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#RARM19 – Amanda Bouchet – The True Magic of Romance

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A quick word from Bobbi Dumas, your host.

Hi everyone! Welcome to Read-A-Romance Month. You can find out more about this fun, month long event here. And check out all the great authors taking part this year on the calendar, here.

The theme this year is The Romance Of Reading, The Magic Of Books and we have an awesome assortment of writers – both romance and mainstream fiction authors – sharing about books, reading, romance & magic. I hope you’ll visit everyday.

(Also, be sure to check in to The Romance Of Reading FB page, where one of the RARM authors will be hosting the page each day in August. Today Karen Hawkins will also be on the page.)

Enjoy….

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Amanda Bouchet – The Magic of Books and Book People

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I’m thrilled to be sharing about the magic of books today! I write fantasy romance and futuristic fantasy. My debut series, The Kingmaker Chronicles, is set in a world based on ancient Greek mythology, while my current series, Nightchaser, is a Robin Hood meets Star Wars mash up that takes place in a far distant future. Both trilogies are quest-based adventures filled with strong friendships, found family, team efforts, danger, triumph, and steamy romance. I love writing on an epic scale: big books, big exploits, big emotion. Writing fantasy means building a unique world from the ground up and sticking to the rules I’ve established for it, which can be complex and difficult. Luckily, using my imagination and living in my own head are like breathing for me—totally necessary. That said, I’m not an introvert like many authors. I love being with people, especially bookish people.

Like anyone, I can be shy and awkward in a room full of people I don’t know or where our common ground isn’t particularly obvious. Part of the magic of books for me is community. I’ll never forget going to my first Romance Writers of America conference and understanding something fundamental: I’d just found my people. When I’m at writing conferences or book cons or signings, I’m happy in a way that transforms me into someone who doesn’t even think about being nervous. I can chat and make instant connections because I will always have something in common with the other people there: books and reading.

These magical connections don’t need to be in person, either. I love spending time with my Facebook and Instagram communities for the very same reason: books bring us together in something to celebrate and enjoy, and sometimes even to obsess over. We can leave our troubles behind and gush about new couples we love, stories that inspire us, and words that somehow come together on the page in a perfect storm that leaves us breathless, moved to laughter, tears, and everything in between. Part of the magic of books is falling so deep into a story that the rest of the world fades away, being bereft when it’s over, and then sharing the excitement with friends and other people who have already read or who might enjoy reading the book as much as you did. While reading may be a solitary experience, books bind people together.

I didn’t realize this until about seven years ago. No one in my family or circle of friends loved the same books I did, mainly romance for me, and so I read them, enjoyed them, and didn’t talk about them with anyone. I didn’t hide my love of romance novels, but I had no one to share it with, either. I’m fully aware now of a clear demarcation in my life—a before and after. I was always a reader, but it was writing with the aim of publication and building a career as a romance novelist that brought me into a community of readers and writers that already flourished on social media and at book and author events that I didn’t even know about. It was a case of my just going along, being fine, and not really understanding that an entire part of me was empty and waiting. I didn’t truly know what was missing until it had already filled me up and transformed me. For me, that’s the magic of books. Through them, I found my place, and I found my people.

What kind of magic has reading brought to your life? Have you ever been to a book event and felt the same wonder and sense of belonging as I have? If you enjoy books with magic, adventure, and kissing, I hope you’ll check out The Kingmaker Chronicles and Nightchaser. Thank you for reading!

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Amanda recommends:

Maria Vale – www.mariavale.com – @Amazon
I haven’t stopped talking about Maria’s Legend of All Wolves series for nearly two years because it’s simply the most unique and fascinating paranormal romance I’ve ever read. Do yourself a favor and try it!

Adriana Anders – www.adrianaanders.com – @Amazon
If you want sexy and emotional, try Adriana’s books. Her upcoming Whiteout (out January 2020) is one of the most exciting adventure romances I’ve ever read. She creates characters that are so real you can see yourself in them, gives you heroines to root for, and writes heroes you’ll definitely want to keep for yourself.

