The Cruising Fiasco

Stranded in Paradise #7

by Elana Johnson

He can throw a precision pass, but he's dead in the water in matters of the heart...

Maine Fitzgerald has struck out with more women than he'd like to admit—and he doesn't even play baseball. Armed with a plan to get out of his comfort zone onboard a singles cruise, he joins the very first event: a mix and mingle.

Too bad he's almost completely deaf in one ear and doesn't hear the beautiful blonde tell him her name.

Orchid Stone doesn't want to be on the singles cruise. She has an eight-year-old daughter to tend to, and a job to do, and a husband to mourn. But her sisters think eight years is long enough to mourn, and she promises them she'll try on the cruise.

She can't help it if the meathead quarterback isn't interested.

When a tsunami strikes their ship, she's forced overboard with Maine and a security guard, and they make their way to a deserted island. Desperate to get back to her daughter, Orchid will do anything to survive.

She climbs rock walls, escapes from wild boars, and plucks chickens. She knows she's lucky to be washed up on an old World War II outpost, complete with an overgrown garden and a herd of wild chickens, but she needs to get home.

Maine does too—but he's scared of the man he'll have to be once he leaves the island. He's sure Orchid won't want to be with him once he has to go back to the public persona of Maine Fitzgerald. Can Orchid and Maine make things work between them when they're so different? Or will their time stranded together be all they get?

Escape to Getaway Bay and get Stranded in Paradise, where there's always a seriously sweet romance...on a deserted island!

Each book can be read as a standalone, with a happily-ever-after ending, and clean, sweet-without-losing-the-heat romance!

Get Stranded in Paradise with these book by USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson and USA Today bestselling author Bonnie R. Paulson:
1. Stranded with the Boss
2. Stranded with Her Second Chance
3. Stranded with the Rockstar
4. Stranded with the Billionaire
5. Stranded with the Hidden Billionaire
6. Stranded with the SEAL
7. Stranded with the Quarterback
8. Stranded with the Cowboy Billionaire

Brides & Beaches by USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson:
1. The Helicopter Pilot's Bride
2. The Billionaire's Bride
3. The Prince's Bride
4. The Doctor's Bride
5. The Rockstar's Bride
6. The Carpenter's Bride

Read all the books in the Clean Billionaire Beach Club Romance series by USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson, USA Today bestselling author Bonnie R. Paulson, and Jennifer Griffith:
1. The Brainy Billionaire
2. The Brawny Billionaire
3. The Bashful Billionaire
4. The Brazen Billionaire
5. The Billionaire's Bodyguard
6. The Billionaire's Boyfriend
7. The Broke Billionaire
8. The Brilliant Billionaire
9. The Blue-Eyed Billionaire
10. The Bad Boy Billionaire
11. The Brave Billionaire
12. The Belated Billionaire
13. The Billionaire's Blue Christmas
14. The Benched Billionaire
15. The Bookish Billionaire
16. The Burned Billionaire

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2019

About the author

3-time USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson writes adult contemporary beach romance. She is the author of over 130 books across two names, and there's nothing better than sun, sand, and swoon-worthy kisses! Unless it's a sweet-and-sexy cowboy - read those under her pen name of Liz Isaacson. Or an emotional, heartfelt women's fiction novel - read those under her pen name of Jessie Newton.

Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com

Reviews

[Deanie Nelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a tsunami disables their cruise ship, florist Orchid Stone, football player Maine Fitzgerald and security guard Tanner are together in the last lifeboat, and end up stranded on a deserted island.

This is a different take on the stranded-on-a-deserted-island trope, and not just because there's an extra person other than our soon-to-be-falling-in-love couple. The island was previously inhabited, so there are structures (even if they're not sturdy) and chickens on the island (among other things). Plus, there's the added issue of falling for a celebrity.

Overall, this is my favorite of the Stranded in Paradise romances.

[John Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always Be Prepared

Just like the Boy Scouts Eden finally got her emergency pack truly loaded, as we all should in case of an emergency. Even though it's just a story we can learn the lessons we need from them. There is a time in everyone's life when we need to stop and think about our priorities in life. Always put others interest in our lives first and don't just take them for granted. Definite 5 Star

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely romance with interesting happenings. When I heard of the series I thought people were going to be stuck on the island because of flight issues or that it was just a turn of phrase. Man am I glad I was wrong. These are exciting!

