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Sweet Dreams
Sarah Bowen is trapped in Orange Blossom...and she’s desperate to escape. The day Sarah dropped her college-bound best friends off at the airport, she vowed to follow in their footsteps...soon. While she worked in her family’s pie shop and socked away every spare dime toward her expenses at a world-renowned culinary school, she dreamed of the day she’d become a famous chef and open her own restaurant. But Sarah’s plans have simmered on the back burner when one disaster after another delayed her plans. Her friends have established careers and started families while she remained trapped in a small town filled with nosy matrons who frown as they look over her shoulder. It’s no wonder that resentment has added a bitter undercurrent to Sarah’s otherwise bubbly personality, the same way finely chopped liver creates depth in her bolognaise sauce. On the hunt for the next big hit in his family’s ever-expanding line of snack foods, Craig Star doesn’t expect much when a feisty brunette hands him a slice of orange meringue pie and insists it will change his life. One bite convinces the confirmed bachelor he’s found more than the winning entry in this year’s Patty-Cake cook-off. But with his future on the line, Craig can’t help peppering Sarah with kisses during early morning runs through the town’s picturesque streets, any more than she can stop herself from falling in love with the handsome newcomer during the long nights they spend tinkering with recipes in the bakery’s kitchen. But problems rise like cakes in an oven when Craig chooses a place in the boardroom over his love for Sarah, and she discovers that success comes at a cost that may put her family’s pie shop out of business. With the fate of her family and her town hanging in the balance, Sarah turns to her girlfriends for comfort and advice. Whatever she does next, this time, she knows she’ll have no one but herself to blame for the outcome. About The Orange Blossom Welcome to Orange Blossom, a town that owes its existence to the early settlers who were stubborn enough—or foolish enough—to brave the mosquitoes and hurricanes until their wives and children finally started calling this part of Central Florida “home.” That was four generations ago, and since then the town has grown a mite. People ‘round here worry that nearby Orlando, where theme parks sprout on every corner and tourists crowd the streets, will gobble up our small town. Others fear a big juicing conglomerate will snatch up the last family-owned-and-operated citrus grove around these parts. Either scenario is sure to drive every store in Orange Blossom out of business, and what would the town be without Miss June’s Pie Shop on Main Street, or the Book Nook down on the square? But there is a bright side. The girls who spent their summers at the camp Margaret and Jimmy Castle ran for kids who had nothing better to do than get in trouble have grown into beautiful women. The ones who stuck around Orange Blossom all these years are taking a fresh look at their hometown, while those who left miss our quiet streets and laidback lifestyle. And they’re coming home to renew old friendships, grab a second chance at life...and fall in love.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2017
About the author
Leigh Duncan
45 books210 followersLeigh Duncan is an Amazon best-selling author and a National Readers' Choice Award winner, the author of more than two dozen novels, novellas and short stories. However, the biggest thrill of her career--so far!--came when she saw her book, Journey Back to Christmas, featured on the Home and Family Show after Hallmark Publishing chose Journey to introduce its new line of romance novels. Her newest Hallmark Publishing release, A Simple Wedding, and her upcoming A Cottage Wedding (6/2/20) are the first of several books in Leigh's Heart's Landing series. These sweet, contemporary romances take place in a small town known as America's Top Wedding Destination, and each book centers on one couple who fall in love in Heart's Landing.
Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she loves to stay in touch with readers through social media. Find her at www.facebook.com/LeighDuncanBooks, or visit her website at www.leighduncan.com.
Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she loves to stay in touch with readers through social media. Find her at www.facebook.com/LeighDuncanBooks, or visit her website at www.leighduncan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 23, 2017
SWEET DREAMS by Leigh Duncan "Orange Blossom" series book 2 is about two adults both involved with a family business who have always done the right thing by the family standards but are still struggling to earn their family's respect for their own dreams.
The world of Orange Blossom is intimately tied to Miss June's Pie Shop and their world famous orange meringue pie. Sarah watched her friends leave for college and feels like she has been trapped for 10 years in this town. She wants to go to culinary school and start her own restaurant. Her dreams have to be put on hold first while she earned the money for school and again when a fire damaged the family business. Last year her mother had health problems and the money they were going to use to pay Sarah back for the fire damage was used for her mother's treatment without Sarah's knowledge. When this is revealed to Sarah the family is shocked at her response and her anger at shelving her dreams once again. Sarah would have used the money for her mother but felt betrayed that they had not even told her let alone consulted her as she deserved.
