That Summer at American Beach

by Janice Sims

That Summer at American Beach by Janice Sims released on Apr 25, 2006 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158314627X
• ISBN13: 9781583146279
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Kimani Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Great Emotional Family Story

When I first picked up 'That Summer At American Beach' I was intrigued and nervous (mostly nervous) because of the "taboo" subject matter. But I just could not put it down. This was some of the best storytelling I have come across. I was actually a nervous wreck reading it. Great storytelling I must say. Janice Sims appreciates her gift of writing and it is evident in her wonderful writing she shares with the public. I look forward to her upcoming stories. Just Great Stuff!

Blood IS thicker than water...

THAT SUMMER AT AMERICAN BEACH is a complex drama that entwines family bloodlines, unveils family secrets, touches on a current health issue and gives a blossoming couple a twist that could break their hearts. Rayne Walker learns that the father she has loved for twenty-six years is not her biological father, but her stepfather. She is devastated and she wants answers. On a trip home to check on her 'dad's'(stepfather's)health she meets Wade Jefferson on the beach, they share an instant attraction. But she later learns Wade Jefferson is the son of her biological father. At thirty-four, Wade has followed in his father's land development footsteps and is making a name for himself. He is quite the lady's man but has been free of a serious relationship for a good while. He is thoroughly surprised at his attraction to Rayne. Once they realize their connection, the couple accepts that they are related, but it does not sit well with either of them. Then their father drops a bombshell, that will turn everyone's world upside down or maybe right side up... THAT SUMMER AT AMERICAN BEACH shares an excellent history of a beautiful landmark. Ms. Sims gives us family drama that emphasizes the importance of knowing your genealogy. This story is frank, empathetic and risqué, it will pull your emotions in all directions. Reviewed by aNN of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Hot Summer Read

Entrepreneur Rayne Walker has a plan. A upscale event planner in New York City, Rayne plans to continue building her business with no mind to romance until after her thirtieth birthday. This year, as always, she has cleared her calendar for the summer months, when she will venture South to spend some time with her father, Ray Walker, an artist, on American Beach. She assumes it will be like any other summer since she and her father began this tradition when she was eight years old. That is until Rayne learns that her father is sick and needs surgery, an operation he is willing to forgo. She and her mother, Julianne, put aside everything to travel to Florida together, along with Rayne's younger sister Shannon, to trick Ray into having the surgery that will extend his life. In the process, Rayne and the entire Walker clan learn some things about love and forgiveness as they clash with Ray's longtime foe, Benjamin Jefferson, who Rayne has recently discovered is actually her biological father, and his son Wade. Janice Sims has again captured the heart and soul of romance among the African-American upwardly mobile. Her characters are always smart, savvy, and folks that one could easily see oneself becoming friends with. Comfortably paced, with enough plot twists to keep a reader glued to her seat, That Summer at American Beach is a multi-layered, multi-textured treasure just right for sunning at the beach, lounging on the lanai, or even reading in snatches throughout the day. As always, Ms. Sims entertains and educates her readers, as she does this time by setting the story on American Beach. As it turns out, American Beach is a real place, a beach that was founded by A.L. Lewis, an African-American entrepreneur and millionaire, as a reward for his insurance sales force. Eventually, he opened it up to other African-Americans who, during the height of Jim Crow from 1930 - 1970, were denied access to other shores. In its heyday, American Beach was frequented by the likes of Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and other Black entertainers and vacationers. When segregation ended, American Beach fell out of favor and into decline. Originally 200 acres along 13 miles of shoreline, American Beach now is only about half that size. There is a movement underway to save it from encroaching development, and it has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Selecting such a locale only adds to the pleasure of reading Ms. Sims' novel, as she has in her own way enlightened a whole generation and contributed to recording the legacy of this historic place. Enough love and romance, across generations and even families, to put a smile on the most cynical of faces, That Summer at American Beach is a great read with which to begin one's summer reading list.

Whew! It's Getting' Hot in Here!!

From a master storyteller comes the latest in the Arabesque Sizzling Sands series. This series of novels focuses on characters living on the beautiful historically black beaches of America. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Sizzling Sands novels, but this is by far my favorite. Rayne Walker and Wade Jefferson happen upon each other while they are both visiting American Beach in Florida. The couple's chemistry causes the sparks to fly immediately. But any fan of Janice Sims' knows that she's going to give you a great storyline to go along with the romance - and what a storyline it is! I don't want to spoil anything here, so let me just say that Rayne and Wade and their families have to reach waaaaay back into the past to untangle this couple's future. It's absolutely fabulous! And as always, the secondary characters in this novel are given so much attention that they could have novels of their own. This is a keeper - don't loan this one out to your girlfriends!

That summer at American Beach

I loved this book "That summer at American Beach" it held all the elements a great book has to offer. Janice Sims is an excellent writer who truly knows how to capture her characters. This book had a little bit of everything in it. There was some romance, laughther, drama, and suspense all in this book. I really enjoyed this book. Crystal (Chicago,IL)