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Why indeed! You might have noticed other top authors opening new online stores, too. Here's why: Amazon has become increasingly difficult and risky for authors. (Amazon has removed authors with little explanation.) So, many of my best-selling author friends and I have been building our shops together, just like other well-known brands. Because like the heroines you love, I'm a take-charge kind of woman, too.

It's safe. My is built on Shopify, which you might be familiar with. That means it's super secure for online ordering. Sephora, Red Bull, Lindt, Fitbit, and Rebecca Minkoff are a few major companies that trust Shopify to power and secure their stores.��

It's faster. You can receive ebooks and audiobooks sooner. We use the BookFunnel app, and our friends at BookFunnel can help you download ebooks. The ebooks you purchase won't disappear, never to be replaced (ahem, Amazon).��

Be famous! When you purchase from the , you'll also receive an email from Loox about a review. You can leave a few kind or enthusiastic words (I hope!), and upload a smiling photo or one of your books or favorite pet…and voila! Your sage words will float up in the corner of the shop for your friends to see. Cool!

But, I'll still be everywhere. I'm not leaving Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, etc. I still love them, but my shop is an alternative. Plus, I get to run sales and design beautiful merchandise goodies for you. That makes my heart happy. And if you chose to support my writing through my shop, I'll be very grateful, too.

Print books to follow soon in the shop as well—we’re working hard on that.��

And other weird stuff�� Since this is our debut, please let me know if anything is weird or wonky on checkout (stuff happens!). My assistant Gee will be on top of things for you and make any adjustments needed. (I'm feeling a little like Ivy on the opening of the Seabreeze Inn!)

How do I get my stuff? For , you will download via BookFunnel; it’s easy to use, and you’ll receive email instructions. You can even read ebooks you purchase from me on your Kindle, Nook, and Kobo e-readers. As for mugs and bookmarks, you'll choose your shipping at checkout. (Post photos! I'm as excited as you are!)

“You shouldn’t wait any longer to go on your honeymoon,�� Carlotta said, lifting an eyebrow at Ivy in reproach. “It’s been delayed enough as it is.��

“Between the inn and City Hall, Bennett and I have been swamped with work,�� Ivy said. Still, coming from her mother, that comment stung. She lifted her face to the fresh breeze cooling the patio of the Seabreeze Inn, where she was gathered this afternoon with her family. They were having a barbecue to send off their parents after the large family reunion they’d had.��

“Which is why you must get away,�� Carlotta replied, framing Ivy’s face in her hands. “You and Bennett hide it well, but I can see the signs of fatigue in both of you.��

“I didn’t want to leave while you were visiting,�� Ivy said. “Or with Shelly and the new baby, or during our busy summer season.��

Carlotta sighed. “I’ll grant you that, but you must promise to take time off. You’ve been working relentlessly since you arrived in Summer Beach.��

“That’s what it took to get the inn to this point, Mom.�� Ivy’s face burned with the memory of that difficult time. Learning of her late husband’s adultery and intention of hiding this asset from her had fueled her determination. “I stood to lose everything after Jeremy’s death.��

“And you did an incredible job. But your health and your marriage are far more important. Shelly is feeling better now. She and Poppy can look after the inn. And Sunny will pitch in. I’ve had a talk with her.��

“We’ll think about it,�� Ivy promised, although she didn’t know how they could manage it. As for Sunny, Ivy couldn’t count on her youngest daughter, not while she was finishing her last year of university study. It was important that Sunny complete her degree. She had changed her major, and as a result, the projected cost had escalated.

Every time Ivy got a little ahead financially, something unexpected arose, like an expensive plumbing or electrical failure at the inn that couldn’t wait. As much as Ivy loved the old house, sometimes she wished she’d been able to sell it right after Jeremy’s death. She had tried. Still, she wanted Sunny to find her path.

Her mother had always been astute; the stress was wearing on Ivy, much as she tried to hide it. The next day will be better, she told herself every evening when she fell into bed, utterly exhausted.

Her sister Shelly loped across the patio toward them with Daisy bouncing on her hip. “Hey, why the glum looks?�� She elbowed her sister. “Come on, Ives, this is supposed to be a party.��

Carlotta and Sterling had stayed a little longer than they’d planned. They were booked on a flight to Australia that evening, so this was the last time the family would be together for a while. Her parents had left their boat in Sydney. In just a few days, they would depart for the next leg of their round-the-world voyage.

Carlotta hugged her youngest daughter. “We were just talking about making time to get away.�� She kissed Daisy’s silky-soft forehead. “How’s my precious little one?��

Waving her hands, Daisy cooed and laughed.

“Look at her,�� Carlotta said. “Not a care in the world. We could all learn a lesson from her.��

“Until she’s hungry, wet, or tired, that is. Then, watch out.�� Shelly pantomimed a scream, and Carlotta laughed.

“Are you ready to continue your journey?�� Ivy asked her mother, trying to keep her voice from cracking. Her parents were adventurers, and they led by example. Yet, she would worry about them alone on the open seas.��

Detecting Ivy’s emotion, Carlotta put her arm around her and drew her in, the familiar sound of her silver bangles tinkling as she did. “We love the freedom, the wind on our faces, and fresh discoveries every morning. At our age, we won’t have many more chances like this. But it’s always difficult to leave you and the family. And the grandchildren.��

Shelly leaned in for a group hug. “Especially Daisy, right?��

Her eyes sparkling, Carlotta tilted her head. “She might be the newest addition to the Bay family, but you’re all my favorites.��

Shelly laughed as she shifted her daughter, who was nearing her fifth-month birthday.�� “That’s what you always said, Mom.��

“And it’s still true.”��

A deep voice boomed behind them, and Ivy’s lean, silver-haired father joined them. “Can’t stay away from my latest favorite grandchild for too long,�� Sterling said, bending to tickle Daisy’s chin.

Daisy gurgled with laughter, and they all joined in.

“That’s a promise, mi amor.�� Carlotta kissed her husband’s cheek. “We plan to fly back occasionally to break up the trip. And check on all of you.�� She stepped aside, the breeze sweeping her dark, silver-threaded hair from her shoulders.��

Wide-eyed, Daisy reached for Carlotta’s turquoise necklace and gnawed on the beads.��

“Watch out, you’d break your teeth if you had any,�� Shelly said, gently removing the polished stones from Daisy’s mouth. “I should feed her, or she won’t be your golden child anymore. Her scream is so shrill, dogs run for cover.��

“You both need to eat,�� Sterling replied. “I’ll bring you a plate from the grill when you’re finished.��

“Thanks, Dad,�� Shelly said, beaming at the offer. “We sure will miss you.�� She started toward an outdoor sofa so she could nurse Daisy.

Ivy sensed that Shelly would miss their parents the most. Carlotta had returned the day Daisy was born and helped Shelly through a rocky adjustment to motherhood. With proper treatment, Shelly’s stormy clouds of post-partum depression had lifted, and her usual irreverent attitude was returning. Her patience had also increased, especially around Daisy. Shelly and Mitch could manage on their own now.

Ivy’s brothers and their children were chatting and exclaiming over the buffet that Shelly’s husband, Mitch, had prepped in his kitchen at Java Beach. He had fired up the grill on the patio and drafted Bennett to help. The aroma of grilled pineapple, pulled pork, garlic shrimp, and roasted vegetables permeated the air.��

It was still warm at the beginning of October, though the inn had few guests. Two women were out exploring Summer Beach. A third one in their party had stayed in.

