My Blog's 10th Year Birthday Bash: Pamela S. Meyers's book giveaway

Welcome to the 25th day of my blog's birthday bash!

Please welcome my author friend Pamela S. Meyers.

She's here to give away one of her books!

Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget the end of this blog post. Only residents of the USA are eligible to receive a signed paperback copy of this author's books. International residents will only receive ebook copies due to costs of mailing books outside of the USA.

Let's learn a little bit more about Pamela and her book ...

Author Bio:

Pam has written most of her life, beginning with her first diary at age eight. Her novels,

set in and around her hometown of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, include Surprised by Love in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Safe Refuge, and Shelter Bay, Books One and Two in the Newport of the West Series.

Pam resides in northern Illinois with her two rescue cats. She’s an hour or so away from Lake Geneva where she can be found researching and nosing for new story ideas. 

~*~

Back Cover Blurb for Tranquility Point:

Hannah Murphy is determined to make the summer of 1916, the best it can be before she heads off to law school in the fall. Like her mother and grandmother before her, she is inclined to “break the mold” when it comes to societal expectations of a young woman of means. Her mother was the first woman in town to wear bloomers, and Hannah becomes the first to ditch swim dresses in favor of a practical swimsuit that allows freedom to move through the water.

At the first gathering of the summer, she reacquaints with tall, handsome Ted Bauer, also an aspiring attorney. Ted, who is of German descent, had a huge crush on Hannah when he was in eighth grade, and she was in sixth. He’s no longer the gangly boy she remembers and is quite appealing. With Geneva Lake as their backdrop, their summer romance escalates, until the dark cloud of the Great War can no longer be ignored. 

Although the U.S. has not yet joined the fray, people of German descent are seen with mistrust, and Ted enlists with the British Army to take the heat of discrimination off his family. With the future on hold, Hannah bids her fiancé farewell as he goes to war. 

Only God knows if she will ever see him again or if they will ever be able to recapture what they had those few short summer months.

~*~

Connect with Pamela:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamela.meyers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamelameyers

Website: https://pamelasmeyers.com

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let Love Bloom: Safe Refuge

Interview with Pamela S. Meyers about her book “Safe Refuge”:

Alexis: Why do you call this book “Safe Refuge”?

Pamela: For my character, Anna, her new home in Wisconsin is a safe refuge for her. Many Bible verses also refer to the Lord as a safe refuge.

Alexis: Who is Anna Hartwell and why is she planning to marry a man that she loathes?

Pamela: Anna is the first-born daughter of a wealthy Chicago family and when she was an infant, her parents arranged a marriage for her with the son of friends they had known a long time. You’ll have to read the book to find out why going against her parents' wishes is so difficult for her.

Alexis: Why does Anna call Chicago home? What makes it special?

Pamela: Although Chicago is the only home she has known having been raised there, she has never felt totally comfortable with all the trappings of wealth that her parents enjoy, and after becoming a Christian, she has found solace in volunteering at a mission school as a teacher and attending Sunday night services at the Illinois Street Church (founded by D.L. Moody).

Alexis: Who is Lyman Millard and why does he want an arranged marriage to Anna?

Pamela: Like Anna, he had no say in the marriage plans since he was a child when the plans were set. But he has no reason to not want it. It’s the custom in his family and what’s not to like about being married to a pretty woman that he can escort to social functions. To know more about this multi-layered character. You’ll have to read the book.

Alexis: What role does your characters’ faith in God play in this story?

Pamela: God sustains Anna through some very difficult times in the course of the story.

Alexis: How did the Great Chicago Fire impact the plot for this story?

Pamela: Two days before the arranged marriage is to take place, the fire erupts and totally consumes Anna’s family home and her father’s business property. The family moved north to what is now Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to live with friends until a new home on Geneva Lake can be built.

Alexis: Who is Rory Quinn and what role does he play in this story? How is he different from Lyman?

Pamela: Rory, an Irish immigrant, is the janitor/handyman at the mission school. He and Anna talk often about God and the issues they have with their respective families. He is everything positive that Lyman is not. And easy on the eyes too! Despite her being in an arranged marriage she’s attracted to Rory and knows she can’t marry him because of the arranged marriage and he’s attracted to her but knows he can’t have her because she is high-class and he is not.

Alexis: What is it about Anna that attracts Rory?

Pamela: Aside from her beauty, her faith in God, kindness, and humility, not putting on airs with those of a lower class than hers and never holding her status over them.

Alexis: If you were Anna’s Mom, what advice would you give her concerning her heart in the love triangle of sorts in this story?

