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Guestpost Author Kieran Kramer + Giveaway
Filed in Giveaways , Guest Post , Kieran Kramer , The HEA Lover Posted on April 19, 2011 @ 6:00 am
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Today we are very happy to welcome back to Book Lovers Inc. Kieran Kramer the wonderful author behind the beloved historical romance series: the Impossible Bachelors series!
The 3rd book in the series Cloudy with a Chance of Marriage
is to be released on 26 April and Kieran is here to start the celebrations early and share with us some background secret about her novel! So all of you curious readers, scroll down and there is also a giveaway waiting for you at the end.
is to be released on 26 April and Kieran is here to start the celebrations early and share with us some background secret about her novel! So all of you curious readers, scroll down and there is also a giveaway waiting for you at the end.
Please give a warm welcome to Kieran Kramer!
Weather. It’s there. Most of the time we don’t notice it. It can be boring to talk about, and when the local news station mentions it, how many of us listen? Most of the time, we only pay half attention–until the weather begins to seriously impact our daily routine. It’s on those dramatic days–days with big snow, hail, lightning, drenching rains, or even tornadoes or hurricanes–that we put down our coffee cups and our newspapers and start listening to the TV weather news.
Of course, there’s the middle ground, too–the cloudy days with no rain or snow. I never turn up the volume on the TV set to listen to the weatherman drone on about those. But in a way, those kinds of cloudy days are the hardest of all to deal with. They’re the middle ground.
There’s no call to action on that kind of cloudy day. No reason to bundle up in front of a roaring fire–no reason to skip school or work and head to the park or beach to catch some rays. And when there’s no call to action, life goes on as it always has…
Which is a big reason the third book in my Impossible Bachelors series has the word CLOUDY in the title.
On a symbolic level, clouds can make hiding easy–and I’m talking about hiding both the good and the bad–which in turn makes it difficult to live in the truth. You can only ignore the truth for so long before you get anxious, depressed, or feeling hopeless about your situation.
Eventually, there will be a day of reckoning. Eventually, you’ll have to DEAL!
Which is a good thing. A scary thing…but a good thing.
Gotta break out of those clouds, people. Right? :>)
So here’s my favorite recipe for dealing with a cloudy day: I shake myself out of auto-pilot mode any way I can. Sometimes I listen to good music. I also make a point to “clean house” in my mind–I journal about something in the corner of my mind that I’ve been avoiding. For my family, I make something truly delicious in the kitchen and I give extra hugs.
I also walk on those drab, cloudy days and look for the remarkable in the world around me. It’s easier to do than you think. Most often what I notice on those gray days isn’t visual: I appreciate the smell of spring in the air, the feeling of the wind on my skin, the firm tread of my feet on the ground, the lively conversation I’m having with the friend I may be walking with.
And on cloudy days, I always find a way to laugh, usually by watching a rerun of The Office or Seinfeld or any show that makes me laugh. I also tell bad jokes to my family! I’m the queen of terrible jokes!!
I challenge YOU to stretch yourself on cloudy days. Reach for the sun that’s inside you. And if that’s not possible, deal with that storm you’ve been running away from. Never settle for drab. Never settle for avoiding the truth of your life and who you are right now. Because you’ll never get to the person you’re meant to be when you’re hiding.
On a lighter note, there’s a literal reason the word CLOUDY is in my book title…you’ll find out why soon enough. Meanwhile, I hope you’ll enjoy the book. I had a blast writing it. Otis, a secondary character, is one of my favorites. But of course, Nicholas and Poppy–two stubborn, passionate people–are center stage, and they were so much fun to hang out with, so much fun to see fall in love!!!
Honestly, when I finished CLOUDY, I felt like I was leaving a world I wish with all my heart I could be a part of. I like to imagine that Dreare Street truly existed…and that the love that Poppy and Nicholas shared is still echoing about the modern streets of London–that they had children, and their children had children, and that those children had children, and so on.
I just had a thought–maybe some of their descendants are going to be watching Kate and Will get married!!
Maybe they’ll be in the church when they do.
Maybe Kate IS a descendant of Nicholas and Poppy!!
Oh my gosh, YES!!!!!!
What’s that? I’m getting carried away?
All right, I suppose I am, but that’s why I write books, isn’t it?!? LOL!!!
Dear readers, I wish you’d tell me what YOU do to break out of the doldrums on those drab, cloudy, lackluster days that affect us all.
Two of you will receive a signed copy of CLOUDY, along with a set of my romance trading cards (I’ve got a card for each of the books in the Impossible Bachelors Series).
And thank you so much for all your support. I’d love to see you
on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KieranKramer
or at my website, http://www.kierankramerbooks.com/
or on Twitter @KieranKramer.
Hugs to all of you!
Kieran XOXO
USA Today best-selling romance author and double Rita nominee Kieran Kramer writes lighthearted Regency historical romances for St. Martin’s Press. Her newest release, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MARRIAGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~Kieran has generously offered signed copies of her latest release Cloudy with a Chance of Marriage and a set of romance trading cards to 2 lucky commenters!
and a set of romance trading cards to 2 lucky commenters! All you have to do is answer her question at the end of the post (in orange).
