Lyn Cote's Blog, page 115

Author Cara Putman & The All-Expense Paid Vacation to the World's Largest Kitty Litter Box

My guest today is Author Cara Putman. Here's Cara:

"My Mom – A Woman of Strength

I've always admired my mom. She homeschooled us kids as soon as it was legal – in the days when it was still very weird. She has always poured Christ's love into others through homeschool groups, crisis pregnancy centers, church ministries and so much more.

But in 1990, I saw her strength in a whole new light. In August, my dad and his National Guard unit were at their two-week summer training when Iraq invaded Kuwait. At that time, I wondered if he'd even get to come home before being shipped overseas. He did.

It wasn't until Thanksgiving week that his unit got called to active status. On three days notice, Mom went from a busy woman helping with our restaurants, homeschooling, community involvement, and more to a woman who's husband was shipping to a war zone. Her support system was gone, and unlike when he served in Vietnam, she was left with four children and all her responsibilities plus much of the load Dad had borne for our stores.

That Christmas I got a stack of boxes from the nicest store at the Mall because Mom didn't have time to shop in a dozen places like she usually would. My Dad's unit shipped home in April – just in time for Easter. I barely recognized the man with the tan and mustache.

That six months was a challenge for each of us. Phone calls were so rare. Email barely existed. And regular letters were what we had to rely on for most of our communications. I remember making jokes about Dad's all-expense paid vacation to the kitty liter box of the world in an effort to keep from crying when people would ask about him.

We all cope in different ways. But that period gave me a great respect for all the military families that are left behind when their loved one deploys. And it also revealed just how strong my Mom is."--Cara Putman

Here's Cara's latest book. What a fantastic cover!

Hollywood 1942. When attorney Audra Schaeffer's sister disappears, Audra flies to Hollywood to find her but instead must identify her body. Determined to bring the killer to justice, Audra takes a job with the second Hollywood Victory Caravan. Together with Robert Garfield and other stars, she crisscrosses the southern United States in a campaign to sell war bonds. When two other women are found dead on the train, Audra knows the deaths are tied to that of her sister. Could the killer be the man with whom she's falling in love? About the Author Stars in the Night is CARA PUTMAN's ninth novel and tenth book. An attorney and sometimes lecturer at a Big Ten University, Cara lives in Indiana with her husband and three children. http://www.caraputman.com

First Page-Masquerade by Author Nancy Moser

Masquerade by Nancy Moser

Chapter One

Dornby Manor

Wiltshire, England

Early autumn 1886

"I've told you, Father, I won't marry him."

Thomas Gleason held a matchstick to the bowl of his pipe and puffed repeatedly, luring the tobacco to ignite. "It's a good match, daughter. Everyone has heard of the Tremaines, even here in England."

Heard of their money, perhaps . . .

Lottie remembered the whispered rumors about the Tremaines. She knew her parents hated gossip—or pretended to for propriety's sake—but now was not the time for her to be timid. "Some say the Tremaines are nouveau riche. The elder Mr. Tremaine is but one generation away from those who peddled their goods on the streets of New York City."

Her father pointed his pipe at her. "Perhaps. But Tremaine's Dry Goods has grown to encompass a five-story building within an entire city block."

Mother shook her head and said beneath her breath, "A glorified shopkeeper."

Father shot her a glance.

Mother nodded to the maid, Dora, to pour the tea. "We are the ones doing the Tremaines the favor. You are Sir Thomas Gleason," she said. "The Gleasons have ties to Richard the Second. Our name is listed in Debrett's."

A puff of smoke billowed in front of Father's face. "Now, now, Hester. By seeking a goodly match for our daughter, we're not negating our own roots. It's a blessing the Tremaines have shown interest in our Charlotte, especially since they've never met any of us. And considering . . . "

Lottie interrupted. "You act as if meeting me might cause them to change their minds. I may not be a ravishing beauty, Father, but I've been complimented many times regarding my appearance."

"No, no," her father said. "Don't take offense. You're a lovely girl. I was merely pointing out the odd circumstances of . . . our situation."

Hester coughed and put her ever-present handkerchief to her mouth.

Lottie tried unsuccessfully to squelch her annoyance at her mother's cough. Hack, hack, hack. Perhaps if Mother spent more time outside, walking the grounds of their Wiltshire estate, her health would improve. But Mother prided herself on indoor pursuits, namely her needlepoint chair cushions. Best in the county, she bragged. Lottie didn't care for such nonsense. To go to so much work only to have someone sit upon it was absurd.

As was this conversation.

