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Blue Penguin Bay #1
As Deep as the Ocean
“Marry me,” Mac said. “To save the vineyard. It’ll be strictly business.”
He’s right, Winifred (Fred) Cartwright thought. It was just a contract, a way to access the money tied up in her inheritance. It didn’t mean anything.
She mustn’t think about his broad shoulders. About the intriguing tattoo that curled around his arm, how his muscular body gleamed when he worked in the warm sunshine, or how his ocean-blue eyes heated her from the inside out.
She mustn’t think about the stolen kiss, the way he’d slipped his arm around her waist to pull her against him. The soft touch of his lips on hers.
“It’ll be strictly business,” he repeated.
Yeah, right.
He’s right, Winifred (Fred) Cartwright thought. It was just a contract, a way to access the money tied up in her inheritance. It didn’t mean anything.
She mustn’t think about his broad shoulders. About the intriguing tattoo that curled around his arm, how his muscular body gleamed when he worked in the warm sunshine, or how his ocean-blue eyes heated her from the inside out.
She mustn’t think about the stolen kiss, the way he’d slipped his arm around her waist to pull her against him. The soft touch of his lips on hers.
“It’ll be strictly business,” he repeated.
Yeah, right.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2017
955 people are currently reading
851 people want to read
About the author
Serenity Woods
171 books917 followersUSA Today bestselling author Serenity Woods writes feel-good romances full of friends, family, and falling in love. Most of her stories are set in Godzone, aka Aotearoa New Zealand, where she lives.
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April 23, 2018
As Deep as the Ocean is the first book in the Blue Penguin Bay series by Serenity Woods. I won this book in a Goodreads give-a-way!
Eamon MacDonald or Mac is a viticulturist and loves everything that has to do with growing grapes and making wine. It’s all he’s ever wanted to do. So he was thrilled to inherit the vineyard with the bed and breakfast and restaurant when his father passed. His father had let it run down but he saw the potential and knew he could make it great again But then he figured out what his father had done, that the winery wasn’t really his. So he did the only right thing there was to do, he notified the correct owners. Would they allow him to stay to help run the winery and bring it back to it’s full glory, or would he be forced to leave?
Winifred Cartwright or Fred as everyone calls her, and her two younger sisters have had a very rough few years. They lived in England and for different reasons, all three of them needed a change of scenery. When Fred was notified that she and her sisters had all inherited a vineyard in New Zealand, they took it as a sign that this was their chance at a fresh start. As soon as she got out of the car, she was faced with a man with the bluest eyes she had ever seen, as blue as the Pacific Ocean the estate sat on. And for the first time in a long time, she felt peaceful.
“She’d never been here, but it felt strangely familiar. Was it possible that love for a place could filter down in the blood? Reside in the DNA? If not, why did it feel as if she was coming home?”
One of Fred’s sisters was a chef so she could evaluate the restaurant. The other was in hospitality, so she could oversee the bed and breakfast. Fred planned to concentrate on the wine making part of the business. What she and her sisters hadn’t planned on was the amount of work and money it was going to take to bring the place back to it’s full potential. They have no money except an inheritance that is only accessible if she was to marry.
“The land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for, because it’s the only thing that lasts.”
The attraction between Fred and Mac is undeniable. But so is the anger Fred feels towards Mac’s father at what he did. She knows Mac isn’t like his father, that it’s unfair to blame him for what his father did. But can she ever really look at him and not be reminded? But when Mac proposes a business only marriage so they can save the vineyard, she doesn’t see any other way if she and her sisters really want to make a go of it.
“Opportunities are like balloons, and we have to grab them while we can or sometimes they just float away.”
Fred and Mac are so drawn to each other but as Mac is dealing with the guilt at what his father did, Fred is dealing with the anger. They both have to both forgive themselves and those that have hurt them in their pasts if they want to move forward to what could be a beautiful future together. Can they let go, or will the sins of the past ruin the possibilities the future holds?
This was such a sweet story. These three sisters have such a wonderful relationship and it was obvious that they were meant to take over the winery at this point in their lives. Fred and Mac in particular had so much to deal with. I really did enjoy this and look forward to the next book in the series, As Beautiful as the Bay, which is Ginger’s story.
March 14, 2017
I always look forward to reading Ms Woods' books as she laces beautiful scenery of New Zealand with some truly fun and likable characters. Every story has a sweet romantic theme woven with topical issues we sometimes encounter each day, and in some cases unfortunately they exist in our world. But for the romantic in all of us they have HEAs thank goodness!!!
"As Deep as the Ocean" is the first book in her newest series "Blue Penguin Bay", and it was a bit of a different experience for me. The scenic aspects did not disappoint at all, we are treated to a beautiful vineyard overlooking a gorgeous bay ... Blue Penguin Bay. We are introduced to Mac our H, who has written to the late owner's daughters to come and claim their rightful inheritance that his father tried to cheat them out of. Mac is an honourable and righteous man, yet I found his character a bit too soft at moments and while women love a man who is romantic and a bit clued into his emotional side I found Mac a bit too much this way sometimes seeming younger than his thirty-two years, especially after the experiences he went through. He harped a bit too much on his father and how everything he did he justified it as a way to counteract his father's deeds. Noble but a bit too repetitive.
Fred also tended to be younger in her behavior than her thirty years and while being the oldest of three girls, her judgement was twisted too much with lack of forgiveness, which is confusing as she had so giving a personality. Fred and her sisters came to New Zealand to seek a new start, redeeming a relationship with their late father in returning his beloved vineyard, B&B and Restaurant to its full glory.
