About the Author:
Lorraine Nelson was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. She lives
with an independent yet affectionate tomcat. When not at the computer
crafting stories of romantic suspense, she can be found spending time
with family, gardening, baking and, of course, reading.
Thank you for having me here today, Leigh!
Blessed Homecoming is a story that is close to my heart. My
faith has seen me through plenty of troubling times over the years and I
challenged myself to write a good, clean story. I’m proud to say that I accomplished
just that. This is a book that mothers can share with their daughters and women
everywhere can share with family and friends without worrying about content. My
mother is already anxious to see it in print. J
Most of my other works are rather on the steamy side. Writing
a book about love and faith was challenging for me as a writer. Having to watch
every word, every detail, every conversation, every nuance, was tricky, to say
the least. But I must say, it’s one of my best works to date.
I’ve received two reviews today already, and they are
excellent. I couldn’t be more pleased. If you have a moment, click the links
below and read what the reviewers had to say. Thank you for helping me
celebrate my newest release.
Stacey Jo Siferd's review: Stacey Jo Siferd's goodreads
Blessed Homecoming is a clean, sweet, non-violent, wholesome story that
as Lorraine Nelson says; “This is a book that mothers can share with
their daughters and women can share with family and friends without
worrying about content.” I agree. Lorraine has combined a heartfelt
story with just enough romantic suspense to keep even the
‘anti-faith/religion’ readers interested and loving it. Honestly, it was
different from what I normally read and it was a welcome, refreshing
change. This book gave a sometimes pessimist like me, a few moments of
pause and reflection on my own outlook. Isn’t that what a great book
should do?
I LOVED these new characters Lorraine introduced us to. Their inner and outer turmoil were realistic and believable. Immediately, I was hooked into the drama of this family. Their individuality and their voices were strong and made this normally smut-loving reader feel completely welcome in the Danforth story. The Danforth’s love for their daughter was inspirational and even made me a bit jealous. Who doesn’t want to have parents that love them unconditionally and always welcome them with open arms? Wendy’s family was picture-perfect. Jake Roberts was a man any woman would dream of falling in love with and his inner demons make him completely irresistible (in my opinion). The villain of this story resembled the many real-life, everyday villains many women have had the unfortunate opportunity to have cross their path. I’d love to hear more from all of them. The plot, characters, editing were all beautifully executed. All in all, it was a ‘blessing’ for me to read this book. Stories like this make my job a lot easier.
I LOVED these new characters Lorraine introduced us to. Their inner and outer turmoil were realistic and believable. Immediately, I was hooked into the drama of this family. Their individuality and their voices were strong and made this normally smut-loving reader feel completely welcome in the Danforth story. The Danforth’s love for their daughter was inspirational and even made me a bit jealous. Who doesn’t want to have parents that love them unconditionally and always welcome them with open arms? Wendy’s family was picture-perfect. Jake Roberts was a man any woman would dream of falling in love with and his inner demons make him completely irresistible (in my opinion). The villain of this story resembled the many real-life, everyday villains many women have had the unfortunate opportunity to have cross their path. I’d love to hear more from all of them. The plot, characters, editing were all beautifully executed. All in all, it was a ‘blessing’ for me to read this book. Stories like this make my job a lot easier.
The hometown girl and the handyman both carry emotional
baggage. Are they destined to remain friends or is there room in their hearts
for more?
***
Wendy Danforth is preparing to be a single mom, her
ex-husband in jail for spousal abuse. She returns to her hometown, to
renew her faith and to heal. Caught off guard by the handyman in residence, attraction
hits, swift and piercing, but she quells her unruly emotions, in no hurry to
get involved in another relationship. Besides, at almost nine months pregnant,
she wasn’t exactly looking her best.
Jake Roberts, hired to renovate the Danforths’ house, took one look at his employer’s daughter and wanted to run far and fast. He hadn’t possessed an ounce of faith or been around a pregnant woman in three long years, not since his wife and unborn son died in an auto accident. They become friends, and when her ex-husband escapes custody, he steps up to protect Wendy and her unborn child. Will the danger and close proximity test their friendship? Or will it lead to more? Can Jake regain his lost faith, or will it elude him forever?
