Images that Inspired My Latest Book’s Cover-Heartland Courtship & Giveaway!

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Rachel

This is the image that I thought captured my heroine’s essence. Yes, she’s pretty but there was something about her eyes that caught my interest.

 

Brennan's hair, mustache & beard

And here’s the inspiration for my hero. Unfortunately my hero’s scruffy look didn’t win approval with my publisher, but I thought it gave him character.

Landscape JPG #2

Here’s how I imagined the shore of the Mississippi River along Wisconsin’s western border. Add a few cabins, a blacksmith shop, a saloon and a general store and you have my idea of Pepin WI in 1871.

the son

Here’s the image that inspired my hero’s son (who likes to swim in the creek!)

 

Rachel's joy when baking copy

This woman is cooking in a modern kitchen, completely different from my heroine’s primitive brick outdoor oven and wood stove. However, I thought it captured Rachel’s joy when she was stirring up something sweet and delicious!

Here’s the cover that my publisher designed. I like it but I still think that Brennan my hero never looked this shaved and spruced up till AFTER he had the sense to marry Rachel!

HC-larger-higher

Finally I offered a free PDF copy of OLD FAMILY RECIPES to readers at the end of the book. If you’d like to have a copy, scroll to the top and enter your email in the slot for my newsletter. 15 Love Inspired Historical authors shared family recipes and stories.

I mentioned several recipes in the book including Sponge Candy. Have you ever eaten that? Is there any treat that you enjoy that is hard to find? Or do you just stick to Snickers? :-)–Lyn

(To purchase, click the cover on the left slide show.)

If you’d like to see more photos that inspired me, drop by my Pinterest Board.

LEAVE A COMMENT ANYTIME THIS WEEK TO ENTER BOOK DRAWING FOR COPY OF HEARTLAND COURTSHIP!

 

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Lyn’s Newest Wilderness Bride–Rachel!

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HC-larger-higher

Tomorrow my next book, Heartland Courtship,  will be released. It’s the third in my Wilderness Brides series. I’ve enjoyed writing this series since I set it in my home state Wisconsin. I’ve learned a lot about my adopted state’s history.

THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES

The first book was Their Frontier Family about Noah Whitmore, a Quaker who fought in the Civil War and Sunny, a former prostitute and single mother, coming together in a marriage of convenience. Old Saul, the aging pastor, becomes Noah’s mentor as God knits these two wounded hearts into one.

The second book was The Baby Bequest about Miss Ellen Thurston, the new schoolteacher in Pepin and Kurt Lang, a new immigrant from Germany who is raising his brother and nephew. The story revolves around a baby left on Ellen’s doorstep and her insistence on keeping the child when the community is dead set against it.

The third book Heartland Courtship features Noah’s cousin, Miss Rachel Woolsey who comes to Pepin to stake her own homestead and start her own business. Again the small town of Pepin doesn’t know what to think of her. But even more troubling is the stranger abandoned on shore, a Southerner, a drifter, who owes his life to Miss Rachel’s nursing him back to health.

Miss Rachel’s primary customers are the riverboat crews and passengers who stop briefly in Pepin on the Mississippi River just north of Dubuque, Iowa. The first time she tries to sell her wares, the river men ask for bear claws. According to Louis LaMour, the Western writer, these sweet rolls were favorites in the American West. Have you ever had any?