Pamela: You will hear plenty from Mother when you read the story. I’m not going to reveal it all here, except to say she is not happy with Anna’s attraction to Rory pulls out all stops to get the marriage plans with Lyman back on track.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about your book?

Pamela: That God is our refuge and strength and underneath are his everlasting arms. It’s a Bible promise found in Deuteronomy 33:27.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Pam! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Pamela: Having grown up in Lake Geneva, WI next to beautiful spring-fed Geneva Lake, I was blessed to take for granted the beauty of the area and the wonderful mansions and estates that sit on much of the lake’s shoreline.

The newer homes are lovely, but a piece of Lake Geneva’s history has been lost in the process. I decided to write the Newport of the West series, starting with Safe Refuge to preserve some of that lost history. The reason for the series title is that when all the fancy large homes began appearing on the lakeshore, the area reminded people of Newport, Rhode Island where many of New York City’s wealthy built similar homes for a getaway. At the time Chicago was considered “the West” as the territories farther west hadn’t yet been established or heavily populated.

If you are ever in the area of Lake Geneva, check out the excursion boats that take passengers on a 26-mile tour of the entire lakeshore and announce the histories behind many of the homes as you pass by.

~*~
Author Bio:

Pam has written most of her life, beginning with her first diary at age eight. Most of her novels are set in or near her hometown of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. They include Surprised by Love in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and her newest release, Safe Refuge, the first of three novels in her Newport of the West series. Her novel, Second Chance Love, released last year, and her novella, If These Walls Could Talk, was published in the Coming Home collection. 

Future novels include Whatever is True (March 2019), Shelter Cove and Tranquility Point, both part of her current series.

Pam resides in northern Illinois with her two rescue cats. She’s an hour or so away from her hometown where she can often be found researching and nosing for new story ideas. 

~*~

Book blurb:

In two days, wealthy Chicagoan, Anna Hartwell, will wed a man she loathes. She would refuse this arranged marriage to Lyman Millard, but the Bible clearly says she is to honor her parents, and Anna would do most anything to please her father—even leaving her teaching job at a mission school and marrying a man she doesn't love. 

The Great Chicago Fire erupts, and Anna and her family escape with only the clothes on their backs and the wedding postponed. Father moves the family to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where Anna reconnects with Rory Quinn, a handsome immigrant who worked at the mission school. Realizing she is in love with Rory, Anna prepares to break the marriage arrangement with Lyman until she learns a dark family secret that changes her life forever. 

~*~

Buy Pamela's book on Amazon

  ~*~
Connect with Pam:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pamela.meyers
Twitter - https://twitter.com/pamelameyers
Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/2kqP5CC
Website - www.pammeyerswrites.comSaveSave

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

14 Days of Sweet Stories: Pamela's book, "Second Chance Love"

Interview with Pamela S. Meyers, author of Second Chance Love: 

Alexis: Why did you choose a rural location in Illinois for the setting of this story?

Pamela: I’ve attended the Pioneer City Rodeo in Palestine, IL every Labor Day weekend for over ten years and it’s such a fun weekend. It’s about a five-hour drive from Chicago and I needed a rodeo within a day’s drive of the city.

Alexis: Does the entire story happen over one weekend? Explain the time span. 

Pamela: The story happens mostly the week leading up to Labor Day and then moves ahead about a month or so as it wraps up. The actual rodeo event covers Friday through Sunday and the festivities end with a Labor Day parade on Labor Day. To give them more time together than a three-day weekend I have Jace arriving there early to prepare for a rodeo clinic he’s to teach to kids and Syd’s boss sends her down there then to convince him to make the right legal decision. It’s still a fast few days, but they spent time together two years earlier. Jace is Sydney’s boss’ nephew and the boss asked Syd to show him around Chicago while he was in town. They were strongly attracted to each other that one day, but went their separate ways and now, they are suddenly together again.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Sydney Knight. Why did you choose Chicago as the place where she hails from? What is it about Sydney that makes her special? What are her hopes and dreams?

Pamela: I live in the northwest burbs of Chicago and know it well. It’s also a city young professionals flock to for work and socializing. Syd has dreams but they have been blunted by the loss of her dad in a horse accident when she was in high school and being dumped by her groom on her wedding day. These setbacks have caused her to shelve her original dreams and become a lawyer like her dad was. She’s determined to keep her focus on advancing in her job, despite the strong attraction she feels with Jace McGowan.

Alexis: Why did you choose that particular rodeo? 