Mitch’s favorite Hawaiian playlist rose against the sound of the ocean waves. Izzy’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow�� was playing, and it was all Ivy could do to contain her emotion. When she and her siblings were young, Carlotta sang that to all of them at bedtime.��

Ivy gulped back her feelings. She treasured these precious minutes with her mother.

Ivy’s twin brothers were here with their families, and it struck her that, except for Daisy, all the grandchildren were in their twenties.��

How was it that she was closer to fifty than forty? Blink your eyes, and a decade whizzes by.�� She was beginning to feel her years, yet her parents still moved with incredible vitality despite their struggles.��

Carlotta turned back to her. “Before I leave, promise me you’ll take that honeymoon with Bennett. You’ve already celebrated your first anniversary.��

“Neither of us has much time.�� Even as the words left her mouth, Ivy knew she was only making excuses to cover up brewing issues.

Her mother shook her head in dismay. “We’re all granted the same number of hours in our days, though the number of days remains a mystery. You must live without regrets.��

“I don’t regret anything I’ve done,�� Ivy said. Even her first marriage, as challenging as it had been—rest his soul. She had been young, inexperienced, and with stars in her eyes—perhaps they both had been—yet she had two beautiful daughters.��

“That’s not what I meant.�� Carlotta smoothed a hand over Ivy’s. “You will regret a trip you missed, a friend you meant to call, a path not taken. At your age, you must seize every day, now more than ever. Don’t put off your sweet celebration too long.��

Her mother’s advice hit a nerve. “Mom, a honeymoon at our age seems a little indulgent, don’t you think?�� That was another excuse, Ivy knew.��

Once enthusiastic about taking a romantic trip, Bennett had become oddly reticent. When Ivy asked, he would only say that it was city business.

“You two are always there for everyone else,�� Carlotta said softly. “Take your trip, darling.��

Ivy drew in her lip. Her mother had always been perceptive. “We’ve tried before, but that’s when Shelly went into labor.”��

That was several months ago now. Their mini-holiday to Palm Springs had been cut short. Shelly needed her, so they rushed back. Then, there was the busy summer season. Maybe they had missed their chance. Ivy sighed. A honeymoon almost seemed silly now. Still, she longed to get away with her husband.

Even when the inn wasn’t fully booked, she still worked. Something always needed repairing or repainting.

As if reading her mind, Carlotta shook her head. “You’ve performed an amazing feat with Shelly and Poppy in turning this old home into an inn, but it’s your turn for a break. Do it now, during the slow season.��

“We don’t have too many of those weeks anymore, thank goodness.”��

The theme weeks they’d added—cooking classes, spa weeks, writer retreats, holiday shopping—were booking up fast, thanks to Poppy’s ads and Shelly’s video posts. Guests who’d stayed with them before were returning, too.

Carlotta pressed a hand to Ivy’s shoulder. “You might ask yourself why you think you can’t break away, mija.”��

Ivy glanced away, and as she did, she caught Bennett’s gaze across the patio. Could he tell what they were talking about? She rolled her shoulders with unease. “It’s not that I don’t want to take a trip—��

“A honeymoon,�� Carlotta interjected. “Your marriage needs this. Promise me you won’t miss the opportunity. A couple we know did, and to this day, it’s a sore topic between them. They put everyone but themselves first, and now they can’t seem to break the cycle.��

Ivy winced. She didn’t want to be that woman.��

“I love being an innkeeper,�� she said with reflection. “Although it seems like I’m on an endless treadmill.”��

“Then step off.�� Carlotta kissed her cheek. “Cherish each other, mija. Between family and work, being alone together is rare. Having raised five of you, I should know.��

“And now I’ve traded up to a houseful of perpetual guests.�� Ivy lifted a corner of her mouth in a wry grin.

She glanced at Bennett again. They rarely had time alone. Usually, it was a guest who needed a toilet unclogged or a party that was a little too loud. But now, Bennett was dealing with an outsider who was petitioning the city of Summer Beach for a nightclub in the village. Though the zoning variance had been declined, Bennett told her the guy wasn’t giving up.��

“Go before the spring rush arrives,�� Carlotta said, lightly pressing her fingers on Ivy’s forearm. “Regrets are a sour swill from this cocktail of life.”��

Ivy relented. “I’ll visit the travel agent this week.��

“Hey, Mom. Got a moment?�� Ivy’s brother Flint swooped in to pull their mother into another conversation about sailing.

Carlotta left her with a satisfied look of approval.

Ivy slowly exhaled; now it was up to her. She watched Bennett cooking with Mitch. Outwardly, her husband looked happy enough, manning the grill and chatting with her family. But lately, his usual positivity seemed slightly forced.��

Once, he had talked about needing more adventure in their lives, and she had joked about taking ballroom dancing lessons.

They hadn’t done that either.��

Ivy crossed her arms. Dancing on the beach shouldn’t be a once-in-a-lifetime event. She’d told him that, too.

She recalled how her life with Jeremy had turned into a predictable existence that revolved around their children. For her, at least. Her husband had traveled regularly for his work. But then, he had dallied with another woman.��

Not that she was concerned about Bennett in that way. She trusted him, and there were no red flags. Yet, she wondered—and not for the first time—if he thought their life had become mundane? He had also turned down a lucrative position in another city to stay in Summer Beach. Could that be weighing on his mind?

Her mother was right. Somehow, they would make this trip—this honeymoon—happen this time.

Poppy dashed toward her. “Aunt Ivy, you have a phone call inside. It’s that strange man again. The one that sounds like he’s from New York.��

“Would you take a reservation or a message, please? I don’t want to leave the party.��

“I tried, but this guy is awfully insistent and won’t leave a message. He wants to speak to you personally.��

It was late afternoon, so technically, it was still office hours. Although at the inn, it seemed every waking hour was a working hour—and even some in the middle of the night.

“He might be calling about booking an event,�� Poppy said. “Some people just want to talk to the boss lady.��

Ivy smiled at Poppy’s term for her. “We could use that business. But come get me if he turns out to be a talker.��

She started for the door. As she passed Shelly, her sister reached out and grabbed her skirt.

“Hey, what’s up with you, Ives? You look like you need some of my happy therapy.��

Ivy paused. “I’m glad you’re doing better, but I have a lot on my mind. Mom and Dad are leaving, and I have a call waiting.��

Shelly scrunched her nose. “Ivy?��

“What now?��

She pulled Ivy closer by her skirt. “You haven’t called me Shells in a long time. If you need to talk, I’m here.��

Ivy mussed her sister’s hair, touched that she cared. “I’ll remember that, Shells. Thanks.��

After making her way inside, Ivy picked up the landline. She leaned against the reception desk, said, “Hello, this is Ivy. Who’s calling, please?��

A man’s slightly rough voice came onto the line. “This is Milo Rivers.��

Ivy wanted to make this quick, yet she was courteous. “I’m glad you called. Are you planning an event, or would you like a reservation?”��

“Neither. I’m the head of Redstone Investments.�� He paused. “Have you ever thought of selling the Seabreeze Inn?��

“If you’re calling about a listing, my husband is a real estate agent, and I have no intention of selling—��

Ignoring her comment, Milo cut in. “My investment group and I are interested in acquiring the property at much more than it was listed before.��

Surprised, Ivy was momentarily at a loss for words. She’d tried to sell the house right after Jeremy died, but it was so run-down there were no offers. Compounding that was its historic designation, which limited what owners could do. Her only option had been to move in and rent rooms. After a family painting-and-repair party, the old grand dame now had a shabby chic style that worked at the beach.��

The property wasn’t just an old house; it was a profitable business.

