Hi Everyone! I’m writing today about vacation planning. Yep, vacation planning.
Oh, I know, we’re supposed to stay at home, but you know as well as I do that readers like us can go anywhere we want, any time. All we need is a good book!
To start my post today, I’ve got a list of book suggestions based on vacation settings so that you can pick the location you’d like to “visit” with the help of the Inspy Romance Travel Agency. These books were specially selected by the authors as ones that give a real feel of the setting.
Then, I’d like you to think about where you’d choose to take a real-life vacation after the coronavirus is behind us. I recognize that this is a very serious illness, but I also believe that together we ARE going to get through this! For my part, I’ve been praying for those affected and trying hard to keep a positive attitude by reading my Bible, especially the Psalms, reading uplifting fiction, like Christian romance, and reminding myself that this lockdown lifestyle won’t last forever. With that in mind, I’ve got a giveaway of my new release today and the question is–where would you like to take a real-life vacation one day in the future?
First, though, here are today’s special packages from the Inspy Romance Travel Agency for…
Your Vacation between the Pages!
The Beach
Always a favorite with our clients here at the InspyRomance Travel Agency, a beach vacation brings the sound of crashing waves, the warmth of the sun on your shoulders, and the feel of sand beneath your toes! We’re booking trips right now to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, with Roadtrip to Redemption and Caribbean getaways to the Bahamas with Smile for Me.
The Mountains
Interested in a vacation that will remind you of God’s majesty? In my opinion, a mountain getaway is just the ticket! No need to worry about reservations or packing a bag, you can visit the breath-taking Adirondacks today just by opening a copy of Entrusted! (Note: this link takes you to Amazon, but it is also a free download via BookFunnel.)
The West
You know, I still remember the first time I went out west as a child. I think I was about eight. I saw these big dark blobs ahead on the landscape as we drove. When I asked what they were, my dad explained that those were the shadows of the clouds! Wow! Now those are wide, open spaces! I’d never seen such a thing, growing up in the Missouri Ozarks. Are wide, open spaces calling to you? Then get ready for an all-inclusive vacation to big, beautiful Montana with A Match to Call Ours!
A Sweet Small Town
Has life got you a little (or more than a little) stressed these days? You’re not alone. For clients like you, the Inspy Romance Travel Agency recommends a restful visit to a sweet small town! We’re booking deluxe packages right now to Wisconsin with Not Until Forever, to Virginia with Buying Love, or to Missouri with my book Love at Sunset Lake!
Canada
Are you tired of sitting at home? Feeling like the only exercise and excitement in your life has been walking around your block? How about a vacation spent canoeing in the Canadian West, experiencing wildlife and the northern lights? (Personally, I’ve always wanted to see those!) If this sounds like the trip for you, Sweet Serenade is your perfect vacation between the pages!
Ireland
Now talk about a vacation destination that is magical! I mean, I know leprechauns aren’t real, but just picture how gorgeous and green it will be if you vacation in Ireland! We’ve got two separate Irish vacation packages available here at the Inspy Romance Travel Agency. Personally, I recommend that you book the double package with both Star Rising and Kinsale Kisses!
You know, as a travel agent, I hear about great vacations all the time. I have to say, though, that after looking at all the covers of these books–I mean travel packages–I might just need to plan an extensive vacation with lots and lots of stops!
Seriously, I hope you, too, will be able to find a book (or, like me, two or three or four) that will brighten your days during these challenging times! May God watch over you and your family, strengthen and protect our healthcare workers, and be with us all.
And now, a giveaway!
I’m giving away a free copy (one Kindle copy, available worldwide) of my new release, Love Once More.
Love Once More
Two orphaned babies, one overwhelmed uncle, one former fiancée…
One way or another, freelance editor Kristen Hamlin will keep her word. She promised to raise her best friend’s baby girls, should the need ever arise, and she meant it. Obviously, the twins should never be given to their workaholic uncle. After all, he’s the same man who broke his engagement to Kristen so he could spend more time with his real love—computers. But when tragedy strikes, leaving the twins as orphans, Kristen discovers that the paperwork was never done. He’s the legal guardian.
Entrepreneur Clay Norris has his hands full, taking care of his twin nine-month-old nieces, not to mention running his computer-gaming company. To make matters worse, his former fiancée claims she should have been given custody of the twins—not him—and has now suddenly moved in next door. Coincidence? He thinks not.
Once the demands of looking after two infants require a team effort, Clay and Kristen are inevitably drawn together. Old feelings rekindle, but the couple struggles to move beyond painful mistakes from the past. As circumstances conspire against them, can they learn to forgive one another, accept God’s limitless grace, and find the courage to take a chance on love once more?
Love Once More is a stand-alone contemporary Christian romance novel and is part of the Abundance Series by Sally Bayless. If you like a sweet, small-town romance, you’ll love this uplifting novel about a couple given a second chance at love.
Love Once More is available in Kindle, paperback, and Kindle Unlimited!
To enter, just let me know in the comments where you would one day like to take a real vacation. I’ll start us off by saying that I have never been to any of the New England states and I would love to visit there in the fall. Fall is the busiest time of year for my husband’s job, so this may well be a retirement vacation, but it is the top of my list. What about you?
If you’d like to be included in the drawing, please comment by Tuesday evening, April 7, 2020. One commenter on this post will be chosen at random, notified by email, and announced in a Sunday edition. *Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.*
Sally Bayless writes contemporary Christian romance that features compelling characters, real-world problems, and uplifting endings filled with the power of love. She lives in the beautiful hills of Appalachian Ohio and has two grown children. When not working on her next book, she enjoys reading, watching BBC television with her husband, doing Bible studies, kayaking, and shopping for cute shoes. For updates on her writing and a free insider’s guide to her books, subscribe to her newsletter by clicking the newsletter icon below or visiting http://bit.ly/NewsfromSally.
