When I was kicking around ideas for the hero in my new book, Sunrise Surf, releasing July 31, I decided to make him a surfer, mostly because I’d chosen the book title last year and wanted surf to have some significance to the story.
However, I wanted the hero to be a guy with integrity who can carry a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.
Just before I started writing this book, the news featured details about a huge multistate drug bust that has been dubbed the largest fentanyl bust in DEA history. That gave me the idea to have Logan be a state police officer working undercover as the laid-back, no-cares-in-the-world surfer named Bodhi.
The only problem with making him a surfer was that I knew nothing about it, except how much I smile when I hear the song “Wipe Out,” which really doesn’t count for anything.
So, I started doing research about surfing and learned about waves, boards, surfer slang, sharks in Oregon (ack!), and wetsuits.
I’m a very visual learner. I wanted to watch a documentary or movie about surfing. I stumbled across Chasing Mavericks, a 2012 American biographical drama film about the life of American surfer Jay Moriarity.
Not only did I learn about surfing, I learned about someone who impacted the lives around him. Jay was a 15-year-old surfing phenomenon who wanted to ride the Mavericks surf break in California, one of the biggest waves on Earth. He trained with surfing legend Frosty Hesson, and a photo of his wipeout on the Mavericks became the cover of a surfing magazine. Jay went on to become an accomplished surfer, waterman, and adventurer. The day before his twenty-third birthday, he was free-diving in the Maldives and died. No one is sure what happened. In honor of his life, of the inspiration he gave to the people he encountered, a Live Like Jay movement began.
Live Like Jay embodies living a life of passion, positivity, and authenticity.
The thing about this movie that I randomly decided to watch is that I unknowingly watched it on the anniversary of his death date. It gave me goose bumps when I started doing research about Jay Moriarity the next day, which would have been his birthday. Even typing that just gave me goose bumps.
By now, you are wondering what an undercover state police office pretending to be a surfer has to do with anything western.
Well, not a lot, except Logan, the hero, grew up on a ranch in Central Oregon and our surfing cowboy still loves to rope and ride any chance he gets.
I hope you’ll check out Sunrise Surf!
When a police officer posing as a surfer and a doctor wading through the unchartered waters of parenting a teen join forces to dismantle a drug operation, anything is possible.
Oregon State Police Officer Logan Wright swaps his badge for a board, posing undercover as a homeless surfer to infiltrate a deadly drug ring. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Seaside’s rugged coastline, he struggles with his dual life, especially after meeting a beautiful doctor who turns his head and touches his heart. Troubled by the fine line between duty and authenticity, Logan fears sharing the truth of his identity will drive her away.
Laken Hayes is a devoted doctor, fiercely protective of her teenage nephew, and determined to keep her hectic life in balance. But when a free-spirited surfer enters her world, nothing will ever be the same. Unexpectedly drawn to the charismatic man, Laken finds joy in his upbeat outlook on life while inadvertently becoming entangled in the web of Logan’s mission.
As their connection deepens and mysteries unravel, Logan faces a heart-wrenching dilemma: will he continue the deception to protect his cover or reveal his true self to the woman who has captured his heart?
Join Logan and Laken as they navigate a tide of secrets, false identities, and a wave of fast-moving danger in Sunrise Surf, a wholesome small-town romance that proves love may be the ultimate risk worth taking.
I found the idea of Live Like Jay so inspiring.
What is a slogan, saying, or something that has inspired you?
Sounds cool, kinda like Point Break.
She believed she could, so she did.
I love that saying, and even have a sign in my office with it!
I have it on a bracelet.
I struggled as a young mom of 3, some days were just overwhelming. I had a wonderful Christian woman who became my spiritual mom and she would often tell me “this too shall pass”. A few years after she and my own mom had passed away, I heard the saying a bit differently – “this too shall pass,like a kidney stone, but it will pass”. Life hasn’t always been easy but God has always been faithful. So when the days are hard I remind myself that no matter how painful it is, it won’t last forever.
I loved reading what you shared! Thank you for that. God is so faithful, and I like that reminder that “this too shall pass.” Hard times never last, but God’s love always does.
