Regina Rudd Merrick – Romantic Destination – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Regina Rudd Merrick shares her favorite romantic destination, plus a chance to win a print copy of her latest novella collection, Carolina Connections. US. only. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: Jan 20th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Regina:

Romance, Sun, and Surf

This time of year, after the hoopla of Christmas and the New Year is past, I do not start dreaming of snow and warm, fuzzy socks – I dream of the beach. For me, that conjures up impressions of the sun on my shoulders, toes in the sand, sunglasses, a cool beverage, and a book in my hand.

The soft, warm, salty breeze seeps into your soul.

A person can walk for miles and not realize it.

It gives the brain a break. Mine usually needs it.

Get the picture?

Okay, I dream of the beach year-round, not just in winter. What can I say?

When I began my writing journey, I wrote a series (Southern Breeze) that is set on the beaches of South Carolina. Usually, the first question I get is whether or not I live in SC. Uh, no. Would I like to? Uh, YES. There’s something about a beach and romance that goes together like chocolate and peanut butter.

During one of our trips to the Pawleys Island area of SC, about 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach, and about 60-70 miles north of Charleston, I came across this tiny little chapel on Pawleys Island proper.

Isn’t it adorable?

I decided then and there that I would have a character who doesn’t believe romance is possible for her, but runs a wedding venue out of that little chapel because she wants to be part of the idea of happily-ever-after for other people. It’s one of my favorite novellas connected to my Southern Breeze Series.

Carolina Connections contains this story, “Pawleys Aisle,” previously published in Coastal Promises and “Mr. Sandman,” part of Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams, combining them in one volume, completing the series.

If you can’t get to the beach, you can do like me: find one of those YouTube videos that are hours and hours of video of sand and surf and keep it going in the background. Or you could read a good book that will transport you there.

Either works, at least temporarily, to remind you of the romance of my favorite place in the world.

The beach.

Question for Readers: What seems more romantic to you? The beach or the mountains? Why?

About Regina: Regina Rudd Merrick started her journey as a life-long lover of reading in first grade, and eventually parlayed that love of literature into a degree in library science, with stints as both elementary and middle school librarians, and later as a public library director.

After finding the enjoyable world of reading and writing “fan-fiction”–original stories based on characters from familiar stories, television shows, and movies–she realized that for some reason God had given her the ability to weave a story, whether it be in this online community or with original characters. Her first novel, Carolina Dream, book one of the Southern Breeze Series, was the winner of a publishing contest with Mantle Rock Publishing, LLC (now Scrivenings Press), and her writing career was born.

Now the author of seven novels and a contributor to four novella collections, Regina writes about people like all of us who sometimes struggle with their faith and trusting God. Her latest novella contribution is included in the collection, Love in Any Season, and her latest novels are Window of Peace, book two2 of a multi-author series entitled Stained Glass Legacy, releasing in April 2023, and Twelve Days of Mandy Reno, a short Christmas novel and book two of the RenoVations, Inc. series. In addition to writing, Regina has recently added the title of “editor” to her resume.

In 2024, she’ll have three offerings: Carolina Connections (January 2024), Rebuilding Joy (February 2024), and Christmas, ReWired (November 2024)

Regina loves chocolate, the beach, playing keyboard and vocals in her church’s praise band, historical homes, watching other people renovate on HGTV, and Hallmark movies. She and her husband of forty years are empty nesters in rural western Kentucky and are the proud parents of two grown-up daughters and a son-in-law, along with the family’s sixteen-year-old Schauzer-mix, Cedric. Learn more & connect:

Regina’s Website         Regina’s Facebook          Regina’s Instagram

Regina’s Pinterest          Regina’s Scrivenings Author Page

About the Novella Collection – Carolina Connections: 

Pawleys Aisle – Leaving a lucrative position in the banking world for the creative world of weddings, Chelsea Prince finds the perfect venue, Pawleys Island Chapel, next door to the perfect walled garden. Her elderly neighbor and partner-in-planning have an agreement, but when the unexpected happens, she has to deal with the cranky grandson who wants to be left alone to write the next great American novel. Since Chelsea has sworn off men, it shouldn’t be a problem to ignore him and go on her way hosting weddings in the chapel. But when Marc McCallum offers up a compromise, she wonders if maybe there is one man out there who can be trusted.

Mr. Sandman – Events manager Taylor Fordham’s happily-ever-after was snatched from her, and she’s saying no to romance and Christmas. When she meets two new friends—the cute new chef at Pilot Oaks and a contributor on a sci-fi fan fiction website who enjoys debate—her resolve begins to waver. Just when she thinks she can loosen her grip on thoughts of love, a crisis pulls her back. There’s no way she’s going to risk her heart again.

Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Regina’s other titles?

Get your copy/copies now!

Carolina Connections         Regina’s Books

Come back Jan 12th for Lyn Cote!