This short prequel was a nice introduction to Carla Neggers' writing style but for me that was all I really took away from this story.

The Good and The Bad: While I found Neggers' writing style easily engaging I found reading this story first rather than in published order a detriment instead of an asset. This story was published in between books 3 and 4 of this series. Getting the additional information on what drives a specific character and seeing some of their beginnings is normally a cool thing but because Finian is new to me I wasn't fully invested in him as a character so the emotional impact of his back story was a bit lost on me. That factor aside I found what should have been a suspenseful story ended up a bit of a dud. As a romantic suspense it fails in the romance aspect as there was absolutely no romance in the story and the suspense is rather vague, only hinting at some tension with the resolution and climax happening off page.

In a Nutshell: While my experience is less than stellar I wouldn't say this story was a complete dud. I would definitely recommend reading this in published order and not list order. It will help connect readers to the character and give it some much needed reference. ( )

Rock Point by Carla Neggers
From amazon.com:
"New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers enthralls readers with her suspenseful Sharpe & Donovan series. Read the untold story of one of her most beloved characters in this special prequel novella, Rock Point.

Seven years after suffering an unspeakable loss, Finian Bracken is recently out of seminary and leaving Ireland to serve a small parish in the quaint but struggling fishing village of Rock Point, Maine. Here he meets FBI agent Colin Donovan for the first time…and discovers the dangerous secrets he left back home in Ireland. Smugglers are using the Bracken family's old whiskey distillery as cover for their illicit activities—and the violent group isn't going down without a fight."

Leona's Review
A free download and when the book cover says A Sharpe and Donovan Novella, that is what it is. A short story.
The opinions are my own.

This was an introduction, for me, into the lives of people in Declan's Cross, Ireland and Rock Point, Maine.This is my first read by Carla Neggers. It was a good introduction into other books of the series but short.
I am not crazy about series because I do not always get the rest of the books. I guess any book could extend into a series but I do like endings.
It was a good read and I think well done. The Novella does want you to get the rest of the books to read and solve the mysteries. It did a good job as far as I was concerned, I will read the other books.
The beginning of the book has Father Bracken planning his trip to Maine. His friends are introduced as some of the other characters. Arriving in Maine, he meets Colin Donovan at the waterfront; they become friends and Fin also meets his brothers.
The readers are given descriptions of the food and drink in both places. Last year I visited Maine and like Father Bracken, I was introduced to lobster rolls. Good .
Also the areas are described and the reader become familiar with both Maine and Ireland.
I am giving this read a 4 star because it did hold my attention and made me curious to read the other books.
Some characters;
Father Finian ( Fin) Bracken- a widower who becomes a priest. He moves from Ireland to spend a year at Saint Patrick's Church in Rock Point.
Sally- Dead wife of Fin
Kathleen and Mary- Daughters of Fin and Sally; also dead
Declan Bracken- Brother of Fin
Fidelma- Wife of Declan Bracken
Sean Murphy- Friend of Fin who lives in Ireland; of the Irish police force
Colin Donovan- FBI agent Fin meets in Rock Point
Kitty O'Bryne Doyle- Proprietor of O'Bryne House Hotel in Ireland.
Becan Kennedy- carpenter at Bracken Distillery
Father Callaghan (Father Joseph)- American priest who visiting Ireland for a month
Bracken's ( Whiskey) Distillery -Owned by Fin and Declan. Outside of Killarney.
Carla Negger may be reached at :
www.facebook.com/carlaneggers
www.carlaneggers.com
This is a Harlequin book: www.Harlequin.com
www.HarlequinBlog.com

Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com ( )