The story had an ebb and flow as you felt the characters floating back and forth getting to know each other as we learnt the why and wherefores. We get an insight into the wine business, we learn the differences of various wines and why they have their unique colour and taste. We enjoy the discovery of love and how attraction and fate choose us not the other way around... All lending to my fav quote in this book "Was there anything as wonderful in the world as being wanted?” For indeed isn't it what we all seek and cherish, to be loved and cherished by someone ... Be it family, friends or partner?
Like a good wine the story had its many layers and flavour as we wind through this tale of forgiveness and love and although we stumble through some bitter moments of mental illness and lies the best is saved for the last. So pop a cork, have a sip and savour the bouquet of Ms Woods.
"I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions and comments are solely my own."
"As Deep as the Ocean" is the first book in her newest series "Blue Penguin Bay", and it was a bit of a different experience for me. The scenic aspects did not disappoint at all, we are treated to a beautiful vineyard overlooking a gorgeous bay ... Blue Penguin Bay. We are introduced to Mac our H, who has written to the late owner's daughters to come and claim their rightful inheritance that his father tried to cheat them out of. Mac is an honourable and righteous man, yet I found his character a bit too soft at moments and while women love a man who is romantic and a bit clued into his emotional side I found Mac a bit too much this way sometimes seeming younger than his thirty-two years, especially after the experiences he went through. He harped a bit too much on his father and how everything he did he justified it as a way to counteract his father's deeds. Noble but a bit too repetitive.
Fred also tended to be younger in her behavior than her thirty years and while being the oldest of three girls, her judgement was twisted too much with lack of forgiveness, which is confusing as she had so giving a personality. Fred and her sisters came to New Zealand to seek a new start, redeeming a relationship with their late father in returning his beloved vineyard, B&B and Restaurant to its full glory.
The story had an ebb and flow as you felt the characters floating back and forth getting to know each other as we learnt the why and wherefores. We get an insight into the wine business, we learn the differences of various wines and why they have their unique colour and taste. We enjoy the discovery of love and how attraction and fate choose us not the other way around... All lending to my fav quote in this book "Was there anything as wonderful in the world as being wanted?” For indeed isn't it what we all seek and cherish, to be loved and cherished by someone ... Be it family, friends or partner?
Like a good wine the story had its many layers and flavour as we wind through this tale of forgiveness and love and although we stumble through some bitter moments of mental illness and lies the best is saved for the last. So pop a cork, have a sip and savour the bouquet of Ms Woods.
"I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions and comments are solely my own."
March 15, 2017
I always look forward to a new series by Serenity Woods, partly for the scenic New Zealand trip I will be taking through her vivid descriptions, then party because of the memorable characters I meet in her stories. So it is again true with Blue Penguin Bay’s first book, As Deep as the Ocean. I could easily picture in my mind the vineyard that is loved by the book’s characters. Add the “Strictly business,” absolutely not, which is what makes this such a delightful read. However, realistic emotional character driven read, absolutely.
The characters have emotional and tragic issues that must be faced and resolved with the vineyard at the center of them. I liked Winifred and her sisters as they ventured to New Zealand to start new lives. I also could not help but like Mac who was much more honorable than his father. He was not as strong of a male character as some other of Ms. Wood’s male leads but he always tried to do the right thing. That is a very attractive trait. His is an instant marriage, then comes friendship then comes love story, with a few different twists form the norm, making it an entertaining first bang-up story to the series. Now I look forward to how Fred’s sisters find the happiness in New Zealand that she did.
The author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book.
The characters have emotional and tragic issues that must be faced and resolved with the vineyard at the center of them. I liked Winifred and her sisters as they ventured to New Zealand to start new lives. I also could not help but like Mac who was much more honorable than his father. He was not as strong of a male character as some other of Ms. Wood’s male leads but he always tried to do the right thing. That is a very attractive trait. His is an instant marriage, then comes friendship then comes love story, with a few different twists form the norm, making it an entertaining first bang-up story to the series. Now I look forward to how Fred’s sisters find the happiness in New Zealand that she did.
The author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book.
March 14, 2017
4.5☆ Marriage of convenience mixed with instant attraction and slow burning romance that gets scorching hot!
As Deep as the Ocean is a wonderful start to this new series full of the heartache and heart that will have you swooning along with some wonderful characters in a location that will have you pining to escape to this idyllic sounding location. The book is a marriage of convenience that mixes an instant attraction with a slow burn type romance which does heat up to scorching hot levels!
Mac and Fred, who tell the boo through dual point of view, have an instant attraction that only continues to grow throughout the book. What I liked was despite this being a marriage of convenience romance, it wasn’t instant and was built up to it, allowing readers to get an understanding of both characters and to see that there is more to each of them. I loved Fred’s sisters, Ginger and Sandi, and can’t wait to read their stories.
As always with a Serenity Woods book, this is wonderfully written with a great mix of sweetness and heart-aching emotion. There was some stunning descriptions that really allowed the reader to feel like they were there (and leaves you wanting to escape to New Zealand!).
I would recommend this book to any contemporary romance fans out there!
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
As Deep as the Ocean is a wonderful start to this new series full of the heartache and heart that will have you swooning along with some wonderful characters in a location that will have you pining to escape to this idyllic sounding location. The book is a marriage of convenience that mixes an instant attraction with a slow burn type romance which does heat up to scorching hot levels!
