Lyn Cote's Blog, page 49
April 12, 2015
Gulf Coast Author Beth White & The Creole Princess
Today my guest is a longtime friend, author Beth White. I’ve even visited her in her hometown Mobile, Alabama. Not long ago I reviewed her book booksbylyncote.com.
April 8, 2015
April 7, 2015
Debut Author Jill Kemerer & Small-Town Bachelor
I have the pleasure today of hosting a brand new author about her debut Love Inspired romance, Small-Town Bachelor. She is offering a copy (US ONLY) of her book to a commenter so be sure to answer the question. Here’s Jill:
“Thank you, Lyn, for inviting me to talk about my debut novel, Small-Town Bachelor. Claire Sheffield embodies many traits of today’s Christian women. Loyal, generous, patient, hard-working—Claire blends them all. She’s trying to land her dream job as veterinary technician at the local zoo, all while fostering young otter twins and working long hours for a local vet. On top of that, her sister’s wedding was ruined by a tornado and the injured best man, who happens to be gorgeous, is recovering next door.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I think any single lady who has been a maid-of-honor wouldn’t mind if the gorgeous, trustworthy best man moved in next door. But maybe that’s just me!
Claire longs to be first in a man’s life, and until Reed shows up, she doesn’t think it’s possible. Besides that, Reed lives in Chicago while she lives in Lake Endwell, Michigan. Surrounded by family and only thirty minutes from the local zoo, Claire won’t consider moving, not even for Reed.
Still, Claire is drawn to his work ethic, his quiet faith, and his generosity in helping rebuild the town. The more time she spends with Reed, the more time she spends praying for direction. In the end, she has to make the toughest decision of her life.
Sometimes we cling so tightly to our vision of the future that we close ourselves off to God’s blessings. I, personally, have wrestled with this, and Claire does too. When Claire surrenders to God’s will, she finds out God has bigger, better plans for her than she ever imagined.
We show our greatest strength when we trust God’s will. As 2 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Thanks again, Lyn, for letting me be your guest!”–Jill
***
BIO~
Jill Kemerer writes inspirational romance novels with love, humor and faith. A full time writer and homemaker, she relies on coffee and chocolate to keep up with her kids’ busy schedules. Besides spoiling her mini-dachshund, Jill adores magazines, M&MS, fluffy animals and long nature walks. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website www.jillkemerer.com and find her on Facebook and Twitter.
***
Small-Town Bachelor ~
A Place to Call Home
When Reed Hamilton arrives in Lake Endwell for a family wedding, he expects to do his part as best man then head back to the big city. But when a tornado postpones the wedding, the town is in shambles and Reed is injured. Thankfully maid of honor Claire Sheffield offers him one of her cottages to recuperate in.
Dedicated to her family and her dream job at the zoo, Claire is all about roots. She’s this city slicker’s opposite, yet as they help the town rebuild, Reed is captivated by her stunning looks and caring ways. He can’t ask Claire to leave the life she loves for him, but he also can’t imagine ever leaving her behind…
Interested in buying Small-Town Bachelor? Click on http://jillkemerer.com/books/small-town-bachelor/ for links to purchase!
Website: http://jillkemerer.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorjillkemerer
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jillkemerer
Buy STB: http://jillkemerer.com/books/small-town-bachelor/
THANKS, JILL.
QUESTION: Have you ever been the maid-of-honor in a wedding? Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a book.–Lyn
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April 5, 2015
March 31, 2015
Cozy Mystery Author Christine Husom & Snow Way Out
As you may know, though I write romance, I love to read a good cozy mystery. And I met Christine Husom (a Minnesotan) at the Blue Belle Inn, a B & B in northern Iowa. She and I were taking part in a Writer’s Retreat there. So when I learned she had a new cozy mystery series, I invited her to share with us. She’s offering a copy to a commenter. So don’t miss the QUESTION. Here’s Christine:
Christine Husom, author of Snow Way Out
The “Snow Globe Shop” Mysteries was born when John Talbot, the man who became my agent was looking for an author to write a cozy mystery series set in a snow globe shop in Minnesota.
