Lyn Cote's Blog, page 88
December 5, 2011
Author Margaret Brownley & Those Gutsy Heroines of the Old West
My guest today is Author Margaret Brownley who writes one of my favorite type of story, romance set in the Old West. Margaret shares much about those gutsy women of the Old West. Here's Margaret:
"Those Gutsy Heroines of the Old West
"When photographing stampeding cattle, charging bulls or blazing gunfights, use the fastest shutter speed possible."—A Vision of Lucy
I love writing about the old west. That's when women discovered previously hidden strengths and really came of age. Old western movies helped establish the male hero, but depicting women solely as bonnet saints, soiled doves or schoolmarms did them a terrible disservice.
The westward migration freed women in ways never before imagined. Women abandoned Victorian traditions, rigid manners and confining clothes and that's not all they did. They brought churches, schools and newspapers to frontier towns and helped build communities.
Today's women may still be banging against the glass ceiling but the women of yesteryear had to break down doors. One newspaper reporter complained that "Women dared to lay hands on man's most sacred implements—the razor and strop—and shave him to the very face."
Ah, yes, women were barbers, doctors, firefighters and saloon keepers. With little more than their faith to guide them they owned cattle ranches and gold mines and fought for women's rights. In 1860 Julia Shannon of San Francisco took the family portrait to new heights when she shockingly advertised herself as a daguerreotypist and midwife. Cameras were bulky, chemicals dangerous and photo labs blew up with alarming regularity. It was a hard profession for a man let alone a woman. How could I not be intrigued? After seeing that ad I just had to write about a female photographer.
It took strong and courageous women to bury children along the trail; barter with Indians and make homes out of sticks and mud.
It's estimated that about twelve percent of homesteaders in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North and South Dakota, and Utah were single women. And yep, women even took part in the Oklahoma land runs.
An article in the San Francisco Examiner published in 1896 says it all: "People have stopped wondering what women will do next, for keeping up with what she is doing now takes all the public energies."
These are the heroines for whom we like to cheer. It must have been a shock to the male ego to have to deal with such strong and unconventional women—and that's at the very heart of my stories. The gun may have won the west, but it was gusty and courageous women who tamed it."–Margaret
A Vision of Lucy is nominated Best Historical Western Romance of 2011
Author Hannah Alexander & Her Christmas Novella & Abby Gaines Winner Announced
November 30, 2011
Author Margaret Daley & His Holiday Family
My guest today is Author Margaret Daley who has been my guest more than once this year. She has a new Love Inspired romance out this month, His Holiday Family. And it looks interesting. Here's Margaret:
"When I decided to write a series about a town that goes through a hurricane, I wanted to give tribute to all the people who have gone through a disaster and rebuilt their lives. This series was written for the heroes and heroines who help others in a time of disaster."–Margaret
Blurb for His Holiday Family by Margaret Daley:
When Hurricane Naomi tears through a small Mississippi town, a daring rescue unites two heroes. Nurse Kathleen Hart is a single mom racked by guilt over her husband's death. Firefighter Gideon O'Brien–orphaned as a young boy–has lost too many people he cared for. To rise above the storm's devastation, Gideon helps Kathleen and her sons rebuild their home. As Christmas approaches, they discover that even the strongest of storms can't destroy a romance built on the foundation of faith.
Excerpt from His Holiday Family:
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Gideon O'Brien hopped down from Engine Two and assessed the chaos in front of him. Strapping on his air pack, he started toward his captain. A hand gripped his arm and stopped his forward progress. He turned toward the blonde woman who held him, her large blue eyes glistening with tears. She looked familiar, but he couldn't place where he knew her from. His neighbor's daughter, perhaps?
"My two sons and my cousin–their babysitter–must still be inside. I don't see them outside with the other tenants." Her voice quivered. She tightened her hand on his arm and scanned the crowd. "I'm Kathleen Hart. My sons are Jared and Kip. I tried Sally's cell but she didn't answer. Please get them out." A tear slipped down her cheek.
"Where are they?" Gideon moved toward his captain, his palm at the small of her back, guiding her in the direction he wanted her to go. Yes, he realized, she was his neighbor Ruth Coleman's daughter.
