Category Archives: Summer

Livin’ Easy in the Summertime

By | | , , ,
9 Comments

Honestly, as far as weather, I’m a spring and fall kinda girl. Don’t like to sunflowersbe too hot, or too cold. I know, picky, picky, picky. BUT, there are two things that absolutely mean summer to me, and I love them both. One is cookouts and the other is auto racing. It can be any kind, I’m not picky about that.

I love cars. Even as a little girl. I think I went to my first car race at about eight, and I still remember being fascinated by the fast, shiny cars and all the noise they made. That hasn’t changed.

Although I enjoy the beach and the pool, I don’t get there much because I’m so fair, I get sun poisoning at the drop of a hat. So I tend to do activities with more clothes than less. But that’s okay. My friends don’t care what I wear, and that’s just the best.

We have several couple friends and during the summer we get together often. Almost every weekend it seems, we’re enjoying a cookout at someone’s house, or they are coming to ours. We’re all meeting at some race track somewhere or all grouping up to ride together to go watch someone, or just be spectators. Some of the couples are drag racers, some race dirt tracks, some are asphalt racers, and of course we’re all fans of F1, Rally Cars, NASCAR, and World of Outlaws, so we always have some sort of good natured rivalry going on as well.

At our homes everything is casual because we’ve all known each other for a while, and it’s just so relaxing! There’s nothing better than a hot dog, or a burger, a cold beer or a glass of wine, good conversation about every possible topic, and people that care enough to listen. And the jokes! Holy smokes, the guys can get going with them. Sometimes I laugh until I cry.

Even if we have different opinions about things, we all respect each other enough to honor someone else’s thoughts on a subject and either consider changing our viewpoint, or realize that we love each other even though we don’t agree.

It sounds like such a commercial, but to me summer really is good food, good friends, and good times.

What’s your favorite summertime activity?

Don’t forget, every comment is entered to win a GC to Amazon! + a copy of Nina Croft’s July release, Losing Control.

About Beth Rhodes

Beth jumps into life with both feet...or head first. Impulsive and spontaneous to a T, she joined Passionate Critters and never looked back. She loves writing and reading, which made this wonderful group of woman a perfect match for her.

Guest Post — Christy Gissendaner

By | | ,
14 Comments

Summer…is there anything better? The humid days and sweltering temperatures of the Deep South are quite an experience. Not even Vegas in 106 degree weather can compare. Trust me, I’ve been there! But there is one thing I love about summer and that’s the summer blockbusters. Independence Day? Armageddon? Yes, I was sitting there on the front row on opening night.

            This year, I haven’t made it to the theater as much as I would like. Fast and the Furious is actually the only movie I made it to this summer. But oh…how it was worth it! When The Rock was added to the franchise in the last movie, I thought nothing could top it. But as the movie drew to a close on the last minute of the latest, I got the shock of my life.

I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t seen the movie, but they topped it. They fricking topped it. All I want to know is how long I have to wait until the next one. Three of my top five actors sharing the big screen? Testosterone, baby, and I can’t wait!

I’m still under the impression that the producers are somehow tapping into my brainwaves. Seriously…all we need is LL Cool J and Justin Timberlake to make a cameo and I’d be in hog heaven.

Hear that Hollywood big shots? I want LL and Justin. No need to perform undercover mindreading on me. I’ll just put that out there for ya’ll.

So what is it about this franchise that makes bank? There’s a science to it I’m sure. Hot cars? Check. Hot girls? Check check. Hot men? (fanning self) Do I really need to answer that? But there’s got to be more, right? Certainly not the unbelievable, never happen in a million years, stunts. Right? I’m still chuckling over the fact that a car could bring down a plane. Although I guess it’s understandable. If you told me The Rock and Vin Diesel were in a plane a few feet above my head, I’d probably do whatever it took to bring it down too. ; )

So are there any other fans of Fast here? If so, let me hear your excitement. And, as the hubby constantly reminds me, we haven’t seen near enough movies lately. What’s your pick for the best summer blockbuster?

~*~*~

coverC.GissendanerA Touch of Sin
Out of Bounds Book One

Book Description:

Julie Hendricks is a thirty-year-old workaholic who goes to her friend’s bar to meet him for a drink. It’s her first night out in years, and she envisions a normal evening. Instead, she meets Sin, a sexy karaoke DJ who’s not what he seems, and her idea of normal goes completely out the window.

Sin is actually Taliesin, the Welsh god of music and wisdom. For fun, he helps his old college football buddy at the local bar, Out of Bounds. His buddy’s prim friend captures his attention, and he soon reveals more of himself than he usually does.

