Hope You've Moved with my Blog on My Homepage

Hope you haven't been missing all the wonderful stories on my blog which is now on my homepage. Drop by!

Ausjenny: The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award

Ausjenny: The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award

I'll post more on my current blog on Sunday or soon!

This blog has moved

In case you haven't noticed, I've moved my blog to the homepage of my website. Please drop by and click RSS feed so you don't miss any stories of strong women!

Also if you visit, http://booksbylyncote.com/SWBS/free-read
you'll see that I've begun archiving by chapter the free serialized novel I'm posting on my blog this year. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I post a new scene. Come watch as La Belle Christiane's story unfolds!"--Lyn

A New Year, A New Website and Blog

I am going to leave this blog up for the time being. But I've moved my blog to the homepage of my website: www.BooksbyLynCote.com

Today I've posted the ending of Chapter One of La Belle Christiane. Hope you'll drop by and find out which man takes her as his bride.

I've made this change because of some technical issues but the theme of this blog, Strong Women, Brave Stories will continue the same.

Please drop by and subscribe to my new location!--Lyn

Once More with Feeling

Can the beautiful daughter of a French courtesan find a love that will last forever?

Once more I'm suggesting chapter one, scene two of La Belle Christiane. Starting Monday, I'll be posting a scene or scenes of my first manuscript Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Hope you'll stop by and invite a friend!
Just click this link.
http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/2010/12/preview-of-labelle-christiane-part-two.html

Author Michelle Stimpson & the Strength of Surrender

My guest today is author and speaker Michelle Stimpson. She shares about "The Strength to Surrender." Here's Michelle:

"I’m the oldest child and the oldest grandchild of a strong woman who was the oldest among her siblings. Given my genealogy, I was quite prone to making quick decisions and taking action. I called it “taking charge.” My husband called it “taking over.”

Generally, once I’d made up my mind about something that seemed pretty obvious to me, I’d jump in with both feet and get to swimmin’. I’d talk to God about my progression in a “Look, God, no hands!” kind of way. Needless to say, when I’d come to the end of myself and made a complete mess of things, I would go crying to God and He would rescue me for His namesake.

The main character in Last Temptation, Patricia “Peaches” Miller, happens to be on one of those self-appointed super-woman missions. (Wonder where I got that idea from?) Driven by guilt piled on top of guilt and regret, she quickly finds her life spiraling downhill in a series of compounding bad decisions.

God is certainly a present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). No matter what the circumstances, He has promised us that if we return to Him, He will return to us (James 4:8). I’ve found Him to be not only faithful to rescue us, but gracious about the rescue as well.

Perhaps even better, the Spirit of God can lead us and guide us around unnecessary drama, pain, and flat out foolishness if we’d simply consult Him before we go off on these wild goose chases. Can I get an amen?

Like Peaches, I’ve come to experience God’s strength in practical daily issues. A few weeks ago, I was peacefully writing in a corner of Panera restaurant when a man came into “my” area cursing and talking loudly on his cell phone. My first thought was to ask the man to lower his voice. But his conversation was so offensive, I wasn’t quite sure this guy was reasonable. My second thought was to move, but I already had my stuff strewn across the table. Now that I was out of Michelle-based options, I said a quick prayer and asked God to “do something.” Within just a few minutes, the man’s cell phone lost its signal. And within twenty minutes, he left without even unpacking his laptop.

No extra drama, no need for repentance, no ungodly display of Ruth’s oldest granddaughter. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit activated!

The truth is: no matter how smart or capable we think we are, the most perfect thing we’ll ever be able to do is surrender to God. It takes a strong, yet simple faith to realize that the sooner we come to the end of ourselves (assuming we have any power whatsoever), the more we’ll know His strength in every area of our lives. "--Michelle

Her latest book:

Will a dream come true push one woman to her limits?

Sensible single mother Patricia "Peaches" Miller isn't about to follow in her mama's footsteps and become dependent on a man--no, that would be too easy. But when she doesn't see eye to eye with the man she wants to marry, she knows that returning to a life of girls' nights out, retail therapy, and chocolate peanut clusters just won't do for her. Then Raphael, her son's father, steps back into the picture--and makes it clear that his attraction to Peaches is stronger than ever. There's just one problem. Raphael has already pledged his heart to another woman.

