The books I review in this blog are typically Leonberger books but sometimes I review other kinds of books that I love and want to promote. I’ve come across a very good series of 8 books called the Harbor Point Series. There are a couple of them I haven’t read yet, but I am certain they will be great as well. I decided to review two Harbor Point books at a time starting with the first two:
- The Price of Atonement: Harbor Pointe Series Book 1 Kindle Edition by Mae Clair
- The Gift: Harbor Pointe Series Book 2 Kindle Edition, by Gwen M. Plano
The Price of Atonement
The Price of Atonement comes in one format, Kindle – September 26, 2023, ASIN : B0CCW59D94, 117 pages. It is currently $2.99 on Amazon.com (free with kindle unlimited). Click here to order it from Amazon.com.

This is Amazon’s description of the book.
The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.
Some hauntings come from within.
Leviticus Sinclair has been a broken man since the murders of his wife and brother. Burdened by personal failures the night they were killed, he occupies himself by crossing the country, searching out departed spirits unwilling to move from this world to the next. His dead brother’s Bible and a pocket watch—forever frozen at the precise moment of his wife’s death—serve as grim reminders of a past he cannot exorcise.
Accompanied by Wyatt Resnick, a paid employee who fills the role of researcher and hired muscle, Leviticus arrives at the Harbor Pointe Inn amid rumors of a vengeful ghost. A phantom who may be the single spirit he has long sought, one capable of freeing him from his torment.
Set in the remote Pacific Northwest of 1887, The Price of Atonement is a story of jealousy, guilt, and one man’s relentless quest for absolution.
This is my five-star Amazon Review of The Price of Atonement
An Angry Ghost and A Mysterious Ghost Hunter
The Price of Atonement is the first book in the Harbor Point series, a series of eight spooky books centered around the Harbor Point lighthouse and the Harbor Point Inn, the adjacent hotel or Inn. At the beginning of this book, we learn that the Harbor Point lighthouse was constructed in 1870 and was built by Isaac Hawthorne. This story takes place in 1887. The Harbor Point books can be read independently but I recommend that you read this one so that you know the background.
Leviticus Sinclair arrives at Harbor Point Inn with his assistant Wyatt Resnik. Harbor Point is haunted by an angry and powerful ghost, which has not been good for business. The current owner is August Hawthorne, the son of Isaac Hawthorne, and his wife Etta. One source of the haunting is believed to be the sinking of the June Pearl in 1876, in which 2/3 of crew died. Leviticus has powerful paranormal abilities due to his unusual situation, but he is also acting like a detective. Leviticus and his assistant Wyatt has to figure out what is going on, which is not easy since not everyone is willing to share what they know. They reminded me a bit of Sherlock Holmes and Watson. All I will divulge is that we are in for some big surprises and interesting revelations.
This is a scary ghost story that should satisfy any fan of paranormal horror. It is also an intriguing mystery and a detective story. Above all it is a good story that is very spooky and fun and full of surprises. A haunted lighthouse may seem like a typical ghost story, but it is not. It is a very unique story. The characters are well developed and believable and you empathize with them. It is very well written. I highly recommend The Price of Atonement.
About the Author

A member of the International Thriller Writers, Mae Clair is also a founding member and contributor to the award-winning writing blog, Story Empire. She has achieved bestseller status on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with several of her novels chosen as book club selections.
Mae writes primarily in the mystery/suspense genre, flavoring her plots with elements of urban legend and folklore. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about cryptozoology, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail, and cats.
Discover more about Mae on her website and blog at MaeClair.com.
The Gift
The second book, The Gift also comes in one format, Kindle – October 17, 2023, ASIN : B0CD15LV2Z, 85 pages. It is currently $2.99 on Amazon.com (free with kindle unlimited). Click here to order it from Amazon.com.

This is Amazon’s description of the book.
The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.
In an innocent 1958 American suburb, Shelly doesn’t know the power of a kiss. Or how it will change her entire life.
At sixteen years old, she falls in love with a young man. One night—just one night—they go too far. Months later, pregnant and shamed, Shelly’s parents banish her.
Alone and heavily pregnant, circumstances force Shelly to cross the country in an old pickup.
A mistaken turn leaves her lost in a forest amidst a severe snow storm and in labor.
In the dark of night. Shelly must get help for her new-born baby before they both perish. A light in the distance gives her the slimmest glimmer of hope.
After Shelly wraps the infant in her father’s old jacket, she trudges through the snow to a lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Snow half buries the squat stone building.
Will Shelly find shelter, or is it the beginning of the end?
This is my five-star Amazon Review of The Gift
A Christmas Miracle by the Lighthouse
This book is a little different from the others in the Harbor Point series in the sense that it is not a horror story or a spooky story. It features some mysteries, but it is more of a feel-good love story centered on the Harbor Point Lighthouse and the Harbor Point Inn. At the beginning of the story a 17-year-old pregnant girl named Shelly is sent away by her parents. They want nothing to do with her. Her father gives her his old truck and some money and off she goes. Bad things happen and her future looks grim but then things turn around. You could call it a Christmas miracle by the lighthouse.
It is a beautiful Christmas story, which I admit was not what I expected. It was pure coincidence that I read it on Christmas Day. I am writing this review on Christmas Day as well. Life is full of unexpected events, some of which may seem like miracles, and this story is about a Christmas miracle. A miracle, yes, but it is entirely believable. The author did a great job in making the reader feel good and the story was captivating, and the characters were believable and relatable. If you want to read a good story that makes you feel happier, read this story. I highly recommend it.
About the Author

