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Saturday, June 20, 2015

Surf, Sand & Books Event with Naima Simone


Naima Simone's love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey and Linda Howard many years ago. Though her first attempt at writing a romance novel at age 11 never saw the light of day, her love of romance and writing has endured. Now, she spends her time creating stories of unique men and women who experience the dizzying heights of passion and the tender heat of love.

She is wife to Superman—or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent—and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.


Summer Vacation Destinations

When I was younger I went on fantastic summer vacations. Like the best. Not Disney World or Six Flags—those were so passé. Aaaand they also cost money my family didn’t have. But it didn’t matter. Because when my mother wasn’t forcing me to go to the YWCA where I learned to crack “Yo Mama” jokes with the best of ‘em, defend my honor—and face—and prove that twins do indeed fight dirty, I had the most fabulous vacations. And they were cheap. Like $3.99 and less. Yep, my vacays were my books. And God, did I love them. When I opened the covers, I was whisked away from a hot, third-floor apartment to lands with brisk, ocean breezes, castles, chocolate factories, or farms that didn’t smell like sh—uh, poo. Those were the best times, my favorite memories, and even now, years later, I still visit. What were some of those high-end destinations? So glad you asked!

1. Narnia. I discovered Narnia on my grandmother’s porch one summer afternoon. She kept boxes of books out there, and I found the entire Chronicles set. My first book was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Reading about a land encased in ice did wonders for a girl trapped in a New Jersey heat wave, lemme tell you! Even when the snow faded, I still had the cool shadows of the forest and faun caves, the perfumed grass along a babbling brook, and the fresh winds off the ocean that air-conditioned my room at Cair Paravel.

2. Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. What kid didn’t want to vacay here? Halls that shrank—or did I grow bigger? Rivers of chocolate, forests made of candy, rooms with crazy inventions to explore, and of course, the oompa loompas! And once we got rid of the gum-chewing, spoiled, greedy, TV-obsessed riffraff, it was all good!

3. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house. OMG! Have you been? What’s not to love about an upside down house? For hours, I would dig for buried treasure in her backyard, have campfires around the chandelier that was in the middle of the living room floor—it’s an upside down house, where else would the chandelier be? Anyhoo, I used to have tea parties in her garden, play dress-up in her attic, join an impromptu parade down the middle of town…sigh. And let’s not get started on the tons of crazy things you’d see hanging around her. Like actual tails wagging over a tattle-tale’s head. Don’t ask. You had to be there…

4. Ancient Greece. Olympus. Thebes. The Elysian Fields. Athens. I was a regular explorer of the ancient western world. And I witnessed all the shenanigans of those Greek gods. I observed all the plots, schemes and love affairs of man. I cheered on the quests and victories of all those heroes. And, seriously. The view from the heavens? Craaaaaazy!

5. Riverdale. Un-huh. Archie and the Gang. Riverdale. I had the best time there! Not only did I have the coolest friends—Betty, Archie, Jughead, Veronica, Moose, Dilton—but so many things were happening there. Chillin’ at Pop Tate’s, eating hamburgers and drinking milkshakes. Jamming with The Archies. Hanging around the pool at Veronica’s. And then there was always a mystery or two to solve. An ET to send home. And my wardrobe when I visited was amazeballs!!

So yeah, did I ever see Mickey, Minnie and the Disney castle? Nope. But that’s probably because my summers were too jam-packed with so much vacationing!

What were some of your summer destinations? Did we bump into each other, by chance? I bet we did!


Under his protection and in his bed…

For Fallon Wayland, birthdays are just another reminder of her looming spinsterhood. This year is shaping up to be no different. Unfairly fired from her job, dumped by her boyfriend, and oh yes, witnessing the murder of a high-ranking lieutenant in the local crime family… Yeah, birthdays suck.

Ever since a disastrous, hot-as-hell kiss years ago, soldier-turned-security specialist Shane Roarke has avoided his baby sister’s reckless—and gorgeous—best friend. Yet when her life is threatened after she witnesses a gang hit, he insists on protecting her…even if she objects.

The two are forced to hole up in a safe house. Alone. Passion long denied erupts between them, burning away their inhibitions. But even as layers—and clothes—are peeled away, danger closes in. Shane and Fallon might finally have a chance at love…if they survive long enough to see it.

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo |
Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:
  • 1 $5 Amazon Gift Card 
  • 1 eBook copy of Witness to Passion

To Enter: 
  • What were some of your summer destinations? Did we bump into each other, by chance?
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter giveaway.

**Don't forget to enter the grand prize giveaway!


Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Naima Simone for sponsoring this giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

24 comments :

  1. My summer's were spent at Little House on the Prairie and with Judy Blume. Learning how to eat fried worms and hanging out with Ramona Quimby were favorite past times too.

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    1. Hi, Marcy!
      I spent quite a few summer days in Walnut Grove myself! :-) Sigh. Those were the days. And I will save us both the embarrassment of telling you how I personally know how to eat fried worms. Stupid bet, know-it-all-kids and a great book is a dangerous mix. LOLOL!! Love me some Judy Blume! And it's cool because now my daughter is reading Little House on the Prairie and Judy Blume!

