Friday, June 10, 2011

Fade To Blue - Book Review



Today it is my pleasure to review Fade to Blue by Julie Carobini.

First, let me give you a little blurb ~ 

Suz Mitchell is the determined dreamer we should all be and won't allow her ex-husband Len's jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah's life. An accomplished artist, she moves with her child across the country to California's central coast and lands a sweet job restoring priceless paintings at the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the ocean.

To her utter surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, is also now working at Hearst and jumbles the dreams inside Suz's heart. While sorting out the awkwardness of their past split and current spiritual differences, a repentent Len shows up eager to restore his family.
Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.


From the very first line you get a taste of spunky single-mom, Suz Mitchell's voice. Julie Carobini's series, known for their lush descriptions of the California coast, take us into books filled with charm, humor, and true heart.


I loved this book, the first one I've read of Julie's, and I'm eager to get my hands on the others in the Otter Bay series.  Well written, Julie's dialogue and inner voice of her characters provide a vivid picture of the families she writes about.


A great read, its perfect for a beach day, road trip, or just to curl up on the couch. I give Fade to Blue - Five Stars.





Today I am over at Keierah J. Reilley's blog, Ramblings of an Insecure Writer,  for a Interview.  Please stop on over an show her some blog buddy love for hosting a stop on my Purple Knot Blog Tour.


Also, don't forget to enter the Detective Kit Gift Basket contest. The button to get to the form is on my sidebar --->

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Are They Worth It?



So there's recently been a lot of elation and heartbreak for writers who entered writing contests earlier this year. From RWA's Golden Heart to ACFW's Genesis, there were hundreds if not thousands of entries.


Some of you may wonder if its worth it to you as an author to enter. Well I have guest post over at Susan Field's Blog on 3 Reasons Why To Enter A Writing Contest...why would it help you as an author?


Hope you stop on over and see!






***ALSO***

Don't forget to enter the Detective Kit Gift Basket contest!  

<----Just click this badge to go to the form.

Prizes include goodies to eat and drink, gift cards, a cool gadget from Think Geek.com and a copy of Purple Knot!

Contest ends on June 30th ~


Photograph by ShortsandLongs.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Summer Plans...What Are You Doing?



With all the craziness of the book launch and the blog tour, I've noticed that summer vacation is looking like a much needed part of my writing regime.


I love to camp and with six kids, you can imagine how fun (crazy) that is.  I'm talking my husband into a pop-up because they are easy to set up and I feel like the toddlers would be safer in there than in a tent.


Lake Arrowhead or Lake Gregory here in California are a favorite of my kids.  I also enjoyed Russian Gulch up in northern California a few summers ago.


My frequent visits to Seattle to hangout with my brother and his wife afford me a break from being a mommy and let me be, 'Raquel - Urban Explorer' or you know, a tourist.


I've done most of my craziest things during the summer.  I got married, tried soaring over a lake on a zip line, taken underground tours of sewers...must be the heat, but I think I got my tattoos in the summertime come to think of it!


Anyway, I'm looking forward to disconnecting and relaxing with kiddos and my super hubby...What are your plans this summer?


Today, for the 8th stop on my Purple Knot Blog Tour... I am at Dana Pratola's Dana Pratola's Blog for an interview. I'm having such a great time on this blog tour thanks to all of your comments and encouragement!  ((HUGS))


You're all invited to the Purple Knot Release Party at The Romance Studio. Thursday, June 9th, I will be giving away a free copy of my debut novel!  


Hope to see you there!

  

***ALSO***
Don't forget to enter the Detective Kit Gift Basket contest!  


<----Just click this badge to go to the form.


Prizes include goodies to eat and drink, gift cards, a cool gadget from Think Geek.com and a copy of Purple Knot!


Contest ends on June 30th ~


Photograph by Kevin Dooley.