Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Lynne Marshall 25 and Counting. #Giveaway

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with 10 comments

 Meet Lynne Marshall who's celebrating a very special book birthday. Her 25th book for Harlequin, Forever a Father, published March 1. And YOU may get a present. Lynne's giving away  two Mills &Boon UK  PRINT anthologies:(US only.)

1.     PERFECT PROPOSALS - Marry Me
By: Charlotte Phillips, Lynne Marshall, Catherine Mann

2.      A Duet:  The Doctor and the Princess by Scarlet Wilson and Miracle for the Neurosurgeon by Lynne Marshall I read and loved Miracle for the Neurosurgeon last year. The first romance I ever read with a parapalegic hero.
Lynne please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a retired Registered Nurse with twenty-six years under my belt. I’ve been traditionally published with Harlequin as a category romance author for more than twelve years with twenty-eight books, counting the three coming out this year. More recently I’ve published with TULE a small independent publisher. I have also gone hybrid with self-publishing four backlist books that I’ve gotten the rights back on. 
I’m a Southern California native, have been married to a New Englander for a long time, and have two adult children of whom I am super proud. My daughter Emily is a Nurse Practitioner and my son John-Philip is an intensive care paramedic on the flight team for Duke University Hospital in North Carolina.  I’m also an adoring grandmother of two beautiful little girls from my daughter and son-in-law: Thea (just turned 4) and Cora (21 months). There’s nothing like being a grandma. Nothing.  I’m also a woman of faith, a dog lover, a cat admirer, a meandering walker, a curious traveler, and an optimistic participant in this wild journey called life. Yes, you are! Lynne is one of my favorite people in LARA-RWA - our local chapter of Romance Writers of America. The first heroine of Lynne's I met in A Doctor For Keeps had a mixed race background and was so well written. You never know who you are going to meet in a Lynne Marshall book.
Who are your favorite writers in your genre?
It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books.  She is my favorite of all contemporary romance authors because of her quirky characters and settings and the humor she injects into her stories.  My favorite books by her are: NOBODY’S BABY BUT MINE, AIN’T SHE SWEET, and her most recent release FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT. If anyone out there has never read her before, check her out! A woman after my own heart! SEP is my favorite author!
How do you motivate yourself when inspiration takes a vacation?
I don’t recommend sitting around and waiting for inspiration to strike before going to the computer and putting in your daily words. Here are a couple of quotes to explain why.
“Don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work” ~Pearl S. Buck
“Inspiration is a selfish fleeting lover that only shows up in the mood. Who needs selfish lovers?” Lynne Marshall
Forgive my audacity to include myself with a quote from the incredible author, Pearl S. Buck, but we were talking about the same thing. Writing is work, and if you’re a published author it is also a business. The world would stop if everyone waited for inspiration to do things. Inspiration is a form of fantastical thinking. It is something that young minds thrive on, but as we mature we discover that part about putting bread on the table and a roof over our head. So we must write, and we can’t wait for inspiration to do it.
What about the times we feel blocked?
When I feel resistance to moving ahead with one of my stories, I’ve learned over the course of writing thirty or so books that something has been left undone in the prior scene. My brain instinctively knows it and flags it by holding me back. Until I’ve examined the chapter or scene, then stimulate my creativity by moving around (I like to walk, do aerobics, or take a shower) I can’t go forward. Sometimes this takes more than a day to accomplish. I don’t freak out. I know it is my process.
“You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block.” ~ John Rogers 
I whole heartedly agree with this quote.

Any advice for new writers just starting out?
You’ve probably already joined a writer’s group. If not, do so, immediately. Joining a group comprised of like-minded people is life-changing. There is much to learn and mentorship is the key. Listen to the wise ones in your new tribe. Their experiences can save you time and heartache. There are organizations for every writing genre; do you know where your manuscript belongs? If not, figure it out, immediately.
Roll up your sleeves. Invest more time in the process. Write every day, even if only a few lines. Read every day. Plop down some money for writing classes. Follow through on what you glean from workshops and author lectures. Apply this new knowledge to your work in progress. Don’t be offended by honest critiques. Learn from them, apply whatever makes sense. Ignore the snarky comments. Be open to suggestions. Rewrite. Edit. Delete. Begin again. This is the process. It cannot be ignored. 

