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 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. ( )

In The Denim Blue Sea, author Joanne DeMaio transports the reader back to the tranquil seashore town of Stony Point, Connecticut, where they catch up with the lives of six friends: Maris, Eva, Matt, Jason, Kyle and Lauren, who were introduced in the novel, Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans. It is a year later, and the close knit group of friends are coming back to Stony Point for the summer wedding of denim designer Maris Carrington and architect Jason Barlow. Just like the ebb and flow of the tide, life brings issues and changes to one's life, but the bonds of friendship, sea air and salt water are cleansing, they cure what ails you. For this group of old friends, a summer wedding will bring them together, but the bonds of friendship and personal relationships will be tested when a long-lost journal that reveals a heartbreaking secret is found, and other life issues surface and swirl around in the shimmering denim blue sea, yet its calming effect offers them a chance of hope, love, family, friendship, forgiveness, and redemption.

The Denim Blue Sea is a poignant story of friendship and family, dealing with life's issues, and long held secrets that will tug at your heartstrings. Author Joanne DeMaio weaves an emotional tale written in the third person narrative, that is set in the present with flashbacks to the past. The reader is transported to the tranquil seashore town of Stony Point, Connecticut, where they follow along with Maris, Eva, Matt, Jason, Kyle and Lauren as they get ready to celebrate Maris and Jason's wedding while dealing with challenges of real life, loss, love, heartbreak, secrets, and personal demons.

Author Joanne DeMaio easily captivates her readers' attention with this beautifully written and emotional tale through a seamless and flowing storyline, and with a wonderful description of a tranquil beach setting that wraps itself around the reader like a sun-warmed beach towel. The characters 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. With a mixture of intrigue, suspense, drama, humor, heartache, hidden secrets, romance, and a strong bond of friendship, this story takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride that will keep you turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion.

The Denim Blue Sea is an intricate story of interweaving friendships and real life challenges that is both heart wrenching and inspirational. It is a powerful and compelling story that will have you feeling the full gamut of emotions while soothing your soul. It is a wonderful story that demonstrates the power of love conquering all, it will resonate with you long after the last word has been read.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour hosted by the author.

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A special thank you to the publisher for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Joanne DeMaio returns to the idyllic coast, with sun-bleached shells, driftwood, and all the treasures of the sea, to catch up with familiar friends from her previous books, with her latest contemporary, THE DENIM BLUE SEA, a magical poetic book of life’s lessons, inspiration, and wisdom --- "something lovely can come from destruction."

Loss, love, pain, happiness, tears, laughter, and memories bring wisdom . . . connecting all these special friends amid the mysterious sounds of the sea.

A group of friends gather in charming Stony Point of Long Island South to celebrate the marriage of Maris and Jason, a highly creative couple; both workaholics, with challenging careers they love. However, before they get to the altar, they both have to face some major obstacles and tough choices, as well as some of the others in the wedding party. “Do you know what happens if you leave the past alone? It’ll chase you down.“

From Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans we met Maris, trading her Chicago studio for a New England shingled cottage with her successful denim design career, when she uncovered some family secrets when settling her father’s estate.

We also met Jason, guilt ridden after his brother’s death-a successful architect who returns home to this same beach town to deal with his demons, and the loss of his leg. And Eva, Maris’ oldest friend, now her sister, and other friends, Lauren and Kyle; all struggling to overcome their past, in order to move on with their futures.

As the novel opens, it is only two weeks before the big wedding of Jason and Maris. As weddings go, emotions are high, wedding guests, showers, rehearsal dinner, speeches, and much preparation. Eva and Maris have been best friends growing up together in a New England shoreline town, finding later they were sisters and now her matron of honor.

With all the excitement, Maris is busy trying to create a new denim line; struggling to find inspiration, having to spend time in New York with her company. However, when she finds Neil’s journal, she may just find her answers, to more than one problem. One secret causes even more stress for this couple, , and may jeopardize their upcoming nuptials.

Jason is stressed to the nines, as he has to face one of his biggest challenges. He has to decide if he wants to take on the renovation of the home of his worst enemy, the person who killed his brother and left him without a leg, which causes him pain every day.

Nothing will bring back Neil, his brother from an enemy he never saw coming, a car who drove straight into them one fateful day on his motorcycle. So now he is choosing a best man in Neil’s place. He still continues to talk to his brother and seeks answers to life’s stresses. Could he now be meeting this enemy face- to- face? His nightmare has returned. What would his dad or his brother say? They were the wise ones. He is left without either of them. Could it be that the destruction that came to his life eight years ago, will lead to good? It may not be easy getting there and sometimes pride and hurt have to take a back seat, in order to experience the joy and the lesson. He is feeling the loss all over again.

