Friday, June 30, 2023

Summer Reading by Laura Scott

 

Summer is a favorite for those of us who live in the northern states. Winter is so incredibly long, we wait impatiently for sunny skies, warm weather, and green grass.

And maybe, for love.

Summer is a peak time for weddings, just for this reason. And of course, getting outside and doing fun things also adds a bit of romance in the air.

There is also a lot of talk about summer reads. I personally think there is less reading in the summer with so many other things to do, but perhaps I'm in the minority.

Do you change your reading habits based on the season? And if so, do you have a favorite summer book? I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

I tend to read the same genre despite the season, which most of you probably know is romantic suspense. No surprise there, right?

For those of you who are reading my Finnegan First Responder series, Quinn's story, Risky Rescue is up for preorder, releasing on July 4th. The book does take place in the summer, does that make it a summer read? 

Well, it would for me! 

Risky Rescue by Laura Scott $3.99


Undercover memory loss…

Coast Guard Lieutenant Quinn Finnegan is shocked when he rescues his believed to be dead, former fiancée, Sami Lopez out of the middle of Lake Michigan. But even more stunning is the fact that Sami doesn’t remember who she is or why she was crossing the lake in a storm. Since Sami was a former cop, he believes she may have been working undercover in a case that had gone terribly wrong. The boat explosion was no accident. And when the threats against Sami escalate, it’s difficult to know who they should trust.

Sami can’t ignore the desperate sense of urgency plaguing her. There is something critically important she needs to do. But what? The only reason she was still alive was thanks to Quinn and his family. Given the attraction between them, it didn’t make sense that she’d left him two years earlier. Will they survive long enough to learn the truth, and have a second chance at love?

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Wednesday, June 28, 2023

FREE ebook this week I Sorta Do, Cheryl St.John


Read an excerpt:

    Once again, her impulsiveness had landed her in a jam. Francie Karr rifled through a stack of papers on her gigantic wooden desk and picked up the letter for the tenth time that morning. The official confirmation of her obligation to attend the class reunion. She’d placed the irksome reminder on the edge just so, in case her cat took a notion to jump up on the desk and bat the paper into the wastebasket. He hadn’t. The traitor.

    She’d used the envelope postmarked Spencer, Colorado as a coaster for the better part of a week before piling invoices on top of it, but the return address still remained legible.

    No, the letter was still here and she hadn’t forgotten about the impulsive promise she’d made, so she guessed she was going to have to send the reunion committee an email about her arrival plans. She’d first ignored the group Facebook message from the planning committee requesting she be the photographer for Spencer High’s fifteenth class reunion. She’d asked if they didn’t have a local photographer, but the relentless social media members had been adamant it be someone from their class, so she’d grudgingly agreed.

    What had she been drinking? She’d known then, just as she knew now, that she wasn’t going to be able to attend the class reunion. She was going to have surgery that week. Or something else was going to come up. A debilitating sickness maybe. Perhaps even a death—her own would be convenient.

    The intercom buzzed her that someone was downstairs, and she walked distractedly to the panel, the wrinkled letter in her hand. “Yeah?”

    “Miss Karr, it’s Ryan MacNair. I’d like to speak with you for a few minutes, please.”

    “Who?”

    He repeated his name and added, “We spoke last month. About the brooch you had appraised? You told me to call back at a more convenient time.”

    “Oh.” She glanced around the cluttered loft where she lived and worked. Photographs hung on every wall—some were even framed. Stacks of books teetered on end tables, and every pair of shoes she’d worn recently were beside the sofa. The place wasn’t going to suddenly become neat and organized, and the time never got more convenient, so she might as well let him in.

    “Come on up.” She jabbed the button that unlocked the security door and sauntered back to her desk.

    How hard could it be to fake her own death? She’d seen it done on TV plenty of times. She could assume a new identity and move her studio to Peoria under a different name.

    Francie flopped onto her office chair and grimaced at her own thoughts. No. YaYa needed someone to check up on her often and make sure the care center was doing a good job. Deserting her dear fragile grandmother was out of the question. It distressed the old woman enough to think Francie wasn’t married yet. Disappearing was a purely selfish thought. Self-preserving and really clever—but selfish.

    How on earth then was she going to get out of this dreadful class reunion? What was she going to tell her grandmother? YaYa was the only person in the world she was close to. The only person whose opinion mattered. But YaYa didn’t agree with Francie’s decision to choose a career over a marriage and children.

