Contest Time!

Summer is starting to wind down and some kids have already gone back to school. (unbelievable!) So naturally, we should have a little contest. Right?

1. What was your favorite thing about this summer?

2. If you could go anywhere for a summer vacation, where would it be?

Leave your answers in the comments below. On Friday, I’ll pick someone at random to receive a signed copy of A Light at Winter’s End.

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72 thoughts on “Contest Time!

  1. I would go back to the Isle of Capri off the coast of Italy. Love that place-the people, the food, and the beautiful scenery. No where in the world is the water as aquamarine blue as there.
    What I liked about this summer is that I had a lot more time to read.

  2. LAZY DAYS…Lighting bugs, cicadas, weather warm,but not hot plus some rain, home grown vegetables.esp. tomatoes. Give me the beach.

  3. I love summer because I seem to see more of my family and friends then. If I could go anywhere it would be anywhere at the ocean.

  4. Favorite thing about summer is going to the beach with my husband and my family. We only see it other once a year since we live so far apart. If I could go to once place it would be to a beach with they have the huts/rooms above the water. So I would guess French Polynesia or Fiji

  5. love summer because can go fishing with my husband and our friends, also spend time at our Cape May, NJ house. If I could go anywhere it would be to Paris, France

  6. My favorite things about summer are fair food, my son’s birthday and my roses/flowers blooming. I’d love to take a summer vacation to either europe or a Disney cruise with my mom!

  7. Hi Julia, I love your books and mostly audio books which are read by Rosalyn Randor. I very much enjoyed your Summer of Two Wishes and One Season of Sunshine. Is there going to be an audio book on A Light At Winter’s End? And hopefully Ms. Rosalyn Randor will be the reader. Keep writing great stories and stay healthy. Please write more historical romance books. Thank you for being such a great writer.

  8. My favorite thing about this summer was the birth of my twin grandsons! After having five sons and then five granddaughters,the twins are the first grandsons and they are so precious!

    Normally I would say I’d love to go to England to see the castles,villages,&gardens.But I am feeling nostalgic and would love take my older two granddaughters to Texas for a visit with my son,his wife and my youngest three granddaughters!

  9. My favourite thing about this summer was the supper hot weather we had here in ontario! If I could go anywhere for a summer vacation it would be to tour the UK

  10. I would love to go back to the British Isles. I went back in 1982 and had a great time. It would be nice to go back, now that the Olympics are over and prices have gone to normal.

  11. My favorite part of summer is watching how in awe of evertyhing my son is. He is almost 4, and everything is an adventure! Giggling and splashing in a pool, chasing other kids on the playground, staring up in wonder at fireworks. He truly enjoys every aspect of summer, and makes me appreciate more what I usually take for granted! If I could go anywhere for summer vacation, winter vacation, ANY vacation really :o) I would love to travel all over Ireland. It’s history, and locale are just so romatic and inspiring.. Defintely a dream for me!

  12. My favorite thing about this summer is that we finally have the paperwork in to put a house on some land that we own. My husband has been thinking about this for 9 years well finally it came down to have to so hopefully by this time next month we are in it. If there was somewhere I could go for the summer it would be taking my granddaughter to yosemite just her and i or with my husband on a train thru canada

  13. My favorite thing about this summer was NOT the oppressive heat!!! I did thouroughly enjoy watching my kids play ball and swimming with them in the pool.

    If I could go anywhere, I would like to go to England. I love historicals!

  14. My favorite thing of this summer was spending more time with family.

    If I could vacation anywhere, since ancestors are from England, I would love to visit England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

  15. My favorite thing about this summer was spending time with my kids and watching the Olympics — esp the US Womens gymnastics team bringing home the gold, … If I could go anywhere for a summer vacation I would love to go back to Ireland and have more time to explore on my own than on a bus tour.

  16. Best part of this summer was spending time with my twins. One is heading off for her second year at University of Michigan and the other is leaving for the Marines in a month. Where do I want to go on vacation? Anywhere without internet service or phones so the job cannot find me!