Lauren and Kyle are back, having worked out some of their issues in the past; however, secrets will arise which may tear them apart, once again. Kyle always feels Neil is haunting his marriage, floating in and out of their lives like a fog, wisps of him always hovering close by. Can they move past the ghost between them?

Each character has suffered tragedy and loss, and like a pair of jeans— “Life’s been lived fully in them, with distressed marks suggesting days of walking the high tide line, of wading, of each living and breathing; leaving behind only seaside abrasion on blue denim.” However each have been given something beautiful almost as a gift, after the loss and suffering.

Wow, I bookmarked so many pages, packed with stunning poetic words, phrases, and takeaways. Each time after reading one of Joanne’s books, am left pondering, “How can the next be better than the previous?” . . . Am always amazed. Each has its own special voice, gift, and unique memorable inspiring message.

Some many loved ones have passed, and each character has their own memories from fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, past loves, friends . . . I particularly loved Neil’s journal and what he left behind through his breathtaking journal and poetic words; his lovely view of the sea as related to life, offering inspiration to Maris and Jason and comfort for others. His soul lives on through his words.

The wise words, and dog tags from Jason's father about the enemy- priceless! He recalls his dad talking about Vietnam. “No, he did not like being in the jungle waiting for the enemy, but being there taught him more about life than anything before, or after.” His words ring true when thinking of Ted, “Just because you don’t like something, doesn’t mean you don’t do it.”

Life works in mysterious ways, rich with meaning, but poignant at the same time. A journal left behind full of inspiration of the sea, almost spiritual--as it relates to life, creating something beautiful and memorable to live on.

As always, love escaping to Stony Point, where you walk along the water's edge with storybook cottages, the driftline, and sea breezes, catching up with old friends, who have felt tragedy and loss for a novel of sea, sky, denim, love, longing, and every shade of blue.

The DENIM BLUE SEA, is not a just a feel-good fluff beach book, romance, or family drama----a literary contemporary of suspense, intrigue, and hidden secrets which come to light, lessons to be learned from experience, with stunning metaphors as life works in mysterious ways, rich with meaning, but poignant at the same time. Look forward to the next book, with Elsa’s surprise . . .

“Always, no matter where life takes us, no matter how far we journey, those waves forever break on the beach. Always.”

Joanne writes with passion, creativity, in an almost magical lyrical poetic prose, making the words dance, and come alive on the page. If you have not had the opportunity of reading her previous books, would highly recommend, as have read them all.

Her writing is unique, a piece of art, through her characters, a denim fashion designer, an architect, an artist, a baker, a craftsman, and others are inspired by God’s nature and beauty. A master storyteller, connecting her books, her characters, and their lives. Each can be read as a standalone; however, to get the full experience, you will want to read them all.

My Reviews-Joanne's previous books:

True Blend
Snowflakes & Coffee Cakes
Blue Jeans & Coffee Beans
Whole Latte Life ( )

Denim blue sea by Joanne DeMaio
Love the author's previous works and when I heard of this new one I knew it'd be another good read and I was right.
Like this one right from the start as I live near the ocean and it has a calming effect on me. Can't seem to get enough of the scent either when we return home from travels around the US.
This book is about a couple that is to be married at Stony Point, CT and all their friends have over the years, summered there as well so it' s natural they come together. Also an aunt of the bride was invited-from Italy.
There are many wedding gettogethers and unplanned ones as well. We get to meet not only the main characters but their friends, spouses and kids. Memories of past summers also make an appearance to not only understand the secrets that are coming out but the lives of the people
mixed in with their current lives. Love how it's like a jigsaw puzzle as the pieces are all fitting together and at times you wonder if there will be a wedding at all. Journals from his dead brother all but the one he really needs...
Jobs and careers are an added plus here for me as both are made to sound so interesting and creative and there are so many details described. Love learning new things!
So many emotions, lost of loved ones, gaining new family members, wedding prep and teamwork amongst friends.
Reminds me of a happily ever after book but with the twists there is heartache and pain and happiness. Love how the characters all interact with one another over the years and seem at ease with everyone. Fun loving bunch of people wish I had this bunch for my friends. Love this book the best by the author and can't wait for other books.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. ( )