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Monday, March 24, 2008

CFBA Blog Tour - Linda Windsor and For Pete's Sake

I'm pleased as punch to have Linda Windsor here today. And speaking of that, where did that phrase originate? I wasn't aware that punch could be pleased. It could be pleasing, I suppose, if you need refreshment, but it doesn't feel emotions...I don't think.

Anyway, back to Linda. :) If it weren't for her mentorship, encouragement and friendship, my first book would never have been published. She walked me through each chapter and helped me fine-tune the errors or areas that needed tweaking. She helped me find my author voice and merge it with the rules of writing. And, most importantly, she helped me inject humor into an historical romance. That was no easy feat. But Linda helped me do it.

And now, I present Linda as part of the CFBA blog tour:



This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
For Pete's Sake
Book Two of the Piper Cove Chronicles
(Avon Inspire - April 1, 2008)
by Linda Windsor


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maryland author Linda Windsor lives on the Eastern Shore of MD, the setting of her latest contempory series, The Piper Cove Chronicles. God gave her the boot to the inpirational market after she'd written sixteen secular romances and she's never looked back. Twelve titles later, Linda has been a Christy finalist with her Fires of Gleannmara Celtic Irish series and garnered many awards for her romantic comedies (with a dash of suspense) in both secular and inspirational contests. She is most noted for delivering "The Lift of Laughter and Spirit" in her modern inspirational romances.

Linda has written for Multnomah Publishing (historical fiction and contemporary romances), Barbour Publishing (romcom novella), and Westbow Press (the Moonstruck romantic comedy trilogy). Wedding Bell Blues the first book in her new The Piper Cove Chronicles series, is featured on Avon Inspire's launch list.

Reviewers have called this series a cross between Nora Roberts' Cheasapeake and Jan Karon's Mitford books. For previews of Linda's books, contests, and contact information, go to www.LindaWindsor.com.

In addition to writing and doing fiction-writing workshops at conferences across the country, Linda continues a music and lay speaking ministry started by her and her late husband, and she is a part-time financial analyst. She also works on "as desperately needed" home improvement projects on the 18th-century-plus house that she and her husband began restoring in 1986. Wallpaper and paint are definitely in her near future.

LINDA WINDSOR LOCAL APPEARANCES:

Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Jack's Religious Gift Shop
701 Snow Hill Road
Salisbury, MD 21804
2:00PM

Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Gospel Shop
800 South Salisbury Blvd
Salisbury, MD 21801
11:00 AM

Buy Your Copy Today!

ABOUT THE BOOK

For Pete's Sake is a remarkable story about the unlikely love between a grown-up tomboy and the millionaire next door.

Ellen Brittingham isn't sure true live exists until she contracts to do the landscaping of the estate of the sophisticated widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all—at least on the surface, He's engaged to a beautiful woman who helped him build a successful business and he'll soon have a mom for his troubled son Pete.

Yet, from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down, cracking his thin façade of happiness and revealing the void of faith and love behind it. Even more, his son seems to have his own sites set on Ellen – as his new mom.

As Ellen's friendship grows with Pete, she realizes that his father is about to marry the wrong woman for the right reasons. And despite her resolve to remain "neighbors only" with the dad, the precocious boy works his way into her heart, drawing Ellen and Adrian closer. Close enough for heartbreak, for Pete's sake!

But how can her heart think that Adrian Sinclair is the one when he's engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn't. When Ellen's three best friends see she's been bitten by the love bug, they jump into action and submit her to a makeover that reveals the woman underneath her rough exterior and puts her in contention for Adrian's love.

But Ellen must ask herself whether she's ready to risk the heart that she's always held close. Will Ellen be able to trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will her fear of getting hurt cause her to turn away from God's plan and her one true chance at love?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is the second novel in your latest Piper Cove Chronicles series and follows the next friend of four who grew up in the small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I was a tomboy like Ellen and when I met a fifty-something widow who rode a Harley, well, Ellen was born. The entire ensemble from Piper Cove evolved from a real group of ladies, an amalgam of bosom buddies, all different, yet all friends.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Ellen, Adrian and Pete? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

As I said, I was a lot like Ellen. I worked in my dad's motor shop. Grease runs in the blood, I guess. As for Adrian, I think I can say that my changing careers in midlife from software consultant/business manager to a writer was reflected in his realization that he'd become something he wasn't cut out to be. And Pete. Well, Pete is fashioned after my dear, sweet, sensitive son, who has a mild case of Asperger's Syndrome. It's a high -functioning form of autism. These kids are geniuses, hampered by extremely high frustration levels and anger management issues, sometimes ADD. So they often come across as jerks, when they are anything but.