[Anne Blyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little more in it than the previous books in the series.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series I have read by Elana Johnson. Each book has a member of the family of sisters as the main character along with a male they end up stranded with. I was confused at first when I started this book because the last book the characters were also stranded because of a ship accident of sorts. But this book was actually quite a bit different in plot if not in theme. And of course with it being a romance ended with a sweet HEA. This books H&H is Orchid and Maine. Orchid is a widow with a 7 year old daughter. Maine is a quarterback for the Orca’s. They are an unlikely couple that are thrown together by chance. This is a cute sweet read.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranded in Paradise! Orchid has been a widow for years. When she is given a singles cruise by her employer, her family encourages her to go look for new experiences and friends. Maine goes on a singles cruise and hopes to meet someone that really sees him and not his pro football image. There is an attraction when they first meet. Then the weather goes downhill and they end up stranded on a deserted island. Love blossoms, but can they survive the real world when they are finally rescued?? Don’t miss this clean, short-read from Elana Johnson!

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so unbelievably sweet. I loved watching this pair get to know one another in a situation where they couldn’t hide behind their social masks, so they had to “get real” with one another. Orchid and Maine are both strong and vulnerable. Qualities they need to keep in mind when navigating not only the extreme situation they find themselves in on the island, but also when the craziness kicks in once they return home. I’m so glad to have had this opportunity to see another of the sisters find her forever.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orchid works with flowers, what an appropriate name! Her boss calls her into his office and makes her take a holiday, what his father has unwittingly done is book a singles cruise, before they can get their money refunded her sister books her in.
On the ship she tries to talk to Maine, a quarterback, but he appears to ignore her, but things aren't what they seem.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Another great read from Elana

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maine and Orchid are at odds from the beginning, especially since she does not want to be on the cruise. I enjoyed reading about their time on the island. Thank goodness for Eden and her emergency packs! Maine has to watch what he says on tv, but he follows everything his PR person says to do; even when he knows it will hurt Orchid. There was something missing from their reunion. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of his book.

[Margie]

Are Orchid and her sisters cursed or blessed. There seems to be a tendency to find themselves stranded (cursed) but they also have a handsome single man with them (blessed). I loved getting reacquainted with the family. Maine is a good role model even if he doesn’t make a good first impression for Orchid. He has to work to overcome ignoring her. I’m glad there are still some single family members so we will have more books to enjoy. This book is fun and a quick read.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranded with the Quarterback

Orchid gets sent on a singles cruise. The last thing she really wanted to do. But she promised her sisters she put herself out there. Maine a quarterback for the Ocas was on the cruise to find someone. When as tsunami hits the ship they find themselves stranded. Will things keep heating up after they are rescued?
Enjoyed the story. Great characters and storyline.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maine and Orchid meet on a cruise ship but it doesn't go well. She thinks he is ignoring her, she often feels invisible. He has no idea why she is giving him the cold shoulder. Being forced to abandon ship makes these two really communicate. I really liked these two together and wanted them to have their hea. The angst frustrated me but loved the outcome. A really sweet, romantic read.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love Maine and Orchid

Maine and Orchid are a great couple. It was fun to see Orchid overcome her problems with talking to and associating with people as she was forced out of her comfort zone. I’m happy Maine was so much better than his public persona. And who wouldn’t love Tesla.

[Tj Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I loved this book. The characters were real, they weren't perfect people. They all had their own faults which enhanced their story. I look forward to seeing more about Maine, Orchid and Tesla in future books.

[Serina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Island Trio

Sometimes life brings catastrophes. This time, many catastrophes happen. Along with a lush background comes a budding relationship and a wonderful family atmosphere. Enjoy!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel had a lot of up and down moments for me. One moment,  I was completely sure I wouldn't keep reading it,  the next I couldn't seem to put it down because I wanted to know what happened. In the end,  I'm glad I stuck with it and finished it out.

[Donna Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another story about being stranded on a Hawaiian island. The characters were enjoyable and the romance was sweet and clean.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maine starting quarterback and Orchid mom grow after they are stuck on an island. Can they bring into Getaway Bay the friendship and Love from that island.

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily review an ARC of this book. It was a great story...

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series/loved it

Another great book in a great series. I loved Orchid and Maine's story. I'm enjoying the stories about the sisters and look forward to more.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story

This was a lot of fun to read. Nice, clean romance story. Lots of things happen in the story to bring two people together.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Getting to know Orchid and Maine was exciting and then watching their characters grow was so much fun I could not put the book down.