"Sally's second-floor apartment is on the east side, the fourth one down on your right. Number 212. Hurry." Her round eyes fastened on the fire consuming the three-story apartment building on Magnolia Street.
Gideon paused in front of Captain Fox. "Mrs. Hart says her sons and babysitter are still inside. Pete and I can go in and get them." He looked toward the west end of the large structure where the men of Engine One were fighting the flames eating their way through the top level. "There's still time."
"Okay." His captain surveyed the east end. "But hurry. It won't be long before this whole building goes up."
The scent of smoke hung heavy in the air. The hissing sound of water hitting Magnolia Street Apartments vied with the roar of the blaze.
Gideon turned toward the mother of the two boys. "We'll find them." He gave her a smile then searched the firefighters for Pete.
When Gideon found him a few feet away, he covered the distance quickly. "Let's go. There are three people trapped on the second floor. East end."
At the main entrance into the building Gideon fixed his mask in place, glancing back at the blonde woman standing near his captain. He had seen that same look of fear and worry many times over his career as a firefighter. He wouldn't let anything happen to her sons and Sally.
Gideon switched on his voice amplifier and headed into the furnace with Pete following close behind him. Through the thick cloud suspended from the ceiling in the foyer, the stairs to the second floor loomed. Crouching, he scrambled up the steps. The higher he went, the hotter it became."
I've always enjoyed reading Christmas stories during the holiday season. Do you?–Lyn
November 28, 2011
Author Abby Gaines & The Inspiration for her The Earl's Mistaken Bride & Book Giveaway
My guest today is author Abby Gaines who has just started writing for Love Inspired after writing for Superromance line and the successful Harlequin NASCAR series. Abby is offering a book giveaway and shares how her new romance reflects a Biblical story. Here's Abby:
"When I read the Bible story of Rachel and Leah, I'm always struck by the romance of it – Jacob is so smitten with Rachel, he works for seven whole years in order to be allowed to marry her. Then his pa-in-law pulls a fast one, substituting Rachel's sister Leah on the wedding night, and poor Jacob has to work another seven years for the privilege of marrying the woman he was promised in the first place. Ouch!
But the bigger ouch, surely, was experienced by Leah. Rachel was more beautiful, and Leah had "weak eyes." And though Jacob stayed married to her, she had to share her husband with the sister he loved more. Poor Leah!
It was her story that inspired my new book The Earl's Mistaken Bride. Marcus, Earl of Spenford, strikes a one-sided bargain with God: he'll marry a good Christian girl if God will heal his dying mother. Where better to look for his wife, than to his local parson, Reverend Somerton, who has five unmarried daughters!
Marcus meets beautiful, lively Amanda Somerton and chooses her as his bride. But through a combination of circumstances – which I won't reveal here! – he ends up married to plain, quiet Constance. Unlike the Bible days, he can't have two wives…he's stuck with Constance.
Constance has always loved Marcus, and must face the fact that he preferred her sister, and would never have chosen her. The parallels with Leah are obvious! What's more, Marcus has a bad case of pride, and doesn't consider her worthy of the position of his Countess. Constance decides to fight for her man and for her marriage, and to teach proud Marcus what really matters. As he sees it, she "declares war on the pride of Spenford"… all that remains to be seen is who will win!
We don't know a lot more about Leah, except that her rivalry with Rachel goes on for years. Luckily, Constance doesn't have that battle on her hands. But she shares with Leah the determination to overcome being rejected. Knowing that her Heavenly Father always loves and accepts her gives Constance the assurance that this is a battle worth fighting.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Leah and her story. One commenter will win a copy of The Earl's Mistaken Bride, open to readers everywhere. You can read an excerpt of the book, and see more about The Parson's Daughters series at
November 26, 2011
Remember Alyssa on her First Mission Trip? (And Winners Announced!)
First of all, I want to announce the 3 winners:
For Susan Sleeman's Christmas Witness–Karen.
For Lena Nelson Dooley's Maggie's Journey–Debbie D
For Janet Tronstad's Sleigh Bells for Dry Creek–Tiffany
The authors will contact the winners. Thanks for all your comments.
