Grayton Beach, Barley Barber Swamp and the Caribbean

To all those who joined us for the show, thanks for tuning in. It was a super show with a Talkin’ Tourism first—reviewing a book. At the request of the publisher, Radio Man reviewed a new book in the "Gulf Coast Lit” genre entitled Grayton Beach Affair by author James Harvey. If you like action, romance and intrigue set in a 1940’s era gulf coast seaside town, Grayton Beach Affair should be on your summer reading list.

From there it was a lively and informative conversation with Treasure Coast Lands Foundation executive director Charles Barrowclough focusing on the unique beauty of Barley Barber Swamp. History Lady focused on the historical aspects of this environmental gem and Radio Man was very intrigued by the fact that the Barley Barber Swamp is now conducting guided tours. This is great for the promotion of tourism in western Martin County.

From swamp the show switched course and headed to the best beaches in the Caribbean. In case you saw the pre-show and  wondered which beaches in the Caribbean were rated as the best by Frommer’s…here is the list:

(10) Luquillo Beach—Puerto Rico
(9) Diamond Beach—Martinique
(8) Seven Mile Beach  —Negril, Jamaica
(7) Grand Anse Beach—Grenada
(6) Seven Mile Beach—Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
(5) Cane Garden Bay—Tortola, British Virgin Islands
(4) The Gold Coast—Barbados
(3) Palm Beach—Aruba
(2) Dickenson Bay—Antigua
and coming in at No.1, drum roll please, Shoal Bay—Anguilla.

Now, get out your maps of the Caribbean and begin plotting your course for good times!

Technology is grand; though sometimes it works, and sometimes it does not. Those of you who were planning to catch the show after-the-fact are in for a disappointment. Unfortunately, WPSL had a technical challenge on Friday, and only the first 20-minutes of the show were recorded. Please accept our apologies. Radio Man is now threatening to bring in his microcassette recorder. Talk about technical difficulties. If he could only figure out how to turn it on. Here's the link to the portion of audio that made the cut.

See you on Friday!

"Grayton Beach Affair" - A Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) Book Review

On prior shows, the subject of Literary Tourism has come up.

Literary tourism is a type of cultural tourism related to events, places or fictional characters in books.

Literary tourists will travel to places where authors were born, where they lived, or are currently living.  Literary tourists also visit the destinations, restaurants, shops and other venues profiled in books to experience them first-hand.

This is a first for Talkin' Tourism--a book review. We accepted the assignment since it falls into the realm of literary tourism. Those who know Florida, will be transported back to the sleepy seaside town of Grayton Beach. Those who don't know Florida, will learn more about the southern flavor of the Gulf Coast.

Regardless of which category you fit in, if you are a literary tourist, it just might spur a visit to Grayton Beach to discover or rediscover the beach dunes, seaside restaurants, history and small town charm.

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Grayton Beach Affair

For those of you who love to visit Florida’s Gulf Coast, and even those who don’t, put the Grayton Beach Affair on your spring and summer reading lists.

Author James Harvey combines a romance and war story set in the 1940’s in the seaside town of Grayton Beach. Harvey paints a vivid picture of not only Florida’s panhandle, but also Paris, France and Germany during World War II and the French Résistance, interweaving espionage, suspense, sacrifice, survival, passion and romance.

Main characters Christian Wolfe and Maggie Neal meet accidently during a stateside German prisoner of war rescue effort. Although their interlude in Grayton Beach is short, it sets the stage for a love that is rekindled post-war near Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia.

Grayton Beach Affair is a quick and easy read, and combines elements that will appeal to both women and men. Harvey captures the southern and Florida small town beachside cultures perfectly.

Grayton Beach Affair will join the collection of Florida-themed books in our personal library.

Keep those Florida-based novels coming Mr. Harvey.