Shannon here: Carole Brown shares insight into her real life romance & her characters’ romance from her latest historical romance, With Music in Their Hearts. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated Nov 17 – 19 to enter the drawing for winner’s choice of a print or e-book copy. Deadline: Nov 29th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Shannon:
Do you have a special song that means something special to you?
One that has been a favorite of ours is “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers. It depicts the good times, the sad and hard times, the times of learning and sharing and fun and trials. But we’ve made it so far and expect to make it through the rest of our years of life. Only God can help us do that because we know and have learned how true it is that if a couple wants to stay together, they both need to work at it. It can’t be a one-sided affair (normally).
In my novel, With Music in Their Hearts, Tyrell sings to Emma Jaine on one occasion when they think they are alone. Although he has issues of trust and is afraid of the parental influence on his life, he can’t help but love the red-headed sister who runs the boarding house. It shows in the passion and intentional emotion he evokes from the song. It’s called, “You Made Me Love You” and was such a fitting love song for the two of them. Both resisting for their own silly reasons and refusing to acknowledge that it might be God’s direction in leading them together.
In Tyrell’s case, his parents were rich. His father successful at everything he touched, but rebellious and heedless to his family history of ministry. He insisted on his wife’s attendance at the drunken parties and frolics he wanted to attend. Their lives ended abruptly with an automobile wreck. Fortunately, for the child Tyrell, he had godly grandparents with a good marital relationship who steered him in the right path. Even so, he was reluctant to believe he could have a marriage better than what his parents had.
Emma Jaine, on the other hand, longed for a man she could respect and love. She feared, with the war starting, that all the young men would be gone. She would end up as an old maid. Yet when God heeded her cry for someone, she failed to trust Tyrell could be the one. Whispers of deceit and failure to understand his intentions created mistrust and reluctance to accept his love.
The feeling Tyrell had for Emma Jaine showed clearly in his voice and his expression as he sang. Emma Jaine reacted with typical shyness but knew in the depths of her heart what he meant as he sang to her. He loved her. She loved him.
About Carole: Brown not only has her award winning (RWA International Digital Awards Contest 2nd place in Inspirational, Laurel Award finalist, Selah finalist; Genesis semi-finalist) debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, available for purchase now, but a companion book called West Virginia Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman, filled with tidbits of information about West Virginia, quotes, recipes from West Virginia and from Caralynne’s life, pictures and discussion questions for the novel.
November, 2013, the first book in her mystery series, Hog Insane, released. It’s a fun, lighthearted novel introducing the characters, Denton and Alex Davies. Look for the second book, Bat Crazy, late winter.
Released November 1, 2014, is the first book in a new WWII romantic suspense series: With Music In Their Hearts. Three red-headed sisters. Three spies. Three stories.
Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? Learn more and connect: Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author, Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212, Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/, Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown, Stitches in Time: http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/, Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/
About the book – With Music in Their Heart Blurb: Angry at being rejected for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker accepts the call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country. Across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign country is stealing secret plans for newly developed ammunition to be used in the war. According to his FBI cousin, this spy favors pink stationery giving strong indications that a woman is involved.
He’s instructed to obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely, spunky red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner. Sparks of jealousy and love fly between them immediately even as they battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up.
While Tyrell searches for the murdering spy who reaches even into the boarding home, Emma Jaine struggles with an annoying renter, a worried father (who could be involved in this spy thing), and two younger sisters who are very different but just as strong willed as she is.
As Tyrell works to keep his double life a secret and locate the traitor, he refuses to believe that Emma Jaine could be involved even when he sees a red-haired woman in the arms of another man. Could the handsome and svelte banker who’s also determined to win Emma Jaine’s hand for marriage, be the dangerous man he’s looking for? Is the trouble-making renter who hassles Emma Jaine serving as a flunky? Worse, is Papa Rayner so worried about his finances and keeping his girls in the style they’re used to, that he’ll stoop to espionage?
Will their love survive the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path of true love?
Purchase Links:
Kindle Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OVFWA5S?pldnSite=1
Print Link: http://www.amazon.com/Music-Their-Hearts-Spies-World/dp/1941622038/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415113865&sr=1-1&keywords=With+Music+in+Their+Hearts
Question: Do you have a special song that means something special to you?
Come back Nov 19th for Carole’s romantic excerpt & recipe!
would love to win.
I love that song too! Love to win the book
I wish I could say that I have a special song, but through the years I tended to gravitate toward specific singers or groups, rather than one specific song. Growing up, we always had music playing at our house–mostly country music or hymns. Then, rock and roll came along. When I was a teenager, my boyfriend broke up with me and I almost wore out Elvis’ “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” That’s as close as I ever got to having a special song 🙂
Angela, hope you do! Thanks for stopping by.
I hope you do win, Angela! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Sheila, aren’t songs great? Hope you win! Thanks for sharing your love of the songs with us.
Lol, I did the same think, Kay, only with a different song! That’s an awesome comment and glad you shared! Thanks.
I love the hymn, Amazing Grace. The words, the melody, everything. I know all the words to all the verses and used to sing my son to sleep with it when he was a baby.