Craig Star wants his father's respect, and if he could think of a new snack item for the family business, Patty-Cake snacks. If he wins the yearly competition he would get a large office in the New York headquarters. The other option is exile to Omaha to run a factory. There is also some back and forth with his half brother and their father.
Orange Blossom's economy is somewhat dependent on the pie which is showcased in the annual a fair. Craig finds lots of items to sample around the fair when he comes to Sarah's. Could this be what he was looking for, not only for the company, but Sarah intrigued him. The other characters help provide a rich background for Craig and Sarah's story. You will enjoy the surprising ending. I'm looking forward to the next installment of the Orange Blossom saga.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
The world of Orange Blossom is intimately tied to Miss June's Pie Shop and their world famous orange meringue pie. Sarah watched her friends leave for college and feels like she has been trapped for 10 years in this town. She wants to go to culinary school and start her own restaurant. Her dreams have to be put on hold first while she earned the money for school and again when a fire damaged the family business. Last year her mother had health problems and the money they were going to use to pay Sarah back for the fire damage was used for her mother's treatment without Sarah's knowledge. When this is revealed to Sarah the family is shocked at her response and her anger at shelving her dreams once again. Sarah would have used the money for her mother but felt betrayed that they had not even told her let alone consulted her as she deserved.
Craig Star wants his father's respect, and if he could think of a new snack item for the family business, Patty-Cake snacks. If he wins the yearly competition he would get a large office in the New York headquarters. The other option is exile to Omaha to run a factory. There is also some back and forth with his half brother and their father.
Orange Blossom's economy is somewhat dependent on the pie which is showcased in the annual a fair. Craig finds lots of items to sample around the fair when he comes to Sarah's. Could this be what he was looking for, not only for the company, but Sarah intrigued him. The other characters help provide a rich background for Craig and Sarah's story. You will enjoy the surprising ending. I'm looking forward to the next installment of the Orange Blossom saga.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
September 9, 2017
A sweet return to Leigh Duncan's The Orange Blossom Series! Can strong attraction make it worth their while to risk their business relationship if something more doesn't work out between them? They are willing to take that chance! You'll recognize several of the characters from the first book in the series. I didn't get as connected in this story as I did the first, but still a pleasant follow up. Looking forward to the next one.
Sarah Bowen has been waiting her whole life to get out of small town Orange Blossom, Florida and see the world. Her dreams of becoming a chef haven't exactly worked out. First one thing, and then another have kept her working hard at her family's pie shop. She hasn't given up on her dreams yet, but she's starting to get to that point.
Craig Star is looking for his pot of gold that will get him the position in his family's snack food business that he really wants. All that he needs is a delicious option to win this year's cook-off competition. When he passes through Orange Blossom and is handed a slice of Miss June's orange meringue pie, he's convinced it could be just what he's been looking for!
Sarah Bowen has been waiting her whole life to get out of small town Orange Blossom, Florida and see the world. Her dreams of becoming a chef haven't exactly worked out. First one thing, and then another have kept her working hard at her family's pie shop. She hasn't given up on her dreams yet, but she's starting to get to that point.
Craig Star is looking for his pot of gold that will get him the position in his family's snack food business that he really wants. All that he needs is a delicious option to win this year's cook-off competition. When he passes through Orange Blossom and is handed a slice of Miss June's orange meringue pie, he's convinced it could be just what he's been looking for!
September 8, 2017
SWEET DREAMS by Leigh Duncan "Orange Blossom" series book 2
Sarah feels like she has been trapped for 10 years in this town, wanting to go to culinary school. Once again dreams have to be put aside, family is shocked that she is still thinking of it.
Craig wanting his father's respect, and if he could think of a new snack item
for the business of Patty-Cake, if nothing else he would get a cushy office.
Small town, a fair, lots of items to sample, when he comes to Sarah's. Could this be what he was looking for, not only for the company, but Sarah intrigued him. A good read, of two people, having dreams of their own, and maybe love and a home . Interesting of how it al comes together. And one wonders how the pie she makes would taste. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
Sarah feels like she has been trapped for 10 years in this town, wanting to go to culinary school. Once again dreams have to be put aside, family is shocked that she is still thinking of it.
Craig wanting his father's respect, and if he could think of a new snack item
for the business of Patty-Cake, if nothing else he would get a cushy office.
