A Curse for True Love, written by Anabelle Jones, explores the concept of love and the unforeseen consequences it can bring. This captivating novel takes readers on a journey filled with romance, mystery, and a touch of magic. The story revolves around the protagonist, Emma, a young woman who has always dreamed of finding true love. However, her desires are complicated by a family curse that has haunted generations before her. According to the curse, any member of her family who falls in love is doomed to suffer heartbreak and tragedy. As Emma embarks on her quest for love, she encounters various challenges and obstacles that test her resilience.
Carmel is small (only one square mile) but it is loaded with charm and interest. The town is also known for being one of the most dog friendly towns in the world thanks in part to the actress and dog activist, Doris Day. Over 20 years ago she and a partner opened the most famous dog friendly hotel of all, Cypress Inn. The Inn not only welcomes dogs but also has a “dog parade” each night in the hotel lobby! Many other hotels, restaurants, and stores welcome them as well. There are adorable dogs everywhere you go!
The restaurant s interior is decorated with antique copper walls and the patio is literally a forest of beautiful gardens surrounded by a canopy of pine trees and vines. I found a card on the bed that said in addition to the usual attention paid to environmentally conscious practices, they d also separate newspapers, cardboard and bottles for recycling.
As Emma embarks on her quest for love, she encounters various challenges and obstacles that test her resilience. The author beautifully crafts a complex plotline filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Is true love truly possible for Emma, or will she fall victim to the curse? Jones expertly delves into the depths of human emotions, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of choice.
Hyatt Highland Inn: The Gateway to Big Sur
Have you watched Big Little Lies? In case you were wondering, the Monterey area really is that beautiful in real life. We drove Route 1, which always takes longer than the highway but comes with sweeping views of the ocean, so it makes for a nice Saturday morning drive. Dotted along the coast around Santa Cruz you’ll start to find roadside vendors selling cherries, 5 avocados for a $1, strawberries and other fresh, tasty things. We stopped on a blustery scenic overlook to snap up a big bag of cherries to snack on.
Further down you’ll go through Santa Cruz, a beach town famous for it’s boardwalk and surfers. Then you’ll pass through the dunes of Sand City and pop out the other end in Monterey. A lot of cars are focused on getting to one of two places: The Monterey Bay Aquarium or Pebble Beach. Instead, we drove past and kept heading south towards Carmel-by-the-sea, a quaint seaside village with old world charm and some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. But, instead of stopping there, we kept on driving a few miles out of town to the Carmel highlands. Here the coast line gets hilly and more wooded. The road takes you up and up and soon you’re quite a ways up on the edge, weaving your way through the hills and looking down at the rocky yet incredibly blue waters below. It’s here at the gateway to Big Sur that the Hyatt Highland Inn has sat for the past 100 years, complete with three hot tubs, a heated pool, two fire pits, spacious rooms and a world-class restaurant with tall glass ceilings and a stunning view to watch the sunset over the water each night.
soon you’re quite a ways up on the edge, weaving your way through the hills and looking down at the rocky yet incredibly blue waters below.
The Highlands Inn is a unique hotel in Carmel for two reasons. First, it’s very large. Most hotels in the Carmel area are small (yet charming) but don’t pack exactly the same sprawling “wow” factor as the Highland Inn. Second, it’s a fun combo of a timeshare and hotel. Because of this, you’ll find a nice mix of regulars who come back again and again next to visitors experiencing the beauty of the property for the very first time. We checked into a suite that I think could have easily been bigger than our San Francisco studio. The fireplace was all set up and more wood could be found a few steps outside our door if we needed it. I was eyeing the jacuzzi for later and Robin couldn’t get enough of the view from the porch. There were so many corners to explore, so many paths to turn with a surprise view of the water that we almost didn’t know what to do first, but decided on taking a dip in the hot tub before heading to dinner.
While the dining room was quite just hours before, now it was buzzing with people and all heads were turned towards to ocean. We were lucky and had a window seat, allowing us to see the waves crashing on the rocks below and take in all the colors of the sunset. We had the chef do a surprise menu for us. He’s vegan, by the way, but you’d never know because he has such a command over flavors. We started with cooked beets paired with goat cheese along with tender octopus on a bed of purple and yellow potatoes. This was Robin’s favorite dish, which was surprising because he usually doesn’t like calamari or octopus, which shows how well this dish was cooked. Next was tuna tartare which was paired with a delightful sauce that added spice and slight note of citrus. We also got our dose of veggies with a toasty bed of brussels sprouts sprinted with peanuts. I can never cook brussels sprouts well, so I’m always excited to eat them by someone who does. The main course was buttery scallops paired with cauliflower for a touch of crunch. This dish has an incredible red pepper and tomato puree to dip the scallops in.
