Congratulations to contest winner, Jackie Smith!
For those who didn’t win—but “fell in love” with the idea of YourNovel.com—the publishers are offering MTTT readers a 10% discount on their next order with code MTTT10 through June 30, 2018.
Ever imagine being the main character in a personalized romance novel, one set in an exotic travel locale—perhaps someplace you’ve been or would like to visit with a heartthrob? Two of my colleagues have made that dream come true for countless romantics.
I met fellow travel writers J.S. Fletcher and Kathy Newbern at an SATW travel writer’s conference on a Holland America cruise ship and found out they have a unique sideline that dovetails perfectly with travel writing.
Twenty-five years ago, the couple (then romantic partners) had what they now call their “light-bulb moment.” That brainstorm was the genesis for YourNovel.com, a company that produces custom romance novels. You might call their work a labor of love.
Award-winning freelance journalists, Fletcher and Newbern have traveled to more than 70 countries that inspire their novels.
Their company is aptly called YourNovel.com. Customers provide the details to make the books their own: such as their names, hometowns, workplaces, eye and hair color, best friends, favorite music, and affectionate nicknames. They can also choose to have their photo(s) grace the cover of the novel that is produced with one-of-a-kind personal details scattered throughout. These “customized capers come in both huggy-kissy ‘mild’ or sexy-steamy ‘wild’ versions,” and are available in paperback, hardback and as e-books.
The Giveaway
My colleagues have agreed to create a personalized romance novel for one randomly selected reader of MoreTimeToTravel.
- To be eligible to win the giveaway, simply leave a comment below—before midnight on Valentine’s Day (February 14th, 2018—naming the travel destination you would choose for the locale of your own romance story.
- The winner will be randomly selected and announced here.
Need some inspiration? Some of the novels have taken place in New Orleans, Key West, on safari in Africa, on cruise ships, and at beaches, dude ranches and ski lodges.
Want to purchase one for a unique Valentine’s Day gift for your honey? Visit: YourNovel.com.
YourNovel.com on YouTube:
51 Comments
Johanna Castro
January 29, 2018 at 12:00 amWhat a wonderful initiative. I’d heard of personalised children’s books, but never travel and romance for adults! I wonder if they are saucier! Great idea – I’m sure they must do well. Love the book covers too! If I had a personalized romance novel, I’d like it set in Bali.
Michele Peterson
January 29, 2018 at 8:44 amWhat a very cool idea for Valentine’s Day! My husband and I happen to be the least photogenic couple in the world lol so I’d likely opt for a book WITHOUT us on the cover, but it would be interesting to have a romance novel set in Guatemala.
Lauren M
January 29, 2018 at 8:38 pmThis is a lovely idea. A number of years ago, here in Canada, a magazine called Chatelaine gave the opportunity to have your photograph appear on the cover of the magazine.
Michelle Hill
January 30, 2018 at 6:25 amGreat gift idea! I would choose a local pub here in Ohio where my romance began. The guy has been in my life for 16 years now.
Kay Lynn
January 30, 2018 at 8:07 amWhat an interesting business idea. I would set my novel in Hawaii. It’s my husband’s favorite vacation destination.
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
January 30, 2018 at 10:41 pmI also met J.S. Fletcher and Kathy Newbern recently and would LOVE to win one of their personalized novels! I think I’ll make mine sweet and in Tahiti, or Africa, or India, or maybe London, or . . .
Lorena Grande
January 31, 2018 at 10:22 amI would choose Turks and Cacois as it’s the place that would make a dreamy romance!
Jackie Smith
January 31, 2018 at 7:35 pmOkay, that is just way too clever. They must have some of the best laughs when putting these together. . .since The Scout and The Scribe describe ourselves much like Mr. and Mrs. Excitement do in the blogosphere, I couldn’t envision quite the hot and steamy version but it made me laugh to think about it. I think I would have mine set in Aswan, Egypt or the Wadi Rum in Jordan! I am smiling at the thought. . .giggling as a matter of fact!
Stephanie Shipley
February 1, 2018 at 7:39 amWhat a neat and fun idea! I would love to be part of my own romance novel! I would love for it to take place in Hawaii! I want to travel there so bad!
Debra Borchert
February 1, 2018 at 12:34 pmBrilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant. Absolutely Brilliant. Do they have an app for that?
What a wonderful Giveaway!
ken ohl
February 1, 2018 at 1:21 pmI would plan a trip to Hawaii would love to go there with my wife
Dana
February 1, 2018 at 7:20 pmI’d probably choose Italy because it was gorgeous when I vacationed there.
Heather Swanson
February 1, 2018 at 8:31 pmI have always wanted to see the pink sand of Bermuda.
Lauren M
February 4, 2018 at 3:30 amThey say that the Bermuda sands are pink because of all of the crushed pink seashells in the mix and the quality of light.
theresa evans
February 2, 2018 at 10:39 amI would choose a book store . Because book stores are great I spend hours there .
Faye H
February 2, 2018 at 10:55 amWhat a fun idea! I will be checking out their website. Italy is one of the most “romantic” places we have ever visited – that would be my choice!
Silvia D
February 2, 2018 at 8:44 pmi would choose the rocky Mountains. what a great novel it would be to have it personalized!
Micheline
February 3, 2018 at 3:33 pmMy Island of Love would be Fiji
Traci Pape
February 4, 2018 at 4:44 amI would choose Harvest Caye, Belize for my romance destination. I briefly visited there while on a cruise.its beautiful!
