River’s Song by Melody Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Melody Carlson’s River Song eased through me gently layer by layer, deeper and deeper. This story of re-awakening or renewal appears, deceptively simple but wields great emotional power. I look forward to, book 2 in The Inn at Shining Rivers series.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
My guest today is Author Sheila Lipsey who was my guest back in September. She shared then the story of losing the man she loved in a senseless crime. Click here if you missed that story of tragedy and faith. Now Sheila has another book to share about, True Beauty. I don’t know of a woman who doesn’t often struggle with the concept of beauty so this book should have wide appeal. Here’s Sheila about her book and her heroines:
“True Beauty is the second book in the Beautiful Ugly series. Layla, Kacie and Envy maintain their tight bond of friendship. They are determined to learn from the mistakes of their past so they can boldly step into their futures. Layla’s drastic blessing through tragedy opens doors that she never thought possible. She’s determined to live her life to the fullest, but as she moves forward with a new body and a new man, Layla forgets who used to be the most important man in her life – God.
After heartbreak, and with sometimes-wavering support from Layla and Envy, Kacie tries hard to pick up the broken pieces of her life so that she can concentrate on raising her seven kids as a single mom. While there is no mistaking Envy’s outer beauty, she comes to believe the only way to have a chance to give and receive true love is by exposing the horrid secret of her past. Nevertheless, Envy is terrified of the consequences that she might have to face if she chooses to do so. Layla, Kacie and Envy still have much to learn about life and how to uncap the true beauty already divinely placed within each one of them.
What makes them heroines: Overcoming issues with bad decisions we make throughout life can be difficult. Add to that, feelings of low self-esteem, low self-worth and self-consciousness can lead to a troubled life, depression and self-condemnation. Such were the lives of three friends, Layla Hobbs, Kacie Mayweather and Envy Wilson.
These three women in the sequel, True Beauty, however are determined to make changes in their lives. Their relationship with God is tested but the good news for the three of them is that they hold on to their faith even though it wavers at time. These three women are dealing with personal issues that have affected their lives but yet they support one another through the good and the bad times. They are determined to maintain their friendships and they believe that they can make it if they face their problems head on.
Kacie has cerebral palsy and is the single mother of seven kids ages 12 and under.
Layla has a new attitude and outlook on her life.
Envy decides to fight back by revealing the secret of her past and faces it head on.
These women and friends are strong whether they realize it or not. They come to understand that only with God can they live a life pleasing to Him and ultimately to themselves.”–Sheila
Bio:
Shelia E. Lipsey is a multi-award winning author, having garnered the 2011 Book Clubs Unite Literary Award, 2011 Kindle Awards for her contribution to the literary community, 2010 Pink Diamond Literary Award, 2009 SORMAG Readers’ Choice Awards for her novel My Son’s Wife and Black Pearls Magazine Top Book Shelf Award for Beautiful Ugly. Lipsey is also a literary consultant and a highly sought after speaker who shares her inspiring messages all over the United States. Lipsey graduated magna cum laude from Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has penned the following novels: Into Each Life (Jan. ’07), Sinsatiable (Aug.’07), My Son’s Wife (Oct. ’09), Beautiful Ugly (Aug. 09), My Son’s Ex-Wife-The Aftermath (Sept 2010),My Son’s Next Wife which was released June 2011. Her other novels include Always, Now and Forever Love Hurts. Upcoming titles by Lipsey are True Beauty (Dec. 2011), What’s Blood Got To Do With It? (Feb. 2012); His Sister, His Mama, His Wife (May 2012).
Lipsey is also the author of a nonfiction book entitled A Christian’s Perspective—A Journey Through Grief, which enlightens and encourages grieving hearts. To arrange speaking engagements, meeting with book clubs, book signings, tour events, interviews, online chats, or phone or Skype chats with the author you can contact her at books@shelialipsey.com or visit her online at www.shelialipsey.com. Lipsey’s books are available nationwide at bookstores, online eTailers, on all eReaders, as well as by contacting the author directly.