Mac and Fred, who tell the boo through dual point of view, have an instant attraction that only continues to grow throughout the book. What I liked was despite this being a marriage of convenience romance, it wasn’t instant and was built up to it, allowing readers to get an understanding of both characters and to see that there is more to each of them. I loved Fred’s sisters, Ginger and Sandi, and can’t wait to read their stories.
As always with a Serenity Woods book, this is wonderfully written with a great mix of sweetness and heart-aching emotion. There was some stunning descriptions that really allowed the reader to feel like they were there (and leaves you wanting to escape to New Zealand!).
I would recommend this book to any contemporary romance fans out there!
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
December 31, 2021
I love this authors work. She write beautifully layered characters, likable, respectable, people you’d love to have as friends. Then she puts them in one of the most beautiful places on earth, New Zealand. You can feel the love she has for NZ in her descriptions.
This is a hard start romance. Each character is wounded, skeptical, low on self esteem. Three young women inherited a winery, a bed and breakfast and a restaurant. Now they have to fight to keep it all.
,,
This is a hard start romance. Each character is wounded, skeptical, low on self esteem. Three young women inherited a winery, a bed and breakfast and a restaurant. Now they have to fight to keep it all.
,,
March 14, 2017
What a gorgeous, wonderful romance! Better than 5 stars.
Serenity Woods has written another masterpiece of contemporary romance. Aside from having a lovely title, this first book of a new trilogy was really hard to put down. I love the characters: Mac, Fred (Winifred), her two sisters, and Mac's dog Scully. FYI, there were no typos that I could find, and I am really good at recognizing typos.
Serenity Woods is so phenomenally good at describing places. I felt like I was really there in a picturesque vineyard on Blue Penguin Bay, New Zealand. Reading one of Serenity's books is the next best thing to going on vacation in New Zealand. Serenity is also very skilled at creating nuanced, multidimensional characters who I connect with from the very first page of the book. With the way she writes, I felt deeply connected to Mac and Fred's souls and minds.
Although the marriage of convenience trope has been done in romance novels many times before, in this novel it feels fresh and fascinating.
Mac and Fred have each been dealing with grief for a deceased parent who did not always treat them well. They each struggle with things that have happened in the past and are trying to move forward in life. I was hooked on Mac and Fred's personal growth and their growing relationship. Mac and Fred are so good together! They complete each other so well. Mac is such a wonderful, sexy male character who is also honorable, honest, and hard-working. He works as a vineyard manager; I just love when a man works with plants, especially shirtless! To the ladies out there reading this: you must read this book to experience Mac. He is hot in the bedroom as well. I love how the love scenes are so realistic and yet spicy. The author really conveys the passion and beauty of two people with feelings for each other making love. I really loved Fred as a person, too. She was not perfect, but she had so many admirable qualities.
I can't wait for Sandi and Ginger's upcoming books in this new trilogy. Serenity Woods hit it out of the park on this one, and I am very much looking forward to returning to Blue Penguin Bay and the warm-hearted people there. I recommend this novel for all romance readers. I loved it so much!
I received a free advanced reading copy from the author, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
Serenity Woods has written another masterpiece of contemporary romance. Aside from having a lovely title, this first book of a new trilogy was really hard to put down. I love the characters: Mac, Fred (Winifred), her two sisters, and Mac's dog Scully. FYI, there were no typos that I could find, and I am really good at recognizing typos.
Serenity Woods is so phenomenally good at describing places. I felt like I was really there in a picturesque vineyard on Blue Penguin Bay, New Zealand. Reading one of Serenity's books is the next best thing to going on vacation in New Zealand. Serenity is also very skilled at creating nuanced, multidimensional characters who I connect with from the very first page of the book. With the way she writes, I felt deeply connected to Mac and Fred's souls and minds.
Although the marriage of convenience trope has been done in romance novels many times before, in this novel it feels fresh and fascinating.
Mac and Fred have each been dealing with grief for a deceased parent who did not always treat them well. They each struggle with things that have happened in the past and are trying to move forward in life. I was hooked on Mac and Fred's personal growth and their growing relationship. Mac and Fred are so good together! They complete each other so well. Mac is such a wonderful, sexy male character who is also honorable, honest, and hard-working. He works as a vineyard manager; I just love when a man works with plants, especially shirtless! To the ladies out there reading this: you must read this book to experience Mac. He is hot in the bedroom as well. I love how the love scenes are so realistic and yet spicy. The author really conveys the passion and beauty of two people with feelings for each other making love. I really loved Fred as a person, too. She was not perfect, but she had so many admirable qualities.
I can't wait for Sandi and Ginger's upcoming books in this new trilogy. Serenity Woods hit it out of the park on this one, and I am very much looking forward to returning to Blue Penguin Bay and the warm-hearted people there. I recommend this novel for all romance readers. I loved it so much!
I received a free advanced reading copy from the author, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
September 9, 2017
4 stars
FREE on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Ocean-Blu...
I don't think I would have stumbled upon this book/author if I didn't see the book advertised as free on Amazon, but I'm glad I did. It turned out to be a lovely read.
The writing was surprisingly very good (both storytelling- and grammar-wise). Beautiful landscapes in New Zealand, rich in scenery, history and cosy atmosphere. Even though I don't drink wine, I was immersed in the vineyards and the viniculture. If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "sweet". Sweet in its setting, sweet hero, sweet romance. Mac was lovely, although admittedly I like my books a liiiitle bit more on the spicy side. Fred was frustrating at times, though. On one hand there is definitely a slowburn feel to their relationship, but on the other hand, given the shortness of the book at times things develop (too) quickly.
