Dear Readers, here’s another book in the A Love In Lenox series. Sorry this is so late posting. We’ve had a fast-moving storm system
that produced high winds, a few tornadoes, and lots of rain and lightning. I
turn off my electronics when there’s lightning. Even though I have a
high-powered setup for protection from electrical surges, I don’t take any
chances with lots of lightning around.
Bio: Nicole Deese
is a full time lover of humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled fiction. When
she's not writing a sweet romance, she can usually be found reading one near a
window while drinking La Croix. She lives in small-town Idaho with her handsome hubby and two sons.
Welcome, Nicole. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
It’s usually not until after I finish writing a book that I glimpse aspects of myself in the characters. And that’s usually not until a friend calls and says, “Oh my goodness, when I read what so-and-so said in chapter five I could so hear you saying that!” Haha! It always makes me laugh when I get that kind of feedback from the people who know me best.
It’s usually not until after I finish writing a book that I glimpse aspects of myself in the characters. And that’s usually not until a friend calls and says, “Oh my goodness, when I read what so-and-so said in chapter five I could so hear you saying that!” Haha! It always makes me laugh when I get that kind of feedback from the people who know me best.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
Writing became a passion of mine in high school after reading every single Patricia Rushford and Robin Jones Gunn book on the shelf. But I didn’t really explore writing until I was closer to thirty. I’m grateful for parents who encouraged my early love for reading and storytelling…and even more thankful they paid all my overdue library fees. Thanks, guys!
Writing became a passion of mine in high school after reading every single Patricia Rushford and Robin Jones Gunn book on the shelf. But I didn’t really explore writing until I was closer to thirty. I’m grateful for parents who encouraged my early love for reading and storytelling…and even more thankful they paid all my overdue library fees. Thanks, guys!
Tell us the range of
books you enjoy reading.
My favorite genres are often contemporary reads, although sometimes I’m in the mood for a good fantasy or historical, as long as the characters are well developed and there’s a love story brewing. My favorite genres are women’s fiction, young-adult, and of course, contemporary romance.
My favorite genres are often contemporary reads, although sometimes I’m in the mood for a good fantasy or historical, as long as the characters are well developed and there’s a love story brewing. My favorite genres are women’s fiction, young-adult, and of course, contemporary romance.
How do you choose your
characters’ names?
I don’t really have one way to choose character names. A couple of my characters came from street signs (like Weston James from A Cliché Christmas) and a few others came from polling readers on my author FB page (Willa Hart from A Season To Love). Names are a huge deal to me so I usually take my time before landing on one.
I don’t really have one way to choose character names. A couple of my characters came from street signs (like Weston James from A Cliché Christmas) and a few others came from polling readers on my author FB page (Willa Hart from A Season To Love). Names are a huge deal to me so I usually take my time before landing on one.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Writing my very first novel to completion is probably the accomplishment I’m most proud of. There is such fulfillment in taking a dream swirling around in your head and bringing it to life on paper. That’s what my debut novel, All For Anna, was for me. The start of a new dream journey.
Writing my very first novel to completion is probably the accomplishment I’m most proud of. There is such fulfillment in taking a dream swirling around in your head and bringing it to life on paper. That’s what my debut novel, All For Anna, was for me. The start of a new dream journey.
What is your favorite
writing snack food?
Hmm…this pretty much changes week to week. Haha! Right now I’m a big fan of multi-grain chips and homemade guacamole. Yummy!
Hmm…this pretty much changes week to week. Haha! Right now I’m a big fan of multi-grain chips and homemade guacamole. Yummy!
I have to eat
homemade guacamole, because I’m allergic to raw onions. It’s either make my own
or get one of those made at your table guacamoles where I can tell them to
leave out the onions. What is your greatest roadblock in writing, and how do
you overcome it?
I’m not a “finisher” by nature. I LOVE starting a book (or brainstorming a new idea), but finishing? Finishing is so hard for me! I despise being locked-in or confined to an ending, which makes closing-out a storyline my greatest challenge. And if I were REALLY honest, I’d tell you I usually have to write those last chapters about ten times before they are reader-ready.
