The Shell Shop Sanctuary — Cindy Nichols

A viral rumor. A rare turtle. A beach town bracing for impact.When word of a possible rare sea turtle sighting near Pearl Beach hits the airwaves, the tiny Florida town is suddenly in the spotlight—and no one is more surprised than Kelsey and Lanie, who never meant to start a media frenzy. What began as a casual comment between sisters-in-law (one a marine biologist, the other a soon-to-be vet) turns into national news, sending eco-tourists, reporters, and hopeful adventurers flooding into town.As Dillon and Owen scramble to handle the surge of bookings for their eco-tours, Julia watches from the Shell Shop with a mix of pride and disbelief. After all, she's the one who taught her kids to rescue baby turtles and bottle-feed orphaned raccoons in the bathtub. Now her grown children are leading the next wave of conservation—and the whole country is watching.But as pressure builds and expectations rise, the truth becomes murkier. Was there really a rare turtle? Or just a story too good not to believe?With the town caught between protecting their wildlife and welcoming the boost in tourism, Pearl Beach must figure out how to balance fact, faith, and a whole lot of Florida-sized feelings.And in one quiet moment, a little boy named Thomas may discover something real—and decide that some miracles are better kept just between family.Return to Pearl Beach, where the wildlife is unpredictable, the community runs deep, and every tide brings a new adventure.