5 Reasons Why Life is Better with Books

Enjoy this guest post by Rachel Carrington!  If you'd like to hear an audio sample of her book use this link to access it via YouTube: http://youtu.be/P7XtFFvibw8

5 Reasons Why Life is Better with Books

A Guest Post by Author, Rachel Carrington

It should be no surprise that I love to read. I think all writers do. Words are in our blood. I have a few ideas why I think life is so much better with books. See if you agree.

1.      It’s an escape that allows you to step away from the stresses of the day.

2.      For a little while, your imagination can work overtime which gives the logical side of your brain a break. Okay, I could totally be making that one up, but it sounds right to me.

3.      You can live vicariously through the hero or heroine and not have to go through what they do. Let’s face it. None of us really want to battle vampires or fight off hungry zombies.

4.      Paperback books (and hardcover ones) can be read without the need for modern technology so you can unplug voluntarily…or if someone in your neighborhood hit a power pole, and you don’t have electricity.

5.      You’re learning as you read, and it isn’t painful. Even if it’s just a small bit of knowledge, like discovering Cleopatra was the first person in her Egyptian family to learn Egyptian, you’re still educating yourself. And these are helpful tidbits you can use when you’re having to make small talk. 

     I'm sure you can probably think of many more reasons why books just absolutely have to be a part of your life. Please share them in the comments below!

About Me

I started writing years ago, and my first attempt was a contemporary romance that will never see the light of day. I think I may even have thrown it away by now. It was absolutely horrific as I knew nothing about well…anything to do with writing.

After that, I started writing fantasy romances about wizards and wizards, and once those took off, I segued to paranormal romances (hello, vampires and ghosts) and romantic suspense. I also write articles for various magazines, including The Writer’s Journal, Writer’s Magazine, Writer’s Weekly, Writing for Dollars, Absolute Write, and Funds for Writers.

I’m fortunate to make my home in historical Charleston, South Carolina. Beautiful city. Beautiful people. When I’m not writing, I love to read, create videos, keep Target in business, play visitor in my city, and drink lots of coffee.

You can find me all over the internet, but here are just a few of the places:

My website: www.dawnrachel.com (which I’m currently reworking due to a hosting issue)

Twitter@rcarrington2004

Facebook: rachelcarringtonwrites

Pinterest: rcarrington2004

Goodreads: rcarrington2004

Wattpad: http://wattpad.com/RachelCarrington 

5 Beach Reads You Won't Want to Miss (And Bonus Material!)

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After a few months of sabbatical, Fabulous Fiction is back and you won't want to miss the June article!  Find out which Beach Reads You Won't Want to Miss! out on this summer. Don't forget to check out the bonus book, featured ONLY here!  What are you waiting for?

BONUS BOOK!

With a max of 1,000 words for my monthly column, I can't always fit everything that I want to feature or in this case that deserves to be featured, so I decided to give this special book a spotlight here!  Are you ready for exclusive content?

One of my favorite authors won my heart with her first novel Wildflower Hill.  So, when I was offered the chance to review her newest book Lighthouse Bay, I jumped at it.  I'm happy to reveal Lighthouse Bay here today as the exclusive bonus material for your must read beach list!  Kimberly Freeman has again proved her talent as an author with this delicious novel!

Sneak a Peak: Travel more than one-hundred years between two love stories, set in an Australian seaside town called Lighthouse Bay. 

In 1901, a ship sinks off the coast of Lighthouse Bay in Australia. The only survivor is Isabella Winterbourne—escaping her loveless marriage and the devastating loss of her son—who clutches a priceless gift meant for the Australian Parliament. Suddenly, this gift could be her ticket to a new life, free from the bonds of her husband and his overbearing family. 

One hundred years later, Libby Slater leaves her life in Paris to return to her hometown of Lighthouse Bay. Living in the cottage that was purchased by her recently passed lover, she hopes to heal her broken heart and reconcile with her sister, Juliet. Libby did something so unforgivable twenty years ago, Juliet is unsure if she can ever trust her sister again. 