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open worldwide!
Giveaway ends on Saturday, April 30 and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good luck!
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On a dull day I will rent that movie I've been waiting to see, go buy and read that book I've been dying for. I will try to cook a little something special or make a dessert who's recipe I've been meaning to try. Basically I do something different from the norm to snap me out of my boredom. It usually works really well.
LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com
I'm English , we can talk about the weather forever it's our National pastime !!Cloudy days even sometimes rainy days I like to go out and walk, I'm on the coast with some lovely cliffs, believe me that blows the cobwebs away !I love to watch the sea on stormy days. I love to stroll the promenade on sunny days too of course, preferably with an ice cream.OK told you I could go on forever,I'll stop now I promise.
irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com
Doris Day Movies – not just one, bur preferably all three with her and Rock Hudson!!
Fav quote from Pillow Talk: If I could get a call through every once in a while my life wouldn't be so drab!
Love that movie!!!
danaan at gmx dot at
For me, I do a combination of watching tv (NCIS always cures my so-so days) and reading of course!
heather.scarboro[at]gmail[dot]com
Dull, dark and dreary days are my favorite to curl up on the coach and excape into a really good book while the family watches a movie.
Congratulations on your upcoming release.
rjofusATgmailDOTcom
I will get out some games and play with my son. Sometimes I will make something homemade like a pizza. Anything that sounds like fun.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Hi Kieran,
I am so looking forward to your newest book. This is a fun way to get a copy! LOL
Your post reminds me of the song 'Rainy Days & Mondays' by the Carpenters. But I don't feel that way and this might sound a bit like Pollyanna, but the last time I recall having the doldrums was before I retired from my job at Ma Bell. My retirement day was my birthday in November 1998 and I have never been so happy to leave a place and its been happy, happy, joy, joy ever since! Well, that might be carrying things a bit far, but seriously, I'm seldom down or blue!
I love the dull drum days! I wish I had more 🙂 Perhaps will need to move to Seattle.
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
I always pick up a good book to read, take a bath, or go to the gym….sometimes all three!!
kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com
Hello Kieran!
It has been rainy and cold all week here in Chicago. My best way to snap out of the funk of dreary days is to bake. Nothing makes me happier than fresh, warm carbs right out of the oven. Yesterday it was blueberry muffins. I also like to read on rainy days.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Stacie
@GeishasMom73 on twitter
I can always count on reading a good book to get me out of the doldrums. While reading I can travel to a different time and place. Some soft music and a glass of wine or cup of tea aid my escape.
Thanks for a chance to win your new book. It sounds like a good choice for escaping the doldrums!
castings at mindspring dot com
I love to read on sad, dreary days. It's a great pick me up!
I loved When Harry Met Molly and Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right, and am really looking forward to Cloudy With a Chance of marriage!
kaur_chanpreet at hotmail.com
Hey, everybody!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I've enjoyed reading all your comments. Sorry I'm so late to the party–I've been in a doctor's office all morning with a sick child (who's going to be just fine).
I'm glad to know you have ways to bring sunshine into your lives on drab days.
I have to go again (running to the pharmacy) but I SO appreciate your support. And thank you for being here on this wonderful blog with our fantastic hostesses, whom I also appreciate with all my heart.
Hugs to you all, and I will check back later today!!
Kieran XO
On dull days I like to snuggle up with a good book or I like to watch a Masterpiece Classic miniseries. Both always get me out of a funk.
Can't wait to read your new book. I am loving this series so far and I love your writing style.
iqb99@yahoo.com
On a dull, cloudy day I grab a good book and curl up on the sofa and read.
Forgot my email
kissinoak at frontier dot com
I cuddle on the couch with coffee or a junk food I've been craving and watch a favorite movie. Maybe doze a little, because the rain has always made me tired 🙂
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Popping in my favorite comedies(The Hangover, Dodgeball) into the DVD player always manages to lighten the mood.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
I would love to read this one, it sounds so fun 😀
Days, let's see, I do think it is books that saves days like those for me
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
I usually stay in and read on the kindle…but if my son is bored too…which is the norm after video games…we play board games our favorite is Yahtzee
thanks for the giveaway
seachele71@hotmail.com
I love drab, cloudy, lackluster days, because they're perfect for curling up in a comfy chair and reading. When I read a fabulous story, especially if there's humor in it, it cheers me right up. I loved When Harry Met Sally, and I'm looking forward to reading about the rest of the Impossible Bachelors.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
i like to read or watch movies or listen to movies. If the kids are home maybe break out the wii or a board game.
Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com
When I'm having one of those days, I just go out to play with my dog. It doesn't matter how sad or mad I am, I just look at those sweet little eyes and wiggling tail and can't help but smile. It melts my heart. 🙂
kah_cherub at hotmail dot com
I love days when it is raining outside. I live in AZ so I don't get to see rain that often. So I will either play in the rain or curl up and read a great book.
apk1princess(at)live(dot)com
What a nice column—Thanks. Kieran, I enjoyed your previous books and am looking forward to Cloudy.