I’m not a “finisher” by nature. I LOVE starting a book (or brainstorming a new idea), but finishing? Finishing is so hard for me! I despise being locked-in or confined to an ending, which makes closing-out a storyline my greatest challenge. And if I were REALLY honest, I’d tell you I usually have to write those last chapters about ten times before they are reader-ready.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Description of A Season To Love:
At this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter,Savannah , who never knew her father and
successfully tackled chemotherapy, is truly the courageous one. Yet after Willa
has a fateful encounter with handsome young doctor Patrick McCade, her
outlook—and her view of herself—begins to change.
Patrick, a thrill-seeking world traveler and temporary resident ofLenox , Oregon ,
sets out to show Willa the value of adventure, even within her tiny town. But
just when their friendship shows signs of turning into something more,
Patrick’s life as a traveling doctor calls him back. Will his last days in town
signal the end of their journey, or will Patrick and Willa find the courage to
transform a single season into a lifetime?
At this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter,
Patrick, a thrill-seeking world traveler and temporary resident of
Please give us the
first page of the book.
I could have promised my daughter anything—a pony, a princess, a rainbow in a bottle—but instead, I’d promised her something equally unattainable: my bravery.
I could have promised my daughter anything—a pony, a princess, a rainbow in a bottle—but instead, I’d promised her something equally unattainable: my bravery.
Today my cancer-free seven-year-old was putting that promise
to the test.
“Come on, Mommy!” Savannah
tugged my hand, but my legs were stiff and sluggish.
“We have plenty of time. Slow down.”
Slow down. Two words that had been on continuous repeat
since she’d woken me, bouncing on my bed in her new sparkly red shoes—Uncle
Weston’s gift to feed her obsession for all things glitter.
She led our way through the parking lot, her energetic
stride forcing her backpack into a bounce and me into a near jog. Pockets of
people waited near the electronic signboard, with the scrolling First Day of
School, but I knew better than to ask Savannah
to stop for a picture. She had a goal, the same goal that had kept me awake at
night for nearly a week.
The freshly painted double doors at the front of Lenox Elementary
School were propped open to welcome the new year.
Only this pressure building inside my chest didn’t exactly feel festive. We
entered the lobby together, her thin fingers still curled around mine, my heart
two strides slower than my feet. I willed it to catch up, to remember Savannah ’s countdown to
this very moment—the scattering of purple Xs on the bedroom calendar.
The smell of boxed crayons and pencil shavings filled the
air, nostalgia painting a landscape from a lifetime ago—of a life that no
longer felt like mine. The screech of sneakers against tired linoleum floors
sang the anthem of reunited friends and faculty.
But it wasn’t my memories of attending this school as a
child or even of teaching at this school as an adult that caused my spine to
prickle with déjà vu.
Three turns and two hallways later, Savannah dropped my hand and studied the
class list outside Mrs. Hudson’s door.
“Alyssa’s in my class!”
“That’s great, honey.” My words sounded as frozen as my
smile.
Her dark-chocolate eyes took in the clusters of students,
the maze of desks, the shelves upon endless shelves of books, puzzles, and
crafts. Once inside the classroom, she found her laminated nametag quickly and
waved me over. My fingers itched to reach into my purse and grab a handful of
disinfectant wipes to saturate each and every surface of this room.
“Mommy—look, my very own desk.” Savannah smoothed her hand over the top of
the chipping varnish, her eyes alight, her voice the sound of childlike faith.
“Savannah !”
Alyssa, Savannah ’s
athletic redheaded friend, raced across the room.
A soft touch on my shoulder shifted my attention away from
the giddy reunion. “She’ll do great, Willa. I can see how excited she is to be
in school. Oh, and I’ll make sure to e-mail you the slots I have open for
classroom volunteers.”
Megan Hudson, Savannah ’s
second-grade teacher, stood at my side. Since high school, our lives had
paralleled each other: we both married our senior prom dates, we both graduated
with honors, we both earned our master’s in education.
Only, the sudden loss of my husband seven years ago had put
an end to our shared life experiences.
“Thank you, Megan.”
With a last gentle pat, Megan walked to the front of her
classroom and pointed to the instructions on the whiteboard, reminding parents
of pickup time and location. The clock at the back of the room chimed a
high-pitched ping, ping, ping, and a slow-snaking panic crept into my chest.
