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Monarch Beach

Anita Hughes

August 6, 2012 5 Comments

Q & A with Anita Hughes

Who is Anita Hughes?  I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. I live with my family in a villa on the grounds of the St. Regis, Monarch Beach. I am a mother, writer, taxi service for my children, cook, laundress and dog washer.

What are your days/nights like?  I take my children to school and then sit down and write. At noon I take a break and walk my dog to the beach. I love to think while I walk. By the time I get home I usually have the next section of my manuscript worked out. Then I pick the kids up, help with homework, make dinner and hang out with them in the evening. After they have gone to bed I revise what I wrote that day and plan the next day’s writing.

How did you come up the title of “Monarch Beach?”  Actually an editor at St. Martin’s Press came up with the title! I am so grateful because it fits perfectly. I love my cover and my title: they make me feel like I’m at the beach even when I’m not.

If “Monarch Beach” were turned into a movie, who would you choose for actors?  I could see Natalie Portman or Ann Hathaway as Amanda. Adrian Grenier would make a perfect Andre and Alec Baldwin would be terrific as Edward. I see Stephanie as someone really fun – maybe Kate Hudson.

What inspired “Monarch Beach?”  I live on the grounds of the St. Regis and I am surrounded by beauty. I thought – if you were really unhappy would living in a gorgeous place make you feel better – or do you take your grief wherever you go?

How did you celebrate your first book being published?  My children and I went out for frozen yoghurt. I did browse online for pretty shoes and dresses but I decided I would save that for my first author event.

What are your favorite must-haves for writers?  I need my laptop, coffee and a good book. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, so I always have to have a great book on my bedside table.

Explain what would be your perfect day?  Sleep in and then go to the spa and sit in the Tranquility Room. Then go for a swim or walk along the beach. At night, I love to watch a great movie or a show on HBO.

What’s your favorite snack to eat during the editing or writing process?  I like a cup of coffee when I’m revising. It gives me a burst of energy to do my best work.

Do you have any advice for new writers?  My advice is to completely immerse yourself in your manuscript. When I am working on a novel, I think about it all the time. Make your characters your friends, live in their world, and it will come alive.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?  To write the books I want to read. I look forward to sitting down and writing – it is like reading but better. It is exciting to see what appears on the page.

Do you have any upcoming projects?  If so, tells us:  My second novel, MARKET STREET, will be released on March 26th,  2013. I love the cover and I’m really excited about it. A third novel, LAKE COMO, will come out some time next year.

Additional comments from Anita:  Thank you so much for hosting me on your wonderful blog, Isabella!

**Visit Anita at any of the below links:

Anita Hughes Books

Facebook

Twitter

**Click HERE to read my review of “Monarch Beach”

Filed Under: Anita Hughes Tagged With: Anita Hughes, Books, Chick-Lit, Guest Author, Guest Interview, Monarch Beach, Writing

Monarch Beach

July 1, 2012 7 Comments

Book review of “Monarch Beach”

“Monarch Beach,” by Anita Hughes

When a mom, Amanda Blick sees her sexy French chef husband, Andre, wrapped around his sous-chef, she’s heartbroken.  When her mother urges Amanda and her son, Max, to get a change of scenery with her at St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach, she agrees to go to Laguna Beach.  She needed to get away from him for the summer and think about her future.  Instead of simply relaxing, doing her best to keep her mind off of Andre, Amanda meets a handsome older man who sweeps her away.  Also divorced, Edward teaches Amanda that there can be a life after Andre…until his loyalties are to be questioned.

There had been a lot of talk about “Monarch Beach,” so I put it on my to-read list.  When I was asked to review it I jumped at the chance.  From the first sentence to the last, “Monarch Beach” drew me into Amanda’s world.  Through her ups and downs with Andre and Edward, the book was very enjoyable.  With all the twists and turns — especially at the end, I literally couldn’t put this book down.  If I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about planning my own getaway to the St. Regis Resort, hoping to create my own journey.  The characters were very likable, even Andre tried to fool me, but I loved Amanda.  She was a devoted mom who just wanted to do the best for her son after her marriage failed.  I  liked Amanda’s mom and thought that she played a very enjoyable and loving role.  Like Amanda’s character, I loved how she evolved, too.  The ending will leave you aching for more, (I’m really hoping for a continuation with these characters)!

Anita Hughes is a brilliant author who has written a book I loved!  “Monarch Beach” is a funny, heartwarming and sexy read, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a delightful, addicting and fast-paced summer read.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my interview with Anita Hughes!

Filed Under: Book Review, Monarch Beach Tagged With: Anita Hughes, Book Reviews, Books, Chick-Lit, Images, Isabella, Link, Monarch Beach, Random, Romance Books, Writing

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