204 ROSEWOOD LANE
A Cedar Cove Novel
BY DEBBIE MACOMBER
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Dear Reader,
If you've been to Cedar Cove before we've probably met. You can usually find me either at home or at the public library, where I work. I've lived in this town all my life and raised two daughters here. But my husband and I—well, about six months ago, he disappeared. Just . . . disappeared. Where's Dan? Why did he go? Who's he with? Will I ever find out?
My hometown, my family and friends, bring me comfort during this difficult time. Comfort and a sense of shelter. I'm continually reminded that life can and does go on. For instance, everyone's been discussing weddings and babies lately. Justine—the only daughter of my best friend, Olivia Lockhart - impulsively got married a little while ago. My own daughter, Kelly, had a baby. Unfortunately, she refuses to accept that Dan might not return to see his first grandchild. My older daughter, Maryellen, is more realistic. I think she's seeing a new man, but for some reason she won't tell me who it is.
Then there's Jack, who's been pursuing a romance with Olivia, and his son, Eric, and Eric's girlfriend, Shelly (I think she's pregnant), and Zach and Rosemary Cox, whose marriage is reputedly on the skids and . . . Well, just come on over and we'll talk!
Grace
If you've been to Cedar Cove before we've probably met. You can usually find me either at home or at the public library, where I work. I've lived in this town all my life and raised two daughters here. But my husband and I—well, about six months ago, he disappeared. Just . . . disappeared. Where's Dan? Why did he go? Who's he with? Will I ever find out?
My hometown, my family and friends, bring me comfort during this difficult time. Comfort and a sense of shelter. I'm continually reminded that life can and does go on. For instance, everyone's been discussing weddings and babies lately. Justine—the only daughter of my best friend, Olivia Lockhart - impulsively got married a little while ago. My own daughter, Kelly, had a baby. Unfortunately, she refuses to accept that Dan might not return to see his first grandchild. My older daughter, Maryellen, is more realistic. I think she's seeing a new man, but for some reason she won't tell me who it is.
Then there's Jack, who's been pursuing a romance with Olivia, and his son, Eric, and Eric's girlfriend, Shelly (I think she's pregnant), and Zach and Rosemary Cox, whose marriage is reputedly on the skids and . . . Well, just come on over and we'll talk!
Grace
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
In that I do so many of Debbie Macomber's books, I wanted to put a little something new under this "bio" section. So here, from Debbie's website, are some interview questions and answers to help to know her better. If you would like to read her full biography, please go HERE and learn all about this multi-talented and wonderful woman.
1. What do you enjoy most about writing? What kinds of scenes do you enjoy writing the most?
As I often say—and it's the truth—I enjoy every aspect of writing, including revisions. I've worked with Paula Eykelhof for years—a quarter of a century, believe it or not—and our goal is always to produce the best book possible, and that requires doing rewrites, sometimes more than one. I enjoy writing scenes with a touch of humor.
2. What are the longest and shortest times it's taken you to write a book?
Sorry . . . I don't remember. I've always written to deadlines. When I start a book, I take my calendar and work out how many pages I need to write every day in order to meet my deadline. Then I stay in my office each day until those pages are completed.
3. How do you like writing stories that are set around a holiday like Christmas vs. a story that's more about everyday life?
The holiday season adds an element of fun. Since I've written a Christmas story nearly every year of my career, you might have guessed that I'm especially fond of the season. Not only do I love helping my readers enjoy it, I also find that a Christmas setting tends to heighten the poignancy and even the drama of a story.
4. How do you get the ideas and characters for your books?
Because my gift is that of storytelling, this part comes naturally to me. Story ideas are all around us; life itself presents us with plenty of ideas every single day. It's a matter of being open to them—and then fashioning them into a story with believable and compelling characters. And I think most writers find that the people around them provide the basis for the fictional characters they create. I certainly do. It can be a matter of taking a trait from one person, a physical characteristic from another, a way of speaking from a third and then combining them. Ultimately, believable characters come from the writer's observations about the people and situations around him or her.
1. What do you enjoy most about writing? What kinds of scenes do you enjoy writing the most?
As I often say—and it's the truth—I enjoy every aspect of writing, including revisions. I've worked with Paula Eykelhof for years—a quarter of a century, believe it or not—and our goal is always to produce the best book possible, and that requires doing rewrites, sometimes more than one. I enjoy writing scenes with a touch of humor.
