Lyn Cote's Blog, page 86

Author Pat Simmons & What has God's Love Brought You Through?

My guest today is Author Pat Simmons and she shares her thoughts on love and her latest release, Guilt by Association. Here's Pat:

"My love article:

In Guilty by Association, the scripture 1 Peter 4:8: 'Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins,' is proven effective when two women smother Kidd Jamieson with all the love they have to eradicate the devils that has plagued him from his youth.

Mrs. Valentine, who is an elderly resident in a premier nursing facility, is the roommate of the worrisome Grandma BB. Oddly, she uses atrocities of slavery as a way to show Jesus's deliverance in the worse of situations. Just like those who were enslaved and trusted in God to deliver them, Mrs. Valentine uses scriptures to settle Kidd's angry and bitter heart to show that Jesus is still setting captives free.

His eventual love interest, LPN Eva Savoy, is not one to back down from a spiritual battle that is trying to defeat Kidd, but she tirelessly begins to equip Kidd for the battle with Ephesians 6: 11-18, focusing on verse 1:1 'Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.'

When his soul is redeemed, the rejoicing among with family is endless because Jesus has always been on the side of the underdog."–Pat

January 2012 release: Guilty by Association, Book I of the Jamieson Legacy series

My main character is Kevin "Kidd" Jamieson. Here's the premise or synopsis:

In Guilty by Association, Kevin "Kidd" Jamieson suffers from the "angry man syndrome". With an absentee father, the Jamieson name is worthless. Kidd's anger is seeping out into every area of his life as he carelessly becomes as a roaring lion, seeking whatever and whomever he can devour. When he receives an invitation from a distant cousin, Parke Jamieson VI, to come to St. Louis, he is hesitant but accepts, almost as a dare. Though he initially bumps heads with Parke, a series of events that involve a dog named Silent Killer, Stacy Adams shoes, and two women who enter his life to calm his raging storm, Kidd makes St. Louis home. One woman is Eva Savoy who becomes his "Eve," a woman God created out of the underlying goodness in Kidd's own heart. Reluctantly, Kidd allows Parke to walk him through generations of his royal African tribe heritage. Overwhelmed by the care and compassion of new friends and family, Kidd struggles to keep up the bad boy attitude. His walls are starting to crumble and he knows he's going down. Eventually, Kidd learns it's not his association with the name that identifies him, but the man he becomes that defines him.

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Author & Mom Kim Doebler & ESP, Teaching Kids Character

My guest today is an "in my real life" acquaintance, Author, Speaker, and Mom Kim Doebler. Kim and I met at the church we attend in the northwoods of Wisconsin. She learned I was an author and asked my advice about getting her book on parenting published. I gave her a few tips and as they say, the rest is history! Here's Kim about her book ESP, (Explain, Show Practice) Character Training:

"In I Corinthians 13: 4-7 we learn what God says love is. Love is patient, kind, not proud, not easily angered and always perseveres. These are all traits ESP Character Training gives practical steps to instill in our children. Ultimately, God is love and it is the books goal to help parents pass on His wisdom to their offspring. This book is a guide to purposeful proactive parenting.

The book ESP Character Training was first written to have an outline to pass on to our children. After sharing these examples with other moms, a realization came that there was a bigger need. Many young moms were longing for someone to come along side them. A book seemed the most realistic way of doing my part to fill this need.

Since writing ESP Character Training we have received testimonies of how the book has been the thing families have needed to go from theory to application. This book allows our family to share what we have learned and to be mentors one page at a time."–Kim

"Character entails living the way God calls us to live.

Sometimes we expect our children to learn the most important traits in life by chance. This book presents a process that incorporates Explaining, Showing and Practicing, in other words ESP, as a way of teaching character. Each chapter holds Biblical reasons for training, an abundance of ideas and practical examples to inspire and motivate every parent.

Honesty, Respect, and Self-Control are some of the character traits expanded on in these pages. Haven't we each noticed a child that stood out because of his/her character? With God's grace and a planned approach we too CAN instill character that shines bright. Let Kim come along side you as she shares her personal stories of training children in character. Then as families produce an abundance of young people with godly character there will be a noticeable light spreading throughout our dark world.

'When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.' Billy Graham

May be purchased in print at Kim's website:

Author Lillian Duncan & Wronged by Her Twin Sister

My guest today is Author Lillian Duncan, a new author too. She writes about strength and love and her new book. Here's Lillian:

"Strong Women, Brave Stories…interesting topic. This was so hard for me to write about and yet I know tons of strong women who have overcome a myriad of obstacles in their life. For some it was breast cancer, others it was substance abuse, abusive marriages, or a personal tragedy.

I think there are certain characteristics they have in common that put them in the category of Strong Women. First they don't give up. They keep taking that next step, that next breath, and refuse to give up. Second, they keep smiling. In other words, they don't invite you to a pity party every time they see you. And finally, they keep their focus on others and not just on themselves and their problems.

