Romantic Escape to the Past
The House in Grosvenor Square, by Linore Rose Burkard
I love a book that I can get lost in, the kind that transports me to another place or another time. A book where the characters are as real as the man sitting across the table from me and where I feel like I am not just watching the story unfold but I am actually a part of the story.
That is exactly what I found when I opened Linore Rose Burkard’s The House on Grosvenor Square.The story is set in London in the early 1800’s—the Regency Period. It centers on Miss Ariana Forsyth in the days leading up to her marriage to the dashing Mr. Phillip Mornay. Mr. Mornay is one of London’s most popular, most eligible bachelors, and there are plenty of people who are not pleased about his betrothal. When items begin disappearing from his home in Grosvenor Square, it appears that someone is out to get Ariana. The danger to the young woman becomes very real when she is kidnapped from a large social event.
Ms. Burkard’s vivid, detailed descriptions made 19th Century come alive. There were moments while reading that I felt like I was right there—sitting beside Ariana in a carriage or running through the streets with Phillip. Often I found myself speaking more formally and even curtseying to my husband. The descriptions of both characters and setting are so vivid. It was hard to remember that I was not really a part of 19th Century London society.
And almost depressing to put the book down and see 21st Century Jackson outside my front window.
Ms. Burkard has written a wonderful tale, proving she is a master of this time period. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from her.
Novel Description
Working on getting my fourth novel, SHATTERED, out this spring. Here is what I have for the back cover copy. How does it strike you? Would you want to read it? Please let me know!!
Lynn
Kerry Warner did what she had to do. It was a difficult choice, but it was best for her daughter. Wasn’t it? For twenty years, she has silently lived with the truth. Now, as her daughter’s wedding nears, her past screams for her attention.
Janessa Warner has just finished college and is looking forward to marrying Garrett. Hours after a visit to his hometown begins, a horrifying car accident alters their plans. Janessa comes face-to-face with a woman from her mother’s past. The very foundation of her life is shaken. Her search for answers only leads to more questions. Can God put the shattered pieces of her life back together and bring healing to her family? Or has He really abandoned her?
Novel Excerpt!
I am hard at work on SHATTERED, a novel I hope to release in late March or early April. I need a little help, though! I would LOVE some feedback on the first chapter. I want to know if it makes sense to anyone other than jsut me, or if it might be a bit too long, or what. Please have a look and be sure to let me know what you think. I really appreciate it!!
SHATTERED, chapter one
“Janessa Marie Warner.”
With a smile she thought would never fade, Janessa walked confidently up the steps. She glided across the stage, pausing long enough to shake hands with Dr. Todd Marks, President of Indiana Wesleyan University. She accepted his congratulations and held tight to the maroon folder he handed her. This was it. Her degree. The little piece of paper she had worked hard for, had lived the past four years for. No, she had lived for God these last four years. That folder and the piece of paper it proudly displayes just represented His will for her life.
No amount of hard work and sacrifice on her part would have meant anything if God was not in it all.
She reached the edge of the stage, having shaken hands with a few other members of university faculty. She looked up and said, “Thank You, Father,” before descended the steps and rejoining her classmates.
Want to read the rest of the chapter? You can find it here.
Total Dork!!
OK, so I am a complete and total dork!!! My kids even think I am acting kind of geeky!!! But I don’t care! I saw on Facebook that Karen Kingsbury was having a Super Bowl Latte Time. I joined in the chat, and told her how seeing her books inspired me to stop being so scared and start writing. Well, she responded to me!!! COOL!!!!!
Hi Lynn . . . That’s amazing that you’ve wanted to write so long! I wanted to write that long, too! You must follow that calling . . . And never be scared to try 
God gives us this gift, like He gives other gifts. Write for Him, Lynn!
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A Dilemma of Prayer
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT
Cancer has again made an appearance in my life. At this point in time, having anyone I know go to the doctor makes me nervous. My aunt battled breast cancer. For a while, it looked like she was going to win her battle. She went to be with the Lord in July 2009. Her older brother followed, losing his cancer battle in December2009. Less than a week after his funeral came the news that their cousin had lost her battle with lung cancer. This month, I learned from my best friend that she had found a suspicious lump in her breast that her doctor wanted to examine closer. Within 12 hours of her tests, an email came that the doctors had found a malignant mass between the liver and pancreas of one of my mother’s best friends.