Peaches has been praying for a perfect family for a long time. Deep down she knows this can't be God's idea of an answer--but can you blame a girl for hoping? Now, as she battles with temptation, and with her faith, she's not sure which will win. . .

"Michelle Stimpson does a wonderful job of creating characters that are believable and loveable. The Divas of Damascus Road will make you laugh, cry and laugh some more." --Good Girl Book Club

Michelle Stimpson Bio

www.MichelleStimpson.com

Bestselling author Michelle Stimpson has penned several works, including Boaz Brown, Divas of Damascus Road, Breaking Bondage to Biscuits, The Good Stuff, Trouble In My Way, and her latest release, Last Temptation. She also publishes short stories through her educational publishing company. Michelle is a part-time language arts consultant and serves in the Creative Tyme Ministry at her home church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. Michelle lives near Dallas with her husband, their two teenage children, and one crazy dog.

Thanks, Michelle, for sharing. I think you and I have a lot in common. I've had to learn to let matters go and depend on God. When I don't--bad.--Lyn

For more info:

Links:

Website - www.MichelleStimpson.com

Blog - www.Womengic.blogspot.com

Book Tuesday-Author Leann Harris & Second Chance Ranch

My guest today is Author Leann Harris, whose book Second Chance Ranch, debuts this month! Here's Leann:

I want to thank Lyn for this opportunity to share. But I’d like to give the readers just a little different twist on a brave story. I’m going to let the heroine in my latest book, Second Chance Ranch, do the talking. Sometimes our characters are more articulate than we are.

Thanks, Leann, I appreciate it. My name is Sophie Powell and I grew up in New Mexico. After college, I joined the Army and became a medic and was sent to Iraq. When I went for training at Walter Reed midway through my deployment, I visited one of my ex-patients in the hospital. Jack lost his legs in a road-side explosion, but when I caught up with him, he was going riding at a stable outside D.C. in the Maryland countryside. Equine therapy is what it is called.

You should’ve seen Jack’s face as he settled into the saddle and rode around the ring on his mount. I saw hope and victory in his eyes. I remembered the despair in his eyes as I worked to stabilize him in the field and knew then what God wanted me to do with my life after the Army. Of course, I am a horsewoman. I love to ride and had a horse when I was a girl. God knew that I needed the healing that horses and helping others could bring to my heart. It brought my family back to me and it brought me the love of my life, Zachary McClure.

I want to say that God took the ashes of Zach’s and my lives and turned them into beauty. When both Zach and I thought our lives were useless and were in a fog, He showed us the path to take. And that path brought healing, joy, and love. I hope you’ll read our story.

I am humbled to serve the great men and women of our military. The courage it takes for a soldier to put his/her life together after being wounded is amazing. Our prayers should be with them and their families. . . Sophie Powell

Now, Sophie might be a character in my book, but her words are the truth, and our soldiers and their families need our prayers and thanks."--Leann

Barbara Harrison aka Leann Harris Bio
When Barbara was first introduced to her husband in college she knew she would never date the man. He was a graduate student getting a PhD in physics, and Barbara had purposely taken a second year of biology in high school to avoid taking physics. So much for first impressions. They have been married thirty-nine years and still approach life from very different angles. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Barbara taught math and science to deaf high school students for a couple of years until the birth of her first child. When her youngest child started school, Barbara decided to fulfill a life-long dream and began writing. After both her children left home, she went back to teaching.

She is a former president of the Dallas Area Romance Writers and founding member. Barbara presently lives in Plano, Texas with her husband. Her thirteenth novel Second Chance Ranch. is a Jan ‘1 release

Visit her at her webpage www.leannharris.com or barbharrison.com
Another book for my TBR pile!--Lyn

Remember this?

Friends,
I've been planning to share something with you for the past few months and have been preparing for it.

