I am lucky to have been born under the sign of water. So it makes sense I remember my first swim lesson. I was about five when my mother signed me up for Red Cross swimming. The big event was held at Nutt’s Pond. This unusual name came from a popular local circus performer for the PT Barnum Circus, Commodore Nutt, who had lived nearby. A rather strange but true fact.
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| NH Lake |
On my first day of swim class, I looked around at the adults, wondering who would be my teacher. Kids were quickly divided up into groups as they called our names. Finally, mine came up. Since I was a beginner, I was in a small group, and my instructor was a teenage boy! We formed a circle. Our instructor announced he’d count to three, and then, we were to put our faces in the water. If we didn’t, he’d put them in for us. Memorable. And no way was I letting a boy duck me into the lake.
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| Hampton Beach |
I recall little else of those classes. But I learned to swim. However, whenever we go to the ocean in New Hampshire, I rarely use those skills. I love the sand and the salt air, but a complete dip in the Atlantic has never been my thing. Mainly because it’s cold!! The average July temperature is 64 degrees. Most people stand on the edge until their feet numb and then walk farther in.
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| LAST CHANCE BEACH: SUMMER"S END |
I’ve always dreamed of warm summer nights with soft breezes and rolling waves you can dip yourself into and feel refreshed. I was lucky to be able to join the brilliant Romance Gems who were writing a collection of romance short stories called Last Chance Beach: Summer's End. At last I had my temperature-perfect blue sea. And, I’m pleased to announce that along with 13 other super-talented authors we have produced our set of novellas. You’ll love each one. Summer love at the beach, how can you not?
You can get your copy of the Last Chance Beach: Summer's End directly from
Amazon. Pre-order today for delivery on August 4th! And below is my cover and blurb about:
Beach Wishes & Sunset Kisses
Frankie McKinley’s last three relationships went up in flames. Now she vows to
resist the lure of romantic Last Chance Beach and take a break from men. She’ll
concentrate on her dream of opening a brick-and-mortar gift shop. Her best
friend insists Frankie needs to relax and enjoy life. Have a Fling. But Frankie’s
not into casual hookups until the morning her gaze lands on the handsome
tourist, Sean Thomas-Michaels. A man she deems fling worthy. Will he agree?
Stay strong, healthy, and happy, My Friends,
~Nora
***
Don’t Go yet!! We have our monthly Rafflcopter with Amazon gift card prizes.
Click the link to enter now!!
I've never seen the ocean from New England shores, although I so want to. However, maybe I won't go in above my ankles... :-) Nice post, Nora!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. If you come this way, we'll go!! Don't forget.
ReplyDeleteMost summers my grandkids spend time with their grandfather and his wife on Cape Breton Island. The farm is on a beautiful lake and their 12 miles from the Atlantic. They are all water babies and love every minute of it. We're also a short drive from the Bay of Fundy where at low tide you can walk on the ocean floor. You can't get much better than that. Great post, Nora !!!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to walk on the Ocean Floor! Road trip, Nancy Fraser. Some day. I don't think you can get much better than that either! You're surrounded by water and water babies.
ReplyDeleteIt was the Atlantic that convinced me that I needed to live by the ocean. The scent, the swells, the majesty. I ended up on the Pacific instead and we can walk a 5 minute downhill stroll to rocky beach and tide pools. Magnificent and a titch warmer then the North Atlantic. A lovely post, Nora! I love stories with “flings” that ever end. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bonnie. Living on the Pacific and a 5 min stroll to the beach seems like a dream! Enjoy the beauty. You're a fortunate woman.
ReplyDeleteI'm not crazy about going in the Atlantic either, though I do love walking along the beach and I love the ocean. My grandparents had a camp on a nearby lake so we went there often. I don't even remember not being in the water. But lake water is so much better to swim in. For me anyway!! Love the cover of your story!! Absolutely gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteKari, Once you love the water you miss it forever! You might know my cover artist, Nancy Fraser! Thanks.
DeleteI'm a west coast girl, steps from the beach. I remember my first swimming lessons at the Y. Everyone stared at ne, the girl with the noseplug, so I quit going.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, you made me laugh---the girl with the noseplug. Hey, but it it didn't stop you from going to the beach.
DeleteI'm not a huge fan of going into the ocean because I hate putting on sunscreen. Pretty dumb, huh? I do love the beach. We were in Maryland once and got to see the Atlantic. It has a different feel and look the farther north you go. It was interesting and pretty! Your book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kara. I've only been to the Pacific once and it was cloudy and foggy. i remember driving near the coast and we couldn't see anything. I might have been disappointed if I'd known then how pretty it is.
ReplyDeleteBeach Kisses and Sunset wishes. This island girl misses the warm surf between her toes. Can't wait to read your story. Such a romantic cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Marcia. I love this cover!! Great cover artist.
DeleteMy swimming lessons were traumatic. I reckon I could swim well enough to save myself though.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary, maybe you have a good story there. Nice to see you as always. Glad you learned enough to stay afloat.
ReplyDeleteCold ocean is not my idea of beach fun. Warm Gulf of Mexico is my kind of thing, and it's only a little more than an hour away.
ReplyDelete