Dream a little dream with Marci Nault....plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Melissa Amster

**Giveaway is now closed**

What do you do when all your dreams have come true? Go to Disney World, right? (Check.) Travel around Europe by yourself? (Check.) Become a bestselling author? Well, if you're Marci Nault and you've already checked off the first two items on the list, then you might just be on your way to that goal!


Marci Nault is here today to talk about some of the dreams she has made come true for herself, in a "This or That" interview. I asked her some questions based on her list of 101 Dreams and barely even touched upon all the amazing things she has done. If you don't believe me, check the list out for yourself. Have you done anything on this list or do you see one of your personal goals there? Marci has a blog post about each dream she has already accomplished. (Some are linked in her answers below.) I know I can relate to a few items on the list, having done them myself, and am proud to say that I've already completed one of her upcoming items. (Visiting Israel.) She only has 11 more to go, so let's continue to cheer her on toward becoming a bestselling author and having her book made into a movie. (Because she's clearly not going to take credit for the Keanu Reeves time-travel romance flick.)

Marci’s debut novel, The Lake House (Gallery/ Simon & Schuster) was a Chicago Tribune, Cape May Herald, and CBS summer read pick. Originally from Massachusetts, today she can be found figure skating, salsa dancing, hiking and wine tasting around her home in California. Marci is the founder of 101 Dreams Come True, a motivational website that encourages visitors to follow their improbable dreams. Her story about attempting to complete 101 of her biggest dreams has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and she regularly speaks on the subject on radio stations in both the United States and Canada. She’s also the owner of Elegant Bridal Designs, a couture lingerie, dress, and jewelry store. She can also be found at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Marci is also here to make your dream of winning a book possibly come true....she has FIVE copies of The Lake House to share with some lucky readers in the US and/or Canada!

Les Misérables or Beauty and the Beast? Les Misérables
The lighted windows on the dark stage created the scene of Paris at night in the 1800’s. The spotlight hit Eponine dressed as a boy. From this tiny woman came a voice so large and sweet all movement or breath from the audience ceased. As Eponine sang, her passion exploded to the rafters and I could feel her love for a man who didn’t return her feelings.
I’d wanted to see Les Misérables when I was in high school, but my parents couldn’t afford the tickets when it came to Boston. When I made my list of "101 Dreams Come True," I decided it was time. I flew solo to London, went to the Queen’s Theater, and sat eleven rows from the stage. I thought I’d be embarrassed to be alone, but I loved having the experience to myself not having to worry about anything but enjoying the show.

Figure skating or Salsa dancing?
I love to salsa dance. There’s something about following my favorite partner’s lead that allows me to get lost in the music and feel free, but figure skating is my passion. The minute I take my first lap on the ice all the stress melts away, thoughts cease to exist, and it feels like flight. Every practice challenges my mind and body. It forces me to overcome fear, to push beyond what I believe I can do, and though my body aches from the hard work, it makes me younger because each year I get better instead of older.

Sky diving or Scuba diving?
I must admit that I’m still afraid to scuba dive, but when I’m under the water with the sound of my breath going in and out of my regulator, surrounded by bright coral and fish, it’s almost meditative. There’s so much to explore and see, so no matter how afraid, I’ll keep trying to overcome my fear to be able to be a part of this beautiful world.

I loved sky diving, but it was over too fast.

London or Paris?
This one is tough! I love both cities for different reasons, but I have to pick Paris. The Impressionists are my favorite artists, and to spend hours in Musée d’Orsay standing in front of some of the greatest masterpieces on earth is a spiritual experience for me. Plus, Paris has better food than London. Then there’s the architecture, the shopping, the beautiful men who walked me along the Seine at night. The memories are making me long to hop on a plane and return.

Hang gliding or surfing?
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but surfing. I loved hang gliding. Soaring on the wind currents in the Canadian Rockies like a bird was a phenomenal experience, but surfing actually feels a little like flying too. I’m ridiculously horrible at surfing. I fall off my big foam board more than I stand up, but it’s an incredible rush when I catch a wave and feel the ocean race me towards the shore.

Disney World or Sleep in a Palace?
I’ve never had more fun than going to Disney with my family. For an entire week I was a kid again, but with that said, I have to choose sleeping in a palace. Every little girl dreams of being a princess, and for one week I stayed in a room decorated with frescoes in a small village in Italy. I drank wine, ate decadent food, traveled to ancient towns, and met wonderful new friends. The experience actually made it into The Lake House.

Sparkly shoes or beautiful jewelry?
I’m crazy over shoes no matter how much they hurt my feet after a long night of dancing.

Flying an airplane or riding in a race car?
The view is better from an airplane, but the flying was rather boring. The plane does most of the work, and I simply guided it where I wanted to go. The race car had my heart racing, even though I was just a passenger. The G’s that were pulled around corners while other cars were trying to pass made my heart pound. So I have to choose race car.

Thanks to Marci for sharing her dreams with us and her book with our readers.

How to win The Lake House:
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your Facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries:
1.Please tell us: What is a dream that you made come true for yourself or for someone else?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Follow us on Twitter and/or Pinterest.
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends June 25th at midnight EST.