In 1980's, I began writing my first manuscript. I literally ran after my two toddlers with a clipboard in my hand and wrote whenever they paused. GRIN.

Anyway I wrote that story without knowing anything about the market. In fact, I told myself just to write the book and then I'd think about marketing it. The thought of that was overwhelming at that time.

It took me three years of writing to finish my first manuscript-1,000 handwritten pages. Whew!

I found out that while it garnered interest from agents and editors, it never found a publisher.

I think that's because there are "unwritten" rules for inspirational fiction and I didn't know them or follow them. I still think it's a good story and I've revised it and am revising and improving it once more. Also I don't want it to sit ignored on my shelf forever.

So I decided to post it here as a serially each week, starting in January. That's right.
I'll be posting my first manuscript here, a three scenes each week starting now.

This week, I plan to post the December previews for you. then beginning next week, I'll post 2-3 scenes a week, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

So be sure to drop by! And tell your friends!

The title is LaBelle Christiane. The tag line is: Can the beautiful daughter of a French courtesan find a love that will last forever in early America?

Don't miss this gift to my readers. Here's the link to Chapter One Part 1
Tell your friends! The more the merrier!--Lyn

Book Review-Author Janet Tronstad & A Hero For Dry Creek

A Hero For Dry Creek



FUN! FUN! FUN! This is the first Janet Tronstad "Dry Creek" series book I've read. It won't be my last! Who couldn't love a romance that starts with the heroine awakening to find Prince Charming standing outside her window in a tuxedo. And her window is on her family's Redfern Ranch in a tiny town of Dry Creek, Montana. I loved the heroine Nicki and the hero Garrett (who is a trucker when he's not Prince Charming). So many delightful touches, such as the old men sitting around the stove at the general store reading Women's World! FUN! FUN! FUN!

A Hero for Dry Creek is a 2003 Love Inspired. To find a current Janet Tronstad's delightful romantic Dry Creek comedies, try

Sugar Plums for Dry Creek and At Home in Dry Creek. To purchase, go to

http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=22744

Last Chance to Win in 2010!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Her Healing Ways (Love Inspired Historical)

by Lyn Cote

Giveaway ends January 01, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Merry Christmas! A Little Light-Hearted You Tube for You!

Here's a fun video, my Merry Christmas to you. I hope you all have a warm and cozy Christmas. Enjoy the old Christmas movies and sing a carol or three. Scroll down the right column to the blog list and see that I'm posting a part of the Christmas story at www.CraftieLadiesofRomance today.

I'm not going to blog the last week of December. We're having company and I have a book to turn in on Monday January 4th, 2011! See you in the New Year!

Author Patricia Hickman & A Hurricane Mom

This is the final guest post from my friend best-selling author Patricia Hickman (At least, the last for this year!). Read her story and see if you have experienced what she did. I'll share some too at the end.

The Legacy of Hurricane Mom

By Patricia Hickman

www.PatriciaHickman.com

My caboose, my teenage son, and I experienced an emotional toxicity his last two years of high school. I was justifying the friction between us by saying that his testosterone was getting the best of him—and that was true. But God tapped me one day when I was grumbling about my son in prayer. He asked me to consider why I was so troubled. I knew why. First of all, I was afraid he’d make a poor choice at the precipice of adulthood that would take years to undo.

But secondly, and even more troubling to me, was my fear of turning into the raging mom that my sister and I had endured. My mother harbored a rage that simmered out of the sight of polite company. Her rage would waylay my sister and me verbally and physically. This unhealthy practice pumps adrenaline into the body, even providing a temporary high. It can cause a false sense of power. Living with my mother’s rage was like living with a hurricane. It swallowed up our relationship and any hope for mutual respect. I feared turning into her. The keyword, God showed me, was “afraid.” I knew that faith in Christ had taught me many things, but all of them were gained through my surrendering each of my behaviors to God who could reshape them. Parenting out of fear causes me to communicate fear-birthed harassment, or nagging. That plan had to be as foundational as my faith in Christ. It had to be based on biblical beliefs. The principle that came to me was my need for the patient endurance taught from the book of James. Next, this change in my response required planning.