One of my favorite things about writing is creating new characters, and watching them develop and grow. Camryn Brooks is the protagonist in the new series. She had a successful career as a senator’s legislative affairs director in Washington D.C., and thought she’d be working there forever. But a scandal changed her career path and she returned to her hometown of Brooks Landing in a hurry. Her parents are glad she’s back because they need help running Curio Finds, a shop that specializes in snow globes from around the world.
Cami’s biological parents died when she was five, and she was adopted by her aunt and uncle. It was a bit of a shock to her young, only child system to suddenly be part of a large family. Cami feels her biological parents—especially her mother—are always close in spirit, and leave pennies from heaven for her from time to time.
In addition to her family, Cami has a close-knit group of friends. They offer mutual support and provide moments of levity. Alice “Pinky” Nelson, Erin Vickerman, and Mark Weston are Cami’s childhood friends who stayed in Brooks Landing. Pinky runs Brew Ha-Ha, a coffee shop adjoining Curio Finds.
Cami is intelligent, driven, has a keen sense of justice, a need to uncover truth, and a deep loyalty for her family and friends. When she was falsely accused of an indiscretion, she didn’t let it take her down because she—and the people who matter most to her—know the truth, and that’s what counts.
To purchase, click here. Snow Way Out (A Snow Globe Shop Mystery Book 1)
When Snow Way Out opens, Jerrell Powers, a man that had wreaked havoc in Brooks Landing a few years before has returned to town. And Erin was one of his victims. Cami and Pinky are getting ready for a snow globe making class that evening, and they’re also wondering what Erin will do if she runs into her nemesis. What they have no way of knowing is the role Jerrell Powers will play in the evening’s events or how the night will end after the class is over.
This is a snippet from the back cover, “After the flurry of activity has ended and everyone has gone off with their handmade snow globes, Cami spots on a shelf a new globe left behind, featuring an odd tableau—a man sleeping on a park bench. On her way home, she drifts through the town park and is shaken to come upon the scene from the globe—a man sitting on a bench. But he isn’t sleeping—he has a knife in his back.”–Christine
Well, I don’t know about you but I’m intrigued. Remember to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a copy of SNOW WAY OUT. Snow globes maintain their allure even this new electronic age. I have read another series with snow globes, a Magical realism story, Here’s the link to that. booksbylyncote.com.
March 29, 2015
Author Teri Wilson & Alaskan Homecoming
My guest today is author Teri Wilson. She is new to me but maybe you’ve read her before. Teri will be offering a giveaway so be sure to leave a comment. Here’s Teri:
Thank you so much, Lyn, for having me as a guest on your blog. I love strong women!
My heroine, Posy Sutton, a ballerina
My new book is called ALASKAN HOMECOMING, and it’s the latest in my series of Alaskan romances for Love Inspired Books. I’m very excited about this book because my heroine, Posy Sutton, is a ballerina. I’ve always loved ballet. I’m a dancer myself, so this is a book that I’ve wanted to write for a very long time.
Back in her hometown of Aurora, Alaska
The beginning of the story finds Posy back in her hometown of Aurora, Alaska, after a six-year absence. She’s been away, dancing for a prestigious ballet company in San Francisco. On the opening night of Cinderella, when she’s dancing her biggest role, she breaks a bone in her foot and goes tumbling to the ground. She has six weeks to heal before auditions will be held for a spot as principal dancer at the company. Being chosen as a principal would be the fulfillment of Posy’s lifelong dream! Dance has always been everything to her.
To purchase, click here. Alaskan Homecoming (Love Inspired)
What better place to heal than home?
She returns to Alaska, where her mother has arranged for her to teach after-school ballet lessons at the church youth group. What her mother neglected to mention was that the youth pastor is Posy’s old high school boyfriend, Liam Blake.
