Lauri Robinson's Blog, page 2

New Release!

Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress is now available, and I’m thrilled with the reviews that are coming in for this book.

 A few of them include:

“The first book in the Osterlund Saga series was a story I was not putting down until I was finished. Recommend, and I want to read the next book.”

“I found this book and enjoyable and interesting read with characters I could relate to. Jolie had been from a wealthy family that had fallen on hard times. I found myself admiring her spirit and determination to protect her family. She was a woman who overcame prejudice to become a business woman at a time when women were expected to work only in the home.”

“A well written historical romance with strong realistic characters and an entertaining story line. The author does a fantastic job developing the story and painting her scenes beautifully. She brings tons of humor, adds in the growing relationship and romance and you have a wonderful story.”  

“Loved and recommend this book.”

“This book was so fantastic and I laughed out loud at a lot of the shenanigans going on.”  

“One scene stands out – the marriage run. I thought it was hilarious.”

“Lauri writes where you have to finish the next chapter (or two or three) before falling asleep.”  

“The dialog is snappy, the scenes are funny and the story is fantastic.”

If you are interested in becoming an early reviewer, please email Lauri . Robinson @ gmail.com or private message me on facebook.

 

The second book in the saga, The Heiress and the Baby Boom will be released on January 25! I LOVE her red dress!  

From high school enemies To shotgun wedding!

Growing up, heiress Randi Osterlund found the only person who didn’t care who her parents were was penniless Jason Heim—until a bitter exchange left bad blood between them. Now, years later, Randi needs Jason’s land for a business venture, but the self-made man refuses to sell. There was always something burning between them, and when their arguing turns into one unforgettable night, the consequences risk adding to the ’50s baby boom!

 

 

 

As 2021 comes to an end, I’d like to wish each and every one of you a very happy and prosperous new year.

We will be hosting in 2022 with a family bonfire, even though it looks like the weather will be far below freezing (my phone tells me it will be -7). It’s become a tradition, so we’ll be bundled up, have plenty of warm drinks and mingle inside once the fire dies down.

From all of us to all of you, Cheers to 2022!

Merry Christmas

 

Choir programs, band concerts, and Christmas plays have all been a part of the countdown to Christmas for our family. Each one has been wonderful, as has been the candy and cookie making, shopping and gift wrapping. However, fifteen years ago today we were blessed with the best Christmas present ever—the birth of our first grandchild, Isabelle. Her birthday started out with her passing her driver’s education permit test this morning, followed by a celebration for lunch at her favorite restaurant, and then a shopping trip to spend some of her birthday money.

Isabelle is truly an amazing young lady, and I credit her for the first book in my Osterlund Saga. You can read more about that on the Mills and Boon Blog, but ultimately, a couple of years ago she had read a book set during the ‘dirty thirties’ and loaned it to me afterwards. It was an excellent book about a thirteen-year-old during the depression and the two of us had a great discussion about the story.

Isabelle and her sister, Hayley, are both avid readers and were always asking when I was going to write a book that they could read. In 2020, when the pandemic restrictions closed schools, the three of us wrote one together, and we are all excited that Becoming a Randal will be released in 2022 through the Fire and Ice, Young Adult Line of Melange Books.  

The Osterlund Saga is now available for pre-orders, with actual release dates being December 28, 2021 for Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress and January 25, 2022 for The Heiress and the Baby Boom. 

Creating books set in the 1930’s and the 1950’s was a lot of fun, as was the ability to write from generation to generation of the same family.

And that—family—is what Christmas is all about. All of us being together as we count our blessings and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Our family tradition is to open gifts from each other on Christmas Eve, so that will fill our day tomorrow and then we’ll gather again on Christmas Day for more fun, food, and laughter, and of course to hear what Santa Claus left under the trees while everyone was sleeping.

Our youngest granddaughter is two and she’s not so sure about a guy who hides from people and sneaks in their houses to leave presents for kids, but I’m sure she’ll be full of excitement when she tells us what he left for her!

As I count my blessings, each and every person who has read my books is included. You are the reason I write them, so thank you. You are my wishes come true.

Merry Christmas!

Another New Cover!

Below is the cover for the second book in the Osterlund Saga, The Heiress and the Baby Boom. I was excited to see the heroine wearing a red dress on this cover. My father’s favorite color was red and every year for Christmas, he would buy my mother a new red dress. For years, my father would pick me up on Christmas Eve morning and we’d hit the stores so he could find the perfect dress for my mother. He died in May of 2007, and for his funeral, my mother, my sister, me, and all of my nieces, grandnieces and my granddaughter, wore red dresses. When Christmas rolled around that year, even though my shopping was done, I went shopping alone Christmas Eve morning, on his behalf, but didn’t feel as if it was my place to continue his tradition, so instead, I bought my mother a new red sweater, and continued to until she passed away in 2011. 

