Shannon here: Hope Dougherty takes us on a tour of Hatteras Island, the setting for her novella, A Hatteras Surprise, included in the Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams collection. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Sept 28th – Oct 12th to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: Oct 23rd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Hope:
My Christmas novella, “A Hatteras Surprise,” is included in the Candy Cane Wishes and Salt Water Dreams collection. It’s set on Hatteras Island, part of the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
Located thirty miles off the mainland in the Atlantic Ocean, Hatteras is a unique place. You can hear the Hoi Toide language spoken by some of the old timers if you listen carefully. You can tour the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, walk the beautiful beaches—two of which have been named in the top five of America’s best beaches (Lighthouse Beach and Ocracoke Beach) for 2021 by Dr. Beach. You can enjoy sport fishing, look for remnants of shipwrecks, and dine in delicious seafood restaurants among many other pastimes.
If you want a boardwalk or a theme park, visit another beach. The Outer Banks shine with a natural, quiet beauty instead. When you plan a vacation there, be sure to include at least a week. You won’t be disappointed.
The Outer Banks are also known for hang gliding. One of the places to learn the sport is in Jockey’s Ridge State Park near Nags Head, north of Hatteras. Jockey’s Ridge is home to the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States, perfect for floating on the ocean breezes and landing in the soft sand.
As a North Carolina native, I’ve been to Hatteras several times, but until last fall, my husband had never visited. Knowing I needed more island research time for the novella, he reserved a bed and breakfast for us in Manteo, home of the Lost Colony, and scheduled a morning hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge. I’ve always wanted to experience the sport and included a hang gliding scene in my story.
Unfortunately, the company had only one opening left for lessons on the Saturday of our visit. My husband gallantly booked the slot for me for my research and spent the morning, instead, watching me and the rest of the group learn to manage the kites and waft off the dunes. Putting my interests ahead of his, he assured me repeatedly he was glad to let me experience it.
In the novella, both Ben and Ginny get to hang glide, but one struggles to keep the kite afloat while the other flies no problems. Read about their adventures in “A Hatteras Surprise.”
About Hope: Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Her novels include Irish Encounter, Mars…With Venus Rising, Rescued Hearts, and Forever Music. Her recent novella, “A Hatteras Surprise,” appears in Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams. She and her husband delight in visits with their daughters and twin sons. Learn more & connect:
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About the novella collection – Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams by Amy Anguish, Hope Toler Dougherty, Linda Fulkerson, Regina Rudd Merrick and Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Mistletoe Make-believe by Amy Anguish – Charlie Hill’s family thinks his daughter Hailey needs a mom–to the point they won’t get off his back until he finds her one. Desperate to be free from their nagging, he asks a stranger to pretend she’s his girlfriend during the holidays. When romance author Samantha Arwine takes a working vacation to St. Simons Island over Christmas, she never dreamed she’d be involved in a real-life romance. Are the sparks between her and Charlie real? Or is her imagination over-acting … again?
A Hatteras Surprise by Hope Toler Dougherty – Ginny Stowe spent years tending a childhood hurt that dictated her college study and work. Can time with an island visitor with ties to her past heal lingering wounds and lead her toward a happy Christmas … and more? Ben Daniels intends to hire a new branch manager for a Hatteras Island bank, then hurry back to his promotion and Christmas in Charlotte. Spending time with a beautiful local, however, might force him to adjust his sails.
A Pennie for Your Thoughts by Linda Fulkerson – When the Lakeshore Homeowner’s Association threatens to condemn the cabin Pennie Vaughn inherited from her foster mother, her only hope of funding the needed repairs lies in winning a travel blog contest. Trouble is, Pennie never goes anywhere. Should she use the all-expenses paid Hawaiian vacation offered to her by her ex-fiancé? The trip that would have been their honeymoon?
Mr. Sandman by Regina Rudd Merrick – Events manager Taylor Fordham’s happily-ever-after was snatched from her, and she’s saying no to romance and Christmas. When she meets two new friends—the cute new chef at Pilot Oaks and a contributor on a sci-fi fan fiction website who enjoys debate—her resolve begins to waver. Just when she thinks she can loosen her grip on thoughts of love, a crisis pulls her back. There’s no way she’s going to risk her heart again.
