By Beth Carpenter
My first Harlequin, THE ALASKAN CATCH, takes place in my
home of Anchorage, Alaska. I’ve spent the last few weeks in Arizona, but by the time you read this, I’ll be back in Anchorage. I can hardly wait. When I left in early April,
it still looked like this.
But now it’s almost summer, and summer in Alaska is special.
Today, the sun rose at 4:46 AM and will set at 11:08 PM. In between it’s never
truly dark, just twilight. My flowers love the long
days and cool temperatures.
So do cabbages.
I’ll see some old friends.
And avoid others.
There will be time to get downtown for a little shopping or to visit galleries and museums.
And I'll enjoy the outdoors. This is Winner Creek, over in Girdwood, which is technically part of Anchorage. There’s a great path from the ski area through the woods that leads to a hand tram over the creek.
And if past years are any indication, before I know it the fireweed will be blooming, which is the sign that summer is almost over.
So many people have told me, “I came to Alaska for one
summer, and never left.” Dana, the heroine in my book, plans a quick trip
Alaska to find her brother, but she starts to fall in love with the place, as well as …
oops, I’d better not give too much away. The book comes out in August, but it’s
available for pre-order now.
What are your plans for the summer?
Thanks for this lovely visit to Anchorage, Beth. I really enjoyed your beautiful photographs. I'm glad you're home and celebrating your release. Congratulations! With family responsibilities, this summer it will be a staycation.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jill. Hope your summer staycation is a good one.
DeleteLove your pictures, Beth. Enjoy your summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. I will, once I get started.
DeleteYour post and the beautiful pictures make me want to visit Anchorage. Thank you for sharing, Beth!
ReplyDeleteI'm look forward to your debut release and wish you the very best with it!
So nice. Thank you Kate.
DeleteI loved this tour of Anchorage, Beth, but when I saw the pic taken in early April, I thought I better not complain about our spring here in S. Ontario! I'll likely never get to Anchorage so thank you for the opportunity to see it and no doubt I'll learn more by reading "The Alaskan Catch!" I hope to spend most of the summer on Garden Island, a different kind of paradise. Congratulations on your release and all the best !
ReplyDeleteGarden Island sound delightful! And I hear Denver got a foot of snow just recently, whereas it's all gone in Anchorage.
DeleteLovely pictures. Good luck with your release.
ReplyDeleteThanks, T.R.
DeleteBeautiful pictures, Beth! I've never been to Alaska, but it's on my Bucket List. My grandmother went on an Alaskan cruise a few years ago, and she said it's the most beautiful place she's ever seen, and she's traveled all over the United States, Canada, and the UK. I'm so excited for your book! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephanie. It's worth coming to see. Even after living up there all those years, I've never taken the cruise, so that's on MY bucket list.
DeleteLoved your pictures, even the ones with snow! Looking forward to your new book.
ReplyDeleteOH Beth! Can't wait to read your book. Alaska is on my bucket list and one of the few places that I think i could get my husband to go to. I'm sorry we didn't get to hang out while you were in Arizona, but you're smart to leave before the heat really sets in here!
ReplyDeleteHope you make it up to see us one of these days. Is he a fisherman? The lure of spawning salmon is hard for them to resist.
DeleteBeautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteWell, you've got me hooked! What lovely photos. Alaska has been on my "to visit" list. A friend of mine has a son who lives there and she's used the setting well. There's something very intriguing about the landscape. Congratulations on your release. So exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Virginia. Hope you make it up sometime. I'm really looking forward to your new book about the skater. I love the cover.
DeleteUpdate: I'm not in Alaska. After having my appendix removed Monday night, I'm now home in Arizona recovering. "The best laid plans of mice and men..." Thanks for the nice comments, and I'll be back to respond individually when I'm feeling a littel stronger. P.S. Should you ever need to know, the staff at Yavapai Medical Center East are wonderful people.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I wanna go.
ReplyDeleteCome on up, Shirley. You won't be sorry.
DeleteOh! so sorry about your appendix! But glad you're recovering. I've heard that about Alaska--go one summer and never leave. Would love to visit--during the summer. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia. I'm feeling a lot better today than yesterday. Yes, come visit, and summer is best, especially June-July. August can be rainy, although there is there state fair and those giant cabbages.
DeleteBeth, your post brought back pleasant memories of a summer I once spent in Anchorage, between graduating from college and beginning my teacher career. I'm looking forward to reading your book. Hope your operation recovery goes well and that you'll soon be able to return to Alaska.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I'm glad you got to spend a summer. Hope you enjoy the story.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place!! I can't imagine having daylight for that long. I get excited when it's still light here in summer until 9:00 p.m. An Alaskan setting is great. I enjoy reading books set there. Congratulations on the upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurie. The extra daylight is a blast, although eventually you have to pull the curtains and sleep.
DeleteOh no, Beth! I'm so sorry! I feel your pain. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks, LeAnne. I'm better than yesterday, which was better than Tuesday, so headed in the right direction.
DeleteBeth, sending you late well wishes for your surgery recovery!! Big hug!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to say I'm still in shock over that cabbage!
Thanks, Rula. That's a lot of cole slaw, wouldn't you say?
Delete