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Society, Snobbery, & Newport Society (Plus 2 Giveaways!)

By

Jody here! Today I have the privilege of hosting fun and delightful author, Jen Turano! She has a new release this summer, In Good Company. I asked her to give us some of the inspiration behind her book which RT says is “Infused with humor, a healthy dose of romance and even a little mystery.”

Please join me today in welcoming Jen Turano! (And be sure to check out TWO awesome giveaways at the bottom of this post!)

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Society, Snobbery, Newport, and…Miss Millie Longfellow…Oh My!

By Jen Turano

JenTurano

Because I write during the Gilded Age (think post-Civil War until the beginning of World War I,) I normally set my books directly in New York City because that is where the truly socially inclined preferred to reside.

However, with In Good Company, I just couldn’t resist moving all of the characters to Newport, Rhode Island for the summer because . . . it quickly became the place to summer right after Mrs. Caroline Astor, or The Mrs. Astor as she preferred to be addressed, bought a quaint little “cottage” there in 1881 and named it Beechwood.

220px-Caroline_Schermerhorn_Astor

The Mrs. Astor

When I first ran across a mention of Beechwood while doing research for another book, I willingly admit the whole “cottage” notion intrigued me. Try as I might, I simply could not see the far too proper Mrs. Astor fanning her face on a summer day while sitting on the front porch of a rustic dwelling.

Imagine my surprise when I purchased a book on Newport, flipped it open, and discovered that Mrs. Astor’s idea of a cottage and mine were at complete odds with each other. Beechwood is a mansion, replete with ocean views, manicured yards, and staffed with an army of domestics, as are all of the other “cottages” that march along Bellevue Avenue – the avenue of choice if you’re in the know.

The Astor's "cottage" in Newport

Beechwood: The Astor’s “cottage” in Newport

Further research revealed that while it was incredibly difficult to gain entrance into any of the New York City society events, getting invited to so much as a picnic in Newport if you weren’t from respectable, which means old, money was downright impossible.

The nouveau rich would arrive in Newport for the season, rent or buy one of the mansions there, and would then twiddle their thumbs all summer long, hoping that someone, anyone, would invite them to come out and play. A few of these naïve creatures would even go so far as to plan balls, send out invitations, hire on extra staff and fancy chefs, and then . . . stand at the door to greet guests who never arrived.

Newport, I realized, was a place I had to set a book, and what better character to send to this land of snobbery and excess than Miss Millie Longfellow – a nanny with an unfortunate propensity of getting dismissed from her positions far too frequently, and . . . a young lady who’d grown up in an orphanage far away from wealth and society rules.

Letting Millie experience The Reading Room, where there was no reading done and women weren’t allowed, to The Newport Casino, where she was invited to play a rousing game of lawn tennis, to Bailey’s Beach, where…no, never mind about that beach. Millie was not invited to dip so much as a single toe in the most exclusive beach in Newport.

images (1) - bather at bailey's beach

Bather at Baily’s Beach (Don’t you just love the swimsuit?)

However, toe dipping was permitted for a common girl at Easton’s Beach. But, instead of taking her there, I allowed her to make use of a private beach, owned by a delightful society lady by the name of Mrs. Abigail Hart – a society lady who just happens to have matchmaking on her mind at all times of the day and night.

When Abigail produces an old-fashioned bathing machine – inspired by a few old pictures I found in yet another research book, I then had the perfect setting to create a bit of a romantic scene, one that placed Miss Millie Longfellow in close quarters with Mr. Everett Mulberry – one of society’s most eligible bachelors, and a gentleman who just happens to be Millie’s employer.

bathing12

Beach with old-fashioned bathing machines

There were so many other places in Newport that I longed to have Millie visit, but since my editor would have been slightly dismayed if I’d handed her a book with four-hundred pages, I had to content myself with being happy with the spots I was able to highlight, knowing that Newport will definitely be a setting I return to in the future.

To read more about Miss Millie Longfellow and her adventures in Newport, pick up a copy of In Good Company wherever books are sold including: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Christianbook.com

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Thank you, Jen, for the fascinating glimpse into the lives of the wealthy during their summer season at Newport. My how bathing suits (especially for women!) have changed over time! I can’t help but wonder what those people would think if they visited Baily Beach (or any beach) today!

