Vacations, Beach Books, and a Summertime Contest
I love having a new book out in time for summer! My readers and friends have been sending me pictures of themselves reading my books on the beach, and nothing could make me happier. I write for many reasons (I don’t think I could stop, for one), but my
primary reason is to entertain, so I love knowing that I’m part of my readers’ down time.
Yesterday, I signed books for three hours at Quarter Moon Books on Topsail Island, the setting for Before the Storm and Secrets She Left Behind. Here I am with Quarter Moon Books owner Lori Fisher, who did a fantastic job of getting many of my titles for her customers. I met wonderful, new-to-me readers as well as people who’ve been reading me for years
(including a gentleman who’s read all my books. A guy! Gotta love him). They all had one thing in common: they were on vacation! They swept into the store on the delicious scent of sunscreen, wearing sandals and rosy tans. It made me realize how long it’s been since I had a beach vacation. Oh, I go to the beach often to write, but to relax? I think it’s been at least twenty years, since that’s how long I’ve been published. It’s both the writer’s joy and curse to be able to carry her work with her everywhere she goes in her imagination.
So, how about you? I hope all of you are getting some time to relax this summer. Where are you going? What do you plan to do? Do you find it hard to relax? And most importantly, will you be reading?
Speaking of relaxing, I have a new contest on my website to help you enjoy your leisure time. Pop over and see what you can win!
Okay, besides enjoying every book I have read of yours(I have read them all with the exception of one, which I cannot find), I am leaving this comment because I would really like to win that bag!
Diane,
You are so good to your fans!
Love your books!
Cindy Smith
would love to win that tote bag to hold your books when i take them to the beach to read!
Hi Diane,
Love the beach bag, it would be just great for bringing ‘your’ books home from the library !
Sounds like you had a fun time at the book signing Diane. Wish I was there.
And, I love seeing the pic of one your readers reading your book. That is a very cool pic!
Love your books! They’re fabulous! I’m reading “Secrets She Left Behind” and really enjoying it.
Can’t think of anyone who would not love to win that bag! I love tote bags and I love flip-flops!!!
Diane, I’d love to win that bag because I’m on “new-grandbaby-watch” and won’t make it to the beach this summer. If I had that bag, I could put my book and drink and whatever in it and have a fantasy trip to the beach. Sounds good to me.
You know I’ve read all of your books that I have been able to find and that I reread the Lighthouse trilogy at least once a year. I still haven’t located a copy of Lovers and Strangers or Private Relations. I had two copies of Kiss River and gave one as my contributions to someone in an “informal book club” that has you send one book to another person and then receive more back. I have introduced your books to many of my friends and family. My husband has read all the lighthouse books and Before the Storm. His comment is: “That lady really does create great characters.” You are on my list of writers whose books I look forward to every year.
Ooo I agree with Betty, I now have a list of writers who’s books i look forward to every year and you are one of the four on the list. Another (Jennifer McMahon) just had a book come out and I haven’t purchased it yet but will sometime in the near future (yet yours I had to have immediately!), and then I’m looking forward to Sophie Kinsella’s new novel in a couple weeks! and the 4th author is emily giffin who isn’t releasing her new one til next year for some reason!
Anyway, my plans for the summer… hmmm… Work… more work… Travel to Illinois for a work conference in a couple weeks (so excited to see chicago! only state i’ve been in my life before this is flordia)… one of my best friends visits from out west in a few weeks and then my other best friend gets married in august and I am the MOH. A couple short trips to my hometown will happen and maybe a day trip to the beach there but other than that my life will consist of working…
After a two week hiatus from reading I finally picked up my most recent novel purchase- Harriet evans “the love of her life” and i ADORE it. I’m determined to finish tonight before sleep and will have to look into buying other titles from her. I’m still debating what my next read will be… i’ve got 3 shelves worth of unread books to choose from 🙂
Just finished “Secrets She Left Behind” in less than two days because I could not put it down! I would love to have the bag and “Before the Storm” to enjoy during my Topsail vacation in August!
I will take time later to catch up on the BLOG…I am using the computer room at my son’s complex…can’t get hotspot on my computer yet…
Diane-I check out your books in each store…saw THE COURAGE Tree among others at Target in San Jose…They look great-in each store, I tell the women looking-get HER BOOKS…the best.
For all of you…I found a book that is so great…by Meg Clayton THE WEDNESDAY SISTERS-Margo-you will love love love it…
I don’t know why I like the book so much…could be because it is written in one person about 5 women…could be because it takes place in Palo Alto(We went through there on the CALTRAIN to SAN FRAN) on the 4th…We went through there by vehicle on the 5th to the PACIFIC OCEAN)…could be because the author lives in Palo Alto-could be because it takes place late l960’s and early l970’s…could be because the WOMEN WRITE!!!! I love it love it love…I always leave several books at my son’s, but this one goes home with me. I bought several at Target–trade paperback…this one has been the best thus far…
More later…hope to read the BLOG…
Love the bag!
How great for DIANE to be on a list of 4-she’s on my list of 4-no she’s on my list of TWO TOP…
Gina-Denise-could you email me with the HBBC address-can’t get one…
Think of my excitement when I pick up BEFORE THE STORM in different states, and MY NAME is in the front-with some of yours-although my last name has reverted back since the divorce…I love it love it love it-thanks DIANE…I chuckle, and the people around me-in the book section-ask if the book is a comedy-I then explain-leaving out the part about my name-don’t want to brag. So many new readers in so many states…Diane-being a TARGET pick is great–I bought several of their books. I was tempted to buy THE COURAGE TREE_love the cover-but I have that book-and my suitcases will be overflowing as we speak. My son has told me to check them because even my carry on is too heavy-with my backpack…Love these books-trade paperback (remember how skeptical I was in the beginning???)
