Making Summer Last a #guestpost from author @cynthiaeden and #FreeReads inside! #tlcbooktours

Making Summer Last

A Guest Post by Bestselling Author Cynthia Eden

I love the lazy days of summer—when the weather is hot and the books are even hotter. Since I live along the Gulf of Mexico, I know all about HOT. The summer days down here truly do steam. But despite the heat, I would never trade my summer days, not for anything! In fact, I wish summer didn’t have to end! I love spending time with my family and getting to stay up extra late as we stargaze. When I’m making s’mores by the fire or dipping my toes in the water, I am one happy woman.

If only we could make summer last. If. Only.

BUT…memories last forever, right? So this summer, my goal (and maybe you can make it your goal, too), is to make the best memoires ever. With that idea in mind, I’ve created a “Top Ten Summer Bucket List” of activities. Here they are in no particular order, so get out your pen or digital notepad and plan to make some memories.

Solar eclipse, baby. Solar eclipse. All of the reports are saying the eclipse on August 21st is an awesome once-in-a-lifetime event. Viewing that eclipse (with solar safe glasses) is absolutely on my summer bucket list.
Make your own Shark Week. I have to confess, I’m a major Shark Week fan. But I don’t think Shark Week just has to be when the shows are on the Discovery Channel. I’m going to make my own Shark Week. I’m going to watch all of the classic Jaws movies, and I’ll throw in a few bonus shark movies, too (like Deep Blue Sea). I’m going to share my shark love with my eleven-year-old son—and probably give him new nightmares.
Read one book until one a.m. One night this summer, I am going to stay up way past my bedtime (yep, moms have bedtimes, too), and I’m going to read until one a.m. I refuse to sleep before that time. Want to join me? (Need a reading recommendation? Take a look at my two latest novels, outlined below!).
Watch a sunrise—and a sunset. I’m going to pick the best viewing place I can find (since I live near the beach, my toes will be in the sand), and I’m going to watch a beautiful sunrise and a beautiful sunset all in the same day. You game to try this?
Bake one new dessert. I don’t know what my dessert will be, but I am going to make myself a brand new summer treat. Something I’ve never tried before. Variety is supposed to be the spice of life. Let’s spice things up!
Be a tourist. I am going to act like a tourist in my own town. I am going to visit museums, shops, and I’m going to take guided tours—I want to see my town in a brand new light. Sometimes, the familiar things around us can become brand new, if we give them the chance.
Take a jammie day. One day…I am going to stay in my pajamas ALL DAY. Too wild? Nah…too awesome. I’m going to have a play day with my son, and I pity my neighbors if they come calling! You should take one day to absolutely veg this summer. I think your mind/soul/your everything will thank you.
Wish upon a star. Summer can be a great time to see meteors hurtling through the sky. I’ll stay up late, and try to see a beautiful shooting star. Then I’ll make the best wish EVER. Want to make one, too?
A sunset bike ride. I’ll grab my trusty bike and ride into the sunset. Sure, I’ll probably sweat buckets, but nothing beats an old fashioned bike ride. And it’s not like you can forget how to ride a bike—I think the old saying is… “As easy as riding a bike…”
Be ready for adventure. To keep the spirit of summer going, to make summer last and last, I vow to always be ready for adventure. I won’t hide in the shade. I won’t say that I’ll do something “another day”—no, I’ll be ready. When adventure comes my way, I’ll be ready to play. What about you?

That’s it. My bucket list—a list aimed to capturing the magic of summer. If you’ve got some bucket list ideas to share, please do! I’d love to hear them.

May your summer last forever!

Cynthia Eden

www.cynthiaeden.com

About HUNTED by Cynthia Eden: Josh Duvane’s SEAL training not only hardened his body, but also his mind. Though his latest investigation as part of the FBI’s Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team is pushing him to his limits. The Sandy Shore killer taunts local police as Josh recovers his victims off the coast of Florida. Of all the women taken, only Casey Quinn has survived. As this unrelenting psychopath stalks her every move, Josh is all that stands between her and certain death. Now it’s time for him to turn the tables and use every ounce of training to stop the killer from having the last laugh…

About BEFORE THE DAWN by Cynthia Edne: Ex-SEAL Tucker Frost knows that the world is full of evil. He saw it in the face of his own brother, Mason Frost, a cold, methodical, sadistic killer. A killer Tucker put down with his own hands in order to save Mason’s final victim—Dawn Alexander, the only girl who got away from the infamous “Iceman.”

It’s Tucker’s up close and personal experience with evil that’s made him perfect for Samantha Dark’s experimental profiling division in the FBI. Samantha wants agents who have personal ties with killers, who have unique insights into the minds of monsters. And when women start turning up murdered with the same MO used by the Iceman, Tucker is sent back to Louisiana to investigate.

The last person he expects to see is his ex-lover, Dawn. Ten full years have passed since the night that Tucker faced down his brother…and since he last saw Dawn. But the dark need still burns just as hot between Tucker and Dawn. As they grapple with a desire that never died, they must also face the shared shadow from their pasts. Both Tucker and Dawn have the same question—has Mason Frost come back from the dead to hunt again? And this time, will he succeed in killing the victim who got away?

About the author: CYNTHIA EDEN is an American author who writes tales of paranormal suspense and sensual romance. Eden graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology and Communciation. She worked as a journalist on her university’s paper. Later, she was employed as a college counselor, a teacher, and an editor. She has written many series including: The Midnight Trilogy; Night Watch; Fallen; Deadly; Bound; and Phoenix Fire. She is a two-time finalist for the RITA award.