The coming weeks will test Posy’s strength
like it’s never been tested before. If her body doesn’t heal in time, she may not get promoted to principal. But if she pushes herself too hard, she may never dance again. Years ago, when Posy was fresh out of high school, she suffered an identical injury. Back then, she relied on prescription drugs to mask the pain. Now all eyes are on her, watching, waiting, to see if she’ll repeat her past mistakes.
Coming to terms with her past
But Posy’s story is as much about her bravery in coming to terms with her past and healing her heart as it is about healing her body. Her greatest show of strength is allowing herself to be vulnerable to Liam once again after pushing him away all those years ago. Because sometimes the hardest thing of all is coming home.”–Teri
BIO:
Teri Wilson is a romance novelist for Harlequin Books. Her most recent books include ALASKAN HOMECOMING and UNMASKING JULIET. Teri is also a contributing writer at HelloGiggles, an entertainment website founded by Zooey Deschanel, Sophia Rossi and Molly McAleer. Teri loves romance, books, poetry and dancing every day. She adores hearing from readers.
For more online:
March 24, 2015
More “Plain People” Stories in 2015–Coming Soon!
To pre-order, click here. Blessing (Quaker Brides Book 2)
This is my Quaker Brides romance for 2015, out July 1st.
THE BLURB
An impetuous love swept Blessing Brightman away from the Quaker community, into the highest ranks of Cincinnati society. But behind the glitter of ballroom and parlor, her spirit slowly eroded in an increasingly dangerous marriage. Widowed young, determined never to lose her independence again, Blessing reclaimed her faith and vowed to use her influence to fight for women’s rights and abolition.
Gerard Ramsay, scion of a wealthy Boston family, arrives in Cincinnati hoping to escape his father’s clutches with a strategy that will gain him independence. His plan is soon complicated, however, by the enchanting widow. Never before has a woman spoken as if she’s his equal—or challenged him to consider the lives of others.
In a city nearly ablaze with racial tensions quickly dividing the country, can two people worlds apart possibly find common ground?
And here is Ann H Gabhart’s Shaker book for 2015, The innocent.
To pre-order, click here. The Innocent: A Novel
THE BLURB:
The Innocent by Ann H. Gabhart
Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. The war ends without further word. Now penniless, in debt, and forced from her home, Carlyn seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill, only to discover that they will not allow her to keep her beloved dog, an animal that has been her faithful companion since her husband went off to war. Sheriff Mitchell Brodie has pity on the lovely young woman and agrees to take the dog. Carlyn is just settling into life as a sister in the Shaker village when she receives a devastating letter confirming her worst fears. As she wrestles with whether to commit herself fully to the Shaker life, mysterious deaths begin to occur, and Carlyn comes under suspicion. Can Sheriff Mitchell help her expose the true culprit?
Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart invites fans back to Harmony Hill for a story laced with intrigue, romance, and heart.
And here is Marta Perry’s other Amish romance for 2015, The Rescued.
To pre-order, click here. The Rescued: Keepers of the Promise, Book Two
THE BLURB:
As an Amish wife and mother struggles to hold her family together, a story from the past teaches her how to face her daily challenges with strength and love . . .
In modern day central Pennsylvania, Judith Wegler tries to heal the growing rift between her husband, Isaac, and his teenage brother Joseph—whom Judith and Isaac have raised as their own ever since both brothers lost their parents and siblings in a horrific fire. Meanwhile, Isaac’s hurtful silence about this tragic past has robbed Judith of any certainty of her husband’s love.
But when Judith’s grandmother gifts her with an antique study table, she discovers a hidden packet of letters that changes her life . . .
In 1953, widow Mattie Lapp fights against the county’s attempts to force Amish children to attend a consolidated public school, even if it means arrest and imprisonment. Mattie knows she can’t face this challenge alone, and turns to her late husband’s cousin Adam for help, but she’s terrified at the prospect of relying on someone else.
Now, as the two women’s stories converge, both must learn to stand up for their beliefs and to love again, even when it means risking their hearts . . .
