Beyond the Sea

Shelter Bay #7

by JoAnn Ross

From New York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross, the romance Shelter Bay readers have been waiting for! While in Ireland to bake a wedding cake for movie star Mary Joyce, Sedona meets Conn Brennan, an Irish rock star who refuses to fit into any of her tidy, concise boxes. Unable to deny the sizzling chemistry between them, Sedona rashly throws caution to the winds, forgetting that she’s never, ever, been attracted to bad boys.When Conn learns a dark family secret that has stayed buried for over thirty years, the revelation has him questioning nearly everything he’s believed about his life. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is his intense attraction to Sedona Sullivan, the blond American baker he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. The woman he’s destined to spent the rest of his life with. But first he must break through Sedona’s formidable defenses and convince her that their romance is much more than a summer fling. And Sedona must decide where her heart truly belongs.

Genres: Romance, Ireland, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Beach Reads, Womens Fiction

413 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2015

About the author

New York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross has written over a hundred novels for a bunch of publishers. Two of her titles have been excerpted in Cosmo and her books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Literary Guild, and Mystery Guild book clubs.

A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.

Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[Rosemarie Grainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sedona finally gets her story

I have enjoyed reading the Shelter Bay books. But Sedona always seemed to be passed over, and she is such a wonderful character! I see now that is because she needed to tho to Ireland to meet the bigger than life Conn. These 2 are wonderful together. Both have issues, but they seem to complete each other. This is a superb emotional, character driven story. The pace is leisurely, but the character development draws you in. Read the other Shelter Bay books in order, so that you can appreciate all the nuances that are in here. Then sit back and plan to enjoy!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the Goodreads First Reads program.
Not having read anything by JoAnn Ross' before, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this story intrigued me. I was more than pleasantly surprised as I read and grew more and more invested in the story and the relationship between Conn and Sedona. A great story of opposites attracting and finding that perhaps they aren't so opposite after all. Recommended for anyone who loves a love story and a happily ever after.

[Linda J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there were "half" stars, I would give this one 3.5. Really liked parts of it, but other parts just seemed to drag. Still a fan of her writing though.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book bridges two different series: Shelter Bay and Castlelough. I was unsure how the author would manage this, but she does so in what felt effortless. Her writing style, with its careful construction of complicated characters and realistic situations, all of which make up the stories she tells have always captured me, as did this one.

Sedona Sullivan, whose Take the Cake bakery shop is decimated first by a horrendous winter storm and then by an owner who takes advantage of the damage by cancelling her lease, is left with a headache and symptoms of PTSD. Her friend, Mary, offers her respite in her Irish cottage at Castlelough while decisions are made in Shelter Bay about what the other business owners are going to do. There Sedona meets Irish rocker Conn Brennan, a man whose backstory includes an abusive father, but a loving mother and five brothers.

When Sedona and Conn, who'd met at Mary's wedding and had a one-night fling that each cannot forget, are reacquainted, the chemistry that brought them together at Mary's wedding (where Sedona made the wedding cake) is reignited in a big way. In fact, the sex they enjoy is filtered throughout the story, and makes clear that neither is going to be satisfied with a long-distance relationship. But, in that regard, how are they to stay together when Conn has decided to make some professional changes that also will anchor him at Castlelough and the opportunity to reopen her bakery suddenly offers Sedona what she's always wanted, including an expanded kitchen, too.

Were the solution not so sudden and without apparent second thoughts and possible regrets that are overcome by the prospect of a happily-ever-after, I would have given this tale five stars. As it is, I'll settle for 4.5 in hopes that in the future, the ending, while a happy one, comes with a bit more careful consideration by all the characters.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossover between the two series. Sedona Sullivan finds herself at a crossroads after a devistating storm destroys her business, and the building owner refuses to repair any of the businesses in the building. At the suggestion of Mary Joyce Douchette, Sedona goes to Ireland to see how Mary's friend, Conn Brennan, is doing. Conn, head musician for the fabulous Irish group, Celtic Storm, is also at a crossroads. His father dying, telling Conn that he isn't Conn's father, which explains all the abuse Conn endured as a child, and in his music, wanting to back away from the touring, and focusing more on producing up and coming musicians. Having spent the night together at Mary Joyce's wedding, Conn and Sedona find each other again, as they navigate through their new realities, and try to figure out what they want in their individual lives, and together.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Sedona Sullivan, the baker from Shelter Bay, and Conn Brennan from Castlelough, Ireland. Sedona has lost her home and business due to a storm and a greedy landlord so when her friend, Mary asks her to go to Castlelough to look after Conn she is willing to do so. Sedona met Conn at Mary's wedding and a passionate night before returning to the States. Neither Sedona or Conn have forgotten each other but neither have they tried to contact the other. Conn is a famous rock star who is feeling a need for a change in the way his life is going. Mary has asked Conn to pick up Sedona at the airport and take her to Mary's house. Thus begins a journey toward discovery and love for both Sedona and Conn. The book was a quick easy read.