Coastal Christmas Charade by Shannon Taylor Vannatter – Lark Pendleton is banking on a high-society wedding to make her grandparent’s inn at Surfside Beach, Texas the venue to attract buyers. Tasked with sprucing up the inn, she hires Jace Wilder, whose heart she once broke. When the bride and groom turn out to be Lark’s high school nemesis and ex-boyfriend, she and Jace embark on a pretend romance to save the wedding. But when real feelings emerge, can they overcome past hurts?
Check out the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-spm0_wQcZ0
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Get your copy now!
Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams – Amazon
Question for Readers: What kind of adventure sports have you enjoyed or hope to enjoy?
Come back Oct 12th for Linda Fulkerson!
Suzan Burgett says
Working through the real feelings can overcome past hurts.
Hope Dougherty says
Yes, Suzan! Ben helps Ginny work through her past hurts.
Molly says
I bought Candy Cane and Saltwater Dreams in paperback. Can hardly wait to read the novellas. They look great.
Hope Toler Dougherty says
I’m so happy you’re looking forward to reading it, Molly! I hope you enjoy your trips to all those beaches!
Hope Toler Dougherty says
I’m so happy you’re looking forward to reading our book, Molly! I hope you enjoy visiting all those beaches!
Beth Clark says
I have enjoyed the adventures of canoeing down Iowa rivers.
Hope Dougherty says
Beth, I’ve always wanted to visit Iowa. Seriously. I grew up on a farm and always thought the fields of Iowa looked so beautiful!
Diana Hardt says
I have done river canoeing in Spain and Germany.
Hope Dougherty says
Diana, I’m sure you had beautiful trips in those countries, but I’ve never been to Spain.
Maryann says
I have ocean fished. That is probably about as adventurous as I have gotten.
Hope Dougherty says
Maryann, we’re you on a boat or a pier? Ginny takes Ben fishing off a pier because he gets seasick! Ocean fishing is very adventurous!
Hope Toler Dougherty says
And, of course, now I see the we’re/were problem in the previous reply, but I can’t fix it! Oops!
Shannon Vannatter says
I’m a big chicken, Hope. I grew up roller skating and loved it. But when my son was ten or so and went, I was afraid to try. I figured I’d fall and break something. I’m certain I’d never try hang gliding, so my hat’s off to you. If I was brave though, I think I’d like to try surfing. I’m afraid of sharks though, so it’s doubtful.
Hope Dougherty says
I hear you about roller skating and falling, Shannon. The sand is soft on the dunes, though, and the floating is so much fun!
Cherie J says
I have tried ice skating and roller skating when I was a teenager. I also tried ziplining some years back but now that I am in my 50’s and have developed osteoarthritis at an early age I am not feeling all that adventurous anymore.
Hope Toler Dougherty says
The hardest part for ziplining for me is stepping off the platform! After that, the ride is fun! Thanks for reading the post, Cherie!
karen says
Many years ago I tried rock climbing, and I always have wanted to try it again.
Hope Toler Dougherty says
Karen, I’ve tried rock climbing indoors but never the real thing on the side of a mountain. That sport burns a lot of calories. I ate peanut M&M’s by the handfuls when I returned to the bottom because I was starving!
Joye says
I am an outdoor person and I walk and hike year round here in the desert of Arizona. Weather permits mountain climbing if you take enough water.
I have hiked the Grand Canyon which should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is awesome.
Hope Toler Dougherty says
I’ve seen the Grand Canyon from the top, but we didn’t have time to hike it. I hope to return one day, Joye!
Natalya Lakhno says
Parasailing, zip-lining, indoor skydiving – I want to do a real one (my hubby is not on board…yet 😉
Hope Toler Dougherty says
Ha ha. We have an indoor skydiving place near us, and every time I see the billboards advertising it I want to try it! Thank you for reading the post, Natalya!
Melanie Backus says
I have gone white water rafting. It is definitely not for me!!!
I love the Outer Banks!
Hope Toler Dougherty says
Melanie, we went white water rafting on our honeymoon! We had so much fun and managed to stay in the raft the whole time! The Outer Banks are a treasure, for sure!