Page 15 - Boca Exposure - December '23

Boca Exposure, Page 15
Book Review

Saving Marina recommend to everyone So, when a newly published novel – Saving Marina
as a true contemporary by Ines Ferrari Garcia of Palm Beach Gardens – was
By Nils A. Shapiro Horatio Alger memoir recommended to me, I unhesitatingly opened it to the
Having now reviewed by Bill Cummings, who first page, began reading and, once again, knew that I
more than 200 books vacations with wife Joyce was in for an enjoyable reading experience in the hands
for this column since I at their Singer Island home of a creative Palm Beach County author.
began publishing book part of each year; Florine Garcia has imbued her story with several ingredients
reviews just over 16 years Mark’s Talk to the Mirror: certain to appeal to a large audience. Many readers
ago, I always consider it Feel Great About Yourself who begin this story, which unfolds as a first-person
a special treat to come Every Day, by a Broken narrative by a woman named Teresa, will empathize with
across Palm Beach County Sound Club member who her situation. An interior decorator, happily married to
authors whose works might built a Weight Watchers an architect, she and her husband have decided, now
otherwise remain hidden franchise into the largest that their daughter is off at college, to leave New York,
from many neighbors if of its kind in the world; purchase a historic old mansion in Palm Beach, Fla.,
I were not afforded the opportunity to bring their An Inside Seat, a memoir completely renovate it and turn it into a luxurious bed and
considerable talents to light here. by public relations pro Maxine Adler, who has since breakfast – an exciting new chapter in their life together.
Several such books and authors come readily to mind: retired at Woodfield Country Club in Boca; Steve With Teresa in Florida overseeing the months-long
Our own Dale Brown’s Small Steps … Big Changes: The Forman’s irresistible novels – Boca Mournings, Boca renovation construction, and her husband, Michael,
Personal Stories of a Life Coach!; Starting Small and Daze, and Boca Knights – about ex-New York detective in New York closing out their company and personal
Making it Big: An Entrepreneur’s Journey to Billion- Eddie Perlmutter who retires to Boca and finds himself affairs in advance of their move to Palm Beach, Teresa
Dollar Philanthropist, one of the most fascinating and embroiled in cases taking place in familiar locales experiences a series of strange dreams involving a
inspiring books I have ever read, and which I highly throughout our fair city … and others. young girl, Marina, who had lived in the mansion – a
girl who for some reason seems so familiar to her. At
the same time, Teresa is confused by odd encounters she
Travel from page 14 excursions, gourmet food/premium beverages, large suites, has with some local people, their negative and resistant
butler services, exploration guides/lecturers, snorkel gear, attitude toward her, and by discoveries she makes about
whether that means you’re ready to jump in with your all gratuities and, of course, free Wi-Fi. the ghostly history of the mansion. All combine to
snorkel for a sea lion swim or are happy to enjoy the Wheels Down: If you get the opportunity to set dramatically change Teresa’s life to the point where she
views from the deck of your cruise balcony. your wheels down in the Galapagos Islands, I highly begins to question her feelings about everything in her
Bird-watchers are especially fond of Genovesa recommend you do so. It is one of those majestic places life: Michael, his attitude toward her, and whether to end
Island, where frigatebirds and red-footed boobies that will continue to reward you for many years to come the marriage – in fact, whether to give up the entire idea
are frequently spotted. For Galápagos penguins and in incredible photos and fond memories. of the mansion and bed and breakfast.
flightless cormorants, the sparsely vegetated Fernandina As for me, while I may not be heading out to the remote About halfway through the book, as these strange
Island is another popular spot to visit. islands of the Galapagos, I wanted to let my readers know dreams about the young girl, Marina, persisted, I sensed
The quality of Galapagos Island cruises varies greatly. that I will be going “off the grid” for a while. It has been a that I had figured out their meaning and how the author
For most travelers, this is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. pleasure introducing you to these beautiful places around had planned her ending. But in a truly brilliant and
My recommendations for our clients are to be prepared to the world, some perhaps more familiar and others just surprising twist, I was proven wrong; the actual ending
spend more than on an average cruise in the Caribbean. The waiting to be explored. In the meantime, I hope you get is perfectly credible and much more impressive than I
luxury expedition ships are truly worth the money. They the chance to explore some of these incredible locations. had anticipated.
provide you with everything imaginable. Covered in your Should you need anything, I am only a click AWAY. If Hollywood makes a film from Palm Beach Gardens’
cost are private transfer (even from your home) to and from As always, wishing you safe travels, Ines Ferrari Garcia’s novel, I hope they don’t change
airports, international flights, pre- and post hotel stays, land Jessica the ending. And I wonder if you will come any closer to
anticipating it than I did.