Thank You, A Release Party, and Italy!

First off, I wanted to thank everyone who left comments in the blog and Facebook about pursuing your passion. I am overwhelmed by your stories and honored you shared them. It makes everyone feel not so alone.
I counted all entries and picked at random. The winner of a digital or paperback of Executive Seduction is Cynthia! Congrats – I will email you today to claim your book!

My big blog tour will begin in a week, and I will be holding a HUGE release party on Facebook from 11/20 – 11/27. Bestselling authors will be stopping in every day, giving away a ton of prizes, and the grand prize is an IPOD stocked with the playlist for Searching for Someday! Sounds fun, right!
Link and final details coming soon.

For now, how about a break from life. Wanna go to Italy for the day? Sit back and check out my travel memory of Capri Unveiled…

I had such good intentions for my blog. Seven days of Italy. I was going to post photos, talk food, vino, and the gorgeous landscapes of Tuscany.
But I had a deadline.
So I disappeared into the cave and just came out recently. I discovered bulks of mail, unread messages, a messy house, empty refrigerator, and piles of laundry.
Yikes.
Italy was pushed aside. But I came across a photo of Capri and for a few minutes, I closed my eyes. Breathed. And remembered.
Capri is an island I respect. You have to work your ass off to get there. In crazy blistering heat, we took four types of transportation to get to our hotel. First a bus, then a minivan, then a water taxi, and finally the funicular. Dragging our carryon luggage, we walked uphill on twisty pathways. My poor niece looked at me, sweat dripping in her eyes, so exhausted from the endless travelling, and said, “I don’t think I can make it.”
Like anything worth it in life, I got hardcore. “Yes, you can! It will be worth it, I promise, dig deep, keep walking!”
Arms shaking, we finally dropped our luggage and reached out hotel.
Yep. It was worth it.

Yachts floated on the deep, glasslike blue of the water. Gorgeous cliffs rose with majestic grace, and white roofs and houses clustered in the hills, framed by the lush green and rich browns of the landscape. Our balcony overlooked the cliffs and had a hint of the water. The breeze scented lemons and olives and gorgeous vivid blooms. Designer stores lined the paths, amidst cafes and pastry shops selling gelato and home baked goods that rivaled Mama Conte’s bakery, La Dolce Famiglia.
It is a place like no other, hard to describe, from the Mama Mia highway taking you to the highest point of the island, to the sheer grace and raw beauty that attacks your vision.
Capri has a special place in my heart, and I carry it with me now. That tiny sliver of heaven when things get out of control, reminding me it exists, like a beautiful dream or memory…

Is there a special place in your past – on a vacation or maybe around your home – that brings delicious memories and happiness?