About The Cicada Spring - Author Carolyn McBride

Empty nest. Broken dreams. A single mom rediscovers her inner compass on the Potomac shores, guided by an ancient arrowhead and the captivating marsh man who found it.

Carolyn McBride’s debut novel in the Potomac Shores series is a coming-of-middle-age story about second chances, the enduring bonds of friendship, and the power of nature to heal and guide us home.

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Earnie Porta, PhD, Mayor, Town of Occoquan

[‘Santa Overboard’ is] a fast-paced, enjoyable holiday read that incorporates some of Occoquan’s cherished traditions.

Simply Nicole on Instagram

Grab a cozy blanket and your favorite Christmas scented candle because we’re back with Katie and the Beach Bonfire Babes! ‘Santa Overboard’ was just the book to get me into the spirit of Christmas plus lots of laughs along the way.

Reedsy Discovery 5-Star Review

‘The Cicada Spring’ is women’s fiction at its best. I have no hesitation in awarding it five stars and recommending it to anyone who loves great women’s fiction or just appreciates a talented wordsmith and storyteller.

Colie Reads on Instagram

‘Santa Overboard’ is a delightful continuation of the Potomac Shores series. The way she weaves history and culture in her novels make her books so special. The holiday spirit of the small town is reminiscent of a great holiday movie.

Simply Nicole on Instagram

Have you watched ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ or ‘Virgin River’? ‘The Cicada Spring’ gave me the same vibes! I found these characters to be incredibly relatable, like I could meet them . . . and just hit it off.

Read With Lindsey on Instagram

Peppered with facts about the region and beautiful imagery of the town, ‘Santa Overboard’ will leave you wanting to plan your own visit to Occoquan this holiday season – 5 out of 5 stars!

Kirkus Reviews

McBride sets a vivid scene, and her storytelling consistently engages. [‘The Cicada Spring’ is] an involving tale that balances struggle, love, and hope.

Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review

…soulful women’s fiction…. Filled with amazing little bits of insight, you will be hard-pressed not to dig a little deeper into your own life to find that which ‘feeds your soul.’ “The Cicada Spring” is a must-read!

Editor’s Pick, Booklife Reviews

McBride’s assured debut [with ‘The Cicada Spring’] launches her Potomac Shores series with a turbulent but uplifting romance…, ultimately positing that the only way to navigate rough waters is by taking the helm. Takeaway: Uplifting middle-age romance alive with wisdom and love of nature.

Earnie Porta, PhD, Mayor, Town of Occoquan

[‘The Cicada Spring’ is] a well-written and absorbing story of resilience that also wonderfully explores and captures the natural beauty of the Occoquan River and its surroundings.

Katie Young thought she had it all figured out. A fresh start in sunny Florida, a new husband, a thriving career. But life, like the tide, has a way of shifting course. Forced back to Virginia by the tragic loss of her mother, the family river house becomes her refuge from a storm no one saw coming.

Heartbroken and adrift, Katie explores the river on her dad’s old boat, questioning where—and with whom—she truly feels at home. Rekindled friendships around the beach bonfire spark new dreams in the little town of Occoquan.

But when a neighbor’s development threatens an eagle's nest, Katie finds herself fighting for her heart, her land, and a future she never dared to imagine. As the lovelorn cicadas emerge from decades in the dark, can Katie chart a new course toward a forever love?

The Cicada Spring is a 5-star “Readers’ Favorite.”