Monarch Beach
By Anita Hughes
Now this book Monarch Beach is the epitomy of a BEACH READ if there ever was one!
I have been so excited to feature Monarch Beach on the blog and I’m so glad that it’s finally out in the world. I can’t remember when I first heard about it, but this is one that I did everything I could to find out what I could about the author, Anita Hughes, to see if I could host her book.
Anita was kind enough to email with me and share some real life truths about her. Similar to her main character, she also lives at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in California. Can you IMAGINE getting to live at a resort hotel ON THE BEACH and being able to write? I don’t know what Anita’s personal life is like, but I would take two weeks at the St. Regis, or a month, or six months -- it would be a dream! Cabana boys, the beach, cocktails poolside... but I'm sure she doesn't do that stuff there! She LIVES there, it's not a vacation. One can dream though right? That would be one of my dreams!
Here is the blurb of Monarch Beach, which I am very excited to get started reading, however, I am going to savor this one actually ON THE BEACH, when we go to California in July! I figured since it IS the perfect beach read, I want to take it with me and read it right there, with the waves rolling over my toes, a glass of something crisp and tasty in one hand, Anita’s book in the other!
When Amanda Blick, a young mother and kindhearted San Francisco heiress, finds her gorgeous French chef husband wrapped around his sous-chef, she knows she must flee her life in order to rebuild it. The opportunity falls into her lap when her (very lovable) mother suggests Amanda and her young son, Max, spend the summer with her at the St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach. With the waves right outside her windows and nothing more to worry about than finding the next relaxing thing to do, Amanda should be having the time of her life—and escaping the drama. But instead, she finds herself faced with a kind, older divorcee who showers her with attention… and she discovers that the road to healing is never simple. This is the sometimes funny, sometimes bitter, but always moving story about the mistakes and discoveries a woman makes when her perfect world is turned upside down.
Here is the excerpt of Monarch Beach.
To enter to win Monarch Beach, please tell me what you think is the best part of the beach? I love taking long walks, listening to the waves, the sand, the sunsets… OMG, the beach is my absolute favorite place in the entire world – it doesn’t matter which one (although I have to say Grand Cayman was one of the most beautiful, and Cape May, NJ was an exceptionally great vacation when hubby and I had two of our three kids and finally got a vacay alone!) – but back to you – what do YOU love about the beach? Tell me about a favorite trip!
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This book is part of the June Promo - enter every day in June for a chance at the grand prize giveaway at the end of the month - a pile of awesome books! - the more times you enter, the more chances you have at winning!
As with all of the books I post on Booking with MaNiC, thanks to the authors and publicists for providing me with the books. Giveaways open to US/Canada residents only. To enter, leave an identifying unique user name or ID (NO anonymous will be accepted – leave an email address if you don’t know how to post to an account!
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108 comments:
My favorite thing about the beach is the breeze and sounds. The white noise is great for napping and reading. I can sit out there for hours!
knowing that i'm in full-on relaxation mode. can't do the grocery shopping, can't clean the house...nothing to do but enjoy the sun, wind, water, my book & some lunch!
The best part for me is feeling the sand between my toes!
Brannanflooring@aol.com
My favorite thing about the beach is the endless possibilities of finding things like sea glass, washed up goodies, beautiful artifacts...
Eloisepeaches
Growing up by the beach I guess I take it for granted. I like seeing the ocean especially when there are dolphins jumping around like there were two weekends ago but I don't really like the beach.
Carly H
Seafood for sure and the smell of salt air. I love the beach!!! So jealous of my sister who moved to the beach a few weeks ago. I have read this book and REALLY liked it. Just entering for the grand prize.
The walk.
For me, it's the breeze and smell of the water. Preferably the ocean. and I love what the salt water does for your skin.
I love laying on a blanket or sitting in a chair with my toes in the sand and reading a good book. My family usually stays in a beach front house, so I love that I can hear the waves from the deck.
I'm actually not a big beach fan. They're pretty, but I don't particularly like the sun or getting all sandy. Weird, I know.