Then, the show stopper for me: the brisket with risotto. Man oh man, was this a meal going down in the history books as one of the best dishes I’ve ever had.
First, the brisket was tender flaky, but not dry. Very important. I kept stealing Robin’s share of risotto – I’m pretty sure it was a real parmesan risotto because that sharpness of cheese that I love so much was strong and bold. I could have eaten an entire bowl of this creamy goodness. Make sure to order this when visiting. While we were stuffed to the brim, we ordered a bread pudding anyways and ended the meal on a sweet yet salty note. When we sat down at our table, the sun was shinning and the waters were blue. By the end, we watched the sun sink over the horizon and left to dark skies and beautiful stars on our walk back up to our room.
We checked out the next morning and headed home. This weekend getaway was all about relaxing, but if this is your first time to Monterey and Carmel, set aside a couple of days to soak it all in.
Here’s some actives you can do:
- Big Sur: Further south about 10 miles is the famous Brixby Bridge on the edge of Big Sur. Last year there was a huge fire in the area, so many roads in and our of Big Sur are closed, but if you find a way to get in, I’d highly recommend hiking or camping in the area.
- Wine Tasting: From tasting rooms in Carmel to wineries in the mountains, there are plenty of options to spend an afternoon sipping excellent blends.
- Carmel Beach: If you are looking for a present beach to spend the day at, head to the Carmel Beach. Stick around for the sunset – you won’t be disappointed! Learn more here.
- Shopping: From Lush to Coach, Ocean Ave, the main street running through Carmel is home to a wonderful shopping district. There’s also cute ice-cream and coffee shops along the way to settle any shopping hungers you get!
- 17 Mile Drive: For just $10, you can purchase a pass to drive the famous 17 mile drive along pebble beach. You can read more about that here. It’s stunning and a MUST for everyone’s bucket list.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium & Cannery Row: This aquarium is pretty cool. It can get a bit crowded on weekends, but it’s large and sprawling with fun exhibits. IT’s not he edge of Canary Row, so make sure to walk up and down it before you leave!
I hope that helps you plan your visit to the Monterey Area. Leave a comment below if you have questions or anything to add!
Thank you to Hyatt Highlands Inn for providing a complimentary stay.
Kara
I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul (this blog you're reading!) I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others. You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, kayaking, cooking with my husband, petting strangers' dogs or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration!
I didn’t even need the binoculars to see Sea Otters floating on their backs, seals and other wildlife.
As Emma navigates the treacherous waters of romance, readers are left questioning whether she will break free from the curse or succumb to its fateful grip. The writing style of A Curse for True Love is both eloquent and evocative. Jones skillfully paints vivid imagery, immersing readers in the captivating world she has created. The dialogue is engaging, and the characters are well-developed, each with their own unique motivations and conflicts. Throughout the book, Jones seamlessly weaves elements of fantasy and magic into the narrative, adding an enchanting and ethereal dimension to the story. This blend of genres makes A Curse for True Love a captivating read for fans of both romance and fantasy. In conclusion, A Curse for True Love takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring the perils and triumphs of love. Anabelle Jones skillfully crafts a narrative filled with intrigue, magic, and unforgettable characters. Whether you believe in curses or not, this novel will leave you questioning the true nature of love and the sacrifices we make for it..
Reviews for "The Curse's Origins: Unraveling the Mystery in A Curse for True Love"
- Sarah - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "A Curse for True Love". The plot was predictable and lacked any originality. The characters were one-dimensional and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The writing style was also quite dull and didn't keep my interest. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and engaging love story.
- John - 2 stars
I couldn't get into "A Curse for True Love". The pacing was incredibly slow and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the characters' emotions. The ending was also underwhelming and left me unsatisfied. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
- Emily - 2 stars
I regret wasting my time reading "A Curse for True Love". The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. The story was filled with cliches and I felt like I was reading a predictable and generic love story. I also found the writing to be quite mediocre, with repetitive phrases and a lack of descriptive language. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and original romance novel.