 The Heiress and the Baby Boom

From high school enemies--To shotgun wedding!

Growing up, heiress Randi Osterlund found the only person who didn’t care who her parents were was penniless Jason Heim—until a bitter exchange left bad blood between them. Now, years later, Randi needs Jason’s land for a business venture, but the self-made man refuses to sell. There was always something burning between them, and when their arguing turns into one unforgettable night, the consequences risk adding to the ’50s baby boom!

 

 

 

The Osterlund Saga  Two generations taking twentieth-century America by storm!

 Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress

A pretend marriage--A passion that’s anything but…

The great depression has left heiress Jolie Cramer’s family destitute! To save them, Jolie must abandon her dreams of independence and marry wealthy Randal Osterlund. Thank goodness Randal only wants a wife to secure a business deal and shares her feelings about love—nothing but heartache! Jolie quickly realizes that’s not all they have in common, but falling for her charismatic husband wasn’t part of their agreement…

 

 

 

 

Next up: I don’t have a confirmed released date yet, but Becoming a Randal will be released in February or March 2021. This is a young adult book that I wrote with the assistance of my granddaughters Isabelle and Hayley. For years, the girls had been asking when I was going to write a book they could read, so when schools closed due to Covid, we outlined a book and then as I wrote, chapter by chapter, I sent it off to them to read and review via email. It was a fun process and they had specific ideas and suggestions about the entire story. We are all anxiously awaiting the cover art for this book.

Following that, The Return of His Promised Duchess will be released in June, and then the book I’m currently working on will be released in time for Christmas. It’s set at the end of WWl.

I’m also plotting out two more Victorian stories that will be connected to The Return of His Promised Duchess.

We had a fun-filled Halloween, complete with a pumpkin carving party and trick or treating with Papa driving the four-wheeler and pulling a trailer full of kiddos from house to house. We also managed to get a small shed built and filled so we now have room to park the John Deere tractor inside the woodshed for the winter. Plenty of yard work has been completed, but since the oak trees in our yard love to hold onto their leaves, lawn raking will continue until the first snow files. Plans have been laid out for deer season and Thanksgiving, and some Christmas shopping has already been completed, so all is good on the home front.

Hope the same for you and yours.

Stay happy and remember to welcome each day with a smile!

Cover Reveal

 

The first book in the Osterlund Saga, Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress, will be released on December 28, 2021.  When writing (and reading) a book, we get to know the characters well, and it was so wonderful to be able to write two book and two generations back-to-back for this saga. In this book, set during the great depression when nearly every family had fallen on hard times, Jolie and Randal must work through biases and differences in order to provide financially for their families. While doing so, they set the future for their own family, and the ability to write the story of their daughter into the next book, The Heiress and the Baby Boom,was really enjoyable. Set in the 1950’s, during a time of great economic growth, it’s Randi and Jason turn to build a future, and to add to the baby boom era. Their story will be released on January 25, 2022.

Another release in 2022 will be a story set in England during the Victorian era, where the heroine, Annabelle Smith, is sent to England by her step-father to remain safe during the U.S. Civil War. In England, Annabelle discovers a past she’d never known about and one that has her questioning her own identity.

Also in 2022 will be a project that I’m very excited about. My granddaughters and I wrote a middle grade/young adult story last year and it’s now scheduled to be released in February. More to come on that when I know more from the publisher.

The transition from summer to fall is happening. We’ve been stacking cords of wood in the woodshed, raking leaves, cutting back flower beds, and freezing the last of the garden goods. The deer had attacked the tomato plants and ate the last of the green tomatoes, and they hit the banana pepper plant, but spit them out on the ground. I'm thankful for their thoughtfulness in helping me clear out those plants. 😀

Stay safe and well, and enjoy all the wonderful fall activities!

Newsletter Sign Up

 

The option to be notified when a new blog was posted had gone away, so I’ve implemented a newsletter sign up. It’s right there at the top of the side bar. I promise I won’t overwhelm your inbox. A newsletter will be sent out when I post a new blog, have a new release, or something fun to share. If you’d signed up for notifications in the past, your email address was transferred to the newsletter list. Thank you so much for your continued support!