The next morning on the way to school instead of nagging my son and then both of us losing our temper, I reworded what I wanted to say to him out of my beliefs instead of my fears. To do that, I had to know in advance what I believed. It changed the entire mood during the drive to school--and my tone. We were laughing and conversing rationally like two adults when he got out of the car and went into his school. By refocusing my platform and dousing a negative agenda, I killed the hurricane.

The hard part is doing that every day with my child, my husband, or the people I work alongside. That requires purposeful and specific prayer in conjunction with surrendering what I feel is right for what God expects—and that takes me back to reconciling myself to mutuality with God.

Mutuality with God is surrendering my inherited brand of storm trooper peacemaking for Christ’s desire that I follow his commands. When I do, then true peace reigns in me and over those for whom God has given me responsibility. More than training up my children to be great successes, I want my loved ones to look back on me with both respect and a fondness for the lessons we learned together. By embracing Christ’s transformational legacy for my family, I leave behind a legacy passed down generation-to-generation. That is the power of Christ working in me and my heirs.

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Gal. 5:13

Lyn here--My mother didn't harbor rage, but she married two men who were both alcoholics. I often say that living with an alcoholic is like living in a pressure cooker. The pressure and tension would build till the next explosion. But nothing was ever dealt with or resolves or confronted so there was never an end to it.

I have a calm life with a husband who wakes up in the morning telling jokes and singing silly songs. I LOVE THAT. And I thank God that He has enabled me not to pass that legacy onto the next generation.

Patricia, thanks again for sharing these four Thursdays. Your posts have blessed me. Do the rest of you agree???

If you'd like to read a Christmas story....

here's the link. It's a touching story of an expectant mother emailing her husband overseas in the Mideast during Christmas. The 12 Days of Christmas in today's world.

http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/2010/12/twelve-days-of-christmas-part-one.html

This link takes you to the first part and then you can read from there. I'll be posting Christmas Eve on Friday!

Preview of LaBelle Christiane-part two

LaBelle Christiane, preview, part two

"What is going on here?" a cool English voice sliced through the room. The clamor evaporated.

All eyes, including hers turned to the red-and-white uniformed captain. He was tall, slender, yet solidly built. His straight brown hair was pulled into a neat club at the back of his neck. Clear blue eyes shone against his tanned face. Christiane guessed that he was in his thirties about double her age. His regular features were set sternly toward the company. He didn't appear to be a man she'd like to cross.

From her Irish father, Christiane had learned much about English rule in Canada. Although the European population of Canada was still mostly French, the government had been British since the French and Indian War, a decade earlier. She surmised that here the British monitored the flow of furs down the river and watched Indian activity.

This man was the authority here and the men acknowledged it. At the captain's arrival, the tension in the room seeped away. The men around her parted, giving way to the officer. Would this work in her favor or no?

"Mademoiselle, Captain John Eastham of His Majesty's Army, at your service," he said in precise French and removed his tri-corn hat and performed a formal bow.

Stunned by this sudden forgotten courtesy, Christiane managed to incline her head in his direction. She studied this stranger more. Why do you treat me like a lady, sir? Is it mockery? Yet his concerned expression showed no obvious scorn.

With all the aplomb she could muster, she replied to his courtesy with a deep curtsey with her hand gracefully holding her worn-out skirt. "I am Christiane . . . Marchon," she improvised in French, the language the captain had used. She was no Marchon.

The barman stepped forward, answering the captain in careful French, "This Indian has brought his daughter to find a husband for her, mon capitaine."

The Englishman studied her and then the gray-haired Indian, his aloof expression hiding all thought. "Mademoiselle Marchon, how do you come to have an Indian for a father?"

The simplicity and the incisiveness of the question gave Christiane pause. How much to tell? Straightening, she sensed that the captain's question had struck all the Frenchmen in the room similarly by their sudden intense concentration on her. Yes, why did a white girl belong to an Algonquin--the disgruntled faces of the men appeared to demand now.

