Together the Smiths have created several successes in business, writing, and photography.

In 2010, their publishing company, Smithwrights, produced their first novel, "Endangered," and two editions of "Winning Wines." In 2007, "Focus on the Foothills," a 100-page photobook was released. Peel Books brought out their first children’s book, "ABC All American Riddles;" it won a 2005 Children’s Choice Award. Distributed by McGraw-Hill, their two retirement books are "The Retirement Sourcebook" and "101 Secrets for a Great Retirement." Globe Pequot released the couple’s two camping guides, "Camp the U.S. for $5 or Less: Western States" then, "Eastern-Midwestern States."

In addition, the Smiths have published articles and photographs in numerous newspapers and magazines. While living in Tryon, NC, they have interviewed and photographed local artists for the “Arts & More” column of the "Tryon Daily Bulletin," then, a bi-monthly column on how to “Live Simply with Style.”

Mara holds a B.A. in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Ford has a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Education with emphasis in Counseling from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He founded COMPUTE!, one of the first personal computer training facilities in the country. After selling that business, he established then directed all training for Queens Compute at Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Melanie Parker Evans lost her husband, son and parents in an automobile accident that left her in a coma. After dealing with doctors and therapists, Melanie decides to go to the island that her family owns off the Georgia coast. Her brother Ashley is not happy about her decision to visit their aunt Patrice. Upon arriving, Melanie meets a developer that is interested in buying and developing the family island. She then meets a researcher that her family has been funding, a desalination project. Before long the study group comes to the island to watch the loggerhead turtles arrive. Melanie decides to go out with the study group and help them with their research. She and Patrice spend time reading the old family journals. Melanie also gets reacquainted with one of her childhood friends. Before leaving New York, Melanie had been mugged. Not long after coming to the island, her co-op apartment was robbed. Then, during a fire, she is knocked unconscious. She begins to believe that someone is trying to kill her. When she voices her concern to researcher Grant and the Fish and Game warden, they don't seem to take her seriously. Too many things happened, and when she sees a suspicious shrimping boat she decides she can't be too careful.

This was a very interesting book, taking place not far from where I live. I enjoyed reading about the loggerhead turtles and the way they are researched and watched. The story is very good and keeps your interest until the very end. There are several other underlying stories. Reading about the Gullah culture was very informative and seeing their part written in their words was a plus. There had to be a lot of research done to put this book together and it was worth the effort.