One woman I know went in for a routine mammogram and discovered she had stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes. To say it was a shock would be an understatement, but she didn't give up.

Yes, there were tears and she expressed her worries, but she also kept smiling, kept taking care of her loved ones, and never gave up. She's a seven year survivor at the moment and all looks good. She was in inspiration to me then and now. Her focus has always been on taking care of her family and I believe this was one of the keys to her recovery.



In my newest book, DECEPTION, Patti Jakowski doesn't start out as a strong, brave woman. She's been wronged by her twin sister and has let it affect her attitude and her actions. When her sister disappears and she begins to focus on someone else instead of herself, then she gradually becomes a Strong Woman with a Brave Story.

To celebrate the release of DECEPTION, I'm having a contest on my website: www.lillianduncan.net so be sure to stop by and sign up. Grand prize is a NOOK!

Thanks for having me on your blog."–Lillian

Lyn Reviews Author Melody Carlson's River's Song

Author Andrea Boeshaar & Threads of Hope & Home

My guest today is another Wisconsin author, Andrea Boeshaar, a friend of mine. Andrea is going to share about hope & love. Here's Andrea:

"My aunt and I were talking on the phone last night and discussing two young women we know. Their behavior saddened us because these young women are "party girls" and being in the wrong environment night after night led to infidelity and, ultimately, the ruin of their marriages. This saddened us and my aunt asked the question, "Why don't young people love their homes anymore?"

I'm sure some young people to love their homes. They enjoy putting those personal touches like a handmade quilt on the bed or on the back of the sofa to make rooms feel cozy and comfortable. But what many people fail to realize is that a home is more than a big house, condo, or rented apartment. It's more than the place you "stay." A home is where there is love. Love makes a house a home. I realize that last line is cliché, but it's oh, so true.

When my character in my latest novel Threads of Hope comes to America, she's in search of that special place she can call home. She'd been orphaned in Norway and lost her brothers as well. There's a swell of hurt in Kristin Eikaas's heart and she's looking to replace it with hope and love.

And what about you? Is your place of residence a home – or just your place of residence? Love makes the difference. "–Andrea

Bio:

Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar has 26 published novels, 8 published novellas, and a host of collective nonfiction under her belt. She knows the peaks and valleys of the publishing industry and loves to share her experience with other writers. She was an agent for more than 10 years, but is now writing full-time and is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Additionally, Andrea is a certified Christian life coach. She is presently taking classes to be certified in Christian counseling.

Andrea is a cofounder of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She's taught at several of the organization's conferences as well as the Oregon Christian Writers Conference, Write-To-Publish, and Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

For more info, visit Andrea on the web, at: www.andreaboeshaar.com

I think Andrea's aunt brings up something which the X or Y or whatever generation fails to think about until they've lost it–home and what that word means. Home is where you belong, where you must be taken in because it's home. Home is deeply rooted in family and love. Don't we often refer to our homes in heaven? Have you ever been without a place to call home?–Lyn

1st Fruit of the Spirit-What True Love Is & Where Does It Lead?

This video portrays the love which Christ showed us sinners. Parts of it are hard to look at, but it answers the question: What is Love?

I've been finishing up my next Love Inspired Historical, Their Frontier Family, which will debut this November. My heroine Sunny is a single mother who has just left the life of prostitution. She has become a baby Christian and married a man who is essentially a stranger to her. She does all these things for the sake of her baby Dawn. She wants to save Dawn from being born into the saloon life as she was. This is love. Sunny is willing to do anything to save her child. But she can't understand how God could wipe away her sins. She can't wipe away the nights above the saloon from her memory. How can he?

I think that love springs from God's forgiveness and from realizing we have no right to expect or can ever deserve that love. If we keep that in mind, I think we will love others better. I think that might be why forgiveness is not stated as one of the fruits of the spirit because the two are intertwined.

What do you think?  Is it possible to love and not forgive? Do the two go together? Have you ever struggled to forgive someone?–Lyn

Author Terri Reed & Does Love Take Courage?

My guest today is Terri Reed, another Love Inspired author, who is offering a book giveaway and is going to share about her latest book and her latest heroine who shows true strength. Here's Terri:

"Thank you Lyn for having me here today.  I love that your blog focuses on Strong Women, Brave Stories.  Like you I try to make my heroines brave and strong and smart. In my current release my heroine Caroline Tully is all of this and more.  I tried to make her realistic and vulnerable yet courageous.  As an adopted child, she longed to know who her biological parents were.  When she's given the opportunity to visit her biological, maternal grandfather's estate she can hardly say no, even after attempts are made on her life.  But she was smart enough to know she needed protection so she hired a professional bodyguard.   During the course of her journey she realized she needed to be brave enough to risk her heart for love, even though she'd had her heart broken in the past.

