Author Event Recap & Giveaway: Leila Howland author of Nantucket Blue

Hello readers!  I was lucky enough to meet Leila Howland author of Nantucket Blue at the Barnes & Noble in Huntington Beach, California this past Thursday! I was so excited to meet her after reading and adoring her YA debut (my review).  I’m known for my love of contemporary romances, and Nantucket Blue ticked all the boxes for me.  Plus, with the weather heating up this is a perfect read to get you in the mood for summer: sun, sand, and a dreamy romance! What more could you ask for in a summer read?  Arlene from Winterhaven Books, my book-partner-in-crime met me there, and we had a lovely time getting the answers to our most pressing questions.

Leila Howland

After Leila mesmerized us by reading a swoony excerpt, a favorite of mine I might add, we found out that Nantucket Blue was inspired by her own time spent on Nantucket Island, working as a chamber maid just like Cricket did in the book!  Growing up on the east coast, Leila said she wanted a story to capture how the change in weather brought on a whole different way of living, and how difference in class also factored in.  Anyone who has visited the so-called “summer cottages” can attest to the major differences that must be felt by the regular town folk and the privileged summer residents. 

Both Arlene and I drooled over the cover of Nantucket Blue when we first spied it at the ALA in Seattle this past January, so we asked Leila how much input she had in choosing it. She said there was a choice of one with hearts all over it or something very similar to what we have now.  She pushed for what we have now.  Good choice, Leila, because this is what originally drew us to the book, and I think it fits the story perfectly!

Leila signing & my ARC copy with post-it notes!

I also found out that Cricket and Jules story will continue in a sequel titled Nantucket Red. The title Nantucket Blue has special meaning to the story so we were wondering if the color red would factor into the next story and Leila said it does factor into the story, although she wouldn’t elaborate.  Cheeky!! I can only speculate that maybe the “red” in the title signifies passion or perhaps rage?  I guess we’ll see!

When it came time to sign our books, Leila was so very sweet and generous!! When she asked me how I wanted my hardcopy personalized I said I wanted no personalization because I’d be giving it away on the blog, but I had my ARC that I wanted signed to me.  Leila insisted that I have my very own hardcopy and she gave me one and signed it to me!  Thank you, Leila!

I thought I'd include a couple of pictures of Nantucket for a visual.  Now I totally want to visit this place!  So gorgeous!!

This photo of Nantucket is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of Nantucket is courtesy of TripAdvisor 

This photo of Nantucket is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I enjoyed this story so much I wanted to share it.  I have one SIGNED hardcopy to giveaway to one lucky reader.  The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL so just fill in the rafflecopter for a chance to win.  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

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