Monday, May 11, 2015

Summer Time and the reading is easy?



By: Marcia King-Gamble



 http://on.fb.me/1GF28CG

With summer right around the corner,  I’m embarrassed to say that while I have a long list of   ‘Must Reads,’ it’s more like ‘Must Get To.”

Don’t get me wrong, the desire to read is there and it’s very strong. I want to read each and every one of those books on my nightstand. In fact I’m dying to. My challenge is time, and the formidable stack competes with my writing energy.

So what to do? Miss those deadlines or get through those books.



Top of the list is Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Heroes are my Weakness. Yes, I know, considering this book was released last summer, I am coming to the party late.  But never would be out of the question. I love this talented author’s writing, and a more gracious lady you will never meet. Just about anything she pens becomes a favorite, and a good read to take to the pool with me.

Since I live in Florida, reading takes place beach or poolside, especially in the summer when temperatures soar.



Okay, so you didn’t ask, but I will tell you. What keeps me so busy this summer?  Writing of course. I’ve committed to a box set with seven other authors.



 For those of you who don’t know what a box set is, it’s a themed storyline that the authors all contribute to. Eight of us will write individual novellas but the stories are all packaged as one.   You get eight different voices and eight different stories and all at an affordable price. They are quick, easy reads. 

Women supposedly like Bad Boys (can you tell me why?)  So my colleagues and I bring you ‘Bad Boys on Holiday.’ These are hot guys on vacation stories. Can the heroines reel them in? Here is a wonderful Hawaiian sunrise to put you in the mood.


The cover’s not done yet, or I would share it with you. Be assured the moment it’s ready, you’ll get a sneak peek. My novella, titled Islands Apart and set on Oahu (Hawaii) – a place where I lived way back when - has a delicious bad boy, hero, Caden - A disgraced football player who thinks he’s about to be dropped from the team.  He’s having one last good time with his boys before the  real world intrudes.

My heroine, Livvy is a full figured software developer in search of her missing brother. She is pretending to be the quintessential party girl while looking around.   Their paths cross when Caden rescues Livvy from an overzealous 'player,' - not the athletic kind.

Our challenge is to keep these fast paced stories flowing and not make the romance seem forced. 



Second on my list of projects, is a novel that’s done but needs a bit of sprucing up. I’ve reworked this book so many times, to suit so many publishers, that I can probably recite each page line for line.  It’s a story that needs to be told and I’m bound and determined to do so.

The heroine, Juliette Sanders, is a divorced single parent, raising a twelve year old daughter, Halle - the result of in vitro fertilization.  Currently in remission for cancer, Halle’s only hope is a stem cell transplant. Juliette is obsessed with finding the anonymous donor.

My hero, Alexander Neal is in recovery after losing his wife and unborn twins in a tragic accident. The last thing he expects to hear is that a stranger has his child.  As a struggling grad school student, he sold his sperm. Now he is faced with the tough decision of  whether to get involved. This is one of my bigger books and one I am especially proud of.

So most of my reading will take place this fall.  Top of my list is a Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum escapade. Having lived in New Jersey, her books keep me spellbound and laughing till my sides ache.  I’m finishing up Beverley Gail Eikli’s Reluctant Bride right now. It’s a historical and I am loving it.

The unread pile ranges from Sophie Kinsella to Emily Giffin, and a personal favorite (one of the reasons I started writing) talented author, Rochelle Alers.



Do you have a “Must Read” this summer - Share! Share! Share!



Marcia King-Gamble is a National Bestseller of 30 novels and 5 novellas. She hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. Marcia currently lives in the USA.

She is a former travel industry executive and a self proclaimed globetrotter.Visit her website at www.lovemarcia.com

5 comments:

Sarah Raplee said...

Marcia, those are all great-sounding summer reads. I love SEP, too! Just You sounds like an amazing story. Can't wait to read it when it comes out!

Marcia King-Gamble said...

Thank you, Sarah for popping by. I'm excited about Just You's release, Here's to a good summer filled with wonderful reads!

Diana McCollum said...

"Just You" sounds like a wonderful story and one I'd want to read. It is hard to read in the summer. If I'm not writing I'm out enjoying the good weather fishing etc. Good luck on sales.

Marcia King-Gamble said...

Yes, Diana, I agree reading is tougher in summer. There are so many temptations!

Judith Ashley said...

So glad you've not given up on "Just You"! From your description, it is a story that should be told!!!