 Both Isabella and Libby must learn that letting go of the past is the only way to move into the future.

This perfect beach read has a setting that sticks with you long after the book is finished.  What better to read on a beach than a book set in a coastal town, complete with a lighthouse, which happen to be one of my favorite landmarks! I love stories that switch between characters.  This one was executed beautifully, which is difficult when the stories span across the centuries.  Both Isabella and Libby are wonderful characters. I fell in love with them.  So if a great setting, wonderful characters, great writing and attractive cover doesn't excite you, feel free to check this book out to see what others are saying!  I'm sure it will all be wonderful.

Happy Reading!

And the winners are....

Congratulations to our Grand Prize Winner!!  Winners of the individual prizes will be notified by email and posted here as they respond.  If someone does not claim their prize I will choose another winner!

And the winner is…

Congratulations, Christine! And a huge thank you to everyone who participated. It was fun and we hope to see you next year!

Authors In Bloom - Win a Nook or Kindle!!

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Authors in Bloom Hop!
Enter for your chance to win a Nook or Kindle Fire!
 Multiple other prizes are available too!  
Visit all the author sites on the list below for your chance to win!

Make sure to leave a comment on each site for your chance to win the grand prize.

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Authors in Bloom

Visit each author on the list for the Authors in Bloom Hop!

Six Sisters' Stuff - Recipes, Crafts and So Much More!

Taken from Six Sisters' debut book, these Mini-Maple Pancake Muffins are hands down, a delicious breakfast or snack! If you haven't yet discovered Six Sisters' Stuff, visit them at www.sixsistersstuff.com and don't forget to grab their debut!  It is filled with page after page of wonderfully inventive crafts, recipes and checklist and many other ideas!   

ISBN: 978-1-60907-324-4 and retails for $21.99  Here's one of the recipes you'll find!

Mini Maple Pancake Muffins

1 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
3/4 c buttermilk
1 egg
3 tbsp. pure maple syrup
2 tbsp. melted butter
1/2 c milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin pan with nonstick spray.  (Don't be afraid to grease it up)
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a medium bowl. In another bowl, stir buttermilk, egg, maple syrup and melted butter until just combined. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir with a spoon until combined. Stir in chocolate chips, reserving a few ships to sprinkle on the tops.  Bake 8 to 9 minutes and let them cool slightly, removing from the pan.

Yield: 24 muffins

The Long Way Home

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Within Maryland lies the beautiful town of St. Dennis, a town Ellie Chapman has only heard of. Ellie, the only child of a successful investment manager, had known only a life of privilege until her life takes a turn when her father is exposed for swindling billions of dollars from investors in a massive Ponzi scheme.  Ellie loses her money, job, home and her fiancé who is found guilty along with her father. Her life in pieces, Ellie has only one place to go, St. Dennis.

Ellie arrives in St. Dennis with plans to leave as soon as she can sell the house her late mother left her.  With hopes of moving on with her life, Ellie keeps her true identity a secret from the residents of St. Dennis.  Unfortunately, Ellie’s luck hasn’t changed and her only chance at a new beginning is a house in dire need of expensive improvements.  In addition, Ellie will be the one who has to make most of the improvements, a task larger than life for a former rich lady. Ellie soon becomes one with the hardware store, as she works toward fixing the house on Bay View Road. Soon the charms of St. Dennis and Cameron O’Conner begin to grow on Ellie, who’s not the only one with secrets. Soon Ellie’s renovations become the beginning of rejuvenation as she learns more about herself, her past and her future in St. Dennis.

