THE PLACE WHERE YOU BELONG - Nancy Lavo - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’m introducing you to a longtime friend and author.

Bio for Nancy Lavo

A love of happy endings and a fiction writing course at the community college started award-winning author Nancy Lavo on the road to publication. She’s published her lighthearted romances in both the traditional and inspirational market. She and her husband live in the great state of Texas.

Welcome to my blog, Nancy. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.  I don’t intentionally write myself into my characters—each one is truly a work of fiction. However, I’m certain that some part of me—my values, world view, and experiences—seeps into them.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? My husband and I are big tea aficionados. In order to have access to good hot and iced tea when we travel, we bring our own teapots, pitchers, cups, and teabags with us. It requires an extra bag but it’s totally worth it!

When did you first discover that you were a writer? One afternoon when my children were napping, I had an ah ha moment while reading a book. I stopped in the middle and said, “Hey! I can do this!”

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I prefer light reads in fiction and typically steer clear of the angsty stuff. I love contemporary Christian romance and regency romances. In nonfiction I enjoy books about entertaining, decorating, and books on spiritual growth and discipline. I’ve never met a cookbook I didn’t like. And I can’t resist a Max Lucado book.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? Prayer, exercise, and the outdoors. My husband and I start our day with a two mile walk during which we pray over our family and friends and any prayer needs. In the evenings we try to get in a second walk. I’m also a big fan of praise and worship music.

How do you choose your characters’ names? For first names of primary characters, I use baby name books or baby name websites. For last names, I use old church directories. For secondary or incidental characters, I sometimes borrow my friend’s names.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? My family. I’m not sure how much credit I can take, but I’m so proud of my children and their spouses, and their children. When we all get together, my cup overflows!

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? Probably a dog. I just want everyone to be happy.

What is your favorite food? I’m a carbohydrate junkie. Bread? Check. Pasta? Check. Cake and cookies? Check. Check. Sugar in any form? Check. Check. Check.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Discouragement can be a huge roadblock for me. If I’m not careful, I can let it derail me. Getting into a writing group has been really helpful. They hold me accountable to keep writing and encourage me in the rough patches.

Tell us about the featured book. The Place Where You Belong is the first in a three book series, Lone Star Loves, set in the fictious small town, Village Green, Texas, where everyone is everyone else’s business and matchmaking is a community-wide sport. In this first book, Public Relations specialist Hallie Nichols comes home to make living arrangements for her aging mother. She’s determined to make a quick stay and avoid the memories and rejection she associates with her home town, specifically her ex-boyfriend, banker Trey Gunther. Annoyed that Hallie is unrepentant for the hurt she caused him ten years ago, Trey dishes some payback by mandating Hallie meet with him weekly about her mother’s finances. His plan backfires when his old attraction to Hallie flares. He’s the one suffering, and worse, Hallie may hold the solution to his beloved town’s woes. He’s got to swallow his pride and ask for her help. Can he convince her to put aside her animosity toward him and the town? Will their efforts be enough to save Village Green?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Hallie Nichols hated to go home.

            Every mile closer raised her level of tension. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel and blew out a breath.

            I can do this.

            Three days—a week, tops—and I’ll be out of here.

            She injected an extra dose of determined optimism into her voice while repeating the declaration to her reflection in the rear-view mirror.

            “I can do this.”

            Open fields lush with new spring growth slid by the window as she reached across to the bag on her passenger seat and pulled out one of her ever-ready rolls of antacids. She thumbed off a couple and chewed them up to extinguish the burn in the pit of her stomach.

            Her temples continued to pound despite the Tylenol she’d taken earlier. No point in taking any more. Beyond the potential damage to her liver, she knew there wasn’t enough painkiller in the great state of Texas to cure her “homecoming blues.”

            A reluctant grin pulled at the corner of her mouth. If only she had the talent to set her current outlook to music, she’d have the makings of a best-selling country song.

            She slowed her car when the faded green sign marking the city limits came into view.

How can readers find you on the Internet?   Instagram--@authornancylavo    Facebook—NancyLavo    Website—www.nancylavo.com

Thank you, Nancy, for sharing this new book with my blog readers. I know they will love it as much as I do.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

The Place Where You Belong (Lone Star Loves): Lavo, Nancy: 9781563096358: Amazon.com: Books

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