With all of this sickness surrounding my family and friends, I Thessalonians 5:16-18 is becoming harder and harder to follow. “Always be joyful”? “Be thankful in all circumstances”? About the only part of this passage that seems doable is the part in the middle: “Never stop praying”.
Only I am even having a problem with that part. At this point, I don’t even know how to pray about this.
With Aunt Gail and Uncle Bob, my prayers were for their souls. They both had spent years wandering away from the Christian teachings of their youth. I prayed that God would reach them in time, that He would put someone in their lives to remind them of the love of God before their lives were over.
I prayed for Lori much the same way. She’s a good person, but that doesn’t mean her heart is right with God. That doesn’t mean it’s not, either. Wow. As I type this, I realize how pathetic it is that I don’t know. Lori is one of the most important people in my life, and I have tried to share my faith with her over the 18 (good grief, have we really been friends that long?) years that we have known each other. Yet I can’t say that I know what her relationship with Christ is. I know she believes; I know she prays. But does she have a close relationship with Him? Not knowing that, I prayed that her tests would come back negative and that God would give me the boldness to ask her about her faith.
But then there is Bea. I don’t wonder at all about her. I know that she loves Jesus and that when her life is over, she will be in Heaven, praising Him with the angels. Her prognosis is not good. And I just don’t know what I pray for. Do I pray for her healing? That would be awesome for her family and friends, but would that be awesome for Bea? She is ready to go when God calls her. Is it fair to her to pray for her healing, when she is ready to experience the full glory of God in Heaven? When I think about her situation, I find it very difficult to pray for healing for Bea. Instead, I find myself praying for her family and friends. I pray that God will guide and comfort them, no matter what his plan for Bea is. As Mom said earlier this afternoon, “She may be ready to go, but I am not ready to see her go.” I know that Bea is OK with whatever God has planned for her—whether it be complete healing on Earth or complete healing in Heaven.
Her friends and family, though, are going to have trouble being joyful or thankful in this, even though we know it is all a part of God’s plan.
Regency Romance
Reading is my favorite way to escape reality. Not that reality is really a bad thing. God has blessed me beyond measure and far beyond what I deserve. I really can’t complain about the life He has given me. Still, every now and then I need to get away, to slip into a world where my children are not fighting and where money matters don’t matter. Since I live in a world where finances are a concern, I can’t afford to take an exotic vacation every time I need a getaway. But I can afford to escape into a book.
The best authors are the ones who can create a fictional world that is so real the reader feels like a part of the story. Linore Rose Burkard is one of those writers. She has made her way into my top three favorite authors.
In her novel Before the Season Ends, Burkard writes about life in London in the early 19th century. Often, we think about this as a simpler time, and I suppose in a many ways it was a simpler time. Television, radio, and the internet had not yet been invented, meaning life offered fewer distractions. Even without these modern conveniences, however, there were still plenty of chances for a young lady to find trouble.
Or in the case of Ariana Forsythe, for trouble to find a young lady.
And it seems no matter how hard she tries to avoid it, trouble does find Ariana. Whether it is bumping into (literally!) members of the London’s upper class, falling out of a small boat, or being stuck in a tree, Ariana seems to always fall into some sort of trouble. The worst of her troubles, though, comes when she finds herself drawn to two men. One is a man of great faith but little means, intent on becoming a clergyman. The other is a man of great means but little faith, content with the single life he is living. Ariana is torn between the two men—and the love of God that fills her heart. Her head tells her one thing while her heart tells her another.
Before the Season Ends is a beautifully written love story—a love story that centers around God. Burkard’s characters and settings draw the reader into a new world. Or is it an old world? In either case, it is a world that is hard to leave. Luckily, there is no reason to be in a rush to leave—Linore Rose Burkard has written two additional books about Ariana and her family. I highly recommend that you read all three of these wonderful books. If you only have time to read one, read—well, read whichever one you can get your hands on! I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Lynn
PS Be on the lookout for my reviews of Linore Rose Burkard’s other books in the coming weeks!!!