Within this beautiful town of St. Dennis are gorgeous houses, colorful characters, and a descriptive setting that’s sure to please contemporary fiction readers.  The novel is full of romance, warmth, personality and characters that capture the reader’s attention.  Ellie is a character who’s known one way of life and had complete trust in the one person who pulled her life out from underneath her, leaving her with no one and nothing.  Ellie is a character in survival mode; unsure of where to go or what to do she turns to the only home she has, her mother’s last gift to her, and the house on Bay View Road in the sleepy town of St. Dennis.  What begins as a place Ellie can’t see herself staying in, ends as an awakening of the heart, mind and spirit.  Ellie finds a home unlike any other she has known.  It’s a beautiful story to watch unfold as she finds her way and in-turn helps Cameron find his way as well.

I love Mariah Stewart’s novels and always look forward to more stories surrounding St. Dennis and its residents.  The Long Way Home did not disappoint me in my expectations.  I highly suggest this book and any other novel that you have not yet read in this series. They are novels you won’t want to miss.

The Truth About Love and Lightning

Susan McBride, author of Little Black Dress, has released another wonderful title, The Truth About Love and Lightning.  At about half way through this title I found myself extremely anxious to get back to it after stopping for those pesky house task or chores such as cooking dinner or work. This novel is full of interesting and colorful characters as it weaves a tale like no other, keeping your interest from the start.  Here's a synopsis to enjoy.

As far as Gretchen Brink is concerned, the tornado that just ripped through her land has nothing on the storms of a different sort happening all around her. Her grown daughter, Abby, has returned home with news that she's pregnant, and no, she's not sure whether she's going to marry the father. A man with no memory has been dropped practically on her doorstep. And the not-so-little white lie she's been telling for years is about to catch up with her.

Abby is sure that the mysterious man is her long-lost father, Sam, who has finally returned just when she needs him most. As Abby, Gretchen, and the Man Who Might Be Sam get closer, the lie Gretchen told all those years ago begins to haunt her. When her secrets come out, and Sam's past is finally revealed, will it tear down this fragile life they've built—or will the truth bring them all closer together?

The Truth About Love and Lightning was released and available in stores on February 12, 2013.  Making it a perfect Valentines gift for any book worm!  I absolutely loved the charming characters, interesting and engaging story line and the uniqueness this book offered.  There are tidbits of the author scattered throughout this book, which made me smile. How anyone can come up with such imaginative and inventive stories while keeping it full of warmth, love and allure still baffles me, but Susan is one of those authors that does it again and again!  Don't miss reading this one!  Find out why it's all the rave among book lovers everywhere.  Oh, and hopefully your life isn't as busy as mine.  This was the first book I read this year and is only joined by one other book.  That's NOT normal for me!  I hope you've been able to read more than I have lately!!

Lunch Time Chat With Author Anne Barton

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Name 3 things that help you gain inspiration for writing.
1) Song lyrics—Some songs move me every time I hear them. Usually, it’s a simple phrase or image that tugs at my heart, and I love the way songwriters manage to make us feel something with just a few, carefully chosen words.

2) Movies and TV shows—Movies are a nice way to recharge after meeting a deadline, and they’re also great teachers of story structure. TV shows like Downton Abbey are inspiring too—each episode is like a lesson in story-weaving and pacing. (So fun to watch, too!)

3) Real-life heroes—Sometimes the headlines give me ideas for heroes and heroines. Today I saw a news story about a man who jumped into a raging river in order to save a teen boy. That’s something one of my heroes would do!

Do you have another title in the works?
Yes! My second book, ONCE SHE WAS TEMPTED, releases in the fall. It features Daphne, Anabelle’s sister. Everyone thought she was the sweet, innocent sister, but it turns out she has a few secrets of her own!

What is your favorite season?
Summer! Sadly, however, it’s not my hair’s favorite season. Oh well, that’s what ponytails are for. :)

Best childhood memory?
I have lots of wonderful memories, and most of them involve my siblings. Just sitting around and talking with them was always a good time (and it still is!) Maybe that’s why my first two books feature the Honeycote sisters. :)

If you were given the chance to do any one thing over again, what would you do over?
My semester of college in London! I got to study architecture, literature, theatre, and art—all while living in the city. It was a wonderful experience, and more years ago than I care to admit. ;)

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Reading on the beach and spending time with my family. The Romance Writers of America conference (in Atlanta this year) is also a highlight of every summer.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

 Join a writing group like RWA. Write a lot, and be as fearless as you can be. Don’t hold anything back!

