Lucy McConnell's Blog - Posts Tagged "romance"

Hello Readers!

I have been totally geeking out about Fall this year. I think it’s because I’m so excited about this new series of Fall-inspired romances.

The town of Harvest Ranch is a fantastic place to live and raise kids–it’s also a great place to fall in love.

One of the things I loved about writing this book was imagining the Fall colors and the scenery. Pumpkins are one of my favorite decorations! We have a large plot of land that’s not being used and I want to grow 100 pumpkins on it next year to put all over my yard and share with neighbors. It’s gonna be epic!

If you love sweaters and cute boots, hot cocoa and cinnamon toast, then you’re going to ADORE this book!

Reviewers are already chiming in and they love it.

“I loved the plot of this one. And the fall theme! Sigh…it’s perfect!” ~MyBookaDay

“This was a pleasant, lighthearted read which brightened my day and really put me in the mindset of fall and harvest time. It made me want to curl up in a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa, but it’s too hot for that where I live.” ~Beauer

Happy reading,

Lucy

Starting a new series is like starting a new adventure in life.

There's a whole lot of discovery, imagination, meeting new characters, and sometimes struggles.

One of the challenges is that the author has to look beyond this first book, beyond the second book, and see where the series is going to end up. Including elements/characters that will play a part down the road, without being obvious, can take work.

For example, in "From Best Friend to Husband," we meet several extended family members. Their stories will come into play later on, but for now, they are scenery. Scenery that needs names and personalities, quirks and talents. A series starter definitely is more involved in the planning stages than a later book in the series would be.

On the flip side, all those beautiful, long-term details can overload the immediate needs of the current romance if you're not careful. And those side characters can become more interesting than the current characters. Finding that balance can be tricky.

One way that I keep everything in order is to have a series bible. In it, I keep track of characters who will get their own story, places, side characters, street names, local businesses, and family squabbles. I use a notebook and handwrite everything. It helps to be able to carry it around as I outline during my daughter's softball practice. :)

All in all I was really happy with the balance of setting up future romances and giving enough page time to Wynn and Judd in "From Best Friend to Husband: The Harvest Ranch Romances Book 1."

I hope you enjoy it!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FVJJ9ZJ

Happy reading,
Lucy

I hope you enjoy this excerpt!

I'm so happy that Alice has a family and is part of the Westbrooks. She deserved a home and a place to belong.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Russ stowed the posters in the trunk and climbed behind the wheel.


“I did my sixth-grade book diorama on The Three Musketeers. It was the first big book I ever read,” said Alice as they clicked their seat belts. “Did you know D’Artagnan was made a musketeer twice? Talk about plot holes.”


Russ reached into the back seat. “I didn’t know that, but I did know you did your diorama on the book. That’s why I bought it for you.” He placed a tired, well-loved book tied with a blue bow in her lap. “Happy birthday.”


Shocked beyond belief that he’d not only remembered it was her birthday but had bought the one thing that could make her heart beat faster than running a 5k, Alice squealed and threw her arms around Russ.


He hugged her close, and Alice breathed in the subtle scent of his cologne. Brisk, it reminded her of the awe-inspiring view from the top of White Top Mountains and the whipping winds of desire that pulsed through her veins when Russ was near.


Air was suddenly a hot commodity, as she had a difficult time getting enough of it into her body. Wanting to run her hands up his back and through his pirate-length hair, she became self-conscious and moved back, only to be stopped by his formidable arms still holding her close.

Meeting his intense gaze, she searched his soulful eyes for a spark of the heat burning inside of her. She became acutely aware that this was the first time she’d hugged Russ.

Though they’d spent a lot of time together over the last year, they’d never had any type of physical connection—and here she was, her skin humming and feeling hot and cold and everything in between.
“You’re the best,” she said.


Russ glanced at her lips, and Alice dropped her eyes, the intensity of the moment overwhelming her control.

😁
Thanks so much for reading. If you'd like to find out what happens next, click here:
https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Libr...