Gwen M. Plano, aka Gwendolyn M. Plano, grew up in Southern California and spent most of her professional life in higher education. She taught and served as an administrator in colleges in Japan, New York, Connecticut, and California. Gwen’s academic background is in theology and counseling. Recently retired, she now lives in the high desert of Arizona, where she writes, gardens, and travels with her husband.
Gwen’s first book is an acclaimed memoir, Letting Go into Perfect Love. Her second book, The Contract between heaven and earth, is a thriller fiction novel, co-authored by John W. Howell. It has received multiple awards and is an Amazon Best Seller. The Choice, the unexpected heroes is the sequel to The Contract. It is also a thriller, involving the attempt of an unfriendly nation to take over the world. The third book in the series, The Culmination, a new beginning is an action-packed military thriller that spans the globe and involves multiple Heads of State and the threat of World War III. Only love can change the fate of humanity.
When Gwen is not writing, she’s often in the beautiful Red Rocks of Sedona, where she finds inspiration.

I enjoyed your excellent reviews of the first two books of the Harbor Pointe Series, Thomas! I agree that Mae’s The Price of Atonement is spooky and full of surprise and suspense. It’s a great detective book. I’ll be reading Gwen’s The Gift next! Thank you for sharing your review. Happy New Year to you and your family!
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Thank you so much Miriam. Yes I think the whole series is very good. I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year.
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Thank you, Thomas! I’m reading the series today.
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That sounds great. Enjoy!
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You are a great writer.
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Thank you Suraj. Mae and Gwen are great writers.
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Welcome df 🙏❤️Happy New Year
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And Happy New Year to you 🥂
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Same to you dear 🙏❤️God bless you and your family happy and prosperous year
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Interesting series, Thomas. I’ve read all of the current ones, waiting for the next.
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Yes I think so. Soon, maybe tomorrow I will post reviews for books 3 & 4.
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Good reviews, Thomas! I’ve read both of these, and I, too, enjoyed them!
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Thank you so much Priscilla
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Both books sound interesting. Thank you, Thomas, for beautiful reviews and for introducing the books and their authors.
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Thank you so much for your kind words Kaushal
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It reminds me of an old TV movie that I’ve seen. I like stories like this. Thanks for sharing! Happy New year!
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Thank you so much Dawn and Happy New Year to you
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Hi, Thomas. Thank you so much for sharing your reviews of The Price of Atonement and The Gift, I’m truly honored and humbled that you enjoyed my story so much, and I couldn’t agree more about Gwen’s beautiful tale. Happy New Year, and thank you again for the awesome review!
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Thank you so much for prividing me with the pleasure of reading The Price of Atonement. I am sorry I did not mention my post but I am glad that you saw it anyway. Happy New Year to you and your family.
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🙂
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Thank you, Thomas, for sharing your beautiful reviews of The Price of Atonement and The Gift. I am so pleased that you enjoyed my novella. Like you, I loved Mae’s story. She’s a great writer. Happy New Year to you and yours, and thank you again!
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Thank you so much for your kind words Gwen. Sorry I did not say anything but I am glad you saw it. I wish you and your family a Happy New Year.
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Happy New Year to you and your family as well. 😊
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Fantastic reviews for Fantastic reads, Thomas! I agree about The Gift being a perfect Christmas read 🙂
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Thank you so much Denise
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A fantastic series from a talented group of writers. I will be reading each one.
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Yes I totally agree. I have two more to go.
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I loved Mae’s story, but still need to get to the rest of the series. Your reviews are making it hard for me to procrastinate.
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Thank you coldhandboyack. I still don’t have the two last ones but the whole series have been great so far.
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Hi Thomas, I am glad you enjoyed these two very different takes on the topic. I am finding it fascinating to see how different authors interpret the same prompt. Mae’s book was very creepy, her description of the ghost is still in my head. Gwen’s book was full of love and tenderness.
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Yes you are right. The different approaches make the series more interesting.
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I love the fact you read a Christmas story on Christmas – by coincidence 😀 Thanks for sharing your reviews!
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Yes I thought so myself. I did not know that it was a Christmas story when I started reading it.
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Excellent reviews, Thomas! Congratulations to Mae and Gwen!
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Thank you so much Jan
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