The untold success story of Destin (LOCAL AUTHORS' LISTING)

A good book and the beach go hand in hand.

So I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that the Emerald Coast is an authors’ paradise.

The Log regularly profiles these local writers and this is one storyline that never seems to end. In fact, in today’s paper you will find two stories about local authors on Page A2 and A14.

Many of these books are self-published, and that may not be a bad thing in an age when even the legendary J.K. Rowling was rejected by publishers 12 times.

So today, in lieu of our traditional opinion piece, we offer you an end-of-summer reading list — made up of solely local authors.

•We begin with “The Wine and Chocolate Evacuation Plan” by Destin author Brenda Barnes. The book provides readers with “an excellent, altruistic reason to go out and buy wine and chocolate” while preparing what to do in case a Cat-4 is drawing its sights on Destin.

•Bobbye Sikes Wicke, who served as a nursing home ombudsman from 2002 - 2005, has recounted some of the cases she investigated in her new book, "Ombudsman: What Happens in Nursing Homes?" The stories Wicke recounts include a 40-something veteran frustrated at being in long-term care with people 20 or more years older; a terminally ill man refusing food or medication; and a man diverting his elderly mother's money to his own benefit.

•Betty Lazarini of Destin's One Water Place penned a book called “Promise Land of Plenty.” In the book, Brandy upgrades her life by marrying a millionaire, but after his death she learns the truth about the real source of his wealth. Becoming romantically involved with both a chauffeur and an FBI agent, Brandy travels to Destin, Boston and Kentucky in the process of sorting out her life.

•“Air Raid Nights and Radio Days” recounts Destinite Don Schroeder’s memories of growing up in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s: Jumping onto ice trucks to snatch a chunk to suck on, making cootie catchers, staying home because of polio outbreaks and wondering if the Nazis or the Communists were on the brink of taking over the world.

•Destin's Brenda Jones took on a more serious topic in her book “Standing Up,” the story of a teenager who moves to a beautiful beachfront town only to become the target for bullies who despise his country accent. The bullying ends only when he stops running and confronts his foes.

•While there are many books of financial advice for retirement, Stephen Carter and his wife Joan Strewler-Carter, of Destin, wrote “What’s Next in Your Life?” as a guide for retirees to tackle other questions: Do you keep working in retirement? Become a volunteer? Travel? Start a new business? Where do you want to live? How do you keep your social network up?

•Destin businesswoman Linda Kedy, meanwhile, penned “Monday Morning Motivational Moments,” a series of 52 personal life lessons based on e-mail updates she sent her friends.

•The Log’s very own Fraser Sherman has even penned a couple of books. “Cyborgs, Santa Claus And Satan” catalogues all the made-for-TV sci-fi films. Sherman also chronicled all the TV, movie, radio, stage and comic book spin-offs of the Wizard of Oz.

We recognize that we offered only an outline of local authors. If we missed a book by your favorite local author, post your book review to our Web site at thedestinlog.com.

And if this has inspired you to take a crack at the Great American Novel but you don’t know where to begin, sign up with our community’s writers group — fittingly called Writing in Sandals. It meets regularly at Destin Library.

And remember: Think globally, but buy and read locally.

More books by local authors include:

•A novel with a political theme, "A Question of Character" by Dr. Steven Abernathy and his son John of Destin includes murder that involves the president, Washington history and a collection of valuable Civil War artifacts.

•The first in a fantasy series, “Spectross Wars: The Raven and the Dove” by B. A. Larremore of NIceville, includes a new universe.

•“The Politics of Angels,” by Dari Bradley, honors deceased military personnel.

•Martha LaGuardia-Kotite’s book, “So Others May Live,” chronicles history of Coast Guard rescue swimmers, especially in Hurricane Katrina.

•“Travel Wisdom: Tips, Tools, and Tactics for All Traveler” was written by former flight attendant, Lynne Christe a Mary Esther resident.

•Peggy Adams’ “A Lady’s Day Out on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast” is a guide to shops, restaurants, golf and more in the area.

