5 Summer Pleasures

June is one of my favorite months.

Yes, the temperature starts to climb here in Texas, but it's easy to cool off because everything is air-conditioned now.

When I grew up, hardly anyone had air conditioning. Our home at a huge attic fan.

Flip a switch and a big metal vent in the hall ceiling opened up, and this enormous fan turned on—pulling cool night air in through the opened windows. It worked on the simple principle of warm air rises and cool air descends.

Some of my favorite memories are of summer nights, reading in bed with the sound track of the attic fan, and the curtains at the windows blowing in the created breeze. It was cool, and the night was silent except for the sound of the fan and the buzz of crickets and other insects outside.

Many of my books are set in summer. Summer heat easily sets the scene for a passionate romance.

Other Pleasures of Summer

Image by Aline Ponce from Pixabay 

1. Homemade Ice Cream.

OMG. There is nothing better than the homemade vanilla ice cream I've been making since I was given the recipe by my ex's mom many years ago.

Her cousin Maybelle got the recipe from her mother. (Yes, her name really was Maybelle, and she was a lovely lady.)

The icy cold vanilla sweetness melts on your tongue. It's light, not heavy like commercial ice creams. I've never had better ice cream anywhere. It's so good that when I announce, "I'm making ice cream today," everyone grabs bowls and spoons and volunteers to help.

2. Blooming Flowers and Trees

Growing flowers creates a feast for the eyes. Here in Houston, the color parade starts in the spring when Mother Nature outdoes herself with wildflowers in the country and azaleas bursting into bloom in town. As the days heat up, the flowers begin blooming. How can anyone feel down when there's such beauty all around?

Image by Michelle Bryant from Pixabay 

3. Fragrant Flowers and Trees

Magnolia, honeysuckle, star jasmine, night blooming jasmine, gardenia, roses, butterfly ginger, and lemon and lime trees. Better than the most expensive perfume.

4. Porch Swings

I can't think of anything more relaxing than lazing away in a porch swing. This activity is even better at night.

If you don't have a porch swing, a hammock in a cool shady spot or even a chaise lounge will work almost as well. Bring a good book on your Kindle and you have everything needed for a fabulous summer day or evening.

5. Beach Books

What's a Beach Book? Any book you want to read! Summer's best leisure activity is reading.

Pack a book in your beach tote or, even easier, bring along your Kindle or plan to read on your cell phone.

Need a beach book? Try a romance that sizzles as hot as the summer day. Romeo and Judy Anne is a perfect choice.

High school principal Judy Anne Palmer was always a good girl who never did an impulsive, rebellious thing. Ever. And look where it got her! Stuck in a life she hates!

One night in Dallas, she decides to be a bad girl for one in her life. After all, she'll never see her one-night Romeo again.

Unfortunately, the night doesn't turn out exactly the way she planned.

Roman Carlisle, her one night Romeo, turns up in her hometown as a new teacher on her faculty.

What will she do?

Everything she can to keep her secret passion from turning into the biggest scandal little Clayton Bend, Texas, has ever seen.

Can she resist the desire that burns between them?

With eccentric small town characters, a bratty niece, an overbearing school board president, and the temptation of her secret lover, Judy Anne Palmer is in the middle of a situation no good girl ever wants to be in.

Takeaway Truth

Wishing you a summer of reading great books!