Once you’ve finished your book, though you’ve officially written The End, it’s only the beginning of your journey. First, pat yourself on the back for pursuing your dream and completing your novel. Enjoy the sweet oblivion, the exhilarating notion that “if I write it, they will come.” Each stage of your journey is its own reward. Remember this when things get rocky. Now hold onto your hat, because the rest is going to be a crazy ride!
How do you get from here - new author with manuscript under arm - to there – published?

Life is filled with synchronicity. When you’re on the right path opportunities arise. A chance meeting with an editor at a writers’ conference may open a door in the future. Be aware. Be prepared. Maybe you’ve entered a contest or signed on for an agent or editor appointment and they’ve requested a partial or a full. Don’t panic. Follow through.
Polish and send in the requested material. A high percentage of writers don’t do this. Don’t be one of them. Revisions are inevitable. Do them. Rejection is part of the process. Get used to it. Don’t entertain defeat. Move on to the next opportunity and project. Don’t give up! Excellent advice.

Tell us about FOREVER A FATHER.


Here’s the blurb:

“Will you be my dad?”

Ask me anything but that.

Once upon a time, Dr. Daniel Delaney had it all. But he lost it in the blink of an eye, and he won’t let himself fall again—not even for his dedicated new assistant, Keela O’Mara, and her adorable, lonely little girl, Anna. Resisting a starry-eyed four-year-old is tough enough. Denying her perfect, loving single mom may be more than Daniel can handle…

Forever a Father is the launch book for The Delaneys of Sandpiper Beach trilogy for Harlequin Special Edition. It tells the oldest brother’s story, Daniel and is out in March, 2018.  Book #2 SOLDIER, HANDYMAN, FAMILY MAN, will be out in April and is Mark Delaney’s story, and book #3 REUNITED WITH THE SHERIFF, is the youngest brother, Conor Delaney’s story and will be out in May.


Meet the Delaneys of Sandpiper Beach: A family business with room to grow…

What’s your current WIP?
The complication: Half-brother Brent has a huge crush on Erin, and the kid has gone through enough recently losing his father and discovering his mother doesn’t want him, or never has. 

Is there heartache in store for everyone? Or will Wade and Erin find a way to make their own patched together family?


And finally, where can we find you?







Thank you for being here, Lynne.  I am entering your giveaway! Happy reading all.


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10 comments :

  1. Susan! Thanks so much for hosting me and letting me be 25 again! ha ha. I've posted on FB and hope to drive some readers over. I am currently in Boston awaiting a second nor'easter tomorrow, and will do my best to pop in again to chat with anyone who comments. You're the best for inviting me! Oh, and I have the first two books in the Delaney trilogy for you. See you next time! hugs and smooches.

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  2. I love Lynne Marshall's books. I'm really excited for the Delaney Brothers series!

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  3. Congrats on book #25, Lynne! What an awesome milestone! I loved your quotes and I'm going to stick a couple on my computer for when I need a good kick in the pants! (Like always!) Can't wait for the world to meet the Delaney brothers!

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  4. Congratulations! What an accomplishment. You have much to be proud of Lynn! Keep up the good work.

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  5. Enjoyed the excerpt. Kids can get your everytime. Thanks for this opportunity.

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  6. Congrats on your 25th book. It looks great :)

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  7. Healing Heart Acres sounds great I look forward to reading it. Congrats on book #25

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  8. “You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block.” ~ John Rogers Thank you, Lynne, I so agree. Writing a book is a process of rereading, rewriting, plotting and plodding through. Thank you, for this great inspirational blog.
    Belle Ami

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  9. Great advice and I love your quote about inspiration. Two of my favorite contemporary romance writer's are SEP and your wonderful books. I look forward to reading your new one!

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