Page 10 - Palm City Spotlight - December '23

Page 10, Palm City Spotlight
Saving Marina
By Nils A. Shapiro
Having now reviewed
more than 200 books
for this column since I
began publishing book
reviews just over 16 years
ago, I always consider it
a special treat to come
across Palm Beach County
authors whose works might
otherwise remain hidden
from many neighbors if
I were not afforded the opportunity to bring their
considerable talents to light here.
Several such books and authors come readily to mind:
Our own Dale Brown’s Small Steps … Big Changes:
The Personal Stories of a Life Coach!; Starting Small
It’s The Law!
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Book revieW
and Making it Big: An Entrepreneur’s purchase a historic old mansion in Palm
Journey to Billion-Dollar Philanthropist, Beach, Fla., completely renovate it and
one of the most fascinating and inspiring turn it into a luxurious bed and breakfast
books I have ever read, and which I – an exciting new chapter in their life
highly recommend to everyone as a true together.
contemporary Horatio Alger memoir by With Teresa in Florida overseeing the
Bill Cummings, who vacations with wife months-long renovation construction, and
Joyce at their Singer Island home part her husband, Michael, in New York closing
of each year; Florine Mark’s Talk to the out their company and personal affairs
Mirror: Feel Great About Yourself Every in advance of their move to Palm Beach,
Day, by a Broken Sound Club member Teresa experiences a series of strange dreams
who built a Weight Watchers franchise involving a young girl, Marina, who had
into the largest of its kind in the world; An lived in the mansion – a girl who for some
Inside Seat, a memoir by public relations reason seems so familiar to her. At the same
pro Maxine Adler, who has since retired time, Teresa is confused by odd encounters
at Woodfield Country Club in Boca; Steve she has with some local people, their
Forman’s irresistible novels – Boca Mournings, Boca negative and resistant attitude toward her, and by discoveries
Daze, and Boca Knights – about ex-New York detective she makes about the ghostly history of the mansion. All
Eddie Perlmutter who retires to Boca and finds himself combine to dramatically change Teresa’s life to the point
embroiled in cases taking place in familiar locales where she begins to question her feelings about everything
throughout our fair city … and others. in her life: Michael, his attitude toward her, and whether to
So, when a newly published novel – Saving Marina end the marriage – in fact, whether to give up the entire idea
by Ines Ferrari Garcia of Palm Beach Gardens – was of the mansion and bed and breakfast.
recommended to me, I unhesitatingly opened it to the About halfway through the book, as these strange
first page, began reading and, once again, knew that I dreams about the young girl, Marina, persisted, I sensed
was in for an enjoyable reading experience in the hands that I had figured out their meaning and how the author
of a creative Palm Beach County author. had planned her ending. But in a truly brilliant and
Garcia has imbued her story with several ingredients surprising twist, I was proven wrong; the actual ending
certain to appeal to a large audience. Many readers is perfectly credible and much more impressive than I
who begin this story, which unfolds as a first-person had anticipated.
narrative by a woman named Teresa, will empathize with If Hollywood makes a film from Palm Beach Gardens’
her situation. An interior decorator, happily married to Ines Ferrari Garcia’s novel, I hope they don’t change
an architect, she and her husband have decided, now the ending. And I wonder if you will come any closer to
that their daughter is off at college, to leave New York, anticipating it than I did.
libRaRy News
Sandra Thurlow To Be of Refuge: Home of History. She has also been involved in
Honored At 2024 Kiplinger various historical preservation and education initiatives, such
as the Stuart Heritage Museum, the Elliott Museum, and the
Luncheon Historical Society of Martin County.
“Sandra Thurlow is a treasure of our community and a
The Library Foundation champion of literacy. Her books and lectures have enriched
of Martin County is pleased our understanding of our past and inspired our appreciation
to announce that Sandra of our present. We are proud to recognize her with the 2024
Thurlow, a renowned local Kiplinger Literacy Award,” said Michael Kenny, chief
historian and author, will executive officer of the Library Foundation of Martin County.
be honored at the Kiplinger The Kiplinger Literacy Award Luncheon will be held at
Literacy Award luncheon Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club in Palm City. The
event will feature a keynote speech by Knight Kiplinger
on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024,
at Harbour Ridge Yacht and and the presentation of the award to Thurlow. Tickets and
Country Club in Palm City. sponsorships are available at the Library Foundation of
The Kiplinger Literacy Martin County website.
Award, named after the The Library Foundation of Martin County is a nonprofit
distinguished journalist and publisher Knight Kiplinger, organization that supports the Martin County Library System.
recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary For more information, visit www.libraryfoundationmc.org
contributions to the promotion of literacy and the love of or call (772) 221-1409.
reading in Martin County.
Thurlow has written and coauthored several books on
the history and culture of Martin County and the Treasure
Coast, such as Sewall’s Point: The History of a Peninsular
Community on Florida’s Treasure Coast, Historic Jensen
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water is a must, whether that means you’re ready to
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happy to enjoy the views from the deck of your cruise come in incredible photos and fond memories.
As for me, while I may not be heading out to the
Bird-watchers are especially fond of Genovesa remote islands of the Galapagos, I wanted to let my
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are frequently spotted. For Galápagos penguins while. It has been a pleasure introducing you to these
beautiful places around the world, some perhaps more
Fernandina Island is another popular spot to visit.
familiar and others just waiting to be explored. In the
The quality of Galapagos Island cruises varies meantime, I hope you get the chance to explore some of
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As always, wishing you safe travels,
in the Caribbean. The luxury expedition ships are truly Jessica