Wow, what a fabulous post and way to take us into our imaginations, thank you.
Egypt and Greece for all the brilliant colours and history and Antarctica for the sheer majesty. :)
Yes, books are definitely my getaway! (And, often, I vacation right in front of my kids!!!) This Aussie gal had the chance to see New England your last fall. It was gorgeous and totally fall-in-love-able (didn’t mean the pun, there!) I would love to go back there! But right now, I’ll just have to look back at the memories.
Love, Jaye
I have always wanted to see Norway
I would love to visit Montana. It is so beautiful there. I have also read nearly all of Susan May Warren books about the area.
I’m so glad you enjoyed my post! Wow! Those are great vacation destinations. I don’t know if I’d go to Antarctica. I’m not that fond of snow. Egypt and Greece, though, would be amazing!!
Hi Jaye! I love your comment that you vacation right in front of your kids! LOL! If you can visit New England, I think I should get to visit Australia! I’m sure this is what all the tourists say, but I’d love to see kangaroos! I mean, I’ve seen them in the zoo, but I think adding in all the sights of Australia would be a lot more exciting!
Oooh, Kim, I bet it’s beautiful!! What a great vacation idea!
Montana would be so fun to see! I’ve never been there, but my husband and son drove through it last summer and said it was beautiful. And big–they said it actually should be five states for all the time it took to drive across! Did you see that Merrillee’s new book, A Match to Call Ours, is set in Montana? It’s on my Kindle for the weekend!
England is at the top of our bucket list! We were “this close” to booking a September trip, but had already decided to hold off, so we’ll see what happens.
Love your post!
I’d love to see Ireland someday. I’d also settle for visiting the beach, maybe along the Carolina’s coast.
I’d love to go to Alaska one day!! My dream would be to drive there, across the US, through Canada, and then to Alaska!!! I’d get to see lots of places that way!
Sally,
You’ve selected lovely locales with your book recommendations; I will be checking them out. I can attest to the beauty of many of the US places & Canada you mentioned. We’ve traveled by car hitting as many national/international parks as possible, over the years, & Canada. The area is lovely & amazing in variety. We just had a dive trip that was postponed due to COVID, so I am looking forward to that this fall. Otherwise, the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise/Morraine Lake area would be on my revisit list. I keep thinking – the world is so large, & time is limited. Thank goodness for books where we can travel anywhere, affordably, vicariously! :D
I have read your book, Love Once More; it’s delightful. You can bump my name from your drawing. :)
Thanks, Sally. Now we have a lot of places to visit.
I’d love to spend some time in the Pacific northwest (or southwest to our BC friends). I’ve been as far as Idaho but I’ve had friends who lived in Oregon and Washington state who sing their praises. I heard somewhere that when they were considering the name for the area that became the state of Washington, they were considering calling it Columbia but they thought it would be confused with the District of Columbia so they went with Washington, LOL!!
That sounds like a dream vacation to me!
Wouldn’t it be amazing to see Ireland? I’ve never been there, but I can attest that the Carolina coast is gorgeous. For about a year in my twenties, I lived near Wrightsville Beach, NC. Such a pretty place!
Now that would be a fun trip! Just think of all the amazing things you would see!
Penelope, you sound like a real traveler! Thank you for your kind words about my new release and thanks for stopping by today!
Hopefully it will help us keep our spirits up! Take care, Merrillee!
Lincoln, that story is too funny! No one ever confuses Washington state with anything, lol! All kidding aside, my son lives near Seattle and it is gorgeous there! Hope you get to visit it one day!
I love this kind of story.
I’ve always wanted to travel through New England.
I’ve always wanted to go to Belize.
I would love to visit the east coast the West Coast the national parks. I love to see places history was made.
We think alike, Denise! I hope we both get to visit New England one day soon!
That sounds like great trip! I bet it’s beautiful!
Pam, you bring up a great point. Some places are not just beautiful, but full of fascinating history. That makes the visit even better! My favorite historical spot of those I’ve visited was Jamestown. They have archeological digs there that are fascinating!
I would love to visit the Anne Frank museum (Holland), and a concentration camp. I know that sounds dreadful, but I’ve taught about the Holocaust so often that those places seem holy to me even though they would be sobering. I think there’d also be signs of hope and resurrection at both places.
Tops on my travel bucket list is Bora Bora!
I was planning a trip to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming for this fall before everything hit. Right now my plannimg is on hold but whenever I’m able to travel I’m looking forward to seeing those huge, rocky mountains which are so different from the mountains I’m used to seeing in the eastern part of the country.
I agree with you. I’d love to see New England in the fall. It looks so pretty in pictures. I’d have to go by myself, though. That’s the problem with being single most of your life and also being a loner. lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Not sure where I would like to take a trip to, as I have more fun taking trips just by reading.
Cathy, I never thought of those places as spots where you would see hope and resurrection but I bet you are right. Sometimes it is in the darkest places that God’s light shines the brightest. I hope you get to take this trip and find the signs of hope!
So, I have to admit that I wasn’t quite sure where Bora Bora was. I Googled it and I am now ready to pack up and go. Wow!! It looks amazing!
Jessica, that sounds like a beautiful trip! I agree–the mountains out West are so different from what we have back here in the East. So rugged! So tall!! I know when you are able to travel you will love it!
I’m bet whether you go alone or with a group, New England in the fall is worth the trip! Those leaves!!
Patricia, there is a lot to be said for snuggling up with a great book, then sleeping in your own bed at night! Aren’t books amazing?