Summer Fun Reading!

Love my reading girls!

Danica Favorite here, and my kids just got out of school for the summer! Part of me is very excited because it will be fun having them home, and part of me is saying, "YIKES!!" It's amazing how quickly the kids decide they're bored, and since I work from home, they always seem to think it's my job to keep them occupied.

Well, I DO have ways to keep them occupied, and let's just say that there's the nice mommy way, and the mean mommy way. :) Part of the nice mommy way involves taking advantage of our local library's summer reading program. I love that they offer incentives for the kids to read. Some of the incentives include passes to fun activities for the summer, so I always encourage the kids to read enough to win. Not only does it keep them busy reading, but we also end up doing a lot of fun things. If there's a library near you, take a look and see what kind of summer programs they offer. Even if you don't have kids, you might find a fun adult reading program as well!

The other fun reading activity we do is that every year, we pick out a series to listen to on audio book. I don't know why, but it seems like we spend more time in the car during summer months than we do any other time of the year. So I like to find engaging stories to listen to while we drive. I'm not sure why we don't do it the rest of the year, since we can listen to audio books year-round, but it feels like a fun treat when it comes to summer and we get to visit the library for new things to listen to.

So what happens when we have to do things the mean mommy way? Mean mommy has a list of chores, and when they complain about being bored, they get to pick one. Yup, time to insert a sad face. Usually I just say, "do you have something to read, or do I need to find something for you to do?" I'm amazed at how quickly they think of something, anything, to do other than chores.

How do you keep your kids (or grandkids, or neighbor kids, or any child) occupied when boredom sets in?

Do you have fun summer audio book (suitable for 12 year olds-adults) recommendations? 

Answer one (or both!) questions for a chance to win your choice of either The Lawman's Redemption or Shotgun Marriage.

About Danica:

A self-professed crazy chicken lady, Danica Favorite loves the adventure of living a creative life. She and her family recently moved in to their dream home in the mountains above Denver, Colorado.  Danica loves to explore the depths of human nature and follow people on the journey to happily ever after. Though the journey is often bumpy, those bumps are what refine imperfect characters as they live the life God created them for. Oops, that just spoiled the ending of all of Danica’s stories. Then again, getting there is all the fun.

You can connect with Danica at the following places:

Website: http://www.danicafavorite.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/danicafavorite
Instagram: https://instagram.com/danicafavorite/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanicaFavoriteAuthor

When reading experiments fail

Hi Everyone, Danica Favorite here, and I'm just going to admit right now that I have nothing to recommend to you all. Well, okay, that's not entirely true. A few months ago, as I was reading a magazine in the dentist's office (I know, I lead such a glamorous life!), I stumbled across a section listing "must-read" books. At first, I was indignant because they had no ROMANCE books listed. And then, I realized something. I've been reading romance almost exclusively for so long that I don't even know what kinds of other books are out there.

I decided to experiment and try new books. New genres. I promptly put myself on the waiting list at the library for the books in the article, and since I'm so strapped for time, those are the only books I've been reading.

Can I make a confession? They are total snoozers!! GAH!! Unlike some people (I'm looking at you, Camy Tang!), I can't not finish a novel. I have a compulsion to finish. Part of me hopes it will get better, and part of me needs to know how it ends. And so, I, Danica Favorite, romance lover, read a bunch of super boring literary books that I can only recommend if you're suffering from insomnia or have a deep burning need to know what it's like to be thoroughly depressed because the boring book you just read was so hopeless and dark that you probably should have stabbed out your eyeballs instead of reading. Seriously, they were that bad.

I probably should have sprinkled in some happy books between the "other" books, but I wanted to return them to the library on time. I'm just glad I didn't buy them, because I almost did, but then I saw how much I was spending, and decided to borrow them instead. Wow. I would have really been mad had I paid money for those books! Point being, I just had to get through them all as fast as possible, and with everything else I had going on, I had no time to read a good romance. Which means, I have nothing to recommend to you.



So... I have decided to turn the tables. Friends, readers, people who understand the need to read a book that is happy and uplifting, I am begging you... help me expand my reading horizons. Help me get over this horrible depression from having read a bunch of downers. What have YOU read that's been a GREAT read?

And, because I do have a new release out (and I promise it is a HAPPY book!), I'm going to give away a copy of Shotgun Marriage to someone who shares a recommendation for a good book. 

Here's a little about my book, Shotgun Marriage:

Conveniently Wed 
Forced to wed to protect their reputations after being trapped overnight in a mine, Emma Jane and Jasper Jackson's marriage is one in name only. Resenting the choices taken from him, Jasper's determined not to lose his heart. But it's not so easy to stay distanced from his new bride when a gang of bandits abducts them both.

Other young women might be ecstatic to land Leadville's wealthiest bachelor. But Emma Jane would rather have Jasper's love than his family's money. A true bond with her handsome husband seems impossible…until their ordeal leaves Emma Jane caring for an orphaned baby. In reach now is the one thing neither expected—the chance to turn a convenient marriage into a forever family.

Coming Soon! Shotgun Marriage!

Hey Everyone! Danica Favorite here, and I have been a busy little bee lately. My next book, Shotgun Marriage, releases next month, and life has been crazy! Not only am I gearing up for the book to come out, but I am working on edits for my September book, The Nanny's Little Matchmakers. Oh, and I have to finish writing a book that will be out in early 2017. But busy is good, especially because it means I get to write lots of books. I really do have the best job in the world.

I have lots of other good stuff in the pipeline, so I hope you'll stay tuned to this blog for more info. And, if you're in the Denver area, I've got some fun signings and events coming up, so be sure to drop me a line at danica@danicafavorite.com if you want to come see me. Or just keep on eye on my website, www.danicafavorite.com, which will be updated as soon as I have final details. There, you can sign up for my newsletter, and then you won't miss a thing!

And, because I have some books I need to get sent out, I'm going to offer a copy of Shotgun Marriage to someone who comments on the blog today. Be sure to leave a way for me to get in touch with you so I can let you know if you've won. 

 Here's a little about my book:

Conveniently Wed 
Forced to wed to protect their reputations after being trapped overnight in a mine, Emma Jane and Jasper Jackson's marriage is one in name only. Resenting the choices taken from him, Jasper's determined not to lose his heart. But it's not so easy to stay distanced from his new bride when a gang of bandits abducts them both.

Other young women might be ecstatic to land Leadville's wealthiest bachelor. But Emma Jane would rather have Jasper's love than his family's money. A true bond with her handsome husband seems impossible…until their ordeal leaves Emma Jane caring for an orphaned baby. In reach now is the one thing neither expected—the chance to turn a convenient marriage into a forever family.