Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman

In 1901, a ship sinks off the coast of Lighthouse Bay in Australia. The only survivor is Isabella Winterbourne—escaping her loveless marriage and the devastating loss of her son—who clutches a priceless gift meant for the Australian Parliament. Suddenly, this gift could be her ticket to a new life, free from the bonds of her husband and his overbearing family.

One hundred years later, Libby Slater leaves her life in Paris to return to her hometown of Lighthouse Bay to heal her broken heart and reconcile with her sister, 

In this adventurous love story spanning centuries, both Isabella and Libby must learn that letting go of the past is the only way to move into the future.

Better late than never.  I purchased this book with my birthday money in 2013 as part of my personal  Summer Reading Program.  After a year gathering dust on the shelf, i added it to my stack for Book Blogger Summer Reading.  

I have read other books with this type of intertwined plots and, invariably (and perhaps necessarily), one story is more detailed than the other and tends to carry the book.  This book was no different, but surprising in that it was the historical story that really captured my interest - to the point that I would classify this more as historical fiction than "beach read".  Either way, it was an enjoyable story that I recommend for a lazy summer afternoon.  

Ms. Freeman has one previous book, Wildflower Hill, that is now on my library list.

This is book #2 completed toward my goal of 12 for Book Blogger Summer Reading.  I really need to pick up the pace.