Joyce DiPastena is guest blogging at LDS Writers Blogck

I was a guest blogger today over at LDS Writers Blogck. Click here to read my reflections on the relationship between writing and faith.

The Sun Shines on Destin

Today I’m in Destin, Florida, where I set my book, Love Turns the Tide. This morning at six-thirty I swam freestyle and backstroke in the outdoor pool and used the palm trees beside it for backstroke flags. By the time the pool man showed up the sun played off the water. And the two dragon flies that lit near me had passed away, probably from the chlorine. A mild breeze and a temperature in the high sixties made the swim invigorating.

After I finished I strolled past the lizards darting in and out from the Nandina bushes to the white powdery sand glinting in the morning sunlight. At the water’s edge, I stood in front of the clear, emerald ocean with the wind blowing across my face and marveled at God’s glory. I glanced to my left and noticed a dark green color in the sea. Sea gulls flocked to a place where some of it washed onto the shore and tiny sand crabs scurried in and out of their holes as though they couldn’t get enough of it.

My husband said, “I heard about the algae scattered here and there along the shore before we came. They don’t know where it came from or why it’s here, but it doesn’t seem to be harmful.”
Quite the contrary, I thought. God has sent the birds and sea creatures nourishment.

ABOUT LOVE TURNS THE TIDE

Twenty-six year old Cammie O’Shea suffers through a broken engagement and starts a new job in Destin, Florida. Heartbroken, she wants to avoid new relationships while Vic Deleona, the real estate tycoon she interviews for The Sun Dial newspaper, tries to court her. When he makes extra business appointments, she resents having to spend so much time with him. But when break-ins at her friend’s condo and her unit, Vic comes to their rescue. When he tries to solve the mystery, Cammie gets to know him better. But she has an offer to return home. Will Vic catch the criminal and win Cammie’s heart or will she leave Destin?

Miss Lynn at Miss Lynn’s Books and More gave Love Turns the Tide 5+ stars.
She says: “This is an excellent story with three main characters that grow on you right from the beginning, Cammie, Angie and Vic. The secondary characters are very much a part of this story line and they fit right in perfectly, including the ducks, which we cannot leave out. There is just enough suspense to the story to keep the reader turning the pages when someone has made it a point to vandalize Angie and Cammie’s condos. Can the police find the intruder before he strikes again and who seems to have no clues? Will this cause Cammie to stay in Destin or return home to family and friends? What does her future hold?

When I started reading this newest book of Gail Pallotta’s I didn’t stop till I had it finished. I feel the bible verses were written into the story line very well reflecting on her thoughts about judging, faith and her prayers, without making the book preachy. The cover of the book is beautiful, simple but relates to the story, the characters are well defined and I feel like this book has a wide appeal, and can be accepted by many types of readers. It was interesting and a real pleasure to read.”

Beach Photos Courtesy of Shoreline Towers, Destin, Florida