    A few months ago, to alleviate the old woman’s worry over her being alone, Francie had told her she’d gotten married.

    To a rich man.

    To a rich man with kids.

    To a rich handsome man with kids.

    How in blazes was she going to get out of this one?

    A knock sounded on the door.

    Francie crossed to open it.

    “Hi, Miss Karr—”

    “Francie.”

    “Francie. Thank you for seeing me.”

    She swung the door open wide and ushered a tall dark-haired man in a tailored navy-blue suit into her studio. “Would you like a soft drink? The coffee’s been sitting since morning.”

    “No, thank you.”

    “Well…” She wandered back to her desk chair and sank onto the comfortable cushion, her gaze immediately landing on the letter that still lay on her desk. Darn cat anyhow. Darn YaYa for thinking a woman couldn’t be fulfilled with her career.

    “I have an offer for you,” MacNair said. He glanced around, then moved a stack of manila envelopes from the seat of the chair opposite her desk to the only available spot on the floor and plucked the crease at the knee of his trousers as he sat. “Are you moving out?”

    “No, why?”

    “Um, no reason. Do you recall why I’m here?”

    Absorbed in her predicament, Francie tapped a fingernail against the edge of the desk. The reunion was less than two weeks away now, and she still hadn’t figured out what she was going to do.

    “Francie?”

    “What? Oh. No, I guess I’ve forgotten what it was you wanted to see me about.”

    “The brooch you had appraised at Grambs & Sons last month.”

    “Right. That pin was in a box of old junk that I bought at an auction. I buy things like that for my still life photography. The piece will make amazing shot in black and white, with maybe a pair of gloves. Kind of draping out of an old jewelry chest with a piece of lace beneath it.”

    “Several months ago, I put the word out to all the jewelers that I was looking for that particular item,” he said. “Grambs called me after you’d been in. That brooch rightfully belongs to my daughter. It’s her inheritance.”

    She’d found the perfect pair of old lace gloves. What had she done with them? “Uh-huh.”

    “It belonged to my paternal grandmother. Unfortunately, my grandfather’s will was contested, and the jewelry went to one of my aunts who only wanted what she could get out of everything. Just to be spiteful, she wouldn’t even let my father buy the pieces he wanted. I can’t even remember why she started the feud with my father in the first place. I’m not even sure she remembers.”

    “She sounds lovely.” Francie picked up a pen and doodled a sketch of her idea on the letter.

    He blinked at her. “She sold it all, and we’ve been trying to find the pieces to buy them back. My father had intended for that brooch to remain in the family.”

    Francie’s attention drifted to Peyton Armbruster’s scrawled signature on the page, and Francie knew she couldn’t stall any longer. She either had to come clean...or come up with a husband.

    “The brooch was appraised at five thousand dollars,” MacNair said. “Miss Karr, I’ll double that offer.”

    At his concerned tone, Francie glanced up into his grave features, and finally his words sank into her dilemma-drugged brain. He was as intense about the silly old brooch as she was about taking a husband to the reunion.

    For the first time she took a long assessing look at Ryan MacNair. His dark hair, bearing a distinguishing widow’s peak, was neatly styled and brushed back from a square-jawed face. Dark brows were divided by a V of anxiety that didn’t diminish his well-bred features. The dude was impressively handsome.

    He had a nice straight nose and an interesting mouth that could probably slide into a knockout smile if he’d loosen that tie and give himself a little air. His navy suit and cranberry silk tie were of the best quality and taste, and he wore them with ease and panache. He was rich. Not her type—if she had a type—but wouldn’t he impress the Spanx right off her classmates back in Spencer? And YaYa wouldn’t be able to stop smiling. She imagined her grandmother looking him up and down with approval.


    "You planned to use the brooch in some photographs," he said. Have you done that?"

    “Are you married?”

    He blinked, his warm brown eyes showing confusion over the abrupt change of subject. “I’m divorced,” he said finally. “Is that relevant to the discussion?”

    Actually, a discussion took two people, but she spared him that reminder, and let the ever-turning gears in her mind whirl with possibilities. “I’m just beginning to sympathize with your situation, Mr...”

    “MacNair.”

    “Mr. MacNair. I’d certainly feel bad if something of my grandmother’s was sold off against my wishes.”

    He nodded, his brow still furrowed. “Then you’ll sell it to me?”

    “You really want this brooch, don’t you? It means a lot to you. And to your father.”

