Title: Trails in the Sand
Author: P. C. Zick
ISBN: 1481255797 (ISBN13: 9781481255790)
ASIN: B00ANVD6DE
Published: January 10th 2013 by Createspace
Pages: 410
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Family Drama
Author Website: pczick.com
Do you like to travel? Then jump aboard, because “Trails in the Sand,” immediately propelled me into the Deep South to the state of Florida where mangrove swamps and the Gulf of Mexico beckoned and lured me into their mystique. Grab a fan, it might get hot!
The story begins with a mysterious death in 1956. It is that one single event which brings to the forefront long buried family secrets with roots deep in the sands of time, and laid to rest in the true southern tradition. These secrets reveal a pivotal connection to past and future events.
Caroline is the protagonist, an environmental journalist who left home as a young woman to pursue her dream of writing. Caroline’s sister focuses on betrayal with the love of Caroline’s life, Simon. The sister manages to marry Simon, instead of Caroline, who vows to never return because of her broken heart.
Years later after Caroline’s sister dies, Caroline and Simon are reunited in their friendship and love for each other. They marry, and revel in their new found happiness. Their lives are finally complete.
To complicate matters, Simon’s adopted daughter is resentful of her Aunt Caroline marrying her father. This leads to family strife and disagreements. However, nothing is as it seems in this tale of family intrigue. Those family secrets haunt the family and eventually lead them on a journey to discover the truth and to find acceptance from the past.
Throughout the family struggles that ensue, Caroline the journalist, is embroiled in the reporting of the BP oil spill in the Gulf. Her skill in writing about environmental disasters shows firsthand the death and destruction that was forced upon the wildlife in the Gulf area. At immediate risk are the endangered sea turtles whose existence is paramount to the survival of the species.
Author: P. C. Zick
I absolutely enjoyed how the author was able to weave current events into the story. The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and the events surrounding the Massey Mine accident were integral parts to the telling of this story.
The survival of the sea turtles is a vital issue where I live in Pensacola, Florida. The rich descriptions and explanations of their plight renewed my interest in environment concerns along the Gulf Coast. Our own Gulf Islands National Seashore offer volunteer opportunities that I now wish to explore since my awareness of the issues that affect native wildlife.
The family struggle that was at the central heart of the book endeared me to the characters. I was able to identify with the crippling family treachery and how it almost destroyed them all. Beyond that, I found that I wanted these characters to succeed and heal from the toll the deception had on all of them.
I found that I could not put this book down. I wanted to keep reading until I reached the last page. I was woven into a web of deceit and scheming from the portrayal of the characters. I found it hard to pull away, I was so drawn in. It seemed as if the characters haunted me from afar. I literally read this book in about three nights.
“Trails in the Sand,” is part of P. C. Zick’s “Florida Series,” which includes the following books: “Tortoise Stew,” and “Native Lands.” I read all three books at the same time, and this was my absolute favorite.
RATINGS
Realistic Characterization: 5/5
Made Me Think: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 4/5
Readability: 4/5
Recommended: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5
Format & Pricing
Buy it at: Amazon
Paperback: $11.22 US
Kindle: $.99 US
Reblogged this on Michaelphelps1's Blog and commented:
Living in Florida, knowing of the BP Oil spuill, this is a book I will enjoy. Thanks, Colleen Chesebro and LIT WORLD INTERVIEWS.
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Thank you, Michael. I very much appreciate the support.
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Thanks much Michael. All of P.C. Zick’s books are excellent. You will enjoy them all! 💖
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Thank you, I look forward to getting to know Mr. Zick.
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I’m sorry Michael, she is a female. I really enjoy the engaging way she writes. I hope you will too. ❤
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Yep, I’m all female here! But I did write one book from the point of view of a man. Very interesting experiment!
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It sounds great indeed. I like books with a background set in real life events. Thanks for the recommendation.
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Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading this book.
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There have not been one of her books I have read that I don’t like. This one was just excellent. You will really like it Olga.
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I think you’re right. I know we’ve talked about her before. I have a shorter ‘to be read sooner’ list so I’ll see…:)
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Thank you so much. It makes it easier to get to the keyboard to know there are folks out there who like what I’m doing.
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Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs.
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Thank you, Judith. 💖
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Thank you, Judith!
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Thanks for the recommendation. I hadn’t heard of this author and i like the weaving of reality and fiction.
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Check out her blog for her books too. You will love the way she writes. 💖
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I hope you’ll check out my books. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on Silver Threading.
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Yes, Olga. This is the writer I told you about that I enjoyed so much. I look forward to hearing your thoughts after you have read the book. I enjoyed it so. Lots of interesting twists and turns. ❤
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Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT.
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Thanks for reblogging!
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Thanks for the recommendation. This is a new-to-me author, and I am definitely adding this book to my tumbling TBR.
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I absolutely love the way she writes. Make sure to check out her blog. Glad I could send someone new your way. ❤
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You are so sweet! Thank you.
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I certainly hope you enjoy what you read! I loved writing Trails in the Sand.
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🙂
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Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole and commented:
SAND,,,GOOD,
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Thank you for the reblog!
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I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to all of your wonderful messages and reblogs. Writing Trails in the Sand in 2012 marked a turning point for me as a writer. I’d always written before thinking of my audience (as all beginning writers are taught to do), but with Trails I wrote it for myself and the sheer enjoyment of combining so many parts of my professional life. When I finished reading the final draft, I found myself crying. I’d done the best thing I could do – I’d pleased myself as a reader and as a writer. I will never forget that moment.
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I loved this book and your feelings came through in your writing. You shared so much of yourself. I feel I know you, just from reading this book. Thanks for touching my heart. ❤
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I’m glad (ecstatic, really) that my love for the subject matter from the environment to dysfunctional families came through the pages of the novel.
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And somehow that is true life, dysfunctional and filled with love. Well done!
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So happy to read such a spot on review of P.C. Zick’s book – Trails in the Sand. I, too, felt that pull to finish and find out where this family drama was going. I’ve just discovered your blog, Colleen and can’t wait to settle in and explore a bit. After reading a couple of your reviews, I would love to have you take a look at one of my books 🙂 Please let me know if you have any time in your busy sliver threading journey. Love the blog name and totally hear you on the silver thing. Great review and blog.
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Thank you, Francis. I have 8 books before you, but I would be happy to review your book if you can stand the wait. Here is my email: silverthreading@gmail.com. I am so happy to meet you. 😄💗
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