A Visit to the Dunes of Cape Cod

~ Cat

Hello everyone, and happy fall! I’m excited to share a little bit about the setting of my new modern Pride and Prejudice variation, Against Every Objection. But before I get to that, a little update! I still have very high hopes that this book will be released in October (you can read more about it here). It might be a Halloween read! But my goal is to get it to you this month, with a chance to pre-order before the release date. Here’s the gorgeous front cover, and the description of the book from the back cover:

Okay, let’s get to the setting!

Anyone who has read my books knows I’m pretty particular about where I set them—usually, it’s a location with which I’m somewhat familiar. This time around, I chose the vibrant coastal community of Provincetown, Massachusetts, which sits at the very tip of Cape Cod. Affectionately known as “P-town,” it’s a unique spot, and a character in its own right. It’s a place where art, history, and a rich sense of community come together against a backdrop of beautiful beaches, windswept sand dunes, and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a haven for artists, and its winding streets, colorful galleries, and bohemian vibe make it an excellent setting for a novel.

A central element of Against Every Objection is the existence of the historic dune shacks along the beaches that line the coast of the Atlantic. These rustic, weather-beaten structures—officially known as the “Dune Shacks of Peaked Hill Bars Historic District”—are tucked away in the sand dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore, and stretch from Provincetown to North Truro. Originally built by surf men, the shacks evolved into homes for artists and free spirits who sought solitude, inspiration, and a unique way of life. Unfortunately, these shacks are located on land managed by the National Park Service, and the NPS chose to evict some of the long-time tenants, in order to allow the public to bid on the leases.

I’ve placed this conflict at the center of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s relationship, though I’ve taken some creative license with it. The events in the story are fictionalized, but they’re heavily inspired by the real-life struggle of the artists who lived and worked in these shacks and who, in some cases, faced eviction and were forced to give up their leases.

Elizabeth is a local artist who calls one of these dune shacks home. For her, the shack is more than just a place to live; it’s a legacy, one steeped in history, and more than that, it’s a part of her soul, and is a symbol of her independence. As the story begins, she and eighteen other shack residents are facing a battle to stay in the homes they love; and when they decide to seek assistance from a law firm in Boston, who do you think is sent to help them? Of course you know! Fitzwilliam is a lawyer at his father’s firm, and is sent to P-town to take on the shack tenants’ pro bono case. Soon, Elizabeth and Darcy are not only fighting a legal battle; they’re also trying to navigate the intricacies of a relationship that is slowly turning from professional to personal.

I can’t wait for you to see Provincetown and its history through the eyes of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam, and experience how this unique setting shapes their lives and especially, their love!

Some other interesting facts about Provincetown:

  • The Pilgrims landed in P-town before they moved on to Plymouth a month later.
  • The town has a large Portuguese community, one with deep ties to the town’s fishing industry.
  • Provincetown has the highest rate of same-sex couples in the country, at 163.1 per 1000 households. Even today, it is one of the most popular places for couples in the LBGTQ+ community to marry—and sometimes put down roots, as many are drawn to the town’s sense of freedom and acceptance.
  • Provincetown’s history as one of the country’s largest art communities can be traced back to 1899; it is the oldest continuing art colony in the United States. Its charm has drawn in artists such as Mary Oliver, Stanley Kunitz, Louise Bryant, e.e. cummings, Jack Kerouac, Henry David Thoreau, Jackson Pollock, Norman Mailer, and many more.
  • Provincetown is considered the birthplace of modern American theater. The Provincetown Players was a theater group that contributed significantly to the development of Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, and Susan Glaspell.
  • Less than 4,000 residents stay through the winter; in the summer, the population can swell to as many as 90,000 during popular weeks.

For glimpses of Provincetown and the dune shacks, follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook, as I regularly post images of both. And to hear the playlist I’ve created to go along with Against Every Objection, be sure to visit my profiles on Spotify or Amazon Music.

Last but not least — show me some love! Leave a comment below to be entered to win an eBook of Against Every Objection! Contest is open worldwide, and the winner will be announced before the pre-order begins.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!

Cat

21 thoughts on “A Visit to the Dunes of Cape Cod”

  1. So looking forward to another story written by you. I have enjoyed all of your previous books and this one sounds like another gem. Congratulations on nearing the finish line!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Almost there, Cat! Excellent blog post. I love the rich history of Ptown, and while it’s been a very long time since I was there, my memories of it make my heart glad. I know everyone’s going to love your latest jewel. Congratulations! (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. yes! Not long now! I can’t wait to meet Darcy and Elizabeth in this book. 🙂 I’m hoping he’s successful in saving her home. What a lovely place to live, maybe they’ll get together and live there? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. I love that your places are real – I will visit your towns one day. Cape Cod, Maine, New England – all much higher on my list than they would have been had I not experienced them through your writings. And now Provincetown with undoubtedly be on the list too. Thank you

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I love that you want to visit all these places that you’ve come to know through my stories! That makes me happy, and I hope you get to see them someday! Thanks, Lynley.

      Like

      Reply

  9. One of my favorite things about all your books is how well you describe the settings. Not just physical descriptions, but also the feel of the places. In An Unexpected Harvest, I can feel the brisk air as we watch Darcy and Elizabeth look over the Berkshire Mountains. In the Sanctuary series, I can hear the hubbub of boats in the background as the ferry comes to shore. As a reader, I can always feel your connection to these places through your words and I really enjoyed this insight into the next book. Can’t wait for the release! Also, now I’m going down a rabbit hole learning about these poor artists!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Wow, thank you so much, Brittany. I always do my best to make the setting a character in its own right, and to make the reader feel like they’re right there with the characters, so knowing you feel that way means a great deal to me! I appreciate it so much. And on a side note – what happened to the artists in Provincetown is a travesty.

      Like

      Reply

  10. I can’t wait to learn about P-town and how ODC resolve their ethical and romantic quandary. I’ve read the Sanctuary series four or five times, so I’m thrilled that you have a new book coming. Oh, the anticipation!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It always gives me a thrill when I learn that someone has read Sanctuary more than once – it’s a long story! I hope you enjoy this new one just as much! Thanks, Joy!

      Like

      Reply
  11. Pingback: Against Every Objection is here! – Cat Andrews, Author

Leave a reply to Joy Cancel reply