Anchors

Church bells and mosquito bites are as common as the sunrise in this fictional tribute to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Set in a waterman's village in the 1970s, Oxford was a mystical place where ancestor's apparitions roamed houses freely, front porch stories were a nightly affair, long lingering talks by the river were a kind of therapy, and Methodists and drinkers lived side by side. The main character, Kate, embraces a summer wanderlust spirit as she explores the town. During visitations and wanderings, she is exposed to the fragility of life, love, hope, and fear. Guidance from the anchors in her life help her make sense of it all. Glimmers from a youthful view will draw readers inside Kate's world for a sit down with a glass of iced tea and slice of zucchini bread, wherein they are visited by Southern small town characters. A vibrant setting provides a rare glimpse of a time past that feels lost and surreal, leaving the reader nostalgic for barefoot days.

Cathy Schmidt lives and works on Maryland's Eastern Shore. A caterer by trade, she has written the monthly columns: "Food For Thought," and "Oxford Vignettes," for Attraction magazine for over a decade. This is Cathy's debut novel.