Sarah
February 5, 2018 at 12:59 amWhat a cool idea. If I were to choose a romantic destination, it would be Bali
liberty
February 5, 2018 at 8:00 pmI might choose Alaska for ours but haven’t decided! 🙂
Charity Banman
February 5, 2018 at 10:38 pmI would choose Iceland as the destination for our romantic story.
Julie Waldron
February 6, 2018 at 4:22 pmI would choose Mackinac Island because my husband and I love going there.
Allyson Tice
February 7, 2018 at 12:37 amI would have to choose Egypt for my novel! we have always dreamed of traveling there!
Marianna
February 7, 2018 at 5:44 pmI would choose Alaska
deanna
February 7, 2018 at 9:30 pmI would want my romance story to take place in Europe. Maybe Iceland under the Northern Lights.
YVONNE WOODSTOCK
February 9, 2018 at 1:25 amThat’s an easy answer! I’d pick the “wild” version of the CRUISE ALASKA book! I just celebrated my 50th birthday on Christmas Day & was shocked to literal ugly crying when my husband’s gift was that he & I are going on our 1st cruise & it’s to my top bucket list place if I were to ever get to go on even 1 cruise in my life which is to Alaska from Vancouver, round trip and that is exactly where we are going and to make it even better he is taking us in May for the 15th anniversary of our 1st date and the 14th anniversary of our engagement. AND we are getting our 1st passport books which I am also extremely excited about! I haven’t been able to travel many places YET.. and although he traveled the world before we met, he was in the military so didn’t need a passport book then. Anyway, this book and location would be literally PERFECT for us and such perfect timing too! Plus I think my husband is so drop dead gorgeous that he belongs on romance novels anyway. teehee. What a fun, unique, special gift and surprise this would be! It’s fun to even have a chance!
Shakeia Rieux
February 12, 2018 at 2:15 amI would choose the Bahamas
Jennifer H.
February 12, 2018 at 6:55 pmI would pick Ireland!
John H.
February 12, 2018 at 7:13 pmAlaska
Bernie Wallace
February 13, 2018 at 5:34 amI would love to choose Disneyland Paris for the location of my Love Story. My wife would absolutely love this. It would make a great Valentines Day Gift for her.
Judy Hunting
February 13, 2018 at 12:10 pmMy husband and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary in our favourite place JAMAICA.. nowhere better than there
Brandy Jones
February 13, 2018 at 8:45 pmThat’s a really neat idea to personalize it. I would choose New Orleans as my destination.
Darlene Owen
February 14, 2018 at 9:02 amI love to read books, but one personalized would seem so much more real to life.
Amber Hensley
February 14, 2018 at 10:26 amThe bahamas would be amazing!!!!!
meghan
February 14, 2018 at 11:02 amI would go to Italy!
jenny
February 14, 2018 at 1:29 pmI’ve never heard of anything like this but I love it! This would be a crazy awesome gift- My husband and I have such a long history and could definitely fill a book!
Rhonda Fuller
February 14, 2018 at 2:45 pmI like to snuggle and I love beauty so I would love to have a romantic but cold picnic complete with hot chocolate in Iceland watching the Northern Lights, with my sweetheart <3
Christopher Bynum
February 14, 2018 at 5:15 pmI’d love to visit Japan with the Missus
Debbie West
February 14, 2018 at 5:48 pmNew Zealand! I would love a book. Kathy and Fletcher are the best and their romance novels are out of this world
Robyn L
February 14, 2018 at 7:35 pmWhat a unique and one of a kind idea!! I would have to choose the Blue Ridge Mountains, the same place where I fell in love with the man of my life!!
Krystal Dunlap
February 14, 2018 at 8:54 pmWhat a cute idea! I would pick Bora Bora or Hawaii as my destination. My husband and I have been together 15 years and have always dreamed of traveling to one of these beautiful places. I think he would love this prize!
Misty
February 14, 2018 at 10:26 pmMy parents 50th Wedding Anniversary is coming up in September. They have decided to celebrate in Venice, Louisiana. So I think it would be fun for their story to be set there. Thanks for the chance to win such a fun and amazing gift!
TallulahJane Huskey
February 14, 2018 at 10:44 pmI would choose Hawaii as my destination.
Christina London
February 14, 2018 at 10:44 pmThis is such a cute idea. It would have to be on the beach.
TallulahJane Huskey
February 14, 2018 at 10:46 pmArkansas state fair
Heather Smith
February 14, 2018 at 10:46 pmArkansas state fair
Rick
February 14, 2018 at 10:53 pmMy wife and I will be enjoying our 50th Wedding Anniversary soon! I think it would be absolutely amazing to have a personalized romance novel! Our story was born and continues to live on in Fort Collins, CO. However we will be celebrating our Golden Anniversary in Venice, Louisiana. Thank you for the opportunity to win such a great giveaway!
kelly woods
February 14, 2018 at 11:10 pmThis is too cool. Thank you- Hawaii how cool!
Nancy
February 14, 2018 at 11:33 pmWhat an amazing giveaway! Thank you for the opportunity to win such a fun prize! If I had to pick a travel destination, I would pick Venice, Louisiana because I will be heading their to celebrate the romance of my lifetime! In September, my husband and I will have spent five wonderful decades together and be starting our sixth.
nicole bowers
February 15, 2018 at 6:48 amAs a single working Mama, I’d love to treat my Mom to a Trip to LONDON and Paris!