Sun Over Star Gazer Island Series by Debra Clopton

“Life is what you make of it, the way you take it; good, bad or blessed. ” These words from their beloved sister-in-law Olivia echo in the hearts of the McConnell sisters—Dora, Kat, and Pearl—two years after her passing. Pearl travels the world as an acclaimed photographer, while Kat owns the successful Café By The Seaside restaurant chain spanning the Texas coast and two Hawaiian Islands. Both sisters are using their work and travel to move forward and want their sister Dora to do the same... more“Life is what you make of it, the way you take it; good, bad or blessed. ” These words from their beloved sister-in-law Olivia echo in the hearts of the McConnell sisters—Dora, Kat, and Pearl—two years after her passing. Pearl travels the world as an acclaimed photographer, while Kat owns the successful Café By The Seaside restaurant chain spanning the Texas coast and two Hawaiian Islands. Both sisters are using their work and travel to move forward and want their sister Dora to do the same. Dora has built a peaceful life as a seashell hunter and souvenir shop owner, but still quietly grieving Olivia’s loss… her world is upended when a new neighbor, Harper “Hawk” Harrison, moves in next door to her beach house on the family ranch. Hawk has only himself to worry about and a drive to see new places and buy and renovate homes everywhere. He has a fantastic eye that sees what a place could be and brings it to its best. When he meets Dora, in his mind nothing needs to change, yet he senses somewhere deep inside she has a secret. As life on Star Gazer Island takes unexpected turns, Dora finds herself drawn to more than just her beloved seashell creations and moonlit walks by the topaz waters. Her carefully guarded heart begins to stir with new possibilities, promising adventures she never imagined when she realizes sitting on that rock alone in the moonlight is better with Hawk beside her. But can she risk loving and maybe losing? Life on Star Gazer Island is about to shine as brilliantly as wet seashells under a midnight moon, as the sisters discover that moving forward from loss can lead to unexpected joy. less

“Don’t be afraid to love… Let your heart free. ”. Nearly four years after losing her friend, Olivia’s words still echo in Pearl’s heart. Photographer Pearl McConnell has spent her life traveling the world, capturing breathtaking places and writing stories that stir souls. But somewhere between takeoffs and deadlines, a quiet ache has taken root... more“Don’t be afraid to love… Let your heart free. ”. Nearly four years after losing her friend, Olivia’s words still echo in Pearl’s heart. Photographer Pearl McConnell has spent her life traveling the world, capturing breathtaking places and writing stories that stir souls. But somewhere between takeoffs and deadlines, a quiet ache has taken root. She has everything she ever wanted… so why does it feel like something’s missing? Her sister Dora has just married and is taking flight with her new husband. Kat is back and forth between her seaside restaurants in Texas and the Hawaiian islands. But Pearl—grateful for the life she leads—suddenly finds herself craving stillness, family, and a chance to catch her breath. Returning home to Star Gazer Island, Pearl hopes that time with loved ones will quiet the restlessness in her spirit. But when she’s offered a lucrative assignment to profile Brant Randall, a reclusive bull-riding legend turned horse trainer now living at the McIntyre Ranch, everything shifts. Brant has no interest in anymore fame or fanfare. He’s here to start fresh, far from headlines and expectations. Pearl’s presence is a disruption—but her eyes see more than just the man the world remembers. And when their paths cross under a moonlit Texas sky, something stirs in both of them… something unexpected, undeniable, and impossible to ignore. She’s trying to slow down. He’s trying to disappear. But life—and love—on Star Gazer Island has a way of showing up right when you need it most. Life on Star Gazer Island is about to stir the tides again, as Pearl discovers that sometimes the clearest picture of love is the one you never meant to take… and that coming home might just be the story worth capturing after all. less

Kat McConnell owns restaurants from Texas to Hawaii and has built a life that looks perfect from the outside. But she's made one iron-clad never risk her heart, she won't be the one left behind—or leave someone else with a broken heart. Living mostly in Kona now, she's found peace creating fabulous food for her restaurant and deep-sea fishing on the topaz waters surrounding her... moreKat McConnell owns restaurants from Texas to Hawaii and has built a life that looks perfect from the outside. But she's made one iron-clad never risk her heart, she won't be the one left behind—or leave someone else with a broken heart. Living mostly in Kona now, she's found peace creating fabulous food for her restaurant and deep-sea fishing on the topaz waters surrounding her. The last thing she expects when she walks out to the dining area is for her gaze to lock with a tall cowboy with determined green eyes causing instant chaos to explode inside her heart. Clay Samson has taken on the ranch on Kona and decides it’s time to do as his boss suggested, meet his daughter on her own turf since she never visits the ranch in the hills. He’s not expecting the lightning bolt that slams through him the moment their gazes lock. He doesn’t need this attraction right now and from the way she reacts neither does she. Both have their reasons not to give in to the pull of attraction but their lives are about to intertwine no matter what they want. Welcome back to Star Gazer Island—with a breathtaking detour to the shores of Kona, where a cowboy's heart waits for a woman brave enough to stop running and for both to find out what forever has to do with it. .. less