Chelsea Mueller – chelseamueller.net – @Amazon
Chelsea’s Soul Charmer series is urban fantasy with a strong element of romance. There’s a gritty heroine who comes into her own, an ambiguous hero who’ll break noses (and maybe do worse) for her, and a shady boss they both need to get out from under before they reach the point of no return. Three books in the series are already out and ready for you to dive into.

If you’re looking for great fantasy reads with exciting worlds, high stakes, and heart-pounding emotion, check out Grace Draven, Jeffe Kennedy, and Jennifer Estep.

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2019 RARM Questions:

Tell us about a time in your life that felt magical to you.

As a mother, there are small moments every single day that feel magical to me. My two children, ages six and eleven, bring me so much joy. I’m constantly proud of them and marveling at their achievements. What’s really magical, though, is when they look at me feeling proud of themselves for something they’ve accomplished. That Look at this, Mommy! smile on their faces is the best magic of all.

Tell us about a book that was magical for you.

I rarely reread books but one I will always be happy to pick up again and again is Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas. Those characters just burrow under my skin and I love them, feel for them, worry for them, and can’t get enough of them. My heart pounds. My chest clenches. I can’t put it down. I read a lot of romance when I was in high school and then less for a while. Sometime after college, I picked up this book, and that was it for me. It made me remember how much I adored romance novels and I’ve never looked back. Reading romance is what made me a romance author, so I suppose finding this book at the right time was life-altering, although it took me several more years to figure that out.

Tell us about a “magical moment” in your writing or your career?

Even though I’m fairly new to this, there have been several wonderful moments in my writing career. Two times on the USA Today bestseller list, lovely starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly, fans simply saying they love my books, and people telling me that my stories broke their reading dry spells and made them want to devour novels again. One of the most magical moments, though, was a letter from a woman who’d just gone through a terrible break-up and was despondent and feeling so bleak and hopeless about life and herself. She wrote to tell me that Cat and Griffin and their story in The Kingmaker Chronicles gave her hope again—hope for feeling better one day and for finding someone who loved her for all the parts of her, the good and the bad. No one is perfect, and watching imperfect characters find their happy ending and love each other no matter what gave her the spark of hope she needed right then. Her letter brought tears to my eyes. It’s something I’ll never forget and will always be grateful for.

For writers who use magical aspects in their books, what attracts you to those elements? For those of you who don’t, are there specific themes or elements you’re attracted to and find yourself going back to? Why do these resonate with you?

Magical aspects in books allow us to stretch our imaginations, create from nothing, and build a world of our own choosing. We can pull from established lore (I loved weaving Greek mythology into The Kingmaker Chronicles), and we can invent whole new magic systems. I tend to do a combination of the two, leaving readers grounded in something they’re familiar with while bending and shaping those familiar things to fit the story I want to tell. For me, the most exciting thing about writing books with magical elements in them are the infinite possibilities. If I can conceive of it, I can put it on the page.

Creativity is a kind of magical experience. What inspires you, keeps you going, helps you when you lose focus, etc.?

My author friends are the pure magic here. Hands down, they’re what keep me going when I get stuck or feel unsure or upset about something. No matter what we write, we all end up experiencing the same highs and lows in this business. I couldn’t get by without them.

DRAWING – is hosting The Romance of Reading page, and her giveaways will take place there.

However, all comments will also be entered to win a bundle of books from the Week 4 participating authors. You may enter by commenting on this original blog post and/or on the Read-A-Romance Month Facebook page post, here.

Each first unique comment at each space offers an extra chance to win, so check in with each author. Must comment by 9/05/19 11:59pm Eastern to enter.

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Amanda Bouchet grew up in New England where she spent much of her time tromping around in the woods and making up grand adventures in her head. It was inevitable that one day she would start writing them down. She writes what she loves to read: epic exploits, steamy romance, and characters that make you laugh and cry.

Amanda is a USA Today bestselling author of Fantasy Romance and Sci-fi Romance. She was a Goodreads Choice Awards top 10 finalist for Best Debut in 2016.