This is the first book in the series, and since it's not very long and Mac and Fred are the focus of this story, there isn't much foreboding for the following books. Despite that I'm interested. Serenity Woods has turned out to be a pleasant surprise of an author. (How awful are those covers, though?)
---------------
POV: 3rd person
story: 4
writing: 4.5
characters: h: 3, H: 4.5, secondary characters: 3.5
couple/romance: 4
instalust/instalove: No, but instant attraction.
steam: 3.5
enjoyment: 4
ending:
FREE on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Ocean-Blu...
I don't think I would have stumbled upon this book/author if I didn't see the book advertised as free on Amazon, but I'm glad I did. It turned out to be a lovely read.
The writing was surprisingly very good (both storytelling- and grammar-wise). Beautiful landscapes in New Zealand, rich in scenery, history and cosy atmosphere. Even though I don't drink wine, I was immersed in the vineyards and the viniculture. If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "sweet". Sweet in its setting, sweet hero, sweet romance. Mac was lovely, although admittedly I like my books a liiiitle bit more on the spicy side. Fred was frustrating at times, though. On one hand there is definitely a slowburn feel to their relationship, but on the other hand, given the shortness of the book at times things develop (too) quickly.
This is the first book in the series, and since it's not very long and Mac and Fred are the focus of this story, there isn't much foreboding for the following books. Despite that I'm interested. Serenity Woods has turned out to be a pleasant surprise of an author. (How awful are those covers, though?)
---------------
POV: 3rd person
story: 4
writing: 4.5
characters: h: 3, H: 4.5, secondary characters: 3.5
couple/romance: 4
instalust/instalove: No, but instant attraction.
steam: 3.5
enjoyment: 4
ending:
Want to read
January 30, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/30/2022)! 🎁
March 7, 2017
As Deep as the Ocean by Serenity Woods
Blue Penguin Bay Book #1
Heartwarming wonderful contemporary romance set in New Zealand – great characters, story and introduction to a new series – I loved it!
When Mac meets the three sisters who have inherited the vineyard, restaurant and B&B that their father owned, and Mac’s father was the estate manager for, he was not sure what to expect. And the Cartwright sisters were equally unsure what they would find upon their arrival. Winifred, “Fred”, took the lead focusing on the vineyard and winery, Ginger’s interest was in the restaurant and Sandi would concentrate her energy on the B&B – if they decided to stay and make a go of it. Mac wants to do right by the women and would love for the estate to thrive again for a number of reasons.
Mac and Fred were instantly interested in one another but with the backstory that unfolds it won’t be easy for the two to find a HEA. Communication, soul searching, secret sharing, and a whole lot of work would is necessary by both of them if they are to ever end up if working side by side as true partners at Blue Penguin Bay.
I loved the interaction between Mac and the sisters when he was telling jokes and sharing information about the types of wines made on the estate - I wanted to be with them tasting and learning and enjoying their company. I felt that Mac was a keeper…perhaps he had been hibernating for a while but he sure knew what to do when he woke up again! Fred had more twist and turns and emotional issues to deal with than Mac did but eventually, with her sisters’ help, she did wake up and smell the roses…or were they lemons ;)
Anyway, I am eager to read the other two stories in the series. I have a feeling that the sister who cooks just might end up with the friend of Mac’s who is a baker but have not a clue who the B&B manager will end up with.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Blue Penguin Bay Book #1
Heartwarming wonderful contemporary romance set in New Zealand – great characters, story and introduction to a new series – I loved it!
When Mac meets the three sisters who have inherited the vineyard, restaurant and B&B that their father owned, and Mac’s father was the estate manager for, he was not sure what to expect. And the Cartwright sisters were equally unsure what they would find upon their arrival. Winifred, “Fred”, took the lead focusing on the vineyard and winery, Ginger’s interest was in the restaurant and Sandi would concentrate her energy on the B&B – if they decided to stay and make a go of it. Mac wants to do right by the women and would love for the estate to thrive again for a number of reasons.
Mac and Fred were instantly interested in one another but with the backstory that unfolds it won’t be easy for the two to find a HEA. Communication, soul searching, secret sharing, and a whole lot of work would is necessary by both of them if they are to ever end up if working side by side as true partners at Blue Penguin Bay.
I loved the interaction between Mac and the sisters when he was telling jokes and sharing information about the types of wines made on the estate - I wanted to be with them tasting and learning and enjoying their company. I felt that Mac was a keeper…perhaps he had been hibernating for a while but he sure knew what to do when he woke up again! Fred had more twist and turns and emotional issues to deal with than Mac did but eventually, with her sisters’ help, she did wake up and smell the roses…or were they lemons ;)
Anyway, I am eager to read the other two stories in the series. I have a feeling that the sister who cooks just might end up with the friend of Mac’s who is a baker but have not a clue who the B&B manager will end up with.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.
5 Stars
January 31, 2018
It’s costing Mac everything to do the right thing. He has adored the winery since he was a kid, he even went to uni and got degrees in chemistry and viticulture so he could work there. He was overjoyed when his father was left ownership of the business and land on the death of his best friend, but then his father started behaving erratically and he left.
After the death of his father, he’s back to clean up and finds proof that his father forged the will. The business should have gone to Cartwright’s three English daughters. So he contacts them and tells them the truth.
[oh boy… I’m voting for him already.]
