As promised, here are a few more photos from Natchez. This one was taken as I walked along the river bluff…
This is Bowie’s Tavern, named after Jim Bowie…The 2nd floor overlooks the river and Brooke and Luke will watch a sunset much like the one above when they eat dinner there on one of their fun dates.
Now onto this week’s Reader Friday. Turtle Box Memories by Chandra Lynn Smith is a great beach read…or any time you want a wholesome story about love, some of it bittersweet, and forgiveness. Don’t you just love the cover! But first the back cover copy and then I’ll give you my thoughts.
[tweet_dis_img inject=”Can a first love be reclaimed? Or is it lost forever? Turtle Box Memories by Chandra Lynn Smith is a sweet read!”]
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Kendra Michaels never expected to be widowed at forty-seven—but neither did she expect going into it twenty-six years of marriage would be difficult and lonely. She returns to her family’s Victorian home on the barrier islands of North Carolina for a restart.
Her twin daughters, newly graduated from college, spend the summer helping her settle in. When they discover carved wood box filled with trinkets in their father’s effects, Kendra finds herself knee-deep in memories of love lost and hope deferred.
Turtle Box Memories is a tender love story inspired by a heart-shaped rock, a shelf of trinkets and the stories behind them, the author’s love of Topsail, North Carolina, sea turtle watches, and lazy beach days. Chandra Smith takes her readers to the beach for a summer of exploring memories, heart healing, and second chances to make better choices.
My take:
This sweet story about lost love and second chances captured my heart. Kendra Michaels has returned to her childhood home on Mimosa Beach with her daughters. The girls are there only long enough to get Kendra settled for the summer when they discover a turtle box filled with Kendra’s memories of her first love. As she tells them the stories behind the trinkets, the girls want her to reconnect with her first love, but Kendra believes it’s too late.
Turtle Box Memories will keep your attention to the end. Reader want to see Kendra and Tommy King reunited, but is it too late? You’ll have to read the book to find out–I’m not spoiling anything!
You can purchase Turtle Box Memories at Amazon.
Do you like ‘beach reads’? In case you wondered, a beach read is a book that captures readers’ attention while they are on vacation — you know instead of gazing at the ocean or swimming in a pool, they have their noses buried in a book! Leave me a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library. Winner announced next week.
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Can a first love be recaptured? Turtle Box Memories by Chandra Lynn Smith is the story of first love and second chances. #amazon #bookgiveaway[/tweet_box]
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Comments 35
I do like beach reads.
Author
Hi Mindy…I like beach reads, too! Thanks for stopping by.
I haven’t been to a beach in years. As to rekindling a first love — I think there are usually good reasons why the love didn’t work out. I would be afraid to take a chance on trying to recapture the past or trying to build a future with a former love.
Author
I sort of agree, Christine…it’s great in fiction, but in real life, not so much. lol. I had a guy that I dated when I was 15 look me up on Linked In and he contacted me, invited me to a sports event, but since I’m in a great relationship, I declined…besides, he didn’t have his photo on linkedin. lol
Gorgeous sunset picture. I’ve never been able to read in the sun. 🙁
Author
I bet it gives you migraines! I can read in the sun, shade, even riding. lol Thanks for dropping by, Sandra.
Really looking forward to your Natchez book and happy that Chandra’s is out.
Author
Thanks, Delores! And I’m glad Chandra’s book is out, too.
I’m excited to be going to Myrtle Beach in September and spending five days with my grandchildren!
Author
That sounds great, Vickie! Have fun!! But I doubt you’ll have any time to read. lol
I love your photos. I have been to Natchez and it is beautiful. I love beach reads. Thanks for the chance to win!
Author
Thanks, Faith. I traveled all over Natchez and discovered GPS doesn’t like Natchez. lol. It tried to take me across the river when I knew where I wanted to go was east!
Yes, I like “beach reads!” I flew to Branson a couple of weeks ago & met family there — I read on the plane, in the airports, early morning, late evening–any time I wasn’t doing something w/ family! One of my sisters even brought a book w/ her just for me! 🙂
Author
That’s awesome, MS Barb! I could probably read on the flight, but after I get together with my family, there’s no way to find time to read. lol. Thanks for stopping by. And isn’t Branson awesome!