Still, it couldn’t hurt to hear his proposal. Ivy shifted the receiver and turned away from the party commotion. As she listened, she focused on the medallion on one side of the stairway’s newel post at the bottom. She traced a finger over the intricately carved wood design, which had always fascinated her. A matching finial crowned the sturdy base. At a hundred years old, the finely crafted mahogany staircase was still solid, if a little creaky.

“Do you realize there is a historic designation that limits use and appearance?�� she asked. The city won’t let you tear this down for a new resort if that’s what you had in mind.”��

“Not at all. We think it has great potential as it is.��

“It would need some updating.�� He should know that upfront.

“We have plans to do that.��

Ivy glanced around the entryway that she had spackled, painted, and polished. She was emotionally invested in this property. “I don’t know. This is more than an inn; it’s also our home. I’m afraid I’m not interested—��

“With what we’re prepared to offer, you could live anywhere you wanted—and very well.”��

Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose. She should hang up right now, but she was curious. Focusing on the medallion to quell her nerves, she asked, “What are your plans for it?��

Milo cleared his throat. “While that’s confidential, I can assure you it would be a luxury destination that would elevate surrounding property values.�� He paused before quoting a price.

Ivy’s heart leapt at the figure, though she remained noncommittal. “I’d have to think about it.��

“First, we would need to see inside.��

“That can be arranged. But not this week. Or next. We’re awfully busy.�� The truth was, she needed time to consider this.

“Then I will mark my calendar to call back in two weeks. In the meantime, I’ll send a letter of intent.”��

Before Ivy could get his number, he hung up. Milo Rivers of Redstone Investments. That’s all she knew. A shiver raced along Ivy’s spine. Was this a coincidence or providence? Maybe it was a little of both. She touched the medallion for good luck.

As Ivy walked back to the party, she tried not to think about the call. This wasn’t the time to tell anyone, and who knew if the guy would be back in touch.

When she stepped onto the patio, her brother Flint stopped her. “How are you holding up?��

“Seems like Mom and Dad just arrived, and now they’re taking off again.��

“Yeah, I know.�� Flint rocked on his feet. “If you’d told me as a teenager that I’d be so attached to them now, I would’ve laughed.��

“I hope our kids feel that way someday.��

Flint chuckled. “I won’t make any bets on that, but they’re all good kids. We’re lucky.�� He paused and tapped his watch. “We should leave for Los Angeles soon. Mom and Dad need to be at the airport in plenty of time, and I don’t trust city traffic.��

“Are you still picking up Honey and Gabe from Elena’s?”��

“It’s not much out of the way,�� he replied. “None of them have much luggage, so I can fit them all into the SUV.��

Their sister and her husband had also flown from Sydney for the reunion. They’d stayed on in Los Angeles to see their daughter, who was making a name for herself as a jeweler to the stars.��

Ivy watched her parents with a stab of longing for more time. As much as she would miss them, she was happy for them, too.��

Flint watched their parents as they regaled the grandchildren with stories. “When I’m in my early seventies, I hope I’m still active enough to pursue my dreams like they do.��

Ivy prayed they were still up to it. Carlotta and Sterling had planned this round-the-world trip as their last major voyage on their boat. Not that they were slowing down, but as her mother said, they were simply being realistic. They couldn’t foresee accidents or illnesses, and the sheer physicality of such a long, arduous journey might be beyond their reach in a few years.��

Ivy turned to her brother. “I’m glad they’re doing this now, just the two of them.�� Even after fifty years of marriage, Carlotta and Sterling still enjoyed being with each other.��

“It’s very cool.�� Flint nodded. “Honey told me she and Gabe will crew for them if they want to sail again later. I wish I could get more time off. But maybe some of the kids could go. Rocky and Reed are good sailors.��

“Think we’ll be like our folks someday?�� Ivy asked.

“I’ll hold you to it,�� he replied, slinging his arm around her.��

A little while later, after everyone had eaten their fill and had their last conversations with Carlotta and Sterling, it was time to say goodbye. The family gathered in the car court behind the inn.��

“My darlings,�� Carlotta said as she and Sterling hugged each child and grandchild: Ivy and her daughter Sunny, then Bennett, Shelly, Mitch, and little Daisy. Forrest and his wife and their grown children, and Flint, along with his wife and their brood. Ivy’s other daughter, Misty, would see them off in Los Angeles with her cousin Elena. A chorus of laughter, tears, and promises to stay in touch rang out.

At last, Carlotta smiled and held her arms out to Ivy. “My beautiful, brave daughter. Be well and keep your spirit. What we discussed—promise me again?��

“I will, Mama,�� she said, reverting to her childhood name for her mother as she fell into her embrace. She swallowed against the lump in her throat and fought back the tears that stung her eyes.

Sterling hugged her next, and Ivy smiled up at him. “Be careful, Dad.”��

“Chin up, kiddo. We’re all on a voyage,�� her father replied, tapping her nose as he used to do when she was young.��

Sterling embraced Bennett and held up a finger. “Remember,�� he said, and Bennett nodded. And then, with a last wink at Ivy, he helped Carlotta into the SUV and closed the door.

“Oh, Mom,�� Sunny said, leaning against Ivy. “I’m going to miss Nana so much.”��

As Flint turned the SUV onto the street, Ivy put an arm around her daughter, who was sniffing back tears. “We all will, but just imagine the stories they’ll have to tell when we see them again.��

Bennett stood next to them with his hand lifted in farewell. “I wish that were us taking off,�� he said softly.

“Someday soon,�� Ivy said, squeezing his hand.��

Bennett’s expression held sadness and regret. “It seems someday never comes.”��

His words were barely audible and spoken more to himself than to her, but they sliced through her. After his first wife died, he’d lost her and their child. Ivy knew Bennett had been devastated. Her husband had missed out on the opportunity to be a father.��

Though Ivy couldn’t give him that, this was his second chance at marriage. She would not put off their life. Not anymore.��

She slid her arm around him, feeling the beating of his heart. He needed this as much as she did. Maybe more. “Let’s take that trip we’ve been talking about.��

“I don’t know,�� Bennett began, sounding tired. “I’ll believe it when we’re actually in the air.��

Sunny leaned forward. “You two shouldn’t let anything stop you this time.��

“You sound like Nana.�� Ivy smiled at her daughter. “Are you trying to get rid of us so you can throw a party here?��

Sunny’s face flushed. “It wouldn’t be a huge party, Mom. Nothing that would bother the guests.��

“We still have that zoning issue, I’m afraid,�� Bennett said, putting his arm around Ivy. “Now isn’t a very good time.��

“Isn’t that Boz’s department?�� she asked gently.

“It’s liable to get touchy with residents over that request for the zoning change.��

“Last time I checked, most resorts have telephones and internet.�� Ivy stroked Bennett’s hand. This undercurrent of malaise and hesitancy wasn’t like him, and it worried her. She wondered if he was telling her everything. “Let’s talk about it this evening in the treehouse. I have some ideas.”��

They had built a large balcony onto the rear of the chauffeurs�� quarters above the garage where they lived behind the main house. Surrounded by palm trees and overlooking the ocean, they could be alone and watch the sunset. It was their magical retreat.

Bennett still looked doubtful. “Remember what happened in Palm Springs? Between the city, the inn, and our families, it’s nearly impossible for us to get away.��

Ivy bit her lip. This wasn’t like Bennett, her perennially optimistic husband. Last year, Ivy had been the one complaining that she was too busy to leave. She recalled her mother’s admonition as she tilted her chin…and something else. “What did Dad mean when he told you to remember?��

Bennett drew a breath to reply, but just then, her niece Poppy interrupted them. “We have so much yummy food left over. Should I see who wants some?”��

“I can always use a good meal,�� Reed replied, and his brother Rocky was right behind him.��

Poppy motioned to them. “Then you’ll help me. Let’s go.”��

“I should clean up, too,�� Bennett said, turning toward the grill.