Blessed Homecoming - Excerpt
Jake found it hard to believe
what he'd overheard, what that sweet, caring woman had endured at the hands of
a man who had vowed to cherish and protect her. He'd been heading down to
retrieve a package of wood screws when he heard Wendy crying and didn't want to
interrupt. He didn't want to eavesdrop either, but her pain-wracked voice kept
him an unwilling captive as she relayed events.
Broken bones, cracked ribs, dislocated shoulder and bruising over seventy-five per cent of her body. Then to heal and find out she was pregnant! Why would she be so happy about having that man's baby? Surely, she couldn't still love him after all that.
Hearing her speak of her faith in the midst of all that suffering struck a rusty chord inside his gut. Somehow, deep down, her quiet acceptance and determination spoke to him in ways that expensive therapy had not. She was a survivor, he'd give her that, but if her friend hadn't found her—no, he wouldn't go there. He couldn't. Divine intervention, she'd called it. He called it lucky.
She'd come home to heal and build a new life for herself and the baby. Surrounded by family and friends, she'd never have to fear for her life again. Although he'd barely known her twenty-four hours and had a definite aversion to getting involved in her problems, he'd do what he could to help her adjust to living in a small town again. If the gossips wanted to pair them off, so be it. He'd been through worse—much worse.
He sat on the step with his head in his hands, undecided whether to let her know he'd overheard or pretend ignorance. How could he ignore the pain she'd suffered? More surprisingly, he realized he wanted to be there for her, to prove that not every man was prone to acts of violence. Although, like her father, he'd had some thoughts on what he'd like to do to her ex if he ever had the chance.
Broken bones, cracked ribs, dislocated shoulder and bruising over seventy-five per cent of her body. Then to heal and find out she was pregnant! Why would she be so happy about having that man's baby? Surely, she couldn't still love him after all that.
Hearing her speak of her faith in the midst of all that suffering struck a rusty chord inside his gut. Somehow, deep down, her quiet acceptance and determination spoke to him in ways that expensive therapy had not. She was a survivor, he'd give her that, but if her friend hadn't found her—no, he wouldn't go there. He couldn't. Divine intervention, she'd called it. He called it lucky.
She'd come home to heal and build a new life for herself and the baby. Surrounded by family and friends, she'd never have to fear for her life again. Although he'd barely known her twenty-four hours and had a definite aversion to getting involved in her problems, he'd do what he could to help her adjust to living in a small town again. If the gossips wanted to pair them off, so be it. He'd been through worse—much worse.
He sat on the step with his head in his hands, undecided whether to let her know he'd overheard or pretend ignorance. How could he ignore the pain she'd suffered? More surprisingly, he realized he wanted to be there for her, to prove that not every man was prone to acts of violence. Although, like her father, he'd had some thoughts on what he'd like to do to her ex if he ever had the chance.
She took the matter out of his hands when she sat a couple
steps below him and, placing a hand on his knee, asked, "How much did you
hear?"
His head jerked up and he searched her eyes, expecting to see anger and disgust at his audacity, but there was none. "Pretty much all of it. I'm sorry, Wendy. I didn't intend to eavesdrop, but I didn't want to barge in on you either."
"Are you all right?"
"You're asking me? After all you've suffered, I should be asking you that question."
"My suffering ended the day he was found guilty. All that's left now is the sentencing in two weeks' time and I don't need to be there for that."
"But you're expecting his child. How is that not suffering, considering what he put you through?"
"Every life is a gift from God. I don't always understand His methods, but at least I have one good thing resulting from a failed marriage."
"Did you love him that much?"
His head jerked up and he searched her eyes, expecting to see anger and disgust at his audacity, but there was none. "Pretty much all of it. I'm sorry, Wendy. I didn't intend to eavesdrop, but I didn't want to barge in on you either."
"Are you all right?"
"You're asking me? After all you've suffered, I should be asking you that question."
"My suffering ended the day he was found guilty. All that's left now is the sentencing in two weeks' time and I don't need to be there for that."
"But you're expecting his child. How is that not suffering, considering what he put you through?"
"Every life is a gift from God. I don't always understand His methods, but at least I have one good thing resulting from a failed marriage."
"Did you love him that much?"
