Local Author Chooses South Beach Place for Book Release
South Beach Place is chosen once again as an oasis for creative minds to celebrate the fruits of their labor. This month we were proud to host the release party for Bitter Betty, a children’s book written by one of our regular guests, Sophie Julin. Vero neighbors, if the name rings a bell, perhaps you know her work. Her weekly dispatches in local circular Lemmon Lines cover the goings-on of shops and restaurants around Vero. Lemmon Lines also features her blog series, Sophie Savors.
“I have always identified with the phrase ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ So, when I met Russ Lemmon (the publisher of Lemmon Lines) it really was just the perfect fit. He and I are a great team,” says Julin.
The book release party took place in the Starbright room. With its collection of vintage sunburst mirrors, it couldn’t have been a better choice for the sunny yellow theme Julin chose for the event.
“South Beach Place, I feel, has the perfect vibe for any event. It's laid back but the aesthetic never disappoints!”
The author greeted guests in a citrus print, tea length dress, topping her look with a lemon-yellow beret. The fruity theme is a nod to Indian River County’s famous abundance of citrus farms. As a returning guest of South Beach Place, Julin felt right at home.
“My first stay at South Beach Place was 8 years ago for my engagement party. My whole family stayed, and we all fell in love with it. Ever since then, I've put my family up there each time they stay in Vero.”
Bitter Betty is Julin’s first book. The story deals with the emotional consequences of a childhood cut short by adversity and how the power of kindness and community can help heal that inner child.
“When you're forced to grow up too fast, it plants a bitter seed inside you. The only way to overcome that is to come at things from a place of love. I've been fortunate enough to have a lot of people like that in my life.”
The triumphant story of Bitter Betty is brough to life by illustrator Elizabeth Popova, who’s artwork features Julin’s adorable, dewy-eyed fruit characters against stylized landscapes with the grainy texture and vibrant palette reminiscent of iconic Disney artist Mary Blair.
You can get your copy of Bitter Betty right here at South Beach Place or order it online here. Congratulations, Sophie!