Ivy pushed her curiosity aside; they could speak later.�� She caught her daughter’s hand. “Come on, Sunny. Help me in the kitchen. Call some of your cousins, too.��

Ivy opened the rear door to the kitchen, and before she realized it, she stepped into a soggy mess.��

The entire kitchen was flooded with dirty brown water.

On a recent trip to Mallorca, I enjoyed a few cool libations on the beach under the summer sun. From the sparkling cava (blush pink, please), made in a similar manner to French champagne, to the refreshing tinto de verano, made of equal parts red wine and sparkling water or soda (and often festooned with citrus), there was no shortage of cooling potions.

Yet one of my summer favorites is a chilled blend of fruit and red wine often served at casual gatherings, including where I grew up in Texas. Though some high-end establishments might lift their refined noses at it, sangria is a still welcoming concoction.��

One of my favorite refreshing variations on this recipe is the use of cava or a sparkling white wine instead of red wine. For nonalcoholic versions, substitute juice or nonalcoholic wine. You may also use less sugar. Other substitutions are included below. Enjoy!��

Ingredients

Wine Base

�� 1 bottle (750 ml) of red wine (or cava)

(Spanish reds: Tempranillo, Grenache/Garnacha or other)

Nonalcoholic substitute: red grape juice or pomegranate juice

�� 3/4 cup (175 ml) orange juice

�� 1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice

�� 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar (or a sugar replacement, such as Stevia or Erythritol)

Fruit and spice

�� 1 orange, sliced

�� 1 lemon, sliced

�� 1 lime sliced

�� 1 peach, diced

�� 1 apple, diced

�� 2 cinnamon sticks

�� Sparkling water or club soda (a fizzy top-off)

�� Fresh mint, rosemary, or basil

�� Hierbas de Mallorca liquor

�� Ice

Optional Liquor:

�� 1/2 cup (120 ml) brandy��

Nonalcoholic substitute: 1/2 cup (120 ml) apple juice

�� 1/4 cup (60 ml) Triple Sec or Cointreau

Nonalcoholic substitute: 1/4 cup (60 ml) orange juice��

Instructions

1. Wash all fruit. Slice orange, lime, and lemon into wedges or thin rounds. Dice the peach and apple into small cubes.

2. Combine fruit and wine in a large pitcher or serving bowl and stir. Add 2 cinnamon sticks or to taste.��

3. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar or sugar equivalent, orange juice, and lemon juice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add this mixture to the wine mixture.

4. Add additional liquor if desired. Pour into the wine mixture and stir.

5. Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours or overnight for flavors to blend.

6. To serve, fill glasses with ice. Pour the sangria mixture, including fruit pieces, leaving room for the final fizz.��

7. To add fizz, add a splash of club soda or sparkling water. Garnish with a sprig of mint, rosemary, or basil. If desired, add a dash of Hierbas de Mallorca.

Yes, that's right! Seabreeze Inn is featured on the Barnes & Noble Serial Readout this month! ��One new chapter every day. For Nook readers only (you can download the BN app for your phone or tablet, too). Feel free to tell friends, and read together. PS: Seabreeze Honeymoon arrives in August!

Looking for a summer beach series to binge? How about an audiobook for the beach you can listen to on your phone? Read by award-winning narrator Erin Bennett, my Summer Beach series is now available in audiobook bundles on my store. Have a listen below, then visit the

AUDIOBOOKS INCLUDED IN BUNDLE

������Seabreeze Inn��–��At 45, artist Ivy��Bay discovers her late husband spent their life savings on a secret asset–a��rambling old beach house in a small beach town in Southern California. Renovating��the historical home unveils��hidden secrets���and the mayor who stands in the way is��Ivy's first beach��crush.��A heartwarming USA Today bestseller. A��sweet, second-chance, slow-burn beach read.��

������Seabreeze Summer��–��While renovating��the old beach house, Ivy and her sister Shelly suddenly have full occupancy after fire forces Summer Beach residents from their homes.��Even the mayor, Bennett Dylan, who was Ivy���s��first��beach crush, moves in.��Despite the chaos, Ivy must save the house from an impending tax sale.��

������Seabreeze Sunset���� Ivy discovers untangling secrets at a historic beach inn has unimagined surprises.��A��neighbor���s lawsuit could mean an end to the Seabreeze Inn. Her daughter Sunny���s arrival in Summer Beach is a chance to renew their strained relationship.

������Seabreeze Christmas���� The holidays test Ivy and Bennett���s relationship, and a��mysterious guest has an unusual effect on those around him. Families and friends come together, and love is in the air���until a priceless discovery at the beachside inn complicates matters.

������Seabreeze Wedding��–��As Ivy and Shelly prepare the old beach house for a family wedding, surprising discoveries from decades past arise.��New guests arrive for the high summer season, bringing with them fresh challenges.

������Coral Cottage��–��When Marina Moore���s life implodes on national television at 45, she seeks refuge at her grandmother���s beach house, the Coral Cottage. Eager to recreate her life, she sells baked goods at the farmers market, yet writer Jack Ventana and his overgrown puppy complicate things.��Romantic women's fiction and a��sweet, small-town beach read.

��

��

��Ebooks & Audiobooks: on the Jan Moran Store

We're bundling up some of my summer beach read bestsellers in ebooks and audiobooks! Here you go, your . We also added��new this week for your reader friends (and at 10% off). More coming soon as we continue building out the reader-direct shop. Happy reading!��

Enter for a chance to win a premium summer beach read collection of the bestseller books from bestselling authors, including Danielle Steel, Pamela Kelley, Elin Hilderbrand and Jan Moran, and their latest books PLUS a free beach bag for one winner! Get a free ebook when you join Jan's VIP group on her website. Be sure to share for more chances to win!

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��About the booksThe Wedding Planner by Danielle Steel

Faith Ferguson is New York���s most in-demand wedding planner, an arbiter of taste for elegant affairs, lavish ceremonies, and exclusive f��tes. She appreciates a simple celebration as much as a dazzling event, for she knows that a dream wedding is not necessarily the most expensive one.

As much as Faith enjoys her work, her two failed engagements leave her with no desire to get married herself. She finds fulfillment in her close relationship with her twin sister, Hope, her role as a mentor for her assistant, Violet, and her career.

This year, new clients have flocked to her, and she signs up an extravagant reception, a mid-sized gathering, and an intimate soir��e, in addition to her mother���s next marriage and Violet���s modest ceremony. Faith finds herself forming bonds with her new clients and their loved ones���most notably the handsome brother of one of her grooms.

But weddings are not always all champagne and roses, and in no time, Faith is grappling with private quarrels, unplanned pregnancies, family scandals, dark secrets, and the possibility of cancelled ceremonies. Through her own journey, Faith will prove once and for all that there is not just one path to happily ever after.

In The Wedding Planner, Danielle Steel presents an enchanting story about the winding road to love and the many ways to find joy while staying true to oneself.