"At first, yes, very much. He was the man I'd always
dreamed about, kind, caring and it didn't hurt that he was gorgeous to
boot." She smiled at the memory, then sobered. "The love died a slow
death when the abuse started. He always made me feel like it was my fault,
until the day I ended up in the hospital with a broken arm and didn't go back.
I realized then my dreams of a happy ever after were never going to
happen."
"What did you do? Where did you go?"
"A social worker at the hospital made a couple of calls and arranged a bed in a shelter for abused women. My arm being broken meant I couldn't work for a couple weeks, but when I returned, I found out from my boss, Emma, that he'd been haunting the place, waiting for me to show up. She'd had to call the police on a couple of occasions.
She became my best friend. Emma encouraged me to lay charges and file a restraining order against him, which I did. I also filed for divorce. He didn't show up in court, didn't contest it, so the judge granted the petition based on the abuse."
"I would think so," he huffed in agreement.
"I saw Clyde around from time to time after that, and he never made any effort to approach me, for which I was thankful. But the night before the divorce became final, he showed up after I got home from work. The rest, as they say, is history."
"Can you really put it all behind you that easily?"
"Believe me, Jake, it hasn't been easy. Easy started yesterday when Mama met me at the bus stop with her arms wide open. Until then, I'd hoped, but wasn't at all certain of my welcome, circumstances being what they are."
He placed a hand over hers where it still rested on his knee. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you're here. You are one remarkably strong lady and I'm honored to be your friend."
"My faith is what's strong. I had to believe the Lord has a purpose for me in this life. That's when I decided it was time to come home. I'd been away too long." She gently disentangled her hand and rose to her feet, slightly wobbly at first, causing him to reach out and grab her upper arms to steady her. "Thank you."
"What did you do? Where did you go?"
"A social worker at the hospital made a couple of calls and arranged a bed in a shelter for abused women. My arm being broken meant I couldn't work for a couple weeks, but when I returned, I found out from my boss, Emma, that he'd been haunting the place, waiting for me to show up. She'd had to call the police on a couple of occasions.
She became my best friend. Emma encouraged me to lay charges and file a restraining order against him, which I did. I also filed for divorce. He didn't show up in court, didn't contest it, so the judge granted the petition based on the abuse."
"I would think so," he huffed in agreement.
"I saw Clyde around from time to time after that, and he never made any effort to approach me, for which I was thankful. But the night before the divorce became final, he showed up after I got home from work. The rest, as they say, is history."
"Can you really put it all behind you that easily?"
"Believe me, Jake, it hasn't been easy. Easy started yesterday when Mama met me at the bus stop with her arms wide open. Until then, I'd hoped, but wasn't at all certain of my welcome, circumstances being what they are."
He placed a hand over hers where it still rested on his knee. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you're here. You are one remarkably strong lady and I'm honored to be your friend."
"My faith is what's strong. I had to believe the Lord has a purpose for me in this life. That's when I decided it was time to come home. I'd been away too long." She gently disentangled her hand and rose to her feet, slightly wobbly at first, causing him to reach out and grab her upper arms to steady her. "Thank you."
Contest:
Thank you for helping me
celebrate this new release. Please follow along on my blog tour and comment
daily for several chances to win a free download of Blessed Homecoming.
Remember to leave your email address so I can reach you. :) Winner to be
announced on July 31st.
I so love hearing from my readers! It’s
important to know what works and doesn’t work for them as I continue to craft
stories of love and mystery. You can find me at:http://www.lorrainenelson.weebly.com
http://www.lorrainenelson.wordpress.com
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Purchase Link:
breathlesspress
| Date | Host/Hostess | Blog url |
| 15th | Krista Ames | http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.ca/ |
| 16th | W Lynn Chantale | http://wlynnchantale-decadentdecisions.blogspot.ca/ |
| 17th | Isabella Olivia Ellis | http://isabellaoliviaellis.blogspot.com |
| 18th | Laura Horwitz | http://www.laurabhorwitz.com/roadnottaken |
| 19th | Marissa Dobson | http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/ |
| 20th | Krystal Shannan | http://www.krystalshannan.blogspot.ca/ |
| 21th | Pam Mongol Bitner | http://kastil.wordpress.com/ |
| 22th | Doris O’Connor | http://thetardisscribbles.blogspot.com/ |
