Karla Akins – Romantic Location – Part 2 of 3

Shannon here: Women’s Fiction author, Karla Akins shares a favorite romantic location, Mackinac Island. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated May 4 – 8 to enter the drawing for a copy of The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots. Winner’s choice of print or e-book. Deadline: May 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Karla:

My Romantic Location Pick(s) by Karla Akins:
I’ll admit I’ve not travelled much of the world. But in the United States I’m always drawn north to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island. I love Lake Michigan. Maybe that’s because I’ve always lived landlocked and never been to the Atlantic Ocean more than a few times. I’ve never seen the Pacific Ocean.
I’m a history fanatic and Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel is beautifully preserved. One of my dreams is to spend an entire week with Mr. Himself (my pet name for my husband, Eddie) there. Actually, I’m drawn to water/beaches no matter where they are. I wouldn’t turn down a stay on a yacht. I’ve always wanted to rent a houseboat. The feeling of being all alone on a big body of water appeals to me.
One of my favorite romantic movies, Somewhere in Time, is set on Mackinac Island. The Grand Hotel is just as beautiful and impressive in person as it is in the movie. Also, the island uses horses and bicycles for transportation. Cars aren’t allowed. That gives it another level of historic authenticity. This history buff can’t get enough. I’d love to actually live there. Living far away on an isolated island is one of my fantasies.
Other romantic places I love are the lighthouse bed and breakfasts on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Lighthouses seem so mysterious and private. I like the feeling of seclusion I experience when I’m there. The accommodations are very cozy and romantic.
You may have picked up on my yearning for privacy. As a pastor’s family, we live under the microscope so much, I long for a place away from prying eyes. Maybe that’s why large bodies of water appeal to me. Perhaps a lighthouse is not only as far on the edge of our world that I can get, but also as far above it. Or it could be I’m a hopeless romantic who simply longs to have the undivided attention of her sweetheart.
About Karla: Karla Akins first novel, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots was published in August, 2013. She also writes interactive, biographical narratives, and content for iPad applications with an on-going contract for her World Explorers Every Child Should Know series. Jacques Cartier, hit #1 on Amazon in its category. Her hobbies are book-hoarding, riding her motorcycle and looking for treasure. She is represented by Linda Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency. You can learn more about Karla at her website at KarlaAkins.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
About the book – The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots: Pastor’s wife, Kirstie Donovan, lives life in a fishbowl, so when she hops on the back of a bright pink motorcycle, tongues start to wag at the conservative, century-old First Independent Christian Community Church of Eels Falls. Kirstie loves roaring down a road less traveled by most women over forty, but she’s not just riding her bike for the fun of it. Kirstie has a ministry. However, certain church members have secrets to hide, and when God uses Kirstie’s ministry to fill the pews with leather-clad, tattooed bikers, those secrets could be exposed…and some will stop at nothing to hide the truth. Join Kirstie and her motorcycle “gang” – two church matrons and a mouthy, gum-smacking non-church member – as they discover that road-toughened bikers are quite capable of ministering to others, and faith is fortified in the most unexpected ways.
Question: Where is your favorite location you’ve visited?

Come back May 8 for Karla’s romantic interview!