I'm always excited when an author I love tries her (or his) hand at a different type of a story. Virginia Kantra had me the first time Caleb called Margred "Maggie" in Sea Witch (Children of the Sea Series #1) . I would happily read anything she wrote - and what she's written now is the heartfelt, romantic, you'll-feel-warm-all-over Carolina Home (Dare Island Series #1) .

Virginia is with us at Romantic Reads this week, patiently answering my questions about her characters, her writing, and the creative role the sea plays in her work. And even better, she's generously sent us these thoughts on Carolina Home and the world of Dare Island.

There’s something seductive about a beach vacation. Maybe it’s the idea of leaving your everyday self behind along with your work and your worries. Maybe it’s the opportunity to relax, to recharge, to reconnect with the ones you love. The sea itself is sensual. Evocative. There’s the crash of the waves, the heat of the sun, the caress of the cool ocean breezes. Who hasn't dreamed of making out on a blanket on the sand or strolling hand in hand along the water's edge? 

I’ve always loved the sea. When I was growing up, my family took vacations to the beach. To the sticky boardwalks of New Jersey, redolent with popcorn and coconut oil. To the cold, seaweedy beaches of New England, where the views and the water temperature steal your breath away.  Beautiful, rocky Maine inspired the setting of my Children of the Sea paranormal romances.

My husband has different beach memories.  While his father was jungle training in Panama, his family lived in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He remembers the old style wooden snack bar of the beach on base; night fishing off the pier at Surf City; watching snakes swim under the swing set after a hurricane. After we were married, with children of our own, my husband persuaded me to give the beaches of his childhood a try.

I fell in love with the place. Three years later, we moved to North Carolina. And when I was looking for a setting for my new contemporary romance series, I chose North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Allison Carter, the new island schoolteacher in Carolina Home, is charmed by Dare Island’s mix of old and new and seduced by its natural beauty.  Not to mention her reaction to Matt Fletcher, the hunky single dad of one of her students.. After his brief, failed marriage, Matt knows that not everyone can put down roots in island sand. Despite his caution, he’s drawn to pretty, enthusiastic newcomer Allison. But how long will the heat last? Could this be a life time love? Or only a season’s love affair?

I hope you enjoy their walk along the beach!

For more from Virginia, visit our Q&A thread. And while you're at Romantic Reads please, please answer this burning question: who is your favorite male character? (Extra points for non-Jamie Fraser answers.)

Until next week, happy reading!