But the one clause his father didn’t change left the girl’s a further fifty thousand dollars when they married. (it isn’t Victorian times; it’s modern day.)
Mac’s father’s neglect has left the business salvageable but it’ll cost a fortune to repair and restock; maybe fifty thousand dollars?
Fred, the eldest girl, has already felt a spark with Mac. She respects the fact that he told them the truth and he’s nothing like what she expected. So when he makes his crazy offer, she’s thinking about it for all the right (wrong?) reasons.
***
Again, trapped in a waiting room and desperate for something to read. This started off nicely, and fake marriage/dating is one of my favourite tropes… but… about 70% it started to go off the rails. Fred starts to see the angry spirit of her father - what the?
And Fred’s constant flipflops kind of ruined it for me. I skimmed the last fifth.
3 stars
After the death of his father, he’s back to clean up and finds proof that his father forged the will. The business should have gone to Cartwright’s three English daughters. So he contacts them and tells them the truth.
[oh boy… I’m voting for him already.]
But the one clause his father didn’t change left the girl’s a further fifty thousand dollars when they married. (it isn’t Victorian times; it’s modern day.)
Mac’s father’s neglect has left the business salvageable but it’ll cost a fortune to repair and restock; maybe fifty thousand dollars?
Fred, the eldest girl, has already felt a spark with Mac. She respects the fact that he told them the truth and he’s nothing like what she expected. So when he makes his crazy offer, she’s thinking about it for all the right (wrong?) reasons.
“What do you advise us to do?” Fred’s gaze was open.
He decided to opt for humor. “You mean apart from get hitched to the first Kiwi guy you see?” (Kindle Locations 612-614).
***
Again, trapped in a waiting room and desperate for something to read. This started off nicely, and fake marriage/dating is one of my favourite tropes… but… about 70% it started to go off the rails. Fred starts to see the angry spirit of her father - what the?
And Fred’s constant flipflops kind of ruined it for me. I skimmed the last fifth.
3 stars
September 4, 2017
I'm really torn about the rating, because although the book was slow moving, it was worth the time. The only thing that bothered me (and it bothered me a lot) was the heroine having these dreams where both of her parents seemed to be upset with her relationship with the hero. I just didn't buy it where her father was concerned, and it overshadowed the love story. Despite that, I really did enjoy it, and am looking forward to reading the sisters' stories.
April 25, 2018
2.5 stars
Maybe it was me but the story drug on. Not that is was really long just that the writing was not enticing.
Characters were just alright, I did not really feel the chemistry or passion between them. I did enjoy learning a little about New Zealand but I am not interested in reading about the other sisters.
Maybe it was me but the story drug on. Not that is was really long just that the writing was not enticing.
Characters were just alright, I did not really feel the chemistry or passion between them. I did enjoy learning a little about New Zealand but I am not interested in reading about the other sisters.
December 17, 2018
Hmmmm.....
Hmmmm......ok, I wouldn't pay full price for this book. It was an ok book but I had to skim some and the lead female was ridiculous at times. Like seriously got on my nerves
RE-DIC-U-LOUS! Not sure I'm up for book 2 .
Hmmmm......ok, I wouldn't pay full price for this book. It was an ok book but I had to skim some and the lead female was ridiculous at times. Like seriously got on my nerves
RE-DIC-U-LOUS! Not sure I'm up for book 2 .
April 20, 2020
I thought this story was a sweet one but I just couldn’t connect to it as good as other books and was a bit long winded to get to the point where I wanted it to be. I couldn’t connect that well to the characters either.
September 8, 2017
Nice enough but did not interest me in reading the rest of the series. Just ok
September 19, 2017
Okay read
This book was descent just a bit slow. Fred the main character was too back and forth for me. It got pretty annoying. I'm glad it's done.
This book was descent just a bit slow. Fred the main character was too back and forth for me. It got pretty annoying. I'm glad it's done.
January 12, 2018
I give this book 3.5 stars. The story had a good plot, but the back and forth that Fred was doing with Mac got a bit old.
January 18, 2018
A sweet and charming read, but not quite the best from Serenity Woods. I suspect it's the couple, as I'm keen to read Ginger and Sam's story.
March 22, 2019
Nice book but did not have me rushing to the end.
April 4, 2019
Okay read
Okay read that brings three sisters to New Zealand. One falls for the son of the manager of her fathers place. Very sweet and very old fashioned type of book.
Okay read that brings three sisters to New Zealand. One falls for the son of the manager of her fathers place. Very sweet and very old fashioned type of book.
April 11, 2020
I discovered serenity Woods recently and I have loved her books but this one I struggled with. The story line is interesting but it seems so move so slow and be a bit boring tbh
March 20, 2017
As Deep as the Ocean (Blue Penguin Bay Book 1)
The serene beauty of Blue Penguin Bay, rich in history of its people, the love of the land, and one man of integrity that stands to lose it all.
We are made to ache and long for a home we never had, but feels so right.
Mac is not ready to no longer be a part of this land he's loved, since he roamed the vines as a young boy.
What choice has he when he finds the vineyard, winery, B&B, and restaurant rightfully belongs to Harry Cartwright's family?
A family Mac had no idea existed, until he made the discovery while cleaning up the wreck and refuse his father left the place in.
Now as he greets Winifred, Ginger and Sandi, Mac has the burden of telling them the truth of the financial and physical disrepair they face because of his father's greed.
As Deep as the Ocean is the first book in the Blue Penguin Bay series and it immediately endears the reader to the the place, and people who will no doubt be fully ingrained in our hearts, long after the series end.