    Still his carefully guarded expression didn’t change. “Yes.”

    “So, I guess my decision carries a lot of weight.”

    “It does,” he admitted, though his aggravated expression showed his reluctance to do so.

    Francie smoothed the letter, refolded it and placed it inside the stained and warped envelope. “Perhaps we can negotiate after all.”

    He gave a shake of his head. “Money isn’t the issue here. The brooch has sentimental value. Ten thousand. Fifteen.”

    “No. Not more money,” she said with a flick of her hand. “In fact, if you agree to this idea, you can keep your money.”

    His frown deepened. “What idea?”

    “I’m in a predicament myself. I’m afraid I’ve done something—said something—impulsive, and now I don’t have any way out of it. Except maybe through you.”

    He raised one dark brow. “I don’t understand. What does your predicament have to do with me?”

    “I told my grandmother that I’d gotten married.”

    “And that’s a problem?”

    “Yes, it’s a problem. It wasn’t true. It isn’t true.”

    “You told her you were married?”

    She nodded.

    “But you’re not married. And you weren’t married.”

    “Right.”

    “Then why did you tell her that?”

    The question was so simple. The answer was so complicated. “Because I’m not.”

    He stared at her.

    “It’s a long, boring story,” she supplied. “Maybe sometime we’ll go over the details, but for now I’ll just say I had my reasons.”

    “So, you lied. And now this lie is causing you a problem.”

    “Oh, yeah. A super-sized problem.” She stood and walked restlessly to the row of tall windows and gazed, unseeing, down on the street

    “What does your lie have to do with me?”

    She turned back. “I’ve been cornered into participating in my class’s fifteen-year reunion in my hometown. YaYa is expecting me. And she’s expecting me to bring a husband.”

    With a wary expression, he waited for her to speak.

    “You can have the brooch...”

    He leaned forward in the chair like his Spidey-senses were on alert.

    “...if you come to Spencer, Colorado with me as my husband for a week.”



Saturday, June 24, 2023

#Farewell to #Book Conferences by Pat Simmons


Whether you're a reader or author, we crave book conferences where the common goal is books, authors, and parties. We give little thought to the expense of dragging a fifty-pound suitcase of books through the airport or paying almost a hundred dollars to ship boxes home. It's part of our world.
It's my time to breathe, meet new readers, and hear new ways to promote.

I've been attending multiple book conferences a year since my first book was released in 2007, except during the height of the pandemic. Last month was bittersweet when I had to say goodbye to many longtime friends at Houston's last Book Lovers Con (BLC). This conference is one of the others that the pandemic, for lack of a better word, killed. This is the third one that I know about and they create voids in our travel destination plans.

Book lovers are a community, a family where we see attendees' children who tag along with their parents grownup. I think about my daughter who came with me to the now-defunct RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION. I think about Mark and his daughter we called Princess, and BLC's organizer JoCarol Jones and her granddaughter JoJo.

Authors and readers are cheering that JoCarol will be able to bounce back in the future. 

But I do have a bit of good news for readers looking for fun, fellowship, and a whole lot of books. Whether your interest is history or women's fiction, the Christian Book Lovers Retreat, creates an atmosphere for readers and authors to relax with craft activities, recharge with morning inspiration, and get to know authors with interactive games. Of course, there is a book fair. You do not have to be Christian to attend.

I hope those looking for a sweet, welcoming place to gather, collect new books, and meet new friends will check out www.ChristianBookLoversRetreat.com. I even have a coupon code for $50 off if you register within the next two weeks. Use pat23.

If you know about other conferences, please share them, so we can reconnect.

See more photos from my fun time at BLC on my website

------

Get ready for my newest release DAY SHE PRAYED. sequel to DAY NOT PROMISED. Whether you read Christian fiction or not, this is a must-read. 

Here's a review of DAY NOT PROMISED: "The title is appropriate and the storyline could have happened anywhere in the world! Mitchell, Omega, Called and April all had their lives changed in an instant! Loved everything about how the story was told, the visual effects, showing the battle for our very souls! Prayer warriors in all shapes, sizes and ages on the front lines!"

About...


Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author of forty-plus titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth and a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance and the 2022 winner of the Leslie Esdaile “Trailblazer” Award.

Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.




Thursday, June 22, 2023

Christian Mystery and Romantic Suspense ebook sale

Hi, this is Camy! I’m sorry I’m late in posting today—a few days ago I threw out my back when picking up a bucket of water. Please pray for me!