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The Nantucket Hotel by Elin Hilderbrand

Fresh off a bad breakup with a longtime boyfriend, Nantucket sweetheart Lizbet Keaton is desperately seeking a second act. When she���s named the new general manager of the Hotel Nantucket, a once Gilded Age gem turned abandoned eyesore, she hopes that her local expertise and charismatic staff can win the favor of their new London billionaire owner, Xavier Darling, as well as that of Shelly Carpenter, the wildly popular Instagram tastemaker who can help put them back on the map. And while the Hotel Nantucket appears to be a blissful paradise, complete with a celebrity chef-run restaurant and an idyllic wellness center, there���s a lot of drama behind closed doors. The staff (and guests) have complicated pasts, and the hotel can���t seem to overcome the bad reputation it earned in 1922 when a tragic fire killed nineteen-year-old chambermaid Grace Hadley. With Grace gleefully haunting the halls, a staff harboring all kinds of secrets, and Lizbet���s own romantic uncertainty, is the Hotel Nantucket destined for success or doom?

Filled with the emotional depth and multiple points of view that characterize Hilderbrand���s novels (The Blue Bistro, Golden Girl) as well as an added dash of Roaring Twenties history, The Hotel Nantucket offers something for everyone in this compelling summer drama.

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The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley

TWO LIFELONG FRIENDS.

Jess loves her work as a high-profile lawyer in Charleston. But when her marriage implodes, she retreats to her childhood home on Cape Cod with her thirty-year-old daughter, Caitlin, hoping to regroup with her longtime best friend, Alison.

ONE BOOKSHOP BY THE BAY.

Alison���s career has taken a hit after twenty years as an editor for the magazine Cape Cod Living. But when she learns her beloved bookstore on the Cape is looking for new ownership, a new dream starts to form.

AND THE SUMMER THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.

As the two friends reopen the bookstore, they also open themselves up to the magic of second chances.

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Beach View Lane by Jan Moran

April Raines is facing the end of her long-term marriage after her husband begins another family. Eager for a fresh start, she returns home with her grown daughters to Crown Island, just off the coast of Southern California.

When Ryan Kingston acquires the historical Majestic Hotel, he is determined to bring the vintage Victorian beach resort back to life. But it could come at a steep cost to him and his carefully guarded privacy.

Especially when April Raines, head of the new Crown Island Historical Society, captures his attention. Will they both get a second chance at life?

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Summer Beach and Coral Cottage series, Beach View Lane is the first in the Crown Island series about a quirky small town with fascinating characters. If you love clean romance and women���s fiction with fun characters you���ll want as friends, this series is for you.

() Book Excerpt

As a fresh morning breeze wafted from the nearby beach, April stepped outside to wave at her friend Deb cycling toward her. On Crown Island, locals splashed their homes in all shades of the spectrum, like sun-dazzled gemstones tumbled from the heavens surrounded by a sapphire ocean. Nearby, the Majestic Hotel was the magnificent ruby in the crown and the heart of the community.

Depending on the street, some houses were sherbet-colored, cool and refreshing on a summer���s day. Other neighborhoods boasted hot, happy colors, spilling forth like jelly beans. And on another side of the island, riotous shades bled from houses and swirled onto muraled walls in crescendos of color.

Deb eased to a stop in front of April���s house. Or rather, it was her mother���s home, a pop of deep, rosy pink amidst a neighboring sea of blue bungalows and sunny yellow cottages. Only the towering house at the end of the block stood out in blinding white.

April adjusted the brim of her cotton visor against the sun. ���I thought you might have forgotten about our ride.����

���Sorry I���m late.���� Deb rubbed her shoulder. ���I took a run on the beach with Duke this morning. Another dog attacked him, and I had to bandage a gash on Duke���s snout. He fought me over that part, but he���ll be alright.����

���Poor Duke.���� Deb���s rescue shepherd-collie mix was usually playful. ���It���s okay. I���ve been cleaning up this old bike.���� April eased onto the seat.

Deb peered at the tires. ���Do you have an air pump? Your tires look low.����

April slid off and bent down to inspect the tires. ���You���re right. This will only take a minute.����

Her mother had stored bikes in her garage for years and kept them in good repair. Still, salt air could creep into every crevice. Specks of rust dotted the faded bubblegum-pink frame of her beloved old bike, and cracks from the summer heat etched a web across the seat. She drew her hand wistfully across the old handlebars.

���A little air in the tires, and she���ll be almost as good as new.���� April set the kickstand and brought out a bicycle pump. Hitching up her knee-length shorts, she squatted by the bike.

Her closest friend from childhood perched on a gleaming bike, her sun-bronzed shoulders still toned and taught. Unlike April, who���d moved away thirty years ago, Deb had never left Crown Island except for vacations. Maybe that���s why she still looked healthy and fit. No mom-shorts for her. She wore slim bike shorts and a tank top that showed off toned upper arms.

April covered hers with a navy hoodie that bore a history association logo. Deb was tall, blond, and blue-eyed���more like April���s mother in her youth. In contrast, April thought of herself as fairly average. Her only distinguishing feature was her deep green eyes, which she���d recently learned she shared with a newly discovered set of aunts and cousins.

Deb leaned on her handlebars. ���Since you���re spending the year here, you���ll have time to refurbish that bike.����

With a small smile, April said, ���I don���t think I���ll have time after all.���� She bent to secure the pump nozzle to the tire valve. ���Calvin called.����

The early morning call from her husband had been a surprise, especially because the genuine regret in his voice was evident. Darling, I���m so sorry and ashamed for all I���ve put you through. But I want us to make this right because you and the girls mean the world to me. I can���t bear to lose your love.

These were the words she���d been longing to hear from Calvin. Family meant everything to April because she���d lost her father as a teenager. Reuniting her currently fractured family and helping her daughters find their true paths���this is what April longed for.

Although, admittedly, she���d heard her husband���s words before. Yet, here they were again.

Several months ago, April had taken a leave of absence from teaching history at a university in Seattle, Washington, to care for her mother on Crown Island, an artist colony just off the coast of Southern California and south of the Channel Islands.

A severe case of pneumonia had landed Ella Raines in the hospital, and she needed her daughter. Fortunately, her mother was never to be underestimated. Ella had rallied back, even returning to her yoga practice at home. Having worked as a nurse, she���d also received the best care in the local hospital she and her husband had helped establish fifty years ago.

But that wasn���t the only reason April had ditched her summer classes and gone on hiatus. After what Calvin had done, she couldn���t face her fellow faculty members. Their eyes were full of pity for her, understandably.

And she hated that. She turned back to her friend.

Deb raised her brow. ���Are you sure you want another ticket on that rollercoaster?����

���We have a family,���� April replied, maybe a little too curtly.

Deb held up a hand. ���Just checking in with you.����

Instantly, April regretted her defensive tone with Deb. Still, with Calvin���s charisma and good looks, her husband could hardly help attracting attention. For the last time, she hoped, with guarded relief. Soon, all that would be behind them.

Deb shot her a look of warning, but before she could say anything, April���s mother opened the screen door. As Ella Raines stepped out, her thick, lustrous silver hair glistened in the sunlight like a halo. Her casual, blue cotton beach dress hung on her lean, usually fit frame now thinned by illness, although she was regaining her strength. ���What a gorgeous day for a ride. In a few weeks, I should be strong enough to join you for an easy spin on the beach.����

Deb���s face brightened. ���Just in time, Ella. Would you talk some sense into your daughter? She���s threatening to leave.����

Instantly, her mother���s face drooped. ���You���re not going home already, are you?����

���I was going to tell you, but Calvin called as I was dressing. He was getting ready for a flight for a meeting in San Francisco. After that, he���ll catch another flight south and take the ferry. He���ll be here this evening.���� April plastered a confident smile on her face. ���I���ll ask him to stay over the weekend, but I imagine I should be ready to return with him to Seattle when he wants.����

���So soon?���� Ella asked.

