The Fisherman and the Soprano — Irene Onorato

The Unlikely Love Series, complete 3-book set.1.     The Preacher and the Shopkeeper2.     The Fisherman and the Soprano3.     The Street Magician and the LibrarianThe Preacher and the ShopkeeperA young minister faces overwhelming challenges at the church he's come to pastor. Unlikely help comes from a spunky but bossy shopkeeper with a painful past.Industrial City, Ava Starling's hometown, is struggling to survive with businesses and industries closing and jobs at a minimum. She's desperately trying to help assist the needy through the thrift store she owns and operates, but homelessness is on the rise. Ava doubts the recent assignment of the young and handsome Brandon Sparks as senior pastor of the defunct Union Street Church can breathe hope into empty hearts.When Ava and Brandon meet, sparks fly but misunderstandings and trust issues ensue. Only Ava's mother knows the true reason behind her daughter's resistance to the new pastor, but it's only a matter of time before Brandon discovers why Ava holds animosity toward him. Will she learn to accept his offers of help or continue to resist his hand of friendship? Working together to meet the needs of the community might forever change both their lives more than either can ever anticipate.The Fisherman and the SopranoHe fishes for lobster. She sings opera. Chances of them meeting are slim. That is, until a rising tide traps her in a cave and fate steps in.Maine lobsterman Shawn MacKay is enraptured by a redheaded mystery woman who sings opera on a deserted stretch of beach by the cliffs of Avondale. Every time he gets close enough to say hello, she runs away. His narrative of the beautiful songbird earns lighthearted banter from patrons of the Malarkey, a local tavern and gathering place for those in his trade. Shawn hopes that one day he will finally meet the young woman who has piqued his curiosity.Colleen O'Malley's lifelong desire has always been to sing opera. When two pre-teen boys tell her about a cave with great acoustics hidden at the base of the cliffs along the beach strand, she enters alone, oblivious to the dangers of rising tides that could trap and kill her.When Shawn decides to walk home by way of the beach strand one evening, he has no idea that his decision will change his life. Forever.The Street Magician and the LibrarianShe never would have guessed that the street magician's most astonishing trick would be to capture her heart.Carolyn Lambert leaves Las Vegas and her mother's scandalous past behind and moves to the quiet seaside town of Seaville, South Carolina. She accepts a position as a librarian and, except for a noisy neighbor, finds peace and refreshing friendships.A chance encounter with a street magician throws her a curve ball. What starts as a friendly attraction for the winsome and irresistible Eric Sinclair and his magic tricks turns into a bond Carolyn isn't expecting. She's experienced firsthand her mother's trail of bad choices, and the last thing she wants is a relationship built on pure enchantment alone.Eric isn't just a street magician but an undercover detective whose job is to expose a drug cartel running their goods through the port of Seaville. The need to maintain his cover creates difficulty as he struggles between allegiance to his career and a deepening affection for the beautiful, charming librarian. But how will Eric's investigation affect Carolyn as she becomes a suspect in part of the drug ring? Will their relationship survive the intense challenges ahead?