The title of a song is “Live Like You Were Dying”. That’s what I thought about when I read your story. Apparently, the gentleman had cancer, and he wanted to do all he could do while he was still alive. He wanted to do things that he had never done. The words have a lot of meaning to me.
It’s an amazing thought – to live like you were dying. I think I’d be so much more willing to take risks and do big, brave, bold things, and I’d be so much more grateful for every sunrise and sunset. It’s a meaningful way to live.
Sounds like a fantastic read!
Thank you so much!
This sounds like an awesome book.
Thank you, Rhonda! Have a lovely day!
Shanna- I love your plot and inspiration. You come up with the most unique sensations to write about. I know this will be a best seller for you.
On the slogan, I have one that’s a family joke: my dad entered a PRCA Rodeo (this was in the 80’s), and won the calf roping, instead of Money as the prize they gave out McDonald coupons for free Hamburgers (I kid you not), so my dad off the cuff said, “Who’d of thought it, Hamburgers bought it!!”
So until this day, it’s a joke was all say.
Have a great day and thanks for sharing your new book.
Oh, my goodness! Hamburger coupons for the prize? Wow! That is so funny about what he said, and how it because a family joke. Love that!
Thank you for your kind words about the book!
Enjoy your day!
Sounds super and is so far. I am pre-reading this book and always look forward to reading any and all of Shanna’s books. Sweet read with some action as well.
I’m so glad you are enjoying it, Judy. Thank you so much fort reading it!
“Be kind! You don’t know what burden the other person is carrying”. Just started reading the ARC.
That is such a good saying and reminder! Thank you!
And I hope you enjoy the story! Thanks for reading it!
There are a few slogans that stick in my mind. When we had a church conference i spoke to the congregation and said “we are all responsible for what happens here, so for this week, if you see something that needs to be done, JUST DO IT.” I loved this book and my favorite quote is from Jake when he told Laken and Logan “talk, listen, forgive.” One other is from a Liz Isaacson book, Jem, who is recovering from addiction and his mantra is “slow down, calm down, kneel down”. I remind myself of that sometimes.
Hi Elaine!
Oh, that was great what you shared at the conference.
And I’m so glad you loved the book. I liked that quote from Jake, too!
And such a great reminder to slow down, calm down, kneel down. I love that!
Have a beautiful day!
Two “slogans” I use with the kids at school that makes them stop and think are from well known college coaches. I have both posted above my desk at home so I see them every day.
“Beat that little voice in your mind that says you can’t do it.” Joe Tiller former Purdue head football coach.
The other is from John Wooden, former UCLA head basketball coach. “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over.”
Those are both fantastic quotes, Carol. Love them both! Thank you for sharing them and for popping in today!
Your book sounds fabulous. Do it right the first time then you don’t have to do it again.
This book sounds great. Can’t wait to read it.
My Daddy always taught us, “you are just as good as anybody else, BUT, you are no better.
“Poor but proud!” Much of my college career was aided by scholarships, for which I was grateful; several of my dormmates were in the same boat and we coined the phrase as a joke, since we were getting the same dorm accommodations and food as those whose families could actually afford the tariff. Other than wearing Sears versus Nieman Marcus wardrobes, (and Levis are Levis!) it truly wasn’t an issue, but we had a lot of fun with it.
I went to Seaside H.S. and remember the surfers–usually too cold and rough along there for swimming. Love your research expose’!
[p.s. sent you a DM]
Growing up in FL, I’ve never surfed!! However, I did know about surfing, and love watching surfing movies!
Be All that You Can Be, Where there’s a will there is a way, and also Do the very Best you can in Everything that you do Your book sounds like a great read. I got to see surfers in Calif. , Hawaii and in Puerto Rico. Your book sounds like a Great read! I enjoyed reading your post. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
A slogan I’ve always found inspired me and motivated me is NEVER GIVE UP!!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths. God bless you.
This should be an interesting change of pace with your hero riding the waves instead of his horse. It sounds good.
I don’t have any particular motto that I can think of. I was taught and live by the code of helping those who need it whenever I can.
The book sounds incredible! I’m really looking forward to reading it. I saw this going around Facebook, “If at first you don’t succeed, try doing it the way your mom told you” I just love that!