A SEASON OF CHANGE - Lynette Sowell - One Free Book on This Blog, Plus Kindle HDX Giveaway

Readers, I’ve known Lynette for many years. We both started out writing for the same publisher and even were involved in projects together. You’re going to love her stories.

Bio: Lynette Sowell is the Carol Award-winning and ECPA best-selling author of more than 15 titles, including A Season of Change and Tempest's Course. When Lynette is not writing, she works as a medical editor and part-time newspaper reporter. She makes her home in Copperas Cove on the doorstep of the Texas hill country. 

Welcome back, Lynette. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

It’s usually one of two things: either the characters and the situations they face or the setting, because I feel many readers want to read and take a trip in their imaginations. And if I can deliver a message of faith and hope, that’s all the better. I want people to come away uplifted after reading one of my books, no matter what my characters face.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I would have to say my wedding day, 19 years ago. God blessed me with a wonderful man and I’m so thankful for him. In July we’re going to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of our first date!

How has being published changed your life?

In many ways, being published hasn’t changed my life much—there are still chores, grocery shopping, “mundane” everyday things. However, I’m thankful that I do get to live the dream of having my writing be out there so others can read it—and it helps support my family financially. Since December 2013, I’ve been freelancing full-time, which includes news writing for my local newspaper.

What are you reading right now?

Right at this moment—nothing! I’m shocked. I have a stack full of books and I’m looking forward to digging into them soon, though.

What is your current work in progress?

Right now I’m working on a proposal for my agent to submit for me. It’s a little strange to be deadline-less for the first time in a few years, but I welcome whatever lies ahead and I look forward to it.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’ve always wanted to go on a cathedral tour of Europe. I was an art major and one of my favorite things to study was medieval art and architecture.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I choose settings for places I know—Texas or New England—or in the case of my current book series, places that interest me so much I can’t help but write about them. When I first heard of Pinecraft four years ago, I was extremely intrigued, and I knew readers would be too!

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love trying new recipes, especially recipes that are time-friendly and budget-friendly.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Getting to that proverbial middle of the story and trying to prevent sag. One thing I do is jump ahead to the end, to write the very last scene. I call that the “icing on the cupcake” scene and it’s incentive for me to go back and ramp up the rest of the story.

I’ve never done that, but with my current work in progress, the last scene won’t leave me alone. I think I’ll have to write it so I can get back to the middle where I’m now. What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Finish that first book. So many people say, “I’d love to write a book,” and they never finish the book. Finish that first book—love it, work on it, but don’t get too attached to it. There’s something about finishing that first book that makes you realize you can be an author.

Tell us about the featured book.

A Season of Change is an “urban Amish” romance that takes places in the city of Sarasota, Florida, the home of Pinecraft, an Amish-Mennonite village. It’s a winter haven for Amish and Mennonite snowbirds, and also a vacation spot for Amish and Mennonites from other parts of the country.

Amish widower Jacob Miller believes visiting the Amish village of Pinecraft was a mistake after his daughter is struck by a car. Stranded in Sarasota until she recovers, Jacob grows increasingly wary of events that unfold in his unfamiliar surroundings—including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett.

Natalie’s curiosity draws the unlikely pair together, and she soon wonders if Jacob Miller can help her find her mother’s family. As Jacob and Natalie fall in love, their worlds collide. Will their differences tear them apart? Or will their love be strong enough to blend their clashing cultures?

Please give us the first page of the book.

“We’re having ice cream at Christmas time, Daed?” Zeke Miller trotted alongside his father on the pavement, trying to keep up with Jacob’s pace. The boy would definitely sleep well tonight; he’d barely stopped since he’d gotten off the Pioneer Trails bus and tumbled into the Florida sunshine.

“Yes, we are. It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? We’re definitely a long way from home.” Jacob rubbed the top of his son’s head. At only five, Zeke didn’t comprehend the idea of ice cream in winter. His sister, Rebecca, a dozen paces ahead of them, pranced alongside her cousins. The sound of the children’s giggles drifted on the air.

Jacob slowed his steps to match Zeke’s five-year-old stride. Their figures made long shadows as they strode toward Big Olaf’s Ice Cream Parlor. The December twilight came early, even in Sarasota.

To Jacob, the words “Christmas” and “ice cream” didn’t belong in the same sentence. And he certainly never thought he would be entertaining the children’s eager pleas to ride the bus to the beach on Christmas day. But here they were nestled in Sarasota’s winter haven called Pinecraft.

“We’re here, we’re here!” Rebecca giggled, and stumbled. “Ach.” She stopped long enough to stick her foot back into the pink plastic flip-flops, a gift from her cousin Maybelle.

Jacob shook his head over his daughter wearing the sandals, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth anyway. As soon as they’d all climbed off the immense travel bus and stepped onto the parking lot of Pinecraft’s Mennonite Tourist Church, the surroundings seemed to draw them in. The children burst with energy after being stuck on a bus for two days, save for a stop here and there to stretch their legs or pick up more passengers. The more distance between Ohio, the more passengers on the bus.

At first the novelty of riding on a mechanized vehicle had the children enthralled with the speed they traveled, the levers that brought the seats forward and backward, but eventually even Rebecca fidgeted and squirmed in her seat.

Jacob sympathized, but instead of running like a child would, he stared at his surroundings, the rows of homes both large and small, the orange and grapefruit trees in front yards. And the palm trees, of course.

He’d never had the opportunity to visit Florida, even after his grandparents bought a home here in Pinecraft. He hadn’t seen the practicality of cramming himself on a bus and traveling hundreds of miles only to do the same two weeks later. Finally, desperation had won out over practicality.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find me on my blog (lynettesowell.blogspot.com), Facebook page (Lynette Sowell, Author) or Twitter (@LynetteSowell) on Pinterest. 

In A Season of Change, book one of Lynette Sowell's new series, Seasons of Pinecraft, readers will discover a different side of the Amish community. A Season of Change follows Natalie and Amish widower Jacob Miller as they each discover the mysterious ways God works. Inspired by the image of a Plain woman sitting on a three-wheeled bicycle by the Pinecraft (an Amish community in Florida) post office, Sowell’s latest is a new take on the popular trend in fiction.

Lynette is celebrating with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook author chat party on June 12th.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• A Season of Change by Lynette Sowell

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 12th. Winner will be announced at the A Season of Change Facebook author chat party on June 12th. Connect with Lynette for an evening of fun book chat, Amish-themed trivia, and prizes. Lynette will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in the Seasons of Pinecraft series!

So grab your copy of A Season of Change and join Lynette on the evening of June 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 12th!

Thank you, Lynette, for sharing this new book with us. I'm intrigued by the story line. I'll be glad when my copy arrives, so I can read it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

A Season of Change - Christianbook.com
A Season of Change: Seasons in Pinecraft | Book 1 - Amazon
A Season of Change: Seasons in Pinecraft | Book 1 - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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