At the sight of her mother���s expression, April quickly added, ���I���ll be back to visit as soon as possible. I���m sure Junie will want to stay with you.���� After what her daughter had been through, she needed sunshine and fresh air.

Ella nodded with reluctant acceptance. ���You have your life to live, but it should be your best life, dear.����

Remorse about leaving her mother poured over April���s shoulders, but she was also pleased that Calvin was on his way. ���You always told me to fight for what I wanted. Calvin is retiring in ten years, maybe before. He wants to take off in an RV and travel the country, and he���d like to take a cruise every year. Maybe do some volunteer work.����

Deb twirled a finger at her. ���Somewhere in all those words, I thought I���d hear what you wanted, but they were all about Calvin.����

���I want that, too.���� April lifted her chin, masking the pain in her heart. ���He���s still my husband. And the girls will be devastated if we don���t get back together.����

Even though she���d left to look after her mother, they both agreed it was a good time for a trial separation. The truth was, they���d been emotionally separated far longer. Calvin had also left her bed a year ago, feigning trouble sleeping and taking over the guest room.

Taking each front step with care, Ella joined them. ���They���re not children anymore. They would understand if you had to make a choice. May���I mean, Maileah���has quite the worldly attitude.���� She pressed a finger to her lip. ���I keep forgetting her new name.����

���I worry about Junie.���� Her youngest daughter���s husband had died in a freak traffic accident on a business trip to London two years ago. Even though relations between Junie and Calvin were strained, she needed her father.

While her mother acknowledged that, it didn���t stop her. ���Junie is stronger than you realize, my dear. About your husband���be selfish this time. Tell him what you want.����

���I have, and I will.���� Air hissed from the valve as April bent over to unscrew the dust cap on the wheel, and she could feel the blood rushing to her face. Anger, hurt, embarrassment, and disillusionment swirled in her, but she always harbored hope for a better future. She���d been through so much with Calvin.

April threw her energy into the bicycle pump, forcing air into the tire to fill it to capacity. If only such exertion could fill her marriage with renewed passion.

Her mother watched. ���It pains me to see you hurt.����

���These affairs run their course.���� April switched the nozzle and pumped air into the second tire with equal vengeance. Over the years, her husband had slipped up before, but never in their own backyard at the university. And with a leggy Russian woman the same age as their children? She puffed out air at the thought.

���What was he thinking?���� she mumbled.

Suddenly, she realized she���d said that last bit out loud.

Her mother seized on her words. ���The question is, what are you thinking? You���ve hardly heard from him all summer.����

���Well, now I have.���� April bit back with a sharper response than she had intended. Worry and agitation weren���t good for her mother���s health. ���I���ve weighed my options, Mama. I���ve worked hard for our future, and I���m not backing down when it���s right around the corner.����

���I���d love for you to stay a little longer,���� her mother added softly. She placed a hand on April���s shoulder. ���A few more weeks might give you more clarity.����

As April snapped off the nozzle, air hissed out again. Quickly she screwed on the dust cap. ���You can���t fault me for trying to keep my family intact. You remember the wonderful life we had before Dad died. And what we lost.����

���We all have a time, so I focused on being grateful that you were put into my life,���� her mother said, her lids lowering slightly at the memory. ���Your situation is different, though equally painful. At some point, you must decide what you want for yourself.����

���Don���t think I haven���t.����

Immediately, April wished she could withdraw her words. A pang of guilt shot through her. The young girl, tucked inside a body now surprisingly over fifty, still longed for a deeper sense of family. For years, she had missed holidays with her father, carving a turkey, setting up a Christmas tree, and shooting fireworks over the ocean. Her mother carried on, but it was never the same. April couldn���t do that to her daughters and their eventual offspring.

She put the bike pump away in the garage.

���I���ll shut the garage from inside,���� Ella said.

Deb shared a look with Ella that seemed to say, I���ll try.

But how could Deb understand any of this? She���d never been married, and her parents and brothers still lived on the island.

���Your mother will miss you,���� Deb said. ���And what will you do if you���re not teaching?����

���There might be an opening in the second semester. In the meantime, I can review my research notes for that book I���ve outlined. Maybe even start writing.���� However, the words weren���t flowing. And before returning to teach, April needed more time to let this ugly incident blow over.

One of her friends had told her that Olga had left the graduate program and planned to pursue her master���s degree at another private university. But when April pressed her friend, a professor in that department, she admitted she���d seen the tall, buxom Russian woman on campus. With a mane of blond hair and legs that went on forever, Olga was hard to miss���and presumably, equally hard to resist.

Maybe Olga was only on campus to see friends, she told herself.

���You could write here,���� Ella said, interrupting her thoughts.

Swallowing her pride, April reached out and hugged her mother. ���I know both of you only want what���s best for me. But I���m trying to do what���s best for my family.����

���What a shame they���re not the same.���� When her mother pulled away, redness rimmed her eyes. ���A ride will be good for you, dear. The sea breeze always clears my mind, helping me see problems with greater clarity.����

Deb nodded emphatically. ���I���ll take her on the Queen���s Flight.���� She wheeled from the driveway.

April followed, glancing back to reassure her mother. Although she was sure of what she needed to do, her mother���s words clung to her like foxtails on the island trails. Once stuck in your hair, they were hard to get out.

Sort of like Calvin Smith.

April inhaled a deep breath of fresh, briny air and instantly felt her burden lighten. Her mother was right about that, too. Rising on her pedals, she quickened her pace to catch Deb.

���Wait up.���� Panting from the exertion of riding and pushing her bike uphill, April paused to peer down the other side. Standing at the high point of Crown Island, she rested on her handlebars, taking in the view.

The morning sun sparkled on the Pacific Ocean, and palm trees swayed in the light wind. From this vantage point, Crown Island shimmered like a rare jewel���so named after a talented jeweler to the courts of Europe, whose specialty was crowns and tiaras. The island was a gift for her service to the crown during the latter part of the Spanish Colonial period in California. From here, April and her childhood friends used to spot whales, sea lions, and seals off the coast. Now, the island contained a bustling village and a sprawling nature conservancy home to more than two hundred species of birds and animal wildlife.

April lifted her face to the ocean breeze that cooled her face.

Ahead of her on the trail, her friend Deb waited. That is, Deborah Whitaker of the Crown Island founding Whitakers and a one-time princess in the annual island parade when they were fifteen. With her stature and poise, Deb could still pass for island royalty, even four decades later. Her artfully tinted blond braid hung between her shoulders. She was the best friend April had ever had.

When April returned to Crown Island at the beginning of the summer to look after her mother, Deb was the first one who called to offer help. April had confided in her when Calvin told her he needed a break from their marriage. Maybe she���d told Deb too much of the ugly side of her marriage and not enough of the good.

When April reached her friend���s side, she stopped. ���Whew. Wasn���t sure I could make it up here.����

���I knew you could.���� Deb stretched her arms over her head in the sunshine. ���I���ve been thinking���if you could do anything besides teaching, anywhere in the world, what would that be?���� She pointed to April like they used to when they were young. ���Go.����

April gazed out over the island. Not far away, the old Majestic Hotel with its red-and-white wooden cupolas rose from its seaside perch, its red roof contrasting with the bluest of skies. Last spring, her mother had led a community effort to block the owner���s plan to modernize it. Ella Raines had fiercely argued against it at City Hall. She had prevailed, even though her tenacity had come at a cost to her health. Ella always pushed herself. This time, she had allowed her immune system to become rundown.

