LOVE FINDS YOU IN FOLLY BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA - Loree Lough - Free Book

Welcome back, Loree. Since you’re being published regularly, what new avenues will your future books take?

First, let me thank you, Lena, for providing this opportunity to communicate with your blog's followers. You are such a generous, big-hearted lady, and I'm proud as I can be to call you Friend!

As for the avenues my future books will take? If more stories are in God's plan for me, I pray that the themes in each story will continue to highlight His mercy, forgiveness, and steadfast love for His children, even when they've strayed from Him.      

What conferences will you be attending this year? Will you be a speaker at any of them?

God willing, I'll attend ACFW and ICRS. No plans to lead workshops at either, but, I'm always available as a backup in case someone gets laryngitis or needs to cancel at the last minute!

If you were in charge of planning the panel discussion at a writing conference, what topic would the panel cover, and who would you ask to be on the panel, and why?         

I'd put together a panel that helps authors better understand "rights" clauses in their contracts, and I'd invite people in the know: One or two well-respected agents, a few people from publishers' legal departments, an entertainment attorney, and a couple of authors whose careers have demanded that they learn more about this hazy, confusing area of the industry.

Sign me up. I’m very thankful for the agent God brought to me. How important is it to you to be active in writing organizations?

It's paramount, for lots of reasons! For one thing, our work demands countless hours of solitude, and it's such a blessing to get together with others who spend the bulk of their days at the keyboard. For another, the workshops provide invaluable, up-to-the-minute information for writers, published and soon-to-be. Finally, getting involved in a writers' group—whether local or national (or even international!)—is a wonderful way to give back to those who've supported us over the years!

Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?

You usually won't see me "doing," because I love behind-the-scenes work, like baking for fundraisers, collecting and delivering used and new items for the needy, or cleaning, shopping, cooking for folks who are housebound, etc. Hospital and hospice visits, or "marching" to raise funds for the charities closest to my heart are about the only time I get out there in public!

Who are the five people who have made the most impact on your life, and how?

1. My husband, first and foremost, for his unwavering acceptance and support, in all the weird little adventures my "What if…?" brain takes us on;

2 & 3. my daughters, for being the best kids a mother could ask for…then growing into the most treasured friends a woman could have;

4 & 5. my parents, because both had a talent for writing and a love for God that was passed on to me.

(I didn't include our Lord and Savior, because I figured you were talking about ordinary humans, and there's nothing ordinary about Him! )

That’s the truth. What would we do without Jesus in our lives? If you could write the inscription on your tombstone, what would it be?

"Here lies Loree, who really did write until they pried the keyboard from her cold, dead hands!"

Tell us about the featured book.

First impressions, thank goodness, really can't be trusted! When marine biologist Holly Leonard agrees to help Parker Brant write a book on giant sea turtles, she expects a charismatic charter boat captain—not a straight-laced former soldier with a tight lid on his emotions. For his part, Parker is surprised to find that Dr. Leonard is not the matronly grandmother he'd imagined, but a blue-eyed beauty who's warm, fun—and totally clumsy. When she first breezes into his well ordered world, they seem completely incompatible, and only time will whether or not they're a perfect match.      

Sounds like a real interesting story is brewing. Please share the first page with us.

      Holly steered the sporty convertible onto Center Street, where the houses glowed with summery pastel hues and vibrant awnings shaded outdoor cafes and sidewalk sales. Everything about the charming South Carolina town whispered "Welcome," from the soft hiss of waves that lapped the sand to the briny sea-scent of the air. With every puff of the balmy breeze, palmetto palms swayed in syncopated rhythm—like tall dancers on a stage of concrete and cobblestone. Gulls soared overhead, shrieking as the swooped in to grab a discarded French fry or cookie crumb.

      A sense of belonging enveloped her, inspiring a quick and heartfelt prayer of thanks that she'd finally arrived. Folly Beach seemed like a perfect name for the town, considering all the foolishness she'd endured to get here. So much for her father's step-by-step directions and the loan of his GPS. If anyone back in Baltimore knew how far out of the way she'd driven—or how many times she'd been lost—Holly would never live it down.

      At least the weather had cooperated.

      Just outside of Richmond, where she'd stopped to top off the gas tank and get directions back onto the highway, she'd put down the convertible top. The sun on her face felt so wonderful that Holly almost forgot about the crazy detours.

      Almost.

      Yawning, she slowed for a traffic light. Tucking windblown curls behind her ears, she pulled down the visor mirror. "Rats," she told her reflection, "more freckles." As if she didn't already look more like a high school kid than a nearly thirty something scientist….

      Well, there wasn't a thing she could do about that now. The time for action had been at five-thirty this morning, when she'd been so preoccupied with packing shoes to match every outfit that she'd completely forgotten to apply sunblock.

      Stifling another yawn, she tapped the steering wheel in time with "The Beat Goes On." Hopefully, the song's lively tempo would keep her awake until she settled into her room at Coastal Cottage Bed and Breakfast. For the past ten miles, she'd thought of little else but the home-squeezed lemonade and fresh-baked brownies pictured in the colorful brochure. And a hot shower would feel nice right about—

      The blare of a car horn startled her enough to produce a quiet yelp. With one hand over her hammering heart, she stared into the rearview mirror.

      "Light's green!" the driver bellowed, pointing up.

      She started to say "Sorry," but he never gave her the chance. Instead, he sped by on her left, glowering. "Well, I never," she huffed, taking her foot off the brake. "Aren't you just the welcome-wagon poster boy?"

I love it. Bring it on!! Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.loreelough.com

http://www.theloughdown.blogspot.com

Facebook, Twitter, Shoutlife

Regular column (Loree's Lough Down) in Christian Fiction Online Magazine


Thank you, Loree. It was fun as it always is with you.


Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Love Finds You in Folly Beach, South Carolina


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