Looking out the window on a rainy day and what do I see?
Tag Archives: Gulf Coast
The Complete Package – Island Secrets by R T Wolfe
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The vibrant yellow color on the cover of Island Secrets by R T Wolfe jumped out at me and made me check this out further. I do judge a book by its cover, at least my first impression. The cover can make me read on or pass it over for the next book.
I love stories that have anything to do with the water, so as I read the blurb, I wanted to read it even more.
Cover by ebook Prep
Island Secrets by R T Wolfe
MY REVIEW
I recommend this for adults due to the sex scenes. They are not necessarily erotic, but more romantic and important to the story.
OMG, a tropical island, treasure, murder, mystery and romance. Island Secrets is the complete package. Once I started, I could not stop until the last sentence was read.
Zoe is a boat captain and was a scuba instructor and guide, until she sold out to Dane after the death of her brother. She felt the guilt for letting him dive alone and was determined to find out what happened. She would not rest until she found his body.
Zoe can be a bit pushy, lol, which is putting it mildly. She refuses to be kowtowed to and coddled. She is not a hardcore, kickass ninja type, just independent and tough.
Dane is a treasure hunter. So why did he buy the business and why isn’t he out finding treasure? I think we know. He found Zoe infuriating and, oh so, desirable.
The small town cop was lazy and incompetent, but ruled his domain like a king. Ilbis Island is a small community and like all small towns, everyone knew everyone’s business. So…what’s the big secret?
What a job, cruising on the Gulf, watching the dolphins frolicking, checking out the birds at the sanctuary and I sure do wish I was on the tour with Zoe.
The dance scene with Dane and Joe was sizzling HOT! When they finally hooked up, I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. I won’t call this is a spoiler, because we all know it is going to happen. The sexual tension had been so thick you could cut it with a knife.
I love that R T Wolfe included all the wonders of Florida, not just the gorgeous turquoise water, but the bird life, loggerhead and green turtles and the need to protect them and the sea oats and dunes that help to save the beaches the casual way they dressed, half naked, the open air bars, the pleas to not on the dunes, use special lights so the turtle don’t go the wrong way when they emerge from the sand….
It’s as if I am living the life, well I pretty much am. It is all so familiar, except the skull and the murder. When Zoe walked on the beach, I felt the sand between my toes, the water rolling over my feet and the breeze heavy with salt in the air, coating my skin.
I have driven over the Skyline Bridge, just to say I did it. It is a beautiful view, with miles of water and I was lucky enough to be there at sunset.
I was so engrossed in the book I could not put it down until I found the answers I knew wouldn’t come until the end. What a fantastic journey it was. I wanted to sit at the bar with Dane, Zoe and her family. I wanted to lick my wrist, sprinkle the salt, lick the salt, down the shot of tequila and suck the lime wedge, chatting about what we did that day. It brings back such good memories to me. I have been there, done that, all while looking out over the Gulf and enjoying the salty air.
I loved this book, the writing was descriptive and detailed, putting gorgeous pictures in my mind. The mystery is still alive for Book II, but Island Secrets story was told.
I received a copy of Island Secrets by R T Wolfe in return for an honest and unbiased review.
5 Stars
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BLURB
When Zoe Clearwater learns that the skull she found in an underwater cave is her missing brother, she sells her scuba diving business, Sun Trips Touring, and dedicates herself to unravelling her brother’s mysterious death.
Dane Corbin, the new owner of Sun Trips, is determined to prove to Zoe, now his employee, that he is not the womanizer he once was. But it’ll take more than profit to turn Zoe’s head.
Her investigation at a standstill, Zoe unearths letters from a secret lover among her brother’s possessions, along with plane tickets, a promise to run away to safety, and the painful realization that she’ll need Dane’s help.
As mercurial clues plunge Zoe and Dane into a life-threatening pursuit and the truth burns brighter and brighter, Zoe recognizes she needs Dane as much as her brother’s un-named lover needed him. But Dane will have to make it to safety, first.
Amazon / Google Play / B & N / iTunes
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EXCERPT
The muscles in his body reflexively tensed as he recognized the faint shade of dark blue that tinted her fingers and lips.
“Hey.” His hair dripped water on her face as he maneuvered over her and gave her a shake. “Zoe. What the hell? Are you okay?”
Her eyes rolled in his direction. She looked as if she’d seen a body. “Don’t call me Babe,” she croaked.
An unwanted smile spread across his face and, despite himself, he brushed the strands of hair from her smooth cheek. Checking the area, he spotted her pure oxygen tank under the boat dash. As he crawled to it, he noticed the expiration date was months away. At least she followed some rules. Her hand swatted him as he maneuvered the nosepiece under her nostrils.
“I feel fine,” she whined.
“You won’t soon. You ascended too quickly. I can tell. Breathe this, or you’re going to feel it.”
Of all things, she lifted her arm like she was checking for her frigging camera. Her lids closed when she spotted it on her arm. He hoped it was a sign of defeat as he slipped the oxygen tube around her head.
