Once Upon a Night at Sea

Princess Cruises Presents

by Barbara Longley

A spilled latte. A broken nose. Marin and Jason are bracing themselves for anything—except finding love on the high seas.

Things don’t start off on the right foot between Marin and Jason. After all, spilling caramel latte all over the hottest guy she’s ever laid eyes on isn’t the best way to make a good first impression. And, based on his brusque reaction, Jason isn’t quite Marin’s type, anyway. But when Marin wins the trip of a lifetime—a weeklong Caribbean cruise aboard the spectacular Emerald Princess—she’s shocked to find the sinfully handsome guy she’d doused in coffee back home occupying the stateroom next door. Even more shocking? Cruising on the high seas just might turn the tide of romance their way.

Genres: Romance, Short Stories, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Amazon

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2015

About the author

Barbara Longley graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education/Human Relations, and holds a Master’s in Ed./SLD from the University of Minnesota. When the integration district where she taught dissolved in 2015, she transitioned into writing full time. Ms. Longley is listed on RWA’s Honor Roll of Bestselling Authors, and her books have garnered many awards, including a Maggie, the Holt Medallion, a National Readers’ Choice, two Heart of Excellence awards, a Bookseller’s Best award, and Diamond Award for reaching more than a million readers (2015). Ms. Longley creates memorable heroes and heroines who grow into their strength and go on to save the day.

Reviews

[Pearl Angeli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a sweet and quirky short read-- and particularly funny, too. It's about two main characters namely Marin and Jason who went into a free cruise along with other individuals on the Emerald Princess cruise ship. Much of the book centers around the characters' getting to know each other stage until their friendship turned into a certain attraction which eventually became something more than that. This is an Adult romance short story but it has some YA feels which I find really cute. It could have been a 4-star-rated story (for me) if it hadn't been written short and with lots of clichés. But the author's writing is beautiful and enjoyable so it's an overall fun read nevertheless. :)

Rating:

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Who knew salt came in smoked applewood or Hawaiian pink flavors"?

Once Upon a Night at Sea by Barbara Longley


Sigh. This s book......

This book is like walking into sunlight. Seriously. It is one of the most tranquil, peaceful reads I have read in awhile.

I devoured this charming and whimsical little novella. It is one that would fall into the romance genre. That is not a genre I read as much as others like Mysteries, Historical Fiction, politics etc. I used to but not so much anymore.

However, this landed on my TBR list because of the charming storyline, the title and the high reviews. I adored it.

Marin is single. She is also busy with her work and hasn't met "the one". She wins a trip on a luxury cruise that her best friend enters her in.

Jason i s the CFO of a company. He is handsome, charming and successful. He first meets Marin when she accidentally spills coffee on him. He is attracted but after she ALSO accidentally breaks his nose he becomes convinced she maybe a menace to society and makes a mental note to keep away from her.

However, he has won a ticket on the same cruise. Imagine their surprise when they come face to face at sea.

This little book is like seafoam..warm, misty and with a touch of the wonderment that we all feel when we're children. After reading so much dark stuff, this little jewel was a pleasure to read.

And while I am not one for cruises, I do love the sea. This book does the cruise industry proud because the writing is such you feel you are right there swirling about an ocean liner on a lush and tropical vacation. Princess cruises should send this book randomly to people in the mail. I bet their reservations would double.

It is also educational as I learned about cashew wine, cashew trees, howler monkeys and much more. The y are exploring islands so you get lots of fun information and trivia about the islands.

Anyway..if you do not read romance EVER then you probably will not be tempted top read this. But if you just want a sweet and fun romance about two lovable people who do not have secrets, lies or murder in their pasts, like many of the people in the domestic thrillers I read, you will want to add this one. Now I want hot weather and some cashew wine please!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of eBook

When Marintha Allen slips on some ice in a Minnesota parking lot, she tosses her salted caramel latte and grabs onto a parked pick-up truck. She doesn’t fall, but her latte does . . . all over Jason Doherty. Later, when Jason meets up with Marin once again, the result is an accidental elbow smashing into his nose.

Although both Marin and Jason each felt a spark of attraction, it was definitely a less-than-auspicious introduction and definitely not the sort of meeting that leads to any sort of a relationship.

But the two are destined to meet again when, some months later, each [unbeknownst to the other] wins a cruise, courtesy of a Singles Living Social club raffle . . . and they end up in staterooms next door to each other. Will the cruise lead to something more for Marin and Jason or will her klutziness keep him farther than arms’ length away from her?

While things fall into place a tad too easily, this whimsical tale of awkward meetings, attraction, and romance is sure to elicit smiles from readers. Believable characters and situations and some interesting information about the tours associated with the cruise all combine to keep the pages turning in this delightful tale.

Although sufficiently defined for readers to understand the two main characters, overall, character development gets a bit of a short shrift here. However, the story is charming and just right for a quick get-away into the world of happily ever after.

A Sneak Peek of the author’s novel, “The Twisted Road to You,” is included.

Recommended.