Favorite part of a beach vacation is the sound of the ocean lulling you into a cozy little nap. Least favorite part of the beach is repeatedly putting sunblock on. Such a pain.
It's been so long since I've been to the beach, I don't remember what I liked about it. Maybe that it's not the office?
I remember going to the beach in Florida when I was younger. I'd take a floating raft into the ocean and let the waves just move me along. It was so relaxing. I love hearing and watching the ocean, as well. And I love that beach smell that Kramer wanted to market as perfume on "Seinfeld."
Melissa A from CLC
This is a tough one for me... What don't I love about the beach! I went to Isla Mujeres, Mexico a few years ago and it was heaven on earth to me, absolutely beautiful!
kndyer
Walking on wet sand.
I like some of the secluded beaches in Zihuatenejo, Mexico. We like barefoot walking by the water. I always look for shells.
Margie T
I am having a hard time. It may be easier to say what I don't love about the beach and that would be when it is time to leave.
the waves--the sounds of them, the sight of them, the small of them!
My favorite thing about the beach is reading on it!! Love, love, love the beach. Mel Rem
The sun, the sand, the sounds of the waves and seashell hunting with my little man...and if he has his way, catching a few little crabs to hold hostage until they "mysteriously" make their sneaky getaway (thanks to me and Hubs!). Oh, and can't forget the cocktails...those are a must! We went to the beach for Mother's Day, and we will be in Florida in July and then on a little island in Mexico in October!! SQUEEEE!!!
looking for seashells, and the kind of tired you feel when you leave the beach.
-Denise F.
My favorite thing about the beach is listening to the water.
Sarah
The sound of the water, the smells, and the lazy nature of swimming, sunning, reading, napping.
I love just laying on the beach in the sun listening to the waves. Then when I get hot just running into the waves. I love and miss the beach.
Carie
Gosh thinking about this really makes me miss the beach! My favorite thing about the beach is the sunsets and I have been fortunate to witness several green flashes which are awesome.
My favorite thing is how quiet and relaxing it is just around sunrise when everyone is still sleeping. Just being able to experience the beauty of our creator beats everything else.
My favorite thing about the beach is relaxing and not having to worry about the house and work. Also listening to the waves and having a drink in my hand.
susieqlaw
I love watching the ocean waves. Happy Summer!
My favorite part of the beach is being able to lay out without it being super hot (because of the breeze) and listening to (and feeling) the waves crashing against the shore.
-tmd636
I'm leaving for the beach in 6 days!! I love sitting in my little beach chair near enough to the water that it only gets my toes some of the time with a good book or just people watching. Love, love, love my beach chair! LeslieGC
I love the serentiy of the water. It has such a calming effect on me. I also really love the gorgeous endless view of the water.
I love bike rides @ the beach! :)
I love the beach so much that it's ridiculous! We're lucky and live about 20 minutes away from a fantastic one. I love packing up the kids and their boogie boards and a cooler and heading to the beach for the day! My favourite part once I'm there? Reading on the beach, of course!!! It's so warm and relaxing and I can't wait to go there very soon!
I love the sound of the waves and how relaxing that can be.
the sunsets!
I love the sound of the waves. Don't care for finding sand everywhere when I get home, tho!
iambtinrb
Sitting in a chair and reading!
The water. I love to just float on the waves.
The smell....
The sun, the smell, the sand, the sounds - just being able to lay there/sit there and relax and read/people watch.
Emily116
the sound of the waves!
I'm going with the smell and feel of sand.. Just refreshing and almost can start over, with anything..
Amanda
byacourt at gmail dot com
For me it's the view. It's so relaxing to sit and look at the waves rolling in. I love the sound too! And sitting in the sand with a comfy chair, an umbrella for shade and a good book. I LOVE it!
The smell of the ocean and the suntan lotion!! Yummy!!!
Laying at sunset listening to the waves, especially in Cozumel Mexico..