Pamela: You know the adage, “Write what you know.” Because I’ve attended the Pioneer City Rodeo so many times, I’m very familiar with it. But, it’s more than that. Located on the Illinois prairie about five hours south of Chicago, the town of Palestine is like taking a step back in time. Main Street is lined with storefronts that date back to the late 1800s in some cases, and everyone knows everybody else. It’s so small there isn’t even a hotel or motel and visitors to the rodeo must find lodging in nearby Robinson about five miles away. Also, cell phone service is spotty. A perfect setting for a couple who seems to have nothing in common to discover they have more in common than they thought. No distractions.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s leading man Jace McGowan. Why did you choose Texas as the home of your bull-riding hero? What makes him strong? What makes him weak? What are his life goals?

Pamela: Isn’t Texas where all the cowboys live? LOL. Seriously, I have a lot of friends who are Texans and many bull riders come from Texas and Oklahoma. I wanted him to live on a large ranch and Texas just seemed to fit. Jace is strong in his resolve to keep the family ranch going despite his dad dying a couple years ago and leaving the finances of the ranch in bad shape. He’s always been a strong guy, both physically and mentally, but his newfound faith in Christ has made him strong spiritually in a way that passes physical or mental strength. His greatest weakness is impulsivity, something he has to work on.

Alexis: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this story? Why? 

Pamela: Making my protagonist (the one who needs to change the most) likable at the beginning of the story always challenges me. I was so intent on showing all Syd’s flaws from the get-go that I “forgot” to show her softer side. Part of the problem, too, was that I hadn’t correctly nailed down what was driving her resistance to see where a relationship with Jace would go. Once I had that figured out, everything else fell into place. 

Alexis: What was the most rewarding part of writing this story?

Pamela: Being able to vicariously go to the rodeo I enjoy so much and relive that experience on a daily basis while I was writing was a blast. On a deeper note, seeing my characters deal with their issues, both spiritual and practical, and overcome them. 

Alexis: What was your go-to snack or beverage when writing this book? 

Pamela: Anything chocolate and Diet Coke. Although since writing the story, I’ve been trying to cut back on Diet Coke and I’ve discovered a fruit flavored sparkling water at Aldi’s that I drink more often than the soft drink these days. 

Alexis: If you could spend a weekend with Sydney and Jace, what would you all do together? Why?

Pamela: I would love to travel to Jace’s family ranch and spend a couple days there. Of course, Sydney would have to come with me. Since we both live in the Chicago area, we could fly to San Antonio together and Jace could show us around the ranch, maybe take a trail ride. Then I’d like to go into San Antonio and go to the River Walk I’ve heard so much about. I’ve been to Teas several times but never to San Antonio.

Alexis: Complete this sentence: When I wrote "the end" to this story, I thought _______________________ because _________________________.

Pamela: When I wrote “the end” to this story, I thought it was time for the sequel because Clint and Lacy’s story needs to be told next. I’m working on the plot now!

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Pam! God bless you!

~*~
Author bio: 

A native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, author Pamela S. Meyers lives in suburban Chicago with her two rescue cats. 

Her novels include Thyme for Love and her historical romance Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Her novella What Lies Ahead is part of a novella collection called The Bucket List Dare, which is now available at Amazon in both print and Kindle formats. 

Second Chance Love from Bling!, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, releases in January 2017. When she isn’t at her laptop writing her latest novel, she can often be found nosing around Wisconsin and other Midwestern spots for new story ideas.

~*~
Blurb for Pamela’s book, Second Chance Love: Chicago lawyer Sydney Knight and Texas bull rider Jace McGowan have nothing in common but everything to lose when they are thrust together during a weekend rodeo in rural Illinois. Neither one of them would have imagined two years ago that the deep attraction they sensed during a day-long outing would resurface when Sydney’s boss assigns her to Jace’s legal case.

Sydney has been through a world of hurt since losing her dad when she was sixteen, then being dumped the morning of her wedding. She’s sworn off romance and instead devotes her time toward a partnership in her father’s law office.

Jace has found faith in God and wants out of his sponsor contract with a risqué restaurant chain that requires him to pose with scantily-clad women. He’s about to bail on the contract and pay steep penalties—something he can ill afford, given that his deceased father left the family with unpaid taxes.

Sydney is determined she’ll get Jace out of his contract and return to Chicago with her heart intact, but Jace is just as determined to help her see they are meant to be together. Can a city girl with roots deep in Chicago and a bull-riding rancher with roots deep in Texas give themselves a second-chance love?

~*~
Buy Pamela's book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Pamela:
Website - www.pammeyerswrites.com
Blog - www.pamelasuemeyers.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/PamelaSMeyersAuthor/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/pamelameyers

~*~

Enter the book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway