Sit Down Saturday: Community Matters

Happy Saturday!

I love writing about strong communities, where neighbors and friends look after each other. My fictional town of Shelter Creek has that in spades and my new book, Her Surprise Cowboy, is even more community focused than past books. The heroine, Trisha, relies on her friends, all members of a book group called The Book Biddies, for childcare, fun, emotional support and advice throughout the story. And her friends find joy in being a part of her and her son Henry's life. Readers also get to visit the town of Shelter Creek's Easter celebration for an egg roll and hunt, and we see the community through the eyes of Liam, a newcomer from Texas who also happens to be Henry's father.



Although I enjoy writing fictional communities, in real life I'm not always good about creating my own. My husband and I moved to our town eight years ago, and while we've made friends and we enjoy our life here, I've always felt a bit like a foreigner. There are aspects of our adopted, laid-back beach town that still feel uncomfortable to me. Strangely, it took the pandemic for me to start to feel like perhaps I am a part of the community here.

I don't always understand the choices of our local government. But when they closed schools and asked us to shelter in place even earlier than California's governor mandated it, I agreed with them. And I agreed when when they closed our crowded beaches, trying to keep visitors from flooding our shores and potentially spreading the virus further. Even though our county is next to a county that's considered a virus hotspot, our number of infections has remained relatively low. I'm grateful to our leaders and my fellow citizens for working together to make that happen. And I appreciate my local government a lot more than I did!

For over a month now, we've stayed in our neighborhood. That's made me realize how many people I've gotten to know over the years, thanks to countless walks with my dog. Chauncey is a unique looking creature, and quite a character, and people want to meet him. As a result, we're acquainted with a lot of locals and now we've gotten to know them better. We've shared our worries and offered each other help, checked in and discussed the best ways to safely get our groceries.



After however-many-weeks of social distancing, I think many of us can agree that we have a new sense of our place in our community. We are learning how we are connected, from looking out for each others' health by distancing and wearing masks, to offering our support to local businesses and neighbors in need. Like all of us, I yearn for the day we find a way to manage this virus. It's nice to know that when that day comes, I'll re-enter a town that feels a little more like home.


Looking for redemption... Finding a future. 

 Rancher Liam Dale is in Shelter Creek to make amends for his troubled past. He has no idea that vet assistant Trisha Gilbert would be there, too—and he's even more shocked to discover he's a daddy! Trisha has good reasons not to trust him and a baby boy to protect. But now that he knows he's a father, Liam longs to transform this unexpected reunion into a true family.


Comments

  1. There are up sides in almost any situation, aren't there? A new sense of community definitely qualifies as one. Thanks for this. Stay safe and stay well!

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  2. So true that these times force us to re-assess the things that matter the most and community is just beneath family, at the top of the list. Walking around city streets these days seems peculiar, as people instinctively cross the street or go out onto the road to avoid being too close. It’s the new norm of pedestrian traffic but it works. It’s all about respect for others. Congratulations on this recent release, Claire. Shelter Creek is a special place indeed!

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  3. There are a lot of people who walk in my neighborhood, more than ever before. More people are cutting their own grass (not me) to get a little exercise. So there are changes. I'm not sure if that will continue. I'm sure there are things we discovered that we want to keep doing, but the boredom from people who worked and now find themselves at wit's end, can't wait to get back to their offices.

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    1. You have such a good point. Both my husband and I are fortunate to be working from home, and that combined with homeschooling our son makes the days so busy! I can imagine if someone had lost their job due to all this, they'd not only be bored, but very worried, too.

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  4. I really enjoyed Trisha and Liam's story, and the sense of community there. Chauncey is a unique-looking dog, and I can see why he's popular. Becoming connected to a new community is always a challange, but it does give us the opportunity to reset and redefine your role, not just to fill the spots you've always filled before. I think we're all becoming more appreciative of the little things we took for granted.

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    1. Hi Beth! I'm so happy and honored that you read the story! And you are so right, it's the little things. I am loving my garden and my family and I am so grateful for our cozy home to shelter in.

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  5. Nice that you've found your place in the community.

    denise

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  6. Chauncey looks like he'd be great at breaking the ice. He does look like a character. Claire, I LOVE your book cover.

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    1. He is such a character. He has a huge personality! Isn't the cover neat? The art department really goes above and beyond...

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