Mac and Winifred are the focus of this story. We see their attraction grow and develop over time spent on the estate as they have opened up with one another.
All three of the sister's have looked upon this estate as a fresh start as none of them intends to live anywhere else. This is it, so they have to figure out how to make this work.
Since the only way for them to access money would be if they married, Mac suggests he and Winifred should marry. It's just going to be a "business transaction" to gain the much needed funds to get the winery up to speed.
This gives Mac a way to help them stay to realize their dreams of making the entirety of the operations successful, and to atone for what his father had done.
What about their steamy kiss the night before? It meant nothing, or are Mac and Winifred fooling themselves?
What if the marriage "business" gets mixed up with business of heart and it may be none of my business, but isn't someone going to get hurt if the marriage ends as was pre-planned?
It was a pleasure to watch Mac and Winifred grow as they worked side by side to get the harvest in, the new equipment and to see all the other changes made as well in the B&B, restaurant, etc.
5 Star read, more if I could give it
-Aunt Bee
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of the book.
The opinions expressed are mine alone and freely given
________________________________
P.S.
I'm still left feeling as if I have to see the riches of New Zealand to satisfy my heart's desire- this is what moves me each and every time I read a masterpiece by Serenity Woods.
The colors, the sights, the sounds and the flavors of all that is New Zealand enlivens all your senses. You feel her love of place coming through with every descriptive stroke of her pen.
I swear that woman must increase tourism for NZ every time she releases a book!
The serene beauty of Blue Penguin Bay, rich in history of its people, the love of the land, and one man of integrity that stands to lose it all.
We are made to ache and long for a home we never had, but feels so right.
Mac is not ready to no longer be a part of this land he's loved, since he roamed the vines as a young boy.
What choice has he when he finds the vineyard, winery, B&B, and restaurant rightfully belongs to Harry Cartwright's family?
A family Mac had no idea existed, until he made the discovery while cleaning up the wreck and refuse his father left the place in.
Now as he greets Winifred, Ginger and Sandi, Mac has the burden of telling them the truth of the financial and physical disrepair they face because of his father's greed.
As Deep as the Ocean is the first book in the Blue Penguin Bay series and it immediately endears the reader to the the place, and people who will no doubt be fully ingrained in our hearts, long after the series end.
Mac and Winifred are the focus of this story. We see their attraction grow and develop over time spent on the estate as they have opened up with one another.
All three of the sister's have looked upon this estate as a fresh start as none of them intends to live anywhere else. This is it, so they have to figure out how to make this work.
Since the only way for them to access money would be if they married, Mac suggests he and Winifred should marry. It's just going to be a "business transaction" to gain the much needed funds to get the winery up to speed.
This gives Mac a way to help them stay to realize their dreams of making the entirety of the operations successful, and to atone for what his father had done.
What about their steamy kiss the night before? It meant nothing, or are Mac and Winifred fooling themselves?
What if the marriage "business" gets mixed up with business of heart and it may be none of my business, but isn't someone going to get hurt if the marriage ends as was pre-planned?
It was a pleasure to watch Mac and Winifred grow as they worked side by side to get the harvest in, the new equipment and to see all the other changes made as well in the B&B, restaurant, etc.
5 Star read, more if I could give it
-Aunt Bee
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of the book.
The opinions expressed are mine alone and freely given
________________________________
P.S.
I'm still left feeling as if I have to see the riches of New Zealand to satisfy my heart's desire- this is what moves me each and every time I read a masterpiece by Serenity Woods.
The colors, the sights, the sounds and the flavors of all that is New Zealand enlivens all your senses. You feel her love of place coming through with every descriptive stroke of her pen.
I swear that woman must increase tourism for NZ every time she releases a book!
October 29, 2018
As Deep as the Ocean is an engaging, original romance. Not because novels involving arrangement marriages are all that rare, but more because of the setting and the background story.
Winifred (Fred), Ginger and Sandi have left their native England to take possession of their father's inheritance. But the Blue Penguin Bay vineyard is not exactly what they expected it to be. While set against an amazingly beautiful New Zealand landscape, the story follows the three sisters' discovery of their new adoptive country and their efforts to make the vineyard flourish again. And then, if course, there is the clause in their father's will by which they can only assess his money if they are married, which creates the perfect setup for Fred to marry Mac - and the rest, as they say, is history.
There were, a few details that didn't' quite make sense for me, such as the easy acceptance of everyone in relation to Fred and Mac's sudden marriage (I would expect at least his family and friends to be a little less agreeable) and then Fred's insistence on not trusting Mac because of his father's mistakes (too much is just too much, and besides, she went and married the guy, so at least she could be a bit more understanding).
But overall, As Deep as the Ocean is fun and pleasant to read. It's also book one in the Blue Penguin Bay series, and I'm certainly considering reading the next two books in the series.
Winifred (Fred), Ginger and Sandi have left their native England to take possession of their father's inheritance. But the Blue Penguin Bay vineyard is not exactly what they expected it to be. While set against an amazingly beautiful New Zealand landscape, the story follows the three sisters' discovery of their new adoptive country and their efforts to make the vineyard flourish again. And then, if course, there is the clause in their father's will by which they can only assess his money if they are married, which creates the perfect setup for Fred to marry Mac - and the rest, as they say, is history.