Am I Crazy?
Oh my goodness. Am I opening myself up with that title or what??
I spend a lot of time on Facebook. Please don’t ask just how much “a lot of time” is. I’d rather not admit to! Let’s just say if there was a 12-step program for Facebook addicts, it probably would not hurt me to join it!
Anyway, while I was on there last week, I saw an ad for college grants for moms. My big regret in life is that I have attended three different colleges and I still have no degree to show for it. So I clicked on the link. I found a school called Grand Canyon University that offers an English Literature program. It is 100% online. Looking further into the school, I learned that it is an accredited Christian college. That REALLY spiked my interested! I’ve been talking to an admissions counselor, which is only getting me more excited! He said that he can get most of my credits transferred, so I would likely be looking at only 2 years before graduation. He suggested that I fill out the FAFSA to see what kind of financial aid is available for me right now.
I talked it over with my husband yesterday. He thinks it is a good idea, but he worries that I might be taking on too much. I hate to say it, but he could be right. Writing, babysitting a 3-month-old, leading the Wesleyan Women at our church, and school. And don’t forget all of the “normal” Wife and Mommy stuff that I have to do (and Facebook!). He said that if I am in school, I might have to give up writing for a while.
*GULP*
Am I willing to do that?
He also asked me WHY I want to go back to school. That is a question I have been asking myself as well. If I am going just to finish school, is that really the right reason? Will this degree really benefit my writing career? In my mind it would. I keep thinking that editors and agents would take me more seriously if they see that I have an English degree. But I don’t really know that it would matter. The last thing I want to do is end up in the same place my husband has found himself in—with a college degree, in a job that doesn’t make use of that degree, and facing repayment of student loans.
I don’t know what to do here. I’ve been praying about it. I know that God will lead me where I want to be. No, that’s not right. He is going to lead me to where HE wants me to be.
One thing I am sure of is that He gave me the ability to write interesting stories. I know He wants me to write, that my ministry lies with my words. But honestly—will a degree change that? I mean, I am already writing a lot and working hard at promoting my work. He will give me success in His time. I’d like His time to match up to mine, but who doesn’t?? Having a degree isn’t going to push God to hurry up and show me how He wants to bless this career.
Gift I Didn’t Know I Wanted
When my brother-in-law called in November to ask what my children would like for Christmas, I was shocked that he also wanted to know what I would like. I was so unprepared for the question that I could really think of only one answer.
”I’d like a subscription to Writer’s Digest Magazine.”
At our family Christmas gathering, he told me that he had purchased the subscription and I should begin receiving it soon. I was so excited! I’ve been rushing to my mail box as soon as I know the mailman has been here, hoping to see the first issue of my subscription. This morning, I finally found a magazine in my box. I was so excited! (I guess I get excited easily….) My excitement was short lived, however. The magazine was not Writer’s Digest, as I expectred. Instead, my brother-in-law had bought The Writer. I tried not to be too disappointed. It’s the thought that counts, right? And I am touched that this brother-in-law thought enough about me to give me something that would benefit my career.
I read the headlines on the front of the magazine—”Top writers on fiction”, “7 Productive writing breaks”, “Is self-publishing right for you?”—and I thought, “Hey, this might not be so bad!” So I started reading the magazine. By page 9, I was hooked!! This magazine is AWESOME!!
Plus, it is not one that my local independent bookstore carries. I can still go in there each month and buy the latest copy of Writer’s Digest, but I never would have been able to buy The Writer there. And it is FULL of great ideas and tips. It fired me up. Suddenly, I just want to write!! Even if the words don’t make sense, I cannot wait to get them on paper!
Thanks, Mike! This is the best Christmas gift ever! (Well, besides the gift of the Christ Child, that is!)
Too Picky? Probably!
