Brunswick, Georgia, is a peninsula called The City by the Sea.  The marshes buffer this mainland from the coastal barrier islands of St. Simons and Jekyll and are separated by St. Simons Sound.  The town is laid out in a grid repeat pattern of regularly spaced squares and town lots, similar to Savannah.

Coming from St. Simons and going over the Causeway, it's a short drive to the Historic District of downtown Brunswick located on Newcastle Street.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I liked it.  Greenery, trees, squares, shops and a few restaurants and cafes line the street.  Many have canvas colored awnings hanging over the shops. 

I particularly liked those squares dotted here and there along Newcastle Street.  A nice place with grass and benches to enjoy the feel of the town.  Duncan and Brie liked it there also.

At the end of Newcastle was Hanover Park.  Very picturesque with a fountain and brick walkways. And of course the graceful Spanish moss hanging from the trees.

Surrounding the perimeter of the park were beautifully maintained older homes.  Not condos.  Real houses.  I especially fell in love with this one......The Burroughs/Hazlehurst House.  Designed and built by Dr. William Berrien Burroughs, this lovely older home was owned in the late 1880's by members of the Hazlehurst family and in more recent years by former Mayor and Mrs. Clyde Taylor Jr.  An excellent example of the Victorian-era style, it has a mansard roof creating a roomy third floor.  My imagination as a writer could run wild with this house.  How I wish I could have stepped over the threshold.  Those of you that know me know I have this thing about older houses in picturesque areas.  Oh, the stories I'm sure they could tell.

I resonated with this town.  It just plain felt good being there and gave me a good sense of place.  Adding to this feeling even more was when I discovered Hattie's Books on Newcastle Street.  Even the outside had an eclectic feel about it. 

Wandering through the door I was greeted by Mr. Wiggles, the owner's adorable Miniature Schnauzer.  I asked the woman behind the counter if she was "Hattie" and she told me no, she was Marcia, the owner.  "Hattie" had been the mother of the previous owner.  I stood there looking around and I'm sure I must have let out a deep sigh.  Shelves were filled with books, artfully arranged tables held more books, an alcove had what seemed to be the children's area and a grandmother knelt on the floor beside her grandson leafing through a book placed on a big cushy hassock.  Oh, yeah, this was my kind of place.  Marcia has an extensive selection of books by local authors, in addition to many others and while you're browsing, you can even enjoy a cup of coffee from their cafe.

I told Marcia I was looking for a book on Brunswick, something that would give me even more of a feel for the town and the history.  She led me directly to the shelves that had what I was looking for.....a great selection of regional history books.  One in particular was on order and she graciously agreed to ship a copy to me when it arrives.

 In the course of our conversation, I told her I was an author, explained about my two-book contract from Kensington and that SPINNING FORWARD would be released in October.  By the time I left the shop, we had exchanged business cards and emails and I'm very much looking forward to returning there for a book signing. 

I was so captivated with both Marcia and her shop, I neglected to take any photos inside, much to my disappointment.  I did return there again on Friday (the day after Christmas) to find a sign on the door that she was closed both Christmas day and Friday.  However, you can "visit" her shop by clicking the link I gave you above, and I'm already looking forward to returning there for my signing.

So yes, Brunswick was my favorite place that we visited and if you're in the area, I strongly suggest you stop by.  And don't forget to pop into Hattie's Books and see Marcia and Mr. Wiggles.

Join me here next time and I'll share some thoughts with you about this past week that have been going round in my head................