Tuesday, November 06, 2018

BENEATH A MICHIGAN MOON (The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection) - Candice Sue Patterson - One Free Book

Dear Readers, here’s another author with a novella in The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides novella collection.

Welcome, Candice. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I started to answer this question with “not a lot,” but the more I thought about it the more I realized how much of myself I do put in there! For example, almost all of my stories contain sections of witty banter between the hero and heroine. That’s the relationship my husband and I have. We’re always jokingly sparring with each other and we laugh a lot. I slip in other pieces of my life in there too, but unless I reveal it online or you know me personally, you probably won’t catch what those things are. In my contemporary romance novel How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart, Emma (who’s four) gets a kitten and names him Baby Kitty. His name, description, and personality are from my furry friend of sixteen years. At least one of my characters always drinks coffee, because like most writers I’m addicted. I also like to slip in the names of people I know, so when they read the book they’re pleasantly surprised.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Quirky or crazy? J

I’m a go-big-or-go-home kind of person, so when I set my mind to something I go all-out. That’s probably more crazy than quirky. I once hiked all the way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I’ve always been a big fan of the 1980s versions of Anne of Green Gables, so when I was in my early twenties and I heard that director Kevin Sullivan and some cast members from Road to Avonlea were meeting fans in Toronto, Canada, I made an overnight decision to go, and my husband drove us up there. And after researching honeybees extensively for How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart, I decided to dive into the world of beekeeping and purchased my own beehive last spring.

Definitely more crazy than quirky. LOL

Years ago, there were hives on the property we rented. I love honey fresh out of the hive. When did you first discover that you were a writer?
My love for books and the written word started before I could even read, and I enjoyed writing my own stories on rainy days. The dream bit me hardest when I was around fifteen and that entire summer I read every Janette Oke book my local library had. That’s when I knew I wanted to write my own books, tell stories that make a difference, see my labor of love on bookstore and library shelves with other authors. At sixteen, I took a two-year writing course through the Institute of Children’s Literature, which I completed through correspondence while finishing my last two years of high school.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I rarely branch away from romance. I’ll read all genres of it, but I want the plot to hold at least some element of romance to it. I gave up on reading secular romance years ago because of content, so I’m always on the lookout for new authors who write clean romance while I still avidly devour Christian romance. 

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I won’t claim to do it very well. J

My two oldest sons are in high school and both are very involved in sports, so I’m on the road a lot. I’m also an elementary librarian, a Sunday School teacher, and a board member for my local library on top of writing books and the everyday duties of wife and mother. I admit, I do get frazzled at times. I try to stay sane by planning dates with my husband, making myself shut everything else out and having a family-only night, reading my Bible, praying, and reading. I read every night before bed, which helps me wind down. Bubble baths help and, of course, chocolate.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I try to choose names that aren’t overly used, though that doesn’t always happen. If I get stuck and can’t come up with a good unique name on my own I usually shout out for help to my Facebook followers. They’re always good at helping out.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My children. That title means more to me than any other.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I would probably be a cat. I love naps!

I never took many naps as an adult, but this year, I’m doing more naps. What is your favorite food?
I honestly can’t narrow it down to just one. I love to eat. Fresh fruits and veggies are my favorite in the summer and comfort food is my favorite in the winter.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest roadblock was giving my characters flaws to make them realistic yet making them likable at the same time. Huck Anderson in How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart is a great example of this. He’s not a believer, he comes from a broken home with child abuse in his past, and since he never had a fatherly example to teach him how to treat women with gentleness and respect, he doesn’t know how to do this as an adult. Giving him those flaws, yet still making him likable as the hero was tough. It took more revisions than I can count to get this balance. In the end, I realized I had to show his “good side” up front before I introduced all his flaws, and from there I had to make the reason for his flaws apparent to the reader so they’d sympathize with him, while he takes steps of growth throughout the story. 

Tell us about the featured book.
I normally write contemporary romance, so Beneath a Michigan Moon (part of The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection) is my first historical romance. Ava Ryan unexpectedly finds herself as lightkeeper of the New Presque Isle lighthouse on Lake Huron when her father passes away. She’s granted the position on a trial basis, and she’s doing everything she can to secure it permanently, as she has no family and nowhere else to go. She’s surviving, until logging foreman Benjamin Colfax arrives, wanting to climb the tower to determine his crew’s best cutting route. She denies him access. He suspects she’s holding a secret, or many, and he’s determined to not only use the tower but to discover what makes the attractive lightkeeper tick.