•“The Carnival Never Ends,” by Panama City’s Sparky Thorne, tells the story of a corporate attorney who inherits property in the Caribbean.

•Retired Army Sergeant and Destin resident Frank DeAngelo tells about his World War II experiences in “Greetings From the President.”

•“The Power of You!” by Destin’s Scott Martineau explains his concept of the three C’s, principles fundamental to personal growth.

•Freeport's Ronnie McBrayer points readers to Jesus, not organized religion, in “Leaving Religion, Following Jesus.”

•God, Me, & My In-Law: Mothers and Daughters-In-Law Tell It Like It Is” by Destinites Pam Eason, Jane Mills and Jane Jones, explores the special in-law relationship.

•Books by Paige Dooly, including “Heart’s Desire,” offer faith and laughter.

•Local author Robert “Opey” Russ tells of life with Down syndrome brother in “It’s All About Love.”

•“The Wise Mullet of Cook Bayou” by Timothy Weeks is a children’s book centered on his childhood mullet-fishing experiences.

•Mystery novelist Joyce Holland’s book “My, My, Myra” is a true-crime story about the 1993 murder of Robert Vaivada by his wife.

•Kathryn Krueger’s “Road to Grandma’s House” tells the story of a 13-year old girl whose parents have just divorced.

•“A Death in Question,” by Destinite Sunny L’Heureux, combines suspense with her nursing background.

•Destin author Sandy Semerad’s novel “Mardi Gravestone” is full of romance and suspense.

•Part-time Destin resident and author Gail Pallotta sets her new Christian romance novel, “Love Turns the Tide,” in the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.

•Destin author Tim Storm’s “Magenta Zephyr and the Universe Bender” tells the story of a space-traveling rock-and-roll legend, who enhances her performances with metaphysical abilities and her brother’s sophisticated technology.

Cookbooks by local authors include:

•Make cooking as simple or as complicated as you want it with "Gourmet Your Way" by locals Thomas Benzenhafer and Lance Dean.

•Destin resident Ken Galli’s “Galli Italian Cookbook” includes favorite recipes of his and his family’s.

•“Favorite Recipes” includes favorites from members of the local chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors Emerald Coast.

•“Simply Grace — Simply Salads,” from the women of Destin’s Grace Lutheran Church, includes more than 400 recipes.

•Recipes with only five ingredients can be found in “Easy Gourmet Cooking” by Deborah Anderson of Destin.

•“The Simple Cuisine of Chef Tim Creehan” by the Destin chef features easy to prepare recipes.

•‘Soup Lady’ Keri Whitehead Fredericks of Destin offers “Soups: A guide from starters to suppers” to satisfy any appetite.

•“Crab Island Steamer Cookbook” by Becky Watkins includes history of Destin and Crab Island.

•Recipes from Sandestin restaurants are in “Savoring Sandestin: Recipes and Memories from Sunrise to Sunset.”

•“Beach Appétit” from the Junior League of the Emerald Coast features photography by The Destin Log’s own Dill Beaty (editorial cartoonist).

•The “Wal-Mart Family Cookbook” of 2002  includes recipes from local residents.

•Destin Wal-Mart employee featured again in “Wal-Mart Family Cookbook” of 2003.

•“Patriotic Provisions,” from the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Office, supports the “Kids Vote Too” program.

•Locals as well as national celebrities contributed recipes to “Covenant Cuisine” from Covenant Hospice.

•Recipes from the first season of the tv show are in “Cooking with Flavors of the Coast” from WSRE-TV.

•“Greyt Eats and Treats,” from Greyhound Pets of America Emerald Coast, has recipes not only for man, but also for his best friend.

•Not only recipes but also interesting morsels about opera are in “Banquet at the Opera” from the Pensacola Opera League.

More recipes can be found in:

•Commander’s Palace cookbook, “Commander’s Wild Side,” features ingredients from the great outdoors.

•Learn secrets from a New Orleans restaurant in “Commander’s Kitchen.