As promised Jen is doing TWO giveaways:

1. To win a copy of In Good Company, fill out the Rafflecopter entry below.

2. To enter Jen’s “In Good Company Giveaway” where you can win a $150 gift card and lots of other prizes, click HERE for the entry form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In-Good-Company-Giveaway-imageTo enter the “In Good Company Giveaway” go HERE!

What is YOUR favorite summer vacation spot?

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Jody Hedlund

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Award-winning author Jody Hedlund makes her home in central Michigan with her husband and five children. When she's not busy with her family, she loves to read and consume large amounts of chocolate and coffee.
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Comments

    • Thank you so much for stopping by, Barbara. I’ve never been to Mammoth Lakes, CA, but I’m sure it’s simply fabulous!

      Good luck with the giveaways!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • I love Idaho as well, Mardell. My sister used to live right by Sun Valley, and I have to say, the rafting was great – a little frightening at times, especially when we almost lost my son overboard, but what a blast!

      Have a great weekend:)

      ~ Jen ~

  3. My favorite summer vacation spot is anywhere I can get alone with God and spend time enjoying His creation while He refreshes my soul. I love both the mountains and the beach, too hard to choose which one.

    • That is the perfect place to vacation, Tonya. I currently live right outside of Denver, so I spend a lot of time vacationing in the mountains, although the beach will always be my favorite spot to get away.

      Good luck with the giveaways, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  4. Hmm… Oma’s home, where I spend several summers and any other kind of holiday as a child. Still do – though not as much.

    • I used to spend my summers at my grandmother’s house in North Carolina, until she moved to Florida, and wasn’t that a great place for a teenager to go for a few weeks every year?

      Hope you have lots of fun if you go to your Oma’s house this summer.

      Wishing you all the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  5. I like to travel, but I don’t have a favorite vacation spot. As long as my husband is with me, anywhere is my favorite. I am so excited about reading this book. I am looking forward to visiting Newport with Millie. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

    • Thank you so much, Loraine! And, that’s too adorable, the bit about anywhere with your husband is your favorite place to be. He’s a lucky gentleman.

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I wish you a wonderful weekend.

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • Congratulations, Danielle – four acres – how cool is that? I’m sure it will seem like a vacation every morning when you look out over your land!

      Thanks for stopping in, and I hope you have great weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • That’s great, Caryl. I have to say I do agree with that, although we’ve been having a rather odd summer out here in Denver. Rain almost every afternoon, and I haven’t run the A/C nearly as much as normal.

      Good luck with the giveaway:)

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • I’ve never been to Lake Okobogee, Iris, but I did used to spend quite a bit of time at a small lake in Ohio, Seneca Lake. My parents kept a boat there and it was fabulous fun.

      On a completely different note, I’m currently editing another book, “Playing the Part,” and one of my characters is named Iris. She’s a strong-willed lady – daughter of Abigail Hart – a rather meddling, yet adorable, match-making grandmotherly type.

      Thanks for stopping in, and I hope you have a great weekend.

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  9. My favorite summer spot is at a particular riverside cabin in the North Georgia Mountains. It’s heavenly!

    • That does sound heavenly, Cheryl. My hope when I get older is to get a nice little cabin somewhere in the middle of nowhere and spend my days writing on a front porch.

      Have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • Hi Laurie,

      Thanks for sharing. I’ve always felt that any place with a bunch of trees is a great place to vacation. My dad built my brother, sister, and I a great tree house in the forest behind my childhood home. I spent hours there, reading Nancy Drew and playing dress-up.

      Good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  11. Love seeing you here, Jen. Such a great peek into the elite world of summer snobbery. Ha! Love it. 🙂

    • Hey Karen,

      I’m delighted to be here – what fun! And yes, I do believe Newport was the place to vacation if one could get the nod from the snobbery set:)

      Hope to see you soon:)

      ~ Jen ~

  12. I especially love going into the mountains during the summer, maybe because it’s usually cooler at night. 🙂

    Just read In Good Company and really enjoyed it!

    • Thank you so much, Kym! I’m delighted you enjoyed Millie’s story and have to admit she was a total blast to write:)

      Have a fabulous weekend:)

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  13. I don’t travel well, plus we’re homebody empty nesters, so we just hang out together and walk in the woods behind our house.

