When you read this, I will have just returned from a beach vacation. Even as I write this I’m anticipating digging my toes into the sand while I let the waves rush over my feet. I can see myself reading a book, if my granddaughters will let me, but I might be building a sandcastle instead.
For twelve years we lived near the beach in Florida, but we traded the sand on the beach for the sand in the desert in Arizona about ten years ago. The beach has inspired a whole book, Four Little Blessings, and a few beach weddings in other books.
Both of my daughters were married at the beach, so I love a beach wedding.
You will find a beach wedding in each of these books, Country Blessings, Hometown Cowboy, and Hometown Hero.
Here’s a small excerpt from Hometown Cowboy in which the hero and heroine have a conversation during the wedding reception at a historic hotel near the beach where the wedding took place.
Outside. Alone with Wyatt. Caroline’s defenses went into high gear. She couldn’t.
Wyatt motioned toward the lobby on the other side of the pillars that created a separation. “There’s a bench on the portico. I’ll sit at one end, and you can sit at the other end. And we can talk. How does that sound? I have something I’d like to ask you.”
Separated by the length of a bench. Surely he could be trusted with a crowd of people just yards away. She had to learn to trust again, but would that ever happen? “Okay.”
Wyatt stared at her. “You don’t sound so sure.”
“I’m not.” Caroline stared back, honesty her best friend.
“Okay. I won’t pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do, but I’d still like to understand.” His eyebrows wove in a question above those soulful brown eyes.
Understand. How could he understand, when she didn’t? “Promise to listen without judgment?”
“How could I begin to judge when I have so many issues of my own?”
Caroline’s pulse skittered. Would he understand all the wrong choices she had made? Maybe. She had to be brave, strong, and open. Without saying a word, she scurried around the dance floor as she headed to the doors that opened onto the portico. She didn’t turn around to see if Wyatt had followed. She sat on one end of the bench and waited, her heart pounding.
Wyatt appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the light inside. He turned her way, but she couldn’t read his expression. “When you make up your mind, you don’t hesitate. I like that.”
“May I sit here?” He stepped into the dim light, his expression still unreadable.
Caroline nodded. “Okay.”
Wyatt hobbled to the bench and sat on the other end.
Caroline stared out at the pedestrian walkway that separated the beach from the hotel. Palm fronds rustled in the sea breeze as the waves tickled the sand. A half-moon lit the scene before her. If only the peaceful setting could bring peace to her heart.
“I’m going to sit here until you tell me to leave.” Wyatt folded his arms across his torso and stretched his legs out in front of him, his cane settled against the side of the bench.
Caroline wasn’t sure where to start or even if she wanted to start at all. She had to be brave. She hadn’t been brave before. Now was the time. She licked her lips and watched the water rush to shore in the distance. Her mind rushed with hundreds of thoughts, swirling and swirling like the foaming waves on the beach.
Now for a little fun. Match the picture with the beach. There are photos of beaches in these places. Aruba, Australia, California, Florida, Greece, Jamaica, Maine, New Jersey, New Zealand, Philippines, and Portugal. One picture isn’t a beach.
A. Maine
B. Jamaica
C. Portugal
D. Greece
E. Philippines
F. Florida
G. New Zealand
H. Aruba
I. California
J. New Jersey
K. Not a beach, White Sands, NM
L. Australia
Where would you go for a beach vacation? I will giveaway an ebook copy of one of the books I have mentioned in this blog, winner’s choice, to the one person who gets the most correct answers for matching the picture with the beach locations. I will determine the winner on March 1, 2022 at 9PM MST and post the correct answers, if you’d like to check back.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
Happy Monday Merrille. Spring seems to be in the air. Thanks for sharing such wonderful beaches. Michigan has 1,638 miles of shoreline and many wonderful beaches. Have at 5 sandy beaches within 5 miles from home. In my travels I have visited beaches on both coasts – Florida, California, and Virginia. I a week in Wakayama, Japan with wonderful white sandy beaches. Here are my guesses: A – Maine, B- New Jersey, C-Greece, D-Philippines, E- Not a beach, F- New Zealand, G- Portugal, H-Jamaica, I-Florida, J- California, K-Aruba, and L – Australia. Best wishes.
these beaches all look fantastic. when we got married and went to Hawaii. We went to a beach in Maui Maui. Oh but that was fantastic. We have talked about someday going back.
