In most of the country, it’s still too chilly to be basking
in the sun on a sandy beach. (What was that snowfall in the Midwest this
weekend, anyway?!) But that doesn’t mean we have to wait until Memorial Day to
solve our beach problem. No, the solution is very simple: read the novels of
Dorothea Benton Frank. They are without exception set in the sultry climes of
the South Carolina Lowcountry, on islands with names like Folly, Bulls,
Sullivans, Pawley’s and (my favorite) Palms.
The characters in Dorothea’s novels know they’ve got it
good. They take advantage of all that warmth, sunshine and sand. They go for
long morning walks along the beach, the waves tickling their toes. They bring
their children or grandchildren to the shore to collect seashells and pebbles.
In what I consider a no-brainer, they set up with a beach chair, a bottle of
water, and a good book. And in Porch
Lights, available this week in paperback, Jackie, Annie and Deb set up a
bar on Annie’s porch most evenings, turn on the twinkle lights, and sip their
way through the sunset. Sometimes Steve, the hot doctor who lives next door,
joins them for a toast.
If I had neighbors as fun as that, I would never need to go
on vacation again.
Let me rephrase: if I had a porch to use like that, I’d never
go on vacation again.
It’s a long haul to June, July and August. For now, I’m
setting up summer in my mind by reading Dorothea’s novels along with the
bloggers who are participating in the Hit the Beach with Dorothea Benton Frank
Readalong. Want to learn more about it, and possibly even join in? Readalong
details and sign-up information can be found here.
Need a little visual to entice you? Watch this video of Dorothea giving us a tour of Sullivans Island.
Read an excerpt from Porch Lights.
Buy the book.
Like Dottie on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.
And keep your eyes on this blog for the next installment of
the Hit the Beach with Dorothea Benton Frank Readalong! It can only get warmer
between now and then!