They say writing a book is a personal thing. That an author has to go so deep into their own world, and remove all outside influences, to create .

But that's not always the case.

In fact, I find that my books are often inspired by real life situations, events, memories, and sometimes even things I overhear at the grocery store. 😁

For example, the Applesauce Cookie recipe in "Once Upon a Library" is my great-grandma Phoebe's recipe. I added a piece of her history to the book, inspired by the love she had for her large (99 great-granchildren at her passing) family. It was that love that went into Grandma Westbrook's character and helped her see Alice's need to belong.

I think being inspired by the goodness in others can bring an added level of reality to a character.

What do you think? I'd love to know. Leave a comment below. 🥰
Happy reading,
Lucy

P.S. If you'd like to read "Once Upon a Library" you can get a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FVJW312

For a couple of years now, I've wanted to write a Christmas story in a castle. As it often does, these yearnings of my heart have to be placed on hold while I find a home for the story among my existing series or start a whole new one.

This was such a grand romance that I decided to start a new series.

But royalty is like that--they have expectations. 😘

If you like Hallmark movies about princes falling for the nanny or the caterer, you're going to love this book.

You can pick up a copy by clicking here.

And, hop on over and enter my Goodreads giveaway here: https://www.goodreads.com/event/show/...

Happy reading,

Lucy

I was recently asked:

If you could go back in time to any time period, what would it be?

Instantly, the quote from Doc Brown on "Back to the Future" came to mind...

"Say you want to see the signing of the Declaration of Independence... Or witness the birth of Christ..." 😁

Well. Yeah! I'd love to be there for both of those events.

But I think, what I'd like to do most of all, is go back and meet my grandparents as teenagers. I'd like to see who they were when they were young, understand where they came from, have a conversation about school and the world and where they saw themselves going.

I guess that's not very exciting to the whole world, but it's meaningful and real. 🥰

What about you? Who would you want to meet or what would you like to see?

Dear Reader,

Did you have a favorite Christmas story when you were a kid?

I was lucky. My mom started a wonderful tradition that truly brought the spirit of the season every year.

Each night in December, we would read a Christmas story by candlelight.

There's something magical about candles isn't there? They chase away so much harshness and soften the edges of the world. 🕯

Anyway, we would light the candles and read a story. Some she'd collected from magazines or newspapers, others were xerox copies from friends or neighbors. One of my all-time favorite stories was of a little shepherd boy who, after seeing the Christ child, spent his life giving. As he grew up, he noticed he didn't grow older--though he did grow a long white beard. As he grew more generous, including every child in the world in his Christmas Eve trek, his ability to give was increased through the Grace of God.

You guessed it, the little shepherd boy became Santa Clause.🎅🏻

Not all the stories were that deep. Some were just for fun. Like this one:


It's a tribute to the 80's and Santa and cows all rolled into one. You have to understand, my grandpa was a dairy farmer so cows were a part of life.🐄🐮

It's a funny book that brings just enough silly into the holiday to make you feel like a kid again. I looked it up on Amazon today and it's out of print. 😢I still have a copy of the book on my kids' reading shelf. Maybe I'll pull it out tonight, turn on the tree, and light a few candles and read them the magical story of "Santa Cows."

Do you have a favorite Christmas story from when you were young? There's so many classics out there!

A newer movie I discovered last year was "The Man Who Invented Christmas". It's about the writing of a Christmas Carol and it holds me captive every time I watch it. If you're looking for a great show, that's one I'd recommend.

If you have any movies or books that you'd love to share, leave a comment below.

Happy holiday reading,
Lucy

As the New Year hangs over our heads, I have to confess something...

I like finishing things.

Not just like, but love with all my heart.

Which is why it's so fun for me to tell you that the Snowed In for Christmas Clean Romance Series have all been released and are available for your reading pleasure.



You can check them out here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LD9QBYY

I've read all of them and can say that each one was a delight.

Happy reading,
Lucy