    • Hi Susan,

      It’s wonderful to have you stop by, and I’m a bit of a homebody at times, more so right now because I have this ancient Cattle Dog with…needs. She doesn’t really enjoy other people, can’t be boarded because she ends up losing her hair, and doesn’t like to travel. It makes it tricky to get away:)

      Have a great weekend!

      ~ Jen ~

  15. I love a beautiful beach! White sand in my toes and a good book is a perfect vacation for me.

    • I agree, Dana. Sand is the best, especially when paired with a good book.

      Have a great weekend, and thank you for stopping in.

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  16. It’s SO much fun to see you here, Jen! Welcome!! I loved the fun peek into Golden Age history that you gave us via your post.

    • Thank you for having me, Becky! I’ve been enjoying seeing your challenges up on social media – the braids were especially fetching:)

      Hope to see you soon!

      ~ Jen ~

  17. We often “pop up” to Holmes County (Amish Country) for a quick get away. You can do a little shopping a whole lot of good eating and then relaxing.

    • How fun, Linda. I used to live by a lot of Quakers, down past Canton, Ohio, and I loved going to all of their antique shops in that area. Also loved watching the horse and buggies going off to church and visiting on Sundays.

      Thanks for sharing, and good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  18. I love Jen’s books. I have read “In Good Company” and thoroughly enjoyed it. Millie is a peach of a gal and someone I can relate to in that I act before I think.

    • Thank you so much, Karen! I had a ton of fun writing Millie – she was just so quirky:)

      Good luck with the giveaway, and have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • They are pretty spectacular, aren’t they, Joan? I live not far from them, so we do go to the mountains quite often. When I first moved out here, I had this car that, honestly, I thought I was going to have to push up the mountain leading to Eisenhower Tunnel. That trip took forever:)

      Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • I haven’t read a Betty Neels book forever. Thank you for reminding me about her. I do believe one of my favorites was “An Old-Fashioned Girl,” but not completely certain about that, given how long it’s been since I read it.

      Thanks for stopping in, and I hope you have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      Jen

  21. This is going to sound totally cliche, but my favorite vacation spot is Hawaii! I just love how the climate is perfect and there are so many awesome things to do. Plus, BEACHES.

    • And this is going to sound odd, Emily, but I have never, not once, gone to Hawaii – which is really weird now that I think about it.

      Thanks for stopping in, and have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  22. Chautauqua county, NY. It’s where I grew up and the weather is perfect in the summer, with tons to do.

    • I love Chautauqua county, Laurel. I lived in Webster, NY for a few years, and my husband and I used to travel all over New York – I always enjoyed going to Canandaigua as well. Beautiful country there.

      Thanks for stopping in!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  23. My favorite is in the hill country in Texas camping out and reading, reading, and more reading.

    • Hi Deana,

      I’ve only been to Texas a couple of times, and unfortunately, I’ve only been for conferences so I haven’t explored the state much – which is a bummer.

      Thanks for leaving a comment, and I wish you luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      Jen

  24. My favorite summer retreat is anywhere we can get away and meet up with family. To me, vacation is more about the company than the location.

    • I so agree, Mary. I used to take my son back to Ohio every year when my parents were alive, and it was so much fun. I miss that now that they’re gone, and the rest of my family is so scattered that it takes quite a bit of planning to get us together.

      Hope you have a great rest of the summer!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  25. My husband and I love Savannah, Georgia, and we always head over to Tybee Island to the beach. I also love to go to Dahlonega, Georgia and stay in a B & B nestled back in the woods.

    • Georgia sounds lovely, Velma. I used to drive through Georgia on my way to Florida when my girlfriends and I were heading off to spring break. I always liked the trees with the hanging moss, but now that I think about it, I’ve never spent the night in that state – something I should probably do at some point in time.

      Thanks for stopping in, and good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  26. My favorite vacation spot is Lake Michigan! Or anyplace my oldest son happens to be living. San Diego, New Orleans, Chattanooga and currently Denver.

    • I live outside of Denver now, Carol. And, I can certainly relate about your favorite place to vacation being where you son is living. My son is just about ready to go off to his second year in college, and my husband and I have already started wondering where he’ll end up living when he gets his degree. Truth be told, I think he’s a Colorado guy at heart, so I might be going far for vacations in the future:)

      Have a great weekend!

