THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S PROMISE
(Lighthouse Legends Book 1)
June 24, 2025
Driven by a love for history and community, rugged Nick has spent his career as a contractor fixing up old houses to restore them to their original beauty. His family's legacy is the dilapidated, but much-loved lighthouse that overlooks the jagged cliffs of Pembroke, Maine. Legend says whoever marries on the grounds will be assured of a happy marriage. Cynical Nick, left at the altar by his bride, doubts the legend, but he will fight to keep the lighthouse intact.
Career-driven Lisa is in Pembroke for one purpose – to convince the town council and Nick to sell the lighthouse to her company for development. Once she clinches the deal, Lisa will nail a huge promotion and head the design project to construct condominiums on the property. Growing up impoverished and constantly moving, Lisa harbors a secret, wistful desire for community and roots, but work comes first.
When Nick and Lisa meet, sparks fly, along with fury as they clash over the lighthouse's fate. Will the lighthouse legend bring together these two determined people or will it destroy them both in their quest for what they truly need?
Reviews
"... a beautifully written love story!" —Karen, Goodreads
"Bonnie Vanak wove a beautiful story that has you rooting for Nick and Lisa throughout the story." —Sheila, Amazon
Excerpt
The woman who caught Nick's eye took an empty seat at the bar. She wasn't stunning, but she was pretty enough and her confident manner in flagging down Al got his attention.
Even though Al, on the bar's other side, ignored her.
The Pembroke Pub was the kind of bar where everyone knew your name, and every inch of its weathered wood and faded nautical décor told stories of Pembroke's long, intimate relationship with the sea. Nick had been coming here for as long as he could remember, finding solace in its familiar surroundings whenever the weight of his responsibilities grew too heavy. He knew everyone who came here, who sat at the faded leather stools and put elbows on a bar stained with the ghost circles of beer mugs drunk over the years.
But tonight, a night he mused over leaving Pembroke, something was different. Or rather, someone was.
She sat at the far end of the bar, her posture straight, her movements deliberate. The light above her caught in her honey brown hair, giving it a rich glow. She was dressed in a black blazer and dark jeans, an outfit that spoke of business and purpose. Nick couldn't recall ever seeing her before-Pembroke wasn't the kind of town that attracted outsiders-but she didn't seem out of place. She seemed… intriguing.
As he watched her, she turned, and their eyes met. For a moment, Nick felt a jolt of recognition, though he was certain they'd never crossed paths before. It felt more like two souls crossing paths, though he'd often scoffed at such nonsense when his friends wistfully said they believed in soul mates.
Her gaze was steady, confident, with an edge of determination that stirred something deep within him. She wasn't like the women in Pembroke, who were often soft-spoken and content with small-town life. No, this woman was different-she was driven, with an inner strength that seemed to shine through even in the dim light of the bar.
Driven like himself. Who was she? A businesswoman passing by, stopping for the night? A tourist? It was autumn and several tourists liked to visit for a day or two before heading on to more popular destinations, like Camden.
Without really thinking, Nick found himself moving toward her, compelled by something he couldn't quite name. He took the empty seat beside her, and when the bartender, Al, gave him a questioning look, Nick nodded toward the woman.
"Got a new customer here." Nick signaled to the newcomer.
Al turned a moment, grinned and took her order.
"Vodka on the rocks with a twist," she said.
As Al set about getting her drink, she glanced at Nick with incredible blue eyes. Soulful eyes.
"Thanks. I thought I'd grow petrified, waiting to get his attention. Then they'd find me here in two hundred years, still waiting to order, my hand in the air."
He laughed. "Maybe. It's game night and Al's down a bartender."
"Game night?"
"Darts, Mexican train, bunco. Monday nights are always game night to let people blow off steam from the first workday of the week."
"Good business as well."
Al served her drink. She lifted her glass to Nick.
"Here's to game night and Mondays."
Nick watched as she downed half the glass. Amused, he sipped his warm beer. Most women in Pembroke would be appalled at the way she chugged her liquor.
He liked it. No pretense.