[Pooja Peravali · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick light read. The idea of the heroine's clumsiness being the big terrible backstory made me laugh, and the hero's response to it was genuinely sweet. The book didn't feel terribly like an advertisement for cruises either! (Though alas, it cannot be escaped completely).

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite The Lovely Read

This was an enjoyable, happy, short read. Jason's and Marin's story is quick, to the point and well developed. Being so short, I thought, oh gosh, how is Barbara Longley ever going to draw me in, keep me turning the pages, get me to know both Jason and Marin and "buy" their story in so few pages? Well never fear for Ms Longley's talent and creativity were in abundant supply and she just flat out nailed it!

If you are looking for a quick read that has enough humorous antics to have you smiling, laughing, saying "awww" as well as feeling uplifted, then Once Upon a Night at Sea is the read for you! It may even make you think about going on a cruise, too. Happy reading!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful short romance story. I always dream about get a holiday by cruise. A variety of places to eat, someone cleaning your room everyday, a gym, a spa, pools. What more could you want? This book tell the story about man and woman who met in coincidence by the coffee accident and end up with take cruise together. I get to know about the beauty of Roatan Island which part of the Mesoamerican barrier reef in the world, favorite spot for divers and snorkelers. A romance in a sea, a short moment but long last memories. They said Cruise and romance go together like peanut butter and jelly, maybe its true.

[Jen_C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 "Pretty good for a cruise advertisement" stars!

Meet cute. A bit of humor. Sweet clean read. It is written to advertise Princess Cruises and does a great job of giving you a sense of exactly what the cruise would be like. I personally got a bit bored with all the descriptions, but then, I have zero interest in howler monkeys and cashew wine.

Perfect for those who love a sweet, clean, light romance with lots of descriptions of ruins, Honduras, cruise ships etc.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but short read

I liked the overall book, but idler that this book spent too much time advertising cruises and the places you can go... The story was still sweet but I felt it lacked depth. Overall though, an okay read.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a sweet story. I wish it was longer.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Cruises and romance go together like peanut butter and jelly.” She twined her fingers with his as the elevator came to a stop on their deck. He guided her across a tiled section of flooring, around an orange warning cone. “Like crackers and cheese,” he agreed, looking once again like a happy idiot. “Like you and me.”

[Heike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected it more funny from the blurb. Interior designer meets guy in a parking lot and douses him with her coffee, next time she meets him she breaks his nose, she is quite prone to accidents.
That was pretty much the top of the action for the rest of the book, after that it gets very clean, cheesy, and boring.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book it reallly went into detail when ever you get into about the middle of the book. Also it really shows details especially when you get to part about leaving and wondering places far from home. I also think that the book has part in the book that left me speechless and they are good or bad. How she loves to life places where she always looks at a buetiful scene.

[Janet Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and Clean Shipboard Romance
This short novella is a romance-based Princess Cruise promotional piece. It is informative about the Cruise line, the adventures, and the built-in romance. The story is cute and clean and it ends too soon. The entire series is fun and does make me want to take a Princess Cruise.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, engaging story!

I loved this short story! I have been to a couple of the places visited and it was fun to hear it described. The two leads were engaging and had great chemistry! Can’t wait to read more Princess Cruise novels!!

[Maddi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Cute and funny, but not a whole lot actually happened. The story was too short for any real character development or story line. The writing was good, though, and I hope the author has longer, more developed works.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet short romance that I really enjoyed. Set aboard a Princess cruise a self proclaimed klutz meets a handsome guy after spilling her coffee all over him. Cute Story.

[phyllis norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Book

I enjoyed this book very much. Those two people were made . for each other. They fell in love at the right time.

[Lindsay Allyson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I barely made it past the first chapter. The whole surprise trip and Marin being SO clumsy - this one fell apart way to fast for me.

DNF

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

Great meet - cute, a sweet clean romance with great visuals of the cruise. Loved the epilogue. I need a cruise too.

[Beverly Gail Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

The book kept your interest peaked from beginning to end. A story of how someone can love you unconditionally even though you are not coordinated.

[linda port · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books

I just love this book good reading materials hoping to find some more of this author going to want to read more

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I am really loving this series. The characters are delightful and the stories engaging. Looking forward to the next one.

[Winona Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Floats

This quick story had a very fun story line and I enjoyed it very much. The characters were instantly likeable and there was a touch of exploration too.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clutzy woman accidentally spills coffee on man, then later accidentally breaks his nose.

The meet later on a cruise (say what?) and get together.

Very sweet.

[Valerie Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good until .....

I didn't like the sexual thoughts of the man. I felt they were not necessary. The story was cute without them.

[Samantha Markus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute short story. Connected with the main characters quickly but the story was definitely rushed feeling.

[amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute short story

This is a very enjoyable short story to read. I would recommend it to all readers. Take time to enjoy.

[Ilona Marie Roelsgard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jennifer Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

This is such a great book. I really loved how he over looked her clumsiness to see the real beauty inside. This is a constant page turner and now I want to go on a cruise.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marin didn't even want to go on the cruise. When she gets there and sees that Jason is there it changes her whole mood.