Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Hot Fun in the Summertime - Voice Your Choice


Maybe the Weather Channel’s meteorologist for the Eastern Shore is suffering from heat stroke, because there is no way he or she could report a temperature of 75. As my father would say, it’s hotter than a burnt boot! But just like Ayo Montgomery, I love the summer. True, the sun shines in the winter as well, and there might be a case made for the sunlight on snow, but not for me. There is nothing like the bright, hot summer sun. And like Ayo, I’m an early riser. Many times daylight will find me on the mini-porch on the side of my house with a cup of coffee and a book. Today, however, my very special reading material was a review of From Dusk to Dawn by Monique (Deltareviewer) Bruner. What a way to begin the morning! She begins by speaking of vacation plans...

"When was the last time you took a vacation? As you make preparations, you are in total control – where to stay, what to see, everything is timed to the second. Until you fasten your seatbelt and realize that your ride will be a bumpy one. Well, that is exactly what Ayo Montgomery is going through. Ayo has finally recovered from her husband’s untimely death, her son leaving for college and the fact that her body product business is flourishing. She didn’t miss the male companionship until she laid eyes on Bilal Abdul-Salaam. Her nicely laid plans took an upswing making her life far more complicated and unpredictable.

Bilal is a peculiar businessman searching for the women of his dreams. As he takes a last minute appointment to help a friend, he finds his soul mate. Their initial meeting was a plane wreck waiting to happen. But their second chance encounter could be their first class ticket to love. That is if they can overcome societal (age, religious background, and culture) and other familial differences – they just might fly off into the sunset.

Ms. Davis flaunts her magnificent writing skills by offering a well crafted story, impressive attention to detail along with a dash of ethnic history. There is so much more than romance offered – you have suspense, explanation of the Muslim faith, details in family conflict, and sensuality. The secondary characters are extraordinarily written and add to the content of the storyline. The conflict made this story realistic and will embed these characters into your heart. Romance readers pick up From Dusk to Dawn because this is definitely worth the trip to the book store."


Be sure to check out more of Monique's reviews at www.myspacecom/realpageturners

Speaking of vacation, if the temperature is below 65, count me out. To put it bluntly, I’m not spending money to be cold. No skiing, snowboarding, winter wonderland for me. Give me the beach or the deck of a sailboat cruising around St. John, Cane Garden Bay, Tobago or Isla Mujeres. Or by the pool shown in my picture (December 2006 and I was in heaven)!So here’s a couple of questions: if someone showed up at your door with a suitcase full of pretty clothes and an open ticket to anywhere, what would be your vacation destination of choice? Has your dream vacation ever turned into a living hell?

13 comments:

'Cilla said...

Ahhh.. Niambi.. it is soo hard to work with pictures like this flashing before my eyes. I have not planned a vacation yet.. so I guess I need to get on the ball. Luv the blog.

Niambi Brown Davis said...

Yes you do - now hop to it!:) Travel is one, and I say one, reason why I don't buy expensive purses - I stand in front of the display and say "hmmm, that's almost half a plane ticket!" (lol) Well, it used to be... Glad you like the blog and the picture.

Beverly said...

Hi Niambi -

You know we are kindred spirits! I love warm (some people would say hot) weather. I have visited ski resorts in the West but did so in the summertime. It cannot be a vacation if I need a coat! LOL

This will be the first time in soooo many years that I am taking a vacation in the "summer". I much prefer to go to a warm climate while it is cold here in the Maryland.

I love exploring different places, so I travel with family, with friends and by myself.

My excuse is that I am looking to take the "ultimate" beach picture. Of course all of the beach pics are on photo cards. (smile) I keep saying I am going to print out the best of the lot and frame for my walls.

Love your photo and wish I was there instead of completing my work project.

Anonymous said...

Last summer's vacation was a road trip to Martha's Vineyard with stops in Conneticut and Providence on the way. Beachfront hotel, grilled New England seafood and icy cold Margaritas...not to mention the love of my mature life! It don't get too much better than that!

Gas prices may have us sitting on the deck this summer though. LOL But oh . . .we have the memories!

What a marvelous review! I loved the book too.

Idrissa

Jennifer C. said...

So the last real romantic vacation for my husband and I would be when we went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last October. It was beautiful and wonderful.

The time before that was in 2006 when we went to Hilton Head, South Carolina. We loved it. The food was great the water was beautiful as was seeing the dolphins. The best part of both these trips were we left our children at home.

So my dream vacation would be any place where I don't have to worry about my children 24/7. Someplace where I can relax and take it all in without a care in the world.

Then return home renewed and refreshed back to my normal routine of being a wife and a mother.

Yasmin said...

So my dream vacation would be any place where I don't have to worry about my children 24/7. Someplace where I can relax and take it all in without a care in the world.

Jennifer I feel you on that one...lol...

Dera Williams said...

My last vacation was this past spring. See my blog, Dreaming in Cuban.

http://www.derarwilliams.blogspot.com

I am taking some short trips in the summer. Napa Valley wine & spa country is on the menu and a weekend in Mendocino. Looks like the trip to Italy in November won't happen. The timing is all wrong. But we shall see.

Niambi Brown Davis said...

Yes, Beverly; indeed we are! I've got to remember that quote about coats and vacation (lol) I'm glad you like the picture. I love it; it's one of my favorites and has been enlarged for a space on my wall. Those are the kind of pix I need in winter when I'm counting down the days until summer. Enjoy your vacation!

Niambi Brown Davis said...

Idrissa, those descriptions along with your "mature love" is so romantic, which is the way I've always thought of it. It's a love story waiting to be written - by you!

Niambi Brown Davis said...

I hear you, JC. I love that part of the country. I've reached the "don't have to worry about the kids" phase of my life. You'll always love them, but you'll enjoy it so much!(lol)

Niambi Brown Davis said...

Hi, Dera: I was almost as excited as you (almost, I know) when I knew you were traveling to Cuba. The photos are wonderful. I'm hoping that Italy will work out for you; it's on my list as well, but Senegal will come first.

rhonda mcknight said...

Love the pictures. Lord, I want to be there. Please...

I was pretty good about taking a vacation every year. Somehow last year I only managed to get in a 4 day trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee which my husand and 16 yr old loved. Horsebacking riding and Nascar races. They live for it. This year it's Orlando, because that'll work for a teenager and 3 yr old.

As a treat for myself, I'm attending Tiffany Warren's Faith and Fiction Retreat www.faithandfictionretreat.com in beautiful Destin, Florida. It's only 4 days, but Destin is like heaven on earth, so at least I'll get some me time without the rest of my brude.

Niambi Brown Davis said...

LOL@Rhonda! I could feel your plea in that sentence - the mark of a good writer! I absolutely LOVE that picture - now if somebody would just pay me to take pictures and write stories about the places in those pictures, I'd be doing the happy dance every day. "if I can see ..."- right?

I have heard that Destin is lovely; I'm sure it will be refreshing to your body and your spirit. Have a wonderful time! (and take pictures!:)