Lottie set her teacup down, rose from her chair, and moved to the windows that overlooked the front lawn. "I don't see why we have to talk about this now." Or ever. "It's my birthday and my friends will be arriving for my party soon and . . . " She turned to her mother directly. "Speaking of my party, why aren't you bustling about? A dozen of my friends will arrive in just a few hours, yet if I didn't know better, I'd think the party was next Tuesday rather than today."

Do You Rember these 3 Questions?

1-Why do Authors and Publishers give away books on blogs?
2-Have you won a book on a blog?
3-If you did, what did you do with that book?

Project Journal's reply summed up and added a little zest to the replies I received.

Her reply: "I think they give away books one) for publicity, let's be honest. Giving away free books is an easy way to catch new readers and keep old followers! Two) Along the same lines, it keeps people interested in your blog a lot of times I think. Three) I think it shows a lot about your character. Lol! I know that's not necessarily true or anything, but I personally think that it's really nice to do the giveaways! There's a couple answers :- )"

I appreciated the comment that giving away books was a nice thing to do! I do like giving gifts.

Another common reply to # 3) came from JKW: "I pass books on to friends - keep them going."

That's also good to hear. Do you know what the most common and strongest reason for a person to pick up and read a book by an author she/he hasn't read before is?
Word of mouth--that means that people telling people is what sells books!

Ellen Too replied to 3. with "Read it then put it on my special keeper shelf." That's so wonderful, Ellen! Thanks. Every author hopes she will write books that people will deem "Keepers"--those books that remain with us and are reread. (I'm always so happy when I DON'T see my books at garage sales and Goodwill!)

Aus Jenny wrote-"The ones that are signed to me I have kept but often have shared them. Others are or will end up in the Church library or if its a must keep in my library to share. I also normally will post a review on my blog and other places."

Now that's what I often do with books I read. I give them either to our smalltown (1 room) library or to our church library.

And the final sentence of of AusJenny's reply--She posts reviews of the books she received.

That's one of the main reasons that authors and publishers give away books. We hope that if you like the book:
A- you will post a review of it on your blog OR
B- you will post a review of it on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com or BN.com

A few other commenters said that they do post reviews of books. And you know you don't have to get fancy with reviews, click a rank and say what you liked.

I know I appreciate a reader who does this. My September book has no reviews up yet on any sites. (HINT-HINT) GRIN.

Anyway, I'm not done with this recap of those questions I asked in September. Soon I'm going to start visiting the blogs that the people who left comments recommended.

BTW, if you drop by the Craftie Ladies blog, you'll read what a special day this is for me!

Book Monday-Author Trish Perry & The Perfect Blend

A little about The Perfect Blend by Author Trish Perry. Here's Trish:

"Steph Vandergrift left everything to elope with Middleburg attorney Rick Manfred, who then stood her up at the altar. Too embarrassed to return home, Steph hopes to earn enough to get by until she can decide what to do next. Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel hires her and appreciates the extra help at the tea shop. Also appreciative of Steph is Kendall James, one of the kindest, most eligible bachelors in the area. But by the time Steph feels able to consider dating again, her run-away fiancé returns and tries to win her back. Steph is wary, but she and Rick always blended so well. Christie Burnham, the frank-talking equestrian from whom Steph rents a room, and her frillier sister Liz become fast friends and confidantes to Steph. Between the two sisters, there isn't much any man is going to pull over on Middleburg's newest bachelorette and tea shop employee.



A little about Trish: Award-winning novelist Trish Perry has written The Perfect Blend (2010), Sunset Beach (2009), Beach Dreams (2008), Too Good to Be True (2007), and The Guy I'm Not Dating (2006), all for Harvest House Publishers. Her monthly column, "Real Life is Stranger," appeared in Christian Fiction Online Magazine during its inaugural year. She was editor of Ink and the Spirit, the newsletter of Washington D.C.'s Capital Christian Writers organization (CCW), for seven years. Before her novels, Perry published numerous short stories, essays, devotionals, and poetry in Christian and general market media. She will release several new books in 2011. Perry holds a B.A. in Psychology, was a 1980s stockbroker, and held positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission and in several Washington law firms. She serves on the Board of Directors of CCW and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She invites you to visit her at www.trishperry.com"

Author Donita K Paul & The Vanishing Sculptor

My guest today is Donita K Paul, an author who writes amazing fantasy, not an easy thing to do!
Here's Donita:
"The heroine in the first two books of the Chiril Chronicles is Tipper Schope. In her early twenties, she has been in charge of a massive household for the many years following her father's disappearance. In her mind, she has not done a great job. At the time of the first scene, she has been reduced to selling her noted father's artwork in order to pay the bills. Her home is a deteriorating mansion. They have two servants left from the full staff. Her mother's mental health and stability has broken down. The failure of the mansion has caused hardship among those who depended on her father and this establishment. Tipper feels the weight of all the responsibility.