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  2. My summer's were spent with Judy Blume (starting with Fudge, Margaret and then Katherine), The Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown. I loved to read as a kid...still do!

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    1. ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN!!! My first mysteries!! LOLOLOL!! Oh snap, it's been so long since I've heard anyone mention him! I LOVED Encyclopedia Brown. And I could never figure out the mystery. And I used to pretend to be Sally. My first kick a** heroine! I need to go on Amazon and see if I can find some of the old books. My daughter needs The Boy Detective in her life. LOLOL!! You see how excited you got me, Sue? And I can't count the hours I spent in the wonderful, hilarious world of Judy Blume, Fudge, Peter, Margaret, Katherine--we're still good friends. :-D

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  3. I loved the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Super Mysteries, which were when Nany, Frank, and Joe would run into each other out of the blue and find themselves in the midst of yet another mystery that they had to solve together. Those were my very favorite books when I was younger and I think I wore them out checking them out of the library so often. I wish I had the entire series, actually. I wouldn't read them, most likely, but they hold such a sense of nostalgia for me. Maybe I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a few copies anyway. :-)

    Thank you so much for the post and giveaway!

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    1. Hah!! Lindsey, you must've read my mind! LOL!! I was just thinking about scouring Amazon for Encyclopedia Brown books! I loved Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, too! I could never figure out their mysteries either! Is it any wonder I write romantic suspense? LOL!!! You should check out your local thrift store, too! I found three Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books there! You should've seen me dancing in the back of the store, clutching the books to my chest--sneezing and laughing. Laughing because I was overjoyed and sneezing because of the dust in the thrift store. LOL!! I'm telling you, I had the best summers EVAH!! :-D

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  4. Anne of Green Gables series, Trixie Belden, Black Stallion, Nancy Drew, Treasure Island and many of the classics.

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    1. Hi, Sophia!
      I'm said--and a wee bit embarrassed--to say I didn't discover Black Stallion and Treasure Island until the required reading list made me. LOL!! But once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed them! Anne of Green Gables and Nancy Drew, though? Those were my girls!! They still are! I alternated between hanging out at the farm and super-sleuthing it with Nancy. Sigh. Good times! :-)

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  5. I went to Harper Hall with Anne McCaffery's Menolly and Little House on the Praire :) which, the lHOTP, was so close to where/what I actually lived, it was much easier to "play" in that world. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi, Erin!
      I never visited Harper Hall! And now I'm jealous! Dragons!! *palm to forehead* What was I thinking? Still, we might have crossed paths in Walnut Grove. I spent quite a few afternoons there fishing, walking, plotting revenge plans on Nellie...Hee-hee!

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  6. I was in Massachusetts with the March sisters. I was also solving mysteries with the Bobbsey twins.

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  7. Charleeeeeeeene!! Oh snap, how could I forget The Bobbsey Twins? Yes, I loved those books! I was best friends with Flossie! Hahahahahah!! Heck yeah, those were good times!

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  8. I'm sure we must have crossed paths in Narnia.

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  9. My summer destinations as a child and teen were spent in the pages of a book, or at the beach. Later, I went on a few nice trips - to Yosemite, Montana, Minnesota, and Monterey/Carmel, California. Nowadays, I usually visit my son in Las Vegas and then my sister near Palm Springs.

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    1. Hi, Barbara!
      I've always wanted to visit Yosemite! My hubby still talks about it, but I think it's one of those trips we'll have to do as a couple without the kiddies. Unless there's some kind of noise, electronics, flashing lights and chaos, they wouldn't be happy. Heeeeeey, maybe I should rip a page out of your vacay book and take 'em to Vegas... :-D

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  10. France is wonderful in the summer :-)

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    1. Oooooh, I bet! Shooooot, France is wonderful any time of year. 'Cause it's like, y'know...France! Hee-hee! I can see myself dining at an outside cafe with coffee and a lovely Frenchman...sigh... Thanks for the visual!! LOL!!

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  11. Replies
    1. Don't throw tomatoes at me buuuuuut...I was never a beach person. *duck and dodge* LOL!! I think it's the sun...and heat...and sand that has this uncanny ability to infiltrate every nook and cranny--especially the crannies...and I hated wearing a bathing suit. Now, that said, I luvs reading me some books that take place on the beach! I think I live vicariously through the characters. LOLOL!!

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  12. Mine were Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys....I couldn't wait to solve a new mystery!! And of course, Sweet Valley High because who wouldn't want more school when you're on vacation lol

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    1. Sweet Valley Hiiiiiigh!! Yes, I sang that. C-sharp, too! LOL!! I LOOOOOOOVED me some SVH! And heck yeah, I didn't mind attending SVH with those cool people. Jessica, Elizabeth, Todd, Enid, Bruce (first jerk but I still had a crush. :-D ), Winston...sigh. They were sooooo romantic...Shoooot, I feel like vacaying there now! LOL!!

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  13. we used to travel to a beach town and enjoy the sun and beach. I didnt appreciate it as a child, I love it now.

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  14. Definitely Ancient Greece and Narnia.

    mythic021@gmail.com

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