Say hi to special guests Becky Wade and Victoria Bylin…and win books!

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It’s a happy Friday here at the blog today!

I’m joined by special guests Becky Wade and Victoria Bylin. Becky and Vicki are both fellow Bethany House authors and we’ve had fun lately putting together some promo videos for our upcoming books. We debuted the first video just this week…all about the things you won’t find in a contemporary romance.

 

 

So here’s the thing: I have in my possession copies of Vicki and Becky’s latest books. Woohoo! I’d like to give away a bundle of books that includes Becky’s Meant to be Mine and Vicki’s Until I Found You, along with my own Here to Stay. Entry is super easy and you’ve got bunches of options. The Rafflecopter form is below.

But first, I wanted to give Vicki and Becky a chance to give us a little peek into their  stories and characters. So I asked them both two brief questions. Vicki’s up first:

 

1) Why did you write this story at this time? Or maybe in other words, why is it special to you and why did it need to be told?

aef364754995fac1ba5818dbeb949f91Until I Found You is special to me because it’s about a young woman’s search for God. Like a lot of us, Kate has a million balls in the air and there are times when they threaten to come tumbling down all around her. We’ve all been there at one time or another. What I love most about this book is how Kate goes from doing everything in her own strength to learning to trust God. It’s quite a journey, especially when she falls in love with Nick Sheridan and has to make some difficult choices.

2) If you could hang out with one of your characters from Until I Found You, who would you choose and why?

I’d hang out with Nick in a heartbeat. The day would start with a ride on his Harley to Pismo Beach for some good Mexican food, then we’d move on to a walk on the beach. This guy has lived life. I’d ask him about the moment he became a Christian, what that was like for him, and what he likes best about being a travel writer and journalist. Nick is the author of a bad-boy travel guide called California For Real Men, so we’d definitely talk about writing. Come to think of it, I have been hanging out with Nick, at least in my head!

*****

And Becky’s turn…

1) Why did you write this story at this time? Or maybe in other words, why is it special to you and why did it need to be told?

Becky-WadeI grew up reading romance novels and I’ve always been a sucker for a ‘secret baby’ storyline. …Is everyone familiar with the term ‘secret baby’? The baby in the story is secret because after he/she is conceived, the parents part, and her mother raises him/her without ever telling the father. When the baby’s father re-enters their lives years later and discovers the baby — fireworks ensue.

Because I love secret baby books, I’ve been wanting (for quite some time) to try my own hand at writing one. And that’s why I wrote Meant to Be Mine. I have to thank my editors at Bethany House, Sarah Long and Charlene Patterson, who trusted me and gave me permission to run with the idea.

2) If you could hang out with one of the characters from Meant to Be Mine who would you choose and why?

I’d choose Ty Porter, the novel’s hero/anti-hero. Why? Because I want to marry him.

He’s a pro bull rider. And hunky. He’s also funny, charming, flawed, confident. Celia banters very admirably with him all through the book, but I suspect that I might be able to hold my own against him. Just barely. Oh! If only I really could hang out with him….

*****

For the record, if I could pick a character from Here to Stay to hang out with for a day…it’d be Blake of course. OF COURSE.

Giveaway time! Entry is super easy–options include leaving a comment below, liking our Facebook pages, following us on Twitter and tweeting about the giveaway. The contest runs through next Wednesday. One lucky winner will receive one copy of Here to Stay, Until I Found You and Meant to Be Mine.

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    Comments 127

    1. Okay, now I want to read all of these! I wish our library would carry more books like these. Thanks for sharing about your books.

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        Have you ever done inter-library loan, Ellen? I don’t know if that’s available everywhere, but here in Iowa, if a library doesn’t have a book you want, they can usually get it from another library…it’s a nice system.

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        1. Sadly, the book has to be at least six months old before you can request it on inter-library loan. (Soory, my bother works in a library). However, it is a fantastic system!`

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    2. I’ve read and reviewed Melissa Tagg book, but this blog post furthered cemented my interest in the other two. Good questions!

