With: Virginia Kelly
Is it as hot where you as it is here in Florida? Not only is
it hot, but we’re nearing peak hurricane season in the Sunshine State. Time to
angst about so many things. If it looks like a hurricane is headed our way, it’s
whether to put up the plywood or shutters or not (and when). Do we have food,
water and meds for at least three days? And more importantly, whether or not to
evacuate based on location.
But if you’re going to a beach, whether in Florida or at a
lake or river, beach reads are a must. Sometimes these are defined as books
literally set on a beach, or books you take to the beach, though sometimes there
are more elaborate descriptions. More on that at the end of this.
Since this a romantic suspense blog, I’m going to define
beach reads as romantic suspense books set on a beach. I’ve written three such
novels. After, all what’s the point of living in Florida if I can’t take
advantage of the setting? Better yet, since we’re nearing the end of what the
rest of the country calls summer (ours just keeps on giving), all three books are on sale through September 1, 2018.
My Florida Sands
Romantic Suspense series is about three of the Alvarez siblings. These are
stand-alone reads, with limited overlapping characters. Each has it’s own
conclusion. No cliffhangers. I promise!
In Against the Wind, FBI
Special Agent Michael Alvarez, wounded and on the run after being falsely
accused of murder, has chosen to hide on the northern Gulf Coast of Florida.
But there’s a Category 3 hurricane lashing the coast and he’s forced to seek
shelter with the woman who refused his marriage proposal years ago. Potentially
more dangerous is the fact that her brother, also a Special Agent, is hot on
Michael’s trail and isn’t about to give up. Will his trust in the woman who
once loved him turn out badly for them both?
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Just One Look is about Mia Alvarez. At
her brother’s wedding, FBI Special Agent Drew Davenport catches on quickly that
she’s being stalked and sticks close. He’s fallen
hard for her but Mia’s not ready to trust a man she’s just met. When her
stalker comes directly for her, Mia has to trust Drew with her safety—but what
about her heart?
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Take a Chance on Me is
about Bobby Alvarez, a Delta Force Operator on leave for his brother’s wedding.
He’s trying to recover memories lost due to mild traumatic brain injury. He
can’t trust himself until he remembers what happened when one of the men in his
unit died. Bobby has a special sense he laughs off, a sort of precognition his
brother calls a “vibe thing.” Bobby just “knows” some things, for instance,
he’s always, always been able to warn
his unit about any ambush—except for that one time. When he realizes a woman
he’s falling for is running from hitmen (hired by a powerful U.S. senator), he
chooses to believe in his now proven iffy “vibe” and risk everything to save
her
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Amazon US | Amazon UK
For a fun exercise,
try this:
Go to Google. Type this:
define “beach read”
I hope you’ll see the humorous first hit Google presented
me. (Hint, if it isn’t obvious, the definition comes from a site called
eclectrictliterature. Read Sarah Gerard’s definition).
What do you think at that definition? What do you classify as a beach
read? I’d love to read your comments.
Where to find
Virginia:
Email: virginia@virginiakelly.net
Interesting blog. Florida in the summertime doesn't sound like fun, but the beach reads do! I love beach readsand will definitely look for your books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Linda, and for checking out the books.
DeleteI didn't find Sarah Gerard's definition, but for me a beach read is not heavy literature, but definitely engaging enough that I can't put it down even at the beach. Now I'm off to click the links to your books!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Sorry you didn’t find the funny definition. The next comment quotes from the definition. Thanks for commenting and checking out the books.
DeleteThis is the definition that popped up for me: "A beach read is a book that is made of the beach. The covers of beach reads are sand packed into wet towels left to bake in the sun. The pages are made of dried seaweed — so when the blurbers say they've “devoured” the book, that is to be taken literally.Jul 14, 2017"
ReplyDeleteTruly hilarious!
You found it! 😄 Thanks for quoting.
DeleteThose definitions are funny. But! This is a great series. Highly recommend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jonetta. So glad you enjoyed the books—and the definition.
DeleteI second Jonetta. These are fabulous books. Although I have to say, as a Wisconsinite, Florida beach reads like these are just as good in the winter as in the summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann. I don’t think I’ll ever get in the water in the summer in Wisconsin. Brrr! I wait until our Gulf waters are over 80F before I swim.
ReplyDeleteTo me a beach read is something that take a place on the coast. On a beach or lake. Summer time swimming. I can read just about anything anytime or any place.
ReplyDelete