About the Book

Book:  Island Charm

Author: Audrey Wick

Genre: Christian Contemporary Beach Read

Release date: May 14, 2021

An imposter in paradise.

When Anna Worthington’s twin sister gets jilted by her fiancé, Anna steps in with a plan for a girls’ Key West getaway instead of a honeymoon trip. Yet when her twin has her own crisis of commitment and doesn’t board the plane, Anna finds herself on a romantic getaway that she’s forced to navigate alone.

A vacation romance with an expiration date.

Gunnar Lockhart, whose specialty is island tourism, is the perfect match for helping Anna complete her vacation bucket list, but time together forges a connection more personal than either anticipate. As they make island memories, Anna has to untangle her mixed emotions. Are her feelings toward Gunnar real? Or like her sister’s wedding day, has this connection been doomed from the start?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Audrey Wick is a full-time English professor at Blinn College and author of women’s fiction/romance. Her writing has also appeared in college textbooks, and she is a guest blog columnist with Writer’s Digest. Wick believes the secret to happiness includes lifelong learning and good stories. But travel and coffee help. She has journeyed to over twenty countries—and sipped coffee at every one. See photos on her website audreywick.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @WickWrites.

 

More from Audrey

 “The Importance of Setting in Fiction Writing” 

My favorite element in writing a novel is setting. Making places come alive through storytelling brings special joy, and I’m fortunate to be able to do that in the pages of Island Charm.

Island Charm is my first beach-read, a standalone contemporary novel set in Key West. Key West is a small island in the Florida Keys, an archipelago that stretches west from the southern peninsula of Florida. The Keys dangle into the Gulf of Mexico like a string of island pearls. Key West is the last on the strand.

I first experienced Key West in the summer, but years later, I traveled back in winter. Whether its July or January, Key West is beautiful anytime of year. What I like best about the island is its walkability. It’s roughly four miles long and one mile across, making it easy to explore on foot. The boardwalk, docks, piers, and public beaches means there is plenty to experience. Fantastic views stretch in all directions.

Additionally, the island has an impressive literary history. Authors including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Shel Silverstein, Philip Burton, Judy Blume, and Meg Cabot have all called the island their home at one time or another. It’s easy to see why my heroine, Anna, is so taken with the scenery, just like these writers. I hope readers will be as well!

Follow Anna as she explores Key West in Island Charm. Thanks for traveling with me through the pages, and I hope readers enjoy their time on the island.

MY REVIEW 

This has been a nice, easy, sentimental journey to finding yourself. Things don’t always turn out the way we want and Anna is on her way to an adventure of a lifetime. Her sister’s wedding doesn’t happen and  Anna finds herself on a flight to Key West. I liked how Anna’s sister gave her  a chance to refresh and perhaps find happiness as she travels in her place . 

I could feel the breeze against my face as Anna started exploring the  quaint island. It was funny that the luggage she was stuck with happens to be her sister’s honeymoon attires. I think she may need to do some shopping for more presentable ensembles. The story is rich in island history and I would love to visit it someday. It sounds so relaxing and a place to really let go of your problems. 

Gunnar is definitely a good character with his charm and knowledge of the island. As Anna and Gunnar start to get acquainted you can tell there is chemistry between them. I liked that they took things slow and spent lots of time talking and getting to know each other better. The part about Anna’s desire to make jewelry from shells was very interesting. The author takes us  on a walk along the beach as Anna and Gunnar discover what the ocean has washed up. I love collecting seashells when I go to the beach. It’s like a small gift from God as He shares the wonders of the world He made. 

There is one character in the story that was so sweet I have to mention him. Jack is an older man who has no family so Gunnar has been watching out for him. When an unexpected emergency happens with Jack it causes  Gunnar to miss a very important date.  Oh how I cried as Anna’s heart breaks. She feels rejected and gives up on ever finding happiness. The rest of the story I will leave for  readers to enjoy. This has been a nice book with a message of trust, never giving up and following your dreams. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, June 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 20

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, June 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 22

Reflections From My Bookshelves, June 22

The Write Escape, June 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 24

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 24

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 25

Inklings and notions, June 26

Blogging With Carol, June 26

For Him and My Family, June 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28

Simple Harvest Reads, June 28 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

deb’s Book Review, June 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 30

Kayem Reads , June 30

CarpeDiem, July 1

Genesis 5020, July 1

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Audrey is giving away the grand prize package of a CD that includes a digital copy of Island Charm as well as multiple full-length novels also published by Pelican Book Group!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10db6/island-charm-celebration-tour-giveaway