Welcome to my tour stop! Check out my review and enter the giveaway below...
On a Coastal BreezeBy Suzanne Woods Fisher
Christian Contemporary Romance
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 306 Pages
May 5th 2020 by Fleming H. Revell Company
Summary
For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can’t wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island–they’re all too young, too old, or too weird–Maddie feels like she’s finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.
And then Ricky O’Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again–the one who’d been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance–parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O’Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.
Time to panic.
With wit and a bit of whimsy, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Three Sisters Island where family, forgiveness, and a second chance at love await.
My Review
ON A COASTAL BREEZE is a story full of complex family relationships, second chances, facing fear, having faith, and prioritizing what is most important. Again, readers follow the Graysons, Paul and his three daughters, as they continue to live and develop Three Sisters Island and Camp Kicking Moose. Not only do they face the challenges of living on this island, they also face their own fears and struggles. A heartfelt and inspiring story that is definitely recommended!
Goodness! This family! I think I wanted to strangle or shake each of them at one point or another. At the same time I loved them all and couldn't help cheering them on. Each of them were so individual with their talents and weaknesses, as well as the specific challenges they faced in this story. The author masterfully wove this series about these really complex characters who make up the Grayson family.
I loved all the characters from the first book, but I especially loved Cam, Seth and Cooper and was excited to see their happily-ever-after. The only problem being that Cam was getting in the way of it. That was quite frustrating. She still had some things to figure out and it made me realize how well the author didn't just let her characters have traits and tendencies that were all tied off in a nice bow at the end of the first book. No, they're still changing and learning even if it looked like their HEA ending had come. Definitely some life lessons there.
Then there was Maddie. How I loved this girl! It gave me a bit of insight into my daughter who deals with anxiety and fear constantly. I loved the parts with Maddie and her therapy, especially when her sisters just barge in or ask her for advice. It cracked me up, but also was an interesting dynamic where you have one person everyone trusts and holds the family together. And Rick. Oh my gosh! The way he's always aware of Maddie and how she never caught on that all that tormenting when they were young was because he liked her and was trying to get her attention. Not that I'm condoning what he did. The chemistry between those two! I wanted to laugh and swoon and cry... just a great relationship there with LOTS of history that they both (but really Maddie) had to work through. That ending... totally sweet and perfect, but I would have liked it a bit longer. I think I can handle a bit more swooning. 😉 Plus I wanted to see the family's and some of the islander's reactions.
Blaine came alive a bit more in this story. She's present in the first book, but I felt like I got to know her better in this one. Of course she's a bit older too and coming into her own. I'm very curious what happens in book three with her, especially after reading the teaser at the end of this book (could the author kill me any more—now I'm dying for book three and I have a whole year to wait!!)
Then there was the inspirational element. I have to say that the messages in the story really resonated with me. There were a couple of things that even gave me a light-bulb moment. I don't deal with a lot of fears, but we all have them regardless if we don't have anxiety. We all have issues with balancing our lives, in making what is most important a consistent priority, trusting in God fully, and not letting fear determine our choices. I felt the author didn't really preach (even though there were a few places where Rick's sermons were shared), but she did let her characters struggle, hear words of wisdom from others or from God, and come to some poignant moments of introspection and revelation.
Here are a few favorite parts:
"That's what motherhood is all about. Trying your best and messing it up, but somehow the Lord covers us. Somehow, it works out." - p. 250
"... God is faithful even when we are not. He always stretches out his arms to bring us back to him." - p. 251
He started off with a quote from Babe Ruth . . . "Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." . . . "We have to be willing to face being up at bat. Think of what we'd miss if we let fear stop us. Babe Ruth wouldn't have hit 714 home runs." - p. 214
My one complaint would be that there were places where information was redundant. Each of switches between POVs towards the beginning of the story rehashed some of the first book, which was needed a bit so readers wouldn't be lost in this one. However, most of it was repeated multiple times, so that could have been edited more. I also did get just a touch frustrated between some of the POV switches because I wanted to focus more on Maddie's story and have some of the other characters fade a bit more in the background, but all the characters take precedence in this story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Great characters, a strong family dynamic, a bit of small-town charm, sweet romance, and inspirational messages woven throughout made for a very entertaining, heartfelt and rewarding read. Highly recommended!
Content: There is one reference to a one-night stand and one reference to an affair, but nothing descriptive.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Other Books in the Series
On a Summer TideBy Suzanne Woods Fisher
Christian Women's Fiction, Romance
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 320 Pages
April 30th 2019 by Revell
Summary
Sometimes love hurts—and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way.
Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving.
Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island—a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals—and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises.
With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.
Read my review HERE.
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty books, including On a Summer Tide, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.
More from Suzanne
Dear Reader,
The minute you step off the ferry and onto Three Sister Island, magic begins. Crisp ocean air acts like an elixir. Stress starts to evaporate, like a wisp of steam from a cup of hot tea. Happiness moves in, and you’ll feel more cheerful, more positive about the future.
And then there’s time! Somehow, there seems to be plenty of it.
Little things will catch your notice—finding seashells on the beach, watching waves crash against the rocks, gazing at the star-studded night sky.
Life just starts to slow down…and you wonder if you really want to ever leave Three Sisters Island.
Nor do you have to! That’s the beauty of books—they are the perfect escape. Always available, just waiting to be picked up. Always ready to transport you to a fresh and new state of mind.
On a Coastal Breeze is that kind of a read. The Grayson Family saga continues as they move to Three Sisters Island off the coast of Maine for a fresh start. Maddie Grayson takes center stage in this story. Life is finally coming together for Maddie. On the very day she opens her counseling practice, she spots a billowing skydiver. Parachuting in is Ricky O’ Shea—the one person on earth Maddie hoped she’d never see again. But Rick’s the new pastor for the island’s only church and he’s not about to leave. That’s when sparks start to fly.
Join me for a getaway by the sea that will leave you in a happy, relaxed, vacation-y state of mind…without leaving your home. Once you board the Never Late Ferry, even in your imagination, the island will take it from there.
Warmly, Suzanne
To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a copy of her book to five winners!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving.
Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island—a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals—and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises.
With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.
Read my review HERE.
(Affiliate links included.)
About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty books, including On a Summer Tide, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.More from Suzanne
Dear Reader,
The minute you step off the ferry and onto Three Sister Island, magic begins. Crisp ocean air acts like an elixir. Stress starts to evaporate, like a wisp of steam from a cup of hot tea. Happiness moves in, and you’ll feel more cheerful, more positive about the future.
And then there’s time! Somehow, there seems to be plenty of it.
Little things will catch your notice—finding seashells on the beach, watching waves crash against the rocks, gazing at the star-studded night sky.
Life just starts to slow down…and you wonder if you really want to ever leave Three Sisters Island.
Nor do you have to! That’s the beauty of books—they are the perfect escape. Always available, just waiting to be picked up. Always ready to transport you to a fresh and new state of mind.
On a Coastal Breeze is that kind of a read. The Grayson Family saga continues as they move to Three Sisters Island off the coast of Maine for a fresh start. Maddie Grayson takes center stage in this story. Life is finally coming together for Maddie. On the very day she opens her counseling practice, she spots a billowing skydiver. Parachuting in is Ricky O’ Shea—the one person on earth Maddie hoped she’d never see again. But Rick’s the new pastor for the island’s only church and he’s not about to leave. That’s when sparks start to fly.
Join me for a getaway by the sea that will leave you in a happy, relaxed, vacation-y state of mind…without leaving your home. Once you board the Never Late Ferry, even in your imagination, the island will take it from there.
Warmly, Suzanne
Tour Schedule
Through the Fire Blogs, May 18
The Avid Reader, May 18
By The Book, May 18
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19
Artistic Nobody, May 19 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Betti Mace, May 20
Lighthouse Academy, May 20
The Power of Words, May 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 21
Texas Book-aholic, May 21
Wishful Endings, May 22
Inklings and notions, May 22
deb’s Book Review, May 22
Blossoms and Blessings, May 23
reviewingbooksplusmore, May 23
Connect in Fiction, May 23
Remembrancy, May 24
Writing from the Heart Land, May 24
Blogging With Carol, May 24
Blessed & Bookish, May 25
Inspiration Clothesline, May 25
Back Porch Reads, May 25
For Him and My Family, May 26
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 26
Daysong Reflections, May 26
Spoken from the Heart, May 27
Mary Hake, May 27
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 27
Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Bigreadersite, May 28
Splashes of Joy, May 28
Older & Smarter?, May 29
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 29
EmpowerMoms, May 30
Pause for Tales, May 30
Batya’s Bits, May 31
Southern Gal Loves to Read, May 31
Hallie Reads, May 31
Tour-Wide Giveaway
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Did you read the first book in this series? Will you be reading this one?
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