FAQ ABOUT THE SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES:
Is Carolina Cove a real place?
Carolina Cove is purely fictional; however, it is loosely based on one of my favorite places—Kure Beach, North Carolina. Kure Beach is home to a wonderful pier, a pavilion for special events, swings facing the Atlantic, pelicans Pete and George, coffee shops, restaurants, and more. It’s also close to the North Carolina Aquarium, Carolina Beach, and Wilmington.
What about the other places mentioned in the series?
Carolina Cove is fictionally located near Carolina Beach, just like Kure Beach. Also featured in the stories are: Wilmington, Bald Head Island, Southport, Wrightsville Beach, and areas in and around Wilmington, North Carolina.
Can I stay at the Carolina Cove Inn?
While Carolina Cove and the Carolina Cove Inn are purely fictional, there are plenty of motels and rentals in the area to enjoy.
But the pier is real?
Yes! And it has quite a history. Be sure to check out the Kure Beach Pier Cam for a view of Kure Beach and the Atlantic. And story note: much of the series was written while sitting in my car parked near the pavilion facing the pier. What can I say? There’s just something about the beach, right?
What about the restaurants and coffee shops and places you’ve mentioned in the series?
London’s Lattes is based on two of my favorite local coffee shops in Kure Beach and Carolina Beach. Are there more? Yes, plenty. But those two shops I know well because I’ve visited fairly often while writing these stories. Neither of them on their own was perfect for what I had in mind for London’s, however, so I basically combined the two and ta-da! London’s Lattes was born. But, no, if you go into either of them, you won’t find London’s exact business. Isn’t fiction wonderful?
Where is Frankie’s/Ace’s Garage located?
Once again, fiction. :) There is no garage by the ballfields in Kure Beach.
Why make up a city? Why not use Kure Beach?
One of the best things about writing fiction is that when a story appears a certain way, you can write it just that way. Carolina Cove and the Cohen family appeared to me in story form and while Kure Beach IS one of my favorite places, I had to change some things to better fit my series as well as steer far away from any real-life persons/families for obvious reasons. Doing so, that meant also changing the name of the city, etc. But, that said, you will find a slew of similarities in the fictional city and the real one. :)
Doesn’t the pier house at Kure Beach close over the winter?
Yes, it does. But in Carolina Cove the pier house needed to stay open a weeeee bit longer so I adjusted the fictional closing date to accommodate the story. It’s the magic of writing!
Where is the dream catcher mailbox?
Unfortunately the dream catcher mailbox is pure fiction and an idea taken from a “beach mailbox” I visited once many years ago.
Did you go to Bald Head Island?
Yes! Bald Head Island is a beautiful place to explore and I can’t wait to go again. Hint: it might be the setting used for Holland’s story. Time will tell!