After an auto accident destroys his pro-football career, Matt McCallum struggles to find a new dream for his life, but nothing engages him the way football did. After a stint in rehab, he takes a job managing a grocery store where he meets Violet Emerson.
Violet works in the bakery department, but her dreams carry her far beyond the doors of Chef's Pantry. As soon as she can save the money, she plans to open a catering business. She thinks the new manager's broad shoulders and blue eyes are simply divine.
Thrown together at work, Matt and Violet find a new, common dream for their lives, but just when happiness is in their grasp, a loose end from Matt's past threatens to destroy their future.
Matt McCallum had it all -- a bright football career, a beautiful fiancee - everything he could ever want. Until an accident leaves him crippled and dumped. Now, he's back in his old hometown, trying out a new life. Despite his intention to not get involved with another woman, he finds that he is drawn to Violet - a woman who works at the grocery store he manages. As they get closer together, their past and future dreams seem to intrude on their chances to be together. Now they must decide what dreams are really worth chasing.
My Opinion: I thought this book was very enjoyable. Well written with good side characters and a nice plot. Matt and Violet are sweet characters with good interaction. Matt was the best character though and showed a lot of strength and growth. Violet was easy to relate to, flaws and all. I got caught up in this story, especially as the plot thickened - I could really feel what the main characters were feeling. Great story about truly falling in love and what really makes your dreams worth living.
Romance Junkies
"A NEW DREAM is a wonderful contemporary romance with heartwarming characters and heartfelt moments. Elaine Cantrell creates a beautiful, believable relationship with old fashioned values that adds sweetness to the story. All of her characters were likable with emotions and reactions that one can relate to. My favorite though had to be the hero Matt, who had to face a very difficult reality. His growth and the way Ms. Cantrell portrayed his struggles with coming to terms with the changes in his life was nicely done. This is one of the best inspiring romances I've read in a while."
Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina. She has a Master's Degree in Personnel Services from Clemson University and is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary sorority for women educators. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America. Her first novel A New Leaf was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest and was published in 2004 by Oak Tree Press. A New Dream is her seventh novel.
Also by Elaine Cantrell:
A New Leaf
Genre: contemporary romance
Heat rating: PG13
Title: A New Leaf
Author: Elaine Cantrell
Publisher: Oak Tree Press
Buy link: http://www.oaktreebooks.com
Author website: http://www.elainecantrell.com
ISBN: 1-892343-36-3
Format: print
Grandfather's Legacy
Genre: Contemporary romance
Heat Rating: PG13
Title: Grandfather's Legacy
Author: Elaine Cantrell
Publisher: All Romance Books
Buy Link: due to the death of the publisher the book is only available from the author at
elainecsc@aol.com
Author Website: http://www.elainecantrell.com
ISBN: 1-933548-02-9
Format: ebook PDF
The Welcome Inn
Genre: Romantic suspense
Heat Rating: R
Title: The Welcome Inn
Author: Elaine Cantrell
Publisher: Wings ePress
Buy link: http://www.wingsepress.com/Bookstore/The%20Welcome%20Inn.htm
Author website: http://www.elainecantrell.com
ISBN: print ISBN 978-1-59705-776-9; ebook ISBN 978-1-59705-252-8
Book format: print and ebook-PDF, HTML, MSR, Mobipocket
An Interview with the Elaine Cantrell
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Elaine, thank you so much for talking with us. Your featured book is A New Dream. Your heroine has big dreams of a catering business. Her new boss is trying find a new dream after an accident changed his life. Where did you get the idea for this amazing tale?
EC: Holly, I've always been a dreamer myself. From the time I was a child I spun fantasies in my head. It was only ten years ago that I decided to try to achieve my dream of becoming a writer. I figured everyone has dreams and could relate to a story about two people struggling to find their dreams.
HH: What do you like about Violet and why will readers identify with her?
EC: I like Violet because she loves life and lives it to the fullest. She loves so deeply that she doesn't see the flaws in anyone she loves. She isn't afraid to be true to herself either. When asked to do something she doesn't think is right, she stands up to even the man she loves. She knows herself, and she likes herself.
HH: What do you like about Matt and why will readers be drawn to him?
EC: Matt is an athlete, a pro-football player with a glamorous life, plenty of money, and a hot girlfriend. When he loses it all, Matt grows up and discovers inner strength he never knew he had. He also finds that replacement dreams can be even better than the originals.
HH: As an author in a competitive market, how do you make a simple story stand out?
EC: I try to write just a little bit out of the box. I also fill my stories with true romance. I always strive to make my characters likeable and someone any of us could relate to.
HH: What else do you have in the works?
EC: I'm revising a sequel to Return Engagement, and I've written an inspirational romance that needs a home.
HH: With the rising popularity of ebook readers and devices like the iPad, what changes do you see coming in the romance genre?
EC: More ebooks, less paper. I got a Nook for Christmas, and at first I didn't know if I really liked it. It was just so different from what I was used to. I find, though, that I love it after all. Ebooks are cheaper so I've tried things I never would have bought if I saw them in a bookstore. I've discovered some good authors this way.
HH: As a romance reader, what sort of stories do you personally prefer?
EC: I like stories that celebrate what the relationship between a man and woman ought to be. I mean a relationship where the two people care about each other and do what's best for the other person, not themselves.
HH: Tell us about the best fan mail (email) you've ever gotten.
EC: My best thing wasn't an email. I got a phone call from a woman I know slightly who told me she didn't read romance, but she read mine because she knew me. She said, “Your book makes sense. Why, it could happen to anyone!” I loved that. I want people to feel like love and romance could find them just as it did the characters in the book.
HH: What are your favorite hobbies/activities these days?
EC: I like to collect vintage Christmas ornaments, read, play with my dog, and spend time with my friends.
HH: Any vacation or appearance plans this summer?
EC: Yes to both. We're vacationing at Myrtle Beach, SC, in July. My sister who lives in Alaska is joining us, so I'm looking forward to it. In August I'm doing a book signing at the Birchwood Center, a local organization to promote the arts in my county.
