Published Works
Perfect Beach Day
To buy a copy . . .
Rehoboth Beach takes center stage in the series of short stories included in Perfect Beach Day. This collection of humorous and endearing stories is the perfect companion to a beach chair on a sunny day, a porch swing on a rainy beach day, or a sofa in front of a crackling fire. These stories include quirky and delightful characters who will show just how special this small seaside town can be.
Within these pages, you will find out how the country’s most popular diva saves the Christmas concert, lifeguards who band together to save more than swimmers, love that is lost and found, a volleyball game like none you’ve seen, how learning to swim can change your life, and much more. These stories will make you smile, cry, laugh, and might even have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Others might pull hard on your heartstrings, but will be certain to leave a smile on your face.
The author’s casual and personal writing style, coupled with a variety of plots and topics, makes Perfect Beach Day the perfect summer read. If you like Rehoboth Beach and you like to read, then you will love Perfect Beach Day.
ISBN: 9798988264712
"Red Spinny Dress"
Third Place
A heartfelt story of one man’s view of his husband’s last days. The narrator remembers some of the most loving stories of their forty years together and grants his dying husband two last wishes, a very cold martini, and a dance to ‘their song’: Greatest Love Affair by Jeffrey Osbourne.
This story was awarded 3rd place in the 2023 Bucks County Short Story Competition sponsored by Bucks County Community College and organized by Elizabeth Luciano, Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature. The story was read at the award ceremony on November 18th by the author. It was presented again for the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County on October 22, 2024 author event at Freeman Hall.
"Holiday Hijinks"
Beach Holidays
Judge's Award
Wyatt, and his friend Asher, are goofing around on Wyatt’s dad’s government laptop, when Hijinks, the family cat, jumps up on the computer and hits the send key. The email sent to the mayor of Rehoboth Beach simply states that parents need to do any homework their high school kids might have for the following Monday. When Wyatt’s dad asks for Wyatt’s homework instead of punishing the boys, the two boys decide to try it again.
Each week, they invent a new Monday holiday and send it to the mayor using the government laptop so it looks official. Their holidays include free ice cream and soda, a free bus ride, and even having their teachers take their tests! But it comes crashing down when Wyatt’s dad remembers Wyatt and Asher discussing free sausage on their pizza the day prior to the mayor’s announcement of that very same Monday Holiday!
The two boys get marched into the mayor’s office, which had been besieged by local businesses to stop the crazy holidays, they weren’t happy about giving away free products. The two boys were grounded forever, and the mayor levied a six-month weakly cleaning the beach punishment.
But it had been off-season and even though some businesses had to offer free stuff, the businesses soon realized giving away a second scoop of ice cream meant selling the first scoop in the dead of winter. The silly holidays had drawn crowds that never would have patronized their business then. Even many parents and teachers, who had taken tests or done the homework, realized the odd holidays had been a productive idea.
Eating his words, but not lifting the beach cleanup punishment, the mayor requested that Wyatt and Asher start up the Monday holidays again, making sure the very next one was free cheese on burgers.
"Beach Misses"
Beach Secret
Topping the Best Seller list is a debut series by an unknown author. Initially released by a small publisher from the small resort town, the mega-hit was quickly snatched up by one of the country’s largest publishing houses. Funny, even after holding a top spot for the entire summer nobody knew anything about the author or the oddities of the book. Beach Misses was a series of twenty-twenty stories centered around Rehoboth Beach, each story being exactly thirty-five hundred words – New York Daily reporter, Clayton Green, counted.
Clay is the literary reporter for the New York Daily and he goes to Rehoboth Beach to uncover the story. He needed to do what no other reporter had yet, find out who Daryl David, the unknown author was – even if Daryl David was a nom-de-plume. He was determined to find out why the strange word count and what the heck was “missing”.
After spending the better part of a week, the closest Clay came to Daryl David was a dusty unopened Post Office Box. He talked to anyone and everyone who would talk to him, but either no one in town knew the man, or they all pledged secrecy.
On his last day in Rehoboth, with just a few hours before a flight to his next assignment, he stopped for dinner at a local restaurant. The place was busy, with talkative locals. While eating, Clay strikes up a conversation about the book with the man next to him, an older man who was no stranger to the bar or bartender.
Clay’s reputation depends on breaking this story, how will he track down this author?
ISBN 9781732384286
Page 81 of Beach Secrets
"Sometime You Just Have to Dive In"
Sandy Paws
Shane, a shy guy, wants to meet Michael – a cute guy he’s been eyeing for some time. But EJ, a well-tanned jock seems to have laid claim to Michael, as he’s always at his side on the beach. And in Rehoboth Beach, if you want to meet a guy, you take your dog to the beach. the problem is, Shane’s dog is a cat, but not your average cat. Paddy thinks he’s a dog and a fierce one at that.