3. What themes exist in For Pete's Sake that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

Ellen dealt with hiding her light under a basket, hesitating to reach out and risk her heart. Adrian wrestled with his anger at God and realizing his need for God, as well as how the distance between him and God was self-imposed. Then there's the life issue of being true to oneself for both Ellen and Adrian. Living behind a facade does not lead to happiness. And, of course, I wanted to show just how beautiful a child with Asperger's is on the inside and that there is help for them to cope with their problem. Although Pete's progress around Ellen was faster than children with more significant cases.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

It was all a delight to write. Wait, that's not so. Portraying Pete was hard for obvious reasons. As for my favorite parts, hands down, it was when Ellen allowed her friends to make her over for a costume party and she lost her... well, it's best that you read the book. (grins)

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I'm not sure yet. I'm doing the proposal now for Jan, the shy buddy who always wants the kind of guy she shouldn't have. The tentative title is Sweet Nothins. Jan is a dessert chef with low self-esteem, who has had enough of being a doormat to her handsome boss. But now what's she going to do? How does one separate the glitter from the gold? Especially when she's being accused of embezzlement and a gambling syndicate thinks she knows more than she does. Like, it couldn't get any worse!

From the Author:

APOLOGIES regarding Wedding Bell Blues. I had two regrettable errors in this publication that, when called to my attention, I didn't at first believe it.

I didn't remember my hero having a Rhett Butler moment when he said "D_mn, I still love you, Alex."

And while I'd written unsaved character Sue Ann exclaiming, "Oh my g_wd!" with the intent of convicting Sue Ann of its blasphemy in her own book #4, I changed her mind after discussing it with my editor and deleted those occurences rather than offend anyone. Well, I missed one. The GOOD NEWS is that these have been removed from future printings and book club issues.

To anyone who read Wedding Bell Blues and was offended, my humble apologies. I'd written this after my husband died and during those months of brain fog, I almost stopped writing because it was so hard to put coherent thought together. Then I turned it in months late, which put my publisher in a bind as far as getting multiple editings. This was the result.

Thank you and God Bless,
Linda Windsor

* * * * *

Thank you, Linda, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of For Pete's Sake.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:" when you leave a comment and type the email address where you'd like them sent. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

* * * * *

15 comments:

Cherie J said...

Ooh! This one is on my wishlist so I hope I win. I love Linda's books.

Karin said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!

Daniela6968 said...

Count me in, please! daniela6968[at]gmail[dot]com

Grateful Gramma said...

Please enter me too. Thanks!

Ginnie

Toystory said...

This sounds delightful, enter me please.

Carolynn said...

Thanks for the interview! I really want to read this book, please enter me, thanks!

Dee said...

Sounds like another great book by Linda, please enter me, thanks!

Donna said...

I would love to win this book. As for her apology about offending others who had read her other book I have seen it up on several sites. I love that the Christian writing community surrounded her with love. I look forward to her new novel and those to follow.

Stacey said...

I really enjoyed "Wedding Bell Blues". Please include me in this drawing. Thanks.

stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com

Carole said...

I loved getting to know Linda through the interview. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

windycindy said...

Hello, What an interesting lady/author! Her books sounds like a wonderful book to read. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

ChristyJan said...

Wonderful interview!
Please enter me to win a copy of Linda's book For Pete's Sake.

Anonymous said...

Hey everyone! Glad you're interested in my new book, FOR PETE'S SAKE!

Lately I've been working OT for Jeff's sake (my 30-something son) who is in love for the first time. Now I just had a floating wedding for my daughter that drifted from Sept 07 to Jan 21, 08!

This latest escapade was not as exciting as limping down the aisle as mom of the bride in a heavy astronaut-sized boot for a sprained ankle. This was heavy duty moving his girlfriend and cleaning her apt.

As my son once said when he was little and feverish. "My parts hurt."

Ain't motherhood a hoot?

And I finally started Jan's story. My shy gal has gone wild. She's about to tell her no good ex to hit the road Jack. He has no idea that his brand new 'Vette is about to... oops. I almost told!

That's it for now. Have a great weekend!
Linda Windsor

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner for this spotlight, folks, and that winner is:

CHERIE!

Congratulations. I've sent your information to Linda, so she can mail out your book.

Thanks, everyone, for your continued support. Two more winners announced for Susan Davis and S. Dionne Moore. Check to see if it was you!

Cherie J said...

Awesome! I can't wait to read this one. Thank you very much!