There were, a few details that didn't' quite make sense for me, such as the easy acceptance of everyone in relation to Fred and Mac's sudden marriage (I would expect at least his family and friends to be a little less agreeable) and then Fred's insistence on not trusting Mac because of his father's mistakes (too much is just too much, and besides, she went and married the guy, so at least she could be a bit more understanding).
But overall, As Deep as the Ocean is fun and pleasant to read. It's also book one in the Blue Penguin Bay series, and I'm certainly considering reading the next two books in the series.
January 15, 2023
This was a very nice book to read. Once I got into it I had to find out what was happening each time. The only drawback for me is that I have grown somewhat tired of the plain boy meets girl, they fall in love, and get married. Do not get me wrong, it has its time and place, I just prefer different plot twists.
As I said, a guy named Mac, meets a woman named Winfred "Fred" when he discovers that his dad had basically forged his signature for the owner of the house. When Mac, finds out he feels that it's duty to inform the daughters of his father's friend, that they are the true owners of the house.
From the moment they met it was apparent that they had feelings for each other. The problem was that in order to fix the house it would require a lot of money, which these women did not have. So Mac comes up with a brilliant plan to marry Winfred so that she could get a loan to fix up the place. What neither one was prepared for was that they would develop love for one another. It takes Mac, almost walking away from everything for her to realize that she could not let the past determine her future.
As I said, a guy named Mac, meets a woman named Winfred "Fred" when he discovers that his dad had basically forged his signature for the owner of the house. When Mac, finds out he feels that it's duty to inform the daughters of his father's friend, that they are the true owners of the house.
From the moment they met it was apparent that they had feelings for each other. The problem was that in order to fix the house it would require a lot of money, which these women did not have. So Mac comes up with a brilliant plan to marry Winfred so that she could get a loan to fix up the place. What neither one was prepared for was that they would develop love for one another. It takes Mac, almost walking away from everything for her to realize that she could not let the past determine her future.
June 14, 2025
I always get excited for a new series by Serenity Woods, partly because her vivid descriptions are like a mini vacation to New Zealand, and partly because I love the memorable characters in her stories. This is the case with the first book in Blue Penguin Bay, As Deep as the Ocean. I could easily picture the vineyard that the characters hold dear. The mix of "strictly business" and personal connections makes this a fun read.
The characters face some heavy emotional challenges that they need to tackle, with the vineyard at the centre of their journeys. I enjoyed Winifred and her sisters as they made their way to New Zealand to start fresh. Mac is a likeable guy too, a lot more honourable than his father. While he might not be as strong a male lead as some of Ms. Woods' other characters, I found his consistent efforts to do the right thing pretty appealing. Their story kicks off with a quick marriage that grows into friendship and then love, with some twists that make it stand out from the usual fare. Now, I'm looking forward to seeing how Fred’s sisters find their happiness in New Zealand, like she has.
The characters face some heavy emotional challenges that they need to tackle, with the vineyard at the centre of their journeys. I enjoyed Winifred and her sisters as they made their way to New Zealand to start fresh. Mac is a likeable guy too, a lot more honourable than his father. While he might not be as strong a male lead as some of Ms. Woods' other characters, I found his consistent efforts to do the right thing pretty appealing. Their story kicks off with a quick marriage that grows into friendship and then love, with some twists that make it stand out from the usual fare. Now, I'm looking forward to seeing how Fred’s sisters find their happiness in New Zealand, like she has.
January 11, 2018
A gorgeous location to start this bright new series! I always look forward to a new Serenity Wood's novel and "As Deep as the Ocean" is no exception.
Our main characters, "Mac" MacDonald and Winifred "Fred" Cartwright, have been brought together, because of a deceit and death. The vineyard Mac thought he inherited from his father, James, actually belongs to Fred and her sisters, Sandi and Ginger. James altered Harry Cartwright's will so James would inherit the vineyard instead of Harry's daughters. When Mac discovers the truth while cleaning out the mess his father made of the business, he can't keep quiet and contacts the English Cartwright women to make things right.
The way Woods describes the location is amazing. It was so easy to feel the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the landscape in every word. It's easy to see why Mac loves Blue Penguin Bar and how thoroughly the Cartwright women fall in love with their new surroundings, too.
While I think Fred and Mac have a great connection, I had a really hard time with Fred's attitude toward Mac. She just can't move past James MacDonald's betrayal, to the point it affects her relationship with Mac. This is the man who did everything he could to help Fred make this new start everything she deserved, and he is still in the doghouse over something he didn't do. I'm absolutely with Ginger when she tells Fred, "You've got your own Greek play going on right there, haven't you?" I understand Fred carries a lot of guilt over the death of both her parents and how things settled out, but it was very frustrating for her to keep push-pulling Mac.
That being said, when things were going right for Mac and Fred, boy were they going right! You don't see a lot of couples who are hard-working and down to earth quite like these two. I felt like they were both fantastic together when Fred wasn't inviting the ghosts of her past to ruin her bright, beautiful future.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Our main characters, "Mac" MacDonald and Winifred "Fred" Cartwright, have been brought together, because of a deceit and death. The vineyard Mac thought he inherited from his father, James, actually belongs to Fred and her sisters, Sandi and Ginger. James altered Harry Cartwright's will so James would inherit the vineyard instead of Harry's daughters. When Mac discovers the truth while cleaning out the mess his father made of the business, he can't keep quiet and contacts the English Cartwright women to make things right.
The way Woods describes the location is amazing. It was so easy to feel the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the landscape in every word. It's easy to see why Mac loves Blue Penguin Bar and how thoroughly the Cartwright women fall in love with their new surroundings, too.
