From Mira...
After losing her child, Ginger Dysart was lost in grief. But since moving to Thunder Point, a small town on the Oregon coast, and with the help of her cousin Ray Anne, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she's excited to start her first big assignment, assisting with the Lacoumette wedding.
In spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger finds herself swept up in the pleasure of the occasion. But the beauty of the Lacoumette farm and the joy of the gregarious family are ruined by an unfortunate encounter with the bride's brother, Matt. Struggling with painful memories of his own recent divorce, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself and Ginger when he tries to make a pass at her, forcing Ginger to flee the scene in embarrassment.
But when Matt shows up at the flower shop determined to make amends, what started out as a humiliating first meeting blossoms into something much deeper than either of them expected. Discovering they have a lot in common, they form a solid friendship, though everyone around them worries that Ginger will end up with a broken heart yet again. But if Ginger has the courage to embrace the future, and if Matt can finally learn to let go of the past, there may still be hope for a happy ending.
Giveaway...
I have an ARC of a previous book in this series to give away to one US winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
From HQN Books...
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point—a place made for second chances…
McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her beloved hometown of Haven Point. It may be small and struggling, but it's never let her down…unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family's factory, leaving the town's economy in shambles. Now he's back—his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point's sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice.
What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? He left Haven Point behind years ago, for good reason. Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie—its fiery young mayor—he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing…a place where love arrives when it's least expected.
Q&A with RaeAnne Thayne...
Q: REDEMPTION BAY is the 2nd book in your new Haven Point series. What would you tell someone who is coming to Haven Point for the first time? Is there anything you want first time readers to know before they jump into REDEMPTION BAY?
A: Haven Point is a series of books that explores healing in its various forms -- healing hearts, healing bodies, healing families and healing a town. Haven Point – on the shores of beautiful Lake Haven, a few hours from Boise, ID – has seen some tough times and suffered some losses, but despite all the challenges, it's a place where people care about each other.
Q: When a natural disaster hits, the whole town works together to avoid catastrophe. Do you live in a place where people help each other out like this? It’s inspiring to read about!
A: I definitely live in a community like this and feel incredibly lucky. Huge, dramatic events like house fires or floods seem to bring out that compassion and caring in everyone and it's wonderful to witness people come together to help in whatever way they can. I've witnessed many situations similar to the events of Haven Point, when an entire community rallies to help out neighbors. Just as touching to me, though, are the constant small and simple acts of kindness I see around me every day.
Q: How much of your actual life gets written into your fictional stories? Do you ever use real people as inspiration for your characters?
A: Oh, absolutely. I've never created a character whole cloth from an actual person but I'll take bits and pieces of people I've met or read about and incorporate that into my characters. I loved that part of being a journalist – the chance to be out in the community meeting new people and interviewing them. I learned early that everybody has a story and everyone faces both struggles and triumphs.
Q: What’s the most interesting comment you’ve ever gotten from a reader?
A: I once had a teenage girl tell me she used to hate reading until she and a girlfriend read one of my earlier books together and now she loves to read and is always finding new authors. I could quit writing today and be perfectly happy, knowing that I've helped someone discover the joy that can be found inside a book.
Q: Have you noticed your writer’s voice has changed over the years due to experience? If so, how?
A: My voice has changed quite dramatically over the years. I sold my first book to Bantam Loveswept twenty years ago, when I wasn't quite thirty, and I've since written fifty more. At the time of that first sale, my husband and I had one daughter and my life experience was very narrow. The week I sold my fifth book to Loveswept a few years later, I gave birth to our second child who was born with multiple severe disabilities. I became his caregiver and advocate and by necessity, my worldview shifted instantly.
I am a much different person than I was in my early days as an author. I have learned that life is hard. It's filled with pain and disappointment and sorrow but also laughter and spring flowers and dear friends. I think I write from a place of hard-won experience, knowledge that I couldn't have imagined in my twenties when I first dreamed about writing novels.
I write characters now who have been through sometimes unbearably difficult things but eventually they discover that the world is still a place of joy and wonder.
It took me about twenty books before I began to recognize the core message in each of my books, no matter how disparate the characters, plot or conflict – that we are each here to learn how to take care of each other. In REDEMPTION BAY, I think McKenzie has already learned this but Ben discovers through the course of the book that he can't truly be happy when he keeps the world at a safe distance, not letting anyone close.
Giveaway...
The publisher is offering a copy of this book to one US winner.
My reading changed, more diverse books and genre, thanks Darlene Cruz
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say both if that makes sense. I still read some of the same genres but have definitely expanded and added new authors and genres. :) I just love to read!
ReplyDeleteGreat Interview Val. I can see how her writer's voice would change with age, new experiences, and wisdom. I imagine that her more recent works are full of knowledge. I imagine that it must be a great feeling to know that she was the reason that a non-reader began reading, and loving it. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
My reading tastes have definitely changed. I used to read mostly sci-fi and fantasy novels. Now I read mostly romance. I still read sci-fi and fantasy, but they too are of the romance variety.
ReplyDeleteI think my reading tastes have grown and changed over the years. I have my favorite genres, but am always willing to try something out of the box.
ReplyDeleteI think my reading tastes have changed a little, but there are still classics that I'll revisit over and over.
ReplyDeleteMy reading interest have definitely changed over the years. I am reading a lot of different genres now.
ReplyDeleteMy reading taste has changed over the years. I use to read only one genre, and now I read many.
ReplyDelete