Now I want to share again about Alyssa, a granddaughter of one of this blog's supporters, who went on her first (?) mission trips.
Here's the YouTube video-"7 1/2 Weeks Onbard the Logos Hope-
November 21, 2011
4–Count Them–4 Chances to Win & Lyn Reviews Author Janet Tronstad's Latest
First of all, I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving and recall how the Pilgrims sacrificed to gain religious freedom. I remember visiting my son's kindergarten class years ago. The teacher talked about Thanksgiving but never mentioned who the Pilgrims were thanking. So I told the children who it was. (I don't need to tell you, do I?)
I find the politically correct expurgated version of history trying at times. But often just laughable. How ridiculous to stay that the Pilgrims were thankful but not to whom. {Shaking my head!}
Last Friday I posted a blog about my Thanksgiving feast and prep. Plus I included my Slow Cooker Stuffing recipe. Here's the link
November 20, 2011
Author Marsha Bauer Shares Her Parent's WWII Love Story
My guest today is secular Author Marsha Bauer. She has just done something so wonderful that I had to ask her to come here and tell you about it. This memoir written by her father sounds like a great Christmas gift for anyone in your family who might remember or be interested in WWII or just enjoy a great true love story. Here's Marsha:
"When my father and mother married, it was at an Army camp, during World War II. My mother was a volunteer with the American Red Cross; my father was a 2nd Lieutenant. Both were in their thirties.
My mother had been worried that she might never marry; might never have children. First, there had been the Great Depression, which made relationships difficult. Then there was the war; most men were in the military. A strong woman, she decided on a bold move, especially for that era: go to where the men are. She joined the Red Cross, and was assigned to Camp Shelby, Mississippi.
Seven weeks after meeting my father, they were married. A top priority was for my mother to become pregnant before my father was shipped out.
She had two miscarriages, which had to have been traumatic, especially since my father was going to soon be sent overseas. She never talked about the miscarriages to me. I only found out about them when I read my father's war letters. I assumed the miscarriages occurred very early, but then found pictures of her pregnant. She was about four months along with the second one, wearing maternity clothes, and looking so radiant. I think women of that generation accepted that some babies wouldn't make it. Her sister's year-old son died about that same time. I never knew about that either; not until I was looking through old albums, and saw a picture. How I wish those two women, and my father, were all still alive, so I could ask questions.
My mother's sister went on to have four daughters. My mother got pregnant again right before my father went off to war. That time, it worked. She had a son, followed by three more children when the war ended and my father came home. Their marriage lasted until "death do us part." Collecting my father's war letters and old photos, and turning them into an eBook was a true labor of love for me. I had read the letters before when I was much younger; reading them now was a more enlightening experience. This memoir, told through war letters, is available at
November 16, 2011
Author Lena Nelson Dooley & Maggie & Book Giveaway
My guest today is one of those Texas-style ladies, Author Lena Nelson Dooley. That's quite a name to live up to and Lena does! I had the pleasure of meeting her in Dallas a few years ago. She's going to share a family story with us and is going to giveaway a copy of her latest historical, Maggie's Journey. Here's Lena:
"From a Long Line of Strong Women
Several years ago when my first book released, I visited my Aunt Esther in California and had a book signing at Carmel. My aunt is the family historian for my mother's family. She had made copies of lots of legal papers and newspaper clippings about our family, going back several generations.
I was most interested in a story about my great, great grandmother. She was the daughter of a wealthy family. When she and my great, great grandfather married, her father gave them $500 for a wedding present. In the mid-1800s, that was an absolute fortune.
The young couple went west to Arkansas and established a dynasty and a prosperous farm on the land purchased with their wedding present. After their children were grown with families of their own, she had a soft spot in her heart for my great grandfather, the son who wasn't as successful as the rest of the children.
In that time period, women couldn't own land. It was in the husband's name. But she wanted the land to be willed to the youngest son, which was almost unheard of as well. The only way she could get her name on the deed for the land was for my great, great grandfather to go to court and testify that he had received the money fraudulently. That's what she got him to do, so the land transferred to her name, and she could leave it to the son she wanted to.
