Shannon here: June Foster shares the inspiration for her latest Romantic Suspense Title, Love Found in Cranberry Cove. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an ebook copy. Deadline: Nov 27th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s June:
Love Found in Cranberry Cove is the second book in my Cranberry Cove series. I was blessed to see the first book, The Inn at Cranberry Cove, win first place in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers contest, a Selah award for romantic suspense. So, writing book 2 was a challenge to live up to the standards of book 1.
Most of the characters are the same as in book 1, and Gracie Mayberry, who befriends Ashton Price, the heroine in book 1, is the heroine of Book 2. She quits her job at Starbucks to help her mother at the inn since Ashton is on maternity leave. She meets the handsome, wealthy executive from Seattle who’s known opulence all his life, though he’s worked hard in his father’s thriving business.
Since Gracie’s family struggles financially, the contrast between the hero and the heroine is evident.
Gracie’s father is a wounded vet who lost both legs in a training exercise in the army and suffers from PTSD. This character makes me think of my husband who served for twenty years. Thankfully he didn’t lose limbs and doesn’t suffer from PTSD, but he does remember the time in Vietnam when he barely dodged enemy fire.
The hero, Blake Sloan, sees Gracie’s godly character and spirit within and wants what she has, a relationship with the Lord. He comes to realize spiritual wealth is much more important than earthly wealth. So, when a stalker makes late-night visits to Gracie’s home, Blake wants to provide protection. Together they work to discover who threatens both Gracie and Blake’s lives.
The inn is patterned after a real-life inn, the Inn at Harbour Village, in Ilwaco, Washington where my husband and I visited when we lived in the Pacific Northwest. Though I tried to describe the inn from my memories of twenty years ago, most of the story is fictionized.
Hamburger Stroganoff
1/2 cup minced onion
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 cup butter
1 pound ground hamburger
2 T flour
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 pound fresh mushrooms or 8 oz. can sliced
10 1/2 oz. can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup sour cream
2 T minced parsley
Sauté onion and garlic in butter. Add meat and brown. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and mushrooms. Cook 5 minutes. Stir in soup. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Heat through. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve in ring of poppy seed noodles or rice.
About June: An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She is the mother of two and grandmother of ten. June began writing Christian romance in 2010. She penned her first novel on her Toshiba laptop as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provide a rich source of information for her novels. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next book.
To date, June has written over twenty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas. She loves to compose stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives. She’s published with Winged Publications.
Her novel, The Inn at Cranberry Cove, won the 2021 Selah award for Romantic Suspense. Learn more & connect:
at the community college in a neighboring coastal town. Seattle resident Blake Sloan admits he’s followed his father’s dream instead of his heart’s desire—to run his own business and start a non-profit to benefit wounded vets. But when a stalker makes terrifying midnight visits to the humble Mayberry home and threatens their lives, Blake discovers he’s also a target of extortion. Can Blake and Gracie learn who’s behind the danger that threatens them? Will a small-town girl and big-city boy find a life together?
Shannon, thank you so much for featuring Love Found in Cranberry Cove on your blog. Readers may be interested in reading the entire series which I had so much fun writing. I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving. Happy reading. June
My husband is a vet who served in Viet Nam and he earned a purple heart. We attend many events that honor the veterans and especially enjoy the programs we attend at local schools.
Beth, thank you for your comment. My husband also served in Viet Nam. I’m so glad we give the veterans the respect and honor due to them.
Love Found in Cranberry Cove sounds very good! I really enjoy Christian romantic suspense/mysteries, and this book sounds like one I would really like. I think that the inn being patterned after an old real-life inn is very intriguing as well. Thank you for a chance to win an ebook copy of this book!
I have not volunteered to serve vets or know of an organization that does, but several members of my family are veterans. My father fought in the Philippians and was given a Purple Heart. I am thankful for veterans and all of those who serve today to protect our country and our freedom!
Thanks for commenting, Allison. You might enjoy the part of the story which honors vets. In the story, Blake, the hero, encourages and helps the heroine’s father who lost both legs in the service.
My husband is a Desert Storm Veteran and I’ve attended Honor Guard ceremonies in which he’s participated. We’ve also marched in a Memorial Day Parade while holding the names of local soldiers who’d lost their lives while serving. Yet, I feel like being my husband’s advocate and part of his support system while suffering from PTSD and its comorbidities have been where I’ve had the privilege to serve the most. My husband has a heart for ministering to others and is now a Chaplain for the BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse organizations.
Love Found in Cranberry Cove sounds like a special story.
Terrill, thanks for sharing. I think you would really enjoy reading Love Found at Cranberry Cove as the heroine’s father has PTSD. Your husband is blessed to have your support.
I have a uncle who served in the army but forgot which one he served in.
Kendra, thank you for sharing. Happy thanksgiving.
Love the title!
Thanks, Karen. All 3 books in the series have Cranberry Cove in the title! 😊
I have a winner! Kendra Muonio won the drawing. I appreciate June for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.