out in October of 2020.

I can’t give you more of the story because I don’t want to ruin the first book for you if you haven’t started this series yet. All I can say is that it is a light, enjoyable read. Or check your bookshelves for something you haven’t gotten around to reading. Buy an e-book. Order books on-line. Do a curbside pick-up at your local library or bookstore. Let your favorite author take you to another place and time for awhile.

Posted on

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand is one of my go-to authors. Most of Hilderbrand’s stories take place in the Nantucket area where she lives. However, when I attended an author series presented by the Cuyahoga Public Libraries last fall, I was excited to hear her speak about her new series that would take place in St. John (USVI). If spring weather isn’t coming fast enough for you, try escaping to St John for awhile in her first book in the series, Winter in Paradise.

Irene discovers that her husband Russell has died in a helicopter accident while away on “business” in St. John. When she and her adult sons arrive in St. John, they uncover that he was living a secret second life there. Russell owned a $15 million villa and had a long-time lover (Rosie) who was also killed in the crash. We learn about Russell through the people he impacted on the island including Huck (Rosie’s step-father), Ayers (Rosie’s best friend) and Maia (Rosie’s daughter). The way Irene’s family becomes entangled with Rosie’s family makes for interesting relationships.

Although Irene has been living a life of wealth, readers may think it is unrealistic that Russell could have hidden a $15 million villa and another family.  However, suspicions arise concerning both the helicopter crash and what Russell was actually doing for a living. The villa had been cleaned out of any personal items before Irene arrived and the company Russell worked for has disconnected their phone and taken down their website.

Readers will want to read the next book to find out what Russell was involved in and whether or not the crash was an accident, but they will also be excited to spend more time with fun and unique characters in the Virgin Islands. I give it a thumbs up!