My favorite thing about the beach are the sounds of the waves hitting the shore.
I love the feel of sand between my toes and the sounds of the waves. Instant relaxation!
I don't really like the beach at all so I can't answer this question, sorry! The best part of the beach is me not being there! Although I do love reading books that take place in a beach location, haha.
Thanks!
-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com
The sound--love the beach. I lived on the Oregon Coast for five years when I moved back to California I had the hardest time sleeping due to lack of the waves crashing and fog horns (yea I am in California but about 2 hours from the Ocean:(
I love the view...the endlessness of it!
I love sitting at the beach with a good book listening to the waves and watching my kids play :)
I love to feel the sand between my toes as you walk along the shore...My favorite trip was to Cancun our hotel was right on the beach..the water was warm and the most beautiful turquoise.
I love everything about the beach! But what I like best is being out there from like 5pm to 8pm. You get that nice cool ocean breeze at that time which feels great after spending the whole day there. Grew up in Southern California so sunsets were great. On east coast now but that time of day on the beach is still my absolute favorite.
Nicole
I love digging my hands under the warm sand to get to the sand that is still cold.
-Donna W.
I love the calmness of the beach (when I'm there without the kids). I can relax and just take in the sun, warmth, breeze and sounds.
I miss the beach!
I'm not much for sun, sand, and water, but after spending a week in Panama City Beach last summer, I could get used to just sitting on the beach reading. I like the smell of the salt water.
The best part of the beach is the sound of the waves, and walking along at the edge of the water.
Bev (shaggy552@gmail.com)
My favorite part of the beach is soft-serve in a cake cone that you have≥÷.
//. ,,m l;klok (sorry, my "assistant" added his thoughts)... to eat fast before it melts and gets sandy and your hair is blowing in the wind and you get messy and sticky. And then run into the water to get clean. :)
I love it all!!! Just wish there was beaches in KY. The sand, the waves, the sound, the tanning, and the walking...
My favorite is how sitting in the sand in the sunshine & watching the water makes me feel totally at peace & worry free :)
The best thing about the beach? EVERYTHING!!
I've only been to the beach once - spring break senior year - so you can imagine it wasn't the most "deep" ocean visit to have been had :o)
I did enjoy going out in the evening when it was fairly deserted and quiet and just sitting and listening to the water hit the shore - peaceful and relaxing.
Sitting on a blanket listening to the waves and watching the sunset. Could anything be more perfect?
Kristi Marie W.
I love so many things about the beach that 5 years ago I moved to our beach house full time with my family. My favorite thing is coming home after work and smelling the ocean. The best smell in the world. I also love the calming effect of the waves. I also love the isolation of the empty beach in the winter and its the best right after in snows, before the snow melts and you can walk on snow on top of the sand.
sitting in a beach chair reading a book!
My favorite thing about the beach is walking at sunrise. The sand is undisturbed and the silence is wonderful!!
~csobie
the sound of the waves, the smell of the suntan lotion, the feel of the sun....ahhhhh...there is nothing better than the beach!
I love the sound of the water and just relaxing while reading a book. It's total vacation mode when you are at the beach!
I've never spent a lot of time at the beach but sitting out and reading and/or just relaxing (napping) sounds amazing!
The very best memories I have of the beach are roasting marshmallows and hot dogs at the beach pits. Huntington Beach, CA!
My favorite part is the relaxing... and seeing dolphins off shore! :)
Kristen27
Oh, I love the beach! My favorite part is the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves. My favorite times on the beach are sunrise and sunset, mostly because the beach is usually deserted then. I also LOVE to see my kiddos footprints in the wet sand. I really want to go to the ocean now!
My favorite thing about the beach is the feeling of total relaxation! I haven't been to the beach since we had our daughter, who's three now, so I don't know how relaxing it would be with a very energetic three-year-old around! But I used to love just sitting in the sun with a book and totally chilling out.
