Portsmouth
Spies, U-Boats, and Romance on the Outer Banks
Portsmouth is set on the North Carolina Outer Banks in 1942 during the Battle of the Atlantic when German U-boats operated freely off the east coast of North Carolina. Two German U-Boats were sunk off the North Carolina Coast that spring, the U-85 and the U-352. We follow Kurt Sanger, a German who came ashore on the Outer Banks and falls in love with a local girl while on a spy mission.
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Southport
A Story of Second Chances
Set in the historic Southport waterfront area of North Carolina, Southport is a journey through loss, betrayal and pain into redemption and second chances. It is the road to the kind of love that saves a life and to the joy that's still there even when all seems lost.
Southport is the story of Todd Field, who as a young man leaves his home on a tobacco farm for the love of the North Carolina coast. He leaves behind a family cycle of alcohol, violence, and abuse. Set on Bald Head Island and along the historic Southport waterfront area during the 1970s and 1980s, the story tells of Todd's journey through loss, betrayal, and pain to redemption and second chances.
Ocracoke Between the Storms
A Story of Love and Healing on the Outer Banks
After losing his beloved wife three months earlier, Luke Harrison plans to end his tormented life by walking into the surf at the southern end of Ocracoke Island. But retiree Hank Kilgo has a different plan for the young Luke. After rescuing Luke from drowning, Hank brings him home to his wife Cora. Cora sees her own son in Luke and immediately starts to rekindle Luke's will to live.
Over the next two years, Luke comes to know the permanent residents as well as the seasonal workers who staff the local bars, restaurants, and summer attractions during Ocracoke's tourist season. As he gets to know the people of Ocracoke, he is drawn to their strong sense of community and admires their close ties to nature. His newfound friends quickly expose him to all the local entertainment options, which range from bonfires on the beach at night and day trips to the Vera Cruz sandbar to clamming, scalloping, and fishing. He also learns about the long history of the island as well as the current controversies that dominate local politics.
As time passes, the magic of Ocracoke and its people begin to heal Luke's wounds. He finally arrives at a point in his life where he realizes that he has been given a second chance at life and vows to start his life anew.
Edward P. Norvell is an attorney working for nonprofit land trusts across North Carolina. He is the author of two previous novels set on the coast of North Carolina—Southport and Portsmouth. He splits his time between his homes in Salisbury, N.C., and on Ocracoke Island.