Beaches, Backroads & Books

Reading, Writing & Romance: Defining Romance with Suz DeMello : Suz DeMello, author of Rakes in Tartan , is here today defining romance and talking about how that definition has changed over the centurie...

Suz DeMello, author of Rakes in Tartan , is here today defining romance and talking about how that definition has changed over the centuries.  Welcome, Suz! ****** What’s a romance? You may think you know, but… The standard definition of a romance has been undergoing some change lately, but the definition of romance has always been changing. Right now, most of us see a romance as a love story between a man and a woman that contains a happy ending, with the heroine going off with Mr. Right. But that wasn’t always the case. Centuries ago, people married for reasons other than love. They married for money, status or property, and love was something found outside marriage. Romeo and Juliet is a pretty famous romance, but it doesn’t have a happy ending, unless your idea of a good HEA (Happily Ever After) is uniting in the afterlife. Other forms of art reflected the belief that love was found outside marriage. Medieval troubadours traveled from castle to castle...

My guest for today's Sunday Serenade is author Alana Lorens. She's here to share a bit about her novel, Second Chances, and Harry Connick, Jr.   ******* Harry Connick, Jr.—a music man to swoon for By Alana Lorens "Let's kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy!" I first became aware of Harry Connick, Jr. when I watched his performance in 1996’s Independence Day, when his character’s bravado helped launch his squadron into attack. Connick is beyond handsome, and I think I fell for him just a little watching him move about the screen. I knew he was a singer, but I hadn’t really listened to any of his work—he was simply beautiful to look at. Then when I visited New Orleans for Mardi Gras in 1998, I learned about a whole different side of him—a NOLA boy through and through, but a member of the new generation. He was one of the founders of the Krewe of Orpheus, one of the Mardi Gras’s SuperKrewes, and the first Krewe to allow both men and women...

Monica Epstein, author of the newly released WHERE THERE IS WILL, is here to share a bit about her new book, as well as a favorite recipe (that I can't wait to try). Monica writes about topics that appeal to women like herself—over 40 and nowhere near ready to throw in the towel and call it a life. Her first novel,   Where There Is Will , is published by The Wild Rose Press. She lives in a suburb of Washington, D.C. with her husband, their teenage daughter, and a small collection of hats and fascinators. She dreams of being the Queen of England in her next life. *   *   *   *   * Food plays an important role in my novel, WHERE THERE IS WILL. In fact, it’s a big part of the reason my hero and heroine connect. Michelle Loeser has a bad case of low self-esteem. She takes a job transfer to London, where she hopes to rebuild her life far away from her so-called friends who think she made a mistake divorcing her husband. On her trip ...

Please join me in welcoming Babette James, author of the newly released Summertime Dream. My characters Christopher and Margie in Summertime Dream are very organized folks. Me? Well, I dream of being organized and on top of each of my personal and professional goals, so it’s time once again to make plans for the new year. Here are some of my tasks for 2014: 1. Read more. I didn’t read for pleasure all that much last year. I need to make room to relax and read without feeling guilty about it. 2. Continue walking to and from work and be more diligent about using the treadmill on the bad-weather and vacation days. Restart a Couch to 5k program. 3. I did very well on my weight loss goal for 2013 and my new goal for 2014 is to lose another 15 pounds by June 30, and then reassess at that point whether I need to lose more or maintain. I’m using MyFitnessPal.com to track my calories and exercise and it’s been a terrific help in keeping on-track. 4. I love the Fly La...

Best-selling author, Sherry Gloag is a transplanted Scot now living in the beautiful coastal countryside of Norfolk , England .  She considers the surrounding countryside as extension of her own garden, to which she escapes when she needs "thinking time" and solitude to work out the plots for her next novel.  While out walking she enjoys talking to her characters, as long as there are no other walkers close by. Apart from writing, Sherry enjoys gardening, walking, reading and cheerfully admits her books tend to take over most of the shelf and floor space in her workroom-cum-office.  She also finds crystal craft work therapeutic. Sherry loves to hear from her readers.  sherrygloag@gmail.com   Sherry's latest novel, Name the Day , is a contemporary Christmas romance released just in time for the holidays.  Blurb: Renowned portrait artist, Samantha Brown is through with men. After dealing with an overbearing father and cheating ex-...