I would go to South Carolina for a beach vacation. A -Australia, B-Jamaica, C-Greece, D-Portugal, E-Not a Beach, F-Florida, G-Philippines, H-California, I-Maine, J-New Jersey, K-Aruba, L-New Zealand,
I have no idea where those beaches are! The only beaches I’ve been to are FL beaches, since I live on the Space Coast of FL. One of my nephews also got married on one of our local beaches. I have a niece who lives with her Kiwi hubby and three little Kiwi’s in NZ. I haven’t been there, though.
I’m not going to guess where the beaches are cause I have no idea. I have been to a beach in Delaware it was really warm water comparing to wear I live.i would like to go to a beach in Florida or Hawaii.
I have no idea. But I loved going to the beaches in Hawaii! They were beautiful and so fun!
Any beach will work for me since it’s just been too long.
Loved the excerpt. Sounds like a great book! :)
Renate, thanks for sharing the info on beaches in Michigan. I often forget about beaches beside lakes.
Hi Lori,
I’ve been the Honolulu, but I’ve never been to Maui. You should definitely go back.
Hi Lori R,
My granddaughters love Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. The older one keeps sending us houses to buy there so she can come visit us at the beach.
Hi Trudy,
Yes, Florida is full of beaches and so is New Zealand.
Hi Kendra,
You could always guess, just match one of places listed with a picture. You never know. You might guess correctly or be the one who gets the most right. I partial to Florida beaches. They are my favorites.
Hi Angeline,
You could always make a guess. I’ve been to Hawaii once. Honolulu.
Hi Priscila,
I like beaches that are flat and smooth for easy walking in my bare feet. I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt.
If money were no object, I would take an extended vacation to New Zealand with my husband to visit my mom! There’s plenty of beaches there to visit :-)
My someday trip would be to see the white sands of Florida or maybe a tropical one in Hawaii.
I couldn’t begin to guess which picture goes with which beach, they all look fun to walk on & dip your toes in the water.
No need to enter my name, I’ve either read most of these books or have them waiting for me. Have a blessed day Merrillee!
Gorgeous photos! I really have no clue which beaches are which, but I’d be happy to be at any of them quite honestly :) .
Hi Trixi,
Definitely New Zealand has lots of beaches. How interesting that your mom lives there. Florida beaches are still my favorite.
Thanks, Megan. They are all lovely beaches.
A. Maine
B. Jamaica
C. New Jersey
D. Phollipines
E. Not a beach
F. New Zealand
G. Portugal
H.aruba
I. Florida
J. California
K. Greece
L. Australia
Not sure if I got any of them right but I guess I will have to see
I would love to go to the beach and put my toes in the sand.
I honestly do not know. I have only been to one beach in Florida one time. Thank you so much for sharing. The pictures are fabulous. God bless you.
I would go to Hawaii.
You might be surprised. I’ll post the answers tomorrow night.
Hi Lelia,
I love walking on the beach in my bare feet.
Thanks, Debra.
Hi Alicia,
Hawaii is definitely nice.
I live in NZ and we have every kind of beach you can imagine. Tropical, stony, black sand (they used to mine it), white sand, wild or calm, even hot water beaches! But all will take your breath away. We got married on a beach in the Cook Islands it was beautiful.
Nearly all those pictures could be NZ, but F looks the most likely with the Toi Toi’s. Last one is Aussie but not sure about the rest (though B might be Aruba as it’s tropical and looks like the Cook Islands).
I have no idea which beach is from anywhere but there gorgeous & would go to a few of them
Love the beaches
I live approximately an hour away from the shore in NJ and have no desire to go there.
I would go to Jamaica again. The water was beautiful.
I love beach! Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of my favorite destinations!
I would love to go to any beach right now that isn’t covered in 10 inches of snow and ice!
fun places
I love visiting the Atlantic coast in South Carolina and Florida.
I love beaches! I haven’t visited many but I’d love to go to Florida one day and see the beaches there.