While I think Fred and Mac have a great connection, I had a really hard time with Fred's attitude toward Mac. She just can't move past James MacDonald's betrayal, to the point it affects her relationship with Mac. This is the man who did everything he could to help Fred make this new start everything she deserved, and he is still in the doghouse over something he didn't do. I'm absolutely with Ginger when she tells Fred, "You've got your own Greek play going on right there, haven't you?" I understand Fred carries a lot of guilt over the death of both her parents and how things settled out, but it was very frustrating for her to keep push-pulling Mac.
That being said, when things were going right for Mac and Fred, boy were they going right! You don't see a lot of couples who are hard-working and down to earth quite like these two. I felt like they were both fantastic together when Fred wasn't inviting the ghosts of her past to ruin her bright, beautiful future.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
March 14, 2017
This author is one of my favorites so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed in her new series. The cover is beautiful and gives you hint as to how vivid she writes describing the vineyard and country. Three sisters have an inheritance they didn't know about until Mac contacts them. They are experiencing culture shock as well. Winifred is the oldest and will be over the vineyard so her and Mac, (currently in charge) will be spending lots of time together. Good thing they have chemistry!!! Not only was this a romance but a book about family, forgiveness and realizing that we don't always see things as they truly are. I can't wait to read the next two books about the sisters. I received a copy and this is my honest review.
September 21, 2022
Really enjoyed this! I love the marriage of convenience trope, and the connection between Fred and Mac was really lovely. I liked that they had an instant attraction, but that it takes a while to build to anything more.
Serenity Woods always makes the most of the New Zealand setting, and it resulted in a really comforting, low-angst, laid-back read that I read super quickly.
My only complaint is that while I usually love family drama in a romance book, towards the end I got a little annoyed with the "I don't know if I can get over what his father did" thing. To me, Mac was so clearly haunted by his father's mistakes and more than made up for it with his actions, so it shouldn't have been an issue.
Serenity Woods always makes the most of the New Zealand setting, and it resulted in a really comforting, low-angst, laid-back read that I read super quickly.
My only complaint is that while I usually love family drama in a romance book, towards the end I got a little annoyed with the "I don't know if I can get over what his father did" thing. To me, Mac was so clearly haunted by his father's mistakes and more than made up for it with his actions, so it shouldn't have been an issue.
August 10, 2025
What a beautiful story
I know this series of books have been out a while, but I have only just got round to reading it. I love Serenity’s books, I want to read them all and would encourage you to!
Serenity is so so good at setting the scene, I always feel like I am right there, I can imagine the trees, plants, and birds. I don’t think I will ever make it out to New Zealand but I can always imagine it in these stories.
I loved Fred and her sisters, it was a great storyline bringing them from the UK to NZ. And Mac was such a sweetheart, I totally fell in love with him.
This book is just the right length, totally believable storyline, great characters and a beautiful HEA. What’s not to like!
Thank you Serenity, really looking forward to the next story ❤️
I know this series of books have been out a while, but I have only just got round to reading it. I love Serenity’s books, I want to read them all and would encourage you to!
Serenity is so so good at setting the scene, I always feel like I am right there, I can imagine the trees, plants, and birds. I don’t think I will ever make it out to New Zealand but I can always imagine it in these stories.
I loved Fred and her sisters, it was a great storyline bringing them from the UK to NZ. And Mac was such a sweetheart, I totally fell in love with him.
This book is just the right length, totally believable storyline, great characters and a beautiful HEA. What’s not to like!
Thank you Serenity, really looking forward to the next story ❤️
March 6, 2017
This is the first of a new series of New Zealand romances by Serenity Woods. The story involves three British sisters who unexpectedly inherit a vineyard, bed and breakfast, and restaurant from a father they haven’t seen since they were little girls. It turns out that he had died five years ago and a dishonest estate manager had forged a will leaving the estate to himself. It was only when that man died and his son, Mac, took over that Mac realized what his father had done. Being an honest and straightforward man, he wrote the girls and explained what happened.
The novel starts as Mac waits their arrival. He had dreamed of running this estate since he was a young man and had pursued the education and work experience to make that possible. And now he has to confess to these unknown women.
They turn out to be lovely, young women who are eager to make a new start in a new country. Each has experienced trauma in her past life and is happy to leave England behind and experience the beauty of New Zealand. They can sense that Mac is a good man who is not to blame for his father’s actions. The problem is money.
And here we get a common romance trope that I doubt happens in real life. They don’t have the money to bring the estate up to its potential and may well go bankrupt without new investments. However, their father’s will left them each $50,000 only upon marriage. So the oldest daughter Winifred of Fred, agrees to marry Mac for a two-year marriage in order to access that money.
Of course, they’re attracted to each other and their marriage of convenience may not be that convenient for long.
What is lovely about this book is the insight into the characters. Mac and Fred are both lonely and have given up on the idea that romance is in their futures. They have resigned themselves to solitary lives. Fred has never been able to have a career because she was taking care of their sick mother. She is, of course, wildly attracted to Mac who is also wildly attracted to her. But it goes beyond their physical attraction. They have a similar sense of purpose in rebuilding the estate to what it’s capable of being.
There isn’t a lot of plot in the story, just two good people finding each other and being willing to accept what fate has put in their laps. And they’re doing it all in an area of the world that sounds beautiful and calming. I had to look at images on Google to see what the North area of New Zealand where they’re living looks like. Between the pictures and Woods’ descriptions, it made me want to get on a plane.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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