Also, you can click on any book cover on the sidebar to learn more about that book, or you can visit Books2Read or my Amazon page. If you chose to follow me on Amazon, they will notify you of new releases as well.

I love connecting with readers, and recently received a wonderful email: “This book is a fantastic piece of writing. All of your characters are very real and well developed. Your scene descriptions are historically accurate for the 20’s as are the clothes, dialog and general situations. Your books are a real treat to read and I have enjoyed them immensely. I am a 75-year-old male retired mechanical engineer and discovered period romance novels after I retired when I had enough time to read for enjoyment and again, I must say that your books are very enjoyable. Please keep up your excellent writing.”

While brainstorming for my next book, I asked followers on Facebook what eras they thought would make a for a good historical story. It was fun to read their answers, here are a few of them: Civil War, Revolutionary War, Medieval, Ottoman Era, Holy Land, Tudor, ghost story, story set in Kansas when winter wheat was introduced, 20 years in the future post-apocalyptic, arranged marriage in Midwest America, 1918-1919 pandemic, historic Route 66 story, time travel, more roaring twenties and mail order bride stories. Message me if you have an answer to share!

Our weekend was busy with the process of getting a new furnace and A/C unit installed, which meant lots of new duct work and cleaning where the old furnace had been for over 40 years. In the midst of that, the neighbor man brought me over a bucket of plums, so while the guys were busy with the furnace, I made plum jelly and sent some home with the workers. I do love this time of year with all the home-grown veggies and fruits.

I’m logging off the computer now to go mow the lawn, again. The wonderful rain we’ve received recently was so needed! Stay well and safe, and happy. A smile looks good on you!

Poison Ivy!

A couple of weeks ago, my husband went down to mow the ditch along the front of our property. I always wear my boots when mowing, but that evening, I just grabbed the weed-whipper and hopped on the wheeler to drive down and take care of the weeds around the mail box and other areas he couldn’t get with the riding mower. Well, I was wearing tennis shoes, and low and behold, shortly thereafter, I broke out with poison ivy on both ankles and shins.

I’d never had poison ivy before and the itching was like nothing I’d ever known. My daughter-in-law brought me over a bottle of IVY-DRY, and I highly recommend it, along with coconut oil. The rash almost all cleared up now, and is chalked up to reminder to always wear boots.

We’ve also had several fun birthday parties this summer. Avery, age two, received her own nail polish for her birthday and was over the moon when Uncle Justin won the uncle of the day award for letting her paint his toenails and fingernails.

On the writing side, I’ve sent my Victorian novel manuscript off to my editor! Yippie! Set in 1861, the heroine’s father sends her to England in hopes of keeping her safe at the outbreak of the American Civil War. To her surprise, she learns she had been betrothed to a duke as an infant. It was a fun story to write and I’m now brainstorming on my next book. I have a few ideas, but haven’t pinned one down yet.

I’m awaiting the cover art for my next releases, but The Osterlund Saga—Two generations taking twentieth-century America by storm, is now up for pre-orders on Amazon.

Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress

A pretend marriage A passion that’s anything but…

The great depression has left heiress Jolie Cramer’s family destitute! To save them, Jolie must abandon her dreams of independence and marry wealthy Randal Osterlund. Thank goodness Randal only wants a wife to secure a business deal and shares her feelings about love—nothing but heartache! Jolie quickly realizes that’s not all they have in common, but falling for her charismatic husband wasn’t part of their agreement…

The Heiress and the Baby Boom

From high school enemiesTo shotgun wedding!

Growing up, heiress Randi Osterlund found the only person who didn’t care who her parents were was penniless Jason Heim—until a bitter exchange left bad blood between them. Now, years later, Randi needs Jason’s land for a business venture, but the self-made man refuses to sell. There was always something burning between them, and when their arguing turns into one unforgettable night, the consequences risk adding to the ’50s baby boom!

 

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all enjoy the last few weeks of summer, and stay happy and safe.

Cheers!

Summer Garden Goodness

I love summer foods fresh from the garden, and zucchini is one of my favorites. It’s so versatile. We grill it, bake it into chips, fry it alone or with other veggies, put it in fried rice, bread it and bake for dipping in sauces, and of course make zucchini bread, but my favorite recipe is one that my daughter-in-law gave me last year. I’m not sure where she got it, so can’t give credit where credit is due, but these blonde brownies are the absolute best and simple to make. I just made this batch to share with my book club tonight. 