I think we can all relate to overcoming wounds whether they come from a past love or a parent or some other hurt that feels like it will never heal.  It takes great strength of character, bravery and faith to love others. We can see an example of this in the life of Abigail (1 Samuel 25).  She had every humanly reason to be a bitter, untrusting and broken woman.  Yet she was humble, smart and brave.  And risked her heart to love again."–Terri

We just discussed focusing on the first fruit of the spirit, LOVE. I hadn't had time to let Terri know of this new feature but she wrote about love anyway! How about that? Terri also points out that love requires bravery.

Terri is offering a book giveaway the first book in her Protection Specialists series: The Innocent Witness. So you need to leave a comment in order to be entered into the drawing and here's the question–give an example of a character in a book (Bible included) that showed bravery in offering to love. Terri gave us Abigail. Who do you think of? Or tell us why loving takes courage."–Lyn

For more about Terri

If You Want to Read My Latest, Winter's Secret

Have You Heard of or Read Hope's Garden?

Hope's Garden

I know many of you are still on the fence about using ereaders, such as the Kindle and Nook or Ipad to find books. However, one wonderful development is that these ereaders make it possible for my readers to find ALL of my books in one place and purchase and download them with the click of one button. The last of my backlist of titles, Hope's Garden, is now available again.  Many times I've received emails and letters from readers trying to find all my books and not being able to since they had gone OOP-Out of print. Now that can be a worry of the past! Thanks to ereaders. Here's more about Hope's Garden, my third Love Inspired romance.

LOVE IN BLOOM

Gage Farrell had answered Cat Simmons's prayers. She needed a loan to expand her nursery, and he had offered.

Gage eagerly anticipated their new partnership. Eden was the perfect place to reevaluate his materialistic lifestyle and find spiritual healing. But theirs was obviously not a perfect partnership. Cat was set in her rigid traditions and small-town ways, and Gage liked to think big!

Still, Gage found Cat's honesty and warmth refreshing, and it wasn't long before her mere presence started to play havoc with his concentration. And it looked as though there was more to this partnership than just business….

A Customer

This review is from: Hope's Garden (Love Inspired #111) (Mass Market Paperback)

To borrow a hockey term, Lyn Cote has scored three winning goals in a row with her third and latest novel, Hope's Garden. If possible, this author just keeps getting better. I've been a fan since her first release, Never Alone. I enjoyed the setting and the plot. Lyn really shines when it comes to characterization. In Hope's Garden she creates unforgetable characters. The quirky brother, Harry, the domineering mother, and Catherine, the heroine, are all memorable. Catherine's growth and confidence as a woman, were a highlight for this reader. It set this novel heads above the usual romance genre. I'm looking forward to Lyn's next release.

Kelly
This review is from: Hope's Garden (Love Inspired #111) (Mass Market Paperback)

When Catherine "Cat" Simmons needed financial backing for her nursery, Hope's Garden, in Eden Iowa, she didn't expect that her new partner would be such a hands on guy. That wasn't what she'd had in mind at all. However, she soon learns that Gabe Farrell and his new ideas are just what the little stick-in-the-mud town needs. And, of course, eventually Cat comes to see that Gabe is also good for her.

Gabe has suffered an accident in his past that let him both emotionally and physically scarred. He'd come to Eden for peace and quiet in the laid back town. However now he's ready for a change. When he'd invested in Hope's Garden he didn't expect his new partner to fight his attempts to drag the nursery into the new millennium, but he can take anything she can throw at him, because he's determined to both make some changes and to make the partnership work.

Ms. Cote has delivered a wonderfully sweet inspirational romance. One that I enjoyed immensely and one that moved me as well. I highly recommend this one.

If you're interested in buying a copy, just click the book cover above or the link under the cover. If you don't have an ereader, hoarded new or used print copies can be purchased on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. –Lyn

A New Year-New Changes? Need Your Input

Greetings on the first Monday of 2012! Can you remember when we were all focused on a new century starting? Now we're over a decade into the 21st century.

On November 30, 2011 this blog passed a quiet third anniversary. Before 2008, I had been urged to start a blog but didn't until I decided what one more blog could offer.

Then I realized that I wanted to focus on stories of strong women. After all that's what I write. So I've tracked the number of visits and see that my blog followers enjoy authors who drop by and tell their stories of strength and of their heroine's strength. I plan to continue those stories. I enjoy reading them too!

However, I also want to give readers a chance to tell their stories. I don't think there is enough of this-THOUGH many of you have shared some of your life in your comments.  To encourage this, I'm thinking of choosing one of the fruits of the spirit a month and asking readers (as well as authors) to share their stories that show this "quality" in action.

Here's  Galatians 5:22-25 NIV

22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

What do you think of focusing on one of these a month during the 1st 9 months of this year? Would you find that of interest? Would you be willing to participate in sharing an incident from your life? Or a truth you've observed in life?

So– Would you be interested and participate in stories centering on the 9 fruits of the spirit?

And come back tomorrow–something new for you!–Lyn