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know that my books Necessary Proof and Unshakeable Pursuit are in this BookFunnel sales promo this month! Necessary Proof is FREE while Unshakeable Pursuit is only $0.99.

There are lots of other Christian mystery and romantic suspense ebooks in the sale (although not all of them are the same prices as mine). Those of you who already own those two books might like to browse the titles to see if there’s anything that looks good!

Shop the sale and get Necessary Proof for FREE and Unshakeable Pursuit for only 99 cents

Monday, June 19, 2023

Sweet Romance Chronicles: Celebrating Dads, Love, and Family by Merri Maywether

Yesterday was Father’s Day, but I’m extending it a day further because I love writing about dads. Sometimes they are portrayed as ideal–others as guys bumbling their way through life. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. 

I love the moments when the fathers in books or movies are transparent. When they show that they had the best of intentions and handled situations with what life had given them. In those moments, they teach their children that life is about trying to do the right thing. 


This month, I’m sharing a favorite scene from Home For Good. Brock Buchanan has returned home after a successful military career. In this scene, his father, Stanley, thought he’d show Brock how to get his love interest’s attention. Until it backfired, and Brock, out of concern for his father, called an ambulance. 


🧑🏽‍🌾


“My wife will be bothering me when she finds out I’m here.” 

“You’re right about that love of my life.” Irene marched straight to the side of the bed. “I knew you looked slightly off when you left this morning.”

“You did?” Stanley melted in front of everyone. “Why didn’t you say something?” 

“I worry about you too much. If I mentioned it every time I was concerned, you wouldn’t believe me when it mattered.” She took her hand in his. “What happened?” 

Stanley shot Brock a silent glare. His face softened when he spoke to Irene. “I ate chili that didn’t agree with me. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to hurt the cook’s feelings. Your son overreacted.” 

Irene tried to confirm the information with Brock, who remained silent in the face of his father’s quiet warnings. 

In a show of support for Brock, Katie crossed her arms in front of her and used the face she gave her son when she knew he wasn’t telling the full story.

Under the pressure of her mother’s eye, Stanley stammered, “My energy left me. And, I did need a seat.” 

“Hmm hmm.” Katie nodded to encourage him to continue with the story. 

“Brock may have tried to give me an aspirin, and I may have returned it with the contents of my stomach.” 

She nodded. 

“And.” He sighed his surrender. “Okay, I said I felt dizzy and didn’t know if I could walk. I didn’t know your son would call 911. I wanted him to see how a good woman nurtures a man. Except, he took over.” 

Katie covered her mouth with her hand to hide the mixture of shock and laughter. 

“Dad?” Brock whined. 

🧑🏽‍🌾


Even though the plan backfired, Dad’s good intentions came through. Stanley, along with Brock’s family, have several sweet moments in Home For Good. When we think about it, isn’t that what fathers and family are all about? 


And so, dear readers, as we reflect on the endearing and sometimes comical moments that fathers bring to the world of sweet romance, let us remember the essence of their role. Whether they're portrayed as flawed yet lovable or as the epitome of perfection, fathers in these stories remind us that life is about trying to do the right thing, even when our plans don't go as expected.


In "Home For Good," Stanley's attempt to help his son win the affection of his love interest may have taken an unexpected turn, but it's in these sweet moments that we witness the true essence of fatherhood and family.

So grab a copy of this heartwarming tale, and allow yourself to be captivated by the delightful mishaps, unconditional love, and the undeniable bond that fathers share with their families. Because in the world of sweet romance, fathers are the unsung heroes who teach us the most valuable lessons about love and life.



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Thursday, June 15, 2023

Free ebook by Laura Scott

 


Looking for a great summer read? Hailey's Haven is free on all sites.


Hailey's Haven by Laura Scott - Free!


From USA Today Bestselling Author Laura Scott

Separated by tragedy - Reunited by love

A safe place to call home...

After escaping her abusive foster parents thirteen years ago, Hailey Donovan thought her nightmare was over. Gatlinburg Tennessee had been a safe place to live, until she's nearly hit by gunfire while hiking the Smoky Mountains. Her instincts are to avoid law enforcement, especially handsome park ranger Rock Wilson, but when more gunfire echoes around them, they're forced to work together to escape. More attempts against Hailey convinces her to leave the city to start over someplace new.