One of my “resolutions” for 2010 (not sure I really like that word, but I’ll go with it for now!) is to write a review of every book that I read. I love having my books reviewed, and I figured this is a great way to repay the favor. Not that I think every author I read is likely to pick up one of my books and write a review or anything (though if Karen Kingsbury were to do that it would be totally awesome!!). But I figure any book could benefit from a little extra publicity.
The problem that I am having right now is that I don’t have anything new to read. Nothing in hard copy, anyway. I do have two PDFs that are sitting on my hard drive, waiting for me to read and review them. Funny, I don’t even know why I haven’t started reading either of them yet. I know I must have a reason…. Anyway, not having anything new to read has pushed me to pick some “old” books off of my shelf. Good thing I only keep copies of books that I really enjoy there!
I did ask my mother to recommend some books for me. She is almost as voracious a reader as I am. And she is much better at purchasing books than I am. She has some that she bought last spring that she has yet to read! On New Year’s Day, she gave me two books to read. One is by an author I’ve heard a lot about but never read. The other is by a Christian author I’d never heard of before. The first book I got through, though I complained a lot about it along the way. It seemed to be a good story, but there was too much going on. All of the characters confused me, and I found myself flipping back a chapter or two to be sure of which character was related to what other character. It was like reading a soap opera, though not nearly as smutty. With the second, I am struggling to get through chapter two. This author writes in a very formal fashion. One of my favorite authors, Linore Rose Burkard, writes that way. However, she writes about life in Regency England, about 200 years ago. That was a much more formal time. The book I am trying to read now, though, is a more contemporary story. The dialog and the narration are very stiff. Reading is supposed to be a fun activity, and this book does not make things fun at all.
This got me to thinking—am I really too picky about what I read? Until now, I would have said that I am willing to read anything. I’ve read Dickens and Austen, and enjoyed them both. In 8th grade, I read Gone With the Wind for the first time (I’ve read it twice more since then!). In high school, I even read Michener. Talk about long novels! There was a time when I had read every Sweet Valley High book that had been written. In recent years, I’ve read a lot of Meg Cabot books and most of Karen Kingsbury’s. I’ve read young adult novels, romance novels, Christian fiction, mainstream fiction, and science fiction. As long as the book is well-written, I am willing to give it a chance.
Maybe that is the problem—I love a well-written book, and these two don’t fit my definition of well-written. Not that I think I am any sort of an expert on the subject. And since these books made it into print, I assume that means everyone has a different idea of what a well-written book is. To me, a well-written book is one where there are enough characters to tell the story, but not so many that the reader is confused. It is one where the characters speak and act as if they belong in the time period when their story takes place.
Well, I guess that is it for tonight. Oh, and don’t go looking for the names of the books I was reading or any clue who the authors are. I am not telling!!! J
First Weekend–WOW
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1, NLT
I came across this Scripture Saturday morning, and it really hit home. I was looking at the beginning of the second day of a new year and the first day of a tough weekend. This verse caught my attention ot a time I knew that I would need God’s strength and endurance to survive.
Whether 2010 started off rough or 2009 ended rough, I am not sure. Whichever way, I sincerely hope that this weekend was the toughest one that I will have to face this year.
Saturday was the memorial service for Logan Sandoval. Logan was stillborn on December 17, eight days before Christmas. His death brought up a lot of memories for me—memories of my miscarriage nearly five years ago. The hole that baby—my daughter Rylee—left in my heart was torn wide open. Once again my arms ached to hold her—an ache that felt just as strong that morning as it felt on February 14, 2005. I looked at my youngest son, a boy born two years after the miscarriage, and felt beyond grateful to have him in my life. The blessing of his love, though, doesn’t take away the emptiness that Rylee left behind.
There is a big part of me that thinks Kayla, Logan’s mother, was so very lucky. She got to feel her baby kick, to see him on an ultrasound screen, and to witness his growth through her expanding waistline. On the day he was born, she got to hold him and kiss him. She has pictures of him and plaster casts of his handprint and footprint. But then during the service, I looked over to where Kayla was sitting, right between her husband and her mother. She looked so broken. I’ve known Kayla since she was about a year old. I have never seen her look so sad, so helpless. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and take away all the pain and sadness.