Finally though Judith Miller isn’t releasing a new Amana story this year, she is releasing a historical romance, The Potter’s Lady. FYI~ 
To pre-order, click cover.
So there you have them, more “Plain People” to add to your TBR or To Be Read pile or onto your ereader.–Lyn
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The post More “Plain People” Stories in 2015–Coming Soon! appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.
March 22, 2015
Amish Author Marta Perry & Where Secrets Sleep
My guest today is Amish author Marta Perry. She is offering a copy of her latest title Where Secrets Sleep so be sure to leave a comment. Here’s Marta:
The atmosphere was perfect
The idea for the Secrets series of books came to me when my husband and I were doing one of our favorite things—staying at a bed and breakfast inn. The moment I saw The Towers, an imposing Italianate Victorian mansion, I was enthralled. By the time I’d taken in the elaborate interior, lovingly restored to its 1800s condition, I knew the atmosphere was perfect for a romantic suspense novel, and when we left, I was already scribbling madly in my notebook, creating the first story.
Fleeing a betrayal
Allison Standish, a devoutly urban interior designer, is the fish-out-of-water in my fictional community of Laurel Ridge. Fleeing a betrayal by both her boss and the man she thought she loved, she arrives in the small town eager to wind up the details of her estranged grandmother’s unexpected legacy so that she can have the means to start a new life far from the wreckage of the old one. But Allison soon learns there are strings attached to her legacy, as she finds herself running Blackburn House, a Victorian mansion converted to house businesses and offices, and acting as partner to an Amish woman in running a quilt shop in the building.
The terms of her bequest
No sooner has she become acquainted with the terms of her bequest than she has to start dealing with a parade of discontented people, including unknown cousins, townspeople with agendas, and an especially annoying cabinet-maker, Nick Whiting, who takes issue with every one of her plans. Allison has to call upon all of the tact she’s ever employed in her career to balance all the claims, and she finds herself constantly adjusting her big city expectations to the small town values of everyone around her. To her surprise, her Amish partner, Sarah, is a valuable asset in helping her negotiate the maze of claims and counter-claims, and Allison soon learns to appreciate the qualities that make up an Amish attitude toward life.
To purchase, click here. Where Secrets Sleep
Danger soon mounts
But the situation turns dangerous when Allison discovers evidence that her grandmother had detected wrong-doing on the part of someone in Blackburn House, and that her death may not have been the accident everyone believes. Danger soon mounts with attacks on Allison, and her annoyance with Nick becomes a minor factor compared with his determination to protect her at all costs. It will take all her physical courage to survive, but it will take emotional courage to conquer the baggage she carries from her past, accept what’s happened to her, and move on to love.–Marta
Visit me on the web at http://www.martaperry.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/martaperrybooks. If you’d like to receive a signed bookmark and my Pennsylvania Dutch recipe brochure, write to me at marta@martaperry.com.
Leave a comment to enter the drawing for a copy of Where Secrets Sleep.
QUESTION: Have you ever stayed at a bed and breakfast? If so, did you enjoy it? If not, would you like to? Why?–Lyn
PS-I’ll be previewing new books by other Plain People authors–more Marta, Ann H Gabhart, Judith Miller and me on Weds. Don’t miss them!
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March 17, 2015
Author Rachel Hauck & Love Well
My guest today is Rachel Hauck and she is going to tackle a subject that is difficult for her heroine and many real women–how to love well–when it’s hard. Here’s Rachel:
the paralyzing premise
“When writing, I often find myself with what Susie Warren and I call “the paralyzing premise.”
These books are hard! I’ve somehow developed a concept and title that’s a bear to match the story to!
When I came up with the Royal Wedding Series, the first book idea, “How To Catch A Prince,” ended up being the third in the series.
See, Prince William carried around his mother’s engagement ring for three weeks in a ruck sack waiting to propose to Kate. He was nervous, careful not to lose such a valuable possession.
I thought, “What if he lost it?”
But when I started my own “catching a prince story” I wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it. I wanted something unique but I had to include the concept conveyed by the title.