There’s a strong attraction between the characters from the start and plenty of witty banter to keep the story light. Beneath a Michigan Moon has been one of my favorite stories to write.

Please give us the first page of the book.
June 30, 1885—New Presque Isle Lighthouse, Lake Huron
Ava Ryan walked the shoreline of Lake Huron, enjoying the most beautiful day of the year—until she crossed paths with the devil. He was even more dashing than she remembered from their previous encounters.

Wicked dimples sunk the inner parts of his cheeks. She looked away from blue eyes as enchanting as the crystalline water, peeved by his presence, more peeved that she was wearing her plainest shirtwaist. But nothing else would do, as she was in mourning. And barefoot to boot. Pretending not to see him, Ava lowered onto a nearby boulder and tucked her feet beneath her skirt.

“Miss Ava Ryan.” Hands buried in the pockets of his brown trousers, he sidled up to her as casually as if they’d known each other their whole lives.

She glared at him, though with the angle of the sun peering over his shoulder and into her eyes, he’d think she was squinting. “Mr. Colfax. What brings you this close to the lighthouse? Again.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I interact with readers on my Facebook page, Candice Sue Patterson-Author. Readers can also keep up to date with my latest news on my website at www.candicesuepatterson.com. My website is also the best place to contact me through email. (I love hearing from readers!)
I can also be found on Goodreads and Pinterest.

Thank you, Candice, for sharing part of your life and this book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here are links to the book.
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection - Christianbook.com
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances Are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts - Amazon.com


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 or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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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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25 comments:

Elly said...

Amazing authors and gorgeous cover! Can't wait to read this!
Elly -Indiana-

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thanks for stopping by, Elly! Hope you enjoy it!

Emma said...

"BENEATH A MICHIGAN MOON (The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection) by Candice Sue Patterson sounds wonderful.Have a good week. Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thanks for stopping by, Emma!

Robin in NC said...

Glad you decided to give the historical romance genre a try Candice! Your excerpt sure was intriguing Thanks for sharing with us

Robin in NC

Lori Smanski said...

Illinois
This is a great post. I love to learn a bit about authors. I so agree with the title of MOM. I feel like that is my biggest achievement also. My husband and I put in a butterfly garden a few years ago, and this last summer we had so many butterflies and bees. It was cool. I love local honey. It has a definite wonderful taste not found in the stores
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Kay Garrett said...

Thank you for introducing me to Candice Sue Patterson, a new to me author. Enjoyed reading the interview and getting to know her and her works better. Can't wait for the opportunity to read her novella in "BENEATH A MICHIGAN MOON". Love this cover and so many great author's to enjoy in on fabulous book!

Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Kay Garrett from Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Wendy Newcomb said...

I love the collections books and lighthouses are amazing. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of this book.

Wendy in South Sioux City, NE

wfnren at aol dot com

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thank you, Robin!

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thank you for planting for our pollinators! This is so important. I appreciate you stopping by, Lori.

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, Kay!

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thanks for visiting, Wendy!

Melanie Backus said...

Would love to read this one for sure!!! Thank you for the opportunity! Melanie Backus, TX

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thanks for stopping by, Melanie!

Lane Hill House said...

Three very interesting things in your interview ~ Baby Kitty being included in your novella from your own real-life adventure together, bee-keeping becoming your interest in practice! and how your character wanted to get to the top to view a cutting path ~ very unique!! Would love to read further and hope I am a recipient! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House, Missouri

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thanks, Kathleen! I try to make my books interesting by being different. I appreciate you stopping by!

L Palmer said...

I really enjoy hearing about authors and their lives and how they write.

rubynreba said...

Looks like a great collection of stories! Thanks for the chance to win the book.
Beth from Iowa

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Thanks for reading, Linda!

Candice Sue Patterson said...

Hi, Beth! Thanks for coming!

Laura Waltz said...

I love Collections, and everything that has to do with lighthouses and the Great Lakes (because I am a Michigander). Thanks for the chance to win!

-Laura in MI

Karen G. said...

I love these collection books from Barbour. Looking forward to reading this book! Thank for the chance to win a copy.

Karen G., Troy, NY

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I love this cover!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at) gmail (dot)com

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC

Shelia64 said...

please enter me ! Shelia from Mississippi