Category Archives: Ocean Breeze Series

May 28, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Sea Glass Island by Sherryl Woods

Title: Sea Glass Island by Sherry Woods
Ocean Breeze Series Book Three
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Under summer skies, New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods evokes family, friendship and heartfelt emotion.

With her two younger sisters heading for the altar, will Samantha Castle exchange old dreams for new ones? Lately she’d rather be on the North Carolina coast with family than in New York with agents and actors. Though she vows not to let her teenage crush on Ethan Cole influence her decision, it’s hard to ignore her feelings for the local war hero.

Ethan lost more than his leg in Afghanistan. He lost his belief in love. Even being surrounded by couples intent on capturing happily-ever-after won’t open this jaded doctor’s heart. It’s going to take a sexy, determined woman—one who won’t take no for an answer.

The Review:

The final installment of Sherryl Woods’ Ocean Breeze series, Sea Glass Island, brings readers Samantha Castle’s romance with Ethan Cole and ties up all of the loose ends from the previous books. As with Emily and Gabi’s stories, Samantha is contemplating her future when she unexpectedly finds love in Sand Castle Bay.

With Emily and Boone’s wedding two weeks away, Samantha returns home to help with the last minute details. The timing could not be better as Samantha is faced with the realization that it might be time for a career change. She does not need the added complication of her sisters and grandmother meddling in her love life, but her protests go unheeded. Thrown together at every opportunity, how long will Samantha and Ethan be able to resist their mutual attraction?

Dumped by his shallow fiancée after he lost his leg in Afghanistan, Ethan does not believe in love. He is unaware of Samantha’s long term crush on him and although he is attracted to her, he has no intention of getting involved with her. Ethan is pleasantly surprised to learn that he has misjudged Samantha but he stubbornly refuses to trust her. Minor setbacks become major roadblocks as Ethan continues to protect his heart from being broken again and he continually pushes Samantha away.

Samantha is quite perceptive and her observations about Ethan give him some much needed perception about some of his actions. She has the self-confidence to stand up to him when he is being unreasonable and she gives him space when he needs it. Samantha is shaken by certain events, but she does not allow them to stand in the way of her future plans.

There is a lot going on in Sea Glass Island besides Samantha and Ethan’s budding romance. Many of the previous plotlines from the preceding novels are finally resolved. Emily uncovers the reason behind her sibling rivalry with Samantha. Emily and Boone are faced with an unanticipated crisis before their walk down the aisle. The sisters’ relationship with their absentee father, Sam, continues to improve. An unexpected romance and wedding catch everyone by surprise and Grandmother Cora Jane is faced with an important decision about her love life.

I have enjoyed getting to know this loving and close-knit family and Sea Glass Island brings Sherryl Woods captivating Ocean Breeze series to a heartwarming and emotionally satisfying end.

Read my reviews of the other books in the series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HarlequinMira, Ocean Breeze Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sea Glass Island, Sherryl Woods

April 29, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods

Title: Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods
Ocean Breeze Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When life gets complicated, New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods proves family—and love—can make all the difference

Facing a personal crisis, ambitious and driven Gabriella Castle retreats to the welcoming arms of her family. Everything she’s worked for has been yanked out from under her, and she seeks the serenity of her grandmother’s home on the North Carolina coast. With difficult decisions to make about her future, the last thing she wants is an unexpected love.

Wade Johnson fell for Gabi the first time he saw her. It’s not the only time he’s found himself in the role of knight in shining armor, but Gabi isn’t looking for a rescuer. To get her to stay, Wade will need a whole lot of patience and gentle persuasion…and maybe the soothing sound of wind chimes on a summer breeze.

The Review:

Wind Chime Point, the second installment of Sherryl Woods’ Ocean Breeze series, is a journey of self discovery for Gabriella “Gabi” Castle. Unemployed and having ended her relationship with her long term boyfriend, Gabi retreats to her grandmother’s home to re-evaluate her priorities.

Usually career driven and goal oriented, Gabi is having trouble deciding what to do about her future. Plagued with uncertainty, Gabi turns to good friend Wade Johnson while she mulls over her options. Wade’s advice proves invaluable as she tries to figure out what to do next in both her personal and professional lives. Although romance is the last thing on her mind, Gabi soon realizes that her feelings for Wade extend beyond friendship, but is she ready for yet another complication in her life?