I was on my third do-over of the book last January when a physical issue literally knocked me to the bathroom floor.
Despite my health issue and struggles with sleep and any creative juice whatsoever, I had a deadline. I marched myself upstairs to my office every day. By the grace of God, I wrote five thousand words a day for over two weeks.
As the story opens, Corina. an American heiress, is in mourning. Her twin brother was killed in Afghanistan. And everything in her life fell apart.
There’s not enough money on earth to heal her pain.
Only love can.
The term “love well” fell into my heart and onto my heroines journey.
When she finds herself face-to-face with the husband who rejected her, she must dig deep to “love well.” Even if it means granting him the annulment he so longs for.
Most women are geared toward loving, even sacrificial loving. But when it comes down to it, most of us will protect our own heart before surrendering to a love that costs us everything and gains us nothing.
I’m not talking about abuse.
That’s a different category. And the “love well” depicted in the much ballyhooed “50 Shades of Grey” is just glamorized abuse.
Loving well sometimes means we don’t voice our want or opinion.
For me, around my house, it’s “so what” I do the lion share of the dishes. So what I’m the one who makes the bed 99% of the time.
What if loving well means I let my husband know how much I appreciate all he does even if he forgets to tell me?
What if loving well, in Christ, doesn’t look like a score card?
What if loving well produces love in others?
Look, I’ve not perfected loving well at all, but as I watched my heroine develop on the page,
I was challenged to follow her path.
To purchase, click here. How to Catch a Prince (Royal Wedding Series Book 3)
While How To Catch A Prince is not a sermon or “how to” book, I hope readers are inspired to love well when they’ve concluded the story.
QUESTION: What about you? Is loving well a challenge? Do you pick on your kids faults more than polishing the nuggets of their talents? Do you hold back love because you don’t feel loved?–Rachel
For more online:
March 15, 2015
Author Nancy Mehl & Strength Through Weakness
My guest today is Nancy Mehl, an author equally at home with mystery and touch of romance. Nancy is offering to giveaway a copy of her latest title, Deadly Echoes.(US Only please) So be sure to leave a comment. Here’s Nancy:
Strength Through Weakness
In Deadly Echoes, I use my main character’s past as a cornerstone for my plot. Sarah has struggled for years because of the murder of her parents – not only through trying to deal with their loss – but also because she and her sister ended up in the foster care system. Hannah, Sarah’s beautiful sibling, was adopted – but Sarah wasn’t. That situation, along with a careless comment by a social worker, has shaped Sarah’s image of herself. The insecurities born from that experience are still affecting her as an adult – and are center to the events that unfold around her as my story progresses.
Writers use the past
Writers use the past a lot in their novels. Wounded characters help authors create instant connections with readers who can identify with them. Almost all of us have ghosts that whisper from the past. Whether they come from tough situations, memories of people we’ve lost, or even a yearning to revisit a more pleasant time in our lives, we are all shaped somewhat through our previous experiences. If a writer can quickly present a character readers can relate to, it’s possible to form a bond at the beginning of your novel. If you can accomplish that, your readers will want to finish the story because they are emotionally invested.
She’s come a long way
In Sarah’s case, although she’s come a long way by the time the story begins, she is still influenced by loss and insecurity. As she changes and evolves through conflict, I hope readers will not only connect with her, they will also find something in her developing relationship with God that they can connect to. Strength can come from weakness in our lives, just as it did in Sarah’s. It all depends on us – whether we give into our pasts or believe we can change through the power of God’s love.”–Nancy
To purchase, click here. Deadly Echoes (Finding Sanctuary Book #2)
Thanks, Nancy. Your heroine strikes a chord with most of us. Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a copy of Deadly Echoes (US Only). QUESTION: Have you ever had to struggle with feelings of inferiority? I have. Have you overcome them?–Lyn
For more online:
www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com
Nancy Mehl Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Mehl-Fan-Page/124075957622557
Twitter: @NancyMehl
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