      ~ Jen ~

  27. I like to visit my family in Florida but going my weather, I much prefer where I live (the Black Hills of SD) in the summer! 😉

    What’s a bathing machine? I’ll have to look that up!!

    • A bathing machine is really just a wooden box on wheels. They used to have benches lining the walls, and hooks to hang up your clothing. They came about so that ladies could enjoy a bit of the sea, and when they first came out, a lady would tie a rope around her middle and sort of bob along right by the bathing machine. Given the bathing costumes ladies were expected to wear, I’m sure the rope was needed to keep them from sinking:)

      Thanks for asking!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • I’ve never been to see the Redwoods, Heidi, but I bet it is magnificent there.

      Thank you for stopping in, and good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  29. We go visit our families every summer and have scads of fun! We went to the ocean one summer and that was one of my most memorable vacations ever!

    • How fun for you that you get to visit with your family every summer, Shakira. We used to always go to the ocean when I was younger, especially Ocean City, Maryland – until we went one year, experienced a horrible storm, and I got a really bad case of food poisoning and spent the entire week in bed – We never went back there again.

      Thanks for stopping by, and good luck with the giveaways!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  30. My favorite vacation spot is anywhere I can relax long enough to read a great book; either under a large sun umbrella at the beach or on a back deck in a cozy chair with a mug of tea or coffee and soft blanket to curl into is my idea of a grand vacation! 🙂

    • Hi Diane,

      Reading an entire book, especially from start to finish without weeks going by, is my idea of a fabulous vacation as well. I have to limit what type of fiction I read while writing a first draft – so when I’m not writing one of those, I load up on the historical romance.

      Hope you have a great weekend.

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  32. Thank you for sharing! Very interesting information. I don’t have just one favorite summer spot, but every summer we do try to visit the CA State fair.

    • Thank you, Lori. So glad you found it interesting. I find Newport to be a fascinating place – what with all the shenanigans that were going on there every summer season, and still are from what I’ve read.

      Have a great weekend, and good luck with the giveaways!

      ~ Jen ~

  33. I love to travel to different places, especially by the beach. So far my favorite vacation spots are St. Augustine, Amelia Island, and Daytona Beach Shores (away from the crowds). They each have uniqueness about them so its hard to pick just one of them. They all have a mixture of different things to do. Lots of awesome places on the beach to just relax or to people watch. Lots of people surf so that’s fun! They’re also awesome places to spend some time alone with God. 🙂 Something really cool about Amelia Island is that it borders Florida and Georgia, so you’re technically in two places at once! 🙂

    • I’ve never been to Amelia Island, Rebecca, but it sounds delightful. I have been to Daytona – spring break back when I was in college – I always enjoyed the beaches around there.

      Thanks for sharing, and I hope you have a great weekend.

      All the best,

      Jen

  34. When I was little (I’m now 74), my favorite vacation spots were World’s End State Park in PA or Presque Isle at Lake Erie. When I was married in the 70’s I liked the Wickiup Cabins in Spearfish canyon, SD.

    • I’ve never heard of the World’s End State Park, Nancy. We used to go to Pittsburgh quite often, and I loved going to Kennywood Amusement Park there. When I lived in Buffalo, I was around Lake Erie all the time – I miss the water now that I live out by Denver.

      Thank you for sharing, and I wish you luck with the giveaways!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • Thank you for sharing, Merry.

      I have friends who live in Lancaster. They love it there, and I’m sure you enjoy having local beaches to go to. I’m fairly landlocked here in Denver – the mountains are great, but I do miss the water.

      Have a great weekend!

      ~ Jen ~

  36. My favorite vacation spot is the library. No in all seriousness I could waste away the hours sitting in the chair at the library, reading. Unfortunately my kids usually make it about one chapter before they are laden with a dozen books and ready to go. One day though, I want to dedicate a chair to every library that I’ve ever visited as my lasting legacy for other people who just want to sit and read a good book.

    • That’s fabulous, Jessica! I’m at my local library often, and do know that your kids will get older, and then you’ll have all of this lovely time to sit beside row after row of books and read for hours:) (But, I will say, as my son got older, I found myself missing the craziness of his childhood.)

      Have a great summer – Hope you get a few chances to read!

      All the best,

      Jen

  37. I love Jessica White’s idea! A library is a wonderful place to disappear into–peaceful, quiet, filled with empty chairs and corners or likeminded people longing for a quiet spot too. And dedicating reading chairs to future library patrons? Charming and fun!