Tension still choking her, she cleared her throat. "He found me alone in the forest and took me in." That is all you need to know. And what would you think if I answered you in English, sir?

"Why were you alone in the wilderness?" the captain continued.

"I was with my father, but he. . .died," she replied, omitting all the incriminating details about her treasonous father's flight from the British crown and his murder in Canada. The captain after all was English, not likely to view an Irishman with favor.

"Then this Indian did not kill your father?" The captain rested his hand on the sword hilt on his belt, a silent sign of his authority, a silent gesture of his readiness to defend…her?

The room stiffened with alert attention again. Christiane wondered why he'd asked this question. Then she realized that he was establishing her foster-father's right to seek a husband for her. "No, sir."

"I see," the Englishman said. "And he has provided for you as his daughter?"

She nodded and the men around her relaxed. That much had been done for her. And since she didn't speak any Algonquin, she had no clear idea of why he'd decided she must come here and be married to a white man.

The captain studied her further. "Mademoiselle, do you agree to this then? Do you wish to find a husband here?"

At this, the crowd's tension spiked again. How odd that she could feel their emotions swirling around her as if they were natural forces. It has been a long time, Captain, since I've been asked for my opinion about even the meanest matter.

Christiane repressed an instinctive denial. Of course, she did not want to marry a stranger. But did she have a choice? Could she face the wilderness alone with Canadian winter coming in mere months? Shaw-nee-awk-kee's declaration of her virginity had established her as a decent woman, but she would need a husband to keep this distinction. Otherwise, she'd be easy prey for any unprincipled man.

Christiane sighed. "I have no other choice. Shaw-nee-awk-kee no longer will take responsibility for me and I have no family to turn to. Yes, sir, I need to find a husband here." At her calm acceptance, the men relaxed their tense positions.

The captain scanned the men. "A show of hands please. Which of you, as yet unmarried, would be seriously interested and able to marry this young woman?" There was a slight hesitation and then a forest of hands sprang up. "That is what I feared. The question is how to decide fairly who will pay the bride price that I assume this Indian will require."

"We could bid for her," someone offered.

"I find that a distasteful solution," the Englishman replied crisply. "She is not an African slave." Again, he looked over the intense, but silent men. "Very well then," he spoke to her, "This will take thought. Mademoiselle, tonight you will sleep in the guardhouse under the King's protection. Tomorrow at noon I will make the announcement of how this interesting dilemma will be handled. All men interested, be in front of my door then. Mademoiselle, if you please, come with me." He offered her his arm.

Again, his formal courtesy prompted manners from her past. Christiane rested her hand but lightly on his sleeve, feeling the strength of his arm under her palm. As if at a garden party, she strolled beside the captain out of the dim and crowded room into the cooling night breeze. She let out her breath bit by bit. She'd won a reprieve, just a night long, but still a reprieve.

Walking beside him over the rough turf, she looked sideways at him. The tail of his dark hair swung back and forth over his broad shoulders. His back was ramrod straight and his eyes never glanced her way, the picture of the rigid, correct Englishman. But for once she was glad to have an Englishman in charge, especially one so efficient. Her nerves jittered as they reached the one-room guardhouse. Had it all been a ruse? Would the captain leave her here alone?

After exchanging salutes with the guard who stepped a few paces away, the captain paused in front of her. "I wish I had better accommodations for you."

The breeze brought his scent to her, some clean soap. She drew it in, savoring the remembered fragrance of spring flowers and heavy perfume. Being so close to this man, the first gentleman she'd encountered in a very long time made her hold herself tightly together. "Merci."

She kept her chin level. She had no cause to bow her head to this man. But he had been kind. "You have been more than gracious." She waited for his next move.

He bowed and turned to leave. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her, alone and uncertain. Was she relieved or disappointed?

This is the end of the first half of Chapter One. I hope you'll drop by Thursday, January 6, 2011 for the rest of the chapter! Remember to let your friends know!

Book Monday Review-Author Susan Meissner & Lady in Waiting

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had never read a Susan Meissner book but that was a mistake. This is a fantastic double story, intertwining the story of Lady Jane Grey and a modern woman in her middle years. The characterizations burst fresh and complex; the history sparkled with the shimmer of authenticity. I loved A Lady in Waiting!