Julie’s attraction to Sin is immediate, even though she doubts she could ever please a god. When her friend’s business is threatened, Julie must help hunt down the enemy while resisting falling in love with the dangerously intriguing Sin.

http://www.lsbooks.com/christy-gissendaner-c81.php 

Christy Gissendaner is a romantic comedy author and believes that laughter and love should go hand in hand.

Christy lives in Alabama with her husband and three sons. She is always hard at work on her next novel, but in her spare time she loves blackjack, karaoke, and anything resembling a vacation!

To find out more, please visit

http://christygissendaner.webs.com

http://www.twitter.com/christygis

http://www.facebook.com/christygis

http://www.goodreads.com/christygissendaner

~*~*~

Don’t forget, every comment is entered to win a GC to Amazon! + a copy of Nina Croft’s July release, Losing Control.

About Beth Rhodes

Beth jumps into life with both feet...or head first. Impulsive and spontaneous to a T, she joined Passionate Critters and never looked back. She loves writing and reading, which made this wonderful group of woman a perfect match for her.

Home or Away?

By | | , , ,
7 Comments
Home

Home

Someone recently asked me—if I could go anywhere this summer, where would I like to go? I answered—can I stay at home, please?

But then, I’m writing this sitting in the shade of an almond tree on a mountain overlooking the Mediterranean. It’s the middle of a Spanish summer, it’s hot, and I love it!

Summer is my favorite time of year.

I come from the north of England. Growing up, I yearned for the sun, and when I started reading romances in my early teens, I was always drawn to the ones with hot, sultry settings and with tall, dark, handsome heroes; Greeks, Italians, Spaniard’s, all hot-blooded and spectacularly rich (owning their own island always helps). I dreamed of Spanish summers and of one day lying on a sun-kissed Mediterranean beach with a stunningly gorgeous, very-nearly-naked hero of my own. He’d be all golden skin and rippling muscles, and one look from his dark eyes would melt me into a puddle in the sand.

So, at eighteen I headed south in search of a real summer.

I never found my Mediterranean hero, but I did find a lovely English guy instead. We spent a lot of time travelling when I was younger but when it came to settling down, it was hardly surprising that I ended up not far from the Mediterranean. In fact, I now live on a farm in the mountains of Southern Spain, which looks down onto the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s a remote area of mountains and steep rugged gorges, where mules still plough the small vineyards, and mains electricity is something they have in the towns. We have no near neighbors and the nearest shop is nearly an hour away. I share the farm with my husband, my horse, two goats, four dogs, three cats, a three-legged Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, and a handful of chickens (so it’s just as well we like staying at home).

I love the area, the people, the food, the fiestas, and the summers…

It’s also a fabulously inspiring place and it’s not unsurprising that I now find a few of those smoldering heroes slipping into my own work.
Even in my science fiction romance, Break Out, which takes place over a thousand years in the future, and in a distant solar system, the hero, Ricardo Sanchez, comes from Spain. And he’s hot—just like the summers here.

LC_500 (1) (1)

 

 

So where would you spend your ideal summer…home or somewhere more exotic? And who would you spend it with? Let me know and all comments will be entered into a draw to win a $5 gift card and an ecopy of my soon to be released contemporary romance, Losing Control.

About Nina Croft

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain. Nina writes all types of romance often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

Summer?! Really?

By | | , , ,
14 Comments

summer2For the first time in many, many years I am working a full-time job during the summer months.  I have been fortunate up until now to have been able to spend the time at home with my kiddos while enjoying the activities that go along with the heat and lack of a schedule.  Luckily, not sure if it can be considered luck or not, I am off work for the rest of this week so I can deal with storm damage issues.  And yes, the little man and I are trying to squeeze in a summer activity or two while I’m home.  Thankfully my new job has a great benefit package but with being a new employee…I will have to wait quite awhile before I can actually take time off for pleasure.  No vacation for us this year.

So what am I missing?  To be honest…nothing I can’t actually do after work or on the weekends.  I do miss being able to shop for groceries without dealing with being run over by wild weekend crowds.  And yes, I do miss being able to sleep in and wear my jammies all day.  I miss not being able to get lost in my current work-in-progress and write when inspiration strikes.  By the time I get home from work I’m scrambling to make dinner and/or do any cleaning or activities we have scheduled.  I am lucky though to have a cowboy who isn’t scared to wash a dish, or two, and help with whatever it is I’m trying to cram in before bedtime.