2. What are the longest and shortest times it's taken you to write a book?
Sorry . . . I don't remember. I've always written to deadlines. When I start a book, I take my calendar and work out how many pages I need to write every day in order to meet my deadline. Then I stay in my office each day until those pages are completed.
3. How do you like writing stories that are set around a holiday like Christmas vs. a story that's more about everyday life?
The holiday season adds an element of fun. Since I've written a Christmas story nearly every year of my career, you might have guessed that I'm especially fond of the season. Not only do I love helping my readers enjoy it, I also find that a Christmas setting tends to heighten the poignancy and even the drama of a story.
4. How do you get the ideas and characters for your books?
Because my gift is that of storytelling, this part comes naturally to me. Story ideas are all around us; life itself presents us with plenty of ideas every single day. It's a matter of being open to them—and then fashioning them into a story with believable and compelling characters. And I think most writers find that the people around them provide the basis for the fictional characters they create. I certainly do. It can be a matter of taking a trait from one person, a physical characteristic from another, a way of speaking from a third and then combining them. Ultimately, believable characters come from the writer's observations about the people and situations around him or her.
AN EXCERPT FROM 204 ROSEWOOD LANE:
Grace Sherman stared down at the legal form that would start the divorce proceedings. She sat in the attorney's office with Maryellen, her oldest daughter, who'd come with her to offer support. Grace reminded herself that this should be straightforward, that her decision was made. She was ready to end her marriage, ready to piece together her shattered life. To begin again . . . But her hand shook as she picked up the pen.
The inescapable fact was that she didn't want this - but Dan hadn't left her with any other option.
Five months ago, in April, her husband of almost thirty-six years had disappeared. Vanished without a trace. One day everything was perfectly normal, and the next he was gone. Apparently by choice and without a word of explanation. Even now, Grace had difficulty believing that the man she'd lived with, the man she'd loved and with whom she'd had two daughters, could do anything as cruel as this.
If Dan had fallen out of love with her, she could accept that. She would've found enough pride, enough generosity, to release him without bitterness. If he was that miserable in their marriage, she would've gladly set him free to find happiness with someone else. What she couldn't forgive was the misery he'd heaped on their family's shoulders, what he'd done to their daughters. Especially Kelly.....To finish reading this excerpt, visit Debbie Macomber's website HERE.
The inescapable fact was that she didn't want this - but Dan hadn't left her with any other option.
Five months ago, in April, her husband of almost thirty-six years had disappeared. Vanished without a trace. One day everything was perfectly normal, and the next he was gone. Apparently by choice and without a word of explanation. Even now, Grace had difficulty believing that the man she'd lived with, the man she'd loved and with whom she'd had two daughters, could do anything as cruel as this.
If Dan had fallen out of love with her, she could accept that. She would've found enough pride, enough generosity, to release him without bitterness. If he was that miserable in their marriage, she would've gladly set him free to find happiness with someone else. What she couldn't forgive was the misery he'd heaped on their family's shoulders, what he'd done to their daughters. Especially Kelly.....To finish reading this excerpt, visit Debbie Macomber's website HERE.
GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO KIM AND MY PALS AT
NANCY BERLAND PUBLIC RELATIONS, I
HAVE A WONDERFUL DEBBIE MACOMBER
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY TO A LUCKY READER
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE AND SIMPLY TELL ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU WOULD LIKE A CHANCE TO WIN 204 ROSEWOOD LANE
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+1 (or +?) MORE ENTRIES: COMMENT IF YOU HAVE ENTERED ANY OF MY OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAYS. IF YOU HAVE ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, YOU MAY GET EXTRA ENTRIES BY COMMENTING SEPARATELY FOR EACH ONE YOU HAVE ENTERED.
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!
HOW TO ENTER:
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!
HOW TO ENTER:
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE AND SIMPLY TELL ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU WOULD LIKE A CHANCE TO WIN 204 ROSEWOOD LANE
+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW
+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING WHEN VISITING DEBBIE MACOMBER'S WEBSITE HERE. YOU MAY WANT TO COMMENT ON A ONE OF HER BOOKS YOU HAVE READ OR WOULD LIKE TO READ
+1 (or +?) MORE ENTRIES: COMMENT IF YOU HAVE ENTERED ANY OF MY OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAYS. IF YOU HAVE ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, YOU MAY GET EXTRA ENTRIES BY COMMENTING SEPARATELY FOR EACH ONE YOU HAVE ENTERED.
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 15
GOOD LUCK!