Almond Bear Claws

Servings: 24

Ingredients:
1/3 cup almond paste
2 3/4 cups ground almonds
1/2 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 teaspoons amaretto liqueur
3 pounds puff pastry
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons sliced almonds, for garnish
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar for
dusting
Directions:
1.     In a large bowl, beat almond paste with an electric mixer to break it apart. Add the almonds, sugar, and salt; continue to mix until the almond paste is no longer lumpy. Stir in the butter, egg whites, almond extract and amaretto liqueur on high speed until its as fluffy as you can get it. Set aside.
2.     Using half of the dough at a time, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle that is about 8 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick. Trim the edges of the dough. Cut the dough in half lengthwise to make two 4 inch wide strips.
3.     Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
4.     Fill a pastry bag halfway with the almond filling and pipe a stripe of filling down the center of each strip. Whisk together the egg and water. Brush onto one edge of each strip. Fold each strip over the filling and press gently to seal it. Brush each piece with egg wash and sprinkle sliced almonds over the top. Cut into 3 to 4 inch pieces, then cut 1/2 inch slits into the sealed edge to make the ”claws”. Place the bear claws at least two inches apart on baking sheets. Refrigerate and repeat with the second half of the dough.
5.     Bake in the preheated oven until almonds are toasted and pastry is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and dust with confectioners’ sugar right before serving.

In the mood for sweets NOW? Leave a comment to enter the drawing for a copy of Heartland Courtship.  QUESTION: What’s your favorite pastry?

To purchase, click here. Heartland Courtship (Love Inspired Historical\Wilderness Brides)

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Author E Ayers & the 1960’s

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Today’s guest E. Ayers is new to me. She’s a secular author who writes primarily sweet romance but also some sensual. I found her through a new group of authors on Sweet Romance Reads (see left sidebar for their logo.) Ms. Ayers is offering to giveaway a copy of her Ebook A Rancher’s Woman. Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing. Here’s E’s story:

“Waving hello to all your readers! Thank you for inviting me today. I love that your blog is about strong women. I grew up in an era where there was a huge change from the concept of women staying home and being housewives to women choosing careers.

1960’s Brought Changes

Somehow I flip flopped between the two ideas. Initially I had great plans for a career, then Mr. Wonderful walked into my life and I reverted back to ways I was taught. But that revolution that took place in the 1960’s told me I could be home and still be who I was. Fortunately, Mr. Wonderful respected me not just as a wife and mother, but also as an intelligent person, his other half, an independent team member, and as an extension for our greater goals. For us, it worked.

Being a Mom

Yes. I mopped, vacuumed, dusted, cut the grass, paid the bills with the money he brought home, watched over our two girls, and handled anything he couldn’t or didn’t have time to do. Dinner was on the table at six ten every weeknight. Two little girls greeted him with freshly scrubbed faces, and I tried to brush my hair and teeth before he came home. (Not that I hadn’t already done that, but when keeping a fair-sized garden and everything else, I figured clean was important.)

Did I make mistakes along the way? You betcha! Sometimes I look back and laugh to myself. Did I really do that? Did I really tell the girls to clean up their toys because Daddy would be home soon and we want everything to look pretty for Daddy? Oh yeah. Never once did I say, I can’t handle it when you leave stuff strewn all over the house that I worked so hard to clean. Oh, well.

But over the years I learned

I had a strength within me. I could do anything that had to be done. I didn’t worry about dirtying my fingernails or chipping one. If I had to pull out the ladder and do something, I did it. There’s not a single power tool I can’t use. (Not saying I’m fond them, just that I know how to use them and use them safely.) When my husband died, I grieved and still do, but I eventually found that inner strength that I had cloaked in sadness – the strength to survive and be independent.

I’d like to think that I bring that strength

to my writing. I believe that women can do anything they set their mind to doing. Mankind would never have survived, if it were not for strong women. Think about that. Women have strapped babies to their backs and plowed fields. Have you ever seen a picture of men with babies on their backs plowing fields? N-n-no!

 

Ranchers Woman

To purchase on Amazon, click here. A Rancher’s Woman (Creed’s Crossing Historical)
B & N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-ranchers-woman-e-ayers/1117806348?ean=2940149001118

When I wrote A Rancher’s Woman, I saw Malene as the good girl who had been raised to get married and have children, but things didn’t go as planned. Through her adversity, she found her own inner strength. It took being totally on her own with more responsibility then she’d ever had in her life for her to find her independence and to recognize what was in her own heart.”–Elizabeth

BIO:

E. Ayers is a multi-published author in contemporary romance, and in contemporary and historical western romance. Her contemporary western romances have been best sellers on Amazon and she is frequently found in the elite top 100 sellers on Amazon and Amazon’s top 100 romance authors.
Fascinated with the way people deal with everyday problems, E Ayers has always been an observer and a listener. A simple problem for one person is a mountain for another. She utilizes those common predicaments, which is why her books touch so many lives.
She recognizes that people are not perfect. They will often do and say things they shouldn’t. They have pasts that hold secrets and shattered dreams, which helps to create characters that are believable. She also has no problems pitting desires against beliefs, and acknowledges that people have different values and standards. Jobs, family, and life become part of her stories.
She writes sweet romances and slightly sexier romances with strong mainstream elements that appeal to the average reader.

Where to Find E. Ayers on the Web

(Twitter)
@ayersbooks

(Website)
http:// www. ayersbooks.com

(Email)
e.ayers@ ayersbooks.com

(Shared Blog)
http:// authorsofmainstreet.wordpress.com

***
Other Books by E. Ayers

Wanting (A River City Novel)
A New Beginning (A River City Novel)
A Challenge (A River City Novel)
Forever (A River City Novel)
A Son (A River City Novel)

DON’T FORGET THE EBOOK GIVEAWAY!

QUESTION: Which course did you choose–full time motherhood at home or working outside the home mother? And why?–Lyn

 

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Movie to Watch-“Alone Yet Not Alone”

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I missed this movie but will make sure to see it. After the video, scroll down and click the link for the story about how Hollywood is dealing with Joni Eareckson Tada performing the Oscar nominated song at the Oscars.

Here’s the link to the story titled:

Hollywood’s Latest Controversy: Oscar Nod for Christian Movie Song by Joni Eareckson Tada

http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2014/january/oscar-best-song-alone-yet-not-alone-joni-eareckson-tada.html

Well, what do you think of that?–Lyn

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SOMETHING NEW! Book Blogger Judy Lynn of Judy’s Jumbles Blog

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Every year I try to continue the focus on Strong Women & their Brave Stories on this blog. But each year I also try to come up with something a bit different so that this blog doesn’t become stale. This year I decided to interview other bloggers, especially those who focus on books. So this month I’m featuring Judy Lynn who has become an online friend. Here’s her interview and I hope you’ll visit her blog because it offers so much! (PS-Read to the bottom to see about the giveaway AND PARTY!!)

1-Who are your favorite authors?

With over 100 author book lists on my blog of the books I’ve read, I just cannot choose one.

What kind of book is the one you look for most often in bookstores and online?

I read every genre in the romances. If I’ve read a more serious, real life issues type book, I prefer the next one to be lighter. Perhaps a paranormal, something that takes me away from the real world.

What prompted you to start a book blogging site?

In July of 2011, I discovered NetGalley. To review books for them you needed a blog. I also enjoy reading series books and found it disappointing to read a book and realize there was a previous one. To help others avoid this, I made my blog into an author book list. I do my best to have the books in order so if any are connected, the reader won’t miss out. Right now I have a celebration party going on at Facebook as my blog hits 100,000 page views in the two and half years it has existed.

I’m not sure how good this is, but at 2 1/2 years old my blog is about to hit 100,000 page views. I have been having a party on Facebook and it looks as if the party will continue to go into February. Many of the authors on my blog have answered interview questions and offered giveaways. I feel so blessed by the outpouring I have received from them to help celebrate.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I never read much until November of 2008. After watching a movie that left me hanging, I found there were books out for the rest of the series. I read them and enjoyed the books more than the movie. From there I turned into a reading machine. I could put away 2-3 Heartsong books a day or 2 Love Inspired books. From that I learned that errors would jump out and punch me in the nose. The way my mind works I read as a movie, errors would screech the movie to a halt. I now own Judicious Revisions LLC,  a proofreading business for Indie authors.

I also like to email each author after reading their book. It’s amazing what a simple email can do to make their day…no matter how famous they may seem. I try to encourage others to do the same and to leave a reviews.

What book did you enjoy most in the past year?

