Guest Blogger: Linda Windsor

Leave a comment to enter a drawing for a FREE copy of Linda’s new book: Wedding Bell Blues. (Drawing will be held Saturday, June 30–so HURRY!)

Maryland author Linda Windsor has written some twenty-nine historical and contemporary novels for both the secular and inspirational markets, but she is most noted for delivering “The LIFT of Laughter and Spirit” in her modern inspirational romances. A Christy finalist and winner of numerous industry awards, Linda has written for Kensington Publishing/NY, Multnomah Publishing/Random House, Barbour Publishing, Westbow Press/Thomas Nelson Publishing and is now contracted to launch Harper Collins’Avon Inspire contemporary romance line with The Piper Cove Chronicles.

Linda chose a local setting, basing the fictitious Piper Cove on nearby Ocean Pines & Berlin, MD. Its first book, WEDDING BELL BLUES, is due out in June 2007. In addition to writing and speaking across the country, Linda continues a local music and lay speaking ministry started by her and her late husband. She also works on home improvement projects on the 18th century-plus house that she and her husband began restoring in 1986 on an “as desperately needed”basis. Wallpaper and paint are definitely in her near future.

Here’s a special guest blog from Linda Windsor:

As I write this, I ache in places I didn’t know I had. I have shades of pale green, sunset orange, pirate blue and mermaid aqua in my hair, cuticles and on other various parts of my body. You see, when a daughter buys her first home and has marriage and a ready-made family in the near future, everything at mom’s home stops and mom dons whatever hat she can wear to make it a home for her little girl. I can see it now. The mother of the bride wore a rainbow of colors.

But, always the writer, my thoughts have been churning about Sweet Nothin’s, book three of my Piper Cove Chronicles—a series about four very different women, best friends who vowed to leave the sleepy seaside village in their dust straight from high school graduation and never return. Well, they did. But the town has changed and so have they. Still, at thirty-something, they’ve yet to find lasting love. There’s ambitious, control freak Alex; outspoken Harley-riding tomboy Ellen; shy and hopeless romantic Jan who always wants the kind of guy she shouldn’t have; and the sassy and somewhat spoiled heiress Sue Ann—all for one and one for all in life and love.

Wait. I’m ahead of myself. Book one of the series, Wedding Bell Blues, is coming out in July! Alex is planning the wedding of the season for her little sister and calls in her bosom buddies for the job. But when her ex-hubby shows up as the best man, Alex’s well-organized world turns upside down. Josh Turner left his teenaged bride for a successful career as a rock musician, never dreaming that an accident would end it, lead him to Christ and back to Piper Cove. The moment he sees Alex, he knows it’s time to right wrongs, even if it means putting up with her overbearing father, who played a major part in destroying their marriage. But will Alex see how he’s changed and forgive Josh? And who is the blackmailer bent on ruining the wedding and everyone’s chance at love?

I set the series in my home area at my favorite place—Ocean City, MD and its bayside. I have been going there for a lifetime and in all seasons to get my fill of serenity, renewal and inspiration. God’s ocean is all that to me. And the colorful small town characters are amalgamations of the many colorful people I know well, myself included. So jump into Wedding Bell Blues and meet them all. Smell the salt air and scent of Old Bay- spiced seafood cooking. Enjoy the friendship, love, laughter and dash of suspense.

Oh, and definitely take a sneak peek at Chapter One of Wedding Bell Blues on my website at www.LindaWindsor.com! I’ve redecorated the replica of my 18th century great room’s fireplace on the header for the summer season just for you. There are contests, too. And be sure to keep in touch for Ellen’s story—a denim-clad Cinderella on a Harley meets a sophisticated Prince Charming in his ‘Vette and love blooms for the sake of the hero’s little boy Pete. Um, did I mention the high tech espionage in said hero’s business? For Pete’s Sake will be out in January of 2008. And of course, the bosom buddies will all be there to help things along.

Okay, back to painting and thinking about Jan’s book—Sweet Nothin’s. Oh, my aching everything! Wish I was in Piper’s Cove.