We really see a different side to Gabi in Wind Chime Point. She is rethinking her past choices and with Wade’s gentle encouragement, she takes a step back from her usual approach to setting goals and making decisions. Gabi becomes quite contemplative and eventually makes a rather unorthodox career choice that will change her future.

Wade is patient, loving and incredibly insightful. He has a great relationship with his sister and he is very involved with his nieces and nephews. Although Wade has overcome a past tragedy, his reluctance to discuss it eventually causes friction in his relationship with Gabi.

The romance portion of the storyline is understated and grows out of Gabi and Wade’s friendship. With so much turmoil in her life, Gabi is reluctant to begin a relationship. Wade’s feelings for Gabi were obvious right from the start, but he is careful to keep things light and casual between them until Gabi is ready for something more serious.

While most of Wind Chime Point focuses primarily on Gabi and Wade, past characters make guest appearances. Much to her granddaughters’ dismay, Grandmother Cora Jane is still working her matchmaking magic. Emily is the midst of planning her upcoming wedding and Samantha is encountering a few rough spots in her career. The sisters’ relationship with their dad, Sam, continues to improve and he is becoming more involved in their lives.

Wind Chime Point is a sweet and heartwarming romance that is quite captivating. The characters are multidimensional with realistic problems to overcome. Sherryl Woods has penned another beautiful novel about love, family and friendship that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

Read my review of Sand Castle Bay HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HarlequinMira, Ocean Breeze Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sherryl Woods, Wind Chime Point

March 19, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods

Title: Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods
Ocean Breeze Series Book One
Publisher: HarelquinMIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In a trade-off she’s lived to regret, Emily Castle left home years ago to become an interior designer. The youngest of three sisters, Emily desperately wanted to prove herself. Success, though, came at the cost of leaving behind the man she loved.

For Boone Dorsett, losing Emily left his heart shattered, but another woman was waiting in the wings. Now a widower with a young son, Boone has a second chance with Emily when a storm brings her home. But with his former in-laws threatening a custody suit, the stakes of loving her are higher than ever.

Will fate once again separate them—or is the time finally right for these two star-crossed lovers?

The Review:

Fans of second chance at love stories are going to love Sand Castle Bay, the first installment in Sherryl Woods Ocean Breeze series. Strong family ties and lovable characters add to this wonderful novel’s appeal.

Emily Castle and Boone Dorsett were high school sweethearts whose relationship ended when Emily left to pursue her career. Boone married soon after their break up and he is now a widower with an adorable young son. Emily has a thriving interior design business and she has successfully avoided seeing Boone in the ten years since their break up. That is until a hurricane brings Emily and her sisters, Gabi and Samantha, home to help their grandmother, Cora Jane, repair the damage to their family’s restaurant.

Emily and Boone are delightful characters and I really enjoyed watching them grow both as individuals and as a couple. I adored Boone right from the beginning. He is kind-hearted and loving and a terrific dad to his son B.J.. He might still be in love with Emily, but he is reluctant to risk getting his heart broken again.

I was initially unsure if I would like Emily. She was quick to jump to conclusions and reluctant to accept responsibility for her role in the break up between her and Boone. I gained a lot respect for Emily during the resolution of this part of the storyline. She is a strong and independent woman but her vulnerabilities make her sympathetic and extremely likable.

The relationship between Emily and Boone is slow growing and not without its share of missteps and mistakes. Boone is overly cautious about letting Emily in B.J.’s life so he tries to keep them from growing too close. Miscommunications and misunderstandings threaten to derail their burgeoning relationship. As Boone and Emily soon discover, compromise is a two way street. Adding to their complicated relationship is the sudden reappearance of B.J.’s grandparents and their threat of a custody battle.

Sand Castle Bay is a charming novel with engaging characters and a realistic storyline. Sherryl Woods beautifully sets the stage for the future installments of the Ocean Breeze series and I am eagerly anticipating Gabi’s story, Wind Chime Point.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HarlequinMira, Ocean Breeze Series, Rated B+, Romance, Sand Castle Bay, Sherryl Woods