Rock talks her into staying and fighting against the unknown assailant. Rock senses Hailey has been traumatized in the past, and is determined to uncover the mystery surrounding her. As Hailey and Rock seek the truth behind the escalating attacks, Rock realizes he's also in danger of losing his heart. Can Rock provide Hailey the save haven she desperately needs? Or will evil triumph over love?

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Sneak Peek by Merrillee Whren


 Lots of retailers do a Christmas in July for a promotion to sell their merchandise. Authors often do the same thing by promoting Christmas books in July. Well, it's not July, but I'm giving you a sneak peek of the cover for the novella I'm writing for the Puppies for Christmas that several of us Sweet Romance Reads authors have been doing for a few years. So here it is.

I have loved all the covers for my Puppies for Christmas novellas, but this one is so sweet. All of my Puppies for Christmas books are set in my imaginary town of Hallburg, Maryland. In last year's offering, Puppy Love and Christmas Cookies, the story opens as the reader learns that the heroine, Lesley Ackerman, has just been dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Tony Zanetti.

As you can imagine, Tony isn't the most popular character in the story. I love to redeem characters in series books. So in this year's book, I plan to redeem Tony and give him the love of his life. A little girl and a sweet puppy will help him.

If you haven't had a chance to read the Happiness in Hallburg series, I hope you'll do so in preparation for the upcoming book. You can find information by clicking on the link.

Do you like to read stories in which characters find their redemption?

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.


Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Lyn Cote Offers FREE EBOOK! JUNE 11-15TH

  




A small town in the cross hairs of a ruthless man, a woman in danger, a doctor who will give anything to protect his town and keep her safe.


By summer’s end, will she still be alive?  


Doctors who are willing to practice in small rural towns are rare. Small town Steadfast spent the last seven years helping fund medical student Kirsi Royston’s education. In return, Kirsi contracted to practice medicine in the local clinic for six years. Now she has news the town won't want to hear, especially young Dr Doug. Because of circumstances she hates, she must leave by summer’s end.


He can’t go on without her.


Dr. Doug’s 80-something grandfather deserves to retire. Doug can’t carry the load at the clinic alone. When a series of critical illicit-drug victims begin crowding his family’s three-generation clinic, he’ll do anything to protect Steadfast.Then the discovery of one unidentified body is more than anyone wants. Will there be more?


But will he be able to save her?


 All this triggers fresh anxiety from a recent experience of stalking which haunts Kirsi. If that's not enough, the new threat to the small town focuses on her too.


In the midst of the deadly new situation in town and the threat against Kirsi, will these two good people finally believe that they too have a right to fall in love? Only if she survives…

Another page-turning romantic suspense from Carol Award-winning author Lyn Cote. Available on Kindle Unlimited


https://www.amazon.com/Summers-End-Wholesome-Northern-Intrigue-ebook/dp/B0077AWY9G/?maas=maas_adg_62257CDE4D024992D6C2C34EF5907273_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas 


Sunday, June 11, 2023

Why June is the Most Popular Month for Weddings: A Sweet Romance Perspective by Josie Riviera

Summer is the season for love and romance, and June sets the stage for the most beautiful and memorable weddings. According to The Knot, a popular wedding planning website, June has been the most popular month for weddings for the past few years. In 2015 alone, more than 15 percent of all weddings took place in June. But what makes June such a popular month for tying the knot?

One of the reasons is the mild weather. With average temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low 80s, June offers a comfortable and enjoyable setting for an outdoor ceremony. Unlike July and August, when the heat can be overwhelming, June provides a comfortable climate for both the couple and their guests.

Another reason why June is such a popular wedding month is the abundance of beautiful flowers in bloom. June is the season for peonies, roses, hydrangeas, and other stunning blooms that make for the perfect wedding bouquet. With the natural beauty of summer, June weddings often require less decoration to create a dreamy and romantic atmosphere.

Additionally, June also marks the end of the school year and the start of summer vacation. For families with children, this timing makes it easier to plan a wedding and for guests to attend, without having to worry about school schedules.

Lastly, June has always been associated with romance and love. The month takes its name from the Roman goddess Juno, who was the goddess of marriage and childbirth. The idea of a June wedding has been romanticized in literature and movies for centuries, making it a popular choice for couples who want to create a romantic and sentimental atmosphere.

For sweet romance readers, June weddings offer the perfect backdrop for a heartwarming love story. The natural beauty, mild weather, and romantic ambiance make it an ideal setting for a sweet and tender romance. So, whether you're planning your own wedding or simply looking for inspiration for your next read, June is the month to celebrate love and romance.

