Aren’t moms wonderful? I have a lot of great memories of my mother. She homeschooled me and my siblings, so we spent a LOT of time together. She taught me how to ride a bike. Went on long walks with us (we lived on my granddad’s farm for about six years during my childhood). Inspired me with my love of dogs—she took me to purchase my first puppy at age 11.
She girl-talked with me as a teenager, about boys and friends and growing up. She helped me get ready and gave me advice when I got married. She was there for me when my two children were born. Now that I’m a mom myself, I can understand more fully the incredible amounts of patience and love she shared with me and my siblings (and still does sometimes!).
Yes, moms are special people, and their capacity for love is one of the things I tried to capture in THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART.
Heroine Penny Castlerock is a social butterfly who mostly cares about her wardrobe and which event she’ll be attending next. Until she meets and falls in love with her grandfather’s next-door neighbor and his daughter and seven adopted sons. Penny is drawn to the kids who haven’t experienced much love in their lives, and she can’t help but open her heart to them—even though the boys can be rambunctious and ornery. Here’s an excerpt from the hero (Jonas White’s) Point-Of-View. In this scene from the middle of the book, he comes upon Penny talking to one of his sons:
A peek through the doorway revealed Breanna curled up next to Penny on the sofa, head on the woman’s lap, fast asleep. Maxwell was the only boy left in the room and sat against the wall facing Penny.
Jonas suspected Davy and Ricky had snuck out to the barn to check on a new foal and the others had probably retired to their rooms for a rainy-day nap, a luxury they rarely got.
“She’s a real sweet gal. Helps her folks with their store, and keeps her little sisters.”
Jonas realized Maxwell was talking about a girl. His son had never expressed an interest in the fairer sex, at least not to Jonas, but this certainly sounded like admiration.
“She sounds sweet. Do you know her, Jonas?”
Maxwell looked up from his spot on the floor. Jonas stepped into the room, hoping his son wouldn’t shut down because of his presence. Maxwell still kept some things private, even from his adopted father.
Maxwell cleared his throat, face reddening. “We’re talking about Emily Sands.”
“I didn’t know you were sweet on her.” Jonas sat on the end of one of the benches, close enough to be part of their conversation without having to speak loudly and possibly wake Breanna.
“I ain’t really said anything to anyone, because…” Maxwell looked down and fiddled with his pants leg. “Well…she’s really somethin’ special and I’m…”
Jonas held his breath. Would Maxwell share about his past?
Penny reached out, stretched a little, and ruffled Maxwell’s curly black mop of hair. “You’re something special, too.”
His son looked up, his face open, hopeful. Yearning for Penny’s approval to be real.
Jonas knew exactly what Maxwell was feeling. His stomach had tightened into a knot as he waited to see what she would say to his son. He wanted her approval for Maxwell.
He tried not to think about what it would feel like to have Penny’s approving gaze rest on him.
Question for you: what is your favorite memory with your mother?
I’d love to give away a copy of THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART to be drawn from all those who comment.
Here’s the back cover of the book:
To escape a dreaded arranged marriage, Penny Castlerock will face anything—even life on her grandfather’s farm. But it isn’t the rustic lifestyle that’s got the Philadelphia socialite tied in knots. It’s the handsome homesteader and his eight adopted children next door….
With seven boys and a girl to raise, transplanted farmer Jonas White could sure use some help. He just didn’t expect it to come from the high-spirited, copper-haired beauty he’s always admired from afar. But surely working the land is no life for a woman like Penny. Yet a threat to Jonas’s farm just might show him how perfect Penny is for him after all.
SPECIAL GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate my birthday and the release of this book, I’ve gotten together a small contingent of authors to give away some gifts and book bonuses. There are specials just for Mother’s Day, too! Check out www.megamaybirthdaybash.com .
Hi Lacy! A big welcome to P&P. We’re thrilled to have you back. I have so many favorite memories of my mom. One was her beautiful smile and a laugh that was guaranteed to lift my spirits no matter what. She always looked on the bright side of things and instilled in us that we could do anything we set our minds to. She was so proud of me for my writing and liked to tell everyone she met. She was my number one promoter. I sure miss her. She’s been gone 8 years but I still think of her everyday.
Good luck with your new book. It looks great. I can just imagine how your heroine felt about those eight children. I’m sure there are lots of humorous and heart-tugging scenes.
Loved the excerpt!!
I’m not sure I can pick a favorite memory of my mother–but I loved how she could just let loose and be silly with my sister and I. She could always make us laugh.
Hi! I love this genre and have never (yet) read your books!
A couple things I love about my mother– she quilts and sews lovely things. She has just now started to sell them, and is living a dream she has had for a long time. Also, she is a great lover of birds and nature. She has an amazing yard and created a magical “fairy garden” in my yard. She just helps make life beautiful.
I will defintely look for it!
Hi Lacy!
One of my favorite memories of my mother is when I was living in Virginia and she came to visit for a week, we had the best time seeing the sites and just staying up late talking. My mother has always been a great source of prayers and a real cheerleader in everything I’ve done.
Best of luck with your new book! Loved the excerpt!
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I love the mom stories you all have shared.
One of my favorite memories with my mom that I didn’t mention was seeing movies together. We used to love to see movies all the time (now that I have little kids it is a little harder!). Also renting and watching movies.
PS if you like ebook format, this book is $2.99 at Amazon and B&N today! Not sure how long it will last, but that’s the price now.
Wishing all the Moms out ther a wonderful Mother’s Day! 😀
My fav memory with my mother and my grandmother… was my First Communion… being all dressed up, having my very first little purse, and seeing all the smiles that came my way… how happy and proud they were… 😀
Thank you for sharing a bit about your book with us! Sounds wonderful!
I have lots of fond memories but the one I recall the most is how she was always sewing something-dresses, curtains, bed covers, etc. She made all of my dresses until I could sew for myself.
Your book sounds really good.
Hi Lacy! Welcome to P&P! My mom and I were super close until her passing about 3 years ago. We talked all the time about everything, but especially about relationships. Little did I know, but in a way she was teaching me character development! Two books are dedicated to her . . . someday I hope to make it three 🙂
Welcome back to the Junction, Lacy! I’m so fortunate to still have my mother with me. At 75, we’re still making music together, whether at church on a Sunday morning or at our annual benefit concert where she, my sister and I do all sorts of fun stuff. She’s pretty amazing lady!
Thanks for hosting me todays. I loved hearing about all your moms!
This sounds like it will be a heartwarming story. Children can be raised and raised well by single parents of either sex. However, having two loving parents makes it easier for them and there is more time to spend with the children. A mom’s loving touch is one of those special things that will cure your little hurts, make you smile and laugh, and make those special times even more special. for many, it is just the little things that help the most and are remembered years later.
One of my favorite memories of time with my mom, was when we had time to just the two of us. Rare when you are the oldest of 6. When I was in college and all my siblings were in school, my mom and I would have tea and Ideal Cookies. (They don’t make that cookie anymore.) We were becoming friends as adults, not just mother and daughter. I wish we had had more time. I graduated, went into the Peace Corps for 3 years. She died at only 47, just 3 weeks after I got home. I miss my mom and those special tea times. Would be nice to be able to share the same cookies with my daughters. At least we can sit and have tea together.
I hope THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART does well.
Hi Lacy,
Your hero and heroine certainly have a house full!