This book is from a previous year and I have read it several times. Loving Eliza by Ruth Ann Nordin. The main hero is a mute and is treated like he is mentally disabled because of it. John is just one of those characters that grabs your heart and does not let go. It is also a free book.

Thanks for doing the interview, Judy. So glad you became a reading machine! I hope all of you will click her blog below and see what a great site she has. The lists of books in series are especially helpful. Also drop by her Facebook page and join in the celebration. Many authors including me are offering giveaways! Thanks, Judy, for all you do to connect authors and readers!–Lyn

ALSO DON’T MISS JUDY’S FB PARTY  celebrating 100,000 page views. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/605389599527523/

I’m giving away an ebook of my latest, Two Seasons of Romance, a short story collection. So drop in and drop by and leave a comment to be entered into the drawing.

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Lyn Reviews International Author Beate Boeker’s Mischief in Italy

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I promised that I would return to reviewing romances again and here is my first for 2014.

mischief-800

Mischief in Italy by Beate Boeker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What fun!

Mischief in Italy is a romantic romp at its best. A father who has not reentered life after losing his beloved wife. And a son who is living fast and heedless. The father begins to chide the son about his lifestyle and his son turns the tables on him. And it all takes place on a beautiful lake in sunny Italy. Misunderstandings and secrets abound and a romance that is light–a refreshing escape. Beautiful scenery, lively interesting characters and a happy ending after the explosion when the truth comes out!

So does that sound like something you’d like to read? Have you read any good romances lately? Please share. There may be a prize drawing!–Lyn

For more about Beate’s books, drop by her Facebook page 

View all my reviews

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Lyn’s New Short Story Collection–Now Available in Ebook!

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TwoSeasons2-2

Last week I quietly published another ebook, a collection of four short stories. Here’s the scoop:

Light, Sweet, Short–
Two Seasons, Summer and Winter–Four Romances

“Watermelon Cowboy”–After disappointment, Sarah learns how to find the real thing~
“Diamond in the Rough”–Ellie discovers neither nerds nor handsome men should be judged on looks alone~
“Good Neighbors”–After loss, Kate changes her point of view on loving again~
“Make Believe”–Taking a chance, Amy finds a special gift or two on Christmas Day~

Now an excerpt from the first short story

WATERMELON COWBOY

“Hi, are you a cowboy?” Danny asked.

Sarah stood behind her freckled, about-to-enter-kindergarten son. Affectionately she finger-combed his red curls. On the way home from her new job and Danny’s new daycare, they’d stopped at the roadside produce stand.

“Well…” The tall, good-looking man in denim eased out of his lawn chair, then stood up by the weather-beaten stand. “Do you think a watermelon needs roping?”

“But you got on a cowboy hat.” Danny pointed to the battered straw hat shaped like a Stetson the man wore.

“No, this is my melon hat. Always wear it when I work the melon patch and this stand.”

“Oh.” Danny’s voice showed his disappointment.

Sarah sighed inwardly. She knew all about the kind of disappointment that comes when appearances were deceiving. Her five-year marriage to Danny’s father had been an unfolding story of disillusionment. The only things genuine she’d gotten out of the marriage were debt and Danny.

“What can I get for you, ma’am?” the Watermelon Cowboy asked.

As Sarah read aloud her grandmother’s shopping list, perspiration trickled down her back from the late summer heat. How did the cowboy look so cool?

He slapped open a paper bag. “Why don’t you pick out the ears of corn you want?”

“Right.” She’d lived so long on generic macaroni and cheese she’d forgotten what it was like to pick out fresh produce. She walked to the table heaped with sweet corn. A sign over it said, “Fresh picked today.” Promises, promises, she said to herself.

She stripped down a piece of green husk from a plump ear of corn. Performing the test for freshness she’d learned years ago during summer visits at her grandmother’s, she pressed her thumbnail into one pearl-sized, pale yellow kernel. Creamy corn juice spurted out. “Fresh,” she murmured in approval.

“That’s what the sign says.” The cowboy grinned.

Assessing him, she dropped it in the bag he held.

