booksbylyncote.com

Today my guest is Author Irene Brand who besides being a dear friend, is also an outstanding person. Oh, and she writes good too! GRIN (Be sure to read about the contest she’s holding.)
Here’s Irene:

“In my novella in ‘An Appalachian Christmas,’ my heroine Julia’s experience compares in several ways to Leah, the first wife of Jacob. Jacob loved Leah’s younger sister who was more beautiful than Leah. Genesis 29:17 records, ‘Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.’ Laban, the father of the two girls, tricked Jacob into marrying Leah. A week later, Rachel also became Jacob’s wife. The scripture says, ‘And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.’

When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah bore Jacob six sons and a daughter. Rachel was barren for several years. Although in those days a wife was valued with the progeny she could produce, Jacob still favored Rachel. As long as her beautiful sister lived, Leah took second place in her husband’s sight. Strife between the sisters seemed to continue as long as Rachel lived.

When Rachel died in childbirth, the Scripture indicates that the relationship between Jacob and Leah improved to the extent that he buried her with his parents and with his famous grandparents, Abraham and Sarah.

In my story, Julia Mayfield had always taken a “back seat” to her sister Margaret. Julia was a year older than Margaret, who had a lot of health problems. Julia didn’t mind that her sister received a larger portion of their love; however, she couldn’t understand why her parents couldn’t love her, too.

Julia’s parents never praised her and asked her not to talk about her athletic achievements in front of her sister. When World War II started, still with an urge to excel, Julia joined the WACS. When her parents weren’t impressed with her achievements and medals, Julia finally conceded that her parents would always love her sister more. She returned from the war intending to make the best of a bad situation and do what she could to establish rapport with her sister.

In my story, Margaret died before Julia returned from Europe, leaving Bobby, a two-year-old boy, the son of a GI who was missing in action. Margaret had also left a note to Julia, asking her to take Bobby to visit his paternal grandparents, who lived in Mistletoe, Kentucky. Julia was annoyed that, even in death, Margaret was ordering her life.

But perhaps God has a hand in Julia’s trip to Mistletoe? What do you think?”–Irene Brand

I think so! Here’s Irene’s website www.irenebrand.com if you’d like to watch her book video for her latest novella in the anthology, Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe”

and she’s holding a contest so drop by a her website. Irene says:

“In September I will give four copies of the new book—one each week. Please join me in welcoming Summerside Press’s first novella collection.”

Thanks, Irene, for being my guest. Your story sounds like a winner! And here’s a peek into Irene’s life. That’s her in the pink hat posing with her church’s winning softball team. They insisted she be in the photo! That’s Irene–always a good sport!

Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark

Shadows of Lancaster County was the 2nd book I’ve read by Mindy Starns Clark. In both, she has woven a thread from the past with the mystery in the present. She also infuses her characters with life and vulnerability. She made me care very much about her heroine Anna. I enjoyed the surprise reveal at the end! I’m not one of those people who want to guess ahead of time who the villain is. I like surprises and Mindy Starns Clark wowwed me. I highly recommend this intriguing story.

View all my reviews

On Tuesday I shared a letter where my Women of Ivy Manor series had a deep impact on one of my readers, “B.” Today I’m giving you the flip side.

Amazon has an “interesting” feature where readers can post reviews. One reader posted a review for each book in my series. Here are a few quotes from this flipside reader’s reviews of each book:

“CHLOE: Lastly, there is not much religious/spiritual content in this book. That’s fine, the story is not lacking because of it. The problem is that it is sold as being a “Christian” book, and God is only vaguely mentioned about 4 times….Despite its shortcomings, I am looking forward to the other books in the series, to see what happens to the other generations of Chloe’s family….

BETTE: Once again, Lyn Cote did a wonderful job of illustrating the historical aspects of the story. She has a distinct talent for “transporting” her readers to another time and place. Just as with the first novel in this series, I don’t feel that this book is necessarily a “Christian” novel, as it is often touted as being. However, I do think this book had more references to God than the last one did . . . .

