Cedar Cove Collection

In the course of creating a character, I might combine one trait I’ve observed in a certain person with a mannerism I’ve noticed in another, perhaps adding some little snippet of yet another person’s family history. For example, the character of Charlotte is loosely based on my own mother and on a good knitting friend. Also, two of the hairstylists in town prompted me to create Rachel Pendergast and Teri Polgar, although their personalities are distinctly different from those of my characters.

THE INTIMACY BETWEEN THE CEDAR COVE CHARACTERS IS SO GREAT. HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THEIR DAILY-LIFE SCENARIOS? THEY ARE VERY DETAILED, AND I WONDERED IF YOU USED YOUR OWN LIFE EXPERIENCES.

The short answer to that is yes. As you might have guessed, everything that happens in my life eventually finds its way into a book. As well, any anecdote, any scrap of conversation, any newspaper article, can provide the basis for a character’s situation.

Again, interest in others and curiosity about them is key. I also do research where necessary—by talking to people, reading, searching the internet and so on. For instance, when I wrote the Dakota series, I travelled to both North and South Dakota, talked with farmers (some of whom happened to be related to me!) drove from one small town to another and soaked up the atmosphere. I bought a copious number of books on the area, too, but the richest background information I got came from the wonderful people of the Dakotas themselves. I did similar research for the Heart of Texas series and Midnight Sons, a series set in Alaska.

IF YOU’RE A NEW READER TO THE CEDAR COVE SERIES, DO YOU NEED TO READ THEM IN ORDER, OR ARE THEY ALSO STAND-ALONE BOOKS WITH A CONTINUED THEME? WHOSE STORIES WILL BE TOLD IN FUTURE BOOKS?

Each of the Cedar Cove books can be read alone. This has probably been one of my biggest challenges as a writer. Each book must provide some of the backstory detailed in the previous books—just enough to fill in a new reader but not so much as to bore readers who’ve followed the books in sequence. It’s a tricky balance. As for the question about whose stories are going to appear next—look for updates on the three McAfee children, along with Bobby’s driver, James Wilbur, and Teri’s sister, Christie Levitt. Will Jefferson will be playing more of a role, and so will several newer characters. And Olivia and Grace are, of course, important members of the Cedar Cove community.

WILL READERS EVER MEET THE OWNERS OF THE TACO SHACK?

Sorry, probably not. But look for an update on the Taco Shack, Rachel and Bruce’s favourite restaurant (which, as you now know, will become a barbecue place in the near future).

WHAT IS THE CORRECT ORDER OF THE CEDAR COVE BOOKS?

I wish I could tell you that I’m brilliant and came up with this plan at the beginning of the series, but the truth is, it was a fluke. We titled the first book 16 Lighthouse Road (16 was my dad’s birth date) and the second book, 204 Rosewood Lane, which seemed to follow naturally, since I grew up at 204 South 8th Avenue. Then readers started asking me how to tell which book came next. I had 1 and then 2 in the house numbers already and simply went from there to 311, then on to 44, etc.

The full listing of the books so far, in order, is: 16 Lighthouse Road, 204 Rosewood Lane, 311 Pelican Court, 44 Cranberry Point, 50 Harbor Street, 6 Rainier Drive and 74 Seaside Avenue. With more to come!

IS IT TRUE THAT THE TOWN OF CEDAR COVE IS BASED ON YOUR HOME TOWN OF PORT ORCHARD?

Cedar Cove is loosely based on Port Orchard, Washington, where my husband, Wayne, and I have lived for over twenty years. I’d written series set in Alaska, Texas and North Dakota and, while I loved visiting those areas, there really is no place like home.

I didn’t expect the interest in Port Orchard that’s come about as a result of the Cedar Cove books—and the number of people who’ve decided to visit. Because certain landmarks described in the books actually exist (or at least their prototypes do!), we’ve created a Cedar Cove map that’s available to anyone who requests it with an SAE. (Check my website for information.) And in 2009 we hosted the inaugural Cedar Cove Days, which was a huge success. We’d love to have you stop by our friendly little town!

8 Sandpiper Way

Debbie Macomber

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Cedar Cove! If you’re a regular visitor, you’ll be happy to know that Olivia, Jack, Grace and all the rest are waiting to tell you about the current events in their lives. And if you’re new to town, you can expect to make a whole group of new and interesting friends.

