Summer Readers Circle: Romance author Helena Fairfax' Felicity at the Cross Hotel

Romance author Helena Fairfax joins the Readers Circle!

Hello and welcome to the Summer Readers Circle!

The days of Summer are counting down to the season of Fall, but our authors and readers are going strong with the Summer Readers Circle. I am delighted to welcome romance author and dear friend, Helena Fairfax to the circle this week. Helen has come all the way from England to join us.

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Helena has penned an entertaining romance set in the Lake District. Here's my review of this feel-good read.
MY REVIEW: Felicity at the Cross Hotel by J.Q. Rose
The book cover is correct. This IS truly a "feel good uplifting romance" but not just for the summer. This delightful story by Ms. Fairfax will brighten your day any time of the year. Felicity is not such a Pollyanna you tire of her character. Instead the author balances her light-hearted joyful personality with problems that could ruin anyone's day, even Felicity. The story's setting is a small hotel in the Lake District in England. I've only seen pictures, but it must be an area with beautiful landscapes and a romantic place to visit. After reading this book, I am adding a visit to the Lake District on my bucket list. Ms. Fairfax' way with words draws you right into the book and makes you care about the characters. At times I was so wrapped up in the story, I actually wanted to yell out some advice to them, especially Patrick Cross, a tortured soul. I would recommend this book to those who love romantic stories.

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And the good news is Felicity at the Cross Hotel is on special summer promo at 99p/99c until Thursday, August 31 only!

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Summer in the Beautiful Lake District, England by Helena Fairfax 

We don't always get the best of the weather here in the north of England, but when we do the sunny days are a treasure. The Lake District is in the north west of England, in the county of Cumbria. It has the deepest and largest lakes in England and has a lot of visitors in the summer (NB - the entire Lake District and all its lakes could fit in to just one of north America's Great Lakes!) Although the lakes and mountains are small compared to others, this is one of the most beautiful corners of England, and the Lakes have inspired some of the most romantic poetry and literature in the world. William Wordsworth – one of the most famous poets of the Romantic era – made the Lake District his home, calling it "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found". The Lakes are so popular now with tourists that I prefer to visit out of season, when it's quieter. The shining lakes, the green mountains, and the dramatic changes in weather in the Lake District make the perfect backdrop for a romance novel, and a visit there inspired my latest release. It's a shame that nowadays some parts of the Lake District are inundated with tourists, and the roads in summer are very often clogged. But it's only in recent times that the Lakes have become a tourist destination, and there are many quieter areas that have remained unchanged for centuries. Alone in this magnificent landscape, away from the traffic, you can't help but feel a part of a long, long history of the soil that stretches back thousands of years. Lots of people have fallen in love in this wonderful setting, but there are some exceptions. Bill Clinton was famously moved to propose to Hillary for the first time by the shores of Ennerdale Water, but she turned him down. Obviously there are some people who remain unmoved by the romance of the Lakes!

Ennerdale Water, scene of Bill Clinton's proposal 

Photo by Trevor Harris,via Wikimedia Commons 

Back of the Book: Felicity at the Cross Hotel by Helena Fairfax

Felicity at the Cross Hotel by Helena Fairfax
A feel good, uplifting romance for the summer

Will love blossom for Patrick Cross and Felicity Everdene, the hero and heroine of my novel? 
A quaint hotel in the Lake District. The Cross Hotel is the perfect getaway. Or is it? Felicity Everdene needs a break from the family business. Driving through the Lake District to the Cross Hotel, past the shining lake and the mountains, everything seems perfect. But Felicity soon discovers all is not well at the Cross Hotel … Patrick Cross left the village of Emmside years ago never intending to return, but his father has left him the family’s hotel in his will, and now he's forced to come back. With a missing barmaid, a grumpy chef, and the hotel losing money, the arrival of Felicity Everdene from the notorious Everdene family only adds to Patrick’s troubles. With so much to overcome, can Felicity and Patrick bring happiness to the Cross Hotel … and find happiness for themselves?

Felicity at the Cross Hotel is on special summer promo at 99p/99c until Thursday, August 31 only!
Click here to get the e-book now at amazon

 About Helena: 

Helena Fairfax is a British author who was born in Uganda and came to England as a child. She's grown used to the cold now which is just as well, since these days she lives in an old Victorian mill town in the north of England, right next door to the windswept Yorkshire moors.

