Strawberry Lace

When Chelsea Adams agrees to cater Muriel Winter’s Independence Day party, she has mixed feelings. She’s eager to widen her company’s clientele in southern Maine, but it’s hard to hide her distaste for her wealthy employer’s condescending elitism. Chelsea’s problems multiply when she meets Muriel’s handsome son, Jeff Blaine, and finds she must struggle to resist the powerful longings he awakens in her. Muriel soon detects the chemistry between them and makes it clear she’ll destroy Chelsea’s business if she shows any interest in Jeff.

To regain control of her turbulent feelings, Chelsea spends her off-hours with long-time friend Stuart Potter, a down-to-earth lobsterman. When Stuart surprises her by proposing marriage, Chelsea accepts in the belief it will resolve her problems and stabilize her life.

But Chelsea’s emotions are not to be tamed with an engagement ring. When circumstances repeatedly bring her into contact with Jeff, she’s forced to decide: Will she choose a sensible prudence? Or will she follow the bewildering desires of her incautious heart?

Originally published in 1994, this light romance is now available for the first time in ebook and trade paperback.

AMY BELDING BROWN is also the author of Island Summer Love , a romance, and more recently two historical novels, Mr. Emerson’s Wife and The Flight of the Sparrow . She currently lives and writes in her native state of Vermont.