AUTHOR: JoAnn Durgin
DATE: 2013
PUBLISHER: Pelican Ventures, LLC
STARS: *****
The sequel to the popular "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe" (2012).
Texas-born goalie and Italian World Cup champion, Dante Moretti, only expected tiny Starlight, Iowa to be a blip on the radar of his life. Stopping at Barney’s Diner for a quick meal a couple of weeks before Christmas, Dante meets two women who quickly capture his heart in very different ways. Then his rental car won’t start, stranding him overnight.
Amanda Marston is excited to be home in Starlight for her big brother Jake’s wedding. When she drops in for a cup of Caroline Picasso’s coffee at Barney’s, she meets a handsome but mysterious, Italian-spouting cowboy. Before she knows it, Dante’s staying with Caroline and Ben Picasso and helping out with projects all over Starlight.
Does God have a plan for Dante in Starlight, one that might include Amanda? Or will Dante take her heart with him when he returns to Italy?
JoAnn Durgin does it again –grabs readers hearts with an intriguing man and a beautiful but unassuming woman and their instant attraction. When soccer champion Dante gets stranded in the tiny town of Starlight, Iowa, he expects to leave as soon as his rental car is fixed. But after meeting Amanda, his desire to move on deserts him. He finds himself helping out all over town, which makes some people suspicious. That just adds to his appeal for others, though, including Amanda, who can’t seem to fight the appeal of the Italian Cowboy. Her life is in Florida and his is in Italy. How can they possibly have a future together?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of love, faith, and family. Ms. Durgin paints a picture of a welcoming (for the most part) town and how faith makes love possible – even when circumstances interfere. Starlight, Star Bright earns five stars for its warmth, humor, and wonderful, multi-layered personalities.