Romance author Helena Fairfax

Helena walks this romantic landscape every day with her rescue dog, finding it the perfect place to dream up her heroes and her happy endings. Subscribers to Helena's newsletter receive news of free stuff, competitions with prizes, gossip, and links to cool websites she's been looking at when she should have been writing.

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Taking a Break

This snowbird is flying north!
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.com by domdeen

Hello Readers.

Thanks for dropping in today. But as you see, I have flown the coop, so to speak. This snow bird is taking a break to fly back home for the summer. 

I'll be back online next week with romance author Sandra Cox as my guest on Romance Readers Want to Know on Thursday, April 21.

Time to Be Present

Grandsons on the shores of Lake Huron--a moment captured with my camera

Time is flying by too quickly. When the sand in an hour glass slips through to the bottom, we can just turn it over and start again. But time doesn't stop for us. We ride it like a rocket ship through the ages and stages of life. At times we need to slam on the brakes of that rocket ship (if they have them?) and take time to be present in the moments of our lives.

I'm putting my foot down on those brakes this week to be mindful of the moments in my life. This is especially important this week because we have the opportunity to be with our grandchildren. Our thirteen and fourteen-year-old grandsons are ready to go fishing with the grandparents anytime. Eagerly the twelve year old grandson sets up the board games knowing he's going to beat Grandpa. The nine year old likes to be in the kitchen cooking up goodies. And my five year old granddaughter can't wait to come over to find toads in the window well and get dirty in the garden picking beans and digging potatoes.

Can you see these children all grown up? I can. Their time with us will go so quickly. Friends, sports, activities in school will fill up their lives. I know this because all my grandparenting friends tell me this happens as the kids grow up. Time spent with the grandparents is squeezed into little moments when they are free, instead of the entire long, luxurious days of summer.

I decided this week I'll take the time to appreciate the present. I will be mindful of every moment and imprint it on my mind to keep in my heart forever. I want the experiences and to capture each one so one day I can pull them from my memory box and I'll smile at the memories.

How many of these summer days and evenings do we take for granted? What gorgeous sunsets have we missed this year?  And what delicious food have we just scarfed down and not even tasted?

I hope you have the opportunity to take time to be in the present and appreciate those moments by immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of each one. 

Have a wonderful week! I 'll be back next Monday probably sun-burned, happy, and exhausted. 

Alaska Journal: Wasilla/Palmer and Mat-Su Region

Greetings from Alaska and Welcome to the first part of the Alaska Journal!

My husband and I are traveling a small portion of this enormous state and you are welcome to join us on this adventure. Please come along with us today as I share photos from our first stop, Wasilla/Palmer area and the agriculture rich Mat-Su Region of Alaska. Mat-Su is the shortened name for the region including the Matanuska and Susitna Rivers.

Our first view of Alaska--from an airplane

Three take-offs and three landings during our twelve hour travel from home to Anchorage and we landed easily at Anchorage Airport. The trip was seamless thanks to the great performance by Delta and Alaska Airlines. (Note to local folks--The Comfort Inn on 28th St., Grand Rapids, MI has friendly park and fly service. They even serve breakfast at 4 a.m. so guests can make the 4:30 a.m. shuttle to the aiport!)  

 The snow patches and the glacier iced mountains greeted us when we touched down in Anchorage. This city is not a city of tall skyscrapers nor contemporary architecture. It is plain and reflects the values of hard-working folks. The friendly people were cordial and helpful and soon we were on our way from Anchorage to Wasilla in our rental car. 

On the road to Wasilla

As we drove the route to Wasilla, majestic mountains guarded the highway. No matter where we looked, there were gorgeous views. I was in awe of the beauty. "Purple mountain majesties" the words from America, the Beautiful resonated in my head.

I was not prepared for the emotional experience of Alaska's landscape. I'm a writer and yet I cannot grasp the words to describe the beauty and the power I saw in those mountains. (Later I experienced more mountain vistas, so you may get sick of mountain pictures. I have taken hundreds of photos, but still have not captured the drama of these vistas.)

We spent two nights at Alaska Lake Lucille Bed and Breakfast...a charming home decorated with quilts and country paintings and coziness. Carol cooked up a deeee-licious breakfast each morning and started off the days with cheerful greetings and smiles.

Our aiplane--well, for half an hour at least, during the flight seeing tour

Flightseeing Tour

We flew over the lands drained by the "braided" streams of the Susitna River. Instead of one channel, there are many connecting to each other. What a sight to behold. So much water!

