‘Twas the night before Cruisemas…

Filled with heartwarming humor, time-honored tradition, and the soul-stirring natural world, Carolyn McBride’s second book in the Potomac Shores series is a delightful escape to the enchanting banks of Virginia’s Potomac River.

PAPERBACK & EBOOK: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

AUDIOBOOK: Audible | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Spotify

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.

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!

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.

Judge, 32nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Award

Exemplary in its voice…’The Cicada Spring’ has a strong command of its style…. A breezy read that doesn’t sacrifice its heart.

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.

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.

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.

Earnie Porta, PhD, Mayor, Town of Occoquan

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

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.

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!

Starting over in the little town of Occoquan, Katie Young finds solace in small-town life with best friends at their thriving gallery and a deepening romance with the town’s resident scientist. Her college-age daughter bakes up holiday memories in their river house. And Katie can’t wait to captain the boat parade and deliver Santa to the town dock on her new ferryboat.

But when the holiday-averse Deke flies south for the season and Santa goes swimming, Katie wonders if she needs a survival suit—or just a really strong cocktail—to weather midlife mayhem. Can the single mom save the holiday festival and salvage her belief in love?

With the help of the Beach Bonfire Babes, a dash of holiday magic, and a lot of heart, Katie just might navigate life’s choppy seas to kick off the town’s festival and get her perfect Christmas gift: a second chance at a forever love.