Do you enjoy attending summer weddings? Please leave your comments below.

Did you know that my husband and I got married on June 14th? :)


Looking for a heartwarming small-town inspirational romance that will lift your spirits and renew your faith? Look no further than my RONE finalist, A Summer To Cherish. And right now, during the amazing 99 cent Kindle countdown sale, there's no better time to fall in love with this delightful tale!

The story follows David Fodero, a successful artist whose faith is being tested like never before. Alone in a mountain cabin near Cherish, David meets Ashley Madden, a woman whose warmth and optimism begin to heal his hurting soul. As their attraction grows, Ashley is determined to help David find the answers he's been searching for - but will their secrets be too much to overcome?

Filled with charming characters and a deep faith in God, A Summer To Cherish is a must-read for fans of sweet romance. Don't miss your chance to grab it for just 99 cents - it's a deal you won't want to miss!

Order your ebook copy today! FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Josie Riviera is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, historical, and inspirational romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully support husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovation.


Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE ebook on her website: josieriviera.com


Friday, June 9, 2023

Strong Women... by Christine Bush

 Strong women..

There have been many stories about “damsels in distress” in our past.  But in recent times, our heroines are just that.  Heroines. Strong women.



Our female characters don’t need to be saved.  They save themselves.  Often, they save others.  The have important careers, noteworthy goals, strong ethics.   They tackle big problems.  And they solve them.  And they still find love.  From strong men.


 Where do these great characters come from?

I am a strong believer that fiction reflects real life.  We have strong women characters because we are strong women. 

There are many examples we can pull from.

I’m going to speak of my greatest true heroine… my mother.

MARY JANE DONOVAN

Mary Jane Donovan was born in 1923 in Portland, Oregon.  Her mother passed when Mary Jane was only two, probably from bone cancer, but with medicine being what it was, only the symptoms and suppositions were passed along.

She was left with  two older brothers and her father.  Daniel was a hard working, hard drinking Irishman who had gone west years before to “find gold and wealth” on the west coast.


  Of course, there was no gold to be found.  But the new “dream” was the gold to be found in Alaska. He went.  He took his two boys with him, but could not take his 2 year old daughter on his adventure, so he left her in the hands of some dedicated nuns who ran an orphanage in Portland.  She stayed until she aged out in her teenage years.


Her father died in a mining accident, and she lost track of her brothers. 

She was taken in by a cousin’s family in Montana for her high school years, feeling like a burden by the end of the depression.  She took a job at the local drug store, a bleak future ahead.



As World War II exploded, she saw a poster outside the post office on one lunch break.  The white haired, bearded, finger pointing Uncle Sam on the poster said “Uncle Sam wants YOU!”



And underneath the simple but significant statement had been handwritten:

“The US Navy now accepting women.”  It included a telephone number located in Chicago.



My heroine jumped into action, aided and encouraged by her pharmacist boss.

Phone call made, appointment set, by the end of the day she began a very long and uncomfortable bus trip to Chicago. 



With extreme courage and absolute terror, she began the next stage of her life.


Mary Jane Donovan was one of the first 200 “Waves” in the US NAVY.  Can you imagine it? After code training, she was stationed at Virginia Beach, receiving and sending code to our Navy ships and destroyers all over the world.

After the war, she moved to NYC with 4 Navy friends, to work and begin the next phase of her life. She met and married my father, and they raised 6 (exceptional) children.





Her bravery, motivation, and zest for life have been a great inspiration for me.  How about you?  Is there someone in your life who has inspired you to dare, to grow, and to tackle difficult situations with strength and determination?

Who are the heroines in your life?  I’d love to hear!

 

Christine Bush is a USA Today Bestselling author of romance, romantic mystery, and suspense.  She can be found living in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania with her husband and 2 lazy cats, and spending time with her 14 grandchildren.   When she’s not writing, she’s teaching Psychology at a local college, and working with clients in her private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves to hear from readers and writers!

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Bush-Author/213919128638762

http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Bush/e/B001KHSLRG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392688497&sr=1-2-ent

 In “Love, Julie”, my heroine Julianna escapes NYC and a forced marriage by travelling to Montana to take a job in a one room school house.  She wants freedom and adventure, but will she end up with more than she bargained for? Or will her dreams come true?

 


https://www.amazon.com/Love-Julie-Christine-Bush-ebook/dp/B00AMXMTMM/ref