After some trepidation, Shane attaches a leash, and off he goes. His first encounter is with EJ, who ridicules him but ends with him chasing after his sad excuse for a dog who turned and bolted after seeing a cat. His next encounter is with the dog of a friend of Michael’s, who is following close behind. And Michae’s grin showed bright as he walked up the beach.
There’s a brief hesitation between cat and dog, and between Shane and Michael before the chase begins.
Who knew a cat would willingly dive into the surf after a dog?
ISBN 9781732384255
Page 165 of Sandy Paws
"Beach Thief"
Beach Fun
Third Place
While jogging on the beach one morning, Josh sees the sand move, but not like a breeze blowing sand around, a part of the beach moved! Amazingly, happens again the following day, only this time Josh stops and watches. A small man, no taller than a trashcan, dressed head to toe in tan, scurries off the beach with a satchel and disappears into the restroom. Literally, the short man hurried in and never came back out.
It took Josh a few more days of sleuthing to track the strange little man down. In doing so, Josh ends up crawling into a fully furnished apartment right under the boardwalk. As he’s checking out piles and piles of treasures, the strange little man showed up. Josh hides in the shadow when suddenly the man has a small baseball bat held high and is ready to strike him.
Some quick talking and a promise to take the secret of the Beachcomber’s lair to his grave, not only saves his life but returns an heirloom necklace once thought lost forever.
ISBN 9781732384217
Page 37 of Beach Fun
"A Winter's Kiss"
Beach Love
Ethan stood at the ocean’s edge on a frigid winter night. Words of sorrow and apology to his deceased wife poured from his soul. With help of Noah, a man he just met, Ethan was able to offer his last goodbye and promised his everlasting love – he also asked for his freedom.
Noah, younger by half, stood behind Ethan on that fridge night. The words he heard Ethan speak to the midnight sky moved him more than anything he had ever heard. And when Ethan turned, tears streamed down both men’s cheeks. Noah couldn’t help but take Ethan in his arms and kiss him. He immediately realized his mistake, Ethan wasn’t his, nor was he gay. Confused and embarrassed, Noah turned and ran.
But that kiss solidified all that Ethan knew in his heart. It took a few months for Ethan to come to grips with his new life and a few more to track Noah down; all he had to go by was a first name and an occupation. When the two met again, Noah eagerly agreed to help Ethan start his new life as a gay man, and that help started with a single kiss, one that neither ran from.
ISBN 9780996805292
Page 173 of Beach Love
"Life Starts on Tiptpes"
Beach Life
As he had done at his grandson’s age, watching Terence Jr. stand on his tiptoes to touch the top of his head to that all-important finger that says “you have to be this tall to ride the pirate ship ride” at Funland. As the boy’s hair grazed the signs and the boy took off to the ride, the proud man’s heart swelled and almost burst from his chest.
The visual of the young boy straining to be tall enough set Terrence Sr. off on a trip down of remembrance of a life lived. He reflects on how he’d gone from being that little boy stretching to get on a ride that ultimately terrified him, to becoming a grandfather at that same terrifying ride. It was an emotional ride, remembering how he found his one true love, then stupidly let her go. Fate was kind to him and he found her again and together they raised two great kids. It amazed him, he didn’t know he could love so much when each was born and was surprised even more at being heartbroken when they left home to start their own lives.
And now, holding the hand of a small boy, he wondered where his heart fit so much love. But that night at Funland, he knew one thing will be different. This night, his grandson wouldn’t be scared to death as he had been so many decades ago. Terence would make sure the boy felt safe enough to raise his hand high in the air and shout as the pirate ship reached its pinnacle and just about spill them out.
ISBN 9780996805278
Page 113 of Beach Life
"Stacy Fischer Can Dance the Tango"
Beach Nights
Judge's Award
Years of grieving and guilt for a wife that passed too soon, took Stacy Fischer to the beach, a place where he once found solace. But the night was like a war, freezing rain beating down, forcing him to retreat. Stacy took shelter from the bombardment on the steps of an art gallery, but even late at night, it wasn’t closed. There were people inside, drinking, laughing, and dancing.
Stacy tried to remain small, hiding in the shadow. But the gallery owner noticed him and coaxed him inside, immediately realizing his distress. Stacy stumbled on the one monthly Saturday that the gallery pushed the paintings aside and danced the tango. And he picked the one place where the people there could read a broken heart and better yet, knew how to mend it. Tango.
It was Stacy’s first tango, his first dance with a man, which was also the reason for his guilt. But Oliver, a dance instructor, physical trainer, and a man with eyes that touched the soul, led Stacy around the room. He taught Stacy how to focus not on his feet or his dancing, but on his heart. It was more than a dance lesson.
Through Tango, Oliver showed Stacy that his life was just a new dance, one he could learn and enjoy.
