Lifelong tragedies of loved ones at sea perpetuate Ella Rowe’s soul-deep fear of it. Feeling cursed, she’s haunted by secrets, lies, spirits, and memories of living in other times all with similar fates. Ella’s fear forces her to run from love–until the sea brings her the perfect man–Navy fighter pilot Daniel Ellsworth.A fated and powerful attraction draws them together in Key West. But … believing that loving Daniel will make him the curse’s next victim, Ella wants to run. Daniel questions pursuing her, knowing death could be a consequence. They begin a timeless odyssey of mystery and peril leading back to Ella’s ancestral home in Maine. Will their destiny be fulfilled, or will tragedy be repeated as Ella and Daniel endure heartbreak to find love, and face death to find life?
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From the time Ella was little, she’s had a deep fear of the sea. Whether it started with her own near-drowning or the strange visions she’s had of multiple people dying near the sea, she’s petrified of the power of the sea. She’s carried this fear into her relationships as well which many have ended with her partner’s death. But while on vacation in Key West, she meets Daniel, who’s everything she’s ever wanted in a man. No matter how much she fights it, she falls in love. She’s deathly afraid of losing him to the sea. Can she learn to let go of her fear and love fully or is she doomed to repeat the past?
Wow, what a beautiful story. Eternal Seas is an emotional women’s fiction with lyrical narration set in Key West. The setting was so detailed, I could feel the sand between my toes. The characters, though, are what drive this story. Ella is a complex character with deep-seated fears that connect the reader with her. The spiritual element of the story kept me turning the pages. The mystery and romance added to the depth of the plot. The only thing I would change would be the info dump at the beginning. It would’ve been better to share Ella’s story throughout the book rather than right at the start. The ending: WOW! I didn’t see that coming.
If you’re looking to be swept away on a journey from fear to love, pick up Eternal Seas today. It would be a perfect summer read.
Favorite Character/Quote: Ella. I found her to be such a fascinating character. Her fear of the sea is very real and well portrayed. I instantly connected with her and wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. On some level, she’s still a part of me, even though I’ve finished reading.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Oh wow. Such a wonderful read! The triumph from tragedy to love was well conveyed. I love reading books about curses and this one was fabulous. I was rooting for the characters to find their happily ever after. The setting was captivating and vivid. I loved everything about this book!
She has always been scared of the sea as there have been so many death she to the sea. This stops her trying new things but when a man arrives, she may just have to face her fears. Will she face her fears? Will he be able to help her? See how she gets on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fate, History, and Eternal Seas
Haunted by the memory of a near-drowning incident when she was a child, Ella has always had a love-hate relationship with the sea. At the time of the drowning, she also had strange visions of multiple people dying and other terrifying things she can’t understand. As she matured, major relationships ended with the men’s deaths. She sees herself as a black widow and doesn’t want to cause any more deaths for people she cares about.
On a vacation in Key West, she meets a young man who tests her resolve. The book continues in surprising ways. Dreams, the distant past of over a hundred years ago, and fate interweave in this compelling novel.
I found some of the early part to be a bit dense with too much backstory imparted in both Ella’s internal monologue and in discussion with her vacation companion. This information should have been relayed more slowly throughout the first part of the book. However, in this section, Ella’s memories of her near-drowning incident were striking and written with such beauty that I was pulled right into the terror felt by the young girl.
Other than the data dump at the start, the book is an interesting look at the concepts of fate, destiny, and beliefs.
Review … By Blair McDowell
Eternal Seas by N. Christine Samuelson***** Five Stars
If you have ever hoped or wished or imagined that you have lived before and may yet live again, and that each recurrence of life and love is a new chance to “get it right”, then this story is for you. And if you have never entertained such thoughts, Eternal Seas is still a well written, engaging love story that may well change your mind.. I recommend it highly.
Eternal Seas by N. Christine Samuelson was recommended to me personally by the author after I reviewed another of her books. She said that I’d enjoy it, and she was right!
The storyline was awesome!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.