Annette M. Irby – Romantic Destination – Part 2 of 2

Shannon here: Finish up the tour of Whidbey Island with Annette M. Irby and a shared memory from a trip there with her husband. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated March 5 – 8 to  enter the drawing for an e-book copy of her latest Contemporary Romance, Finding Love on Whidbey Island, Washington. Deadline: March 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Annette:  

Let’s Visit Whidbey Island with Annette M. Irby, Part Two:

I remember one of my first visits to Whidbey Island. There’s a quaint and artsy town called Langley on the southern end of the island. Amble down the quaint streets there, and you’ll find art galleries, cafes, and views of the sea peeking between buildings.

During one of our visits, my husband and I bought matching shirts. That was early in our marriage and may have been the last time we did that, but on that trip, it seemed appropriate. We’ve been married twenty-seven years, and something sweet happened the other day.

(Credit: Annette M. Irby)

I needed to make room on one of my office bookshelves for several copies of this Whidbey Island novel, and as I was clearing one of shelves, I ran across this wooden whale carving (see photo). We bought it at one of those galleries on Whidbey Island almost twenty-eight years ago. As I was explaining where we got it to my youngest, we showed it to my husband. Something sweet passed between us—a shared memory of a wonderful trip.  It’s those shared trips, those memories, that mean so much after all this time.

Maybe that’s partly why I wanted to write a location-based series. To share that awe-filled wonder, and to help readers connect with a lovely location, even if they never get to visit it. My readers seem to appreciate my descriptions, so perhaps I am providing that escape that readers crave.

If you ever get a chance, I recommend visiting Whidbey Island. Last I knew, there was a bench and a statue between buildings where you can sit and gaze at the sea, or read a good book!

Happy reading and traveling, friends!

About Annette: Annette M. Irby has been writing since her teen years when she sat pounding out stories on a vintage typewriter just for fun. Since then, she’s joined Christian writing groups and launched blogs so she could share the joy of writing. At one time, she served in acquisitions for a small press, and she runs her own editing business. She likes to say she’s addicted to color as flowers and seascapes inspire her. In her off hours, she enjoys gardening, photography, and music. She lives with her husband and family in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more and connect:

Annette’s Twitter                   Anette’s Facebook                     Annette’s Website

Annette’s Blog                        Annette’s Editing Website

About the book – Finding Love on Whidbey Island, Washington:

Could what drove them apart be what draws them back together?

Liberty Winfield lives with loss every day. She’d rather leave her history behind her, but when faced with moving back to her hometown, the past becomes unavoidable. She takes a job at the florist shop owned by her ex-boyfriend’s family from a decade ago. Now he’s unavoidable.

Clay Garrison knows the pain of ruing his mistakes. Most of his regrets center around Liberty. If he could undo his poor choices, he would. Liberty is back. He has one more chance to make things right. She doesn’t believe anyone could love her unconditionally, so he sets out to prove her wrong. He must also try to right the biggest wrong of their past, knowing that in doing so, he could lose her forever.

Will addressing the past together help them find love?

Can’t wait for the drawing or afraid you won’t win? Get your copy now:

Finding Love on Whidbey Island Washington – Amazon-e-book               Amazon – Print

Question for Readers: Do you have a momento that brings back good memories of a trip or a loved one when you see it? Tell us about it.

Come back March 12th for Carole Towriss!