It could be that her husband loved her so much that he agreed, but it took a strong woman to even ask him such a thing. And I'm sure she had to do a lot of convincing.
After Aunt Esther told us the story and showed us the legal documentation, I turned to my husband and said, "See. I come from a long line of strong women." We all got a good laugh out of it.
Probably, that's why I write strong female characters. Maggie wanted to travel half-way across the United States, and she wanted to start her own business, when her mother was opposed to the idea."–Lena
Maggie's Journey
By Lena Nelson Dooley
ISBN 978-1616383589
Realms/Charisma House
McKenna's Daughters Series, Book 1
Maggie's Journey grabs you on page one with characters and events that reflect real-life joys and heartaches that change the characters forever. Make room on your "keepers" shelf! —Loree Lough, best-selling author of 80 award-winning books, including From Ashes to Honor.
A girl who's been lied to her whole life…
Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she was adopted. The daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed both by her real parents and by the ones who raised her. Maggie desires a place where she belongs. But her mother's constant criticism and reminders that she doesn't fit the mold of a young woman of their social standing have already created tension in their home. With the discovery of the family secret, all sense of her identity is lost. When Maggie asks to visit her grandmother in Arkansas, her father agrees on the condition that she take her Aunt Georgia as a chaperone and his young partner, Charles Stanton, as protection on the journey. Will she discover who Maggie really is and, more importantly, what truly matters most in life?
Lena Nelson Dooley is an award-winning author with more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers—where she received the Mentor of the Year award in 2006—DFW Ready Writers, and Christian Authors Network. She lives in Hurst, Texas, with her husband of over 47 years. For more about Lena, visit her blog:
November 14, 2011
Author Susan Sleeman & The Christmas Witness & Book Giveaway
My guest today is Author Susan Sleeman who writes suspense. I love a suspense novel, don't you? She also shares some early Christmas thoughts and she has a new Love Inspired Suspense coming out soon. She is going to give a copy away to one commenter, so read on for the questions. Here's Susan:
"I know it's barely Thanksgiving, but with a Christmas book, The Christmas Witness, releasing in a few weeks, I'm already thinking about the Christmas story and one of the strongest women in the Bible. Mary had to be strong to be a pregnant woman out of wedlock in her day. Strong to trust the Lord in his timing and in his plan. Strong to have to flee and have her child in the conditions she experienced and then raise the son of God.
The Christmas Witness features a very strong woman, too. Megan Cash has an ill child—a precious seven year old who is battling a brain tumor that has returned after a few years of remission. And she battles this alone as her husband couldn't handle their child's illness and bailed on them years ago. Now, as her child lies in the hospital, a man she testified against years ago is released from jail and is threatening to get even for the testimony. Threatening not only Megan, but her child as well.
It takes a strong woman to handle a situation like this, but I also believe strength means realizing when something is too much for you to handle alone and reaching out for help. Megan doesn't want to be alone and is willing to accept help, she just doesn't want the help to come from Reid Morgan, a man she'd once loved and lost. And she can't turn to the Lord as she's certain that He has stopped hearing her prayers and doesn't even see her suffering.
But God is there and in The Christmas Witness Megan finds hope in God's promises when life looks the bleakest. And what better time of the year to celebrate hope than at Christmas, right?
November 13, 2011
Book Winner Announced & Baker Publishing Group joins the Espresso Book Machine Network
The winner of Penny Zeller's book is Connie. Penny will contact Connie and send her the book.
For those of you who are writers, here's a bit of news about Print on Demand publishing. My readers will recall that I wrote a post on this not long ago.
Quote CBA: "Baker Publishing Group and On Demand Books, the company behind the Espresso Book Machine® (EBM), have entered into an agreement to sell Baker's list of paperback titles on the EBM "digital-to-print at retail" sales channel.
Baker is the first major Christian publisher to make available substantially their entire paperback list to the EBM network. This agreement will enable Baker to reach more readers both in the existing Christian market and in broader trade and academic bookstores that are equipped with an Espresso Book Machine.
Essentially an ATM for books, the patented EBM and its EspressNet®…."
to read more, click this link for complete article.