For more about Amanda’s books with equal parts adventure and kissing, connect with Amanda:

www.amandabouchet.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Discover all of Amanda’s books:

availableon-amazon

*Please note that the Amazon button, most cover images and text links connect to an affiliate portal. Thanks so much for your help & support!

#RARM19 – Maida Malby – Book A Magical Trip

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💜 💜 💜 💜 💜

🙂📚💜☀️🌈

A quick word from Bobbi Dumas, your host.

Hi everyone! Welcome to Read-A-Romance Month. You can find out more about this fun, month long event here. And check out all the great authors taking part this year on the calendar, here.

The theme this year is The Romance Of Reading, The Magic Of Books and we have an awesome assortment of writers – both romance and mainstream fiction authors – sharing about books, reading, romance & magic. I hope you’ll visit everyday.

(Also, be sure to check in to The Romance Of Reading FB page, where one of the RARM authors will be hosting the page each day in August.)

Enjoy….

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Maida Malby – The Magical Passport In Books

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“A book is a magical thing that lets you travel to far-away places without ever leaving your chair.” Katrina Mayer’s words expressed my thoughts perfectly about this year’s Read-A-Romance month theme: The Magic of Books.

I grew up in the Philippines and coming from a poor family, I did not have the resources to travel out of my birth country until I was already a working adult. Thankfully, I had a bookworm for a father and a teacher for a mother who both encouraged me from a young age to read books that took me all over the world before I was able to actually travel to the locations in which they were set.

Judith Krantz’s I’ll Take Manhattan familiarized me with New York City landmarks prior to my first visit there in 1994. I had seen the grandeur of the Sydney Opera House through Emma Darcy’s Harlequin romances set in Australia before I beheld it for the first time in 1998. Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence had me enthralled with the South of France years before I toured Europe in 1999. Imagine how often I’ve been to England from reading books by Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Barbara Cartland, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood, and Johanna Lindsey. Truly, if there’s a special passport that gets stamped every time I travel in books, I would have to renew it every year.

I want to believe that this is the same for millions of readers all over the world. In reality, however, the US-centric world of Romancelandia has limited book travel options to Asia. There’s Sonali Dev’s angsty A Distant Heart which transported me to India and Hong Kong, Sherry Thomas’s epic The Hidden Blade and My Beautiful Enemy duology set in Imperial China, and Mina V. Esguerra and her Romance Class cohorts’ works which always brings me home to the Philippines.

There are a few others but I feel strongly about the need for many more books to take readers to the biggest continent on Earth without leaving their homes. That’s why, when I started writing, I’ve chosen to conjure the magic of traveling through books by setting my first series in my home region of Southeast Asia. I’d like readers of Carpe Diem Chronicles to not only visit the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand when they read Boracay Vows, Singapore Fling, Samui Heat, and Palawan Promises, but also to experience the cultures through the languages, customs, and food I feature in them.

People fall in love all around the world. The magic is in witnessing that love blossom within the pages of a book.

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Maida recommends:

Linda G. Hill – lindaghill.com – @Amazon

Linda’s The Magician’s Curse and its sequel The Magician’s Blood are perfect for my topic not only because of the magic tricks in the books, but also because the scenes take place in various places in Canada.

Catherine Stein – www.catsteinbooks.com – @Amazon

Catherine’s How to Seduce a Spy is an award-winning steampunk romp that takes place in France, Egypt, USA, and England. 

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2019 RARM Questions:

Tell us about a time in your life that felt magical to you.

2004 stands out as one of the most eventful years in my life. It was a year of travels for me with trips to Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, the US, and the Philippines. It was during my summer vacation in the US when I met my now-husband Brian. In the fall, he visited me in Singapore where I was based at the time and we went to the Philippines where I introduced him to my family and friends. I also brought him to my favorite place in the country: the island of Boracay.

Tell us about a book that was magical for you.

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist changed my life. I was at a holding pattern when I read it – no romantic relationship, no promotion at work, no budget for travel. Then I came across the famous line: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

It’s not a wish or a prayer that will be magically, instantly granted, but that of a goal I’m going to work hard to accomplish, with the entire universe surrounding me with positive energies. The hope it gave me was so profound, I made my dreams come true shortly afterwards.

