Dear Gramps,
It was great to get your letter. I delivered it to myself today in my capacity as the local mailman, which was sort of a surreal experience. Thanks for the fifty bucks. I really appreciate it.
First things first: I am in love. Her name is Alice, and she moved to the island two weeks ago to work at the museum. She’s a historian or something and she is amazing. One fly in the ointment: Mr. Cool (so he thinks), Deputy Superintendent John ‘Blue’ Roker, the Pineapple Cay chief of police, but I am working on that. I’ll keep you posted, but this is serious.
Anyway, how are things up there? I saw on the news that Denver got walloped by a big blizzard yesterday. Did you get it too? It has been a steady 80 degrees and sunny here every day for the past three months, maybe longer. I fell asleep in the hammock on my front porch this afternoon with the strap of my binoculars across my face, and now I’m glowing red all over with a diagonal stripe on my nose. It hurts to smile. Or frown, for that matter. But other than that, things are going great. I’m loving the island life. White sand beaches, palm trees, and some pretty interesting characters shuffling around the place. I really wish you’d come down to visit me. You’d love it too. I know this guy with a fishing lodge, Ted, and he’d take us out fishing, no problem. Lots of celebrities come here to go fishing with him.
You mentioned the mail order bride catalogues again. Like I said before, Gramps, they weren’t for me, they were for you. I worry about you up there on the ranch by yourself. Anyway, if any more of them come in the mail, you can just throw them away, if you want, or take them down to the Legion. Remember what you said to me when my cruise ship career came to an abrupt end? Something about having to pick yourself up and carry on and that the sun will still rise tomorrow morning? Like what Nan used to say, ‘when you point the finger at someone else, three are pointing back at you.’ I think she used to say ‘four are pointing back at you,’ but that is technically impossible, so I have modified it. You know what I mean.
The other big news around here is that some lady from New York has bought old Miss Rose Knox’s shack on the beach and boy, is übersnob Barry Bassett ever pis mad. You remember I was telling you how he is planning to build this huge hotel and condos which would hold more people than there are living on this entire island right now? Everyone’s pretty worked up about it, including Michel, the owner of the Plantation Inn, which is a very swank ‘boutique hotel.’ Michel’s not keen on the hordes from the all-inclusive resort cluttering up the place. Anyway, Barry wanted Miss Rose’s beachfront property, and now he’s lost it to Nina Spark from New York City. She’s never even been here. Bought the house off the internet in the middle of the night last week and is moving here tomorrow without her husband. Can’t wait to meet her and see what that looks like.
Well, I got to get going. My shift starts in an hour. Talk to you soon.
Love,
Dave (your grandson)
p.s. They call me Danish here.
You can read more about Danish in Sunbaked, the first book in the NEW “Pineapple Cay” mystery series.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on July 8 for the chance to win a print copy of Sunbaked. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.
Meet the author
Junie Coffey lives with Fisherman Fred and Hurricane Annie in a little town north of 45 degrees latitude which got two hundred inches of snow last winter. She has lived, worked and traveled throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean, and spends time in the islands every chance she gets. Visit Junie at www.pineapplecay.com.
This looks really interesting
Intriguing! Thanks for the chance!
This sounds like a dream location and a fun book.
Sounds like a good book with interesting characters!
This sounds like a must read book, thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a book I would really enjoy
Sounds like this will be a good read. Thank you for this opportunity.
This book has a great storyline and I would enjoy the chance to get to read it.
Sounds great!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Loved the sunburn description. 🙂 This book is going to be fun and interesting for sure. Who wouldn’t want to read about island life? Thanks Junie and Dru for the chance to win a copy!. “)
Sounds captivating and special. thanks.
Thanks for the chance to win, this island life sounds wonderful.
This looks fun and …. ooops! … my finger slipped and bought it 😀
I can’t wait to read it.
Sounds like a great read, would love to win it, ty
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Living in Hawaii is on my bucket list, This sounds like an interesting adventure that I’d like to be part of. robeader53@yahoo.com
Islands, beaches, sun. Sounds delightful. Thanks Dru and Junie.
sounds like a fun read. thanks for the chance to try a new author.
Would love to give this one a try. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Sunbaked!
Can’t wait. Please!
WOW! Now this sounds like a really fun read.
Sounds like an enjoyable summer read with some quirky characters! Thanks for a chance at winning!
Love free books. Thanks for the chance to enter.
Hi Dru, I’d love to be entered in the giveaway. It looks like a fun read.
Oh, I am intrigued
Love contests
Looks like a fun read. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the chance to win!!
Interesting point of view.
I love books set in the islands. I would love to win. Thanks for the chance.
scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com
A real letter?? I didn’t think anyone wrote them anymore! Now I surely must read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sounds like a great read!
Sounds like an interesting book! Another TBR book!
This sounds like a very different book to read! Thanks for the giveaway!
Great contest i hope i win
Sounds like a fun read about Island life. Thanks for the contest.
thank you for the giveaway…………
sounds like a great read!!
This book sounds like a fun story and I want to read it. It is now on my Mystery Read Wish List. Thanks
What a great nickname for a character–sounds like a book I’d like to read.
200 inches of snow would get me to the beaches too. I would like to try to live nearer to one, but I can’t afford it. So take me to this island vicariously, Junie, with this giveaway. Judy D.
Sounds good. I like the cover.