Thanks so much for having me!

Thank you to Anne for being here with me today!  I hope you all enjoy "When She Was Wicked." My review is coming soon, but don't wait for it!  Get your copy today! 

Tidewater Inn

Libby loves history and has a talent for restoring things, so inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks is like a dream come true. It's also somewhat exciting to learn about the family she never knew she had while getting to know a handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she's met while on the island.  One thing's for sure, he has the potential to be the man of her dreams! However, if we stopped there we wouldn't have a romantic suspense would we?  

Soon Libby is forced to realize that she can only afford to keep up the inn by selling it to developers who are stalking the island. Her unknown father, died before she could meet him, leaving Libby with a brother and sister who are convinced she is there to steal what is rightfully theirs. However, none of these new trials compare to the kidnapping of her best friend and business partner, a scene that takes place in front of Libby and puts her under speculation and suspicion for the crime.

Libby’s dream come true quickly becomes a nightmare. She must find her friend in order to prove her innocence, or risk losing everything she has wanted on Hope Island.

Tidewater Inn started off with a bang.  Almost instantly the action begins with a kidnapping in the first chapter! The story had some very intriguing parts which include the kidnapping, life changing long-kept secrets, and the romance of Libby and Alec on the backdrop of beautiful Hope Island.  The characters are well developed.  Colleen is an amazing writer.  This story will be enjoyable to her fans and those looking to find a new author to enjoy. This novel is full of secrets, love, suspense and faith. If you love romantic books with suspenseful elements, you will enjoy this book. It's an enjoyable read.

Safe Haven - Movie tie-in Giveaway

Safe Haven will be in theaters Feb. 14, 2013!  If you're like me, you'll be there opening day.  Grab a chance to own a copy of this book or read or re-read before seeing the movie! For more information about the movie, tickets and the EVENT on Feb. 17, visit  http://bit.ly/SafeHavenEvent.  1 copy of this book is available for US residents only, no PO Boxes.  The publisher will be shipping the prize to the winner.

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Book of the Day: Condemn Me Not

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Don't you just love this cover?  Which path is right? What happens to the path not takin'? Do you walk the path alone?  So many questions!

I had the wonderful opportunity to beta read this book and let me tell you, it is wonderful!  Dianne is not one to shy away from hard hitting topics, and this book is sure to stir conversation.  It would be perfect for book groups, especially for mothers.  Read about it below and don't forget to check out the excerpt!  If you want a review copy and can post a review within 4 to 6 weeks, comment below!

About the Book:
The words no mother wants to say, and every mother yearns to hear.

 Bound by friendship, two women find themselves at common crossroads, struggling with choices both past and present, career and home. Simone Sheridan and Claire Atkins have been friends since college. Upon graduation, they took off in different directions, forging separate paths through motherhood. Neither planned to look back on the road they traveled with regret—yet that’s exactly what happens when their daughters issue opposing proclamations with regard to college.

Mariah Sheridan blows her mother’s expectations to pieces while Rebecca Atkins crushes her mother’s dreams.  Both mothers battle the news, but soon come to learn they must change course, or lose the sacred relationship between mother and daughter.

But change is not an easy task when Simone and Claire unexpectedly find themselves staring down their choices, confronted by the same question:  Where did I go wrong? This one is still about the women, their issues, but without the romance.  The debate is an old one, but continues to burn hot.  And why?  Is our sisterhood broken?  Have we taken sides, drawn lines in the sand?

Every woman has an opinion on this subject and most believe theirs is the right one.  I dare you not to find a piece of yourself in this book.  No kids?  A piece of someone you know will leap from these pages…  READ THE EXCERPT HERE: http://ow.ly/gkPcg