He glanced over his shoulder to make sure all was well with his boat, then searched for her cell in her bag. He couldn’t leave his divers, and he couldn’t leave Zoe. Knowing what he was doing, she grabbed his hand and shook her head. Cats’ eyes the color of the green water pleaded with him.
“I’ve got a boat out, Zoe. How do you think I found you? I have six divers in the water. I can’t leave them there with only my assistant.”
She let go and her eyes drifted closed again. Life was much easier before she talked him into buying out her business, before she started working for him.
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ABOUT R T WOLFE
R.T. was born and raised in the beautiful Midwest, the youngest of six ornery children. She married at a young age and began her family short after With three amazing small boys, life was a whirlwind of flipping houses and working two jobs in between swim lessons and Candyland. Now that her boys are nearly grown, R.T. spends much of her time on the road traveling from one sporting event to another serving as mom and cheerleader. She works to assist the several non-profit organizations that have supported her books and promote the work they do for those who cannot help themselves.
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest
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GIVEAWAY
R.T. Wolfe will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found HERE.
To see all my Reviews, go HERE.To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
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Gulf Coast Sunset
My Adventures #16 – National Shrimp Festival
Mr Wonderful and I had no plans when we got up Sunday morning.
The sun was shining, the sky was a deep and clear blue, with white puffy clouds that look like cotton balls. The temperatures in the 80s.
We talked about what to do.
We love to drive out to the beach and cruise around, doing whatever strikes our fancy, but we saw that the National Shrimp Festival was going on.
We went last year, bought some goodies for our yard and tiki hut and enjoyed a great day walking around, so we jumped in the car and headed out.
Ice cold beer, the smells of food wafting through the air making us hungry, the crafts of so many wonderful and creative vendors, and just sitting and enjoying the sights and sounds was wonderful.
We picked up another flamingo for the yard, but I like it so much I don’t know if I’ll put it out there or not. I may find it a protected place in the house, so it stays as beautiful as it is now.
We bought some hangers for my hummingbird feeders.
I bought a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt with a Guy Harvey tarpon design on it, beautiful. If you haven’t heard of Guy Harvey, he is a famous artist that specializes in fish.
As Halloween approaches, I know summertime is running out.
I love 80 degree weather, living in t’shirts, shorts and flip-flops.
But, the cooler weather means more golf and football, and we wander the beach no matter what the weather.
See you on our next adventure.
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What have you been up to?
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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
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Thank you for visiting fundinmental!
The Mullet Are Flying At The Redneck Riviera for the Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party
The 29th annual Mullet Toss is held the last full weekend of April and this year was as great a party as ever. If you are not familiar with this athletic competition, let me tell you about it.
WHAT IS THE FLORABAMA MULLET TOSS?
A bunch of rednecks were looking for a reason to have a party and thought, what the heck, we got all this here fish, so let’s say we throw them from Alabama across the state line to Florida. Oh, let’s invite all our friends, and their friends, and their friends………………….. Hey ya’ll, we’ll probably get hungry and thirsty, so we need lots of food and plenty to drink. Thus, The Mullet Toss was born.
WHAT IS A MULLET?
A mullet is an indigenous fish to our area. There are tons of them and they are considered a delicacy here. On the east coast they are considered a trash fish used for bait. It is also the only fish with a gizzard and is said to have mystical powers. So beware and treat the fish with respect.
WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR COMPETING?
Wear as little as possible, so it does not hinder your toss.
The cost is $15, but heck you get a T-shirt.
You choose your mullet from the bucket, no sand and bare-naked, I mean bare-handed.
You must throw from within a ten foot circle and end up in the circle after your throw.
The Green Man made an appearance, demonstrating the correct way to throw your fish.
Chocolate Brown shows how to retrieve your fish.
You must retrieve your fish. If you feel the need to pose for your fans, by all means, do so.
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For photographic instruction, please study the collage.
No harm is done to the fish, because they are dead. Besides tossing them, the mullet have other duties to perform. For each fish thrown, a portion of the proceeds go to local youth charities.
But, rednecks do not waste anything, so the birds are invited to the party.
Other events are The Flora-Bama® Mullet Man Triathlon and the Flora-Bama® Mullet Swing Golf Classic. There are daily bikini contests, culminating in the Ms. Flora-Bama® Bikini competition. There are more competitions, some of them created by the partiers themselves. Bands play all day and night, everywhere throughout the Florabama. Tons of great food just waiting to be eaten. Be sure and get your oysters and crawfish.
These are a collection of my wonderfully tacky trophies that are on display in the main bathroom for your viewing pleasure. I’m sure you won’t miss that tour when you are visiting Chez Fundin.
To see the individual trophies up close and personal, click HERE.
For more information, photos and to plan your trip to the Redneck Riviera………..go to Florabama and check it out. It will be worth your while and good for some chuckles.
To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
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