ISBN 978099680554
Page 29 of Beach Nights
Published Works
Perfect Beach Day
To buy a copy . . .
Rehoboth Beach takes center stage in the series of short stories included in Perfect Beach Day. This collection of humorous and endearing stories is the perfect companion to a beach chair on a sunny day, a porch swing on a rainy beach day, or a sofa in front of a crackling fire. These stories include quirky and delightful characters who will show just how special this small seaside town can be.
Within these pages, you will find out how the country’s most popular diva saves the Christmas concert, lifeguards who band together to save more than swimmers, love that is lost and found, a volleyball game like none you’ve seen, how learning to swim can change your life, and much more. These stories will make you smile, cry, laugh, and might even have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Others might pull hard on your heartstrings, but will be certain to leave a smile on your face.
The author’s casual and personal writing style, coupled with a variety of plots and topics, makes Perfect Beach Day the perfect summer read. If you like Rehoboth Beach and you like to read, then you will love Perfect Beach Day.
ISBN: 9798988264712
"Red Spinny Dress"
Third Place
A heartfelt story of one man’s view of his husband’s last days. The narrator remembers some of the most loving stories of their forty years together and grants his dying husband two last wishes, a very cold martini, and a dance to ‘their song’: Greatest Love Affair by Jeffrey Osbourne.
This story was awarded 3rd place in the 2023 Bucks County Short Story Competition sponsored by Bucks County Community College and organized by Elizabeth Luciano, Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature. The story was read at the award ceremony on November 18th by the author. It was presented again for the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County on October 22, 2024 author event at Freeman Hall.
"Holiday Hijinks"
Beach Holidays
Judge's Award
Wyatt, and his friend Asher, are goofing around on Wyatt’s dad’s government laptop, when Hijinks, the family cat, jumps up on the computer and hits the send key. The email sent to the mayor of Rehoboth Beach simply states that parents need to do any homework their high school kids might have for the following Monday. When Wyatt’s dad asks for Wyatt’s homework instead of punishing the boys, the two boys decide to try it again.
Each week, they invent a new Monday holiday and send it to the mayor using the government laptop so it looks official. Their holidays include free ice cream and soda, a free bus ride, and even having their teachers take their tests! But it comes crashing down when Wyatt’s dad remembers Wyatt and Asher discussing free sausage on their pizza the day prior to the mayor’s announcement of that very same Monday Holiday!
The two boys get marched into the mayor’s office, which had been besieged by local businesses to stop the crazy holidays, they weren’t happy about giving away free products. The two boys were grounded forever, and the mayor levied a six-month weakly cleaning the beach punishment.
But it had been off-season and even though some businesses had to offer free stuff, the businesses soon realized giving away a second scoop of ice cream meant selling the first scoop in the dead of winter. The silly holidays had drawn crowds that never would have patronized their business then. Even many parents and teachers, who had taken tests or done the homework, realized the odd holidays had been a productive idea.
Eating his words, but not lifting the beach cleanup punishment, the mayor requested that Wyatt and Asher start up the Monday holidays again, making sure the very next one was free cheese on burgers.
"Beach Misses"
Beach Secret
Topping the Best Seller list is a debut series by an unknown author. Initially released by a small publisher from the small resort town, the mega-hit was quickly snatched up by one of the country’s largest publishing houses. Funny, even after holding a top spot for the entire summer nobody knew anything about the author or the oddities of the book. Beach Misses was a series of twenty-twenty stories centered around Rehoboth Beach, each story being exactly thirty-five hundred words – New York Daily reporter, Clayton Green, counted.
Clay is the literary reporter for the New York Daily and he goes to Rehoboth Beach to uncover the story. He needed to do what no other reporter had yet, find out who Daryl David, the unknown author was – even if Daryl David was a nom-de-plume. He was determined to find out why the strange word count and what the heck was “missing”.
After spending the better part of a week, the closest Clay came to Daryl David was a dusty unopened Post Office Box. He talked to anyone and everyone who would talk to him, but either no one in town knew the man, or they all pledged secrecy.
On his last day in Rehoboth, with just a few hours before a flight to his next assignment, he stopped for dinner at a local restaurant. The place was busy, with talkative locals. While eating, Clay strikes up a conversation about the book with the man next to him, an older man who was no stranger to the bar or bartender.
Clay’s reputation depends on breaking this story, how will he track down this author?
ISBN 9781732384286
Page 81 of Beach Secrets
"Sometime You Just Have to Dive In"
Sandy Paws
Shane, a shy guy, wants to meet Michael – a cute guy he’s been eyeing for some time. But EJ, a well-tanned jock seems to have laid claim to Michael, as he’s always at his side on the beach. And in Rehoboth Beach, if you want to meet a guy, you take your dog to the beach. the problem is, Shane’s dog is a cat, but not your average cat. Paddy thinks he’s a dog and a fierce one at that.