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    3. I would hang out with Sherlock Holmes. Being a mystery writer, I would love to learn some of his techniques to use in my books.

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    4. Melissa! So excited for you to be releasing another book. Love watching God work in and through your life. I just shared this post on my FB fan page so others can jump in on the chance to be blessed by some great authors. Have an awesome launch week!!

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    5. Great way to start the morning, seeng all of you! (I’m just glad y’all could’t see me, since I’m still in my jambes.). I’m reading Here to Stay, Melissa, and loving it — of course — and I’ve already got Becky’s book in my sights. But thanks for the intro to Vicki! A new author — yay!

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    6. I would hang out with Anne from Anne of Green Gables – I can only imagine how beautiful Prince Edward Island is & especially when she lived there.

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        I love this answer! I’ve told people many times that I’ve never felt soooo understood by a character in a movie as what I feel when I watch the second Anne of Green Gables movie. (And I will confess, as much as I love the Anne books, this is one case in which I actually do like the movies better…but only the first two…that third one was HORRIBLE!) I have a dream of going to PEI someday.

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    7. Well, I’ve read one of these books with another in my hand right now and the third is patiently waiting on my TBR pile. SO happy to see more and more contemporary romances coming out. Yep. I”m partial to them. And your video cracked me up, ladies! FUN! Have a great weekend!!

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        YAY for having all the books either reading or waiting to be read. You know, I adore a good historical fiction…but there’s something about contemporary that ups the relatability factor for me. Is relatability a word?

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    9. I would love to hang out with Ty Porter. If I was younger.. Haha. I have both Becky’s and Melissa’s book but I do not have any of Victoria’s books. I always love to try new authors. I will be looking her up . I would love to win one of these books . Thanks for the giveaway.
      lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

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        I’ve got both Becky and Vicki’s books sitting on my kitchen table waiting to be read. 🙂 So I haven’t been introduced to Ty Porter yet. But from what I’ve heard, he’s a FUN hero. It’s killing me not to read their books yet, but I have to finish writing my third one. Then, finally, I can indulge. 🙂

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    10. There are so many great characters in the books to choose from! In the current book I am reading “Finger Lickin’ Fifteen” by Janet Evanovich I would enjoy hanging out with Stephanie Plum – she is a hilarious mess!

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        Can’t believe I’m about to admit this, but I have yet to read Stephanie Plum book! I have the first one on my kindle, just haven’t gotten to it yet. But I’ve heard she’s a hilarious heroine.

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    11. Thanks for having me on your blog, Melissa! As everyone who watches the video can probably tell — my kids and I had a great time recording our clips.

      Best to luck to all those who enter your contest! I’m with Susan. I, too, am delighted to see the release of more inspirational contemporary romances. Happy weekend, everyone!

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    14. Can’t wait to read all these books! I would love to hang out with Laura Ingalls. Didn’t she always have the best time??!!

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        Laura Ingalls did have a good time. 🙂 My favorite Laura Ingalls book was On the Banks of Plum Creek. Read that one over and over as a kid. And I used to feel super proud that both Laura and Mary’s characters were played by actresses with the first name Melissa.

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    15. Becky, your video made me laugh. I’d love to hang out at your house for a day. It looks so fun.
      I just finished reading Victoria’s book and LOVED it. It’s the first time I have read anything by her. I am already a fan of Becky and Melissa who write wonderful stories. I’m happy to find a new author.

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        It’s been killing me not to read Vicki’s book, Lynn. It’s sitting at home, waiting oh so patiently. I just have to finish writing the book I’m currently working on…then…finally…I get to partake. 🙂

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    16. Love made to last by Melissa tagg, so looking forward to part two on where love begins. The characters were great and look forward to see one of their original guy back in part two, especially he help Miranda and Matthew in bk one.

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    17. I’d love to tour the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago with Violet Hayes from Lynn Austin’s A Proper Pursuit. She’s such a funny and charming character that I know we’d have a smashing time! Love the video ladies, and looking forward to reading all your books!

