Blog Tour: Nantucket Red (Nantucket #2) by Leila Howland

Nantucket Red (Nantucket #2)
by Leila Howland
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: May 13th 2014

Synopsis:

Cricket Thompson's lifetime of overachieving has paid off: she's headed to Brown University in the fall, with a spot on the lacrosse team and a scholarship that covers almost everything. Who knew living in the dorm cost money? An Ivy League education seems to mean living at home for the next four years.

When Cricket is offered the chance to earn enough cash to afford a real college experience, she heads back to Nantucket for the summer. But the faraway island challenges Cricket in ways she hadn't anticipated. It's hard to focus on earning money for next year, when she finds her world opening up in entirely new ways-to art, to travel, and, most unexpectedly, to a future completely different from the one she has been working toward her whole life. A friendship blossoms with Ben, the gorgeous surfer and bartender who encourages Cricket to be free, even as she smarts at the pain of seeing Zack, her first love, falling for her worst enemy.

But one night, when Cricket finally lets herself break all her own rules, she realizes she may have ruined her carefully constructed future with one impulsive decision. Cricket must dig deep to fight for her future, discovering that success isn't just about reaching goals, but also about listening to what she's been trying to ignore-her own heart.

by Leila Howland

The first place I'd like to take you on my virtual trip to Nantucket is Mitchell's Book Corner on Main Street. Note the inviting open door, window boxes, and brick sidewalk out front. Can you believe the charm of this place? Now, can you imagine stepping inside on a rainy June afternoon, a cup of tea in your hands and an enticing display of the best summer reads in front of you? Not only is this one of my favorite bookstores IN THE WORLD, but it's also where Cricket first spots Zack on the island in Nantucket Red. What book do you think he's reading? You'll have to read to find out!

(photo via http://www.nantucket-bucket.com/mitchells-book-corner/)

My second stop on the virtual tour is Cisco Beach. My ninety-one year old friend who grew up on Nantucket compared a dip there on summer day to swimming in champagne (and yes, I stole this line!). Surfers love this beach because the waves get pretty big here. Cricket takes a surfing lesson at Cisco from the super hot bartender/musician Ben. Here I am at my very first (and last!) surfing lesson from a guy at Nantucket Surf School so that I could better write the scene.

Photo by my husband

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My third and final stop on this virtual Nantucket tour is Madaket Beach. On the western side of the island, this beach is known for its gorgeous colorful sunsets. There's a really fun restaurant, Millie's, very close by. Here is a picture taken by my friend Jennie, whose family has a house here. Lucky girl! Can you see why I titled the book Nantucket RED?

​photo by Jennie Haas

Isn't it beautiful? I can't wait to read the book! It's definitely on my TBR! And when I pay a visit to the States, I definitely have to go to Nantucket. What about you, Book Addicts? What do you think?

Leila Howland was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. Nantucket Blue, for which she was named a Publisher's Weekly Flying Start Author, was her first novel. Leila now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and dogs. Visit her online at www.leilahowland.com and at http://twitter.com/leilahowland

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