LEIGH: Yes, I am still looking forward to the final book in the series. Even though I have complained about “Leigh” being poorly-written, something still keeps me drawn to these books: the great historical detail, and complicated plotlines.

CARLY: I recommend this book only if you love American history, and are willing to put up with a lot of cheesy writing… or if you got suckered into this series just like I did, and want to see it through to the end.”

You notice that she bought all four books, read them intently and wrote reviews of each.

AND THE QUESTION IS—WHY??? Why buy and read all 4 of Lyn Cote’s “cheesy” novels?

My final question today is what do you think was really bothering her? And why did she get so riled up about my books?

Why do I write?

As my title says, it’s not for the big $$$. If you missed my series of blogs on “How It Works, Being An Author,” click through to the one on what authors earn out on a book. Here’s the link http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-it-works-being-author-show-me.html

So if it’s not to be rich and famous, why do I do it?

Well, first I was born with the gift of story-telling. At first, I didn’t realize that other kids weren’t. In school, I got tired of kids saying, “Stop staring at me.” I’d wake up from my present story and look at them. I didn’t even know they were in the room! I wasn’t staring at them; I was indeed miles and years and lives away, living in a story of my own making. I always had movies in my mind.

And second of all, when I write a story, it connects me to my readers in a way that is amazing. My stories aren’t just entertaining. They can be agents of realization, self-examination and freedom. And when this happens, it gives me great joy.

Here’s one of the most powerful reader letters I’ve ever received:

Letter: Dear Lyn Cote,

Thanks for you for your books, the Women of Ivy Manor…I love it when authors write books that they have done a lot of historical research…It makes the books feel like you are right there at that time frame. I am a survivor, a woman with a past of strong women who kept secrets…. But as your books point out, there are secrets that never get told and they cause so much hurt and pain and mistrust…Anyway after the first two books, the tears that I have stuffed away for many years broke.

I told myself that I did not want my children to go through what I did. Some have gone through things that I have. I have a lot of sorry (sorrow) and regret when it comes to my children. I have 7 children and 7 grandchildren. …I called all my children I could that day I finished BETTE and told them I loved them. It was quite shocking to some. I told them also that I could not repair the past but that the future was there and that the present was right here and we could make the most of it. …

We just have to ask God to soften their hearts and wait and prepare for the time my children will come to me and I’ll reach out to them and support them in all they do, no questions asked. …Thank you for letting the women of ivy manor come together to “air” their secrets. It was long overdue. Thank you for your books. They have helped me in my healing process. Books seem to come to me when I need a bit of healing to be done. Thanks, B.”

Wow, huh?

On Thursday this week, I’m going to share about another reader who read the same series of books as “B” but who had a different opinion altogether!

Let me ask you–
1-Were you born a story teller?
2-Has any book (not just mine) made a difference in your life? You never know I might be giving another prize!

giveaway books on blogs? ????????????
That’s question # 1-

I usually do most of the talking here. Most of you read and post occasionally. But this time I want you to do the writing.

More questions for you:

2-Have you won a book on a blog?
3-If you did, what did you do with that book?

4-Do you only visit blogs that give books away regularly?
5-Or are there some blogs you visit or read often? If so, why?

6-Please list any blogs you especially enjoy and visit often. Please give their URL or Web address so others may enjoy them. Have you ever visited any of the blogs I post in the right column?

7- Do you have a blog? If so, what is it about and please include your URL.

I know a lot of you are busy, but please share your thoughts and experiences. I’ll have a drawing among those who reply with a real answer. I’ll keep you guessing about what the prize will be. 🙂

BTW, I’ve just updated my website. If you haven’t visited, drop by and let me know what you think.

OKAY-start talking!–Lyn
PS-This drawing will be open for comments through Sunday night August 29, 2010!