I do like beach reads even though I live near the beach.
Author
Oh, wow, Gloria, I forgot you live near the beach. Do you see me turning green???? So glad you stopped by!
I haven’t been on a real vacation for so many years that reading at the beach would be heavenly.
Author
I know what you mean, Lucy. Last year was about the first time in a long, long time that I actually had a vacation. Most of my trips, even the cruises I take are writing related, so I can’t really kick back and read. Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like exactly the kind of book I like! I’ll keep an eye out for it! I’m reading Johnnie Alexander’s Where She Belongs right now, and loving it!
Author
Oh, Regina, I LOVE Johnnie’s book Where She Belongs!! We’re critique partners, you know. As well as friends, but it was ACFW’s critique groups that brought us together. Thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful sunset! When we went to the beach (younger years) I always enjoyed reading!
I am still an avid reader….but at home!
Author
Thanks, Jackie. I couldn’t believe the sky that night. It was so beautiful but the beauty doesn’t always translate to the camera. That time it did. lol Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I like beach reads, mountain reads, valley reads, desert reads. . . ☺️
Author
I’m with you, Jeanna! Thanks for stopping by!
Usually, when I’m on vacation I don’t read….even though I bring books. Guess I’m too busy enjoying myself with other things to do 🙂
I’ve often thought about seeing my first love again and what it would be like (if I wasn’t married, that is). Could an old flame come to life again, would we be too different now ? All those “what-if” questions . I dated my first love off and on through high school, then he joined the Navy right after graduation. I couldn’t shake him from my heart and always thought about him; so I wrote a letter to him and sent it to his parents house not knowing how else to contact him (his mom forwarded to him). I heard back from him a while afterwards and he couldn’t stop thinking about me either. He wanted to come see me when he got leave but didn’t tell me when that was. I came home from work one day to find him & his mom at my house (I was still living at home)…totally surprising me!! He had a dozen red roses , a big smile and was decked out in his dress blues….my, but he was handsome! Anyway, to make a long story short…later that year we got engaged at Christmas and a few short months afterward he sent me a Dear Jane letter. I was devastated! I found out years later that he was dating other women and married less than a year after our break-up! Still to this day, I have no idea what happened to make him do that to me, and I’ve always wondered.
But God saw fit to send me a husband who lives me and who has a heart of gold, so I can’t complain too much 😉 Seriously though, I wouldn’t trade my life that the Lord blessed me with for anything!
I think that’s why reunion stories are my favorite….because of that “what-if” factor. 🙂
Author
Thanks for sharing, Trixi! And you are so right that God had your back! Even though it was heartbreaking at the time, just think if you’d married him what you would have missed…as well as what you might have had to endure! Thanks for stopping by.
That is supposed to read “a husband who LOVES me”…..crazy autocorrect!
Great pictures, especially the sunset. I enjoy a good book anytime. We just got home yesterday from a nine-day trip. I was disappointed that I didn’t find much time for reading although we didn’t do a lot of sightseeing. We had some hotel issues, so I spent a fair amount of time researching hotels and changing reservations in the first four or five days of the trip. Great to get home again.
Author
Aww, Edward, I’m sorry you had problems on your trip. Nine days is just a little long for me…but 5 is about right. Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds like a sweet romance, and I love the cover too! I do like beach books but I try not to have my nose in a book when I’m surrounded by God’s glory (nature). However I will read a chapter or two while relaxing at the beach just not a whole book:)
Author
That’s me, Jessica. I’ll read a little, but the ocean is just too awe inspiring to not gaze at! Thanks for stopping by.
Love the photos and sharing research for your book setting. The reader review of a beach read is great too.
Author
Thanks, Sally Jo! And welcome to my blog.
Such a gorgeous sunset! I love reading anywhere I can; it makes quite sad that I get carsick reading in the car! At the beach, however, I read while my husband takes a nap. 😉
Author
I read anywhere I can, too, Diane. And a bomb could probably go off beside me and I’d neve notice it. lol