���This might sound wild,���� April began. ���But that Victorian lady kindled my love of history. Remember the field trip we took there?����

���Do I ever. The manager let us climb the restricted stairway to the main cupola. The highest point of the hotel���four whole stories. It seemed to stretch to the heavens back then.���� Deb grinned. ���You never answered me.����

April blurted out the first thing that came to mind, ���I would study the history of that hotel and Crown Island. We have such a unique past. It shouldn���t be lost.����

���Ghosts and all?����

���I don���t think the Majestic is haunted,���� April said, despite Deb���s skeptical look. ���I found its history so intriguing. Film stars, presidents, royalty, and gangsters have stayed there. Until then, that was the oldest structure I���d ever seen. All those black-and-white photographs and stories of old movies shot there fascinated me.����

���Obsessed is more like it.���� Deb laughed. ���You were like Nancy Drew sleuthing all over the hotel. I was a little jealous because you wrote so many papers about it. You got A���s on every one of them. If you want to write a book, why not one on the history of the hotel and the island?����

April leaned on her handlebars. ���Wasn���t someone working on that?����

���You���re thinking of Ruth Miller. She collected a lot of material and spoke about the need for a preservation society, but sadly, she didn���t live long enough to fulfill her mission.����

���Oh, I didn���t know. How sad for her. Still, the island needs a historical society.���� The idea intrigued April. As a member of a national historical association through her university work, she understood the significance of preservation and its impact on future generations.

���I could get behind a project like that,���� she said. ���The Majestic Hotel has a wealth of stories, though there are many others about how this island developed and the indigenous people who lived here over the centuries. But the Majestic���that���s the real jewel of the island.����

���Maybe we���ll meet the new owner soon.���� With a wink, Deb stood on her pedals, eager to go.

���Wait, someone finally bought it? Who?���� She glanced at the hotel again, concerned about what would become of it under new ownership.

���Another investor. I haven���t met him, but I will. The interiors of the Majestic need a redesign, and I want that job.���� Deb grinned and nodded toward the descent. ���Come on, let���s do this. You remember how, don���t you?����

���Sure,���� April replied, forcing a grin as she gazed down the trail they had christened the Queen���s Flight when they were kids. Legend had it a woman had fled from her husband down this hill, running so fast that she���d become airborne, rising to the clouds in her escape. It wasn���t as steep as she���d recalled from childhood, but it was still unnerving.

���You have to clear your mind and keep your focus,���� Deb reminded her. ���Don���t do a Jimmy.����

April cringed. She could still see little Jimmy Carlton, who had broken a leg when he���d lost control. They���d been about ten years old, tearing around the island with minimal supervision���swimming, surfing, biking.

Over the years, every time April had returned for a visit, her mother suggested they go for a bike ride along the strand. As the salt-laden wind whipped around her, April wished she���d taken more time to do that���and kept it up.��

���Give me a minute.����

Her heart pounding like a jackhammer, she drew another deep breath. As she recalled, the descent was magical, but only if you could empty your mind and imagine gliding across the terrain ahead, willing your wheels to find the unobstructed path. Over the years, the trail had hardened to a smooth surface, but rain still left dangerous pockmarks. She had no idea if kids still filled them in.

As children, this hillside, so regally named, had been their pinnacle of achievement, their badge of courage. It had also seemed much taller back then.

Amateur stuff, her oldest daughter would say. But then, May���or Maileah, as she now preferred���was an avid marathon runner and adventure seeker who also worked in technology. She functioned at a high level of intensity every day.

Not quite able to achieve the necessary frame of mind, April held up a hand. ���I���m a little out of shape.���� Physically and emotionally. She used to work out a few years ago. But her life had changed so fast this summer she���d gotten emotional whiplash.

If that was a thing, as her students in World History 101 would say. First, it was Calvin���s latest midlife crisis; next, her mother���s hospitalization; then, a host of new family members in nearby Summer Beach. Not even her parents had been informed of April���s family or ancestry when they adopted her. Closed adoption was all that Ella had been told.

All these incidents sent shock waves through April. However, the discovery of a new family was welcome, if not a little overwhelming. Unbeknownst to her, her daughter Junie had done a DNA test. Still, she���d been excited when Junie arranged a meeting with her cousin Ivy Bay and her family at the Seabreeze Inn. There, April presented the best version of herself, reluctant to share what was really happening in her life.

Although she loved digging into history, she didn���t like sharing her own.

Having caught her breath, she lifted her chin toward her friend. ���It���s hard to keep up with you.����

Deb put a hand on her hip. ���If you stay, I���ll help get you in shape, professor.����

April smirked back at her. ���Calvin was the tenured professor. I was the lowly lecturer.���� That still rankled her.

���You raised the girls and did his laundry.����

���And a lot more than that.���� No one knew, but she���d written most of his doctorate dissertation and almost every article he���d published after that. He���d been the university���s rising star in the psychology department. She wondered how many women were the real force behind their husbands. Narrowing her eyes, she added to herself, ���Look at how he thanked me.����

Over the summer, April had reviewed her circumstances. Was it really love that still bound her to Calvin, or was it the uncertainty of being on her own? She���d spent most of her adult life with him. Even though he wasn���t always considerate of her, would another man be any different?

Yet, as outrageous as his behavior had been, they had a history. To her, that counted for a lot. And now, he was on his way back to her.

Swiftly changing the subject, Deb pointed to the new water bottle she���d given April this morning. ���You must be well hydrated, especially for the Queen���s Flight. Drink.����

���Yes, ma���am.���� As April swallowed a mouthful of cool water, she peered down the other side of the hill.

As a girl, this hilltop had seemed almost insurmountable. She recalled pedaling uphill, her skinny legs burning with exertion, determined to make it to the top, even when other friends hopped off their bikes to run beside her and Deb. To them, the burn was as satisfying as the flight down the other side and made that intense, windswept race even more gratifying.

Deb���s face was pink with excitement. ���Ready to fly?����

���I think so.���� Could she still do it? At her age, she hesitated whenever she thought of doing something physically demanding. The last time she���d gone skiing with Maileah, she���d kept to the bunny hills instead of the mogul-pocked expert slopes she���d once loved to tackle. Her daughter had left her at the base.

���On your right,���� came a deep voice behind her.��

April turned to see a man in tight biking shorts and a screaming yellow shirt whiz past her. He looked like he was training for the Tour de France. She nodded to him, but he stared straight ahead, intent on the path ahead. He careened down, seeming to find every bump on the trail and fighting his way over it.

That wasn���t the way to do it, April suddenly remembered.

Lowering her sunglasses, Deb laughed. ���Tourist.����

���You think?����

���Nice muscles, but he didn���t even twitch a finger toward us.����

���You mean toward you.���� April laughed as she put her bottle away. Deb was what her mother called a real looker, even now.

As for the issue of acknowledgment, locals kept to a different code. A nod, a smile, a moment to talk about the high tide, the low tide, or what strange item had washed up on the shore last week. April understood.

Here, people never knew when they might have to call on a neighbor to help. Floods, fires, earthquakes���her parents had lived through a lot on this small island just north of San Diego.

April had left as soon as she could for the mainland, a mere fifteen minutes by ferry. But that had been far enough. Going to college in Los Angeles had been like living on another planet.

Deb pushed her sunglasses up on her nose, tilted her face to the sun, and drew a deep breath to get into the zone. ���Let���s fly. Meet you at the base, then we���ll head to Cuppa Jo���s.����

Ahead of her, Deb glided over the path. Slowly, she released the handlebars, swept her arms to her sides, and lifted her palms skyward as her wheels skimmed the surface, seeming to find their way to the smoothest parts.

