This year when it came to choosing a destination for my summer holiday (summer vacation) believe it or not, I did pause to think twice.
Should I go back?…
My heart screamed a resounding “YES!” so I listened to it.
As a result, at the end of last month, I found myself back in my “happy place”, walking through the pages of my Silver Lake books.
I returned to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in the USA.
Perhaps I am biased after all these years but there’s something magical about that small town. It’s some 45 years since it stole a piece of my heart as a 10-year-old.
When I saw the first road signs for Rehoboth Beach as I was driven down the Coastal Highway, my heart skipped a beat.
What if the magic was gone?…
I needn’t have worried. As soon as my toes sank into the soft warm sand, I knew I was back in the right place.
My soul sighed with contentment.
I spent 11 days soaking up the sun (and some thundery rain that soaked me to the skin), living and breathing the pages of my novels.
This year, as well as feeling as if I was walking through the lives of Jake and Lori, I also felt as if I was looking out for scenarios that the characters could naturally slot into.
**** slight spoiler alert ahead if you’ve not read all the books ****
When I was in the amusement arcades with my cousin and her young son, I could picture Jake there with his kids. I could almost see his patience being tested as Jesse played “the claw” machines, determined to win a certain plushie or more tickets.
On the beach one morning, I watched the lifeguards teaching the younger kids who had signed up for the Junior Lifeguard Program. Would that be something that Jake and Lori’s kids would want to do? Would they be encouraged to do it?
Watching the Rehoboth Beach Patrol lifeguards working, I wondered if Grey’s daughter, Becky, would enjoy a summer being a lifeguard or Melody perhaps. Were Grey or Rich or Paul or Jake lifeguards in their earlier lives?
The creative wheels began to turn…
All too soon it was time to say goodbye to my happy place.
Til next time, Rehoboth Beach.
If you’ve missed the Silver Lake series and want to check it out, here’s the link-
Amazon.com links –
Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VXDSC1M
Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C0GS30K
Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSQHG71
Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM
Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RR1FGLG
Amazon.co.uk links –
Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VXDSC1M
Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C0GS30K
Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XSQHG71
Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM
Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RR1FGLG
Coral McCallum 