As many of you already know, Cedar Cove is loosely based on my own home town of Port Orchard, Washington. The streets and businesses are disguised but easily recognisable. As an unexpected result of the Cedar Cove stories, our little town has become something of a tourist destination. Because of this, a group of wonderful volunteers headed by Jerry Childs and Cindy Lucarelli organised Cedar Cove Days, which took place in August 2009. Check my website at www.DebbieMacomber.com for information.

If you’re interested in viewing the “lay of the land,” you can download a Cedar Cove map from my website—or you can receive a glossy collector’s edition free by sending a SASE to my office at PO Box 1458, Port Orchard, WA 98366, USA.

Although I rarely mention it, take a look at the dedication page. I’m dedicating this book to three phenomenal women who’ve been coping with breast cancer. Minda Butler lived in our condo building in Florida. Karen Sweeney, my cousin from Omaha, is now in remission. Hyacinthe Eykelhof-Mitchell is my editor’s younger sister. All three women are dear to my heart and an inspiration to everyone.

I hope you enjoy 8 Sandpiper Way. Your Cedar Cove friends are looking forward to your visit—and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Warmest regards,

To

Minda Butler,

Karen Sweeney

and

Hyacinthe Eykelhof-Mitchell

For their courage, strength

and

inspiration

and special thanks to my friend Emily Myles,

the fabric artist who inspired Shirley’s dragon

Some of the Residents of Cedar Cove, Washington

Olivia Lockhart Griffin: Family Court judge in Cedar Cove. Mother of Justine and James. Married to Jack Griffin, editor of the Cedar Cove Chronicle. They live at 16 Lighthouse Road.

Charlotte Jefferson Rhodes: Mother of Olivia and of Will Jefferson. Now married to widower Ben Rhodes, who has sons David and Steven, neither of whom lives in Cedar Cove.

Justine (Lockhart) Gunderson: Daughter of Olivia. Mother of Leif. Married to Seth Gunderson. The Gundersons owned The Lighthouse restaurant, recently destroyed by fire. They live at 6 Rainier Drive.

James Lockhart: Olivia’s son and Justine’s younger brother. In the Navy. Lives in San Diego with his wife, Selina, and daughter, Isabella, and son, Adam.

Will Jefferson: Olivia’s brother, Charlotte’s son. Formerly of Atlanta. Divorced, retired and back in Cedar Cove, where he recently bought the local gallery.

Grace Sherman Harding: Olivia’s best friend. Librarian. Widow of Dan Sherman. Mother of Maryellen Bowman and Kelly Jordan. Married to Cliff Harding, a retired engineer who is now a horse breeder living in Olalla, near Cedar Cove. Grace’s previous address: 204 Rosewood Lane (now a rental property).

Maryellen Bowman: Oldest daughter of Grace and Dan Sherman. Mother of Katie and Drake. Married to Jon Bowman, photographer.

Zachary Cox: Accountant, married to Rosie. Father of Allison and Eddie Cox. The family lives at 311 Pelican Court. Allison is attending university in Seattle, while her boyfriend, Anson Butler, has joined the military.

Rachel Pendergast: Works at the Get Nailed salon. Engaged to widower Bruce Peyton, who has a daughter, Jolene.

Bob and Peggy Beldon: Retired. Own a bed-and-breakfast at 44 Cranberry Point.

Roy McAfee: Private investigator, retired from Seattle police force. Two adult children, Mack and Linnette. Married to Corrie, who works as his office manager. The McAfees live at 50 Harbor Street.

Linnette McAfee: Daughter of Roy and Corrie. Lived in Cedar Cove and worked as a physician assistant in the new medical clinic. Leaving for North Dakota. Her brother, Mack, a fireman in training, is moving to Cedar Cove.

Gloria Ashton: Sheriff’s deputy in Cedar Cove. Biological daughter of Roy and Corrie McAfee.

Troy Davis: Cedar Cove sheriff. Married to Sandy, now deceased. Father of Megan.

Faith Beckwith: Troy Davis’s high-school girlfriend, now a widow. Moving back to Cedar Cove.

Bobby Polgar and Teri Miller Polgar: He is an international chess champion; she’s a hair stylist at Get Nailed. Their home is at 74 Seaside Avenue.