Cynthia Ellingsen

Dawn Conners’s parents are famous for finding historic treasures, but she has a knack for losing things—her job, her boyfriend, and now, her reputation. Thanks to a mud-slinging expos�, Dawn’s late great-grandfather is assumed guilty of stealing silver from a century-old shipwreck. Hoping to clear his name, Dawn returns to Starlight Cove, her idyllic hometown on Lake Michigan, where the doomed vessel sleeps beneath the beam of a ramshackle lighthouse. Her plan: remodel and sell the lighthouse while untangling the perplexing family mystery. Neither task is easy, especially once her well-meaning parents and the quirky locals—including nautical researcher and Starlight Cove’s most eligible bachelor, Kip Whittaker—get involved. Despite their attraction, Dawn is reluctant to trust Kip, or any of the close-knit townsfolk. But as she pieces together the truth, Dawn’s once-shuttered heart opens up. And if she’s willing, the lighthouse might guide her to a place she never expected to find, where the past entwines with a bright new beginning.

The Lighthouse Keeper

Lauren, Isla, Jade, and Archer meet the first day of summer camp, and friendship magic is made in Firefly Cabin. If only they could immortalize their summer memories by winning the contest to be the face of the camp's website. But it won't be easy; not with rival cabins, distracting crushes, and of course, the girls' own secrets getting in the way. Can friendship--and the Fireflies--triumph over all?

The Girls of Firefly Cabin

A mysterious, heartwarming tale of small-town intrigue, family secrets, and the possibility of new love from the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper. Emma Laurent has always preferred helping others to asking for help. But now, she's the one in need. Her stepmother is selling her late father's candy shop, her grandmother's assisted-living facility has become a financial burden, and the anniversary of her fiancé's death is quickly approaching. Rather than face her problems, Emma does what she does best--finds someone else to help by offering a mother and son with nowhere to go somewhere to stay. So when a couple visiting Starlight Cove suddenly offers to pay $20,000 for the old painting that has hung on the candy shop's wall since Emma was a child, it seems like fate has stepped in to help Emma in return--but the more she thinks about it, the more suspicious the offer seems. Determined to uncover why the couple is so interested in the painting, Emma begins to investigate, unknowingly wading into a sea of old family secrets. At the same time, a new flirtation has her feeling guilty and confused. As Emma uncovers more about the past, can she find the courage she needs to save the candy shop and give herself permission to open her heart to love again?

A Bittersweet Surprise

After a night out a women's strip club, three lifelong friends are inspired to open a restaurant staffed by very attractive men and find that mixing business with pleasure can be risky. Original. 30,000 first printing.

The Whole Package

Someone is out to destroy the family vineyard--and expose its secrets--in this atmospheric novel from Cynthia Ellingsen, Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper. Abby Harrington's family has dedicated their lives to cultivating the family vineyard and collecting vintage wines. But it takes only one night for the priceless collection to vanish, stolen during Abby's grandparents' sixtieth anniversary celebration. Then a devastating plane crash leaves her grandfather clinging to life in intensive care. Desperate to take action, Abby sets out to discover who stole the precious wine--and why. The clues lead her to dark truths about her family she is not prepared to face. Soon Abby begins receiving threatening messages and doubting those closest to her. Making things even more complicated, the attractive doctor who saved her grandfather's life offers her a shoulder to lean on just as the man she once loved returns to the vineyard. The more truths Abby is forced to confront, the more her world spins off its axis. Can she unravel the secrets of the past in time to save the vineyard's future--and her own?

The Winemaker's Secret

In this emotional story from Starlight Cove, a single mother must solve the mystery of the town theater to learn why it was shut down and stop the unknown forces trying to keep it closed. Newly divorced Lily Kimura returns to her hometown to start fresh with her daughter and her recently retired parents. She's committed to rebuilding her life, starting with a new job at the town theater. The Starlight Cove Playhouse has been closed for years, ever since a tragic fire took the life of the lead actress. Now, thanks to an anonymous donor, the town is finally ready for a revival. So is Lily, who wholeheartedly dives into her new duties as theater manager, including an unexpected connection with the visiting movie star playing the lead. But strange noises, sinister messages, and a mysterious play hidden in the rafters soon make it clear that not everyone is keen to move on. Someone wants the playhouse closed for good. With the help of an old friend turned local police officer, Dean Harrington, Lily digs into the truth behind every question, threat, and possibility presented to her. She's just not sure if Starlight Cove will be ready for the answers, or if, as they say, the show will go on.