The next morning, I saw Kayla at church, with a smile on her face. She was living through the most difficult thing any mom could ever go through, a more difficult time than most others at 18 would ever have to face. And she was facing it with dignity, with her head held high. That was when I realized that what Kayla has isn’t luck. It was love. She has the love of her family and her friends. Most of all, she has enough love for her son to go on with her life. Me? I’ve been so wrapped up in missing Rylee and wondering what she would look like and whether or not she would be like her brothers to really move on with my life. When I came home from the service, I put the little “In Memory” card in the memory box that I made for Rylee.
Every woman who has to say good-bye to her child could learn a lot from Kayla.
Unfortunately, Little Logan’s memorial service was not the only sadness for my family. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2009, my mom’s older brother passed away. His death wasn’t as unexpected as Logan’s. Uncle Bob had been ill for a long time. He had cancer and kidney problems and heart problems. My uncle led a good, full life. He had three wonderful daughters, and five grandchildren. The fight just got to be too much for him. If my math is correct, December 31, 2009 would have been his parents’ 75th wedding anniversary. Uncle Bob chose to celebrate that milestone by joining Mammie and Pappie in Heaven.
These two funerals were two totally different experiences. With Uncle Bob, there was sadness mixed with a bit of relief. We all knew—some more than others—how he was suffering. Though he will forever be missed, the thought that he is no longer suffering brought some comfort. With Logan, the sadness was mixed with a large dose of confusion and even a bit of anger. He was so young, never even getting a chance to live a life before it was over.
Anyway, my point is if this year is really a race, God is going to have to give my family a lot of endurance to get through it.
Basics of Me
The following is a brief essay from my nephew, Rayce. Rayce has been chosen as a Youth Ambassador to Australia as a part of the People to People program. Now he has to raise the money for his trip. To help out, I am donating $5 from every book that I sell from now until February 28, 2010, to Rayce’s Australia fund.
People To People will benefit me, my community, and my school. One of those ways is the extra collage credits. Another reason People to People will benefit me is learning about a new culture. The last way I’ll list on why people to people will benefit me is the chance to meet new friends.
People to People is a great chance to get collage credits for the future. I feel collage is very important. People to people would give me the chance of getting in too a good collage. Especially while I’m young earning collage credits is a very good thing.
People to People is a learning experience, I would get to learn all about Australia and the cultural differences. I believe People to People will be a huge learning experience.
Since the People to People program will contain more than just me it will give me a chance to make new friends. I feel it is very important for me to make new friends. People to People will give me a chance to make some more.
I cannot remember a time when I was not telling stories. As a little girl, I used to gather all of my dolls and stuffed animals together for story time. At night, I annoyed my sisters by whispering my stories until I fell asleep. In fifth grade, I met Mrs. Sue Niedzielski. Mrs. N. fed my creativity, encouraging me to write down my stories. Her excitement and support fueled my desire to be a writer. Twenty years later, she is still one of my biggest fans—outside of my family, of course!
In high school, I began entering writing contests. It felt good to see my work in print and to know that others were reading it. As much as I wanted writing to be a career, for years it was a hobby. Between working, being a wife, and being a mother, I didn’t have the time to focus on my writing. If God wanted me to write, He was going to have to show me how and when to do it. Too many other responsibilities crowded my life for my writing to be a priority. Slowly, my dream faded into the background as I struggled through “real life”.
Things changed after the birth of my third child in 2007. It was like a switch was flipped inside me. I felt I had to write. God gave me the stories and showed me how and when to work on them. By the end of the year, I had completed my first novel and sold my first short story.
My published books are Forsaking the Call (December 2008) and Summertime (May 2009). The Ladies of Faith, the first in a three-part series, is scheduled for publication later this year.
I live in Jackson, MI with my husband and our three sons. My family is very active in our church, Cascades Wesleyan. When I am not writing, I like reading to my boys and scrapbooking.
God has been very good to me and to my family. I praise Him daily for his many blessings. My favorite scripture passage is Joshua 1:7-9
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
I DID IT!!!!
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