Shadows on the Sand, by Gayle Roper (Review and Giveaway)

4 1/2 STARS!!!!

ABOUT THE BOOK - 
 She serves him breakfast at her café every morning … but he never seems to notice her.
Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals … although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin.
When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries … and into her life. But when Carrie’s own painful past becomes all to present, her carefully constructed world begins to sink.
Will the fragile relationship she’s built with Greg implode from the weight of the baggage they both carry?

MY REVIEW -
This book started out a 4 and ended a 5 so I rounded it to a 4 1/2. There is a lot going on in this book!
-A love story.
-Two different runaways - one years later now grown up, the other just 16, both ran for their lives. Now their lives have intersected, can one help the other?
-A murder mystery
-Long lost family reconnection
-Sadness, love, suspense, mystery, and coffee!
You would think that with all this going on it would get confusing, but it doesn't at all! The story flows very nicely, weaving in and out of each aspect of the story line, connecting each one to each other. Every bit of this story is just as interesting as the other. I wouldn't take anything out or add anything to it.
The character development is excellent. There are a lot of characters but again, it is very to keep everyone straight. I rally felt very connected and attached to each of the misfits that have come together at Carrie's diner. Each one has his place and each personality is executed perfectly.
And... this is all happening around a diner. Which you all know by now I love! It is all about the owners, the employees, and the customers. Whatever happens it all comes back to the diner. I love it because this is always the constant in the book. It becomes a comfort zone.

This is my first Gayle Roper book. I really enjoyed her style and ease of writing. I do think I will be reading more from her.
Thank you "Blogging for Books" for sending me this book to review.

GIVEAWAY - I am giving away my copy of this book.
* Please either comment here or email me at forevereading at gmail dot com with your email address!! No email, no entry.
* Please be from the US or Canada.
* If you are not a follower, please become one (but not necessary to win).
* Winner will be chosen and announced via random.org on Sept. 12th.
* Winner will then have 48 hrs to respond with their mailing address before a new winner is chosen.

**Please be aware that I do not have any rules on how many of my contests you enter or how many times you win! So good luck everyone!