Life Cycle of a Work In Progress by Laura Hunsaker

I did something amazing this past weekend. I wrote the words THE END on my latest book! This has to be one of a writer's favorite things.

The life cycle of a rough draft is nuts, I mean, you start out thinking that you have the best idea! You can't wait to write all the ideas down. You want them out of your head as fast as your fingers can type them. You know you can fix it when you edit, I mean Nora Roberts said, "You can't edit a blank page." So you write.

In your mind you see Henry Cavill as the Witcher! But on the page is...Ross in leather pants. 

Even worse, then you get stuck. And you procrastinate, and then you go back to it, then you poke around online a bit, then you go back to it, and throughout it all, your idea that you loved so much is still bright and shiny! You just need to climb out of this plothole over here, or jump over that speedbump in your story.

Then you're back to writing and you have a big moment coming up! It's amazing, it's brilliant, it...stinks. It really stinks. But-but the shiny! The best idea! All the words! Nope, they all stink, every last one of 'em. But you've got a deadline and you've gotten this far, so lets finish up the words.

Then something miraculous happens. You finish, you type the words THE END, and things make sense, they tie together, they work! Your book really is the best! The shine is back on it, and you think to yourself, "Huh, that doesn't stink after all." And that elation is the best. Then you celebrate! For me, it's a nap and some wine.

This got me thinking, what do other people do once they've reached a goal, or a milestone? So I ask you, what do you do when you've hit a milestone?

Join my Newsletter for a chance to get all my amazing milestones straight to your inbox! ;) Seriously, though, I only email you when I have something exciting to announce like a new cover or a new release. 

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Meanwhile my latest release is called Dreams of the Past and you can get it for $.99 in the Last Chance Beach box set (also free in Kindle Unlimited)

There are 14 amazing stories in this box set all taking place on the tourist island of Last Chance Beach. Grab it now and escape the world for a bit! With second chance romance, love at first sight, mature romance, and enemies to lovers, there's a story for everyone!

Dreams of the Past

She needs rest, he needs relaxation…

Jenny Travers wants a fresh start. Leaving the nightmares of her past behind her, she heads to Last Chance Beach. Renting the Sea Glass Cottage sounds peaceful and relaxing, which is exactly what she needs.

What she doesn’t need is a man.

Lieutenant Commander Scott Gordon was injured by an IED on his last mission, and while his leg has healed, it’ll never be strong enough to stay on his SEAL team. Renting the Sea Glass Cottage sounds like the perfect place to figure out how he’s going to handle his new normal. 

He never expected to find a woman in his bed.

A mix-up at the rental agency means Jenny and Scott are both renting the small cottage. Sharing a space with a stranger should be hard, yet they both feel more at peace than they have in months. 

Will their summer romance last, or is the magic of Sea Glass Cottage all they’ll have…

Escaping the Heat in Bar Harbor @karilemor #RomanceGems

In many parts of New England, it can get warm and steamy in July. People go in swarms to buy air conditioners or put their window units in. It usually doesn’t last long, but for the few weeks of sweltering heat, it’s difficult to do much except relax in a pool if you have one, frolic in the ocean on a beach, or sip cool drinks in front of a fan.

One of my favorite places to escape to during this time is Bar Harbor, Maine on Mt. Desert Island. Being on the northern coast of the state, it can be much cooler during these hot days of summer. The ocean breeze is always a relief during the day. And at night, the temps can get cool enough to need a light sweater if you’re walking around.

My husband and I discovered the wonders of Bar Harbor the year before we got married on a spontaneous trip up the coast one long weekend. We enjoyed it so much we decided that’s where we wanted to go for a honeymoon. As we got married the first week in August, it was perfect timing.

Years later, when our three children were at an age to start doing some hiking, we began taking them up every summer. We’d stay in a great motel near town that had a few small apartments so we didn’t have to pay the price for five people each meal. The kids loved the Murphy beds that pulled out of the wall. Such an adventure.

This was taken on top of Cadillac Mountain standing next to Stephen King

                           

Some of our favorite places to go were Acadia National Park and drive the Park Loop Road. Take a drive up to the top of Cadillac Mountain to see the sunset (where we ran into and chatted with Stephen King one year - that was cool and he was super nice). Hike the trail up to Asticou Gardens overlooking Northeast Harbor.  Take the mailboat out to Little Cranberry Island and explore for the day. Climb the rocks and on the path to Otter Cliffs.

