Hey everyone! Happy June 2024! I hope you all have exciting plans for your summer.
In a month, Romance writer, Catherine Michaels is releasing her new book, Sand, Sea, & Second Chances.
You may have heard of (Cat) Catherine Michaels in my past blogs and on my social media pages. She’s a former Kidlit writer and we were fortunate to write a book together called, “Just Between Sam and Me.”
More About Catherine Michaels and Her New Book
Award-winning author Catherine Michaels whisks you away to charming small towns and sun-kissed shores in her swoon-worthy sweet romances. Prepare to laugh, shed a happy tear, and fall for unforgettable characters.
A former educator with a passion for storytelling, Catherine brings her unique perspective to life after years of nurturing young minds, publishing five children’s books as Cat Michaels, and a second career leading in the corporate world.
Fueled by a desire for happily-ever-afters, she started her Gull Island romance during the pandemic lockdown. Drawing inspiration from her coastal haven, she weaves relatable characters and picturesque settings into heartwarming escapes. Catherine and her family live outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, where she writes and visits her happy place on the coast every chance she gets.
Let’s Go to the Beach
Kick off your shoes and take a walk on the beach with Catherine and I as we explore her new release. (Don’t forget your sunscreen lotion.)
From Catherine:
Thanks for having me on your blog, Rosie! Talking about this new book takes me back to our kid lit days when we co-wrote Just Between Sam and Me. Now I’m diving into the world of adult romance with my latest book, Sand, Sea, & Second Chances, releasing on July 17. This book is for anyone who’s ever felt like life threw them a curveball (or maybe a rogue wave!). It’s about second chances, following your heart, and rediscovering the strength and joy that lies within. All wrapped up in a heartwarming summer escape mixed with tears and laughter.
1. Tell us more about the heart of Sand, Sea, & Second Chances and finding love again. What unexpected turn of events brings your main characters together?
Life can hit you sideways sometimes, and that’s exactly what happens to Kate Fiore, a dynamic woman in her mid-30s. Fresh off a tough divorce and career setback, she swaps Northern cityscapes for Down South seascapes with a summer marketing gig at an aquarium on charming Gull Island.
But paradise isn’t all sunshine and seashells. Kate clashes with a stubborn (but talented!) local landscape architect, Luke McAllister, over a proposed beach development project. Their fiery arguments soon spark an undeniable connection.
2. Was it challenging to write a love story for characters who might not be looking for love again? How did you portray their journey of rediscovering romance?
Finding love later in life often comes with emotional baggage, and that’s true for Kate and Luke. Both are focused on their careers and not actively seeking romance. But as they’re forced to work together on the aquarium’s annual fundraiser and sea turtle patrols, their shared passion for Gull Island starts to break down their barriers.
Their story unfolds as a slow burn, gradually revealing past hurts and challenging preconceived notions. It’s a summer romance with emotional depth along with themes of over tourism, coastal protection, and found family…all in a charming small-town setting with quirky side characters.
3. What kind of romance is it? Steamy or sweet?
Sand, Sea, & Second Chances is a sweet, closed-door romance that emphasizes emotional connection and simmering chemistry. While some moments will leave you breathless, the focus is on Kate and Luke’s heartfelt journey and emotional arc. You might even shed a happy tear rooting for them.
4. Did the idea for Sand, Sea, & Second Chances come to you all at once, or did it evolve over time? Share your journey from initial inspiration to finished manuscript.
It took me three years to bring this book to you, inspired by my love of ocean and a need for an escape during the pandemic lockdown…. maybe a little nudge from Kate and Luke’s themselves, too!
The ocean has always been my happy place, from growing up along coastal Connecticut and visiting the near-to-me North Carolina beaches for more than two decades since moving South. More inspiration for Sand, Sea, & Second Chances struck on a visit to a favorite beach that had changed dramatically due to development. Crammed with houses, we couldn’t even access the once-pristine space.
It got me thinking about the delicate balance between progress and preservation. That’s when I expanded Luke and Kate’s story beyond two passionate souls coming together from different worlds. They not only navigate their personal journeys but also clash over a condo development on Gull Island.
I also wanted to add depth to Kate’s character, giving her a secret that keeps her guarded, and explore if she can find the courage to risk opening her heart again to love.
5. Are any parts of your book inspired by your real life?
Kate and I share roots in coastal Connecticut towns and come from boisterous, loving Italian families. My real-life Aunt Theresa, an active 93-year-old, inspires some of the spunk in the story. While Gull Island is fictional, it’s a blend of my favorite North Carolina coastal communities… because who can pick just one beautiful beachy setting?