My favorite thing about the beach is strolling along right where the surf meets the sand. Where you don't get wet past your ankles and the water is all foamy. It's even better if it's a moonlit night and I'm holding hands with a cutie.
Terri M.
I love lying in the sand and watching fireworks (and then I dread the clean up process, sand LOVES sticking onto me!) I used to go with my family in the morning when it isn't crowded yet, and then stay the whole day until after the firewroks show at around 8pm...and then get home at 10. I do live in Hawaii after all *wink wink*.
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox
My favorite thing about the beach is being able to step away from life and enjoy the the calm.
The sun is the best part!
qweska8402
Looking for shark's teeth with my son
THe best part of the beach is that I always know that I don't have to work when I am at the beach.
THe eternal distance of the water - helps me feel God's presence
My favorite thing about the beach is the peace I feel when I am there. I don't have a favorite time, evertime I go is terrific!
The feeling of relaxation! Thinking about how the water at our beach is the same water that is all around the world!! Makes us feel small in the grand scheme of things!
crystal717
Looking for shells with the kids. They love it and I love watching them.
Margaret(Literary Chanteuse)
The best part about the beach? Off-season stormy weather beach strolls! Coming back from that amazing display of nature's prowess and warming up in front of a roaring fire isn't awful either!!
-Jen
jenknee1976@hotmail.com
The smell and sound of the ocean.
Watching and listening to the ocean waves, especially during a storm
Love everything about the beach! It means vacation, so that equals relaxing! GE ocean breeze, sitting on he balcony at sunrise, watching the kids play in the waves,,,, :). Can't wait to hit OBX in August!
The sound of the ocean! Especially if you are in a cabin (or the likes) close enough to hear the waves while sleeping! Pure bliss.
My favorite thing about the beach is sitting in a nice comfortable chair reading in the sun while my husband chases our kids around. I love hearing them giggle!
The sound of the ocean..it's just so calming.
I love watching the various vessels going by which can range from fishing boats to cruise ships where we live. Just sitting there...listening to the waves and/or picking up beach glass is a close second. We live right on the water so it's almost like being at the beach every single day. Lucky us!
Nan :)
My favorite part about the beach besides the amazing view out into the ocean is picking up all kinds of interesting seashells.
wapneski@yahoo.com
I absolutely LOVE the beach too! I just feel so peaceful when I'm near the water...the sun, light breeze, sounds of the waves...it's so relaxing!!
ChristinaL
the beach chairs! lol I am not a fan of the beach so as long as I am not sitting on the sand I am happy!
RebeccaE
The beauty, and the sounds.
My favorite thing about the beach is the way it makes the kids LAUGH... somethign about it brings out the full on belly laughs!
The tan! ;)
Kristen27
The sound of the ocean...perfect backdrop for drifting off to sleep.
I love walking in the water or sitting on one of the rocks and letting the waves splash me!
My favorite part of being at the beach is laying on a towel with the sun beating down but enough wind that I don't get hot, a great book in front of me and a frosty, alcoholic beverage ready at hand!
candc320@gmail.com
My favorite things about the beach is the breeze, watching the waves, reading my book and watching my nieces play in the sand and water!!!
I LOVE the sounds of the water and seagulls overhead. I also love the salty breeze that you can taste on your lips after you leave.
Nothing is more fabulous than relaxing on Maui with my soulmate ... enjoying a leisurely cocktail while the sun sets, gentle waves lap and you're wrapped in the absolute perfection that can only be created by a Higher Power.
writeoncindy(at)yahoo(dot)com
I've only been to the beach as a child.. and I didn't care for it then! I hate the sand!! But if you could give me the view of the sunset and the sound of waves crashing, I'd be happy. [no pictures - only the real thing :)]
The sound of the waves and sea gulls! I love building and digging in the sand too. Can't wait to take my girls to the beach- they have never been :/
walking along the beach at night is my favorite part about the beach. its so quiet except the waves and the sand makes it light enough to see. Love it.
The best part of the beach is listening to the waves! I also love sunrises and sunsets and the nice breeze!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
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