WHITE SAND, BLUE SEA transports us to the jewel of the Caribbean, St. Bart's. White powder sand at your choice of 14 private, secluded beaches. Whether a leisurely walk or a dive with scuba gear into the warm, inviting azure sea, the island will take your breath away. Her parents villa overlooks the horseshoe shaped Bay of Gustavia and Olivia has been coming here for a vacation, tan, and warm memories for many years. This time it will be a celebration of her 25th birthday and she hopes an engagement ring from Finn, her boyfriend of four years. Will he finally "pop the question?" Her mother, Hadley, and her step-father, Felix, and Finn, the loves of her life are here to add to this wonderful occasion. Alone at the villa, someone knocks at the door. Thinking it is a guest invited by Hadley, she sees a man, tall, dark, and handsome. He smiles when Olivia fails to recognize him. He introduces himself as Sebastian Miller, world famous and traveled artist, her father. She has not seen him since he left her and her mother 20 years ago. A shocker but Olivia feels it is a happy surprise. She wants to get to know her father. She hopes he will be made welcome by Hadley and Fritz. Surprise!

Anita Hughes is top of my list as a favorite author of romance. Her spectacular locales always amaze me and I am attracted to her characters from the first to last page. WHITE SAND, BLUE SEA is no exception. A delightful journey dealing with self discovery and what is most important in your life. She highlights the importance of communication and that it should always be treated with honesty. Olivia wrestles with her missing father who shows up unannounced. He is selfish, and a manipulator who causes trouble between Hadley and Felix. He really upsets Finn's proposal and marriage plans. I found Sebastian to be egotistical, a real "moocher" who drank freely of a great deal of Felix's liquors. His endless stories with all their embellishments about his exotic travels got tiring and boring. Felix was my favorite character and he showed so much love and patience for Olivia and Hadley. Felix made Sebastian look small, and his constant adoration of his wife and Olivia was so obvious and so lovely to see.

Ms. Hughes captures the magic of an island in a story about romance, family, and what major priorities should be to make you happy. WHITE SAND, BLUE SEA warmed my heart and I look forward to her more from her. Where do we head next, Ms. Hughes. I am ready!

Book Summary

Olivia Miller is standing on the porch of her mother and stepfather's plantation style villa in St. Barts. They have been coming here every April for years but she is always thrilled to see the horseshoe shaped bay of Gustavia and white sand of Gouverneur's Beach. This trip should be particularly exciting because she is celebrating her twenty-fifth birthday and hoping that Finn, her boyfriend of four years, will propose.

The only person who won't be here is her father, Sebastian, whom she hasn’t seen in twenty years. He’s a well-known artist and crisscrosses the globe, painting and living in exotic locations like Kenya and China. When Sebastian unexpectedly walks through the door and floats back into Olivia’s life like a piece of bad driftwood she never knew she wanted, she starts to wonder if her world is too narrow. She questions the dreams and the relationship she’s always thought she wanted. But there seems to be more to the story than an innocent fatherly visit, and Olivia must decide if love is more important than truth.

Set on St. Barts, the jewel of the Caribbean, Anita Hughes's WHITE SAND, BLUE SEA is a heartwarming story about romance and adventure, and most importantly, about knowing yourself, and what makes you happy.