The HEA Cafe

Author Archive

Thursday afternoon, I attended an online class-conference call set up by Harlequin for its authors. It was titled Blogging 201. (Near the end of 08, Harlequin had given the 101 class which I “comped” out of. GRIN.)

201 was really an eye-opener. I thought I’d learn a bit about blogging but now I find I have much more to learn.

But the teacher Malle Vallik’s main point hit home–there are so many online promo ops and social networks–that a writer must focus on what she wants to concentrate her efforts on. And stick to it.

I’m on MySpace, Facebook, Goodreads, LibraryThing, Shoutlife and I’ve just set up on Twitter.

I don’t spend a lot of time on any ONE of these. So I’ve made the choice to focus on building my own blog traffic. My personal blog is www.strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com.

Right now I’m having my MEGA May where I focus on mothers and other women in our lives that were good examples for us. And I’m going to try to figure out  how to Tweet?
So what social networks are you in? And which type of online promo do you think would serve you best?

Today I’m taking a turn blogging about a strong woman in my life.

She was Jane Jordan Browne, my literary agent. She acquired me in 1997 just before I sold my first book to Love Inspired. I knew I had made the right decision in signing with her when I told the editor who called to offer me a contract that Jane Browne was now my agent. In an awed tone, she asked, “Jane Jordan Browne?”

Jane was a fantastic agent who took a real interest in the careers of her authors. She read all my early manuscripts and critiqued them before my editors saw them. She made sure I connected with editors who would help grow my career.

I often still hear her voice in my head giving me advice. After every conversation we had about a new project, she would end it by saying, “We shall see,” as in “We shall see how it will turn out.” And it usually turned out WELL.

I was horribly shocked and saddened when she died suddenly of pancreatic cancer the first week of February 2003. (Pancreatic cancer is hard to diagnose.)

Before her unexpected death, Jane had asked one of the interns she had trained in the 90′s to come back and begin taking over the agency so Jane could retire. I’m so thankful that Jane did this because her successor Danielle Egan-Miller was there to take up where Jane had left off.

Danielle has been a real blessing to me too. And neither of us will ever forget Jane’s impact on our lives both personally and professionally. Jane and Danielle have been blessings not only in my career but in my life. Thanks.

This is the Mother’s Day Card which is part of my MEGA MAY “A Celebration of Mother’s” on my blog  www.strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com
I will send one to any special woman in your life IF you send me her name and address before April 15th. Drop by my website www.LynCote.net, then click “Meet Lyn” which will bring up the drop down menu with “Contact Lyn.”

Click there and send me an email with the information.Of course, I would never give or”sell” anyone’s address. I don’t like it when that’s done to me so feel confident, your information is safe with me. (Unless they put a gun to my head. Then you’re on your own!)

I will fill your name into the blank and sign the postcard. I have 100 of these for this purpose and would love to send out all 100 of them.

Also during MEGA MAY, a Celebration of Mothers’ on this blog, I am
going to feature stories sent to me by readers about the strong women in
their family history and those from other authors.

Already Jane S. has sent me the story of her mother which will be the
first on the blog in May. So send me your story or your mother’s, etc.
If you don’t want to tell a story, drop by and comment on someone else’s
story. Because then you will qualify for my MEGA May prize.
Finally I will be giving away a MEGA basket of goodies and autographed books in a drawing of all of those who have participated during May on my blog.

Don’t miss this! I think it’s going to deeply meaningful and fun too!

I love writing about strong women– past and present.  And my latest heroine Dorritt Mott is a woman ahead of her time. In 1821, the majority of people in the US and Europe considered women less intelligent and less competent than men. Also the same majority thought that any person who didn’t have white skin was inferior too. There was no political correctness in 1821.

Dorritt who opposes slavery and who wants to run her own life is very aware that she is out of step with her times. But her innate honesty won’t let her go along with what everyone else thinks is right.
Here’s what Library Journal had to say about Dorritt’s story, The Desires of Her Heart, the first book in my newest historical saga.

Cote. Lyn The Desires of Her Heart. Avon Inspire. (Texas: Star of Destiny, Bk. 1). Feb. 2009. c.320p. ISBN 978-0-06-137341-1. pap. $12.95.

“After gambling away his family’s estate, Kilbride decides to pack up and move the family to the new Texas territory, where land is free for the taking. But 25-year-old Dorritt knows her stepfather doesn’t have the sense or character to lead them there; instead, she relies on their wagon train’s rugged scout to guide them. Dorritt trusts Quinn until she discovers his prior business dealings with Kilbride. Dorritt, who wants to be free of her stepfather so she can live her own dreams, discovers, though, that her dreams may include a man after all. In her new series launch, the RITA nominee and award–winning author (Blessed Assurance, “Women of Ivy Manor” series) demonstrates her skill at creating strong female protagonists in compelling stories that will captivate historical romance readers.”

And today happens to be the release date! I’m smiling!

I’ve also started my own blog  http://www.strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com. If you’d like to read stories about other brave women in real life and good fiction, drop by on Tuesday and Thursday.
Lyn Cote

I don’t know if any of you have noticed but Christmas is ALMOST HERE!

I always try to keep my focus on the true meaning of Christmas, God’s gift of His Son into this world which had room for Him at the inn.

But I love all the holiday fun too.

I want to let you know about another way you can have some holiday fun.

Another Love Inspired author Margaret Daley has come up with her version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Tomorrow drop by www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com
and join in the fun and a chance to win $50 for taking part.

I’d also like to invite all of you to the www.eharlequin.com Holiday Open House on this Thursday the 11th. Here is the link to join in the fun all day on Thursday.

BTW, two copies of my first Love Inspired Historical will be given away during the chat. It’s released today. Drop by my website www.LynCote.net to read about it, view a trailer I made myself and perhaps buy a copy for yourself or someone for Christmas.

Most of you know that I’ve been a long time Love Inspired author and I am thrilled that LI now has a historical line.

My book is titled Her Captain’s Heart and is the first in my Gabriel Sisters series which will be released one each December starting this year and finishing in 2010.

These three sisters, Verity, Felicity, and Mercy, live in the turbulent period after the Civil War and do their best to try to bind up the wounds of the injured nation both North and South. If you have a heart for children, you will love the first, Verity’s story.

I’ve also just launched my first personal blog on my website. It’s titled “Strong Women Brave Stories.” This is the emphasis in all my stories and I believe that every woman has a story. Please drop by each Tuesday and Thursday and read about real and fictional strong women. I’d love to hear your story or one of a woman in your family history.

Merry Christmas!!

Lyn