When I’m in the doldrums, I like to bake. Not regular cooking, mind you. That doesn’t count. It has to be something fun and unexpected (and usually chocolate) to work. Also, now that I’m old, I only need to spend a little bit of time with the grandkids to lift my spirits. Everything is so new and wonderful to them. It’s catching!
(Email in profile.)
What a nice column—Thanks. Kieran, I enjoyed your previous books and am looking forward to Cloudy.
When I’m in the doldrums, I like to bake. Not regular cooking, mind you. That doesn’t count. It has to be something fun and unexpected (and usually chocolate) to work. Also, now that I’m old, I only need to spend a little bit of time with the grandkids to lift my spirits. Everything is so new and wonderful to them. It’s catching!
(Email in profile.)
I will sit down a read a book or maybe 2 if lucky to be undisturbed and make a yummy dinner or pick something up topped with a scrumptuous dessert and a hot cup of coffe to keep me warm.
patoct at yahoo dot com
Wow, it's great to come back and see more comments–thank you so much for visiting!!! I see that everyone has their favorite things to do on drab days–I'm glad to see reading books is a common theme for many of you! Yay for that!! I'm the same way…I love to get cozy with a book–print OR e-book. I can't believe I'm adjusting so well, although I have to admit that reading real paper books is my preferred method of getting my story "fix"!!! :>)
I hope you all have a great night and a happy rest of the week, and I look forward to giving away those books! Thanks again for visiting here, and I hope to keep connecting with you on Facebook, Twitter, and at my website! http://www.kierankramerbooks.com
Hugs to all of you!
Kieran XOXO
As a writer I would have thought it a prerequisite that you get carried away. Flights of fancy are to be encouraged. I go back to the classics & revisit when I feel 'ordinary'. My last sojourn was to Wuthering Heights.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
On a dull day I like to find a quiet spot and take some time to read a book that's been sitting on my TBR pile.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Reading always helps me to get out of the doldrums – and knitting! I love to knit. There's such a sense of accomplishment when you create something from nothing and that always gives me a boost.
Margay1122ATaolDOTcom
I read, watch tv, rent movies and play games on computer. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
On those days, I stay in (if possible) and curl up with books, watch some tv and movies, and just relax.
angeldream3[at]gmail[dot]com
On yucky days I like to listen to music or talk on the phone or read a great book. Of course, eat chocolate. Afterall, it excites the brain! And, if I am being a good girl, exercise. It excites the brain too! Thanks for the giveaway! I love the kids book Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. I would love to read this on, too.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
In days like that I usually sleep the entire day. It's good to sleep listening the sound of the rain. XD
sweet.sayumi@yahoo.com.br
Sunny days make me feel guilty when I stay at home with a book, so I love cloudy days because then I can curl up and read with no guilt. I also love to throw something yummy in the crock pot. Cloudy/rainy days are perfect stew days.
jen at delux dot com
On one of these dull days I try to get out for a walk, too. Seems not logical at first but somehow to brave the whole thing is better than to hide from it!
I'm so looking forward to find out why there's the word cloudy in the title of the book! 🙂
claudigc at msn dot com
Hey, everyone! I wanted to stop by again to make sure I don't miss any comments! Thanks for not disappointing me (as usual–I LOVE Book Lovers Inc). I agree that cloudy days are great for relaxing with a book–and putting something in the crockpot.
How many of you are into e-books? I have a Kindle, and I do like it very much, but I haven't figured out a way to read with it in the bathtub, LOL! That's one of my favorite reading spots.
On the plane, I read my smartphone. It's really not bad! In fact, right before my flight took off this past weekend (I was visiting Boston), I downloaded a book and had it in a few seconds–and then they made me turn off my phone . But as soon as we got to cruising altitude, I could read it again. Thank goodness!! I don't like to think of being that high in the sky! I wonder if I'll ever get used to it. Reading helps me forget .
Kieran xoxo
Enjoyed the interview ty for sharing! I have to say When Harry Met Molly was one of my fave reads of 2010 and I'm still recommending it to friends. Can't wait for this one! Honestly curling up with a book and some french vanilla coffee or hot tea is the best ways I like to spend my cloudy (figuratively and literally) days.
Pam S
gfc – pams00
pams00 @ aol.com
Those kinds of days are perfect for curling up with a good book. Another remedy is watching a good movie or trying to empty my DVR which is constantly at least 75% full(a pleasant chore).
I prefer the feel of paper to digital anyday. But I will grant that e-readers are convenient. I have eclectic tastes and read according to my mood. That gets tricky for travel.
monagargATyahooDOTcom
To break out of the doldrums, I climb in my reading chair with a hot cup of coffee and read a good romance novel. It sounds trite but it works for me. I also tend to go on cupcake baking sprees when it's raining or dreary.
Thanks for the giveaway.
bookslikebreathing at gmail dot com
I pick up a sexy romance novel and my day gets better! 😉
hilaryrules91@hotmail.com
I don't usually mind dull, cloudly days but if I'm in a dull mood like that I usually find something to do that allows me to take my focus completely away from myself. ie read an awesome book.
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
I would watch Pride and Prejudice (the Firth Version). That always makes me happy.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com