Thursday, November 17, 2016

Love Found in Sherwood Forest

Click here to purchase your copy of Love Found In Sherwood Forest.

About the Book


love-found-front-cover
Click to purchase

Award-winning Broadway actress Leighanne Webster has it all until an on-stage panic attack brings her career crashing to the ground. Returning to England to help produce the annual Robin Hood Festival play could be the diversion Leighanne needs. But with ex-fiancé, Jamison Blake, as the play’s director focusing on her new job won’t be easy. Breaking his engagement with Leighanne so she could pursue her dream of being a Broadway star was the hardest thing Jamison Blake ever did. When she returns to Nottingham, his heart insists he made a mistake. Can he convince her to give their relationships another try, or will he have to let her go again? This time, forever.

My thoughts: First, the disclaimer. "I was provided a free PDF copy of this book. All opinions are my own." That done, LOVE FOUND IN SHERWOOD FOREST is the first Love Found series book I've read.  Like the author, I am intrigued by Robin Hood and did read one very successfully done romance set on a Robin Hood festival in Great Britain sometime ago. Unfortunately, I don't remember the title or the author so I can't mention it here. 

Ms. Matchett says in the blog post below that she has always written mysteries and there is a touch of mystery in this story. Someone is sabatoging the play, but who, and why?  I did figure out the who, but not the why, and even at the end of the book I'm still not clear on the why. 

LOVE FOUND IN SHERWOOD FOREST is a novella really, at only 160 pages so it didn't take long to read. And I don't know whether the copy I got is the final copy or not but the formatting was awful. 

I like the way the two main characters had loved each other before and lost each other, which started the story off on a not-a-new-relationship-in-such-a-short-book, which is good. But I thought both of them acted rather immaturely and some of the plot line was very contrived and well, cliched. Very definitely formula romance. Which is understandable since the author also says (in the blog post below) that this is her first romance. I see lots of potential for this author. 

I loved  how the author worked in the spiritual applications and how she openly used scripture and had them coming to the characters minds.  If you are intrigued by Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest, and England, then pick up a copy of LOVE FOUND IN SHERWOOD FOREST. A good blend of contemporary romance in a historical setting. 

About the Author

linda-e-1Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda Shenton Matchett has lived in historical places most of her life-from Edison, New Jersey (named for the famed inventor of the lightbulb) and Washington, DC to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (reputed to be the oldest summer resort in America). A freelance writer for over ten years, her articles and devotionals have appeared in numerous print and online publications. A varied career has included stints as a crisis counselor, human resources professional, bed and breakfast owner, and youth center director. She is currently the Front of House, Snackbar, and Catering Manager for Brewster Academy, a boarding high school. In her off hours, she can be found volunteering as a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. She is active in her church where she serves as treasurer, usher, choir member, and Bible study leader.

Guest Post from the Author

Do you ever wonder where an author gets her inspiration? I certainly do. Let me tell you how Love Found in Sherwood Forest came about. I love history, so when the opportunity to write a contemporary story that embedded historical elements, I jumped at the chance. It was the first romance story I wrote, and it was in response to a challenge laid down by my critique group. (All my manuscripts to this point were mysteries.)

One of the major publishers was looking for submissions and provided a list of writing prompts with locations and items to be included in each story. When I saw the prompt that included Nottingham, England I decided a contemporary story wrapped around the Robin Hood legend would be fun to write. I’ve been enamoured with the story ever since I saw the 1938 Errol Flynn movie The Adventures of Robin Hood.

I love doing research because I unearth so many interesting pieces of information. This research junket was no different. I learned lots of intriguing facts about Robin, Maid Marian, and Robin’s “Merry Men.” I also discovered Major Oak, a tree in Sherwood Forest thought to be nearly 1,000 years old and shelter for Robin and his men.

Here’s a bit about me in case we’ve never “met.” I’ve been writing since I was young. My folks recognized my imagination and gave me a notepad and package of pens when I was in third grade. I wrote stories through high school, but writing went on the back burner during my college and career years. When we left the Washington, DC area to move to New Hampshire to purchase a B&B, I started journaling the experience. Putting pen to paper reminded me how much I loved to write, and I began to create stories. It’s been a long journey to publication-over ten years-but through all that time I learned so much about writing, but more importantly I learned about myself and my faith in God. I discovered you can’t write Christian fiction without examining your own Christianity.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy Love Found in Sherwood Forest.

Blog Stops

November 11: The Power of Words (Spotlight)
November 12: Karen Sue Hadley
November 13: Daysong Reflections
November 14: A Greater Yes
November 14: Mary Hake
November 15: Bibliophile Reviews
November 16: Blossoms and Blessings
November 17: Lighthouse Academy
November 18: inklings and notions
November 19: Sue Stinnett
November 20: Christian Bookaholic
November 21: Carpe Diem

Giveaway


In honor of her tour, Linda is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of each of Linda Matchett’s books! Click the link below to enter; be sure to comment on this post to claim your nine bonus entries for this giveaway! https://promosimple.com/ps/a862
Link to purchase book: http://amzn.to/2dLRu2r
Link for giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/a862
Giveaway code: a862
Link for giveaway HTML: https://prom

No comments:

This Special Blessing for You Hardcover – Picture Book #childrensbook

  This Special Blessing for You  Hardcover – Picture Book, February 20, 2024 by  Eric Schrotenboer   (Author),  Meredith Schrotenboer   (Aut...