You Write About Michigan?
My reply is always the same, “Of course, I love the state!”
I know, I know, you’re all shaking your heads right now. To say that Michigan has had a rough few years would be an understatement. Unemployment is at its highest, foreclosures are soaring and there is a new political scandal hitting the news nearly every day. So, what could I possibly see in my home state?
Plenty!
Michigan is rich in history and has so much to offer. Since I can tell that you’re all still scratching your heads in confusion, I’ll share the top ten things the “Mitten State” has to offer.
1) Hockey! Michigan is home to the Detroit Red Wings. Not only are they one of the most competitive teams in the NHL, but the franchise happens to be part the “Original Six” teams in the league. I live for hockey season and never miss a playoff game. What’s even better is all of Michigan rallies behind the Wings, so the excitement is shared by everyone.
2) We get all four seasons. When asked to pick a favorite season, I can never come up with a good answer and that’s because I love all of them for their own special reasons. I love the smell of fresh flowers in the spring, the warm weather in summer, the beautiful colors of autumn and the first snow fall of the year. In Michigan I get to experience all of these things.
3) We’re the home of Vernors. Every time I get the flu and settle my stomach with ginger ale, I always drink Vernors. That drink got me through two pregnancies, too.
4) Motown! Motown Records, founded by Berry Gordy Jr, launched the careers of the Jackson Five, The Four Tops, The Supremes plus many other great artists.
5) The Woodward Dream Cruise. Every August, for one weekend, classic cars take over Woodward Avenue. Whether you’re driving your prized classic car, or just watching from the sidelines, it’s an event that enthusiasts look forward to all year long.
6) The Great Lakes. Michigan is almost completely surrounded by the Great Lakes. Giant, bodies of water, they make up one fifth of world’s fresh water surface.
7) Cook’s Dairy Farm. You can find this dairy farm in Ortonville, Michigan. Not only do they give tours, but you can purchase fresh milk and ice cream. Let me tell you, the ice cream is to die for, too.
8) Michigan International Speedway. Located in Brooklyn, Michigan, this NASCAR race track can hold up to 119,500 fans.
9) Battle Alley. So named because of a street fight that took place in 1880 between locals and workers from a traveling circus, this historic street is in my hometown of Holly. The street is even mentioned in one of my books, Double Shot Cappuccino. It still has many of the original buildings, one of which is the historic Holly Hotel.
10) It’s still Motor City. Despite all the trouble the Big Four have had over the past few years, no one can argue the huge impact they’ve had on the auto industry. Henry Ford established the first assembly line in Detroit. My father worked for General Motors for over thirty years. My uncles were all auto workers, too. To say that Michigan and the auto industry supported one another, would be a vast understatement.
This was just ten of the reasons why I love Michigan. I could have easily written
a dozen more things. Most of all, though, I love Michigan because it’s home. I never want to live anywhere else, either.
To celebrate Michigan I will be giving away two PDF downloads.
One will be the aforementioned, Double Shot Cappuccino and the other will be the first book of my Lost Shifter Series, Primal Passions.
Primal Passions is a M/M paranormal, shape shifter book that takes place in Flint, Michigan.
To qualify to win one of these titles all you need to do is leave a comment.
-Stephani Hecht
Author Bio:
Stephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book.
Posts
42 comments:
Not entering cuz I have them both. Just dropping by to smooch with Stephani. :)
~smooooooooches~
Jase
Not entering because I have them both, too! *waves at Stephani* Hi!! :)
Ignore this. Subscribing to comments...
*waves at Stephanie* Dude--you had me sold on Michigan with 'Has all four seasons'-- so, what's spring like? We usually give spring a complete miss and go straight into fall! I'm entering shamelessly, because it looks awesome!
Hey Stephani, thanks for the cool info. I've never been to Michigan although my son lived there for a few months last year. He liked it but eventually chose to move back to Florida.
No need to enter me as I've got both books already.
Hi Stephanie!
I actually used to live in Michigan! It was only for 2 years and I was only 11-12 so no going off to explore, unfortunately. :) Two of my favorite teachers of all time were there though so I have very fond memories. :)
Hi Stephani. I already have both books, but it's too funny that my daughter and I were just discussing Michigan yesterday morning. I've never been there but she was yammering on about something and decided that the part at the top that's not connected should break away and become it's own state. Um, yeah, who knows how they come up with this stuff. LOL
We don't like the Wings. Especially if they beat our boys. >;-(
Have a super weekend.