6. Where can readers learn more and find your book?
Sand, Sea, & Second Chances debuts on July 17, 2024, but you can pre-order your digital copy on Amazon now for just ► $0.99! This hot deal ends soon, so don’t miss out!
Print versions will be available on July 17 from your favorite bookseller.
“Excerpt from Sand, Sea, & Second Chances, by Catherine Michaels
©2024 by Cool Breeze Books, all rights reserved
“Kate Fiore stepped up to the front porch of her rented bungalow. The relentless sun had bleached the once-bright red door to a pale rosy hue, while the heat danced on the white shell driveway. A gentle breeze brushed against her cheek, carrying the briny perfume of the ocean and the scent of jasmine from a nearby garden. Taped to the door, a note scrawled in black Sharpie swayed in the wind, its edges curled as if eager to reveal its secrets.
Kate shielded her eyes from the blinding sun with her hand, casting a shadow across the note she was trying to read. She squinted, her lips moving slightly as she deciphered the scribbled words:
Welcome to Gull Island!
Door’s open. Make yourself at home. Mae Gray
Five hundred miles of asphalt, then forty minutes of winding coast. Kate craved only two things: a frigid shower to chase away the highway dust and a bed that would swallow her whole. The unlocked 1930s bungalow, nestled behind Gray Cottage, promised both, a silent welcome that surpassed any Southern charm she’d imagined.
She had parked her Prius next to her rental’s tidy yard, secluded from beachgoers across the road. A red Bougainvillea vine flanked the small front porch, its fiery blooms twirling around a white lattice panel on one side and a terracotta pot stuffed with blood-red geraniums anchoring opposite. Cool air humming from the living room AC box greeted Kate when she sank into a plump chintz sofa. She fired off a safe-arrival text to her mother, and a classic Mom reply pinged instantly.
Kate’s bungalow generated by Bing Image Creator
Flad u made it. Get food night sleep. FaceTime us Sunday.
Kate cracked a weary smile. FaceTiming with her family on Sunday was the perfect defense against encroaching homesickness. Her thumbs danced across the screen, sending a cascade of heart emojis in response.
The plush cushions welcomed Kate as she took in the beachy trinkets sprinkled around the room—sand dollar wreath, glass vase stuffed with seashells, and nautical maps. A driftwood plaque challenged her, “Life’s better in flip-flops.” With a sigh, she slipped off her red Chucks as a sense of disconnect washed over her. Clearly not in synch here, she thought.
She was tempted to explore more, but her practical side took over. Time to face the scorching furnace to fetch her things from her car.”
If readers can’t wait to hear more about your new book, tell us about your free prequel novelette.
They can visit my website @ https:// www.catherine michaelsauthor.com. While you’re there, sign up to become an Insider. You’ll receive monthly exclusive content, updates, and a free prequel novelette, Before Sand & Sea, to explore Kate and Luke’s lives in the weeks before their paths collide on Gull Island.
Thanks for inviting me to your blog, Rosie! Wishing you and your readers cool breezes and happy tales!
Thank you Cat for taking time out of your busy day to visit with us.
Goodreads Updates – May 2024 News and Reviews
I usually have many more books to list each month, but the last few months have been too difficult for me to talk about.
We had to say good-bye to our sweet 18 year old kittens. It was their time to go but I sure miss them. They were the best reading buddies I could ever ask for. Their everyday presence has been such a void to our family. I will keep their memories alive in my future books, for sure.
Meanwhile, I was able to get these two awesome books read in the month of May.
“The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers,” Samuel Burr
This book, “The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers,” by Samuel Burr is one which will send you back in time and present day as the story unfolds.
My heart felt for character, Clayton Stumper, as he tries to solve the mystery of his family history with a slew of interesting friends and family in his life.
Readers will find themselves turning the pages until the end to solve the puzzling details with rich descriptions and great storytelling.
I’m looking forward to more of Samuel Burr’s entertaining books.
“The Mystery Guest,” by Nita Prose (Molly the Maid #2)
“The Mystery Guest,” by Nita Prose (Molly the Maid #2) did not disappoint and was a joy to read.
If you have read, “Molly the Maid,” you will enjoy book number two even more. It is not required though, as Nita Prose sets the stage for readers to understand the main characters.
I hope to find more books by this author in the future. Better yet, I’d love to see this story in action on the big screen.
Questions or Comments?
If you have any questions for Cat Michaels and her new book, write her a note in the comment section below.
Feel free to tell us what you are up to and if you have any projects you’d like to share with us.
Have a wonderful June 2024!
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!
As always,
Happy Reading,
Rosie
PS. If you missed May’s blog, you can read more here. ► Jazzing It Up with Jazzy and Sonja McGiboney