“Savannah —”
My well-planned words were cut short. She sprang toward me and wrapped her arms
around my waist. Her enthusiasm rocked me off center. “I love this day, but I
love you most.” Savannah
tightened her arms above my hips, swaying us both as if in a dance.
I kissed the top of her head, her short, baby-fine hair a
whisper of hope that tickled my lips. “Not possible.”
Because it wasn’t possible. She wasn’t a mother. She hadn’t
counted the weeks of pregnancy, hadn’t borne the pain of childbirth, hadn’t felt
the anguish of the six-letter word that could drown a parent in a pool of their
own tears. Cancer.
She hopped away and waved. “See you after school.”
With blurry, stinging eyes, I turned and exited her
classroom, just like I had two years ago when I’d dropped my seemingly healthy
daughter off for kindergarten only to admit her to the oncology floor at
Children’s Hospital a week later.
She’s fine. I’m fine.
Everything is going to be fine. The rapid fire of my pulse disagreed.
Pushing my way past a throng of happy families, I darted
through the parking lot and shut myself inside my car. With my overactive
imagination fully engaged, I fought against the quick, shallow breaths and
answered the siren’s call in my glove box.
A stashed package of red-and-white pinwheel mints.
Most people saw these candies as a way to freshen their
breath; I saw them as a way to focus my mind. A method of coping I’d picked up
in therapy years ago. Of course, not during one of my hour-long counseling
sessions, but rather from my time sitting in the waiting room. Ironic how a
little basket of mints had helped me more than my grief counselor.
I reached inside the bag, unwrapped the familiar, crinkly
plastic, and popped a small disc into my mouth. Immediately, the smooth texture
and taste of menthol worked its magic, knocking me down a few ladder rungs on
my climb to an attack.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicoledeeseauthor/
Newsletter: https://www.nicoledeese.com/newsletter/
Website: www.nicoledeese.com
Instagram: nicoledeeseauthor
Twitter: @nicoledeeseauthor
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicoledeeseauthor/
Newsletter: https://www.nicoledeese.com/newsletter/
Website: www.nicoledeese.com
Instagram: nicoledeeseauthor
Twitter: @nicoledeeseauthor
Thank you, Nicole, for sharing this new book with us. I'm as eager as my blog readers to read it. I hope my copy arrives soon.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Season to Love (Love in Lenox) - paperbackA Season to Love (Love in Lenox) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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22 comments:
would love to win angela in ky
HI everybody! It's a beautiful day in Idaho! Hope the sun is shining where you live:)
-Nicole Deese
Nicole, this sounds like a great book and I appreciate that you shared the first page. Lena, I am glad that you didn't experience serious problems from the storm.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I have been on a Nicole Reese reading binge since discovering her a few weeks ago. I would love to add this book to my shelf! Sara, central Indiana.
What a book! Thank you for sharing!
Melanie Backus, TX
What a beautiful beginning.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Sounds like a great book. I would love to win a ocpy.
I live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
I love when a book transports me! I was right there in Savanah's classroom with Willa! I would be thrilled to win a copy of this book! Thanks for sharing with us!
Robin in Raleigh
rw620 AT aol DOT com
wow! I was mesmerized by such vivid descriptions. I would love to read this book.
Anne ~ VA
Enter me.
Blanch NC
I've heard so many wonderful things about this book, I can't wait to read it for myself!!
Abby from Michigan
I love homemade or table guacamole! Thanks for sharing and the interview! Would love to win A Season to Love. Great cover! Thanks!
Annie (MD)
Sounds like a good read.
I would love to win this for my wife.
Edward A in VA
I'm not a mother, but can imagine how hard that first day of school must be!
Patty in SC
Great interview! The book sounds wonderful!I'd love to win it!
Winnie in UT
Sounds like one I will really enjoy. I enjoyed the interview. You are a young author. Right? And very talented. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda in VA
Enter me in your amazing giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
Nicole, you are a new author for me. I enjoyed learning more about you in this interview. A SEASON TO LOVE sounds powerful.... Thanks for the giveaway.
Caryl K in TEXAS
I am glad to have been introduced to this author. I would love to read this book.
Michelle
Southern CA
I have been so excited for this book. I just purchased A Cliche' Christmas to read before this one. Prior to these, I have only read A Summer Remade from the Just One Summer Collection.
Terrill - WA
Sounds like a great book. THanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
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