To celebrate the launch month of NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE, I’ve asked some of my favorite authors to share their own Nine Rules here on the blog…
I’m so excited to kick off the series with the fabulous Toni Blake, author of seventeen romances including the heartwarming, sexy ONE RECKLESS SUMMER. If you, as I am, are a sucker for homecoming romances–you know the ones I mean…the heroine goes back to her roots and falls for a dreamy local?–ORS is for you!
The book (and it’s sequel, SUGAR CREEK, due out in June, Oh! The torment!), is set in a fictional small town called Destiny, Ohio–as much a character as the humans in the book. Toni’s Nine Rules take us to Destiny–and teach us how to navigate this little town.
Nine Rules for Visiting the Quaint Small Town of Destiny, Ohio
by Toni Blake
- Be sure to stop by the Under the Covers bookstore on the town square and share a cup of coffee with Amy and Tessa. If there’s good girl talk or gossip to be had, this is where it will be going on and you don’t want to miss it. There’s usually a cat-in-residence, too, who will be happy to rub up against your ankles or sit in your lap.
- Don’t speed in Destiny. Hunky cop, Mike Romo is a stickler about that sort of thing and will give you tickets repeatedly – just ask Rachel Farris.
- Take a canoe ride across idyllic Blue Valley Lake. Besides being quite scenic, this quaint body of water has seen a lot of Destiny drama over the years, most specifically between good girl Jenny Tolliver and the bad boy of her dreams.
- But never, never visit the old Brody cabin in the woods across the lake. It’s SUPER creepy – especially when you think you see lights on even when no one has lived there in years!
- Buy some apples from Edna at the Farris Family Apple Orchard on Sugar Creek and ask her to tell you the story of her tragic first love over a piece of her award-winning apple pie.
- Stay away from Mick Brody! His brother is in prison, after all, and he was always a bad seed. No, it doesn’t matter how hot he is – beware!
- In case of trouble, remember that the Destiny Police and Fire Departments are right next door to each other, just across the square from Under the Covers. And both come complete with lots of sexy men in uniform, which has the potential to make any emergency more enjoyable.
- Hang out at Creekside Park. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch hot, sweaty guys playing softball, or you might even be invited into a touch football game with Mike Romo, Logan Whitaker, and Adam Becker – “touch” being the key word here.
- Plan to stay awhile and soak up everything Destiny has to offer, from the quaint garden parties to nights at the Dew Drop Inn, from hot and sexy encounters to deliciously sweet romance.
Number 9 won’t be hard at all…and I’m going to prove it to you!
Comment below with your favorite Small Town for a chance to win a copy of One Reckless Summer, the first in the Destiny series–I’ll select one random commenter on Friday to win!
To read more of Authors Rule(s), please click here!
ETA: Winner! Thanks to all for commenting…I think its so fun that everyone has a favorite small town (mine is Ashland, NH)! But, sadly, only one person can win! Congrats to Miss Tammy! Everyone else…keep trying all month to win goodies from the other authors who will be stopping by for the 9 Rules celebration!
March 1st, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Eureka Springs, Arkansas is the most lively small town I've ever been to.
March 1st, 2010 at 2:11 pm
My favorite small town is Ondine, Louisiana, but I reckon I'm pretty biased!
March 1st, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Loved those 9 rules… especially #6. I don't care how bad he is! :-)
My favorite small town is Mexican Hat, Utah. Stumbled on it accidentally one night after a long drive and ended up staying a couple of days to enjoy the scenery and munch on Indian flat bread with honey. Yum!
March 1st, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Gosh, my favourite small town. I think that would have to be Hay on Wye, the Town of Books, in Wales. They sell books at the castle, at the butcher's, at the baker's, on the lawn where you drink champagne…
It should be EVERYONE's favourite town.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Oooh, Chelsea's right — Eureka Springs is a gorgeous little town! But my personal favorite is Weston, Missouri!
March 1st, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Just stopping by to thank Sarah for featuring my book and Destiny today : ) As for my favorite small town, I couldn't begin to narrow it down – there are just too many quaint and quirky ones out there.
Thanks again, Sarah!
March 1st, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Can it be fictional? Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls! This book and series sounds fabulous, thanks for tipping me off, it's going on my wishlist!
March 1st, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Great prize! I grew up in a town called Fairhope, AL. It's on the Mobile Bay and is really quaint and pretty. There are flowers EVERYWHERE, even in wintertime and along the main street there's a big winter festival called "Lighting of the Trees" where they turn on the white Christmas lights. Great place to raise kids and retire! I hope to move my family back that way eventually….
March 1st, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Mine is Harwich, MA, on Cape Cod
March 1st, 2010 at 7:22 pm
I love Eureka Springs,Ark. as well but not when all the tourists are there. It is quiet and peacefully restful in the evenings. I also love Central City,Colo and Estes Park,Colo. Toni's book is awesome and can't wait for the next book, Sugar Creek.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I love this Nine Rules guest blog idea, Sarah, and am looking forward to reading more of them – as well as your book, of course!
My fave small town is my grandmother's hometown of Harmony, Minnesota. (But don't enter me in the contest – I'm well-stocked on Toni's fabulous books.)
Can't wait for more of Destiny!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:07 pm
My favorite small town is Nevis, Minnesota. It's so woods-y and gorgeous, and they have the best little ice cream shop!
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:32 am
I bet you can't pronounce it–Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.Got lost here and decided to live here. Don;t honk your horn if the light turns green. That't not Christian. They'll go when they're ready.
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:01 am
Possum Trot, Kentucky (Yes, it's real.)
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:43 am
My fav read is a reunion story!! I also LUV a good series. I keep reading reviews about this book and I really want to read it. My fav small town is Virgin River, CA. Good luck Toni!! Thanks, Sue
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
My favorite small town is Keith, Scotland. When I visited there we must have went through Keith about 6 times for whatever reason, I felt a connection there. I think I'd like to buy a home there because it was calling to me! :)
kpic724 (at) gmail (dot) com
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
My favorite small town is Keith, Scotland. When I visited there we must have went through Keith about 6 times for whatever reason, I felt a connection there. I think I'd like to buy a home there because it was calling to me! :)
kpic724 (at) gmail (dot) com
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I guess as far as small towns it would be either Virgin River or Moose Falls. Both of those towns sound really nice. But I have to say Destiny is sounding pretty good too.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
My favorite small town is in Natchitoches, Louisiana! My Dad hails from there and my grandparents still call it home!
March 9th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
I grew up in DeFuniak Springs, FL and that's my favorite small town.