Joanne DeMaio

I have been reading Joanne DeMaio’s books since her book, Whole Latte Life. The Denim Blue Sea makes me think why I love her books. Her characters feel the same way that I do about the stars in the sky and the vastness and mystery of the ocean. They seek out the stars or the ocean because of immenseness is what you need win experiencing major problems. All of them also have a deep abiding love for the beauty of nature. Also family and friends provide a very strong focus for their lives.

In show more The Denim Blue Sea, the story picks up from Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans. Maris Cunningham, a successful fashion designer and Jason Barlow, a local architect are planning to get married. Their friends are coming together to celebrate. Maris’s Aunt Elisa has flown in from Italy but is reluctant to contact Maris to tell her that she was there. Maris’s friend lets a secret slip when she is talking to friends and her husband Kyle accidently overhears. Maris is frazzled with dealing the wedding plans and getting a new designer line started. Jason is having pain from his amputated leg and has to cope with something that brings back the awful memories of the accident that took his leg and the life of his brother.

Yet all of these story lines are sewn together seamlessly and what you tend to remember the most are the images of the stars above, the ocean waves, the many colors of the sea. The frustration of people not sure how to connect but also the happiness when they listen to each other and treasure each other.

This is a great book to take on a trip and read when you can snatch the moments. Love, nature, friendship dominate. I have read a lot of books about women’s friendships but this is the first time that I have really understood the friendship between men. You will see that many times with Jason and Kyle.

I received the Advance Reading Copy of The Denim Blue Sea from the publicist that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings for this story. show less

Mishaps

I thoroughly enjoyed reading First Flurries by Joanne DeMaio! This book is a great one to read this winter or anytime! How about a tiny house on wheels hitting a car! That's the start of this amazing read, or course there's romance and mishaps, small town drama, and twists and turns that keep you guessing! I plan on reading more of Joanne DeMaio's books!

It is back to Stony Point, Connecticut, where a group of friends and family create their own haven from life's disappointments and sadness and renew their closeness to each other. It is not just the special sense of closeness that they feel but also a belonging to a beautiful seaside landscape.

The Beach Inn by JoAnne DeMaio furthers the story after Beach Breeze. Instead of grief, this story focuses on the search for healing after grief. The people suffering the most are Elsa DeLuca, Jason show more Barlow and Cecilia. Cecilia left Stony Point heartbroken, Jason is torn with grief over Salvatore who he felt was a brother to him and Elsa was so grief stricken and distraught over idea of running a Bed and Breakfast without her son's guidance.

Elsa's friends and family come together with a plan to fight her decision to give up, to sell the beach property and have her realize that her real home is in Stony Point. There is one particular magical scene that I read very slowly near the book. Some of the elements of that scene brought back my own memories of family gathering that I cherish. I have a hunch that you will know which scene when you read this book.

I know that you will really enjoy this latest addition to the Stony Point stories.

I received an advance reading copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review, my thoughts and feelings are all my own. show less

In Back To The Beach Cottage, the second novella in the Beach Cottage Series, author Joanne DeMaio transports the reader back to Hatchett's Point, a secluded beach in Old Lyme, Connecticut, six months later to catch up with Mack and Avery Martinelli, after their lives were turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic.

After a fairytale wedding with all the bells and whistles, and a honeymoon spent in lock down at the beach cottage for seven days in June due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the reader show more catches up with Mack and Avery six months later in January, when they are securing the beach cottage before a big Nor'easter winter snow storm hits the Connecticut coast. The beach cottage once again is a blessing in disguise, as Mack and Avery take advantage of life slowing down during the snow storm, being in the moment and leaving the world's troubles behind, all the while revisiting the traumatic effect that Covid-19 had on Avery, and learning how to let the salt air cure all that ails them, with a touch of love added in the mix.

In Back To The Beach Cottage, Author Joanne DeMaio easily captivates her readers' attention with this beautifully written sequel novella that captures the reality of the pandemic that Mack and Avery faced, one that we all have been living with since the winter. Through a seamless and flowing storyline, and with a wonderful description of a tranquil winter beach setting that wraps itself around the reader, the reader follows Mack and Avery six months later as they deal with the changes that the pandemic has brought to their new marriage. Mack and Avery easily draw you into their lives with a strong emotional pull, their complexities and flaws are true-to-life, it is easy to relate to them with compassion, empathy, and hope as they learn to cope with the new normal lifestyle that the pandemic has brought upon them.

I loved reading this compelling and poignant novella. The author realistically described the sign of the times that we've all felt by the changes brought upon us by the Covid-19 pandemic. The continuation of Mack and Avery's story will take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride where every gamut of emotion is felt, especially as their lives were touched by the virus, and the emotional and physical effect it left on them, but the poignant ending will leave you with a smile.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much the two novellas in this series had a very real and emotional effect on me personally. While reading this novella, my family experienced the hospitalization (mid-December) and loss of two of our aunts within a week a part (Jan 3rd and 11th) due to the virus. As I read what Mack and Avery went through due to the virus, I couldn't help but relive what my own family went through, I could relate to it all and it was very sobering and sad. As I turned the pages, I wished that my family had a happier ending like Mack and Avery did, but the ending of their story left me with a bittersweet smile nonetheless.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

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