But I think my absolute favorite every year was Jordan Pond. This is such a beautiful body of water and the path around it is fairly easy most of the way. Depending on how fast you walk, it takes about an hour or two to go all the way around. The best part was after your long hike, we’d go up the hill to the Jordan Pond House. It’s a restaurant with homemade lemonade and popovers that are freshly baked. My go-to meal there is a bowl of their lobster stew. So rich and delicious I was always tempted to lick the bowl. Pair it with a few popovers slathered in honey butter or jam and you’ve got the perfect summer meal.

A few years ago, as I was enjoying Mt. Desert Island, I got an idea to write a series about the park rangers. I’ve called it Rangers of Acadia. Unfortunately, I’m not ready to hit publish on it yet, though book 1 - Jordan Pond (unofficial title) is written. I hope someday to get the whole series out.

Until then, the first book in my Storms of New England series, ELUSIVE DREAMS, also takes place on the coast of Maine.  And lucky lucky - it’s currently on SALE for only 99c!!  As is Book 2 - TRUE DREAMS.   Take advantage of this sale now!

If you’re looking for a few great summer reads, try the Storms. Book 3, STOLEN DREAMS is already out, and in a few weeks, Book 4 - BROKEN DREAMS will be released. I love the Storm family and hope you’ll come to love them, too!

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A Midsummer Daydream

By: Marcia King-Gamble

www.lovemarcia.com

Ok, so it’s not midsummer yet in the USA, but can’t a woman still dream? Sweden, though, is celebrating its midsummer (midsommar) considered one of the most celebrated holidays of the year. And why not? It’s a country of two seasons; winter and summer.

Midsommar is there welcome to summer, and not the literal meaning of mid. Locals pick flowers and create floral crowns which they wear throughout the days. Folklore has it, if you place seven types of flowers under your pillow, you will dream about your future spouse. Wish I had known that way back when.

Anyway, with the kind of year we’ve had so far, we’re all entitled to dreams.  Big ones. Little ones.  Over the top ones. Romantic ones…. Bring them all on.

In past summers, I’ve traveled the country and the world, but this June, given our semi-lockdown status, like you, I’m stuck at home. Travel these days mean a fourteen-day quarantine, and who needs that? So, instead I’d like to share some of my favorite places. You may want to add them to your bucket list.

Come June, I think of places like Santorini, Greece (easily one of the most romantic places in the world,) Alaska (been there several times,) Copenhagen (could easily move there,) and Russia (beautiful and a whole other world.) These trips were both vacation and work.

Like most writers, I have a day job. My day job just happens to be in the travel industry. Covid, as you know, hit my industry badly. So, this year, Alaska for work or play is definitely out of the question. Past summers it was an old stomping ground. Seeing it by land, air and sea is unbeatable. That I could actually live there, surprises even me.  I’ve been to many Alaskan cities, places like: Juneau, Ketchigan, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Whitehorse, Sitka etc.. I’ve even taken a train to Denali. Yet my favorite city remains Skagway; Gateway to the Goldrush. My imagination goes wild there, and the Red Onion Brothel Tour is a favorite of mine. Nothing more appealing than enterprising women who know how to make a buck. Oh, the tales the rooms in that brothel could tell.

If you’ve not been to Santorini, Greece, put that on your dreamer list. I first went there on a cruise ship. A writer friend hosts an annual retreat that showcases that little piece of paradise. It helps that she’s Greek, because seeing the real Santorini and not the island the tourists know is a treat. Sadly, this year’s Write-In was canceled because of the Covid situation that has us all on lockdown. But I am here to tell you that sitting at the top of a majestic cliff, at day's end, aperitif in hand, watching the sun turn the water to spun gold, is pure magic, and an experience you will never forget.

Next up is Copenhagen, charming as can be. It’s Hans Christian Andersen’s country, and easily the city of my heart. Why? It boils down to two words, picturesque and enchanting. Think fairytale.

Nothing like climbing down those rocks to get up close and personal to the Little Mermaid. Here, with the sun setting, closer to 10pm  than 7pm, active people stay out and about, hiking, biking, running, skating and dining. Outdoor fairs, offer ancient books and beautiful artwork. One of my fondest memories is a visit to Amalienborg Palace which is home to Denmark’s royal family. There I flirted with a guard who flirted right back, though he reminded me to keep a respectful social distance.  Perhaps some of my fascination with this lovely city is the attention I get. Most women are tall, slender, and blonde. I am tall, slender, but blonde I am not. Hence the novelty of the dark skin.