Dive Deeper into
RomantiSea Serenades FAQs

FAQs

ABOUT THE SERIES

  • RomantiSea Serenades is a contemporary romance series set aboard the luxurious Elysian Serenade, a fictional cruise ship designed for connection, self discovery, and unexpected romance. Each duet follows two main characters on the same sailing told in two distinct books from their unique perspectives, with Scarlet Wave and Golden Shores now leading the voyage.

  • Each pair of companion novels tells a complete love story from both characters’ points of view. While each novel can be read on its own, reading both gives you the full emotional depth of their shared journey. Future pairs of books will introduce new couples, but all of the stories are interconnected through the Elysian Serenade and the Mingle at Sea group sailings.

  • Start anywhere. Each duet follows a new couple on the same cruise, told in two standalone novels from their distinct perspectives. You can begin with Scarlet Wave or Golden Shores, then read the companion, or alternate between the two for a braided experience. The same approach works for Emerald Tide and Sapphire Seas. Amplified Pyrite is a standalone novella set in the same world, it can be read at any time and adds extra depth for returning readers.

  • Fifteen core books are planned, told as duet pairs with occasional bonus novellas like Amplified Pyrite. Scarlet Wave and Golden Shores are the newest releases. I plan to keep sailing as long as fresh couples and meaningful stories keep stepping aboard the Elysian Serenade.

  • Do characters from one book appear in the others?
    Yes. The stories share the same ship and Mingle at Sea sailings, so you will see familiar faces across duets. Some return for quick cameos, others play key support roles, and a few step into the spotlight later. Scarlet Wave and Golden Shores feature crossovers from earlier books, while Emerald Tide and Sapphire Seas introduce many of the found family threads that continue throughout the series. Each story stands alone, but reading widely rewards you with richer connections.

ABOUT THE CHARACTERS

Travel Planning FAQ

  • Not at all. If you’re still dreaming or just starting to explore options, that’s a perfect time to connect. You can fill out the travel profile to get on my radar, or join my email list to stay in the loop with deals and tips.

  • Cruises, all inclusive resorts, Disney and Universal vacations, and custom itineraries for military families, solo travelers, and guests with accessibility needs. I bring firsthand cruise expertise from the RomantiSea Serenades world to real life planning, including advice for couples, families with kids, and reader groups. If you have a destination in mind, I will help you get there smoothly and stress free.

  • You get personalized support, expert insight, and less stress. I help you navigate logistics, unlock perks, and find the best options for your style and budget. Think of it as handing the hard stuff to someone who genuinely loves the planning part.

  • No. I absolutely will not charge you. My payment comes from the travel suppliers you book with, not from you. I will always look for the best available rates, added perks, and deals that fit your trip. My goal is to make your planning easier, more personal, and as budget-friendly as possible.

  • Yes. I travel with family members who have their own mobility and sensory challenges, so I understand how important thoughtful planning can be. I know the questions to ask, the details that matter, and how to help you feel confident before you ever leave home. Whether you need mobility support, sensory-friendly spaces, or specific medical accommodations, I will work with you to build a trip that feels both comfortable and exciting.

  • Some are. Many characters and moments draw on people I have met at sea and in port, especially within solo and group sailings. Scarlet and Jerry’s duet borrows threads from my own love story and from conversations with fellow travelers, though details are reshaped to protect privacy. I take the spark and the emotion, then let the characters become fully themselves.

  • Absolutely. The Mingle at Sea cruises bring together a wide mix of people across cultures, orientations, and life experiences, and I want that reflected on the page. You will meet queer characters throughout the series as friends, found family, and love interests, with space for more to step forward in future books.

    Representation matters, and I try to handle it with care. I do not add characters to check a box. I aim for authentic stories that honor each person’s full humanity and let every character feel real, respected, and worthy of love.

  • Yes. I’ve already planned future couples that reflect a variety of cultural backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The Elysian Serenade is a global experience, and I want that same richness to be present in my stories.

  • They just might. While each pair of books focuses on a different couple, I love the idea of revisiting characters readers fall in love with. Whether it's a quick cameo or a full-circle moment, don’t be surprised if you see Aidan and Harper again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  • I am a former military journalist turned romance writer who believes in real connection, unexpected beginnings, and stories that linger long after the last page. I fell in love with my wife on a cruise, and that spark fuels my sea set romances. My newest duet, Scarlet Wave and Golden Shores, leads the RomantiSea Serenades series with heartfelt, character driven love stories aboard the Elysian Serenade.

    Read more here.

  • Because my own love story began on the open water. There’s something magical about being untethered from land … about the possibility and vulnerability that comes with new experiences and new people in an unfamiliar setting. A cruise is like a floating reset button, and that makes it the perfect backdrop for love.

  • Yes and no. Mingle at Sea is fictional, but it's inspired by my own experience traveling with solo cruiser groups. It’s a tribute to the people I met … many of whom found love and lifelong friendships on the ocean.

CONTENT & TRIGGER WARNINGS

  • Yes. Call it medium spice with emotional depth. The books include open door scenes that are sensual, consent forward, and tied to character growth. Expect slow burn tension that pays off once the heart is fully engaged. Scarlet Wave and Golden Shores keep the heat steady with tenderness, humor, and healing, while Emerald Tide and Sapphire Seas set the tone for steam balanced with genuine connection. If you enjoy intimate scenes that serve the love story, you are in the right place.

  • The RomantiSea Serenades books are hopeful and heart forward, yet some characters face real challenges. Topics may include:

    • Parental pressure and generational expectations

    • Workplace burnout and career pivots

    • Past emotional betrayal and broken trust

    • Grief and loss referenced in backstory

    • Anxiety, stress, and self worth struggles

    • Military service related trauma and readjustment

    • Pregnancy loss and healing

    There is no sexual violence, no abuse depicted on page, and no harm to children or animals. Each story aims for transparency, compassion, and an uplifting, satisfying ending. Scarlet Wave and Golden Shores include tender exploration of healing after loss and the realities of single parenthood and service related PTSD, handled with care.

  • Yes. As new characters and stories are introduced, any additional or significant content warnings will be noted on the individual book pages and in the front matter of the books themselves.

FOR BOOK CLUBS & READERS

  • Yes. It is ideal for discussion. Try a split read with Scarlet Wave and Golden Shores where half the group reads one and half reads the other, then compare how the same moments shift by perspective. You can also meet twice and read the duet in sequence, or use the same format with Emerald Tide and Sapphire Seas. Great prompts include how grief, single parenthood, and service related trauma shape trust, how found family forms at sea, and how setting acts as a catalyst for change. If your club tries this, I would love to hear about it on Instagram @jdharbor.

  • The best way to stay in the loop is by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Instagram: @jdharbor. I post regular updates, sneak peeks, writing tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses at life onboard the Elysian Serenade.

  • Absolutely! I’d love to! I’m always happy to join book clubs for a virtual video call to chat about the characters, storylines, behind-the-scenes inspiration, or even who you’d cast in a movie version.

    Want to host a floating book club meeting at sea? Yes, please. Beach read book clubs with themed cocktails? Count me in. I’m open to any creative, cozy, or totally wild ideas your group might dream up.

    Shoot me an email at author.jdharbor@gmail.com and let’s make it happen!