I see strong women face two types of situations those they chose and those that are thrust upon them. I know a young lady who worked hard to put herself through college to become an RN. She showed tremendous strength and determination to meet her goal, one she had chosen herself. But this same young lady had an abusive parent, an alcoholic spouse, and a relative with a debilitating disease. Obviously these burdens were not ones she chose. With each new obstacle that came her way, she continued on the path she knew God had ordained. And not only that, but she remained a cheerful, optimistic person. As a great mom, she has drilled into her kids, "Attitude is everything."

The character in The Vanishing Sculptor is also challenged by adversity. Unfortunately, three of the statues she sold to acquire money for expenses, turned out to be the cornerstone of the world she lives in. With the statues separated, the countryside has bizarre eruptions that destroy property and life.


As in real life, with each new challenge, Tipper grows to meet the difficulty. That stretching to do the next thing, the thing we think is just beyond our ability, makes us grow stronger. Tipper's character deepens as she handles what I (the author) throw at her. And she also gains a perspective of herself that eliminates the false guilt. I think false guilt weighs us down more than the reality we face. Tipper does reach a happy ending, but the reader is aware that it is not happily ever after, because the road we travel will not smooth out and be bump-free until we reach Heaven. That's okay. We have the hope!"--Donita K Paul

For more about Donita and her books, drop by:
www.donitakpaul.com www.dragonandturtle.com http://donitakpaul.blogspot.com/ This one is the OLD Blog where I get a chance to share books by my fellow authors. Other Literary Dabblings. http://awriterwritessometimes.blogspot.com/

First Page-Queen of Hearts by Author K Dawn Byrd

Chapter One

of Queen of Hearts by K Dawn Byrd

Daphne Dean traced the red hearts on the bottom of the calling card as a sense of foreboding rolled over her. She shrugged it off, hoping that there would be minimal danger in working stateside as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services. Her grandmother had been a spy during World War I and a good one at that. Daphne hoped to live up to her grandmother's reputation. Just thinking about carrying on the tradition excited her and made her feel closer to the woman she'd loved so much and who had died two years ago.

The letter that came with the calling cards stated that from there on out, she'd be known as the Queen of Hearts. She sighed and tossed a pencil on her desk. She hated her code name and considered it ill fitting for a woman who'd been in love only once in the past twenty-five years.

An image of Kenneth's handsome face invaded her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry. She thought of him every day, but never with such intense sadness. God, when will it be my turn? All my friends back home are married.

Daphne reprimanded herself with a quick thought. Now was not the time for self-pity. Not when thousands of women were sick with worry while their precious husbands, boyfriends, or sons resided in some terror-filled foxhole overseas.

She closed the box and tossed the cards into the worn brown satchel with her camera and supplies. She'd give anything to have the men home even if it meant handing over the keys to her office, the small room that enveloped her in a warm cocoon at the start of each day. Daphne reminded herself often that she'd likely have to give up her career as a newspaper reporter and trade in the dream that had been as important to her as the air she breathed. As much as she loved it, she'd gladly swap it for a husband, a couple of kids and a house with a white picket fence.

The phone jingled and she reached for it, studying the contrast of pale pink nail polish against the black receiver. "Hello. Daphne Dean."

"This is Code Red of Twelve-Seven."

She sat up straight, desperately trying to recall her conversation with Tom. He'd said that Twelve-Seven was the code for December 7, the day the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and it was the name of her group of O.S.S. operatives. "Go ahead."

"Listen carefully." His voice was deep and ominous, hinting of danger and intrigue. He cleared his throat. "Write this message down and then destroy the note. You'll type it on your calling card and deliver it to the club at eight o'clock tonight. The message is 'Emergency meeting Eight o'clock tomorrow morning. The usual place'. Now, read it back to me."

She finished scribbling and read it back to him, her voice trembling with anticipation.

"That's right, doll. A courier will be there in a few minutes with your attire for the evening. You'll be approached at the club by a woman in a red. Her code name is Scarlet. She's S.O.E. They're British Secret Intelligence. Give her the note and make sure no one sees you."

"When you say the club, do you mean the private club for officers?"

"That's the one, babe."

"How will I get in? As a member of the press?"

"No. You'll be undercover. Your ID will be in the box with your clothing. Your name for all Twelve-Seven assignments will be Rose Hart. Show your ID at the door. Got it?"

"Sure." She choked on the word.