A Novel

A Play for Revenge

The Lost Letters of Aisling

Two sisters who haven’t spoken for twenty years. One summer to bring a family back together. Jayne Winters hasn’t seen her sister Charlotte since that last childhood holiday at their grandmother’s North Carolina beach house. Separated after that summer by their parents in a bitter divorce, Charlotte has never forgiven Jayne for not fighting to stay together. So when Jayne discovers that they have both inherited the beach house, and that their grandmother’s last wish was for them to renovate it together, it feels like a miracle: one last chance to win her sister back. At first Charlotte will barely speak to her. But slowly the memories of swimming races and storytelling in their attic bedroom looking over the sea start to break down the wall between them. With the help of photographs and letters left by their grandmother for them to find, the two women begin to restore not just the creaking mahogany staircase and the faded antique wallpaper, but their own relationship. But then Jayne discovers that Charlotte has kept a heart-stopping secret from their past from her. Can she find it in her heart to forgive her sister and keep their grandmother’s dream of reuniting them alive—or are some wounds too big to heal? An emotional and uplifting read about sisters, secrets and the family bonds that hold us together no matter how complicated they are, from the bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper. Fans of Mary Ellen Taylor, Elin Hilderbrand and Mary Alice Monroe will love this. Readers love Cynthia Ellingsen: “Phenomenal! Immediately pulled me into the story and I couldn’t set the book down until I’d finished… This will be one of those books that I reach for time and again.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Will tug at readers’ heartstrings and make them laugh and cry… a stirring tale of love, loss and loyalty that manages to be life-affirming, heart-breaking and uplifting at the same time.” Bookish Jottings “Kept me turning the pages… I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day!… Feels like a warm hug.” Goodreads reviewer “Such a beautiful and emotional story… Completely captured my heart and my sense of adventure.” Berit Talks Books “Hooked from the first page… I found myself wanting to read faster and know what happens next.” The Writer’s Workout “The characters were so easy to relate to and the setting was beautiful… Helped take me away like a book should… One of the best books I've read so far in 2021.” Book Dreamer

An emotional and totally gripping page-turner

When We Were Sisters

Newly-engaged graduate student Chloe must deal with her true feelings about her best friend after she becomes engaged to someone else while her own mother is tempted by an employee and her Grandma June meddles in everyone's business. Original. 30,000 first printing.