Betty-congrats..hope you win!!!!(I always want everyone to win–that’s prob. why I don’t win…) That’s okay…
I just recently started reading ur books and i love them!Please keep them coming 🙂
So sad. Just finished “Secrets She Left Behind.” I had to ration the pages so it wouldn’t end so fast. I kept saying that I would only read 5 pages a day so it would last. Didn’t happen. Finished in 2 days. I just loved the book. I love the little bag as well!!
Checkin’ in to say “hi” to everyone! Thanks for your great comments. I’m working ’round the clock right now, but I read your comments as I approve them and love to hear what you’re up to and especially what you’re reading. Brenda, you sound so relaxed and happy. Yay!
Okay, back to work (for me, anyway. Y’all can keep on having fun.)
I met you when you were at Quarter moon bookstore at Topsail this past weekend, I bought both of your books, Before the Storm and Secrets she Left Behind. Before the Storm was an AMAZING book! I read it in two days and I could not put it down. I read it on the beach while my parents were begging me to come have some fun with them but I was like mom, you don’t understand, I have to find out what happens! I was so suprised to find out who actually had a part in the fire, but my sympathy goes to Jamie, while he was wrong for cheating on Laurel, she treated him so bad for the three years she was depressed. . .
I can’t wait to start reading Secrets She Left Behind in the morning! Thanks for writing such great books Mrs. Chamberlain!
Hi Morgan, I remember you from the signing. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the books! I cut a bit of your comment so people who haven’t yet read Before the Storm won’t know what happens, but I’m thrilled you loved it!
That beach/book bag is one cutie patooty bag; what a great addition for the beach or wherever one likes to go and read great books by people such as yourself. Good luck to everyone.
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
Am just getting caught up on the blog…have been resting and relaxing over the holiday weekend…like everyone else who commented, I LOVED Diane’s new book SECRETS SHE LEFT BEHIND and couldn’t stop reading…It’s always sad for me when they end and I have trouble starting a diff author…have just finished BEACH HOUSE by Jane Green and loved that the story took place on Nantucket…tomorrow I will buy Elin Hilderbrand’s new one THE CASTAWAYS and start it immediately. My plans for the summer are to enjoy reading, take a side trip to Clear Lake with my husband and mother where I will swim everyday, relax on the beach and paint some watercolors, stoll along the picturesque streets, eat good food and be lazy!!…in between I am working on a large weaving that I designed of the ocean…I like to imagine that it’s a huge ocean wave from Nantucket or possibly Topsail Island. (-O:
I have a stack of new books I recently bought from good authors that I hope to get thru this summer which include HAPPINESS KEY by Diane’s friend Emilie Richards (a previous blog post)…can hardly wait!!
Diane, I know you’re working like crazy but I hope you can find a little down time for yourself…you deserve it so much!!
Margo and I love the same books-except Twilight of course.
Diane-I am so fascinated when I go into book stores in so many cities and states, and there are YOUR BOOKS. You take so much time on the BLOG that it is unbelievable. Any news on WIP??? Hope it is going well…
I am now getting rested…loved San Fran and loved the P. Ocean. However, I am in love with San Jose…
Just finished the book, Shelter ME (author last name FAY) It is a real winner…Am finding so many authors here that we don’t have at home.
Those of you new to Diane’s books-how fortunate you are to find so many hours of great pleasure. I have to read her books yearly…Again and again…my destressing time with D.C. and my second D. C. (Diet Coke)
Diane-have I missed the date for the next book??? I am still not caught up on the Blogs.
Brenda, next book will be out June 2010 and is called (for now, anyway) The Lies We Told. You haven’t missed anything!
Margo, your summer plans sound wonderful!
Brenda, I’m so happy for you that you’re enjoying summer from Miami clear out to San Jose, CA…what a great experience to see so much in 1 summer including San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean…I hope you make it to Carmel and Big Sur which are favorite places of mine (along with Nantucket of course)…I’m going to look for WEDNESDAY SISTERS and SHELTER ME at Border’s today (-O:
Diane
I have just finished reading Secrets She Left Behind.
I loved it.
For the last 4 yrs my daughter (who also reads all your books) & I take the last week of June for a beach vacation and your books come out at the perfect time.
We love all your books.
Can not wait until you are in the Philadelphia area for a book signing.
Sharon
Diane-I have the perfect prescription for you…finish the book-then take a beach vacation…I suggest Myrtle Beach for fun, good food, and dancing at Studebaker’s to oldies…
I suggest Miami Beach-for quiet fun…and good food at South Beach.
For just relaxing and reading-Pacific Ocean or one of the New England beaches-Centerville…is great…near Hyannis…you need a break. Don’t tell me you have another book to begin right after this one…whew…
Brenda, yup, I sure do have another book to start immediately after turning this one in. Fortunately, it’s already fairly well outlined, so that will give me a head start. Don’t worry–I’m doing fine! I’ll have some beach time in the fall when the crowds are gone.
Hi Diane
As a new fan of your books, I would love to win the bag to carry the books I have to catch up on to and from the library.
Although your latest books are great for the summer reading at the beach, I hope some of your older books will carry me through the cold Minnesota winter ahead too. Hopefully, by the time the book is released in June of 2010, I will be caught up!
Diane, I hope you’ll enjoy my older books and they keep you warm all winter. Good luck winning the tote bag.
Hi there,
This is the book that I first read of yours, I now can’t put your books down, can’t wait until the next one!!
Hi Diane,
I’m a Wackie and looking very much to reading your books… I’ve a passion for the coast and with many of your settings in that area… well, I can’t imagine a better location…
Thank you for the contest… and let’s hope I win one of your books!!
I would love to win this book! I absolutely adored The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. It is my favorite book of all time! I am dying to read more of your books. Thanks so much for the chance!