  17. Grilling out is my favorite part. I should say that I actually grill out year round but I enjoy it in the summer months because it is warm enough outside to hang out on the patio with a tall monster mug of ice water and just enjoy the sunshine and warmth! If I had the money and hubby had time off for us to take a vacation I would love for us to go to the east coast and travel along the coastline and stop at all the beaches.

  18. My favorite thing so far this summer is selling my house and moving! A favorite place I like to visit — anywhere, really, where there is water. Not necessarily the ocean, I just love staring at out at water. I do love Hawaii, though, and sit on the sand, staring…

  19. My favorite thing about this summer was getting to go to Canada and see my sister. I haven’t seen her in a couple years now so it is always great when we get together. We visited PEI while I was there which was new for me so that made it even better. There are many places I would love to go see so it is hard to pick one. I would love to see many places in Europe most especially Italy, but I also think I would like to go to Hawaii. I saw a travel show about Turtle Bay Resort and it seems to me to be the perfect place to go to relax. I have to say though that vacations are much more fun when you enjoy the people that you are with so i would have to have some good friends or family with me to complete the dream.

  20. This summer we moved into a new home and so I spent this summer getting settled, taking out all the old memories and mixed them with the new. We had been out of the states living abroad for 7 months and had our things stored away for almost a year.

    If I could go anywhere for a summmer vacation it would be someplace in Spain. It is such a romantic country and I love the vitality of the place.

  21. My favorite thing about this summer was seeing my kids enjoy themselves and find rewarding careers (which are still a work in progress), but they are finding out what they want in life in their 20’s. I believe they are finding their passion in life! It is neat to watch them evolve into adults!
    If I could go anywhere on summer vacation it would be to St. John, USVI where I have gone every summer for the past 8 years. I look forward to it and it is my “happy place”. It helps me get from one year to the next year! I go there in my mind when I am stressed or need some meditation during the year. Truly a special place that my husband and I fell in love with during an anniversary trip in 2004!

  22. The best thing I did this summer was watching my two granddaughters while their parents worked. Such a joy to be able to see them . My favorite vacation place is Hawaii where 15 years ago today, August 14, I married a wonderful man who never complains when I sit and read for hours.

  23. My favorite thing about summer is walking on the boardwalk at our local state park/beach in the evenings. Even got my husband to go most of the time. I would really like to go to Disney in Fla. We used to go every other year & haven’t been back in 5 yrs. One kid probably outgrew it & the other is turning 13.

  24. My favorite things about the summer have been the warm delightful weather and spending time with my grandchildren, aged 2 1/2 and 6 months. Watching them grow and change has been wonderful! For an ideal vacation, I would like to go somewhere with my entire family to a beach or lake and get to spend time just relaxing and sharing time together.

  25. The best thing about this summer was long days and nights of 10000000 degree temps. The only thing to do was be as still as possible, which means I got a lot of reading done!

    No big vacations this summer, but I’d love to summer in the Greek isles some year.

  26. My adorable one year old granddaughter has learned to walk, and I could spend the whole summer just playing with her.

    As for a summer vacation, I love the Jersey shore.

  27. DH and I have planed a trip to outer banks NC to see the wild mustangs in out New Mustang.
    I broke my wrist last year that scrubbed the trip. DH had to change a medication that was taken off market that was Horrendous for him getting his pain under control …So it is on fro this year late September.
    If it were my dream Vaca Hawaii the natural not the touristy spots. What I enjoyed most about this summer was Last weekend where we sat by the fire all night gazing at the Stars (meteor showers) as they shot across the sky.
    perfect.
    have a good one Ann/alba

  28. I don’t care for summer. I am more of a cold weather person. So if I could go anywhere for a summer break it would be to Seattle WA. Mainly because my Mom lives there and I never get to see her living so far away from me. But I hear it’s nice in the summer and Seattle just fascinates me.

  29. Going to lake conjola (in Australia), on a little sandy part surrounded by hills and trees, it’s just beautiful.
    Scotland, I’ve always wanted to go and will some day get there. Seeing the gorgeous mountains and lochs, my dream vacation.

