NO TURNING BACK - Lynette Sowell - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’m happy to welcome my friend, Lynette Sowell, back to the blog.

Welcome back, Lynette. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

I like to write about themes of redemption and second chances, how when we might think a situation is hopeless, God can move in unexpected ways.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I have a pair of Christmas mysteries releasing this fall, set in the fictional town of Christmastime, Colorado.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

I once heard former President George W. Bush speak and I’d love to hear more about his life since the presidency, if there’s anything he would have done differently. Also, he’s a fantastic painter and I’d love to talk with him about art. Since the Bushes’ ranch isn’t too far from where I live, I wouldn’t have far to go. 

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I would like to meet John, the Apostle. His books are among my favorites in the Bible and I would like to know why he decided to write his Gospel differently from the way the other Gospel writers did.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Keep working on your craft and concentrate on telling a great story. Don’t be afraid to risk writing something a little out of the box as you find your voice.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Texas Hill Country is one of my favorite places to visit in Texas, and No Turning Back is set in Cedar Springs, not far from the Pedernales River. My heroine, Lizzie Westford, is a recently widowed young woman who tries to tough it out and run the ranch, instead of heading back to the safety of Iowa and her family. Enter her husband’s friend from childhood, who came to pay his old friend a visit only to discover he’s dead and that the widowed Mrs. Westford has a lineup of obstacles threatening her holding onto her legacy.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Cedar Springs, Texas 1885

Lizzie Westford mopped her brow and looked across the pasture that still shimmered with the leftover heat of a Texas summertime. The horse beneath her shifted on the crusty bits of grass that the cattle somehow managed to survive on. The autumn’s coolness and the rains – save for a day like today - had brought the grass back.

Hugh’s hat gave plenty of shade from the sun that beat down on her. Lizzie tried not to sigh. Why must she always be so tired? Four weeks since they’d laid Hugh in the ground and yet sleep still eluded her. Never mind she poured herself into the ranch, supervising fence repairs and such.

“Miz Lizzie, you look a mite wore out. You can get back to the house.” Clem Jenkins sat on Blue, the best cattle horse south of the Red River, or so the old man claimed.

“No, I can stay out a bit longer.”

The older man shrugged. “Suit yourself. But you don’t come cryin’ to me when the sun touches you.”

At that, she laughed. Clem was always frank with her, with everyone. He was the only one who’d stood at her side after burying Hugh. They had cattle to work, fences to mend, and she’d told Clem she wanted to learn it all.

“You’re right.” A grin tugged at the corners of her lips. The first grin she’d found on her face in oh, so long. “I’ll have supper ready at five.”

Without another word, she rode off toward the house. The wide open skies soothed her, and she let the wind blow across her face. There was a coolness in the air that told her winter would come. Already, her heart was cold inside. She didn’t know if it was the idea that Hugh was gone, really gone, and the feelings that swirled inside her despite the chill in her heart.

Hugh Westford had been a hard man and she’d married him at her parents’ insistence, not realizing he’d take her away on a fool’s dream of a Texas ranch. It wasn’t enough for him to farm the same rows of corn year after year, as his family in Iowa had done. No, he’d charmed Lizzie with the dreams of Texas.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can find me on my author page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lynettesowellauthor/.

Thank you, Lynette, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book, which is available for pre-order.

No Turning Back (Thanksgiving Books & Blessings)

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