 

Here’s the recipe: Zucchini Blonde Brownies

2/3 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup butterscotch chips

 

Cook butter in a saucepan over medium heat till it starts to turn golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add the brown sugar. Remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Pour butter/sugar mixture into a mixing bowl. Whisk in the egg and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix together. Stir in the zucchini and chips.

Spread batter in a greased 9x13" pan.

Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 30 minutes or till the middle is set.

 

NOTE: Batter should be between cookie dough and brownie. If thinner, they still taste good, but will be more cake like rather than brownie like. Too keep from getting too thin, squeeze excess juice out of shredded zucchini.

Try them! You won’t be sorry!

 

On the writing side: I’m super excited that both books in the Osterlund Saga have been accepted by my editor. I’m anxiously awaiting to see what the Harlequin Art Department comes up with for the covers. Set in the 1930’s, Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress is Jolie and Randal’s story, and twenty odd years later, set in the 1950’s The Heiress and the Baby Boomis their daughter’s story. 

 

Here’s the blurb for the Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress:

A pretend marriage A passion that’s anything but…

The great depression has left heiress Jolie Cramer’s family destitute! To save them, Jolie must abandon her dreams of independence and marry wealthy Randal Osterlund. Thank goodness Randal only wants a wife to secure a business deal and shares her feelings about love—nothing but heartache! Jolie quickly realizes that’s not all they have in common, but falling for her charismatic husband wasn’t part of their agreement…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

The Osterlund Saga Two generations taking twentieth-century America by storm!

Book 1: Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress
Book 2: The Heiress and the Baby Boom

 

Book 1 will be released December 28th and Book 2 will be released a month later.

 

I hope you are all enjoying your summer!

 

Twins of the Twenties!

Scandal at the Speakeasy and A Proposal for the Unwed Mother are now available in all formats, as well as in a two-book special price.

What readers are saying about these stories:

Scandal at the Speakeasy: Once again, Ms. Lauri Robinson has captured this avid reader's attention and held her spellbound with another fantastic story, one that takes place in 1927, during Prohibition. I love how she paints such a clear and concise picture that you feel like you are inside the story witnessing it unfold. She has strong characters, historical events, places, and slang for the time frame. I loved that there is a slow-evolving mystery, suspense, and eventually romance.

Lisa Walters isn't your average young lady—not by far. She is smart, innovative, enterprising, and loyal. She plans and executes those plans not just for herself but also for her entire community's betterment. But, she is a woman who has shelved her dreams, life hitting her hard, starting as a young girl and carrying on to the present. One man entering her underground speakeasy will shatter her plans and forever change the direction of her future.

Patrick "Mick" McCormick is a man who is on a mission, and that is to aid a dying friend. He has left New York and traveled to Junction, Missouri, to allow a man to see his daughter before death claims him. Knowing that she is to be a school teacher, he believes this will be easy, but he is in for a shock—and not everything is as it seems.

A Proposal for the Unwed Mother: Connor McCormick never knew what happened to the girl he loved, Jenny Sommers. When he finds her again, it’s a second chance for both of them, if they’re brave enough to trust each other.

Robinson has once again penned a great historical romance in A Proposal for the Unwed Mother. I loved Connor and Jenny’s relationship, and how they both acknowledged their feelings early on and worked to overcome the issues that had separated them and kept them apart. The inclusion of telephone installation and homes for unwed mothers as plot aspects was educational as well as adding a lot of interesting depth to the story. Historical details are really something Robinson is very good at including in her romances without them being overwhelming or detracting from the overall story. Even small details like clothing and dialogue are great at putting the reader into the story and setting. Historical readers cannot go wrong with Robinson’s books, and this story a great example of her talent.

 

My next releases will come in January and February with the Osterlund Family Saga. The first book is Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress, which is set during the 1930’s where the depression doesn’t stop Randal Osterlund from seeking his fortune by investing in airplanes—the only thing in his way is that he needs a wife to make it happen. Following that will be The Heiress and the Baby Boom. It’s set in the 1950’s, where Randi Osterlund is attempting to follow in her father’s footstep by building the family airplane business, the only thing in her way is an old flame, and then an unplanned pregnancy.

Currently, I’m trying my hand on a Victorian set romance. I’ll update you on that later.

Life around the home front has been busy with trips north, fun family events and birthdays and some sad end of life celebrations, but even in sadness there is joy.

Embrace every day!

The Countdown is On!

 Yes, the countdown to 2021 is on, but also for the release of A Family for the Titanic Survivor! I enjoyed writing this book very much. The aftermath of the Titanic tragedy was widespread, everlasting, and the research of all that was truly fascinating. The way every day Americans stepped up to help those in need was outstanding. A true display of the foundation of our amazing country.

