This week while Hermine tries to take out the east coast and earthquakes try to take out the heartland (ever wonder why we don’t name earthquakes?) I say, it’s time for the beach! Labor Day was originally celebrated to pay homage to the working man (aren’t we all?) and then turned into the final long weekend of summer. Head for the water. And with the beach you need a good beach read.

Secrets of Sandhill Island, my romance suspense novel, is set on an island off the coast of Corpus Christi and is just the thing to get you in the spirit of the last long weekend of summer.

“Tide’s in.” Meg looked out to sea. “Let’s go wade a little before we go in.” She pointed to the ocean and led him through the door and out to her front yard. This was why she lived by the ocean, its sights and smells intoxicated her.

The cool foam covered her bare feet as she walked into ankle deep water with Alex by the hand. Moonlight shone through the clouds. It had finally cooled off a little after the sun went down, and the humidity wasn’t as oppressive.

His arm slid around her waist and he nuzzled her neck. They stood looking out at the lightly rolling sea they both loved like a child. A spoiled child sometimes—always getting its way, but still they loved it. What mysteries did its depths hold? What bounty could it give up if it was encouraged? What terrors would it inflict if you didn’t respect it?

A cool current rolled in over their legs and feet and Meg relaxed. She turned to face Alex and kissed him passionately. The moon and the sea had been responsible for passion in so many ways since time began, and they were just another speck in time to them. But, it was their speck in time, and Meg and Alex were engulfed in the feelings brought on by nature.

Meg was suddenly hit from behind, knocking both of them down as the wave rolled over them and dragged them out into deeper water. She floundered and spit for a second and then sat up with water up to her chin. Alex began to laugh reaching for her as the current threatened to pull her further out if she didn’t stand up quickly. She knew better than to turn her back on the sea.

A crab scuttled away making the sand under her feet move. She fell again. This time Alex was on his feet grabbing her hand, but another wave knocked them both down. Before she was pulled out even further, she stood and looked at the incoming waves washing their way.

“Come on!” she shouted. And the wind changed directions blowing her voice away. They ran for the house soaked to the bone.

Once inside the safety of the screened porch, he grabbed her passionately kissing her neck and pulling at her clothes. She led him to the bedroom, and they shed their wet clothing along the way. The salty water leaked out of the fabric and pooled onto the old wooden floor. It could be cleaned up tomorrow.

Forget the hurricanes and earthquakes, check out Secrets of Sandhill Island and get your beach read on! It’s the last long weekend of summer.