  30. My favorite thing about this summer was I got to spend 4-1/2 weeks with my grandkids and daughter while I was recovering from surgery. Surgery not so good but 6 weeks off for the summer, good. Nice to have the company and help. My grandsons played nursemaids.

    If I could go anywhere for vacation, it would be Ireland, Scotland and England.

  31. Australia!! I would love to visit the land “down under”. There are so many wonderful sights to see, amazing people to meet, and wildlife to learn about!

  32. My favorite thing about summer is watching my kids run around outside: playing in the sprinkler, playing in the sandbox, t-ball games, camping, and the pool. The look of pure joy on their face is amazing and contagious. If I could go anywhere to visit I would take my kids on a Disney Cruise to Alaska and then take a long vacation exploring Alaska with my family.

  33. My favorite thing about this summer was all the sunshine! And my favorite place for a summer vacation is the beach – with a pile of books I’ve wanted to read, a beach umbrella, and a pitcher of lemonade (chased by Margaritas).

  34. My favorite thing about this summer was a midnight walk with my honey looking for shooting stars and just talking. It was magical and beautiful and just plain nice to be together.

    If I could go anywhere for a vacation I would love to go see Scotland and England. They are extraordinarily beautiful countries and I love all the history and stories that go along with them.

  35. My favorite thing is being able to sit on the porch until 9 or 10 PM, just reading, listening to the bugs who haven’t figured out where all the holes in the screen are banging against the screens trying to get to the lonely and not-bright-enough light bulb.

    Where would I want to go? Scotland or Ireland, and if that wouldn’t work, any place where there’s a beach.

  36. My favorite thing about this summer was spending time in NJ visiting my family & holding my 6mos. granddaughter. I haven’t held her since she was born in Jan. If I could go anywhere it would be to the island of St. John.

  37. My favorite part of this summer is beach time with my family. I would love to spend the summer on the Italian Riveria.

  38. My favorite thing about summer are the extra hours of daylight, although I hate the time change with daylight savings. If I could go anywhere, I would like to go to Great Britain with friends.

  39. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family, especially since the kids are out of school. I would love to go to Hawaii.

  40. My favorite thing this summer was having no schedule getting up and just doing whatever and if I could go anywhere it would be to Boston to see relatives and stop in Iowa on the way home to see more family ending in Pharump Nv to see cousins then home to rest up from vacation

  41. The day the Hide Park Fire in Colorado was officially contained, was the best day of Summer. I’d like to go visit Australia during the U.S. summer because it’s winter over there. lol.

  42. My favorite thing this summer was driving my motor home to different camp grounds and staying for a week at each.
    I would love to take a trip out West. I’ve been to Utah but I flew…I’d like to drive out and see all the plains and mountains.

  43. My favorite part of Summer was air conditioning – it was just so darn hot!! And my dream vacation would definitely be Ireland!!!

  44. Lots going on this summer. My husband’s uncle just married his girlfriend of 27 years, my nephew’s wife is having a baby in a month (just had the shower), her first after 3 miscarriages and she’s 42, and in a few weeks we’re celebrating my mom’s 90th birthday!!!! I would love to take a cruise anywhere – we went on one over 35 yrs. ago and it was our best vacation!

  45. My baby is seven years old she is also my only child and everything we do is special because she might not want to do it next year….. this summer we played at the park and splashed at the pool all summer….
    If we could go anywhere my daughter would pick Las Vegas with its pools and buffet …lol

  46. my favorite thing about this summer is the time i got to spend with my grandchildren. swimming, cookouts and sleepovers. love it

  47. My favorite thing this summer was shopping for a wedding dress with my daughter. She is getting married next year, the first of my 4 children. Amazing how we all knew when she tried on “the one.” The vacation I would love to repeat is the trip to Disneyland that my husband, me, the 4 children, my parents, and my brother took 15 years ago. My parents are in their 80’s and would love to see us all together again.

