Today marks a very important day: the unofficial start to summer. I know, I know. Summer doesn’t technically start until the summer solstice on June 21st, which is why I was very careful to label today as the unofficial start. Everybody knows that June ushers in a new season, and with it, a new mindset. Our minds wander to casual things, like cookouts and lemonade. We daydream of lying on a white sand beach, tropical drink in one hand and a great summer read in the other.
Do you have a beach vacation planned? If so, I think I can help out with the great summer read. The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen releases today. It’s the perfect book to toss into your beach bag along with that tube of sunscreen.
The Mailbox is set in the charming North Carolina coastal town of Sunset Beach. In a story that spans nineteen years, we meet Lindsey Adams, and her summer love, Campbell. Campbell introduces Lindsey to a real-life symbol of folklore that has long been a part of the Sunset Beach community: the Kindred Spirit mailbox. It’s a place where residents and tourists alike flock to, leaving behind heartfelt letters about their lives, love, and sometimes loss. The identity of the Kindred Spirit is a mystery, but somehow visitors to the mailbox take comfort in knowing that someone–somewhere–not only reads the letters, but also lifts the letter writer up in prayer.
As summer loves often do, Lindsey and Cambpell’s fizzles and fades. Both move on with their lives, eventually marrying and having children. And when–some twenty years later–Lindsey returns to Sunset Beach as a soon-to-be divorcee, she sees firsthand the beauty of second chances.
The Mailbox is an uplifting, refreshing novel that explores the emotions of lost love and the desire–the hesitation–to trust again. What I loved most about the book was that though it is Christian fiction, it sheds light on the struggles of divorce, without a pretentious air. It’s honest and real–very relevant to today’s Christian woman.
Marybeth Whalen is a mother (of six!) and writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. I had the pleasure of meeting her in the spring of 2008 during a blogging event at Walt Disney World. I fell into easy conversation with Marybeth and immediately took a liking to her down-to-earth demeanor and subtle confidence. She’s good peeps. And her book, The Mailbox, is a reflection of that.
I’m giving away a copy of The Mailbox. To win, leave a comment telling me what you would most like the postman to deliver to your mailbox today. I will close entries on Monday, June 7 around 8 pm, Pacific time and will randomly choose a winner from all eligible entries received.
***UPDATE: Mandi #19 is the winner!***
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I love great summer reads!
What I would like most to get in the mail today is a note confirming the completion of the sale of our house. Oh, it has been such a difficult journey! But I know God is in control and I’m trusting Him for a miracle. Now to wait and watch …
Thanks for the review!!
Not planning a beach trip, but this would be perfect for my summer of bedrest!
I would love to get anything but junk mail. Handwritten notes are such an ancient art these days, but when you are as bored and as disconnected from interaction with the outside world as I currently am, just a card or note or personalized mail would be a Godsend!
This sounds like a great story, love the idea.
I would love a letter from an old friend today.
Oh I want to read it! I want to win! I was hoping the mail man would deliver a big fat check today, but sigh, it was just mini boden catalogs.
Steph
Thanks for the rec – I’m always looking for good books. :) I’d love a letter from an estranged friend. :( Makes me sad to even write that!
I’d love to find my new blender in my mailbox today! Mine broke, and my mom bought me an awesome new one. I know, it’s not exactly a wish/dream type of thing as it’s possible reality, but still…that’s what I want to find. :)
Now that school is out, I’m excited to read for myself rather than to prepare for my students and my class. Thanks for recommending this one!
I’d love to find a big fat box of fabric….if I had an unlimited budget, that’s just what would be coming!
I would love to read this book! I would also love to get a sample of granola bars in the mail. I know that that sounds weird, but I signed up for a sample, and I’m really looking forward to it! :)
I would love for the mailman/woman to deliver to me a letter from one of my Grandsons, Michael or Jack. So, it’s ok if I don’t get this book, because I am sure I could go out and buy it, but a letter from one of them? Couldn’t put a price on that. :-)
I’d love to get a check in the mail. Unoriginal, I know, but oh-so-handy.
What I wanted in my mailbox actually came yesterday. My oldest daughter lives several states away and is expecting her first child. I purchased a webcam, and it came yesterday.
Hmmm… in my mailbox… today…
Something personal. Anything. Just not another bill :)
Sounds like a really refreshing book. My only question in why a coastal town in North Carolina is named Sunset Beach… NC is on the east coast. My grandparents actually lived in the real Sunset Beach in California!
In my mailbox? A big fat check from an investment we made several years ago that is tied up in court. It would pay off all our debt.
My mailbox may have to contain 2 items:
1. The financial means to magically make me be able to be a SAHM living in the school district we drive our kids to everyday with a DVC membership on the side.
2. A copy of my friend’s book (hmm, wonder who the friend is?) :)
I could say money. I’d love some money. A big fat check. Like about $20K. But if I’m being realistic, I guess I’d wish for a letter from a long lost friend. I’d love to hear what she’s doing…where she is.
I’d love to receive a letter from the peeps at Saturn telling me how much they appreciate my love of the Saturn Sky and that one of the little boogers is being shipped to me in the next few weeks.
A longshot? Sure.
But you asked. =)
Seems like a great book.
I ordered a sample diaper cover because I’m gonna make an attempt at cloth diapering the baby that I’m expecting and I can’t wait to get it :) I was so hoping today was the day.
I would like to get my Starbucks gold card…. or a good book to read…. or even better a note from a little boy & girl in California that I miss with all my heart.
I’m an avid reader; now that school’s out I have more time on my hands for a good book. As for my mailbox, I would love a note from our adoption agency telling us we’ve been chosen by a birthmother!
I would love to receive a new book in the mail – reading is one of my favorite things to do!
I would love to receive a nice handwritten note from a friend or relative and absolutely nothing else except maybe the new flat iron I just ordered!
I could use a new book to read during our moving process.
I would LOVE to find Marybeth’s book in my mailbox! ;-)
Seriously, though, I would love to find a letter in our mailbox saying my husband’s job is secure…’nuff said.
Our family has been vacationing in Sunset Beach almost every year since our oldest son was 18 mos. old…he’s 22 yrs. now! We returned there this year, after a four year absence. We love it there.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter your contest!