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        OOH such a fun answer. There’s an old Disney movie I used to watch as a kid where they talk about going to the World’s Fair and so I have always thought it would’ve been an awesome event to go to. Deeanne Gist wrote a World’s Fair book recently, too.

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        Isn’t it so fun to discover new authors? That’s how I felt the first time I read Joanne Bischof a few years ago or Katherine Reay just recently or Kristy Cambron (her first book comes out soon…SO GOOD!)…

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    20. Unfortunately I have never read any of these books. I love to read books about the secret babies, past loves and people realizing that God is the answer in the storms of our lives.

      I can not wait to read these books.

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    22. My favorite character would be Mark Denton from Key Witness! He always has your back and a strong faith!
      jennydtipton at gmail .com

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    23. Looks like I found more books to read. 🙂 My character I would pick to hang out with is Ty Porter from Becky Wade’s Meant To Be Mine.

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        Yay I’m glad you’re reading HTS stay, Jessica. My hope as you read is that you like it much, much more than you like a certain GG character we happen to disagree on. Haha!

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    25. I would hang out with Pooh and have a blustery day. LOL TY for the chance to win books by authors I haven’t read.

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    26. Wow, that is a difficult question. I loved Blake and that he was trying to prove to people how much he had changed from the adventurous youth to a laid back, help anyone adult. Then there’s Ty Porter. Of course at first you just want to choke him for the way he treats Celia, but as he grows you see that he’s trying to be who everyone expects instead of his own person. Once Ty figures out he needs to be who he wants then you just can’t help but fall in love. Both are great characters, but I would more than likely pick Blake because I have a huge honeydo list.lol
      Loved both books.
      Blessings

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        Yay, I’m glad you loved BLake. Honestly, he was a really hard character for me to write in Here to Stay. I think it’s because in Made to Last, he was mainly a goofball with a hint of mystery about him. But in Here to Stay, I had to peel back his layers and figure out who he was underneath his goofy exterior. Love that guy. 🙂

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        YAY I love that you bring up that scene!! As I wrote that scene in Made to Last, I kept thinking about how much I wished I really had a room like that. It’d be such an amazing stress reliever.

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    30. I would hang out with Anne from Anne of Green Gables. I have always wanted to go to Canada. Plus it would be fun tag along on Anne’s adventures.

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    31. I have Becky Wade’s book on my list but the other two are new to me and they sound great too! I haven’t read any of them yet to pick a character from them but I would love to spend the day with the O’Malley family from Dee Henderson’s series.

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    32. Two of my favorite authors and one of my most anticipated BH debut authors together in this blog post? This is awesome. 🙂 Congrats on your new novels, ladies. And of course, I don’t blame any of you for wanting to hang out with your heroes. I would too. 😉

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        Hehe, I just realized we all picked our heroes to hang out with! I have actually spent a LOT of time trying to decide who I like better–Matthew from Made to Last or Blake. Of course, now I’m writing about a guy named Colton for book three and am falling pretty hard for him, too.

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    33. I have read all Becky’s and Melissa’s books but not any of Victoria’s so I’d love a chance to win hers!

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    34. All of the books sound great! I’ve already had the pleasure of reading Becky’s and I loved it! I completely agree with her about Ty – if only he were real and lived near me! 😉
      Nick and Blake sound awesome too! I will definitely have to keep an eye out for your books!
      If I may, I have a question for y’all. What was your favorite part of creating these characters? What do you think will make them stand out to readers?
      Thanks for the chance to win!
      Blessings,
      ~Sarah

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      1. Oops! I didn’t realize there was a question I was supposed to answer. That’s a hard question! I love so many characters! Well, if I narrow it down to the books shown here, then I would have to say Celia. I love baking and working in the kitchen, so I would love a chance to hang out at the bakery with her and learn how to make one of her specialties. 🙂

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        Awesome question, Sarah!

        Hmm, well, I first created Blake in my first book, Made to Last. And at that point, he was somewhat of a side character and pretty much a total goofball. I had a blast with him in that book! But in Here to Stay, with him being a main character, I had to do a lot more digging into who he is, what his goals and dreams are, what his past involved…and that was a big struggle for me…but it was also probably my favorite part…it honestly felt like getting to know a real person. Which is weird to say, but it felt that way.

