Image provided by Keli Gwyn
Today I’m delighted to welcome my friend Keli Gwyn, author of Family of Her Dreams.
I first met Keli online, and then in person at the 2011 ACFW conference in St. Louis. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed getting to know Keli better—and let me just say—she’s the real deal. Nice. Thoughtful. Down-to-earth. And a huge Taco Bell fan.
Let the fun begin!
Here’s what Keli’s book is about:
A Family to Cherish
Headstrong Tess Grimsby loves her new job caring for the children of a recently widowed man. But she never imagined that she’d fall for her handsome employer. Yet Spencer Abbott is as caring as he is attractive, and Tess can’t help but feel for him and his family. Though, for the sake of her job, she’ll keep any emotions about her boss to herself.
Between his stationmaster responsibilities in a Gold-Rush town and trying to put his family back together, Spencer has his hands full. He soon finds his new hire’s kind personality warming his frosty exterior. But could he ever admit to seeing her as more than just an employee?
Doesn’t that premise just tug at your heartstrings? Ahh.
And who doesn’t root for a family in need? And then of course, there’s the possibility of romance…
So. Let’s talk family.
Take it away, Keli!
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During one of his sermons last year, our pastor challenged us to list our five non-negotiables. He gave us a minute to jot down those things in life that matter most to us.
Since I’m a fan of alliteration, each item on my list began with the letter F.
Faith
Family
Friends
Fitness
Fiction Writing
I have a hunch family would be on most people’s lists. Would it make yours?
Since my first Love Inspired Historical, Family of Her Dreams, deals with family, I’ve been reflecting on family and what it means to me. I’ve also been thinking about the three families I’ve been part of.
My first family consisted of my mom, my dad and four kids. I’m the oldest child. My sisters were born two and four years after me. Some called us stairsteps. Our names all begin with K, so I got used to hearing my mom call for one of us like this: “Keli, Karla, Kathy…whoever.” Hmm. I wonder if that’s where my love of alliteration began.
Life was lively and loud with three girls so close in age and only got louder when our brother, David, came along five years after my baby sister. I was a shy child, but being part of a large family helped me learn to speak up. To this day, I can project my voice quite well.
My husband’s family was smaller and a whole lot quieter. Gwynly is the younger of two boys. I remember my first trip to meet his parents. The four of us put together a puzzle—in silence. Seriously, they didn’t talk much. Since I wanted to make a good impression, I had to put a lock on my lips. As I got to know my dearly departed parents-in-love, conversation became easier. Even so, I was the chattiest of the group—until our daughter came along.
Gwynly and I are the proud parents of an only. You might think our little family was quiet, but that was not the case. As soon as Adriana learned to talk, words spilled from her. Since I’m all about words, I encouraged Adri’s talkativeness. To this day she and I can carry on some lengthy conversations. She’s currently living in Austria, and our Skype calls can last two hours or more.
The family in Family of Her Dreams has suffered the loss of wife and mother. Along comes Tess Grimsby, housekeeper to seemingly reticent widower Spencer Abbot, who has two young children. Tess is determined to help this hurting family. But the task isn’t an easy one…
Spencer is quiet. Tess is not. Like me, she has to curb her tendency to talk—for a while anyhow. Watching these two characters overcome the barriers that stand between them and learn to communicate was fun for me as the writer. I hope readers enjoy their journey as well.
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Image Credit via Keli Gwyn
Award-winning author Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains.
When Keli’s fingers aren’t hovering over the keyboard of her newfangled laptop, she enjoys strolling past stately Victorian houses in her historic town, burying her nose in reference books as she unearths interesting facts to include in her stories, and interacting with other romance readers. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, other Gold Rush-era towns and historical museums. She loves hearing from readers and invites you to visit her Victorian-style cyber home at www.keligwyn.com, where you’ll find her contact information.
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And if you missed my previous visits with Keli, be sure and check out my additional posts for more fun!
PLEASE SHARE THE LOVE
What does family mean to you? Author Keli Gwyn shares her thoughts.
Families come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments—rarely perfect, but sometimes, just right.
Author Keli Gwyn is in the house! Stop by for a chance to win Family of Her Dreams!
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
From now until Monday, 6/1/15 (5 pm CST), leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Family of Her Dreams. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, 6/3/15.
GIVEAWAY RULES
- Must be 21 or older to enter
- Must leave a comment by Monday, 6/1/15 (5 pm CST)
- Must live in the U.S. due to mailing restrictions
- Void where prohibited
- One winner only drawn at random
- Winner announced on Wednesday’s blog (6/3/15)
(If your comment doesn’t show up right away, no worries! I’ll continue to check back.)
Image Credit: Keli Gwyn
Copyright © 2015 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Cover copy text used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited.
Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited
® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
or its affiliated companies, used under license
Thank you, Keli, for stopping by today! What a blessing families are!
I must admit—I giggled when I thought about putting a puzzle together in silence. Wow! And you-–chatty? Big grin over my way. =)
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Where did you fit in the line-up as a child?
Is your current family noisy or quiet?
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Much Love and Many Blessings,
Comments 9
Thanks so much for hosting me, Cindy! I look forward to visiting with your blog’s readers and getting to know about their families.
To start things off, would you tell us about your first family? How many siblings do you have, and where do you fit in the line-up?
Author
Good morning, Keli! Welcome! *waves* As a “PK” I was raised in a traditional home—a mama, a daddy, and a younger sister. We enjoyed the simple things in life and knew how to have fun with limited resources. Some of my fondest memories are of holidays and merry-making.
Cindy, your childhood sounds wonderful. I’m sure you have many treasured memories.
Oh this sounds like such a good book!! I’m the oldest of four kids as well, two girls and two boys. I think there’s only one word to describe us when we’re all together, LOUD!
Hi, Abby! Glad to have another oldest here–and someone who can relate to the volume of four kids vying to be heard. What wonderful memories you must have.
Author
Abby, hello! I always wanted to be part of a big family, but my little sister more than made up for the “loud.” *wink* (I lived vicariously through The Waltons—I think I’m John Boy’s long, lost sister.)
Hi Keli and Cindy, I have enjoyed your interview. My mother died a month before my sixth birthday. My father remarried when I was nine. There were three in each family, with two being older. I grew up going from the youngest to the oldest at home having two brothers younger. My husband was number six of ten and grew up in a busy farming family. My husband is quiet while I meet people easily. Our children are grown and we moved in the middle to travel to them in equal directions. Our home is quiet; we enjoy playing table games in the evenings together, church activities, and attending community theatre plays. I would like to win Keli’s story.
Kathleen, I’m so sorry you lost your mother when you were such a young girl. That had to be heart wrenching. I’m sure many things changed when your father remarried and you gain three siblings, among them the volume.
Sounds like you and your husband enjoy the quiet in your home after the noise you experienced as one of many growing up.
Author
Hi Kathleen, I can’t imagine how difficult it was to lose your mama when you were so young. I’m so sorry! I’m sure you were a loving influence on your siblings.
We share some things in common—my husband is quiet, too. And I’m…not as much. =) We enjoy church activities, too, and we have a heart for the theater. (Our son acted in many college plays. Now that he teaches full-time, he still acts in community theater as time permits.)
Thanks so much for stopping by!