A Taste of Love (Juliette Hill’s Shorts Book 1)
Also available in the UK and on Nook, Kobo and iTunes!
As many of my readers know already, this year is a very special one. This year, I’ve embarked on a continuing journey of literary inspiration! I’m searching the country for interesting and unique spots where I experience invigorating surges of literary inspiration and discover other writers, craftmen and adventurers that have been touched and inspired by these same environments.
My journey began in my home state of Maryland on its Eastern Shore on Kent Island where I found inspiration and fascinating history about one of the state’s earliest settlements and their residents’ livelihoods as watermen and hunters.
Browsing through one antique store in Stevensville, I came across many hand-carved duck decoys and an old postcard from Chincoteague Island, Virginia, known for their beautiful wild ponies that roam the island.
Chincoteague, of course, is the setting for Marguerite Henry’s award-winning story, Misty of Chincoteague. This became a children’s classic, and my sister and I received Ms. Henry’s books as gifts when we were growing up in the 1960s and 70s. What better way to get reinspired about my writing than to visit the very setting that led her to write this charming story.
I recently enjoyed a spectacular weekend on this special island with my husband, experiencing the charm, warmth and peacefulness of this small community. The setting itself is picturesque and one feels as if they’ve stepped back in time on this quaint and historic island!
We checked into our hotel along Main Street and set off on foot to explore interesting shops and restaurants close by. About a block away, we first encountered Miss Molly’s Bed and Breakfast, the inn where Marguerite stayed while writing her novel. There’s even a statue of the horse, Misty, nearby.
Further down Main Street are restaurants, gift shops, boutiques, a book store and the library. I can just picture the famed writer embracing the inspiration of her surroundings and the incredible views of Chincoteague Bay. I certainly appreciated the serenity of such a location.
Moving further about the island, we explored the Museum of Chincoteague Island where we learned more about the islands special history, the ponies, the storms, the oysters and local craftsmen as well as prominent island residents. Craving more, I came across a book in the gift shop that I had to have, Once Upon an Island: The History of Chincoteague by Kirk Mariner.
On Sunday, we took our adventure directly east to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Lighthouse, Virginia. The seashore on the island remains in its natural state, with miles of beautiful deserted beach. I found a old oyster shell while I was beachcombing. The lighthouse is amazing and I actually made it up fifty of the one hundred seventy-five steps. Guess what that means? I get to go back! Yay! 
Anyway, when it was time to leave we took a leisurely drive off the island, back over the Maryland line, and followed the coast up to Ocean City, passing more quaint and historic towns along the Eastern Shore. From Ocean City, traveling along the coastal highway, we passed through Fenwick Island, Delaware and on to one of our personal favorite spots, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Once there, we finished off our true Del-Mar-Va experience with brunch at Victoria’s restaurant in the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel.
Brunch naturally included a cup of Cream of Crab soup, a staple served in our fictional restaurant, Montgomery’s, in my collaborative romantic women’s fiction series, Captain’s Point Stories written as Charlotte Kent with writing partner and publisher, Annie Acorn.
In a nutshell, I had a blast on my second stop on this year-long journey of literary inspiration. Next stop, Cambridge, Maryland, to explore more about life on the Chesapeake Bay, local waterfowl decoy craftmen, local history and boat building! Stay tuned!
Wishing you safe, pleasant and always inspirational travels!
As always,
Juliette
