Author's Bio:
When Lyn Cote became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Long years of rejection followed. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen by Steeple Hill for the new Love Inspired romance line. Since then, Lyn has had over thirty novels published. In 2006 Lyn's book, Chloe, was a finalist for the RITA, one of the highest awards in the romance genre. Lyn’s brand “Strong Women, Brave Stories,” always includes three elements: a strong heroine who is a passionate participant in her times, authentic historical detail, and a multicultural cast of characters. Lyn also features stories of strong women both from real life and true to life fiction on her blog http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/ Lyn also can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Drop by and "friend or follow" her. Now living her dream of writing books at her lake cottage in northern Wisconsin, Lyn hopes her books show the power of divine as well as human love.
Her latest release is Her Abundant Joy, the final book in her Texas Star of Destiny series, to purchase drop by her website or blog http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/ .
Welcome, Lyn. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
Evidently I am fired by a crusading spirit. My brand is Strong Women, Brave Stories. Each story is always a unique romance of a strong woman finding the man she can love and respect above all others, the man who will treasure her for her strengths, not in spite of them.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
It's hard to choose between my wedding day and the birth days of my two children.
How has being published changed your life?
I'm busier.
What are you reading right now?
I just finished and ARC of An Inconvenient Friend by African-American author Rhonda McKnight http://www.rhondamcknight.net/, a very edgy Christian novel where the protagonist is the "other woman," Samaria. She decides that getting close to the wife will help her seduce her lover to leave said wife. But in the end Samaria finds herself with An Inconvenient Friend. I couldn't put it down! It'll be released on August 1st.
What is your current work in progress?
I'm writing the 3rd in my "New Friends Street" series for Love Inspired, three stories of families receiving Habitat for Humanity homes in WI. The first in the series is Shelter of Hope, out this Sept.--at a Wal-Mart near you!
What would be your dream vacation?
I think I just had it in St Louis at a writers retreat and the International Christian Retail Show where I signed my latest release, Her Abundant Joy.
How do you choose your settings for each book?
I always start with setting and a time period. I like to watch my characters “brave the storms of history.” In my own life, I survived the assassination of JFK, Watergate, the Cold War, Vietnam War, two Gulf Wars, recessions, 9/11, and what we’re experiencing now. History impacts every life. And often pushes us and my characters to our limit of bravery, endurance and phileo or brotherly love. I also focus on women who were what I call “passionate participants of their times.” Women who took the Great Commission and the Golden Rule to heart and then tried to take them into the world.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I'd like to have my husband, my son, his wife, and our daughter together playing Scrabble. This only happens once a year usually. Not what you expected, right? :-)
These are your answers, so I don't have expectations. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I knit, crochet, watch old movies and do lunch as often as I can!
I knit and crochet, too. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Life keeps intruding.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Be fearless.
Tell us about the featured book.
Her Abundant Joy, 3rd in my Texas Star of Destiny series, features a German widow Mariel Wolffe. She is a heroine who will tug at a reader's heart (I hope!) And her hero, Carson Quinn, the son of the hero and heroine in the first book, is a man that should melt hearts. He's not just a handsome face. He has faced frontier life and learned to survive with honor, no small accomplishment.
They find themselves--just as we do today in the face of terrorism--in the middle of a war. Their personal desires and plans must give way to the winds of war. But God is still there with them. I gave my editor a choice of two titles taken from Psalm 37 (all 3 titles are). She chose Her Abundant Joy. The other was Her Man of Peace. I think that this reflects the theme of the book. Carson longs for peace but is forced into war.
The humble shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.... Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 37: 11, 37
Please give us the first page of the book.
Chapter One
Texas, April 1846
Gazing ahead through the pouring rain, Carson Quinn tried to take a deep breath and couldn’t. Searing tightness in his chest reminded him--he hadn’t been able to blot out the images. Images the past week with Blanche had blistered into his mind, knotted around his lungs. Late on his second day in the saddle, all he was looking forward to was a hot bath and a warm bed at one of Galveston’s inns, comfort for his body if not his spirit.
Draped within the dismal mist, he nudged his horse to churn quicker through mud and murky puddles over the last half-mile into the seaport. Amid the jumble of buildings, strange people clogged the streets. He pulled up on his reins. Something had happened here. Something out of the ordinary. Something that might force him out of his own misery into the misery of others.
People huddled under dripping trees, under canvas, and standing under the overhanging roofs of stores, everyone drenched. Rainwater funneled down his leather hat as he steered his horse through the throng. Those who peered up at him looked pale, forlorn and sickly. They weren’t dressed like Texans, or even Americans—
He inhaled a shallow breath. He still thought of Americans as separate from Texas, from him. But Texas was part of the US now. Had been for over two months. Who were these people?
How can readers find you on the Internet?
http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/
For the latest Christian Fiction Market Update http://www.booksbylyncote.com/publishers.html
Also look me up on facebook, GoodReads, Shoutlife, eharlequin.com and MySpace!
Thank you, Lyn, for spending this time with us.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/
please enter me! I'm a huge fan of Lyn's books and have been looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really really good book...would love to win!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book. It sounds terrific.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
Her Abundant Joy is on my MUST read list! I would love to be entered into your contest to win a copy. Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteSmiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I woudl love to read this book, it looks great! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to read this book.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Thanks to all of you for your enthusiasm. I will be sending you an invitation to my monthly e-note for readers. Please click Join!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I so enjoy your books. Please enter me. Blessings.
ReplyDeletetarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com
I have not read any of your books but I will be looking for the others I have not read. The interview alone made me want to read the book. Thanks for the chance to maybe will it. ybutler@oppcatv.com
ReplyDeleteShe is a new author to me - it sounds like a wonderful story
ReplyDeletemsboatgal at aol.com
I would love to read this. I so appreciate these reviews. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be entered. Looks like a good book.
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't love a free book?! it sounds great - please enter me!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome - I love the interview too! :)
ReplyDeleteCant wait to be entered :)
Sounds really good. I'd love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I enjoy historicals. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy historicals. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the first book of this series! Please drop my name in the hat for this one!
ReplyDeletewriter_weaver at yahoo dot com
Love Lyn's writings. Have read several of her books and really enjoyed them. We are so blessed to have Christian writers. Looking forward to reading this book as well. Thanks for the chance to enter.
ReplyDeleteplhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Please include me in this giveaway. Thanks
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Love Lyn's books. Please enter me to win.
ReplyDeleteThank you for entering me!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net
Please enter me in the contest. I would love to read this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOooh please enter me in the drawing! I would love to read it!
ReplyDelete-Stacie
What a great interview. Please count me in for the drawing! Thanks!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me I love Lyn's books.
ReplyDeletedancealert at aol dot com
Lyn, that's so cool that the names of this series are from Psalm 37!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this one, so please enter me. Thanks! :)
Please sign me up, I've been reading the Texas series and enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteTheresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Lyn, Great interview. I know I am going to love this series. I love stories set in the 1800's and the old west. The women had a hard life but through perseverance made a life for themselves and their families. They are the ones who made America the great country it is, along with the cowboys who worked tirelessly. I admire all of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by today Lyn.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
I would love to win this book! Thank you so much for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteMaureen
That first page sure left me wanting to read more! I would love to win the book. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletepmk56 at sbcglobal dot net
Thanks for the opportunity for another good book!
ReplyDeletederekannette at gmail dot com