Tell us about a “magical moment” in your writing or your career?

I wrote BORACAY VOWS during NaNoWriMo in November 2016. It was already November 26 and the book was only at 37,000 words. I needed to write 13,000 more in four days in order to win. On the 27th, I wrote 4,000 words. Something just clicked. After that, the next three days flew by with the creative juices flowing and the words coming out fast and furious. The competitor in me rose up to the occasion and urged me to finish in style. Also, magic. And the universe.

For writers who use magical aspects in their books, what attracts you to those elements? For those of you who don’t, are there specific themes or elements you’re attracted to and find yourself going back to? Why do these resonate with you?

Somebody traveling to a faraway place and finding their forever partner there is magical to me. How else can two strangers with vastly different backgrounds come together in that particular place, at that specific time and decide that nobody else will do? They’re it. Attraction. Love. Magic.

Creativity is a kind of magical experience. What inspires you, keeps you going, helps you when you lose focus, etc.?

When I’m blocked, I go to Amazon and search for my debut novel Boracay Vows. I click on “Similar books” and see only my other book New York Engagement there. Nobody else tells the stories I do – Filipina main character paired with an American love interest and their romance happens outside of the US. I get back to work right away and write more of my love story and the love stories of many couples all over the world who are like me and my husband. If I don’t represent them, nobody else will.

Drawing – Maida is generously giving away a Book-A-Magical-Trip package containing:

– A signed paperback copy of Boracay Vows

– A charm bracelet/anklet that can also be a fancy bookmark

– A cute sinamay hat with blue ribbon

– A fashionable pair of shades with white frames

– A sea-themed blue and white sarong

– White flip-flops

– Soak Up The Sun tote bag

To enter, leave a comment below. Drawing open until September 6, 2019 11:59 PM EST.

However, all comments will also be entered to win a bundle of books from the Week 4 participating authors. You may enter by commenting on this original blog post and/or on the Read-A-Romance Month Facebook page post, here.

Each first unique comment at each space offers an extra chance to win, so check in with each author. Must comment by 9/05/19 11:59pm Eastern to enter.

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Maida Malby writes, reads, reviews, and lives Romance. With her multicultural contemporary romance stories, she takes you to her favorite places in the world and shares with you the experience of their rich cultural heritage.

She is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA), Cultural, Interracial, Multicultural Special Interest Chapter of the Romance Writers of America (CIMRWA), and several romance book clubs. Her To-Be-Read Mountain and reviews of romance novels are featured on her website maidamalby.com.

When not writing, reading, or reviewing books, Maida consults her husband on word selection, debates with her ten-year-old son regarding the Oxford comma, cooks the dishes she features in her stories, procrastibakes using Baileys as her secret yummy ingredient, and watches golf and food shows on TV.

Connect with Maida:

maidamalby.com | Facebook | Twitter

Discover all of Maida’s books:

availableon-amazon

*Please note that the Amazon button, most cover images and text links connect to an affiliate portal. Thanks so much for your help & support!

#RARM19 – Kennedy Ryan

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Kennedy Ryan is buried under a deadline and was unable to submit a #RARM19 entry. 🙁

I do hope you’ll visit with her today on The Romance of Reading FB page.

I’m crossing my fingers that she’ll do the essay and the questions and I can share them with you at a later date.

If you haven’t “met” Kennedy or her books yet, I hope you will. Great storytelling, awesome stories set in fairytale industries – the music world, the NBA – but still lovely and accessible, and with a slice-of-reality groundedness that explores some of the grittier aspects of life, no matter where the characters come from or what heights they’ve reached.

Just some electric reads.

She won this year’s Contemporary Romance – Long RITA for LONG SHOT. It’s a great romance, but be warned, there is some graphic description of domestic violence. (Find Long Shot @Amazon.)

