Happiness by Rula Sinara and Giveaway!

Our feature today is on author Rula Sinara. Please welcome Rula...

Happiness is a Bucket Shower


By Rula Sinara

One of my favorite Charlie Brown books as a child was ‘Happiness is a Warm Puppy’ by Charles M. Schulz. It features Lucy hugging Snoopy on the front and each page within fills in the blank for ‘happiness is’. And it’s no secret that Linus couldn’t live without his blanket…his ultimate source of happiness J.


This got me thinking…which of life’s conveniences would I be willing to give up for the sake of happiness? What would you be willing to give up?

 In my debut, The Promise of Rain (Harlequin Heartwarming, January 2014), heroine Dr. Anna Bekker has given up more than her share of life’s conveniences. A passionate wildlife vet, Anna has chosen to raise her little girl on a remote, rustic elephant research and rescue camp in Africa’s Serengeti. It’s the one place where she has found balance and happiness between doing what she was destined to do—rescue baby elephants orphaned by poachers—and being the best mother she can be for her four-year old, Pippa. And for that happiness, she has given up what most of us take for granted…a normal bathroom. Yes, Anna takes bucket showers. The term is self-explanatory lol.

 Now you might disagree with her choice of lifestyle and what she thinks is the best environment to raise her daughter in—heaven knows Pippa’s father, Jack, is livid when he finds out—but she has her reasons. We all have personal reasons for doing things and we all have different limits to what we can live without. Who is to judge? And as both Jack and Anna discover, sometimes we can surprise ourselves with inner strength we didn’t know we had. And sometimes we discover that what we were so sure we needed for happiness…was all wrong.


So what have you given up or would you be willing to give up for the sake of happiness? Hot showers? A dishwasher? The home you grew up in? Or that little, blue, baby blanket?


Leave a comment and be entered in a drawing for an autographed copy of The Promise of Rain, along with a pen and matching bookmark. The winner will be announced here!


Bio:

Rula Sinara lives in Virginia’s countryside with her husband, three boys and crazy but endearing pets. When she's not writing or doing mom stuff, she loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard (cool bugs included) or watching romantic movies. She also enjoys interviewing fellow authors and is a Special Contributor for USA Today's Happy Ever After blog. Her door is always open at www.rulasinara.com or www.awritersrush.blogspot.com.


Blurb: The Promise of Rain

He wants to take her child out of Africa… 


The Busara elephant research and rescue camp on Kenya's Serengeti is Anna Bekker's life's work.
And it's the last place she thought she'd run into Dr. Jackson Harper. As soon as he sets eyes on her four-year-old, Pippa, Anna knows he'll never leave…without his daughter. 

Furious doesn't begin to describe how Jack feels. How could Anna keep this from him? He has to get his child back to the States. Yet as angry as he is with Anna, they still have a bond. But can it endure, despite the ocean—and the little girl—between them?

Buy Links:


B&N



Find Rula at:



Twitter: @RulaSinara

20 comments:

  1. I've done the whole no-real-bathroom thing for several summers...and I don't know if I can do it again :) Though if it meant real happiness, it's something I'd certainly consider!

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    1. Meradeth, the no-real-bathroom sacrifice is a tough one. I've done it for camping and similar 'roughing it' situations, though it wouldn't be my first choice of a forever situation lol. However, like you...for real happiness I could survive it ;).

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. This book sounds absolutely delightful. And "different". If I don't win it, I reckon I'm gonna have to buy it.

    Good luck, Rula. I wish you much success with it.

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    1. Aw, thank you, Susan! I hope you get the chance to read it :). Little 4 yo Pippa in the story might just be the daughter I never had lol (I have boys). The story is really close to my heart.

      Thanks again!

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  3. Intersting concept. Personally I believe there are a lot of things we could do without if needed. Things we could choose to be happy without. There are a lot of things I'd give up for my family. But, if I don't have to give it up, I think I'll keep the indoor plumbing.

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  4. I totally agree, S.P....about keeping the indoor plumbing too, LOL :). And yes, anything for family.

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  5. What a great and interesting setting. I don't think I can give up showers. I've pretty much given up TV to squeeze in writing time, though. And writing does make me happy.

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    1. Medeia, writing makes me happy too...and I've given up 90% of shows I used to watch on TV for it :). So worth it!

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  6. My daughter would agree that happiness is a warm puppy!

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    1. And I'd have to agree with your daughter, Sherry :). I still have my childhood copy of that Charlie Brown book and my youngest has it in his room. I always loved the cover showing moody Lucy hugging Snoopy tight ;).

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  7. If it really comes down to it, I think that love, laughter and books are the only things I couldn't give up. And they are integral to my happiness anyway.
    Indoor plumbing is a big bonus though. And chocolate.

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    1. Hi Elephant's Child! I totally agree with you. Love, Laughter and books are up there with food and water ;). The rest is luxury so to speak. But, hmmmm....if I had to choose between giving up indoor plumbing vs chocolate...I might just keep the chocolate lol.

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  8. I do love all the conveniences of our lives today. And I wouldn't want to give up anything. But for love? I'd toss it all, if necessary.

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    1. Absolutely, Carol! Thanks for popping over :).

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  9. I loved that Charlie Brown book and still have a copy! :) This sounds like an interesting book. I don't know if I could give up running water!
    ~Jess

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    1. Jess, I love that one of my kids loves Charlie Brown, even if it's not as 'big' with this generation. I think he identifies with him ;). He even collects old copies of Charlie Brown paperbacks we find at antique/flea market shops and he watches the seasonal shows on TV.

      As to running water, I tell you that's tough. We lost water to the house (we're on well and pump) for over a week a year ago due to a basement flood and living off jugs really made my kids appreciate what they take for granted!

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  10. I like how your Charlie Brown memory is related to your debut book. Congrats on your novel, Rula!

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    1. Thanks for the congrats and for popping by, Theresa! Glad you enjoyed the post :).

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  11. Congratulations to Susan Flett Swiderski, your name came up as winner for this giveaway! Please contact Rula via her website!

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You can discuss your romance novel addiction too!