Karin Beery is our guest today.
She wrote a book called Summer Plans and Other Disasters. She’s here to share the story behind her story.
Were her plans a bust? Was she wrong?
Elementary school music teacher Callie Stevens thinks she’s finally figured out God’s plan for her life—she even made a list to keep her on track.
Moving in with her brother and reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend are at the top of the list. What’s not on the list is running into her childhood crush, Ryan. God wanted her to connect with Kyle, right?
Trying to figure out God’s plan is hard enough. But a dating-averse older brother, the young blonde who adores him, a pregnant best friend, and Callie’s continual mishaps make her wonder whether her best-laid plans were truly God-inspired.
Learn more and purchase a copy on Amazon.com when it releases on September 15.
What inspired you to write this book?
Several years ago, I had the chance to stay in an honest-to-goodness lighthouse. Having never been inside a lighthouse (much less stayed in one), I couldn’t wait to go!
Mission Point Lighthouse is located at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, a scenic, 15-mile drive that offers views of east and west Grand Traverse bays. Two-lane roads take you past wineries and parks until you reach the lighthouse. When we arrived, it wasn’t a tall, narrow structure like the North Breakwater Light in Ludington, where I grew up. This lighthouse looked more like a house with a point on the roof.
Though I didn’t really have expectations, I wasn’t quite prepared for what I stepped into. A cozy, modern kitchen led into a bright dining nook with wrap-around bench seating. Three stairs led to a lush man-cave living room with an overstuffed recliner, built-in entertainment system, and wood burning stove. More seating filled the adjoining room through the rounded archway. There were two bedrooms and a bathroom downstairs. A narrow wooden staircase led to the master bedroom.
Two windows provided a clear view of the parking lot and half of the park. For the best view, however, I had to climb steep, narrow, metal stairs to the honest-to-goodness beacon that had been keeping ships safe for 135 years. With windows on all sides, I enjoyed a birds-eye-view of the park, the forest, and the bays.
I knew immediately that I needed to set a story at that location. That novel, Summer Plans and Other Disasters¸ releases this September 15! If you don’t mind the wait, enter today for your chance to win a free (albeit delayed) copy of Summer Plans and Other Disasters!
Have you ever visited a lighthouse? Which is your favorite? Please share a picture if you have one.
Your story sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing why you wrote it.
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Karin Beery writes contemporary fiction with a healthy dose of romance.
Represented by literary agent Steve Hutson at Word Wise Media, her first book releases September 15 from Elk Lake Publishing.
When she’s not writing fiction, she edits at Write Now Editing.
When she’s not doing either of those, she teaches Substantive Editing for Fiction and Romance Editing through the PEN Institute.
You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or on her website, www.karinbeery.com.
Karin is giving away a copy of Summer Plans and Other Disasters. Follow the directions below to enter.
Never been to a lighthouse, it’s on my bucket list! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thanks for stopping by! It’s an experience I’ll never forget. I’m so glad I get to share it with everyone!
I’ve visited a lighthouse, but never gone inside. I’m sure it would be an interesting adventure!
It wasn’t anything like I’d expected!
I love lighthouses! I remember going inside a really old one in … ugh! I can’t remember the name. It’s a famous place in Vermont! 😀 Anyway, it was so pretty and so cool to learn how the lighthouse worked. I can’t wait for Karin’s book! 🙂
Ann-Margret, I can’t wait for you to read my book! I grew up on the Lake Michigan shoreline, so lighthouses are a staple in my life. I can’t imagine not living near one!
I love photographing lighthouses (amongst other things) and am looking forward to seeing a novel in that setting (I’ve read a lot, but haven’t come across any with that setting…. You’ve peaked the interest 🙂 )
Then my master plan worked – muwahahaha! I had hoped enough people would be curious about a lighthouse that they’d be willing to give a debut author a chance.
I’ve been inside a lighthouse at Hilton Head Island. I love looking at them from the outside!
I love how different they all are — the Old Mission Lighthouse is boxy, not tall and cylindrical. Keeps things interesting.
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin, this is exciting. I would love to read some of your works. Congrats!
Thanks, Heather!
I have been inside this lighthouse pictures. Very cozy.
I can’t say for sure if I’ve ever been inside one, (we went on LOTS of summer vacations when I was growing up!), but I’ve walked the long piers down to plenty, and photographed even more. I’ve enjoyed multiple stories about them, too: Captain Jim’s in *Anne’s House of Dreams,* of course, and Jody Hedlund’s *Beacons of Hope* series about female lighthouse keepers in Michigan – enjoyable reads, for sure. Excited for your story, Karin!
Thanks, Lindsey! I know there are some historical lighthouse stories out there, which is one of the reasons I wanted to write this story — to give it the contemporary setting!
Never been inside a lighthouse. Congrats on the new book!
I have been inside a lighthouse before. Congratulations on the new book.