Closing her eyes, April recalled that feeling of meditative cruising. It had been easier back then. It���s mind over matter, her mother always said. Like riding the moguls.

That attitude is probably what pulled her mother through.

Deb was right. April needed to get back into the rhythm of life. Now that her mother was better, she would return to Calvin, and they would go on as they always had. He would express his remorse, and she would forgive him.

One eye twitched at that thought.

Determined to follow Deb���s lead, April pushed off down the hill��

Strawberry lemonade is a lovely, pink-hued version of a summer cooler. In Southern California, my lemon trees often produce for nine to ten months of the year, so lemonade is a staple. Adding strawberries creates a tasty, pretty variation.

For a fun, color-changing effect, try adding purple ice cubes. As they melt, the drink will change shades, deepening from the pink into the purple spectrum. The type of lemon you use can affect the level of sweetness. Meyer lemons, which I prefer for lemonade, have a naturally sweeter taste profile.

In this recipe, you can adjust the tartness by adding a sweet counterpoint, but it might not be needed with sweet strawberries. A few drops of stevia or another sweetener is all you would need if you like your lemonade on the sweeter side.

This lemonade can be made ahead and enjoyed for a few days. It’s also easy to whip up if unexpected guests arrive. With a dash of alcohol, a sugared rim, and a garnish of fruit, you’ll have a fancy summer cocktail in a flash.

Make 4 to 6 servings.

Ingredients:

1 cup (240 g) fresh strawberries, halved
1/2 cup (120 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
Liquid stevia sweetener to taste
4 cups (1 L) water
Sliced strawberries and lemon wedges for garnish (optional)
Sugar for a rim of glasses (optional)
Optional alcohol: 1 1/2 ounces (45 mL) of vodka

Instructions:

1. In a blender, puree the strawberries until smooth.
2. In a pitcher, combine the pureed strawberries, lemon juice, and water. Stir well.
3. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding liquid stevia.
4. Fill glasses with colored ice cubes and pour the strawberry lemonade over the ice.
Serve with Royal Purple Ice Cubes for a color-changing experience. Garnish with sliced strawberries, lemon wedges, and mint if desired.

Royal Purple Ice Cubes

Here’s a natural recipe for vividly colored ice cubes that will add a beautiful pop of color to your drinks. The secret is purple cabbage. You won’t be able to taste the cabbage in your drinks. As the ice cubes melt, the color will drift into the drink. With strawberry lemonade, the pink tone deepens into purple.
No cabbage on hand? If you don’t mind food coloring, you can add a few drops of red and blue.

Ingredients:

1/4 head of purple cabbage, chopped
Water
Ice cube tray

Instructions:

1. Rinse the chopped purple cabbage and place it in the bowl with enough water to cover the cabbage.
2. Pour boiling water over the cabbage to cover it. Let stand for 5 minutes or until purple.
3. Strain the liquid into a container, discarding the cabbage.
4. Pour the tinted water into the ice cube tray, filling each section about 3/4 full.
5. Place the ice cube tray in the freezer and let it freeze completely, usually about 4 hours.
6. Add the ice cubes to your glass, pour in your beverage of choice, and enjoy.

Princess Sugar Rim

Want to get fancy? Here’s how to rim your glasses with sugar to add an extra touch of glamor to your drinks. You can also use special cocktail sugars that come in different colors, but this is quick and uses what you probably have on hand. For added stickiness, you can use the simple syrup (sugar melted in boiling water), but lemon slices are easy.

Ingredients:

Granulated sugar
Lemon wedge (or simple syrup)
Glassware

Instructions:

1. Pour a small amount of granulated sugar onto a plate or shallow dish.
2. Rub the rim of the cocktail glass with a lemon wedge or dip it in simple syrup, ensuring the entire rim is moistened.
3. Roll the moistened rim of the glass in the sugar, gently pressing the sugar onto the rim until it sticks.
4. Tap the glass lightly to remove any excess sugar.
5. Fill the glass with your favorite drink and enjoy.

Strawberry lemonade is a lovely, pink-hued version of a summer cooler. In Southern California, my lemon trees often produce for nine to ten months of the year, so lemonade is a staple. Adding strawberries creates a tasty, pretty variation.

For a fun, color-changing effect, try adding purple ice cubes. As they melt, the drink will change shades, deepening from the pink into the purple spectrum. The type of lemon you use can affect the level of sweetness. Meyer lemons, which I prefer for lemonade, have a naturally sweeter taste profile.

In this recipe, you can adjust the tartness by adding a sweet counterpoint, but it might not be needed with sweet strawberries. A few drops of stevia or another sweetener is all you would need if you like your lemonade on the sweeter side.

This lemonade can be made ahead and enjoyed for a few days. It���s also easy to whip up if unexpected guests arrive. With a dash of alcohol, a sugared rim, and a garnish of fruit, you���ll have a fancy summer cocktail in a flash.

Make 4 to 6 servings.

Ingredients:

1 cup (240 g) fresh strawberries, halved
1/2 cup (120 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
Liquid stevia sweetener to taste
4 cups (1 L) water
Sliced strawberries and lemon wedges for garnish (optional)
Sugar for a rim of glasses (optional)
Optional alcohol: 1 1/2 ounces (45 mL) of vodka

Instructions:

1. In a blender, puree the strawberries until smooth.
2. In a pitcher, combine the pureed strawberries, lemon juice, and water. Stir well.
3. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding liquid stevia.
4. Fill glasses with colored ice cubes and pour the strawberry lemonade over the ice.
Serve with Royal Purple Ice Cubes for a color-changing experience. Garnish with sliced strawberries, lemon wedges, and mint if desired.

Royal Purple Ice Cubes

Here���s a natural recipe for vividly colored ice cubes that will add a beautiful pop of color to your drinks. The secret is purple cabbage. You won���t be able to taste the cabbage in your drinks. As the ice cubes melt, the color will drift into the drink. With strawberry lemonade, the pink tone deepens into purple.
No cabbage on hand? If you don���t mind food coloring, you can add a few drops of red and blue.

Ingredients:

1/4 head of purple cabbage, chopped
Water
Ice cube tray

Instructions:

1. Rinse the chopped purple cabbage and place it in the bowl with enough water to cover the cabbage.
2. Pour boiling water over the cabbage to cover it. Let stand for 5 minutes or until purple.
3. Strain the liquid into a container, discarding the cabbage.
4. Pour the tinted water into the ice cube tray, filling each section about 3/4 full.
5. Place the ice cube tray in the freezer and let it freeze completely, usually about 4 hours.
6. Add the ice cubes to your glass, pour in your beverage of choice, and enjoy.

Princess Sugar Rim

Want to get fancy? Here���s how to rim your glasses with sugar to add an extra touch of glamor to your drinks. You can also use special cocktail sugars that come in different colors, but this is quick and uses what you probably have on hand. For added stickiness, you can use the simple syrup (sugar melted in boiling water), but lemon slices are easy.

Ingredients:

Granulated sugar
Lemon wedge (or simple syrup)
Glassware

Instructions:

1. Pour a small amount of granulated sugar onto a plate or shallow dish.
2. Rub the rim of the cocktail glass with a lemon wedge or dip it in simple syrup, ensuring the entire rim is moistened.
3. Roll the moistened rim of the glass in the sugar, gently pressing the sugar onto the rim until it sticks.
4. Tap the glass lightly to remove any excess sugar.
5. Fill the glass with your favorite drink and enjoy.