I’ve loved reading novels set in cute beach and lake towns for as long as I can remember. Show me a book set at a lake cottage and I’m one-clicking on it faster than you can imagine. These books serve as a getaway vacation for my mind, body, and spirit as I mentally transport to the town I’m reading about. So when it came to writing another book set in a beach town, this time I decided not to use a town I had visited, like in my Star Series, which is set in Grand Haven, Michigan. Instead, for Summer of Possibility, I decided to create my own lake town with everything in it that would make it my ultimate calming and fun vacation destination.
Welcome to Bloomington Shores, a lake town inspired by the many vacation destinations where I spent my summers over the years. There’s a little of the Great Lakes beach towns I went to in Michigan over the years like Holland, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, South Haven, and Charlevoix. There’s also a bit of Praia da Vitória in Portugal. You have the pier from Grand Haven, and the ice cream shop in Saugatuck and the adorable shops in downtown Holland, Michigan along with everything I need to make a beach town a destination I’d want to go to—like a bookstore!
The bookstore was inspired by a library in Holly, Michigan that had an amazing fish tank as well as lots of cozy nooks to read in, as well as a library in Mackinac Island, Michigan. I remember spending time in both those libraries and knowing one day they’d find their way into a book. I put a fireplace in that I had seen at another bookstore over the years. And Stargazer island, from the writing workshop Cagney goes to in the beginning of the book, that is Mackinac Island.
Aunt Emily’s lake cottage is a mix of all the cottages I’ve fallen in love with reading lake cottage magazines over the years. The wrap-around porch came from an Instagram photo. The cottage was my mental getaway when I was going through a tough time. I’d pull out my notebook and start writing as a way to escape the very scary reality and go someplace calmer at least for a little while. I hope you find solace and calm at Aunt Emily’s lake cottage, too. You can read an excerpt to get that cozy feel below!
Summer of Possibility
Cagney Innes thinks all her dreams are about to come true as she’s accepted into a prestigious summer writing workshop with her boyfriend. It softens the sting of the fact she was wait-listed by almost every college she applied to. Everything seems perfect until the workshop head dashes her dreams during a critique session. Her Aunt Emily invites her to the family lake cottage where she can relax at the beach and think over her plans for the future.
In Bloomington Shores, Cagney finds a tight knit community that supports one another and a bookstore that needs saving. The owner of the bookstore’s grandson, Max Brazil, is a college freshman hockey player who Cagney starts off on the wrong foot with, but ends up becoming the guy she starts falling for. Max is dealing with a reoccurring injury that threatens his playing days. He’s trying to figure out if there’s life without hockey if his injury doesn’t properly heal. The two begin a friendship and become each other’s biggest supporters. Then Max leaves for a summer hockey program and the two continue talking long distance. With her family and Max’s support, Cagney’s got a new lease on life and her writing. However, her ex comes to town just as Max comes back early eager to see Cagney.
Not only does her ex complicate things, but then Max is offered a position covering hockey overseas, which might be the perfect solution for him if he can’t play anymore. Right as Max is making his decision, Cagney gets accepted by two of the colleges she was wait-listed for—her dream school that’s across the country as well as the school Max currently attends and is closer to her aunt and Grandpa in Bloomington Shores. Cagney needs to make the decision to either stay near her family and focus on her writing (and possibly her relationship with Max if he stays), or take the chance to attend a prestigious university that will open doors for her in the big city. Will Cagney follow her head or her heart?
Excerpt:
After dinner, I sat with a cup of mint tea on the enclosed part of the porch. A storm was coming, and I loved listening to the water. There was something beautiful about a storm on the lake with the unpredictable surface of the rough, crashing waves and dark skies. It was magical to watch, and it gave me a good reason to stay indoors and get cozy all day.
Aunt Emily walked over. “Well, it’s a perfect night for some hot chocolate, a bowl of popcorn, and a movie. Tonight we’re watching a classic and one of my favorites. It’s Agatha Christie’s first Miss Marple movie and, fun fact: Agatha wasn’t sure about the casting choice, but she ended up loving the actress in the role.”
“Sounds like the perfect movie for tonight.” I got up and followed her into the living room where she had the popcorn and hot chocolate ready.
Aunt Emily handed me a blanket. “It’s always cool in here at night, but I’ve grown to love the changing temps. Although I admit I’m not always so thrilled when it gets muggy the farther we get into the summer, and the mosquitos make a buffet out of me. For years I’ve wanted to get a dog, but on hot days it wouldn’t be fun having to take a puppy out for walks with the bugs. Although now I have you here for companionship, so no need for a pet.”
I scrunched up my face. “Um, I’m going to take that as the compliment that I assume you meant it as.”
She laughed. “You know what I meant. It’s just that I like solitude, and houseguests have never been my favorite thing, but I love having you here because of how we just mesh so well. We like the same shows, and you take time to yourself so my introvert side never feels tired. In fact, I plan to destroy your suitcase if you ever attempt to leave.”
I laughed. “This is the most comfortable I’ve been in years. Honestly, the only time I ever feel truly at home is when I’m in Bloomington Shores.”
She smiled. “That’s exactly how I felt when I’d come here to visit my parents. There’s something about this cottage, but not everyone appreciates it the way we do. Your mother just sees mismatched furniture, wonky floorboards, things that need fixing, and thinks it all looks old.”
“But that’s part of its charm. How could you not love this place? It’s like a cozy, quiet oasis away from the loud and chaotic world.” I pulled the blanket tighter around me.
She nodded. “I thought the same thing when I came here as a kid. I never wanted to leave.”
Pick up your copy of Summer of Possibility here. It’s free in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDYZZLN/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCDYZZLN
Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FCDYZZLN
Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FCDYZZLN
Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236013030-summer-of-possibility
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