“Can I do that?” Danny asked.

“Sure can.” The man swung Danny up to sit on the edge of the table and showed him how to test the corn. “You’re Sarah Jane, Martha McDowell’s family, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am.” Sarah sighed. Small town gossip. She’d been afraid people here might talk behind her back. She watched her son test each ear and drop it into the bag.

The man leaned against the table and gave her a slow smile. “I’m Tate, Jessie Quint’s grandson.”

********
To purchase, click here.

Two Seasons of Romance

Now for my QUESTION: Should I publish it in print?–Lyn

 

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Author Donita K Paul & Her Mother & Realm Walkers

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Donita

My first guest in this new year is author Donita K Paul who writes Christian fantasy. I am a fan! Here’s Donita:

Two Weeks Before Pearl Harbor

“My mother was an incredibly strong woman. Two weeks before Pearl Harbor, she gave birth to my older brother Stephen. Steve was a “blue baby” born with multiple heart defects and not likely to live. For 18 years my mother’s life revolved around keeping her special boy alive. She told me of a night when she paced the floor. The doctors said that crying could kill this fragile baby. Mom was praying as she walked and suddenly felt the assurance of the Holy Spirit that she was not facing this battle alone. My father helped by taking care of the other children in a crisis, but Mom dealt with Steve’s emergencies. Years later, I was in a Bible study with my mother and she was asked to choose the hymn we’d sing. She chose “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Her choice reminded me of her strength and where her fortitude came from.

Cover.onerealmbeyond

To purchase, click here. One Realm Beyond (Realm Walkers)

In One Realm Beyond, my latest fantasy coming out January 28th,

Cantor and Bixby are training to be realm walkers. In this world, realm walkers are like the knights of old; they pursue nobility in their character and justice for all they encounter.

Cantor has been raised by two former realm walkers and has lived simply in the mountains. His strength is physical and practical.
Bixby is a tiny princess, on the one hand, pampered, and on the other, rigorously trained to perfect all her talents. Her strength is in knowledge and intuition.

Both characters learn to walk closer to the source of true power and to access wisdom through contact with this creator of all.

Our God is portrayed

as Primen (pronounced with prime numbers in mind). He is first in importance, best, earliest.
As Bixby walks toward the destiny Primen has planned, she becomes aware of the talents that keep her close to her creator and how some talents could drag her off the blessed road she travels. A correct attitude is essential in the fulfillment of her calling.

The story is filled with adventure, peril, and fun (a shape-shifting dragon and his sister with the personality of Ava Gabor). But the story also deals with choices, something readers can come to terms with in their own lives.”–Donita

Website: www.donitakpaul.com
Blog: http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.k.p
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/donitakpaul/

My own brother was born with a heart defect in the 1940’s. Today his problem would have been solved during the first few weeks of life. I also recall that my dh’s mother was saved by the first antiobiotics in the early 1940’s, sulfa. Do you recall any family stories like this? Or do you enjoy fantasy  LIKE I DO??–Lyn

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Award-Winning Author Gail Martin & Finding Her Own Strength

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Wall photo of Gail - ld-1
My guest today is my last guest for 2013, author Gail Martin, a dear friend and great writer. Here’s Gail:

“I’d never thought of myself as a strong woman until I faced the unthinkable—divorce. As a Christian woman, divorce is an action no one wants to face, especially when you know what the Bible says and that it is scorned by many faiths.

The Cause

My former husband’s unfaithfulness was the cause of our divorce. We tried for two years to keep the marriage together, but it failed, and I received divorce papers from my husband. My world collapsed. I had never run a house alone. I’d never worried about car repairs or dealing with house repairs that a home owner must handle. I lay alone at night, tears rolling down my face while asking the Lord to give me a sign that I would survive, that life would get better, that my world hadn’t crumbled.