Long story made short?  Summer?!  The only difference for me now is that it’s hot.  Really, REALLY hot.  And we grill outside more to keep from heating up the house with the use of the stove or oven.  Oh…and swim.  *deep sigh*  Which means more work with cleaning the pool.  Is there anyone else out there sharing my misery?! I won’t try to show my jealousy (too much) if you tell me about the wonderful family vacation you have planned.  😉  Enjoy your summer!  I’m ready for fall and FOOTBALL!!

About Beth Rhodes

Beth jumps into life with both feet...or head first. Impulsive and spontaneous to a T, she joined Passionate Critters and never looked back. She loves writing and reading, which made this wonderful group of woman a perfect match for her.

Summer Schedules

By | | , , , ,
13 Comments

 

dreamstimefree_102201Summer is my favorite season, but as much as I love it, my writing does go down because I’m constantly running kids to the beach or camps or trying to adjust to NOT having a schedule.  But this summer I’m on a mission to finish my manuscript and have it subbed by the end of July (Or early August)

*cough cough*

Anyhew, this self-imposed deadline has forced me to do a few things differently in order to meet my goal.

Here’s what has helped me:

1) I get up earlier. Having a new puppy has certainly helped with that respect, but I found it’s a GREAT time to get some needed editing or writing done while the kiddo is sleeping in.

2) I exercise more. What? Yes, this actually has given me more energy and my mind seems to be in better focus in the early morning.

3) I cut my blogging schedule. As much as I enjoy reading and writing blogs, that is A LOT of time to use that I don’t have until the fall. And guess what? I still have my bloggy friends and my sales have not been affected.

4) I cut my Facebook time. Yes, I like Facebook and I like all my Facebook friends. But I check in ONCE a day for 5 minutes and then I’m out of there. And guess what? My FB friends still like me and my sales have not been affected.

5) When I have two or three hours of time to work on my writing—I ONLY work on my writing. Yes, I’m tempted to throw in a load of laundry or just quickly empty the dishwasher, but those little things add up to BIG time eaters. I do them AFTER I’ve worked on my writing.

6) I’m reading less. Is that a good thing? Well, for me, summer is usually my reading time, but since I’m writing, something has to be sacrificed. Not that I’m not reading at all, just not reading as much or as fast.

That’s my summer schedule and I’m sticking to it. So far, it’s been working out great. 🙂

 

How about you? Does you writing schedule change in the summer? How do you keep on track?

Don’t forget, every comment this month is entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card AND a FREE digital copy of Nina Croft‘s July release from Entangled, Losing Control.)

About Jennifer Shirk

Jennifer Shirk is a USA Today bestselling sweet romance author for Montlake and Entangled Publishing who also happens to be a mom, pharmacist, Red Sox fan, P90x grad, and overall nice person. Check out her latest sweet romance: CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN

Summer Camp Romance

By | | , ,
7 Comments

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The setting of my novel, Canyon Walls, has a special place in my heart. I loved attending camp every summer through my junior high and high school years, but my best memory of camp was meeting the man who became my husband.

The summer after my freshman year of college, I was hired at the camp I had attended since 7th grade. I moved into a tiny cabin with three other girls. I spent my time cooking in the cafeteria and cleaning cabins. Serving cafeteria food and scrubbing bathrooms wasn’t a glamorous job, but it taught me a lot about hard work. It was also fun to spend the summer among the campers.

Toward the end of the summer, a cute guy showed up at the camp to spend the week as a counselor. We became friends, and before the summer ended, he had asked me on our first date.

If you’ve ever attended a summer camp, you know that the time spent in the camp separated from the demands of everyday life can make it feel like another world. For me it also included the awesome experience of falling in love. It made a summer camp the perfect setting for my first novel. Each day writing the story of a camp director fighting to save a struggling camp allowed me to be transported back to that place and time in my life.

Did you attend summer camp? Did you have any special experiences there?

About Beth Rhodes

Beth jumps into life with both feet...or head first. Impulsive and spontaneous to a T, she joined Passionate Critters and never looked back. She loves writing and reading, which made this wonderful group of woman a perfect match for her.

  • Our LATEST Buzz!

    The first two books in the Cupid's Cafe series were released in June by Lori Sizemore and Landra Graf *** Lori Sizemore's Infamous was released on December 14. *** Julie Jarnagin's Cowgirl in the Kitchen is available now. *** Bethanne Strasser LETTERS FROM HOME from Entangled Publishing is available now! *** Nina Croft's latest books, Her Fantasy Husband, a hot contemporary romance from Entangled's Brazen line, and The Order Boxed Set, a compilation of the three full length novels, plus a new novella, exclusive to the boxed set, both released in April 2016 *** Debora Dennis's holiday novella, A PROPOSAL & PUMPKIN PIE is on sale for .99 through Thanksgiving.