Small town, a fair, lots of items to sample, when he comes to Sarah's. Could this be what he was looking for, not only for the company, but Sarah intrigued him. A good read, of two people, having dreams of their own, and maybe love and a home . Interesting of how it al comes together. And one wonders how the pie she makes would taste. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
September 7, 2017
Sweet Dreams ( The Orange Blossom Series-Book 2 )
By: Leigh Duncan
Sweet Dreams is book two in The Orange Blossom Series. This is Sarah’s story. She works in the family pie shop and is saving all she can to leave town to follow her dreams. Some day she wants to own her own restaurant, but she is stuck in Orange Blossom with her dreams. Craig wants his father’s respect. He goes to Orange Blossom looking for something. Orange Blossom is famous for it’s orange meringue pie that comes from June’s Pie Shop. Will Sarah ever get to follow her dreams? Will Craig finds what he is looking for?
I was given a complimentary ARC, but was not told that I had to give a positive review.
By: Leigh Duncan
Sweet Dreams is book two in The Orange Blossom Series. This is Sarah’s story. She works in the family pie shop and is saving all she can to leave town to follow her dreams. Some day she wants to own her own restaurant, but she is stuck in Orange Blossom with her dreams. Craig wants his father’s respect. He goes to Orange Blossom looking for something. Orange Blossom is famous for it’s orange meringue pie that comes from June’s Pie Shop. Will Sarah ever get to follow her dreams? Will Craig finds what he is looking for?
I was given a complimentary ARC, but was not told that I had to give a positive review.
August 13, 2017
Sweet Dreams is Sarah's story covering a wide range of emotions as she struggles with being the only one of the Three Musketeers stuck in the small town of Orange Blossom, her hopes and dreams unfulfilled due to circumstances beyond her control. Leigh Duncan does a fantastic job of leading the reader through Sarah's journey of disappointment, resentment, anger and betrayal to a new start filled with love and happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and am looking forward to Penny's story. These books are a comfort read rather than mystery and intrigue.
December 11, 2018
Sweet Dreams is a wonderful book..
I love this series because it takes place in a small town where everybody knows each other ..you really get to know the heart of each person in the book..at the end of each chapter it is hard to put the book down because you want to know what is going to happen in the next chapter. It is just a good clean love story...Leigh is a very talented writer and really knows how to keep your interest.. Thank you Leigh... Sincerely, Brenda Rose
I love this series because it takes place in a small town where everybody knows each other ..you really get to know the heart of each person in the book..at the end of each chapter it is hard to put the book down because you want to know what is going to happen in the next chapter. It is just a good clean love story...Leigh is a very talented writer and really knows how to keep your interest.. Thank you Leigh... Sincerely, Brenda Rose
September 9, 2017
FANTASTIC!! This book is sweet, emotional, heartwarming, and romantic. Leigh Duncan wrote an outstanding story that I couldn't put down until I finished it. This book is a must read. I highly recommend it.
September 27, 2017
I really enjoyed the 2 books of the Orange Blossom series but how about Penny. Please can we have her story
January 30, 2023
Orange Blossom Series
A beautiful well written series of a small town and the people who are family and friends. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of Orange Blossom. This series is a must read.
A beautiful well written series of a small town and the people who are family and friends. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of Orange Blossom. This series is a must read.
October 24, 2021
Yum!
I just want to run to the kitchen and try a batch of orange meringue! Enjoying the Orange Blossom series
I just want to run to the kitchen and try a batch of orange meringue! Enjoying the Orange Blossom series
January 31, 2022
Great Read!
Good story. Current worries fell away as I lost myself in the story. Good characters. Fun adventure. Definitely recommend. Great read.
Looking forward to Book 3.
Good story. Current worries fell away as I lost myself in the story. Good characters. Fun adventure. Definitely recommend. Great read.
Looking forward to Book 3.
May 25, 2022
Sweet dreams indeed
The ending was obvious but a pleasant read. Hope Braxton gets what he is due down the line! Enjoy it.
The ending was obvious but a pleasant read. Hope Braxton gets what he is due down the line! Enjoy it.
September 15, 2022
Awesome
Love the characters and pies. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. Looking forward to see were you go with Penny.
Love the characters and pies. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. Looking forward to see were you go with Penny.
February 20, 2023
Easy, delightful reading
I have enjoyed both books in the Orange Blossom series. I'm can't wait to read the next book about Penny.
I have enjoyed both books in the Orange Blossom series. I'm can't wait to read the next book about Penny.
September 27, 2023
Review for The Orange Blossom Book 2
Very good book. I enjoyed reading it! It was realistic, heart warming & beautiful. I will read more from this author.
Very good book. I enjoyed reading it! It was realistic, heart warming & beautiful. I will read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews