“Fans of White will not be disappointed in her latest, which follows her other successful novels into print.” 
--RT Book Reviews


The excerpt is from the website CLASS (Community Learning About Special Subjects)  which is located in Pawleys Island , South Carolina. They host what they call The Moveable Feast Literary Luncheons on Fridays. They bring in authors to speak at some of the nicest restaurants in the area, followed by a book signing. Karen White will speak on Friday, June 22nd at 11:00  

"After playing hooky one day in the seventh grade to read "Gone With the Wind," Karen White knew she wanted to be a writer—or become Scarlett O'Hara. In spite of these aspirations, Karen pursued a degree in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, after leaving the business world, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a writer and wrote her first book. In the "Shadow of the Moon" was published in August, 2000. This book was nominated for the prestigious RITA award in 2001 in two separate categories. Her books have since been nominated for numerous national contests including another RITA, the Georgia Author of the Year Award and in 2008 won the National Readers' Choice Award for 'Learning to Breathe.'" 

Click here for more information about The Moveable Feast.


Click Here to read a wonderful review and book description on The Romance Dish.

The next book I suggest as a great summer read is Somebody to Love. by the very talented Kristan Higgins who writes some of the best contemporary romances today.  She'll make you laugh, cry and be totally thrilled you were along for the ride.  

However, I won't be reading this book at the beach because I already read it within days of it coming out. I can certainly recommend it, though.  If you have never read one of her books do yourself a favor and pick this one up...I'm betting you will love it and it won't be the last Kristan Higgins book you buy!

After her father loses the family fortune in an insider-trading scheme, single mom Parker Welles is faced with some hard decisions. First order of business: go to Gideon's Cove, Maine, to sell the only thing she now owns—a decrepit house in need of some serious flipping. When her father's wingman, James Cahill, asks to go with her, she's not thrilled…even if he is fairly gorgeous and knows his way around a toolbox.

Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist's assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn't the glib lawyer she  always thought he was. And maybe the house isn't the only thing that needs a little TLC…. 

Book description from Amazon 

When a hurricane roars through Lacey Armstrong's home on the coast of Barefoot Bay, she decides all that remains in the rubble is opportunity. A new hotel is just what Mimosa Key needs, and Lacey and her teenage daughter are due for a fresh start. And nothing, especially not a hot, younger architect, is going to distract Lacey from finally making her dreams a reality. 

Love has already cost Clay Walker everything. And if he's going to have any chance of picking up the pieces of his life, he needs the job as Lacey Armstrong's architect. What's not in the plans is falling for the headstrong beauty. Her vision of the future is more appealing than anything he could have ever drafted for himself. Will Clay's designs on Lacey's heart be more than she can handle, or will she trust him to build something that will last forever? 

Book description from Amazon 

A Response to the Survey

The results and comments I’ve gotten back from the retreat survey have been varied and helpful. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to share their opinions. If you have not done so, I encourage and welcome your input.

The conference vs. retreat comparison was mentioned more than once.  So I decided to do a little “re”search, google-style.

When I think about a retreat, words like spiritual, inspirational, perhaps even wellness or holistic come to mind. While googling I found enumerable retreats– there are spa retreats (for you and your bff), yoga & health retreats (for those of us who are into keeping fit –this one wouldn’t be for me) retreats for couples (I’m not sure my husband would consider it beneficial to his mind or body to be isolated with me, in a remote location without ESPN.) And, of course, church sponsored retreats.

Simply put, retreats equal silence, solitude and companionship.

A person who ‘retreats’ does so to work on their physical or spiritual well-being – not unlike authors who seek solitude to refresh our minds and bodies—recharge our batteries, if you will.

As writers we need to indulge our inner muse once in awhile. Take a break from our daily life and commune with others with like interests and be among supportive friends and fellow writers in a relaxing atmosphere. A venue like Yarrow is the ideal location for a retreat from harsh reality with its beautiful setting away from the hustle and bustle of life.

A conference, on the other hand, by definition is a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion, especially one with a formal agenda. I think of words like workshops, sessions, lectures, presentations, seminars, topics, committees, goals, programs, schedules…I think you get the idea.

A conference can be very beneficial to a writer. We broaden our knowledge on any number of topics. We are with other people who share the same interests as we do –and who are willing to share their time and knowledge presenting to a group. The agenda keeps the pace and moves the event moving forward.

There is nothing wrong with either a retreat or a conference. As far as I am concerned both offer important elements to a writer. I think our Retreat from Harsh Reality is a combination of both. We have a mini conference at a retreat venue which is fine as long as it is what we desire.

I think we must also consider people from outside our chapter. What will they be expecting from a “retreat?”

As our chapter grows and our finances allow, if we think outside the box or at least beyond the parameters set in the past, our possibilities are endless. I think it would be nice if we could offer two special events; one in the spring and one in the fall. If not every year, perhaps we could rotate.

For instance we could continue with the Retreat from Harsh Reality in the springtime, where we would connect with each other in a relaxed environment with minimal structure and maximum freedom to write, network or meet in small groups. The goal(s) of the weekend would be for each individual to determine for themselves.

In the fall, we could hold a small conference at another venue which could be more cosmopolitan, perhaps a hotel with catering and meeting rooms where we could hold break-out sessions, mini-workshops, and critiques.  This could be an ideal time to have our guest speaker.

We could even shake it up and host our writer’s retreat in the fall. I imagine the fall colors around Yarrow would be beautiful in early October; the setting both inspiring and rejuvenating.

We are only limited by our imagination and we all know as writer’s our imagination is endless.

Obviously, none of this is going to happen overnight—our retreat will remain, for the most part, as it has been in the past. I just wanted to share some thoughts “my imagination” has been tossing around.