New York Times Bestselling Author
Happy Fourth of July y’all!
The summer book tour has me far from my beach town in South Carolina this year. Today, I’m waking up in beautiful coastal Delaware with two holiday book signings on the schedule. I’ll be signing copies of Beach House for Rent at Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Beach and then later at Bethany Beach Books on Bethany Beach. Join me if you can.
ON SALE NOW
My new noel BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT wouldn’t be possible without the brilliant, generous professionals who enthusiastically shared their knowledge with me. One of those people who deserves great thanks is Felicia Sanders of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, for the education she gave me on shorebirds, seabirds, and wading birds. Because of her deep passion for these beautiful creatures who rely on our coastline for survival, I’ve invited her to share her knowledge and wisdom (and great photos) on my blog today with hopes that this knowledge will help us all be better stewards every time we visit the beach.
ONE WEEK.
JUNE 20TH.
That’s the release date of BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT.
It’s a return to the beach–my beach–the Isle of Palms, where I call home. And this is a book of my heart.
This week I begin a coast-to-coast book tour to share this special moment with all of you. Thank you, dear readers for your love and support. Without you, this book would not be possible.
JUNE 20
School’s out for summer and the beach traffic is booming again here on Isle of Palms, South Carolina, as the vacationers, day trippers, and locals alike flock to the beach. There are two things people always want to know when they visit this special beach town… where should I eat and what book should I read.
For food–I recommend Long Island Cafe and Sea Biscuit Cafe. There are many fun places to dine on the island, but these are my go-to spots!
Photo by: Judy Fairchild (Dewees Island, SC)
My family and I moved to Isle of Palms, South Carolina nearly twenty years ago for my husband’s job. We had been vacationing on the island for years, so what a thrill it was–especially for my three young children–to live at the beach.
Fate brought us here. After my move, my way of storytelling transformed. No longer was I creating novels from archetypal themes, but instead this coastal Lowcountry landscape became my inspiration. Since our move here all those years ago, I feel called to be a steward of the wild…through storytelling.
In just a month, I hit road the for a coast-to-coast book tour to celebrate the June 20th release of BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT. Book tour is a favorite time of year for me because I get to meet all of you and hear your stories! I treasure our interactions and your support. One question readers frequently ask during book tour is “What inspired your novel?”.
Summer’s coming! That means migrating shorebirds, such as willets and red knots, plovers and sandpipers, are returning to the shores of my beloved beach, the Isle of Palms. And this year, their arrival also signals the arrival of my new novel, BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT.
This is the final book of my Beach House Series, which started many years after I moved to the Isle of Palms and fell in love with the majestic loggerhead sea turtle that calls this shoreline home every nesting season. It was the first time a species inspired my story line.
I feel like a bride again … more than forty years after my own wedding.
Here we are–Markus, a dashing groom, and I, a blushing twenty-year-old bride–at our wedding at a beautiful farm, beginning the rest of our lives … together.
Now some 40 years later he’s retired and for the first time we’re traveling together–not a second honeymoon but for book tour–celebrating the release of my new novel A Lowcountry Wedding. From the seaside book reception at the Wild Dunes Resort Grand Pavilion on Isle of Palms, South Carolina to our multiple book signings, book talks, and literary luncheons across the country. Planes, trains, and automobiles!
I’m on the road… beginning the first leg of a 28-city book tour promoting my new novel, A LOWCOUNTRY WEDDING, available nationwide tomorrow, May 3rd. I’ve been counting down with my fans for this big day! And if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you know I’ve been celebrating with fun, weekly giveaways on my Facebook Author Page.
Now it’s almost time for the BIGGEST giveaway to date yet. One lucky fan on my Facebook Author Page will win a week-long romantic getaway to Firefly Sunset Resort in Abaco, Bahamas!
Who wants THIS view at Firefly Sunset Resort?