        As for what I think will make him stand out? Hmm…Blake is pretty funny (in my eyes, anyway…I may be terribly biased!) and he’s game for anything. So that probably helps him stand out. But also, he has a way of seeing a need in someone and jumping in and fulfilling the need. He does it with Autumn over and over in the story…so I think that may stand out as well. Thanks for the questions!

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    35. I would hang out with Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. She has some several sisters at home like I do in real life. She lives near a neat, small, country village, but she gets to have a social life when she wants one. There are assemblies to attend if she cares to. Also, I envy her long, solitary country walks. Sounds wonderful. Elizabeth also gets to go to London and vacation with her aunt and uncle. Besides touring some grand houses (which I love to do) she gets to have dinner and opportunities to visit the people in these houses too. I wouldn’t take Mr. Darcy away from her, but if Col. Fitzwilliam is still single I think he would be a fine date/husband. I’ve always liked him.

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        OOH I love that pick. She would be a ton of fun to hang out with…she’s witty and smart and not afraid to say what she thinks. I like Col. Fitzwilliam, too! I might even go so far as to say he has a better sense of humor than Darcy. Not that I’m slamming Darcy… 🙂

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    36. I would hang out with Elizabeth Baxter from Karen Kingsbury’s Baxter Family series. She had breast cancer, just as I have had, but I’m a survivor!

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    37. Until I Found You, Here to Stay, and Meant to Be Mine are all on my “to read” list, so winning them would be super exciting! Even if I don’t win them, I plan to read them anyway. I read Melissa’s first book and thought it was fantastic. I also love Becky Wade, and I am looking forward to reading Victoria Bylin’s book.

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    38. Fun video! I loved the kids acting out some of the list. =) I do love historical fiction (yes, even mail-order bride stories, ha!), but in the past year or so I’ve been branching out more into contemporary. I haven’t read anything from Victoria Bylin, but I’ve read Melissa’s Made to Last and Becky’s My Stubborn Heart and really enjoyed them both. I can’t wait to read more from all of you ladies!

      If I could hang out with one character all day, I’d probably choose Lucy Pevensie because I really, really want to go to Narnia. =)

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    39. I have read Becky Wade’s book and love them. I am always looking for new authors to read, and I love when there are contest like this with several authors combined. That is actually how I was introduced to Becky Wade and Julie Lessman. Looking forward to reading the books from Melissa Tagg and Victoria Bylin. Thanks ladies:)

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    44. If I could hang out with any character for the day, I would hang out with Christy Miller from Robin Jones Gunn’s “Christy Miller” series. I relate to Christy a lot and my faith in God grew as I began reading those books at the age of 13. Even eight years later I still crave to get lost in the pages of those books and imagine I’m hanging with Christy and the gang on a beach in sunny California.

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        I remember those books! I don’t think I read all of them, but I definitely remember reading some. How many were there anyway? I think there’s a whole generation of Christian girls who grew up with them. 🙂

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    47. Hey, Melissa! Thanks for having me on your blog today! It’s pure joy to have a book out along with you and Becky. The covers look great together, don’t they? I have all three copies on my desk and can hardly wait to dig in to yours and Becky’s. Just finished a new proposal, so . . . It’s time to read and read and read!

      Best of luck to everyone who enters!

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        So fun to have you here to day, Vicki. Thanks for answering the questions. 🙂 I’ve got your and Becky’s books sitting on my kitchen table right now. I’ve been drooling over them for weeks. Just gotta get this book written…eek! 🙂

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    50. Thanks for the opportunity to win 3 wonderful books – Melissa, Becky and Vicki!! I would love to read each of them!! Such great story lines!!