GRIP is a mixed race romance that takes place in the hip hop world. Very sexy, with two complex lead characters who’ve been trying to find their way together for years. Smart and sexy. (Find Grip @Amazon.)

Connect with Kennedy:

kennedyryanwrites.com | Facebook | Twitter

Discover all of Kennedy’s books:

availableon-amazon

*Please note that the Amazon button, most cover images and text links connect to an affiliate portal. Thanks so much for your help & support!

#RARM19 – Vanessa Kelly – When The Magic Saves Us

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🙂📚💜☀️🌈

A quick word from Bobbi Dumas, your host.

Hi everyone! Welcome to Read-A-Romance Month. You can find out more about this fun, month long event here. And check out all the great authors taking part this year on the calendar, here.

The theme this year is The Romance Of Reading, The Magic Of Books and we have an awesome assortment of writers – both romance and mainstream fiction authors – sharing about books, reading, romance & magic. I hope you’ll visit everyday.

(Also, be sure to check in to The Romance Of Reading FB page, where one of the RARM authors will be hosting the page each day in August. Today Karen Hawkins will also be on the page.)

Enjoy….

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Vanessa Kelly – Love, Hope & The Essence of Magic

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Life can be magic. Life is magic, in huge, amazing ways—like the birth of a child, or falling in love, or starting over and finding something better. How is that not magic?

Then there’s everyday magic—a baby’s smile, a hug from a loved one, a dog’s wagging tail, a beautiful sunset, or a really good glass of wine. Those moments, as small as they are, give a glimpse of the ineffable something that makes you think, damn, life is good.

Books, including romance novels, catch a slice of these glorious moments. Frozen in time and yet always ready to come alive in our imaginations, books are flashes of magic whenever we want them—or need them.

And sometimes we really need them. And that’s because life can be really, really hard.

I’ve had one of those years where life came at me in many crappy ways: health, family, work issues…just, ugh. We’ve all been there, of course. It’s the human condition. Life is a gift, but bad comes with good. You have to find ways to cope with the big bad, ones that help rather than harm.

Books help. Books help a lot. There have been times when books literally saved me, at least from doing something that would have made my situation markedly worse. In desperation and instead of doing the stupid thing, I would pick up a book. For that small slice of time, I stepped away from my problems and into another space where I could lose myself and, sometimes, find myself, too.

Because books can heal, right? That’s a big part of their magic. If you find the right book—and it’s amazing how often, how magically, that happens—it can speak to that part of your spirit desperate for healing. Books, including romance novels, are a light along the path out of the dark.

The magic of romance never grows old for me, which is why I re-read my favorite romances when most worn down. Georgette Heyer, Mary Stewart, and Victoria Holt, those early book loves have carried me through some very tricky patches. But whether it’s a treasured re-read or a shiny debut, romance novels are magic because they are always hopeful, even when the characters face epic, heart-breaking, impossible odds.

Love is hopeful, and hope is the essence of magic.

Clan Kendrick, my latest series, features a boisterous family of Highlanders. Logan Kendrick, the hero of THE HIGHLANDER’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE, has certainly had his share of challenges and sorrows. Handsome, brawny, and with a boatload of charm, life always came easily to Logan—until it didn’t. Now a widower with a little boy, he wants nothing more than to be a good father and make his son happy. A challenge he’s never faced on his own, he’s making a bit of a hash of it.

But Christmas is coming and the magic of that lovely season—along with Donella Haddon, a sensible young woman who’s decided she’s been sensible for much too long. Donella wants the magic of love and hope, and she wants it with Logan Kendrick and his adorable little boy.

As a reader, I am so grateful for the wonderful books that have given me the courage to carry on through the difficult times. As a writer, nothing—and I mean nothing—makes me happier than when a reader says: hey, I was having a rough day, and your book made life a little bit better.

That, dear friends, is truly magic.

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Vanessa recommends:

Minerva Spencer – www.minervaspencer.com – @Amazon
Minerva’s books are challenging, rollicking, adventurous, sexy, and just plain cool.