This is only a small part of the waterway we saw during the airplane ride.

Hatcher's Pass
We had quite an adventure finding Hatcher's Pass, but eventually we made it there. The mountains are amazing!

On the road to Hatcher's Pass

You will see snow patches on the mountain even at this time of year. There is a lot of snow still on the mountainsides because Alaska experienced a record breaking snowfall this year and a late spring. The icy glaciers are also visible and remain on the mountain throughout the seasons.

Our car was dwarfed by this snow bank along our route to Hatcher's Pass

The Musk Ox Farm
After our long drive through the awesome mountains we stopped at the Musk Ox Farm.

Musk ox Mama

Musk ox are unusual animals related to goats, not cattle. They can withstand the extreme temperatures of the Alaskan winters by growing a heavy coat. At this farm, their hair, called quviut is combed out in the spring and saved so Alaskan natives can use the material to knit gorgeous, warm scarves and hats, etc. I was going to purchase two scarves for my two daughters as a memento of our Alaskan trip, however, the scarves were $245. each! When I picked up my jaw from the counter, I thanked the clerk, but told her no. I was even afraid to touch the beautiful works of art.

The next destination is Denali National Park. Yes, there will be lots more mountain images for sure. 

If you have a question about our travels, please ask. If you have visited Alaska, please share your experience with us.

This is the first part in the series on our trip to Alaska. Please click the links below to follow the whole trip.

Part 1: Wasilla/Palmer and Mat-Su Region 
Part 2:  Denali National Park

Part 3: Alaska Native Heritage Center 
Part 4: Ski Resort Girdwood
Part 5: Seward, Kenai Fjords, and Alaska Sea Life Center

                             

Camping with Our Grandsons

Working weather vane in downtown Montague, MI

This past weekend we camped at Trailways Campground in downtown Montague, MI. Yes, the campground is owned by the city. Quaint area with twin cities Montague and Whitehall located on White Lake which empties into Lake Michigan. The campground is right next to the Hart-Montague Bike Trail. Busy place in the summer and so beautiful.

Whitehall is the home of Whitehall Products which manufactures weather vanes. This one used to sit out on an island in White Lake, but was moved to this area to protect the island. Magnificent.

Fishin' off the fishing bridge..Covell Park

Yes, the guys did a LOT of fishin'--mostly feeding them though.

White Lake shore

We journeyed over to Lake Michigan, but the water is so cold. Even in August the big lake is cool. It had to be cold for the boys NOT to get in. So here they are at White Lake. Beautiful there, but water is not warm. We found warmer water at Duck Lake State Park and a great shallow spot for hunting minnows!

Historic light house on White Lake

West Michigan has gorgeous beaches on Lake Michigan. The lake is so huge it seems it is an ocean. People who live on the coastlines of the oceans cannot get used to getting in the water and not tasting salt!

Earl was our constant companion

This beautiful brown pigeon, dubbed Earl by the boys, decided to be our mascot. He was so tame we think he was a lost carrier pigeon. One morning my DH was outside with the laptop open and Earl landed on the upturned screen and peeked over the top to see what was up.

The weather was perfect for camping. Time for campfires, turtle huntin', fishin', bikin', and water play. What more could you want??

Kick Off to Summer Blog Hop--Giveaways

SUMMER UPDATES:


Kickoff to Summer Blog Hop--Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer in the USA. Hope you had a great holiday weekend!


My author friends and I are connecting next week, June 5-6, to give our readers some insight on summer time activities and reading. PLUS we are all offering giveaways to the lucky winners of the random drawings. What a way to kickoff summer!! Please join us for a fun hop and prizes.


Coda to Murder--My latest cozy mystery/sweet romance was accepted by Muse It Up Publishing. I was offered the contract on my birthday, May 25. What a fantastic birthday gift. Sure made my holiday weekend special. Release date is tentatively set for February 2013.


Bodacious Blurb Blog--On Wednesdays this summer I will feature books for you to check out by posting the book covers and the book blurb. All genres will be represented, so I bet you'll find some great books for the beach!

Alaska Discovery--This summer my husband and I are traveling to Alaska. We will be flying to Anchorage, then renting a car to drive through this scenic state to see as much as possible during our visit there. And you can come along with us. I'll share pictures and stories (when I have Internet access), so you can experience the tour from your living room.


Wishing you all, dear readers, a fantastic summer season!!