"Making your way in the world today, takes everything you've got/ Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot/ Wouldn't you like to get away/ Sometimes you want to go/ Where everybody knows your name/ And they're always glad you came." - "Where Everybody Knows Your Name", theme song to "Cheers"
Before I started writing the "Willow Ryan" series, I brainstormed to come up with a place that would welcome Willow and take her in like family. She needed somewhere to belong and have people look out for her even though she could take care of herself. With those thoughts in mind, the little town of Santa Elena was born.
Located on the Pacific Coast near Los Angeles, Santa Elena is a small multicultural community where kids ride their bikes through the streets, tourists come to shop, and groups of family and friends gather at the beach for bonfires every summer. It has a welcoming, small town feel and once you arrive you never want to leave.
Willow lives in a cozy yellow duplex a couple miles east of the ocean. The neighborhood is made up of mid-century ranch houses, and a variety of fruit and palm trees are sprinkled throughout the yards. On any given day you can walk down Oak Hill Lane and smell a barbeque going, hear children playing in their backyards, or maybe even hear one of your favorite classic rock songs floating out of the open windows of Willow's home.
On the other side of Santa Elena you will find the eclectic downtown shopping district, home to the baby boutique Two Peas in a Pod, owned by Peggy Maguire, Willow's friend, boss, and, as Willow puts it, her fairy godmother in disguise. As the series goes on, readers are introduced to the toy shop, Thyme to Play, and the one-of-a-kind dress shop, Time in a Bottle, owned by a unique hippie that may not have a good memory but always an interesting story to tell. You are guarenteed to find something you love when shopping in the downtown boutiques.
Locals know that the waves can't be beat in Santa Elena, so there are always diehard surfers out in the Pacific throughout the year, including Denny, who grew up riding the waves and often has his lime green surfboard hanging out of the back of his station wagon.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your beach chair and let's hit the sand in Santa Elena! We'll get some lunch from Paco's Tacos and then join Willow and the gang for a beach party full of music, laughter, and great friends. Enjoy the trip!
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