Jessie Mihalik – www.jessiemihalik.com – @Amazon

I love futuristic romance and space operas, and this is one of the best starts to a new series I’ve read in quite some time. Smart and fun.

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2019 RARM Questions:

Tell us about a time in your life that felt magical to you.

When I was in graduate school, I spent a summer in England doing research in Oxford—at the Bodleian Library, no less. After spending several hours in a gorgeous building that was once the intellectual home to some of the greatest minds in English literature, I would then pick up lunch at a little stall in the local market. I would head out to one of the college gardens and pick a quiet, shady spot to eat my lunch and think. All around me were the “dreaming spires” of Oxford, a most ancient and beautiful place. I also went tooling around the countryside with my brother, ending up in places like Tintagel and Lyme Regis—following in the mythic, magical footsteps of Merlin and King Arthur, and the real but no less magical footsteps of Jane Austen. It was glorious!

Tell us about a book that was magical for you.

I would have to say books rather than book—specifically, The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. I am not generally a fan of paranormal books, but A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES blew me away. It’s big, complicated, beautiful, smart, scary, and, of course, intensely romantic. The entire series transports the reader to a world that is magical, both literally and figuratively, but also grounded in science, medicine, and history. It’s world-building on an fantastic scale, with tremendously distinctive characters. I was SO happy to see it made into a mini-series. Harkness deserves every bit of her acclaim, IMHO.

Tell us about a “magical moment” in your writing or your career?

Donella, the heroine of THE HIGHLANDER’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE, was a secondary character from HOW TO MARRY A ROYAL HIGHLANDER, a book from an earlier series. At the end of that book, she hiked off to a convent—presumably never to be seen again. When I realized that she would get kicked out of that convent (think Maria, from The Sound of Music) and become the heroine of my latest book, it was a moment of story magic for me. I never thought much about Donella, and then I realized in a flash of inspiration how much she needed her own story. It made it SUCH a fun book to write.

For writers who use magical aspects in their books, what attracts you to those elements? For those of you who don’t, are there specific themes or elements you’re attracted to and find yourself going back to? Why do these resonate with you?

I find myself going back to themes about family. We start and end with families, in a myriad of versions. It’s a theme that is magically fascinating to me—how we lose families, find them, forgive them, and create new ones that fulfill our need for love and connection.

Creativity is a kind of magical experience. What inspires you, keeps you going, helps you when you lose focus, etc.?

To be honest, I don’t feel like I’m a very creative person. I’m more of a worker bee. Doing the job, honouring my commitments, trying to write stories that will make my readers happy (and me!), that’s what keeps me going.

Drawing – Vanessa is generously giving away signed, print copies of Three Weeks With a Princess and The Highlander Who Protected Me to one reader. (Open to international readers). To enter, leave a comment below. Open until August 5, 2019 11:59 PM EST.

However, all comments will also be entered to win a bundle of books from the Week 4 participating authors. You may enter by commenting on this original blog post and/or on the Read-A-Romance Month Facebook page post, here.

Each first unique comment at each space offers an extra chance to win, so check in with each author. Must comment by 9/05/19 11:59pm Eastern to enter.

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Vanessa Kelly is USA Today bestselling author, whose Regency-set historical romances have been nominated in a number of contests. She’s won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Her books have been published in nine languages, and she is well known for developing vibrant Regency settings, appealing characters, and witty storylines that captivate readers. 

Connect with Vanessa:

www.vanessakellyauthor.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Discover all of Vanessa’s books:

availableon-amazon

*Please note that the Amazon button, most cover images and text links connect to an affiliate portal. Thanks so much for your help & support!

#RARM19 – Nina Bocci – Magical Escape

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🙂📚💜☀️🌈

A quick word from Bobbi Dumas, your host.

Hi everyone! Welcome to Read-A-Romance Month. You can find out more about this fun, month long event here. And check out all the great authors taking part this year on the calendar, here.

The theme this year is The Romance Of Reading, The Magic Of Books and we have an awesome assortment of writers – both romance and mainstream fiction authors – sharing about books, reading, romance & magic. I hope you’ll visit everyday.