I didn’t receive a sign,

but I received an answer. Life moved on. I resolved repairs in my home by getting estimates, hiring people to do repairs and to rebuild the porch. I learned how to do some small repairs myself. I dealt with car repairs by asking men from work what did it mean when my car went thump, bang, bump. They smiled, took my keys, started my car, and told me what they thought. I went to the repair shop saying. “I think my belt is slipping.” I had no idea if it was, but the repairman thought I knew something about cars and I never got duped into replacing something not needed.

I not only survived,

I gained confidence, grew stronger and realized that was the sign I’d needed all along. I could do anything with confidence, planning and forethought. And besides that, the Lord led me on a stranger journey to a divorced singles church country dancing event where I met the sweetest man who valued his children, family and faith as much as I did.  We celebrated our twenty-eighth wedding anniversary last August.

LD- The Firefighter's New Family-1

To purchase, click here. The Firefighter’s New Family (Love Inspired)

When I wrote my newest novel from Love Inspired, The Firefighter’s New Family, in stores in mid-December, I wanted to create a strong female character. Ashley is a young widow with Joey, a three year old toddler. The boy never met his daddy who was killed in Afghanistan shortly after Joey was born. Ashley dealt with her husband’s death by being strong for her son and praying to be the best single parent she can be. But when Ashley is rescued from beneath a fallen tree by a firefighter who sees the accident when he arrives home from a night of fighting tornado-force winds, Ashley faces a new challenge. They become friend, but she fears opening the door to the love of this wonderful man because of his career. How can she face another marriage with a man whose life is in danger daily? Can she learn to be strong again in her faith and trust?”–Gail

If you’d like to learn more about her new release, drop by: http://bit.ly/1gPbKiO and

Visit her website at and look around at the many features at: http://bit.ly/Txaern

Please drop by her pages below.
Facebook at: http://on.fb.me/15ViJ60

Twitter at: http://twitter.com/GailGMartin

Goodreads at: http://bit.ly/1e8Gt6D

It’s interesting how we find our strength not in the happy times but in the hard times. It’s also when we find the need to depend on God more than others or ourselves. We always hope for the best in the coming year but God often allows the hard times to build our spiritual muscles. That said, I wish you all a happy new year! Leave a note wishing Gail the best too!–Lyn

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Author Michelle Stimpson & One of the Coolest Things

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Michelle Stimpson

My guest today is author Michelle Stimpson and she is going to share one of the coolest things! here’s Michelle:

1930-40’s

“One of the coolest things about spending time with my grandmother is when she starts reminiscing about things she experienced in the 1930s and 40s. My grandmother wasn’t exactly a rebel, but she did buck the system for her day. When her parents wanted her to stay home and get married, she made the decision to attend secretarial school several hundred miles away. She had to come back home because of he war, which was when she fell in love with my grandpa.

Again, she followed her heart

and married a man who wasn’t my great-grandpa’s cup of tea. My grandparents were married more than fifty years before my grandfather passed away. In retrospect, my grandma will be the first to say she didn’t make all the right decisions. She wishes she had finished school before giving birth to the first of eight children. She also wishes she had taken better care of herself earlier in life. Nonetheless, she gave her life to the Lord in 1943. He has been the lover of her soul since then and has been faithful to teach her and redeemed her mistakes. As a result, her lineage is blessed.

MichelleStimpson_AShouldaWouldChristmas_200px

To purchase, click here. A Shoulda Woulda Christmas

Likewise, Chaka, the main character in my Christmas novella

entitled “A Shoulda Woulda Christmas” hasn’t always made the best choices. She wonders what would have happened if she’d married her high school love, what would have happened if she had finished college, etc. And through a little Christmas daze, she gets the opportunity to discover the same God who has covered my grandma, and now me, for all these years.”–Michelle

Michelle, you’ve been blessed to have a grandmother you could talk to and hear family history. I wasn’t so lucky. One grandmother died when I was in first grade and the other lived all her life far far away. I did enjoy a great relationship with my husband’s grandmother who was an immigrant from Slovenia arriving at Ellis Island in 1914. A very good year to leave middle Europe! QUESTION: Have you had a family member or friend who has shared their life experiences with you? Which did you the most good or which do you cherish most?–Lyn

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