I’ve been feeling a little “under the weather” as my mother still puts it, so that means … reading. I’m smiling as I write that because, let’s be real, readers like us can find any excuse to read. Am I right?
It’s dark outside.
It’s light outside.
It’s cold.
It’s warm.
It’s windy.
No reason necessary!
Lol … yes, pretty much anytime (in a reader’s mind) is a good time to curl up with a book. One of my neighbors has been curling up with my catalog of novels recently and she particularly liked a two-book set of romances that are set in an area not too far from us here on the California coast.
Chasing Valentino takes place on a coastal peninsula where movie stars—such as Rudolph Valentino—once roamed. Though the book is a contemporary story, I pulled in both facts and lore about the filming of Valentino’s most famous film of the 1920s, “The Sheik.”
For example, did you know that the Sahara Desert depicted in that movie is actually a real beach area known today as Hollywood by the Sea?
While Chasing Valentino is a contemporary romance featuring Greta and Zac and a 100-year-old postcard, there’s also a cast of eccentric, quirky neighbors to move the story along and fill in gaps from the past.
👀This is where the giveaway part of my post comes from—Chasing Valentino is part of a FREE digital compilation of 7 full-length novels called A Path to Love. (You’ll probably recognize other authors in the collection too!)
The entire collection is FREE for a few weeks in ALL stores. So this is a giveaway that’s for everyone! You can find it at your favorite store using this link: https://books2read.com/PathToLove
Oh, I hope you pick the collection A Path to Love at your favorite store and read my novel in it, Chasing Valentino.
Hopefully, you’ll also grab the second book in my Hollywood By The Sea series too, Finding Stardust. This one’s about a romance novelist who’s beginning to think there are no more heroes left in the world (so she’s on the hunt to find one …) Ahhhh! 💕
You can find Finding Stardust wherever books are sold or buy it directly from me here: FINDING STARDUST
Before I go, tell me: What’s your favorite excuse for taking time out to read?
Happy 9th Birthday! I love the cover of this book. I’d buy it if I saw it in the store based on the cover. I will be taking advantage of the free reads. I love books that have beach or coastal settings. I grew up on the coast of Charleston, SC.
My favorite is it’s too cold outside so I’ll stay inside and read,
Hi Julie! Thanks for the free read. This retiree and avid reader enjoys discovering new authors by reading the stories in multi author boxed sets. While I have traveled Coast to Coast and been to California twice, for this Michigander it will be a mini vacation from the comfort of my warm home. The weather is always a good excuse for a retiree to read – too cold, too hot (summer), too rainy (that was yesterday), to gloomy (most of this winter), too icy, too snowy – the list goes on and on. A positive in retirement – I can read whenever I want. LOL. Best wishes. Happy Reading to ALL!
This is exactly what I was going to say. There’s something to say about being retired. I love it.
I don’t need an excuse to read. I try to balance reading time with other things I have to do.
I really don’t need an excuse to read! One of my “jobs” is as a proofreader/editor! Plus, I read a lot of ARC’s. I just have to make sure I do my other job, but it’s my slow season with it, so there’s not much to do!
I like all of those excuses. I am retired now and have plenty of time to read. No excuses needed. And with a tablet. I can take my books with me wherever I go. Love all of the Inspy authors.
Sounds like you are in for some more bad weather on the west coast. Get your book.
Have a blessed day.
Good morning, your book sounds like a great read and I love your cover! When it is nice outside, I love to sit on our patio swing and read. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
I like all of those excuses. I am retired now and have plenty of time to read. No excuses needed. And with a tablet. I can take my books with me wherever I go. Love all of the Inspy authors.
Sounds like you are in for some more bad weather on the west coast. Get your book.
Have a blessed day.
I like all of those excuses. I am retired now and have plenty of time to read. No excuses needed. And with a tablet. I can take my books with me wherever I go. Love all of the Inspy authors.
Sounds like you are in for some more bad weather on the west coast. Get your book.
Have a blessed day.
Definitely, it’s too cold outside. Though it’s too hot also works.
Hope you’re feeling better!
A day like today when my sibblings have a snow day and have no school and it’s too cold to go outside cause the low today is supposed to be 17 so it’s too cold for me .
Thanks for the free read link, looking forward to reading your story and the others.
I agree with other posters, I never need an excuse to read!
I am stressed so I need a break is what I usually use
I usually use the excuse that I ‘have a couple of minutes free’, so of course I can’t waste that time and should fill it by reading a few pages. Or a few hundred depending on the day. Ha!
I don’t need an excuse I just read when I like.
Thanks for commenting, Audrey!
You’re welcome, Renate! I love that you’re enjoying retirement!
Yes! It’s been cold and windy, and we just got snow very low in the mountains here–rather unusual! Great excuse to read :-)
Ha-I like the way you think!
You’re welcome, Ruthie!
Brrr! Stay warm and cozy, Kendra!
All I need is a comfy seat in the sun, either outside or coming through a window and I’m happy. Of course, if it’s cloudy, a cozy chair and a soft blanket will do the trick too. 🙂
don’t need an excuse
I do not want to deal with reality. It is easier to be in another world. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
😍
Thank you so much, Alicia. And a patio swing sounds heavenly!
Perfect! (Especially the soft blankie … 😀)
God bless you, too, Debra!
😂
Wow! Your Valentino sounds awesome and what a great sale!! I just downloaded the collection! Thank you!
I Love reading so I don’t need an excuse, But I love reading print books only Have a Blessed Day and Thank you for sharing!
I try to always keep a book with me, especially when I’m out running errands. I don’t mind waiting so much when I have a book to read.
A few hundred sounds like bliss!
The only time I make up an excuse to read is if I only have afew pages left and then I just have to finish it. Other wise reading is a night time activity or if I have time away from home when I am waiting on someone else.
It’s a stress relieve lol