After some trepidation, Shane attaches a leash, and off he goes. His first encounter is with EJ, who ridicules him but ends with him chasing after his sad excuse for a dog who turned and bolted after seeing a cat. His next encounter is with the dog of a friend of Michael’s, who is following close behind. And Michae’s grin showed bright as he walked up the beach.
There’s a brief hesitation between cat and dog, and between Shane and Michael before the chase begins.
Who knew a cat would willingly dive into the surf after a dog?
ISBN 9781732384255
Page 165 of Sandy Paws
"Beach Thief"
Beach Fun
Third Place
While jogging on the beach one morning, Josh sees the sand move, but not like a breeze blowing sand around, a part of the beach moved! Amazingly, happens again the following day, only this time Josh stops and watches. A small man, no taller than a trashcan, dressed head to toe in tan, scurries off the beach with a satchel and disappears into the restroom. Literally, the short man hurried in and never came back out.
It took Josh a few more days of sleuthing to track the strange little man down. In doing so, Josh ends up crawling into a fully furnished apartment right under the boardwalk. As he’s checking out piles and piles of treasures, the strange little man showed up. Josh hides in the shadow when suddenly the man has a small baseball bat held high and is ready to strike him.
Some quick talking and a promise to take the secret of the Beachcomber’s lair to his grave, not only saves his life but returns an heirloom necklace once thought lost forever.
ISBN 9781732384217
Page 37 of Beach Fun
"A Winter's Kiss"
Beach Love
Ethan stood at the ocean’s edge on a frigid winter night. Words of sorrow and apology to his deceased wife poured from his soul. With help of Noah, a man he just met, Ethan was able to offer his last goodbye and promised his everlasting love – he also asked for his freedom.
Noah, younger by half, stood behind Ethan on that fridge night. The words he heard Ethan speak to the midnight sky moved him more than anything he had ever heard. And when Ethan turned, tears streamed down both men’s cheeks. Noah couldn’t help but take Ethan in his arms and kiss him. He immediately realized his mistake, Ethan wasn’t his, nor was he gay. Confused and embarrassed, Noah turned and ran.
But that kiss solidified all that Ethan knew in his heart. It took a few months for Ethan to come to grips with his new life and a few more to track Noah down; all he had to go by was a first name and an occupation. When the two met again, Noah eagerly agreed to help Ethan start his new life as a gay man, and that help started with a single kiss, one that neither ran from.
ISBN 9780996805292
Page 173 of Beach Love
"Life Starts on Tiptpes"
Beach Life
As he had done at his grandson’s age, watching Terence Jr. stand on his tiptoes to touch the top of his head to that all-important finger that says “you have to be this tall to ride the pirate ship ride” at Funland. As the boy’s hair grazed the signs and the boy took off to the ride, the proud man’s heart swelled and almost burst from his chest.
The visual of the young boy straining to be tall enough set Terrence Sr. off on a trip down of remembrance of a life lived. He reflects on how he’d gone from being that little boy stretching to get on a ride that ultimately terrified him, to becoming a grandfather at that same terrifying ride. It was an emotional ride, remembering how he found his one true love, then stupidly let her go. Fate was kind to him and he found her again and together they raised two great kids. It amazed him, he didn’t know he could love so much when each was born and was surprised even more at being heartbroken when they left home to start their own lives.
And now, holding the hand of a small boy, he wondered where his heart fit so much love. But that night at Funland, he knew one thing will be different. This night, his grandson wouldn’t be scared to death as he had been so many decades ago. Terence would make sure the boy felt safe enough to raise his hand high in the air and shout as the pirate ship reached its pinnacle and just about spill them out.
ISBN 9780996805278
Page 113 of Beach Life
"Stacy Fischer Can Dance the Tango"
Beach Nights
Judge's Award
Years of grieving and guilt for a wife that passed too soon, took Stacy Fischer to the beach, a place where he once found solace. But the night was like a war, freezing rain beating down, forcing him to retreat. Stacy took shelter from the bombardment on the steps of an art gallery, but even late at night, it wasn’t closed. There were people inside, drinking, laughing, and dancing.
Stacy tried to remain small, hiding in the shadow. But the gallery owner noticed him and coaxed him inside, immediately realizing his distress. Stacy stumbled on the one monthly Saturday that the gallery pushed the paintings aside and danced the tango. And he picked the one place where the people there could read a broken heart and better yet, knew how to mend it. Tango.
It was Stacy’s first tango, his first dance with a man, which was also the reason for his guilt. But Oliver, a dance instructor, physical trainer, and a man with eyes that touched the soul, led Stacy around the room. He taught Stacy how to focus not on his feet or his dancing, but on his heart. It was more than a dance lesson.
Through Tango, Oliver showed Stacy that his life was just a new dance, one he could learn and enjoy.
ISBN 978099680554
Page 29 of Beach Nights