    My favorite place that I’ve visited is New Orleans (not during Mardi Gras though; that’s just a nuthouse with the doors thrown wide open), especially the French Quarter; it was amazing to stay there and walk around experiencing everything that is uniquely New Orleans.

    • I’ve always enjoyed New Orleans as well, Sarah, although like you, I’m not really keen on it for Mardi Gras. I’ve done that twice, and…I don’t think I’ll do that again.

      Good luck with the giveaways, and have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  38. This sounds like a wonderful fish out of water story. I love those kinds of stories. Would like to win a copy. As far as my favorite vacation spot, home in the cool with a good book. I just don’t enjoy going to places in the heat.

    • Miss Millile Longfellow is definitely a bit of a fish out of water, Connie:) I think that’s why I enjoyed writing her so much.

      Good luck with the giveaways, and thank you for stopping by.

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • Two nice choices, Edward, although I’m going to say I’m more partial to the beach – probably because I don’t live near one:)

      Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  40. I would like to go back to Hawaii…or anywhere tropical…for a vacation! I thoroughly enjoyed In Good Company! Wishing you had made it a 400 page book teehee 😉

    • Hey Rachel,

      Thanks for stopping in – I always love hearing from you – And while you might have enjoyed a 400 page book, believe me, I would have gotten some heat for that – and…when you get to the design page galleys – that’s the last review you have to do – well, I’m pretty tired of my story by that time – so if I had gotten to 400 pages…well…need I say more?

      Have a great weekend!

      Jen

    • I love the autumn, Darcy – much more so than summer – My husband loves the heat, but I’m not a big fan of it.

      The Smoky Mountains are beautiful. I miss seeing them now that I live out west.

      Have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      Jen

    • You’re very welcome, Rebecca!

      Thanks for stopping by, and I enjoy San Diego as well – there’s always so much to do there.

      Good luck with the giveaways!

      Jen

  43. Would love to go to Maine someday. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    • You’re very welcome, Linda, and I’ve always said I would love to retire in Maine – spend my time wandering around the antique shops and enjoying the colors in the fall.

      Good luck with the giveaways!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  44. This is probably going to sound strange for some people, but since I live on the Oregon coast, my favorite summer spot is anywhere AWAY from the beach….lol!! There are just too many tourists and people around to really enjoy it. My sister-in-law lives in WA state (4 hr drive) so I like to go visit her 3-4 times in the summer. She takes a day off and we just go do whatever comes to mind. Maybe walk the mall and have a coffee or lunch somewhere. It’s always a fun time 🙂 Hubby and I do some travel during the Fall/early Winter season when it’s not so demanding at work for him. We breathe a big sigh of relief once the majority of the tourists and visitors go home!
    Thank you for the chance ot win a copy of “In Good Company”. I’ve not yet read any of Jen’s books & I KNOW I am missing some good reading 😉

    • Hi Trixi,

      Thanks for sharing, and here’s hoping you win one of my books so you can say you’ve read one:) If you have an e-reader, there is a free novella out there – “Gentleman of Her Dreams.” It’s short, but a complete story and it introduces you to some of the characters from my first series “The Ladies of Distinction.” Again, it’s free – so you can try out my writing style and see if it’s to your liking:)

      Good luck!

      All the best,

      Jen

  45. A bathing machine? Wow, haven’t heard of those yet! Can’t wait to learn more from your writings!

    I think that any place where I don’t have to go to work or clean house would be a vacation spot! But my first choice would be Israel – (which I may or may not ever see and I am still content!) – otherwise the Navajo Nation when there is a little snow on the ground or back home (Michigan). Thank you for the opportunity to win!

    • You’re very welcome, Jeanie!

      I first ran into the whole bathing machine idea a few years back when I was researching something completely different, so I’ve been looking for an opportunity to plug one into a story – Newport just seemed the perfect spot – I also have a Home Hotel for Nervous Individuals that I’d like to use as well – which is pretty much a place to house mentally unstable people – but they were supposed to be nicer than an asylum. We’ll see if I ever find a story for that bit of research:)

      Thanks for stopping by, and good luck with the giveaways!

      All the best,

      Jen

  46. I’m not able to travel very much so my favorite vacation spot is my home with a stack of books. I get to “travel” to wherever the characters in my books are. Earlier this summer I “traveled” to Newport with Millie! It was such fun! In Good Company is a delightful book. Thanks for giving us a bit more background of Newport today, Jen. I would find it difficult to have to live with such snobbery.

    • Hi Pam,

      Thanks you for stopping in – I always enjoy hearing from you. Delighted you got to experience a bit of Newport with Millie. That’s the best things about books – we get to travel to so many different places.

      Have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      Jen

    • Hi Shelia,

      Thanks for stopping in. I’ve never been to Gatlingburg, but I have driven through Tennessee before – although I’m sure driving through it wasn’t exactly getting a great feel for the place –

      Good luck with the giveaways, and have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      Jen

  48. We don’t actually go anyplace for vacation. I do enjoy going to the beach and enjoying my back yard in the summer. Family time is great!

    • How cool that you live close to a beach, Becky. I’ve lived outside of Denver for almost twenty years now, and I do still miss all the water that was around when I lived in New York.

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a great rest of the summer!

      All the best,

      Jen

    • Hi Tammy,

      Thanks for visiting, and I hate to admit this, but I’ve never been to the Jersey shore – which is so odd since I lived in New York and went all over that state.

      Good luck with the giveaways!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

    • That’s an honest response, Hannah – and it made me smile.

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a great weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  51. Yes we have changed a lot in our bathing suit fashions haven’t we? I’m very curious. What were bathing houses used for ? Never heard of them until I read this post and seen a picture of one.
    Your book sounds very interesting.
    Thanks for the giveaway
    Shirley Chapel

    • Hi Shirley,

      Thanks for visiting, and the main purpose of those bathing machines was to allow a lady to protect her modest – Horses would pull the bathing house down to the beach, they’d back it into the water, and the ladies would be in the bathing machine as it was backing up – then they’d change into those oh-so-risque bathing suits that I would have drowned wearing, and then it was off to take a plunge in the water – changing back into their clothing and having the hut pull them out of the water – where they’d step down – fully clothed once again – I’m really surprised ladies even bother, to tell you the truth.

      Have a great weekend!

      ~ Jen ~

  52. I like stay-cations the best, b/c I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I love hiking, visiting the ocean, and visiting the many day adventure spots available to us.

    • It sounds like you get to vacation quite often, Terrill, and right outside your door.

      Thanks for visiting, and I wish you luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  53. Since this is a more beach themed post, my favorite beach destination is the Gulf Coast in Florida, places like Destin and Ft. Walton.
    We enjoy taking our camper out wherever and time together as a family is great! I did enjoy our vacations out west to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore, beautiful areas! So many beautiful areas in our country to choose from! We are blessed!

    • I just went to Mt. Rushmore for the first time two years ago, Nancy. I have to say I was suitably impressed:) And the place I’ve gone the most on the Gulf side would have to be Marco Island. It’s very pretty – and Sand Dollar Island is cool.

      Have a great weekend!

      ~ Jen ~

    • Thank you so much for visiting, Sheryl.

      I enjoy the mountains as well, although I don’t go up much in the winter, even though I live outside of Denver. All of those rock slides and avalanches freak me out:)

      Have a great weekend!

      ~ Jen ~

    • Thanks for visiting, Sydney!

      Mountains and beaches are turning out to be the most popular vacation destinations:)

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a great rest of the weekend!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

  57. My favorite vacation spot is wherever my daughter is. I don’t get to see her or my grandsons very often so wherever they are will be my favorite place. Last year we spent four weeks together at my sisters house in southern Indiana, we didn’t do anything special, we just spent time together. When she was first married, her husband was stationed in California. My husband and I drove out there twice, it a was beautiful drive, and I got to go to Yosemite for the first time. The second year hubby took me to San Francisco after we saw our daughter. That was fun too.

    Now, as for “In Good Company” I wouldn’t mind if it was 400 pages! I just finished reading “After a Fashion” I could have easily read a few more chapters. Why must editors and publishers always limit authors? I know, I know, it’s all about the costs, but it’s not fun for me, the reader!

    • Thank you so much, Andrea – And since I tend to get a little wordy, it’s probably a good thing I have an editing team – My chapters can drag at bit – but it’s very nice of you to say you wouldn’t mind 400 pages:)

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a great rest of the weekend!

      All the best,

      Jen

    • I’ve never been to Tucson, Letty – but I imagine it must be a little warm. I live outside of Denver now, and we had a few years where we were escaping into the mountains on the weekends because it was just too hot in the city.

      Have a great week!

      All the best,

      Jen

  61. I have visited a lot of places, but I spent 2 amazing summers in Estes Park, CO. It is truly gorgeous out there. I love being surrounded by God’s beautiful creation!

    • I live about an hour and a half from Estes Park, Sarah. It’s one of my favorite places to go – we especially enjoyed going to the YMCA when my son was small – they have this great roller rink – My son was mortified when my husband rolled around the rink, dancing to the oldies, but I thought it was hilarious.

      Have a fabulous week!

      Jen

  62. Anywhere on the shores of Lake Superior. Hopefully with a B&B Lighthouse stay!

    • Oh, that sounds lovely, Saundra. I love the Great Lakes region – and B& B’s are the best.

      Good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      Jen

  63. We are a blended family and I have to say my favorite vacation was the first time my soon to be husband got to meet my Grandmother. As a couple, our honeymoon in Jefferson, TX.

    • I have friends who live in Rhode Island, Suzanne, but ever since I moved out west, I don’t get to visit them often, which is a shame since Rhode Island is gorgeous.

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I wish you all the best!

      Jen

  66. My favorite vacation spot would definitely be Crescent Beach in St. Augustine, FL. Even though it is only 45 minutes from where I live, I am my family enjoy renting a house right on the beach and staying there in the summer for about a week!

    • How fun, Hope. My family used to keep a boat about 45 minutes from where I grew up, and even though it wasn’t far from home, those are some of my best memories!

      Have a great week!

      Jen

  67. I stay home in the summer enjoying lounging on my deck with my dog, a tall glass of lemonade, and a good book. If I want to go to the beach, I only have to drive about 20 minutes to get to a state park with a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan. I often go there for an early picnic supper and watch the boats go by in the channel. So relaxing!

    • I’m a dog lover as well, Vivian – although I can’t take my dog with me places – she’s much too neurotic for that.

      Thanks for sharing, and I hope you have a great week!

      All the best,

      Jen

  68. Love vacationing in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Love reading about the Gilded age! Can’t wait to read this one!

    • Thank you, Joy!

      I’ve never been to Arkansas – but I hear it’s quite lovely.

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a fabulous week!

      All the best,

      Jen

  69. In 2 hours I can be at the beach, either on the west or east coast. Unfortunately, I don’t get there as often as I would like.

    • Thanks for visiting, Janet – although I’m now curious as to where you live. I’m really land-locked so driving to the beach isn’t really an option – although by plane it’s only a few hours.

      Good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      Jen

  70. Love going to Jacksonville, FL…….My son and his family live there. Ocean is near and lots of other interesting places and things to do.

  71. My favorite vacation spot is our new home:) We moved from the city from a house I couldn’t use anymore because it was a two story to a ranch. I was injured 8 years ago and can no longer use stairs so my hubby said we were going to move somewhere where we can enjoy our life and not have the everyday struggle for me:) I love him and our kids so much. We now live on 10.3 AC with the view of our pond out our bedroom window. God has blessed us and that is why this is my favorite vacation spot.

  73. I don’t have a favorite summer vacation spot since we travel mostly in the fall but I do have a favorite summer spot. It’s Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Indiana. It’s 5 miles from our house but holds a lot of memories from swimming at the landing to watching the boats cruising the lake to walking the 2 mile walk at Lake Fest & always coming in last. Summertime in Culver means Tuesday Coney Dog Day at the Original Root Beer Stand which was originally an A&W & they still make the root beer in the basement which we enjoy in frosty glass mugs. New to the Culver Park this year is the Storybook Trail where the story changes every couple of weeks. It’s been fun to walk along the trail in the evening reading the book even though it’s a children’s book. I’m glad there is a place so close to home that feels like a vacation & yet I can sleep in my own bed at night.

  74. The beach or my family cabin in La Pine Oregon(i have not bene to the family cabin since I was in my teens). The beach would be a great destination.

  75. I’m a Michigan girl! We grew up visiting the U.P! The Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island are my happy places!

  78. I love going to California, and Minnesota and Hawaii, Poland and Germany. I just can’t pick one place! I just have to take turns!!!

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