Marriage Matters

“Phenomenal! Immediately pulled me into the story and I couldn’t set the book down until I’d finished… This will be one of those books that I reach for time and again.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I don’t know what I’d expected to find. Pictures of her mother, maybe, or a locket. Instead, there was a letter. My breath came fast as I read the first few sentences… When Julie’s mother falls ill, she has no choice but to return to her parents’ Wisconsin resort, Wood Violet, for the summer. Away from the pressures of city life, Julie also hopes the trip will give her and husband Tristan the chance to heal after the heartbreak of another miscarriage. Back home, surrounded by nature and old friends, Julie starts to feel a sense of calm she’d thought she’d lost forever. But her fragile peace is shattered when she stumbles upon an eighteen-year-old girl hiding out in an abandoned cabin. The girl, Margaret, seems lost in the world and Julie wants to help her. But when she finds the letters in her backpack, Julie realizes she isn’t telling the whole truth about why she’s here. And if Margaret finds what she’s looking for, it could expose a long-buried secret that could destroy Julie’s family’s reputation and tear all their lives apart… A beautiful and emotional story about love, betrayal and finding your true home, from the bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper. Fans of Mary Ellen Taylor, Barbara O’Neal and This is Not How it Ends will adore Cynthia Ellingsen’s captivating novel. What readers are saying about The Choice I Made: “Kept me turning the pages… I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day!… feels like a warm hug.” Goodreads reviewer “Such a beautiful and emotional story… completely captured my heart and my sense of adventure.” Berit Talks Books “Hooked from the first page… I found myself wanting to read faster and know what happens next.” The Writer’s Workout “Will tug at readers’ heartstrings and make them laugh and cry… a stirring tale of love, loss and loyalty that manages to be life-affirming, heart-breaking and uplifting at the same time.” Bookish Jottings “Filled with memorable characters… I barely could put it down… There are plenty of twists and turns and the reader is pulled this way and that.” On the Shelf Books “The characters were so easy to relate to and the setting was beautiful… helped take me away like a book should… One of the best books I've read so far in 2021.” Book Dreamer, 5 stars “Terrific… I didn’t want to stop reading…The characters are so real I felt like I really got to know them.” The Book Lover’s Boudoir “Captivating… compulsive… packed full of emotion… all set against an exquisite rural backdrop.” Avid Reader’s Retreat “The characters feel like old friends. There's love for family, friends and husbands along with a bit of mystery and a beautiful setting.” Nicki’s Book Blog, 5 stars “I could very well picture a movie made out of this story… warms your heart and truly makes you escape.” Goodreads reviewer “I loved this book! It was heartwarming… exactly what I needed with everything going on in the world!” @aliciagoeser “Such a wonderful story to read!!” @oh.happy.reading

An utterly compelling and emotional page-turner about finding your true home

The Choice I Made

In this “funny, touching, and heartwarmingly romantic” (JULIE JAMES) novel, a bride-to-be contends with wedding plans, work pressures, and second thoughts…. For fans of Emily Giffin and Julie James. On top of grad school, clinical hours, and part-time work, Chloe is surprised to find a ring on her finger. Sharing the news about the engagement is easy, except with her best friend, Ben. Their relationship has always been platonic and he has stood by her through thick and thin…so what's his problem with the new man in her life? As she gets caught up in the whirlwind of planning a five-star wedding, she can’t stop the nagging feeling that something isn't quite right. And Ben, the one person she wants by her side, is suddenly MIA… The guests are invited, the gifts wrapped, the flowers ordered, and her bridal gown fits like a dream. The only thing left is a walk down the aisle. Backing out now would be the biggest mistake of her life, right? Unless the biggest mistake would actually be saying, “I do”…

Per trovare l’amore basta prenotare il tavolo giustoDoris, Cheryl e Jackie sono amiche fin dai tempi del liceo, quando erano le ragazze più ambite della scuola. Ora, alla soglia dei quaranta, i loro sogni sono in frantumi: la dolce e timida Doris ha scoperto che suo marito la tradisce, Cheryl, spregiudicata donna in carriera, è stata appena licenziata, e Jackie è finita in miseria dopo aver dissipato in shopping e serate mondane l’eredità del defunto marito. Ma proprio quando tutto sembra perduto, da una folle serata a base di alcool e risate in un club di striptease nasce una grande idea: aprire il Sex & Fashion Restaurant, un ristorante dedicato alle donne, che potranno gustare piatti deliziosi serviti da camerieri molto sexy, molto gentili, e soprattutto... molto svestiti! Riusciranno Doris, Cheryl e Jackie a far decollare il loro business? Unire amicizia e lavoro può essere pericoloso. Così come aprire un locale piuttosto audace in una cittadina bigotta. Ma presto le tre amiche scopriranno che, correndo qualche rischio, il successo prima o poi arriva. E forse ‒ chissà ‒ anche l’amore...Un grande successo in Inghilterra e Stati UnitiElegante come Un regalo da Tiffany, provocante come Sex and the CityUn romanzo sfizioso! Cynthia Ellingsenvive a Lexington, nel Kentucky, con il marito. Amori impossibili e fragole con panna è il suo primo romanzo.

Cynthia Ellingsen

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