becalmed: "take the wind out of one's sails"; in a dead calm; "not wind enough to twirl the one red leaf" – Coleridge
Every occupation, every adventure, every hobby, sport, and profession uses a language or terms all their own. While the language and terms might vary according to regional dialects, the slight variations don't amount to misunderstandings among those who are knowledgeable. Sailing is no exception to the rule. There are right ways to do it and proper words to use in the process. Normandie Fischer leaves no question as to the authenticity of her sailing know-how in her entertaining first release Becalmed. Just as talented author Tom Morrisey has made rock climbing and diving terms real to those of us who've never done either, Normandie takes us right onto the boats in her story without talking down to us or forfeiting the true language and operation of those who love the wind in their sails.
Sometimes genres mesh together and don't fit comfortably into their assigned niches, but Becalmed is Women's Fiction from stem to stern and tackles the aching heart of a mid-thirties Southern belle who feels like she's over the hill in the romance department, not to mention her constant awareness of the closing window toward motherhood. A designer of jewelry using stones her delicate mother left behind when she passed away, Sara "Tadie" Longworth and her neighbor and best friend Hannah live a short distance from the little shop they own and operate in the coastal tourist region of small-town Beaufort, North Carolina. They employ Isa, an older free spirit, and also sell paintings from a new impressive and soft-spoken artist Stefan.
When a widower (Will Merritt) and his young daughter Jilly limp into town after their beautiful boat breaks down, Tadie is there to assist them with information and hands-on care. Jilly charms her new friends, but her obvious need for womanly companionship worries her paranoid daddy since he can't quite leave the memory of his wife behind, his fear of forgetting her or being unfaithful part of his working around his grief.
A hurricane brings Isa, Will, and Jilly to stay in Tadie's beautiful empty home after securing the boats and hoping for the best. Tadie's lovely sailing craft "Luna" seems secure enough in her barn, but Will's 50 footer at the marina must ride out the storm with less security.
Shadowing the budding relationship between Will and Jilly and Tadie, Tadie's long ago high school boyfriend (and Hannah's brother-in-law) Alex is in the middle of a divorce and trying to reclaim Tadie as his own. She wants nothing to do with him, but his persistence irritates and raises a hint of fear in her.
James, Elvie, and their daughter Rita complete the prominent, cozy, and mostly wonderful cast of characters, lifelong friends and employees of Tadie's deceased parents and dearly loved by Tadie who depends on them for things far beyond James' maintenance duties. She considers them her true family.
The conflict created when Will's conduct leaves Tadie "becalmed" proves the emotional storms outweigh the hurricane's damage, and repairs make for slow-going.
A polished wordsmith, Normandie Fischer captures the essence of Southern charm and infuses it with the love of the sailing life, the needs and desires of a still-young woman who feels old and unattractive, and the necessity for honest relationships. Becalmed fills the reader with vivid emotional and physical imagery ingesting Southern humor and expressions moving toward reaching a touching and satisfying conclusion. Faith elements reside solidly in the background of this entertaining story.
And isn't that just the best cover for this novel? Published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.
Also coming soon in August, 2013, Normandie's second release Sailing out of Darkness. Published by WhiteFire Publishing.
http://www.amazon.com/Sailing-out-Darkness-Normandie-Fischer/dp/1939023068/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1
Father, please continue to inspire Normandie as she writes for your glory. Give her more stories to tell, the opportunities to keep sailing on Sea Venture, and, as she welcomes her first grandchild, help her to be the shining light in that little child's life. Bless Normandie in all areas of her life as she seeks to serve you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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