Thanks, Sheila. This series sounds hard-hitting and soul-searching. I hope you’ve had a lovely warm holiday season. I find the name of one of your characters very interesting–Envy. Maybe you’ll tell us how you chose that name. I’m sure it wasn’t by accident.–Lyn
So what did you find under the Christmas tree this year? I hope it was something delightful, desired or delicious. I’m always interested in how my husband’s mind works. And the gifts he gives often give me a glimspe into this intriguing realm.
We opened our gifts on Christmas morning. The fire burned on the hearth and our daughter played Santa, handing out the gifts–even some for our cats. Then the grand finale came–My dh proudly presented me with a —–pair of snowshoes! A complete surprise. I’m still wondering if I’ll ever put them on. But time will tell! Did you get a surprise on Christmas morning?–Lyn
Coming soon!
Someone has a mean sense of humor and is springing nasty pranks at the local high school. High school principal Keely Turner is determined to find out who is playing dangerous pranks at her school before something terrible happens. Burke Sloan, the deputy sheriff responsible for helping and protecting Ms. Turner, finds himself falling for her. As they work to overcome the obstacles in their path, they discover the depths of God’s love and of their love for each other.
Two weeks ago, around 40 readers voiced their opinions of possible covers for my book that is coming out in digital for ereaders tomorrow, Winter’s Secret. I read each comment and reason very carefully, but finally had to come to a decision. A book without a cover–NOT!
Here’s the cover I decided on. Primarily I based this choice on how well the cover went with the covers for the other two books in the series. Here’s they are.
In each one, one object is the focus and the background is definitely mysterious feeling–or I hope it is.
The nice thing about self-publishing is that I get to make all the decisions. The hard part about self-publishing is that I must make all the decision. 🙂
Anyway, if I need to I can always change any of these covers if I get negative feedback.The digital books will be available this weekend on Smashwords or Kindle.
{If you have any ereader (including Sony or Nook or Ipad or Kobo) you can download ebooks from Smashword.}
At this time, I’m not considering reissuing these in print. I will be telling you more about my Northern Intrigue series next week. If you need a Christmas gift for someone with an ereader, drop by and send them as a gift. Or gift yourself!-
And finally as I was getting off this year’s Christmas letter, I stumbled on a blast from my past. So I printed this on the back of this year’s letter. Here it is:
Friends, I found this in my files–my how life has changed in 21 years! A look back ~~~~~
GREETINGS AT CHRISTMAS 1990!!
The Cote family has had another uneventful year to be thankful for. Our son (who will be 11 on Dec. 16th) is in fifth grade. He is in his 3rd year of cub scouts and is also continuing piano lessons. His new hobby is cartooning. He has developed a whole cast of personalities, titled “The Eyez Have It” (since only the faces are drawn and the eyes show the characterizations), and he is experimenting with comic strips for them.
Our daughter (who will be 8 on Dec. 7th) is in second grade and ADORES her teacher, Mrs. Smith. She finished dance lessons with her recital in June and is now busy with Brownies after school every Tuesday. She is beginning to play with her Barbie and Ken dolls and has a collection of hankies. (We never thought we would see them in antique stores, did we?) Anyway she has about three dozen of these dainties and is always searching garage sales and shops for more.
My husband’s pace picked up this year when he transferred out of Government Avionics to another department at Rockwell. He is now responsible for assisting Rockwell Centers here and abroad as they serve commercial customers. He has travelled to Kansas twice and has the possibility of farther trips in the future.
And as for me, I have been active in the local Christian Womens’ Club, serving as hostess chairwoman. On July 3rd I went to an informal college reunionwith college roommates to Angie’s home in Naperville, Ill. (The six of us yakked till our jaws ached!) In August I spent a weekend in Minneapolis at the Minnesota Writers’ Workshop, sharpening my writing skills.
We are all looking forward to 1991 and hope you and yours have a safe holiday season and a joyful new year!
What child is this who lay to rest
on Mary’s lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet?
‘Tis Jesus, the son of Mary.
This, this is Christ the King
the son, the babe of Mary.
Merry Christmas!–Lyn