"Don't let us down," said the stranger. The line clicked and went dead.

For more:

K.Dawn Byrd, Author
Queen of Hearts (April 2010) & Killing Time (August 2010)
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/KDawnByrd/Page.bok
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/kdawnbyrd#p/a/u/0/grqPjGvfRa0
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ncljBid61g
BLOG: http://kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

First Page-Petra by Author T L Higley

Here's the first page of Petra by Author T L Higley.

Chapter 1

The streets of Rome lay barren and empty, sucked dry by the colossal Flavian Amphitheatre that had swallowed seventy-five thousand Roman citizens in a single gulp, and would hold each one captive until they had enjoyed the horrors that Julian now raced to prevent.

More time. He needed more time. Already the crowd inside the four-story rim of stone cheered for the first event.

Julian's sandals smacked the black basalt road that led toward the amphitheatre. The blistering Roman sun pounded the moisture from his skin and left him panting. He had run most of way, since an old servant in Vita's house had pointed a gnarled finger toward the east, toward the Forum, toward the arena of death.

Eighty arches ringed the outside of the theatre on each of its first three stories. The bottom arches provided access to the public, and the second story's niches held statues of the gods and emperors, who now looked down on Julian as he sprinted across the large travertine slabs that paved the arena's edge.

He ran toward one of the four main entrances and fumbled for the tessera, the stone tile he wore around his neck. The designatores at the entrance would insist on examining it, to see the sector, row and seat to which he was assigned.

Indeed, the usher at this entrance was full of his own importance, and held a palm to Julian's oncoming rush as though he could stop him with only the force of his arm.

"Too long in your bed this morning, eh?" His smug smile took in Julian's hastily-wrapped toga and sweat-dampened hair.

Julian thrust the tessera before the man's eyes. "Here, here, look at it."

Still the amused smile. The usher opened his mouth to speak again.

"Look at it!"

Daunted, the man let his eyes travel over the tile, then took a tiny breath and stepped back. His grin faded to a look of regret over his own impudence, and he bowed his head. As if that were not enough, he bowed at the waist and extended a hand to invite Julian to enter.

Julian did not wait for an apology. He pushed past the usher and under the vaulted entrance, then straight through the arena's outer corridor and up a ramp that led to the cavea, the wedge-shaped sections of marble seats. This main entrance led directly to the central boxes reserved for the elite.

He exploded from the dimly lit ramp onto the terrace. The morning sun slashed across half the seats, the height of the amphitheatre leaving the other half in shade. The red canvas velarium, the awning used to shade the spectators, would be raised before it got much hotter, but for now, thousands of bleached togas on white marble blinded the eye and the smell of the masses assaulted the nose.

Julian crossed the terrace in two strides, slammed against the waist-high wall that separated him from the arena, and saw a figure dash at him from the shadows.

His mother's hands were on his arms in an instant. "Julian, what are you doing?" Her words were frantic, as clipped and terror-filled as his every movement.

"They have Vita, Mother!"

From Petra by T L Higley www.TLHigley.com

The Seven Wonder Novels

Question: Do you enjoy reading stories set in ancient times? Why or why not?

Book Monday-Author DeAnna Julie Dodson & Letters in the Attic

Blurb for Letters in the Attic by Author DeAnna Julie Dodson!

"Up in her grandmother's attic in Stony Point, Maine, Annie Dawson finds a stack of old letters from her childhood friend Susan Morris. Annie remembers Susan fondly and would like to get back in touch, but nobody seems to know what's become of her. Her friends at The Hook and Needle Club aren't much help either. All they remember is that Susan left town more than twenty years ago to marry a very wealthy man, but none of the...

Book Review-Author Roxanne Rustand's Final Exposure

Final Exposure by Roxanne Rustand

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I just finished Roxanne Rustand's Final Exposure, a Love Inspired Suspense novel. I loved her characters. It's the classic story of a wounded hero, a caring heroine and a little boy lost. Oh, and toss in a big white puppy! On the other side of the coin, a mystery from the past and red herrings abound in this story of romantic suspense that will keep you reading and pay off with a big surprise at the end!





View all my reviews

First Page-Shelter of Hope by Author Lyn Cote!

Today's first page is from my own September release, Shelter of Hope.

Out of the clear blue August morning, danger barreled onto New Friends Street--without warning. Glancing over his shoulder, Marc Chambers saw the cement truck take the corner a little fast. At the same moment, he glimpsed a boy running toward the street. Not looking.

Stop!

The cement truck brakes squealed like a trapped animal. Marc raced for the kid. Scooped him up. The wheels of the cement just...