      I feel authors ARE their characters – therefore, I would choose to hang out with my favorite Christian fiction author and learn more about ALL those enchanting characters in her head and heart – what a treat/bonus!!

      bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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        Ooh fun answer, Bonnie. I am my characters in many ways. In some, not as much…I mean, I’m not nearly as well-traveled and adventurous as Blake. Though I’d like to be. But there are maaaany pieces of both his and Autumn’s personalities that they get from me.

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        1. Melissa, No wonder I love your books! We have the same taste. Lisa Samson’s work is just amazing. As soon as you have a few days (and I know what that’s like!), pick up Mary-Margaret. The love story is one of the deepest, most complex romances I’ve ever read. Loved it!!!!

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      2. Yes!!! Jude is absolutely fascinating. I love this book. In fact, I love just about every book I’ve read by Lisa Samson. Our little book club just read Resurrection in May, and a few years ago we read Embrace Me.

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    52. Who would I hang out with? TY!! I haven’t even read the book yet but c’mon….he’s a BULL RIDER! You can’t beat a tried and true Cowboy….sigh….. Southern charm, southern draw…COWBOY, cowboy code….what is NOT to like?

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    53. Oh, my! How do I choose just one. The hero and heroin of Francine River’s Redeeming Love. This may sound a bit crazy, but the demon from Tosca Lee’s Demon: A Memior.

      I am sooooo looking forward to reading all three of the books you have mentioned above. I read Made to Last and loved Blake! I was so excited to find out you were going to tell his story next!

      Thank you,
      Stephanie

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        Ooh, Stephanie, I think you totally win for the most out-of-the-box answer with the demon from Tosca Lee’s book. You are brave!

        And I’m so glad you love Blake. He’s rather close to my heart. 😉

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    54. I would love to spend the day with Charlie Dixon from the Fool’s Gold series by Susan Mallery. Actually, I would love to spend the day with all the ladies of Fool’s Gold I just know my day would be non-stop fun.

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    55. Love the video! My husband likes to take pictures, so I was thinking about how the cover for Becky’s new book was staged. Would love to read these books, as I haven’t read many contemporary romances, mostly historical or suspense. Those wagons can be so attractive to read about! Blessings to each of you! Jeanie

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    56. It would be fun to hang out with Margaret Macy from Julie Klassen’s the Maid of Fairbourne Hall. What an interesting time period.

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    57. I would like to spend the day with Audrey Cunningham from Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller’s book series Bridal Veil Island.

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    58. For me it would be Ted from Gail Sattler’s “The Narrow Path” He is probably one of my most favorite heroes ever because he’s such a normal man 🙂

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    59. That is such a tough question because there are so many to choose from. I would have to say Savannah from Denise Hildreth Jones’ Savannah series. Spending a day with her would mean getting to visit beautiful Savannah, GA, laughing lots, and drinking lots of Coke! 🙂

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    60. I loved the video and was amazed at your list! Each made me chuckle. I have really enjoyed books from all three of you ladies. Contemporaries Rock! 🙂 Looking forward to reading all three of these new books. Who I would want to hang out with changes every day because each new day brings new books and new characters into my life!

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    61. Loved the video…it was so cute!! I love reading both contemporary and historical fiction and these new books sound great!! I have to agree with someone that posted who I would love to hang out usually depends upon what book I am reading. If the book is really good, then I feel like I am right there with that character!!

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    63. Melissa, what a fun post! And the questions you asked…..I loved them. I could totally see getting on the back of a Harley and heading to Pismo for some Mexican food. 🙂 Of course, listening to witty banter is always a plus too. 🙂

      These two books sound fabulous! And I’m loving yours BTW. 🙂

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    66. Staring at the hundreds of books I have on my shelves it’s hard to pick just one character but at the moment I am completely smitten with Blake Hunziker and he is currently battling for the place as my favorite hero ever (Luca Forelli is fighting to keep his position though). So I’d probably choose to spend a day (or a few days) with him and Autumn at the Kingsley Inn. It’d be awesome to be around Blake and I’d love to talk books and random facts with Autumn!

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    67. I loved the book Made to Last and can’t wait to read Here to Stay. Your characters feel like real people and you are rooting for them from beginning to end.

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