Mass paperback format of A Family for the Titanic Survivor will be released on December 29thand the ebook version will be released on January 1st.

From third class on the Titanic …

…to upper-class bride?

When barmaid Bridget McGowen boarded the Titanic, she never could have imagined the crossing ahead of her. The resilient Irishwoman saves four-year-old Elsie, the niece of New York banker Karl Wingard. Swept into Karl’s world, Bridget feels like a fish out of water, except for the quiet moments she shares with him. As her connection to Karl and Elsie grows, can she break free from the shackles of society so they can be a family?

 

 

 

Coming this spring will be the Twins of the Twenties duet.  Twin brothers Patrick and Connor McCormick give up their lives of bachelors upon falling in love with two strong and independent women.

Scandal at the Speakeasy is Patrick’s story:

 

Of all the speakeasies in town

He walked into hers…Guilt drives New York cop Patrick McCormick, who promises to reunite schoolteacher Lisa Walters with her long-lost father. Only, Lisa also runs an underground speakeasy! Tough yet innocent, Lisa might be the only one who can help Patrick overcome his past, but she’s on the wrong side of the law. Patrick must remember he’s there to fulfill a promise, not fall in love…

 

 

 

 

 

A Proposal for the Unwed Mother is Connor’s story:

A second chance

…with his first love? New York businessman Connor McCormick’s heart was broken when his sweetheart Jenny Sommers disappeared seven years ago. Now Connor is unexpectedly reunited with Jenny—and discovers she’s a midwife to pregnant runaways and a single mother herself. Winning Jenny’s trust when she’s wary of depending on anyone and protective of her daughter won’t be easy, but Connor isn’t about to walk away when she needs him…

 

 

 

 

Following that duet will be a family saga of two stories set in the 1930’s and 1950’s.

 

Although it has been a trying and difficult year, I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season by embracing the family and love that is still there, no matter the distances. People, all of us, are strong, resilient and capable. Don’t let anyone convince you differently. Remain in charge, stay happy, healthy, and safe.

Cheers to 2021!

Sisters of the Roaring Twenties, and a Book Nook

 

The third book in the Sisters of the Roaring Twentiesseries will be available in all formats by September 1st.  The Flapper’s Scandalous Elopement is Jane’s story, and an early reviewer had this to say about the book: “Exceptional Roaring 20’s period romance with rebellion, a run-away daughter, secrets, industrialists, a Route 66 road trip, and blossoming true love.”

With this ring…

They’re temporarily wed!

Heiress Jane Dryer will do anything to escape her controlling father and the life of domestic drudgery he decrees—even elope with the handsome stranger she meets in a speakeasy! Wealthy railroad owner David Albright needs a temporary wife and Jane needs her independence, so the plan is to marry, then walk away. Only very soon, their fake marriage feels seductively real!

 

 

 

My next release will be in January of 2021. A Family for the Titanic Survivor. I’m waiting for the cover art to arrive, but here is the blurb:

From third class on the Titanic…

…to upper-class bride?

When barmaid Bridget McGowen boarded the Titanic, she never could have imagined the crossing ahead of her. The resilient Irishwoman saves four-year-old Elsie, the niece of New York banker Karl Wingard. Swept into Karl’s world, Bridget feels like a fish out of water, except for the quiet moments she shares with him. As her connection to Karl and Elsie grows, can she break free from the shackles of society so they can be a family?

 

Following that will be the first in the Twins of the Twentiesduet, Scandal at the Speakeasy, Patrick (Mick) McCormick story, which will be released in March, followed by his brother, Connor McCormick’s story.

 

Speaking of books…One of our granddaughters had found a ‘Book Nook’ on Pinterest, and thought it was something we needed in the spare bedroom known both as the play room and the Elvis room.

Grandpa made a trip to Home Depot, hauled home a trailer full of lumber, and set up all the tools on the back deck for the project to begin. With the enlisted help of her cousin, an empty closet became a ‘Book Nook’ within two days. 

 

 

 

 

 

Her older sister was able to help the second day, and all three were very proud of their accomplishment. So was Grandpa and I! It was so fun to watch them work together, learn how to use everything from a tape measure to a brad nailer, and then organize and decorate their new space.

 

 

 

 

 

The journey was as much fun as the destination, as life should be!

Enjoy each step you take, each mark you make, and be proud of your accomplishment!

Cheers!