  48. The favorite thing about this summer for me? My sister’s (I am the oldest of 6 girls& 2 brother’s) and Iwent on a day trip to the beach. In honor of what would have been her 78th birthday. She and her 2 sister’s and her mother had made the same trip while they were living. She only has 1 sister still living. As far as my vacation…..camping in the North Carolina Mountains, in the fall. Fall colors, snapping fire, rushing river. I just can’t get enough.

  49. The favorite thing about this summer for me? My sister’s (I am the oldest of 6 girls& 2 brother’s) and Iwent on a day trip to the beach. In honor of what would have been her 78th birthday. She and her 2 sister’s and her mother had made the same trip while they were living. She only has 1 sister still living.

  50. My favorite thing about this summer is my daughter being home with me. She is 7 now so we have more fun doing things together. If I could go anywhere for a summer vacation it would be Alaska. The Texas heat is awful and I have always dreamed of seeing a moose in person!!

  51. My favorite thing about this summer was spending time with my daughter. If I could go anywhere on a summer vacation it would be wherever my children wanted to go. Spending time with them would be my #1 priority!

  52. My favorite thing this summer was my granddaughter getting out of the hospital, she is improving everyday. And if I could go anywhere it would be to take my four children and their spouses and my 8 1/2 grandchildren to disney world.

  53. Growing up didn’t really have summer per se. We had summer vacation, but the weather was pretty much the same year around. Now since we move to North and there will be snow. I would say the sun. Having sunny days where it is warm.

    I would love to go to on a road trip with my best friend. It wouldn’t matter where just that it was fun and amazing.

  54. My favorite thing this summer was being with my two of my grandchildren in Delaware. They live out of state and I don’t see them very often. The place I would like to visit is Disney World. I love the Buzz Lightyear ride. I love my second childhood.

  55. My 18-month-old daughter started talking this summer… I’d been waiting somewhat impatiently to hear her voice, and her first few words have been a real joy (in order, in case anyone cares: water, momma, uh-oh, kaboom, and bombada… the last two refer to her favorite games). I would love to visit Ireland. A friend of mine just returned from a year in Sligo, and her pictures are just beautiful.

  56. Since I am retired, summer isn’t a lot different than any other season.

    Where would I go for vacation Alaska, Hawaii or New Zealand

  57. My favorite thing about this summer is also the place I would like to visit.
    Next week we’re heading to The Happiest Place On Earth with a couple of tweens who have never been. Not only do I adore being a big kid at Disneyland but I can’t wait to share it with Brandon and the kids.
    I cant’ wait to experience our last week of Summer Vacation (this week is just crawling by) being a carefree happy kid. Even if it is only for a week, it’ll be a nice prelude to the start of school madness.
    :~)

  58. My favorite part of summer was having my Grandchildren over and staying with us. Just playing outside with them or taking walks. Now they will be going back to school and I won’t be seeing them as much..If I could go anywhere it would have to be Ireland…

  59. My favorite part of Summer is being able to sleep in! Summer mornings mean waking up on my own time and eating breakfast whenever! No rush to get the kids up, eat and rush out the door.
    If I could take a vacation anywhere….I would pick a remote island with clean beaches and blue water.

  60. My favorite thing was camping with our son and his family. Strangely, I want to go to Fresno, CA. I was born there and brought back to OH when I was six months old. I want to visit the area.

  61. My favorite thing this summer was that my husband started walking again after his stroke. And If I could go anywhere on Vacation I would go to England.

  62. My favorite thing about summer is sleeping in!! My son has a break from school and momma does too !! ha ha We went to europe this summer , the england , scotland , wales, ireland and france . In twenty days !! It was great 😉

  63. My favorite thing this summer was my niece’s wedding to a wonderful and romantic guy. They make such a great couple. If I could go anywhere on vacation, I think I’d choose the U.K. I’ve been twice but there is so much more to see and I’ve missed Wales completely. Either that or Alaska.

  64. My favorite thing about this summer was the Olympics. If I could go anywhere I would go to UK and do P&P tour, go up to Scotland, and over to Wales, and then onto Ireland