View all my reviews

Author Patricia Hickman & Patience in God

Here's another devotional by best-selling Author Patricia Hickman. I don't know about you but I have drawn comfort and strength from these. I'm grateful that Patricia has shared her wisdom and experiences with us.

Resting in Christ

By Patricia Hickman

Hebrews 3 has as its keyword, rest. Before we get a picture of a Sealy mattress, we first have to get a grasp of the meaning of Christ’s rest. To do that, we have to realize what Christ has done for us in advance.

When my father was very ill, my mother having already passed on, Dad asked me to step in acting as his power of attorney. He suffered his whole life with pulmonary disease and then acquired Alzheimer’s Disease in his final years. In the meantime, he had a relative who had designs on the money he had saved over the years. This person was mentally ill, a violent person who had gone to blows even with her own children. When I arrived in town, I found her selling off my mother’s belongings to neighbors to raise money. I had to work very wisely to get her out of my father’s house and to get him into assisted living care. Then Dad asked me to take him to his attorney where he finalized a will that would leave his estate to my sister and me. Until he signed on the dotted line, there was a great deal of tension and pressure on me. I knew this relative would return to try and gain access to my mother’s belongings and my father’s assets once I left town if I did not put in place safeguards. Because my father’s mental condition would soon deteriorate, he was vulnerable.

But once the will was in place and signed by Dad, I could relax. No amount of scheming or threatening would do this poor individual any good. Finally, I could rest. When he died, I could execute his last will and testament knowing that my sister and I were protected.

When Christ signed my redemption with his own blood, I accepted that new covenant and became God’s newly adopted daughter. My rest is now knowing that my covenant with God is irrevocable, when the testator, Christ, exercises my rights as heir in eternity.

What does that have to do with patience? Everything. All of the work I do, because of Him, for Him, to point others to Him is a long road of work. I have to be patient with myself, knowing that God is finishing a work in me. I have to be patient with His Body because people tend to grow slowly. I have to trust that God is working to finish His work, not to my satisfaction, but to His perfection. Here’s a good verse:

“Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be

perfect and complete lacking nothing.” James 1:4

As God works my imperfect life through the tapestry of His plan, I can rest knowing that I’m secure while abiding in it. That is a true source of patience. It is the ultimate rest for every believer.
www.patriciahickman.com

What do you think of the sentences I highlighted with green? Have you ever stopped to recall God's perspective in the midst of a problem or painful time?

Patricia, thanks for sharing your thoughts. And may God bless your words with power!


The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman




The Pirate Queen surprised me. The first few pages made me think I had stumbled into a Southern-style Danielle Steel novel. But then Patricia Hickman waved her author wand and swept me away into a story with layer upon layer of meaning, emotion and tension, a one-of-a-kind family drama. Tender, compelling, outstanding. A keeper."




View all my reviews

First Page-Her Healing Ways by Author Lyn Cote

Here's the first page of my December Love Inspired Historical, Her Healing Ways, the final book in the "Gabriel Sisters" series.

Chapter One

Idaho Territory, Late September 1868

High on the board seat, Mercy Gabriel sat beside the wagon master on the lead Conestoga. The line of the supply train slowed, pulling into the mining town, Idaho Bend. Panicky-looking people raced toward it, with bags and valises in hand. What was happening here? Like a cold wet finger, alarm slid up Mercy's spine.

She reached down and urged her adopted daughter Indigo up onto the seat beside her away from the onrushing people. Though sixteen now, Indigo shrank against Mercy, her darker face tight with concern. “Don’t worry,” Mercy whispered as confidently as she could.

She looked down at a forceful man who had pushed his way to the front. He was without a coat, his shirt sleeves rolled up and his colorfully embroidered vest buttoned askew. From the flamboyant vest, she guessed he must be a gambler. What would he want with her?

Indeed, what would he want with her??? To read a longer excerpt, click here. To purchase, see right column. Just click and it's on its way!