Hello, All.
I've read Stephanie's other works and loved them. I'm sure I'll enjoy this one, too.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
I love you, too, Jason! Smooches back!
Hey, Chris! How's it going?
Hi, Amy! Spring is sooooo nice. It's fresh and new (if that makes sense). I love nothing more than to open all my windows and doors on a good spring day, just to let all the wonderful smells into my house.
Hello Lily! You'll have to come to Michigan some day for a visit. I can show you all the great sites.
Hi Tracy! You need to come back to Michigan. During the holiday season, they have the Dickens Festival in Holly. You can come for that.
Hey Tam! If you really, really, really want to appreciate the Wings, watch the pre-game interviews. When those boys take off their helmets you get to so just how hot they are.
Hey Tracey D. Thanks so much for reading. I love it when I hear that someone has enjoyed my books. I still can't believe that someone other than my mother and sister actually read my stuff. LOL
Excellent as always, Steph! Isn't it great to live somewhere with so much talent? Though come February I won't be so sure about loving all the seasons!
Have not read Stephanie's books yet.
Have visited Michigan twice.bu never made it to Detroit. Did manage to see Lake Michigan.
kissinoak at verizon dot net
You would make a great tour guide! I love the locales you mentioned and they really show the different sides of Michigan.
Definitely count me in for the giveaway. I've been wanting these books for awhile.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
Hey Stephani!
So I recognised 2 out of the 10 which I think is pretty damned good for an Aussie. ;)
No need to enter me in the draw I have Stephani's books. *g*
the Great lake sounds nice I love water.are lake in northern Ca have been having a hard time the last few years not enuff rain.But I hear that it's cooled up there?
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
I am also a huge hockey fan, but I'm all for the Minnesota Wild!!
Great post! I'm a Canes fan. I am not a fan of wintery weather, though.
I'm not entering because I have both books. They are fabulous!
I learned some about Michigan that I did not know.
loretta
lbcanton@verizon.net
I didn't realize how much Michigan had to offer. It's been a great month finding out more about it. I love the cover for your book.
sstrode@scrtc.com
It's great to see you, Cindy! I think it's so amazing all the talent we have in Michigan. It must be something in all that Great Lake water.
Hello Estella! You'll have to come back to Michigan some time and visit some of the sites. Detroit has some great history.
Hi Joder. I really love showing off Michigan. I was born in this state and I don't think I'll ever want to leave.
Kris!!!!!! Two out of ten is really great. I'm very impressed. You'll have to fly over some day, so I can show you the other eight places.
Hello Stacey! The biggest threat to the Great Lakes right now is the Asian Carp invasion. Time Magazine had an article about it last week. I guess it's a pretty big concern right now. http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/06/24/carp-pocalypse-the-great-lakes-asian-carp-invasion-begins/
Hello Nicole. Yes, the Wild are a pretty good team, too. Now I'm getting excited for hockey season to begin.
I agree totally with your list, Stephani, especially about the Red Wings and Cooks' Dairy. The diary's ice cream is unbeatable, even to this diabetic for whom it is a rare treat. Gad, now I'll have to rush there and have some tomorrow.
Thanks so much, Eyre. The Canes are great, but check out this yummy, Red Wing,cookie http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471794
Hey Loretta. Thanks for stopping by. As you can tell, I'm very proud of my home state :-)
Thanks, Sherry. I really love this cover, too. It was just what I had hoped for.
Hi Carol Jo! Thanks for stopping by. I think I may have to take the kids to Cooks, too. They love it there and before we know it, school will be back in session.
Stephani, Darren Helm is a hottie!
My Canes sucked last year. I'm mature enough to admit it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the coming season.
I lived in Michigan for a while when I was in college. I loved it! But that might have more to do with college than the state ;)
Thanks for the chance to win!
Miranda
mdwartistry at yahoo dot com
I haven't been to Michigan, but am intrigued by it. Thanks for the post, enjoyed reading it :-D
Please enter me! Thank you!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
count me in
tasha8642[at]hotmail[dot]com
Count me in.
Vernors is my favorite ginger ale.
andrea.infinger@gmail.com
Learning a lot about Michigan and a lot of new interesting authors with these recent giveaways.
Gabrielle
meingee@yahoo.com
I'd love to read these!
meredithfl at gmail dot com
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