Summer Blog Party - Part 3

We’re back for the third and final segment of the Summer Blog Party. If you’re just joining us, we’re romance authors talking about the joys of summer. Summer reading. Summer writing. Summer fun! If you missed the first or second part of this chat, scroll down for previous posts. You’ll find some insider information about this amazing group of authors. Leave a comment for a chance to win Joanne Tropello’s Mr. Shipley's Governess (ecopy) or Awakening by JoAnn Durgin (print copy).   

For more summer time conversation and giveaways, visit all of the Summer Blog Party sites: Patricia Bates, Joanne Troppello, Kay Springsteen and Gabrielle Bisset.

Right. Moving on to the next summer time topic. When you were a kid, what did you like best about summer vacation?

Delia Latham ~ Our summer vacations were working ones, but we all loved them. Some of my favorite childhood memories are from our summers in Oregon, where we went every year to pick green beans. We lived in two-room cabins for the summer and picked beans Monday through Friday, but it was a wonderful, amazing time.

Wend Petzler ~ My sister, cousins would ride our horses all over the mountains, into town, go swimming at the local watering hole. We were free to do whatever we wanted as long as we were home before dark. Great times.

Gabrielle Bisset ~ When I was a kid, what I loved best about summer vacation was getting up and out early and playing all day. My friends and I would have to go in for dinner, but then we’d return to playing until the streetlights came on and it was time to go home. Then the next day it would start all over again, playing hopscotch, jump rope, chase, hide and go seek, and swimming Our days were filled with so much fun. What a great time that was!

What is your favorite summer time memory?

Julie Lence ~ My favorite memory would have to be the two weeks my brother and I spent with our grandparents in New York City. We were young kids and Grandma took us everywhere; the Statue of Liberty, the park, Macy's where we rode all of the escalators and to Coney Island and Jones Beach. It was a great vacation.

Heather Haven ~ I lived in Florida all of my growing up years. The entire year is like summer, so all my memories are great. I loved swimming and parading around in bathing suits, when I got 15 and older. I looked pretty cute!

As a teen, Stacy, did you have a summer job?

Stacy Juba ~ My first summer job was right after I graduated from high school. I worked in a discount drug store, in the greeting card department. I'd straighten the cards and then people would come mess them up.

What’s the summer without water ice and ice cream…which do you prefer?

Joanne Troppello ~ I like water ice, but definitely enjoy ice cream better.

Killarney Sheffield ~ Did someone say ice cream? That is my favorite treat. Mmm! Any flavor will do, I even hide my special vanilla bean in the back of the freezer so the kids don't find it.

Elaine Marie Cooper ~ I LOVE Dairy Queen blizzards! :-D

Wend Petzler ~ Ice cream! Oh and Frappe Mocha Lattes at McDonalds. Love those darn things.

All I have to say, ladies, is yum…If you have kids, how do you keep them occupied during the summer vacation months?

Killarney Sheffield ~ We live on a cattle ranch with all kinds or critters and lots of room to play, plus we have a pool, trampoline and a provincial park next door, so I seldom here the words 'I'm bored'. (There are always lots of extra chores to be done in that case).

What’s your favorite thing to do and/or eat on the boardwalk?

JoAnn Durgin ~ Just about anything is fair game. As long as it’s incredibly fattening and in no way good for you. Anything else just isn’t worth it. We went to Ocean City a number of times when we lived in Philly. I especially enjoyed poking in the little sweet and candy stores to buy the salt water taffy. That represents the boardwalk to me.

Julie Lence ~ On the boardwalk, I like to stroll, window shop and people watch. I can be found with an iced-tea in one hand and a sausage, peppers and onions sandwich in the other. 

What kind of books do you like to read when relaxing at the beach or while on summer vacation?

Heather Haven ~ I tend to read mysteries but I love David Saderis, Meg Waite Clayton, and Ellen Sussman’s books, too. If it’s good, I’m reading it!

Julie Lence ~ Since I write romance, romance is usually number one on my list. But I do enjoy a good mystery or a women's fiction story. 

Cher Green ~ I love scary books, the ones that make you look under the bed before touching the floor, but I read most anything that grabs me with the opening.

What’s on your summer reading list for this year? New authors or ones that you love and have read their work before?

Elaine Marie Cooper ~ Some of Karen Kingsbury, Liz Curtis Higgs, Colleen Goble, Joan Hochstetler, Sarah Sundin, plus I want to re-read Jane Eyre. I have several others as well!

Please share your favorite quote on summer time or relaxation or having fun:

Elaine Marie Cooper ~ Then followed that beautiful season...Summer...Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A few random questions. Are you into hiking or taking walks?

Wend Petzler ~ I love taking walks with my dog, Bear. It clears my mind, allows me to plot my books. It’s a great bonding time for me and my daughter when she accompanies us.

Do you plant a vegetable garden in the summer? If you do, what veggies do you grow?

Cher Green ~ I have a very small section set up in the backyard, four tomato plants. I’m hoping to expand next year, if they do well.

Any favorite summer time songs? Why do you like it/them?

JoAnn Durgin ~ Not really, but the Beach Boys drive me nuts. Sure, their songs are fun, and great if you have a convertible and like that kind of song. But personally, if I never hear another one of those songs, I’ll be just fine, thanks.

Okay, admit it…do you ever “work” on vacation? You know, check your email and blog and get some writing in?

Stacy Juba ~ We visit my in-laws at the beach every summer, and there I've been known to check email, work on my blog, and work on book promotion in the morning when everyone is sleeping as the sunrise wakes me up very early. If we're traveling to a hotel, though, and are doing a lot of sightseeing, I don't bring work with me. I plan to stop bringing work with me to the beach, although I'll check my email a few times so it doesn't pile up too much and stress me out when I get back!

Thanks ladies for giving us a glimpse into your summer time pastimes and pleasures.

Reader’s comments are not only encouraged, they’re necessary if you'd like your name entered in the draw to win an ecopy of Joanne Tropello’s Mr. Shipley's Governess or a print copy of Awakening by JoAnn Durgin.

Please drop by the following sites for more Summer Blog Party events and more chances to win books by this amazing and talented group of romance authors. The other hosts are: Patricia Bates, Joanne Troppello, Kay Springsteen and Gabrielle Bisset.

I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Joanne Troppello for organizing this fun event, and thanks  for asking me to take part. I had a blast!

Happy summer and thanks to all of you for participating in the Summer Blog Party! It's been such fun to start the summer with my online friends! Btw, check back later as the winners of the two book giveaways will be announced later this month.

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