(Also, be sure to check in to The Romance Of Reading FB page, where one of the RARM authors will be hosting the page each day in August. Today Nina Bocci will also be on the page.)

Enjoy….

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Nina Bocci – The Transporting Magic Of A Great Novel

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Since I was knee high to a grasshopper, books have been always been that magical go-to that helped me escape whatever was ailing me. That’s as true then, as it is now – especially given the current state of the world.

The quote, ‘A reader lives a thousand lives’ has always been something that I’ve enjoyed passing on to children, and even other adults. We do live inside the books as we’re devouring them. There is truly something magical about a great novel. Even if they’re not fantasy or have supernatural elements. You’re transported to a big city, a small town, a foreign country you’ve always wished to visit. How can you not love that?

With the world being a bit terrifying lately, books have that magical way of healing, calming us down, and making things seem just a little bit less stressful.

Which brings us to my new book, ON THE CORNER OF LOVE AND HATE (Gallery 8/20/19). It’s got a bit of everything; friendship, love, politics (eeep), small town chatter and a cast of characters that I hope, put a smile on your face.

The town of Hope Lake is make-believe, but I think you’ll recognize pieces of it, and characters from it, in your own towns, no matter how big or small. There’s always a gossip, a flirt, a know-it-all, the town heartthrob and the best friends that do the will they or won’t they dance. I loved writing this book and living in the small-town of Hope Lake for a little while.

I hope you do too!

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Nina recommends:

Tif Marcelo – tifmarcelo.com – @Amazon
I recently read Tif Marcelo’s The Key to Happily Ever After and it was pure joy. I loved it!

Evie Dunmore – eviedunmore.com – @Amazon
I’m waiting on Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke.

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2019 RARM Questions:

Tell us about a time in your life that felt magical to you.

My son and I had been reading the Harry Potter books in preparation of a trip to Universal Studios. The first time that he walked through the section of bricks leading to Diagon Alley was pure, literal magic. His little face, in total awe, is something I’ll remember forever.

Tell us about a book that was magical for you.

There are epistolary novels from Nick Bantock that are to this day, my favorite. Griffin & Sabine is probably the book that I recommend the most to people. The artwork is interesting, and thought-provoking, the story is transportive and delightful. I remember reading them for the first time in college and I read them every year since (so, a long time J They’re worth checking out

Tell us about a “magical moment” in your writing or your career?

The first book signing I had at my local B&N in my hometown was the most wonderful time. I didn’t expect the crowd that came out in support. It really made me feel that for the first time, I was an author.

For writers who use magical aspects in their books, what attracts you to those elements? For those of you who don’t, are there specific themes or elements you’re attracted to and find yourself going back to? Why do these resonate with you?

I’m in the process of mapping out a magical realism middle grade book. It’s a far cry from what has been published by me, but I love it so much. The idea sparked from a tiny article about a historical event, and it stuck with me. I couldn’t shake it. I spoke to my son (12) and we came up with a pretty cool idea. So, we’re writing the project together. Even if it never sees the light of day, I can’t wait to dig into it.

Creativity is a kind of magical experience. What inspires you, keeps you going, helps you when you lose focus, etc.?

What keeps me going is just how much I want to be an author. I’ve always wanted to be and while my life took a different path for many years, I’m so glad that I circled back and found my passion for it again. That’s what helps me stay focused.

DRAWING – is hosting The Romance of Reading page, and her giveaways will take place there.

However, all comments will also be entered to win a bundle of books from the Week 4 participating authors. You may enter by commenting on this original blog post and/or on the Read-A-Romance Month Facebook page post, here.

Each first unique comment at each space offers an extra chance to win, so check in with each author. Must comment by 9/05/19 11:59pm Eastern to enter.

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Nina Bocci is a USA TODAY bestselling novelist who loves reading and writing about swoony, relatable heroes and smart, witty heroines. If it’s set in a small town, even better.

You can always find her chatting on social media about her massive, crazy Italian family, and her favorite person in the world, her son. 

Connect with Nina:

ninabocci.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Discover all of Nina’s books:

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