[Pamela H-Siccardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites in Love

I was attracted to the way their relationship began. It was
Very romantic and sexy leading to a soulmate attraction and continues to support their magical attraction.
I liked the way many characters from Shelter Bay showed up too in the dialogue between Sedona and Conn.
The setting of Ireland reminded me of many places I have visited years ago. It was true to my memories.

[Leah Eugenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conn and Sedona's story is one that touched me...

In ways I had not expected. The first time I read this book was in paperback... A bit more difficult to review.
Whenever I want to experience the sweetness of love that makes its way through obstacles, emotional upheaval, and moments of discovery, I will reach for this...

[Dawn Munz minutelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Joann Ross book I've read, and it definitely won't be the last. It was very easy to get sucked into Sedona and Conn's story. I loved this book!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this entire series but this one was my least favorite of the series but still a fantastic read!

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

The more I think about it this has to be a two. Strayed so far from the sweetish stories of the two series it belongs with. Really didn't enjoy it and don't recommend it you want anything close to clean.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a hot Irish rock star, lush scenery, and a great romance to boot, once again JoAnn Ross has enchanted us with the latest installment of her Shelter Bay series, this time as a cross-over with her Castlelough series. The majority of the book takes place in Ireland and Ms. Ross’ descriptions make you feel as if you are there; even the cadence of the narrative has an Irish lilt to it. The book features Sedona Sullivan, owner of Take the Cake bakery in Shelter Bay. Fans of the series have been clamoring for Sedona’s story for years. The wait is finally over and it was worth it. The hero, Conn Brennan, of the Castlelough Brennans, is a dark, moody, complex man who finds his balance, harmony, and sunshine with Sedona. Their path is not always smooth, but then neither is life. While the ending was anticipated – it is a romance after all – there was a bit of a twist that I didn’t see coming (no spoilers here). This wasn’t the best book of the series (that place still belongs to “The Homecoming”) but it was, all in all, a very satisfying story – sort of like a good cup of tea.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way JoAnn brings Sedona and Conn together in Ireland. Their friends have conspired to bring the two together by telling Sedona that Conn needs her help. Conn is told that Sedona is coming to Ireland for help and healing. So the two work to "help" each other. I love the Irish landscape and how JoAnn brings it alive with every word. Makes me feel like I am there, experiencing it with the characters. But would I give it all up, the joy, the peace and calm to return home to the familiar? Or would I throw caution to the wind and stay? Would I choose to move my career to another country? Can love be that strong? Too many choices, too many decisions. As Conn and Sedona wrestle with these questions, I feel like I am right there along with them, trying to help them decide.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting stressfree romance, what little conflict there is is batted away too quickly in an instant happiness type ending. But in spite of the abrupt ending i really enjoyed reading this book. I hope the authoe gives us stories of the other 5 Brennan brothers.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

rock star and the baker

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a goodreads win and I really enjoyed this novel. The more I read the more this book seemed to draw me into the story. Well written and was a pleasure to read.

[Jacqueline French · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all the books in this series. Sedona finally gets her story and with an Irish Rock Star. I hope there are more stories about Brennan family.

[Megan Carbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Great. Great Series now on to the last one!!! If you like irish settings and stories read the entire series

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book.. Was glad to see Sedona get her own story and with Conn Brennan the sexy Irish Rocker...

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads first read program. I enjoyed this book. Both character were very endearing.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sedona and Conn

This was a great book about a couple from different countries, who met at a friend's we run Ireland. They were then set up to support each other, and fell in love.

[Colleen Goldl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Well Ross did it again. She grabbed my interest from the start and kept it through the whole book. She is a master story teller

[Kristine D. Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally Good!

Always enjoyed the Shelter Bay books and considered this to be one of the best. loved the setting of Ireland !!! Didn't wanted to put it down.

[Carol Nemecek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading

This book was long and slow in building but definitely worth sticking with. It is a true love story between two people who doubt that they can be in love.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently been to Ireland and loved reading about places that I have been. Very good love story though very typical.

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous story with great characters and intriguing conflicts. A beautiful love and life story about changes and how they effect us, and about families and friendship.